Una revisión de las principales tareas para evaluar el deterioro semántico en la Enfermedad de Alzheimer

Semantic memory (SM) impairment is one of the main symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD). SM is concerned with the representation of words, concepts and word knowledge. AD is an unpleasant experiment of «nature» that could help us to elaborate models to explain semantic memory organization. In this paper, we review the main tasks used to assess the SM system, and the results of the evaluation of AD patients. We also present data about categoryspecific effects, which consist on a total or partial impairment of a domain, for example, living beings (or animate) domain, but not of the other one, for example, artifacts domain -or vice versa-. These effects have important implications in the study of the semantic organization.ResumenEl deterioro de la memoria semántica (MS) es uno de los marcadores de la enfermedad de Alzheimer (EA). Este sistema de memoria tiene que ver con el conocimiento de las palabras, de los conceptos y del mundo. El hecho de que la EA afecte de forma tan significativa a la MS es un «experimento desagradable de la naturaleza », que puede permitirnos elaborar un modelo para explicar la organización de la MS. En este trabajo se realiza una revisión de las principales tareas utilizadas para evaluar este sistema de memoria y de los resultados obtenidos al examinar a los pacientes de Alzheimer. El trabajo se centra en los efectos de categoría, que consisten en un deterioro parcial o total del conocimiento de un dominio del conocimiento, por ejemplo, el de los seres vivos o seres animados, pero no el de los seres no vivos o artefactos -o viceversa-. Este fenómeno posee importantes implicaciones teórico-prácticas para el estudio de la organización semántica.AbstractSemantic memory (SM) impairment is one of the main symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD). SM is concerned with the representation of words, concepts and word knowledge. AD is an unpleasant experiment of «nature» that could help us to elaborate models to explain semantic memory organization. In this paper, we review the main tasks used to assess the SM system, and the results of the evaluation of AD patients. We also present data about categoryspecific effects, which consist on a total or partial impairment of a domain, for example, living beings (or animate) domain, but not of the other one, for example, artifacts domain -or vice versa-. These effects have important implications in the study of the semantic organization

15th International Symposium on Information and Communication Technologies in Education (SINTICE)

It is our great pleasure to serve as guest editors for this special issue of the IEEE RITA journal, which holds a fine selection of the most relevant papers presented at SINTICE 2013, the fifteenth international symposium in educational technology held in Madrid in September 2013. The two papers included in this special issue are representative of the high quality observed during all the conference

La anticipación en el deporte y su entrenamiento a través de preíndices

Este trabajo plantea dos partes diferenciadas. Por una parte, se plantea el fenómeno de la anticipación como una habilidad en situaciones deportivas donde el tiempo es un factor determinante de la eficacia. Se tratan en este apartado consideraciones importantes sobre las características de la anticipación en el contexto psicológico de la respuesta de reacción para centrarnos sobre la anticipación espacio-temporal. En segundo lugar, se proponen estrategias de entrenamiento basadas en técnicas de preíndices y en la utilización de sistemas computarizados para optimizar su aprendizaje. Los resultados de trabajos experimentales con deportistas profesionales reflejan la utilidad de estos sistemas automatizados de control de la información en el campo de la psicología del deporte.This article consist of two different parts. At first, we talk about the anticipation like an ability in sport situations where reaction time is a decisive factor to success and the time available is not enough. Important considerations and characteristics of anticipation in the psychological context of the reaction response is shown. In second place, we propose strategies of training based in precuing technique and the use of computerized systems to optimize learning. Experimental results with tennis players witness the utility of these systems of information control in the field of the sport psychology

Novel Results for the κ–μ Extreme Fading Distribution: Generation of White Samples and Capacity Analysis

We provide new analytical results for the κ-μ extreme (κ-μ-E) fading distribution, which is useful to model propagation conditions more severe than Rayleigh fading. First, we calculate a closed-form expression for the cumulative distribution function in terms of the first-order Marcum Q-function, which allows us to accurately generate κ-μ-E distributed random variables using the inversion method. Then, we investigate the ergodic capacity in this scenario. Strikingly, we observe that the capacity in the high-SNR regime scales differently than in all conventional fading models

Presentación y resultados preliminares de la Batería Nombela (I). Un nuevo instrumento para evaluar el deterioro semántico categorial

