bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Direct and indirect effects of demographic, medical, and psychological variables on neuropsychological performance in normal geriatric persons: A structural equation model
Authors: Uchiyama Craig Lyons , Mitrushina Maura , Satz Paul , Schall Matthew 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe direct and indirect effects of demographic, medical, and psychological variables on neuropsychological performance in elderly individuals were examined using a LISREL structural equation model. One-hundred fifty-six geriatric subjects were individually administered a comprehensive neuropsychological battery, an extensive medical history and demographics questionnaire, and the Neuropsychology Behavior and Affect Profile (a psychological assessment instrument). The model assessed the effects of five independent latent variables (medical history, psychological functioning, global mental status, education, and gender-related functioning) on two dependent latent variables (nonverbal and verbal neuropsychological functioning). The best fitting model revealed that three latent variables (medical history, global mental status, and gender-related functioning) had direct effects on neuropsychological functioning and that all five independent variables exhibited indirect effects. These findings suggest that the influence of demographic variables on neuropsychological functioning for geriatric persons is complex and that certain variables should not be interpreted independently of each other due to their significant moderating influences. (JINS, 1996, 2, 299–305.)
Dissociable contributions of the two cerebral hemispheres to judgments of line orientation
Authors: Mehta Ziyah , Newcombe Freda 
Published: February 2009

AbstractA previous study of the performance of men with chronic unilateral focal brain lesions (due to wartime missile injury) on a standard test of line orientation suggested a left hemisphere (LH) as well as a right hemisphere (RH) contribution to visuospatial processing. The present study was designed to fractionate the variables that could underlie this unexpected finding and thereby to tease out the mechanisms involved in LH as compared with RH processing. A simpler (“purer”) version of the standard line orientation task was used, as were two other versions in which matching in an array and matching with distractors were measured. The findings confirmed the hypothesis of RH involvement in the purer task of metric measurement and suggested that the LH has an important role in keeping track of decisions and updating decisions in more complex aspects of line orientation judgment. (JINS, 1996, 2, 335–339.)
Spontaneous and posed facial expression in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Smith Marcia C. , Smith Melissa K. , Ellgring Heiner 
Published: February 2009

AbstractSpontaneous and posed emotional facial expressions in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD, n – 12) were compared with those of healthy age-matched controls (n = 12). The intensity and amount of facial expression in PD patients were expected to be reduced for spontaneous but not posed expressions. Emotional stimuli were video clips selected from films, 2–5 min in duration, designed to elicit feelings of happiness, sadness, fear, disgust, or anger. Facial movements were coded using Ekman and Friesen's (1978) Facial Action Coding System (FACS). In addition, participants rated their emotional experience on 9-point Likert scales. The PD group showed significantly less overall facial reactivity than did controls when viewing the films. The predicted Group X Condition (spontaneous vs. posed) interaction effect on smile intensity was found when PD participants with more severe disease were compared with those with milder disease and with controls. In contrast, ratings of emotional experience were similar for both groups. Depression was positively associated with emotion ratings, but not with measures of facial activity. Spontaneous facial expression appears to be selectively affected in PD, whereas posed expression and emotional experience remain relatively intact. (JINS, 1996, 2, 383–391.)
The influence of pattern type on children's block design performance
Authors: Akshoomoff Natacha A. , Stiles Joan 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThis study sought to determine what factors contribute to normal developmental changes in performance on the block design task. The target models were systematically varied to emphasize global, intermediate, and local pattern structures. One hundred children between 4.5 and 9 years of age were tested in the first experiment. Correct performance and error types differed significantly as a function of age and pattern type. Broken configuration errors were particularly common for the global patterns. In the second experiment, 48 children between 4.5 and 8 years of age were tested using designs with a superimposed grid (cued condition). Error rates were lower in the cued condition and broken configuration errors were less frequent. These results suggest that children have more difficulty parsing more cohesive patterns, but they can modify their strategies when the square matrix is provided by the pattern structure. (JINS, 1996,2, 392–402.)
Assessment of neglect reveals dissociable behavioral but not neuroanatomical subtypes
Authors: McGlinchey-Berroth Regina , Bullis David P. , Milberg William P. , Verfaellie Mieke , Alexander Michael , D'Esposito Mark 
Published: February 2009

