531 research outputs found
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Technical Comments: Sea Level History
Bilal U. Haq and his co-workers have completed an important update of the chronology of coastal onlap and eustatic fluctuations in Mesowic and Cenowic time. Seismic stratigraphic results are augmented in the new charts by outcrop and well-log studies to document an impressive total of 119 sea level cycles since the beginning of the Triassic. In addition, the Cretaceous results have been published officially for the first time. However, apart from distinguishing between relative changes of coastal onlap and eustasy, the methodology and assumptions are much the same as those used to construct the first version of the "sea level curve" in 1977. In a recent evaluation of the seismic stratigraphic record of sea level change, we drew attention to two problems in particular. 1) All of the observed depositional cycles are assumed by Haq et al. to be eustatic. 2) The global onlap chart, which forms the basis for the smoothed eustatic curve, has little physical meaning
Neuroimaging and Analytical Methods for Studying the Pathways from Mild Cognitive Impairment to Alzheimerâs Disease: Protocol for a Rapid Systematic Review
Background
Alzheimerâs disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder commonly associated with deficits of cognition and changes in behavior. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is the prodromal stage of AD that is defined by slight cognitive decline. Not all with MCI progress to AD dementia. Thus, the accurate prediction of progression to Alzheimerâs, particularly in the stage of MCI could potentially offer developing treatments to delay or prevent the transition process. The objective of the present study is to investigate the most recent neuroimaging procedures in the domain of prediction of transition from MCI to AD dementia for clinical applications and to systematically discuss the machine learning techniques used for the prediction of MCI conversion.
Methods
Electronic databases including PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science will be searched from January 1, 2017, to the date of search commencement to provide a rapid review of the most recent studies that have investigated the prediction of conversion from MCI to Alzheimerâs using neuroimaging modalities in randomized trial or observational studies. Two reviewers will screen full texts of included papers using predefined eligibility criteria. Studies will be included if addressed research on AD dementia and MCI, explained the results in a way that would be able to report the performance measures such as the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. Only studies addressed Alzheimerâs type of dementia and its early-stage MCI using neuroimaging modalities will be included. We will exclude other forms of dementia such as vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and Parkinsonâs disease. The risk of bias in individual studies will be appraised using an appropriate tool. If feasible, we will conduct a random effects meta-analysis. Sensitivity analyses will be conducted to explore the potential sources of heterogeneity.
Discussion
The information gathered in our study will establish the extent of the evidence underlying the prediction of conversion to AD dementia from its early stage and will provide a rigorous and updated synthesis of neuroimaging modalities allied with the data analysis techniques used to measure the brain changes during the conversion process
Development of an acceptable and feasible self-management group for children, young people and families living with Type 1 diabetes
Aims:
This study developed an acceptable and feasible selfâmanagement intervention that addresses the selfâidentified needs of children and young people with Type 1 diabetes and their parents.
Methods:
Phase 1 reviewed previous interventions and interviewed the clinical team, young people and families. Phase 2 ran three ageâmatched focus groups with 11 families of children aged 8â16 years. Feedback was used to modify the workshop. Phase 3 evaluated feasibility of delivery, as well as the effects on metabolic control, quality of life and fear of hypoglycaemia, measured at baseline and 1â3 months post intervention.
Results:
Eightyânine families were invited to take part. Twentyâtwo (25%) participated in seven pilot groups (median age of young people 10 years, 36% girls). The intervention comprised a developmentally appropriate workshop for young people and parents addressing: (1) blood glucose control, (2) the potential impact of longâterm high HbA1c, (3) the effects of âhyposâ and âhypersâ, (4) selfâmanagement techniques and (5) talking confidently to people about diabetes. Participants were enthusiastic and positive about the workshop and would recommend it to others. Young people liked sharing ideas and meeting others with diabetes, while parents enjoyed listening to their children talk about their diabetes knowledge.
