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

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

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

The Influence of History of Severe Periodontitis on Estimated Long-Term Marginal Bone Loss around Implants Restored with Fixed Segmented Full-Arch Rehabilitation

The authors of this manuscript are partially supported by Research Groups #CTS-138, #CTS-176 and #CTS-1028 (Junta de Andalucía, Spain).The aim of this study was to analyze the long-term marginal bone level (MBL) of implants supporting fixed full-arch restoration in patients who had previously lost their dentition due to severe periodontitis. This retrospective study included 35 patients in whom 342 implants with internal tapered conical connections were placed. MBL was analyzed radiographically over time and a long-term estimation of MBL was calculated. A mixed linear model with abutment height, graft, diameter and location (maxilla/mandible) as factors and gender, age, implant length and prosthetic variables as covariates was used to evaluate the influence on MBL. MBL in these patients showed an estimator of predictions at 4108 days after loading of −0.307 mm, SE = 0.042. Only 0.15% of implants were radiographically affected with MBL of 3 mm or more. The mixed linear model results showed a main effect of the type of opposing dentition, gender, implant diameter, and abutment height. Particularly, an abutment height of 1 mm had associated larger MBL than the remaining heights. Thus, it can be concluded that dental implants restored with fixed segmented full-arch rehabilitation in patients with a history of severe periodontal disease do not suffer important marginal bone loss if some specific factors are considered, mainly the use of long transmucosal abutments (≥2 mm).Junta de Andalucía CTS-138, CTS-176, CTS-102

Multivariate optimization of the KharascheSosnovsky allylic oxidation of olefins

The multivariate optimization method known as simplex is applied to the KharascheSosnovsky allylic oxidation of double bonds. By applying this method, the amounts of three variables (copper source, oxidant, and additive) are optimized at the same time. Under the conditions thus obtained the reaction takes place in a considerable shorter time, being the alkene the limiting reagent. These conditions are applied to some monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes leading regioselectively to the corresponding benzoate esters, opening a route to the employment of this reaction in the synthesis of more complex molecules

Portraiture in Early–Childhood education: a didactic proposal about art

El trabajo hace una propuesta didáctica destinada a la etapa de Educación Infantil, en la que se toma como base el género artístico del retrato. El estudio destaca la gran importancia que tiene la educación artística, en sus dos ámbitos —el crítico y el creativo— en la educación de los más pequeños, así como la gran utilidad del género del retrato, que se adapta perfectamente al objetivo de una enseñanza integral en la que los alumnos aprendan desde un punto de vista lúdico y creativo.The work makes a didactic proposal for the Early Childhood Education, based on the artistic genre of portraiture. He study highlights the great importance of the artistic education in its two senses —critical and creative— inside the early childhood education, and moreover the important utility of portraiture adapted properly to the target of an integrated education where students learn with a playful and creative point of view