AbstractIn the current study, we investigated whether standard assessment techniques of visuospatial neglect are sensitive to detecting dissociable subtypes. We administered a battery of tasks commonly used to detect the presence of visuospatial neglect to 120 patients with unilateral right hemisphere infarcts and, in most cases, performed a systematic analysis of their lesions to quantify and localize brain damage. Using a factor analysis, we discovered seven relatively independent constructs, three of which were specifically related to the presence of left hemispatial neglect:Left Attentional Processing, Line Bisection. andWord Reading. Impairments in two of these factors.Left Attentional ProcessingandLine Bisection, occurred together in most cases but also occurred independently in 38 cases. There were no cases in whomWord Readingwas present without concomitant deficits in one or the other two factors. These three factors could not be distinguished neuroanatomically; that is, lesions were equally likely in the temporal/parietal cortex, dorsolateral frontal cortex, or in deep frontal structures. These data confirm the notion that hemispatial neglect is a complex and multifaceted disorder composed of cognitively independent processes. These processes, however, cannot be dissociated neuroanatomically based on currently available assessment techniques. (JINS, 1996,2, 441–451.)
Neuropsychological functioning in a patient with paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis
Authors: Martin Roy C. , Haut Marc W. , Goeta-Kreisler Kevin , Blumenthal Deborah 
Published: February 2009

AbstractA 54-year-old woman with clinically diagnosed paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis secondary to adenocarcinoma of the lung is described. Neuropsychological evaluation revealed intact visual perception, visual construction, language, speeded processing, and verbal abstract reasoning in the presence of a severe anterograde amnesia for both verbal and visual information. A profound consolidation problem is discussed in view of other diseases of the mesial temporal lobes resulting in impaired consolidation of new material. (JINS, 1996, 2, 460–466.)
Proactive inhibition and semantic organization Relationship with verbal memory in patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Kareken David A. , Moberg Paul J. , Gur Ruben C. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractCompared to other cognitive functions in schizophrenia, evidence suggests that verbal memory is particularly impaired. This study used the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) to examine proactive inhibition (PI) and semantic processing in verbal memory in 29 patients with schizophrenia and 29 healthy controls. Patients showed significantly less PI, but also did not organize (cluster) their recall according to semantic category. Controls and patients demonstrated small retroactive inhibition (RI) effects regardless of semantic content. Although both groups made similar types and numbers of free recall intrusion errors, patients committed more phonemic and nonshared recognition errors. Results suggest that reduced semantic processing prevented build of PI, and contributes to defective memory in schizophrenia. The anatomic-physiologic abnormalities that underlie these findings may be particularly pronounced in prefrontal and temporal-parietal cortical areas. (JINS, 1996, 2, 486–493.)
The impact of posttraumatic seizures on 1-year neuropsychological and psychosocial outcome of head injury
Authors: Haltiner Alan M. , Temkin Nancy R. , Winn H. Richard , Dikmen Sureyya S. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThis study examined the relationship of posttraumatic seizures and head injury severity to neuropsychological performance and psychosocial functioning in 210 adults who were prospectively followed and assessed 1 year after moderate to severe traumatic head injury. Eighteen percent (n = 38) of the patients experienced 1 or more late seizures (i.e., seizures occurring 8 or more days posttrauma) by the time of the 1-year followup. As expected, the head injured patients who experienced late posttraumatic seizures were those with the most severe head injuries, and they were significantly more impaired on the neuropsychological and psychosocial measures compared to those who remained seizure free. However, after the effects of head injury severity were controlled, there were no significant differences in neuropsychological and psychosocial outcome at 1 year as a function of having seizures. These findings suggest that worse outcomes in patients who develop posttraumatic seizures up to 1 year posttrauma largely reflect the effects of the brain injuries that cause seizures, rather than the effect of seizures. (JINS, 1996, 2, 494–504.)
The structure of normal human attention: The Test of Everyday Attention
Authors: Robertson Ian H. , Ward Tony , Ridgeway Valerie , Nimmo-Smith Ian 
Published: February 2009

AbstractA range of tests of everyday attention is described, based on ecologically plausible activities such as searching maps, looking through telephone directories, and listening to lottery number broadcasts. An age-, sex- and IQ-stratified sample of 154 normal participants was given these tests, along with a number of existing tests of attention. The factor structure revealed by this data set matched well contemporary evidence for a set of functionally independent attentional circuits in the brain, and included factors for sustained attention, selective attention, attentional switching and auditory-verbal working memory. The Test of Everyday Attention (TEA), which was developed and standardized on the basis of these subtests, has three parallel forms, high test-retest reliability, and correlates significantly with existing measures of attention. Furthermore, selected subtests successfully discriminate among a number of brain-impaired groups, including closed head injury versus age-matched controls, minimal versus mild Alzheimer’s disease, and progressive supranuclear palsy patients versus age-matched controls. (JINS, 1996, 2, 525–534.)
The relative importance of social class and maternal education for breast-feeding initiation
Authors: Skafida Valeria 
Published: February 2009