Conclusions:
Families living with Type 1 diabetes participated in developing a selfâmanagement group intervention. Although we demonstrated acceptability and feasibility, the pilot study results do not support the development of a randomized control trial to evaluate the effectiveness in improving HbA1c
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Reconstruction of Tertiary Progradation and Clinoform Development on the New Jersey Passive Margin by 2-D Backstripping
We have reconstructed the Oligocene to Middle Miocene paleobathymetry and stratigraphy of the New Jersey margin using a modified backstripping technique. By analyzing the geometry of the margin through time, we investigate its response to fluctuating sea level, changing climate, and variable sediment supply during the Tertiary. The reconstructions reveal a change in the margin morphology from a more steeply dipping (1 : 300 to 1 : 500) carbonate ramp in the Eocene to a flatter shelf with a sharp shelf edge at present. This was accomplished by an increase in the terrigenous sediment supply that filled available accommodation and caused progradation across the margin. We link the increase in sediment flux with climatic cooling rather than tectonic processes. The progradation is evidenced by a series of clinoforms whose formation was modulated by sea level and which extend over 100 km across the shelf. The height and dip of the clinoforms increased as they extended onto the deeper parts of the earlier ramp. The Miocene clinoform rollovers at the New Jersey margin had water depths of âŒ60â130 m and are interpreted as the edge of a new continental shelf built over the older ramp. Sea-level fall was probably insufficient to drive the Miocene shorelines past the shelf breaks. Thus, measurements of sea-level amplitude based upon `coastal' onlap over the clinoforms are not reliable
RCSB PDB Mobile: iOS and Android mobile apps to provide data access and visualization to the RCSB Protein Data Bank.
SummaryThe Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank (RCSB PDB) resource provides tools for query, analysis and visualization of the 3D structures in the PDB archive. As the mobile Web is starting to surpass desktop and laptop usage, scientists and educators are beginning to integrate mobile devices into their research and teaching. In response, we have developed the RCSB PDB Mobile app for the iOS and Android mobile platforms to enable fast and convenient access to RCSB PDB data and services. Using the app, users from the general public to expert researchers can quickly search and visualize biomolecules, and add personal annotations via the RCSB PDB's integrated MyPDB service.Availability and implementationRCSB PDB Mobile is freely available from the Apple App Store and Google Play (http://www.rcsb.org)
Moderate-Intensity Physical Activity, Music and Art Activities Preserved Cognitive Health in Older Adults: An Argument for Social Prescribing Solution
Introduction: Rates of dementia are projected to increase over the coming years as global populations age. Without a treatment to slow the progression of dementia, many health policies are focusing on preventing dementia by slowing the rate of cognitive decline with age. However, it is unclear which lifestyle changes in old age meaningfully reduce the rate of cognitive decline associated with aging.
Objectives: Use existing, multi-year longitudinal health data to determine if engagement in a variety of different lifestyle activities can slow the rate of cognitive decline as older adults age.
Method: Data from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging was analyzed using a quasi-experimental, efficient matched-pair design inspired by the clinical trial methodology. Changes in short-term memory scores were assessed over a multi-year interval for groups who undertook one of 11 different lifestyle activities, compared to control groups matched across confounding socioeconomic and lifestyle factors.
Results: Two factors, moderate-intensity physical activity and learning activities, resulted in significant positive impact on cognitive function.
Conclusion: Our analysis brings cognitive benefit arguments in favor of two lifestyle activities, moderate-intensity physical activity and learning activities, while rejecting other factors advanced by the literature such as vigorous-intensity physical activity. Those findings justify and encourage the development of new lifestyle health programs by health authorities and bring forward the new health system solution, social prescribing
Rhenium-Catalyzed 1,3-Isomerization of Allylic Alcohols: Scope and Chirality Transfer
The scope of the triphenylsilyl perrhennate (O_3ReOSiPh_3, 1) catalyzed 1,3-isomerization of allylic alcohols has been thoroughly explored. It was found to be effective for a wide variety of secondary and tertiary allylic alcohol substrates bearing aryl, alkyl, and cyano substituents. Two general reaction types were found which gave high levels of product selectivity:â those driven by formation of an extended conjugated system and those driven by selective silylation of a particular isomer. The efficiency of chirality transfer with various substrates was investigated, and conditions were found in which secondary and tertiary allylic alcohols could be formed with high levels of enantioselectivity. Consideration of selectivity trends with respect to the nature of the substituents around the allylic system revealed that this is a reliable and predictable method for allylic alcohol synthesis
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