The study of categorical dissociations between the domains of living thing (LT) and nonliving thing (NLT) is highly relevant to the investigation of the organization and functioning of semantic memory, as well as its possible brain localization. Semantic batteries are the best approach for studying these matters. These instruments use different semantic tasks, but elaborated with the same items, in order to get convergent evidence from them. We present a new instrument: the Semantic Battery Nombela, which is intended to enrich Spanish neuropsychological assessment since, to our knowledge, there are not many Spanish instruments to evaluate specifically semantic memory impairments, with the exception of the semantic battery, EMSDA (Peraita et al., 2000). Furthermore, our battery tries to im-prove other similar instruments by studying 14 semantic categories, new theoretically interesting cate-gories, and objects with a different range of manipulability. Finally, the items of the battery were con-trolled in some important variables.El estudio de las disociaciones categoriales de los dominios de los seres vivos y de los seres no vivos o cosas fabricadas por el hombre es de gran interés para investigar la organización, el funcionamiento y la posible localización cerebral de la memoria semántica. La mejor estrategia para estudiar este fenómeno es utilizar baterías semánticas que constan de varias pruebas y utilizan los mismos Ítems presentados bajo diferentes modalidades. En este trabajo se presenta un nuevo instrumento: la batería Nombela, que pretende satisfacer una demanda entre las pruebas neuropsicológicas españolas, pues con excepción de la batería EMSDA (Peraita et al., 2000) no existe ningún instrumento en español para evaluar el deterioro semántico. Además, presenta mejoras importantes respecto a instrumentos anteriores: emplea, al estudiar 14 categorías semánticas, categorías de interés teórico, y objetos que varían en su grado de manipulabilidad. Finalmente, controla variables importantes en el estudio del deterioro semántico

Humoral response (IgG) of goats experimentally infected with Fasciola hepatica against cysteine proteinases of adult fluke

The use of cysteine proteinases from Fasciola hepatica adult flukes for the serodiagnosis of caprine fasciolosis by means of an indirect ELISA test was studied. Two proteolytic fractions from adult fluke homogenates, with apparent molecular weights of 28 and 34 kDa (P28 and P34 respectively), were characterised as cysteine proteinases using azocasein assays and gelatin gel analysis. Both P28 and P34 fractions were electroluted and used as antigens in two different indirect ELISA tests. Serum IgG levels against P28 and P34 in goats given an experimental primary infection with 200 metacercariae or in goats given two experimental infections with 200 metacercariae were determined and compared with those observed in an uninfected control group. ELISA tests using both cysteine proteases showed a rapid and consistent detection of specific IgG in all experimentally infected goats. The IgG response to P28 was the first to be detected as early as 2–3 weeks post-infection and remained elevated throughout the experiment. The response to P34 was detected later (4–6 wpi) and disappeared in some animals at 18 wpi, while flukes were still present in the bile ducts. No significant differences were observed between the anti-P28 and anti-P34 IgG responses between animals receiving a primary or a challenge infection. The results of our study, although preliminary, are promising since the P28 ELISA described here may be a reliable method for the immunodiagnosis of F. hepatica infection in goats

The κ–μ Shadowed Fading Model: Unifying the κ–μ and η–μ Distributions

This paper shows that the recently proposed k-μ shadowed fading model includes, besides the k-μ model, the η-μ fading model as a particular case. This has important relevance in practice, as it allows for the unification of these popular fading distributions through a more general, yet equally tractable, model. The convenience of new underlying physical models is discussed. Then, we derive simple and novel closed-form expressions for the asymptotic ergodic capacity in k-μ shadowed fading channels, which illustrate the effects of the different fading parameters on the system performance. By exploiting the unification here unveiled, the asymptotic capacity expressions for the k-μ, η-μ, and Rician shadowed fading models are also obtained in closed form as special cases

Copper-Catalyzed Oxidation of Alkenes and Heterocycles

A variety of copper species catalyze the allylic oxidation of olefins and the introduction of an ester group at the α-position of a heterocycle. Both transformations are closely related in terms of reaction conditions and radical species involved. This short review highlights the progress made in these two types of oxidations, emphasizing work that has occurred within the last fifteen years

Improving attitudes toward brands with environmental associations: an experimental approach

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to determine the relative importance of the ecological attribute when other attributes referring to the functional performance of a brand are taken into account, and check the effectiveness of environmental labels. Design/methodology/approach – The paper establishes an experiment in which 352 women responsible for the household shopping are exposed to different levels of environmental information. The study analyses the effect said information has on product attitude and purchase intention. In order to transmit the information, a leaflet specifically designed for the research was used. Findings – This study confirms the presence of a positive effect of environmental associations on brand attitude, though this effect is smaller than that of other functional attributes. It also demonstrates that using independent environmental certifications strengthens beliefs in the product's ecological performance. Research limitations/implications – The use of washing powder can limit the feasibility of extrapolation of the results to other products. Therefore, a replication in other product categories is necessary/advisable. Practical implications – In the light of the results, using environmental associations certified by independent bodies is recommended. This would help improve both brand attitude and brand equity. Originality/value – This paper increases the knowledge about the precise commercial usefulness of environmental associations in relation with other attributes.Grupo de Investigación ADEMA

Automatic grading of student-specific exercises in large groups of the subject theory of machines and mechanisms

This study establishes an already defined and tested method to grade exercises of kinematics and dynamics within the course entitled “Theory of Machines and Mechanisms” of the Industrial Technologies Engineering Degree at the Seville School of Engineering (Spain). Particular emphasis is made on the automation of grading and personalization of the exercises, due to the large number of students enrolled in this course. The former is made through a teaching platform available at the University of Seville and called Doctus, whilst the latter is achieved by defining the input data of the exercises and the requested results as a function of the digits of the student’s ID. The students must face and solve a personalized problem by their own with the knowledge and competences acquired during the academic course. This paper describes the exercises and the tools used to grade them and shows the satisfactory results obtained with these exercises after three academic courses