AbstractObjectiveTo examine changes in breast-feeding take-up rates among young children in Scotland and to assess whether maternal education or occupation-based social class is a stronger and better predictor of breast-feeding take-up.DesignBinary logistic regression models were developed from the first sweep of the Growing Up in Scotland longitudinal survey, for the two cohorts of children.SettingA national representative survey for Scotland.SubjectsA baby cohort of 5012 singletons born over a 12-month period between June 2004 and May 2005, and a toddler cohort of 2732 singletons born over a 12-month period between June 2002 and May 2003.ResultsMothers from more privileged social classes and those with more educational qualifications resulted as more likely to breast-feed. However, maternal education was a better and more robust predictor of breast-feeding take-up compared with social class. There were no significant differences in breast-feeding take-up between the two cohorts and only minor differences between mothers aged 20–29 years and those who stated an intention to bottle-feed prior to birth.ConclusionsThe study suggests that the importance of maternal education in influencing breast-feeding has been somewhat overlooked in research based in more developed countries. The results indicate that, compared with occupation-related social class, maternal education is a more informative, accurate and useful lens through which to understand and explain patterns of breast-feeding take-up.
Children’s takeaway and fast-food intakes: associations with the neighbourhood food environment
Authors: Timperio Anna F , Ball Kylie , Roberts Rebecca , Andrianopoulos Nick , Crawford David A 
Published: February 2009

AbstractObjectiveThe present study aimed to examine associations between availability of outlets where takeaway or fast food could be purchased and consumption of takeaway or fast food among children.DesignCross-sectional. Parents completed a questionnaire regarding the frequency per week their child usually ate takeaway or fast foods. The availability of outlets where these foods could be purchased close to home and en route to school was determined with a Geographic Information System (presence of any outlets and density of outlets within 800 m from home and along the route to school, and distance from home to closest outlet).SettingGreater Melbourne and Geelong, Australia.SubjectsThree hundred and fifty-three children aged 5–6 years and 463 children aged 10–12 years.ResultsOverall, 69·4 % of children consumed takeaway or fast foods once weekly or more often. Only one measure of availability of outlets close to home was associated with consumption; each additional outlet within 800 m was associated with 3 % lower odds of consuming takeaway or fast foods at least once weekly (OR = 0·97, 95 % CI 0·95, 1·00). There were no associations between availability en route to school and the likelihood of consuming takeaway or fast food at least once weekly.ConclusionsAccess to outlets where takeaway or fast food could be purchased did not predict frequency of consumption of takeaway or fast food in the expected direction. Such relationships appear to be complex and may not be adequately captured by the measures of access included in the current study.
Variations in fresh fruit and vegetable quality by store type, urban–rural setting and neighbourhood deprivation in Scotland
Authors: Cummins Steven , Smith Dianna M , Taylor Mathew , Dawson John , Marshall David , Sparks Leigh , Anderson Annie S 
Published: February 2009

AbstractObjectiveNeighbourhood differences in access to fresh fruit and vegetables may explain social inequalities in diet. Investigations have focused on variations in cost and availability as barriers to the purchase and consumption of fresh produce; investigations of quality have been neglected. Here we investigate whether produce quality systematically varies by food store type, rural–urban location and neighbourhood deprivation in a selection of communities across Scotland.DesignCross-sectional survey of twelve fresh fruit and vegetable items in 288 food stores in ten communities across Scotland. Communities were selected to reflect a range of urban–rural settings and a food retail census was conducted in each location. The quality of twelve fruit and vegetable items within each food store was evaluated. Data from the Scottish Executive were used to characterise each small area by deprivation and urban–rural classification.SettingScotland.ResultsQuality of fruit and vegetables within the surveyed stores was high. Medium-sized stores, stores in small town and rural areas, and stores in more affluent areas tended to have the highest-quality fresh fruit and vegetables. Stores where food is secondary, stores in urban settings and stores in more deprived areas tended have the lowest-quality fresh produce. Although differences in quality were not always statistically significant, patterns were consistent for the majority of fruit and vegetable items.ConclusionsThe study provides evidence that variations in food quality may plausibly be a micro-environmental mediating variable in food purchase and consumption and help partially explain neighbourhood differences in food consumption patterns.
Towards the definition of a core of microorganisms involved in anaerobic digestion of sludge
Authors: Rivière Delphine , Desvignes Virginie , Pelletier Eric , Chaussonnerie Sébastien , Guermazi Sonda , Weissenbach Jean , Li Tianlun , Camacho Patricia , Sghir Abdelghani 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
The microbial consortium involved in anaerobic digestion has not yet been precisely characterized and this process remains a ‘black box’ with limited efficiency. In this study, seven anaerobic sludge digesters were selected based on technology, type of sludge, process and water quality. The prokaryotic community of these digesters was examined by constructing and analysing a total of 9890 16S rRNA gene clones. Libraries were constructed using primers specific for the Bacteria and Archaea domains for each digester, respectively. After phylogenetic affiliation, the libraries were compared using statistical tools to determine the similarities or differences among the seven digesters. Results show that the prokaryotic community of an anaerobic digester is composed of phylotypes commonly found in all anaerobic digesters sampled and also of specific phylotypes. The Archaea community is represented by an equilibrium among a restricted number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs). These OTUs are affiliated with Methanosarcinales, Methanomicrobiales and Arc I phylogenetic groups. Statistical analysis revealed that the Bacteria community can be described as a three component model: one-third making up a core group of phylotypes common to most of the digesters, one-third are phylotypes shared among a few digesters and another one-third are specific phylotypes. The core group is composed of only six OTUs affiliated with Chloroflexi, Betaproteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Synergistetes. Its role in anaerobic degradation appears critical to investigate. This comparison of anaerobic digester populations is a first step towards a future understanding of the relationship among biodiversity, operating conditions and digester efficiency.
Fermented liquid feed for pigs.
Authors: Brooks P. H. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract

Liquid feeding systems develop a microflora that usually becomes dominated by lactic acid bacteria (LAB), and this can be beneficial to the health of the pigs. When levels greater than 100 mM lactic acid are generated in liquid feed (LF), this can significantly reduce the numbers of enteropathogens and reduce the incidence of
Salmonella
. Using fermented co-products from the human food industry or deliberately fermenting LF has the potential to improve gut health and nutrient utilization. The evidence indicates that spontaneous fermentation of LF is unreliable and fails to yield consistently good results. Maintaining a continuous fermentation by retaining a proportion of the feed each day can result in the development of a resident microflora dominated by yeasts. This may compromise both palatability and health and reduce the nutritional value of the feed. Batch fermentation of the cereal portion of the diet using inoculants selected to generate high concentrations of lactic acid has the potential to produce more consistent results. This approach may enable the combination of the preservative and probiotic effects of LAB, while also improving the availability of nutrients in the feed and reducing levels of anti-nutrients and mycotoxins. Accurate assessment of these changes will enable nutritionists to modify raw material specifications and constraints to take advantage of these improvements, and in so doing, improve pig performance and reduce environmental impact.
Crop-based biodegradable packaging and its environmental implications.
Authors: Cruz-Romero M. , Kerry J. P. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
With the sharp rise in global prices for petroleum, growing concerns about the depletion of non-renewable raw materials and the worldwide interest in sustainability, responsible packaging production and an effective management of waste has created a growing interest in developing crop-based packaging materials. Crop-based packaging materials can be biodegradable and/or compostable and may offer a possible alternative to traditional synthetic materials, consequently reducing the environmental impacts relating to packaging material usage. Until recently, crop-based packaging materials had been considered a novelty in the market, with traditional synthetic plastics accounting for the vast majority of sales. However, developments in technology, growing consumer demand for environmentally friendly packaging and improved economics over petrochemical-derived plastics have led to crop-based biodegradable polymers being increasingly seen as highly promising and potential substitutes for petrochemical-derived plastic polymers. Some of the crop-based packaging materials such as polylactide are already competitive alternatives to conventional food packaging, whereas other materials such as starch-based materials will require further optimization in order to be suitable for industrial packaging applications. This review presents an overview of crop-based polymer packaging materials, their potential for industrial usage and their environmental implications. Conclusively, life-cycle analysis studies and environmental assessment data presented as part of this review support the further development of crop-based biodegradable packaging materials, provided that certain ethical issues pertaining to global food price increases, and indeed global food shortages, are considered.
Using transcriptomics to understand the wheat genome.
Authors: Coram T. E. , Brown-Guedira G. , Chen X. M. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract

Wheat (
Triticum aestivum
L.) is one of the most important food crops in the world, and transcriptomics studies of this crop promise to reveal the expression dynamics of genes that control many agriculturally important traits. In this review of wheat transcriptomics research, the current status of transcriptome surveying technology is presented, with particular emphasis on breakthrough techniques that will promote rapid progress in understanding the wheat genome. Microarrays have now become routine in wheat research, and the 55K Affymetrix Wheat GeneChip has enabled the generation of numerous high-quality datasets. In fact, the broad range of gene expression datasets provides future opportunities for integrating these data in a systematic approach that may reveal gene coexpression networks that underlie important traits. Wheat microarrays have also recently been used in other valuable approaches, including simultaneous transcriptome and genome profiling through single-feature polymorphism markers, the mapping of translocation breakpoints, and surveying of antisense transcription. The future use of wheat microarrays for gene expression measurement may be challenged by new sequencing-based transcriptomics techniques. These new techniques are presented, and the application of sequencing-by-synthesis as a future area of wheat transcriptomics research is highlighted. However, the yet to be fully sequenced polyploid wheat genome poses problems for some of these technologies when attempting to annotate and assign short-sequence tags. For this reason, the Roche 454 technology is considered the best option for future progress because of its longer sequence reads that can be more easily annotated, as well as its unbiased potential for covering the entire wheat transcriptome.