Changing impacts of Alaska-Aleutian subduction zone tsunamis in California under future sea-level rise

The amplification of coastal hazards such as distant-source tsunamis under future relative sea-level rise (RSLR) is poorly constrained. In southern California, the Alaska-Aleutian subduction zone has been identified as an earthquake source region of particular concern for a worst-case scenario distant-source tsunami. Here, we explore how RSLR over the next century will influence future maximum nearshore tsunami heights (MNTH) at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Earthquake and tsunami modeling combined with local probabilistic RSLR projections show the increased potential for more frequent, relatively low magnitude earthquakes to produce distant-source tsunamis that exceed historically observed MNTH. By 2100, under RSLR projections for a high-emissions representative concentration pathway (RCP8.5), the earthquake magnitude required to produce \u3e1 m MNTH falls from ~Mw9.1 (required today) to Mw8.0, a magnitude that is ~6.7 times more frequent along the Alaska-Aleutian subduction zone

Patterns and associates of cognitive function, psychosocial wellbeing and health in the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936

BACKGROUND: Cognitive function, psychosocial wellbeing and health are important domains of function. Consistencies and inconsistencies in patterns of wellbeing across these domains may be informative about wellbeing in old age and the ways it is manifested amongst individuals. In this study we investigated whether there were groups of individuals with different profiles of scores across these domains. We also aimed to identify characteristics of any evident groups by comparing them on variables that were not used in identifying the groups. METHODS: The sample was the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936, which included 1091 participants born in 1936. They are a community-dwelling, narrow-age-range sample of 70-year-olds. Most had taken part in the Scottish Mental Survey 1947 at an average age of 11, making available a measure of childhood intelligence. We used latent class analysis (LCA) to explore possible profiles using 9 variables indicating cognitive functioning, psychosocial wellbeing and health status. Demographic, personality, and lifestyle variables – none of which were used in the LCA – were used to characterize the resulting profile groups. RESULTS: We accepted a 3-group solution, which we labeled High Wellbeing (65.3%), Low Cognition (20.3%), and Low Bio-Psychosocial (14.5%). Notably, the High Wellbeing group had significantly higher childhood IQ, lower Neuroticism scores, and a lower percentage of current smokers than the other 2 groups. CONCLUSION: The majority of individuals were functioning generally well; however, there was evidence of the presence of groups with different profiles, which may be explained in part in terms of cognitive ability differences. Results suggested that higher life-long intelligence, personality traits associated with less mental distress, and basic health practices such as avoiding smoking are important associates of wellbeing in old age

A double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study of risperidone for decreasing cue-elicited craving in recently withdrawn cocaine dependent patients

Cocaine use causes an initial increase in dopamine and serotonin neurotransmission that is largely responsible for the pleasurable and reinforcing effects of the drug. Dysregulation of these neurotransmitters during withdrawal plays an important role in craving. Recent research has focused on the use of dopamine and serotonin antagonists early in recovery to reduce cocaine craving in both schizophrenic and non-schizophrenic cocaine dependent patients. This 2-week, double blind, placebo-controlled study compared risperidone vs. placebo in reducing cue-elicited cocaine craving. Thirty-four subjects with cocaine dependence were randomized to either risperidone or a placebo and underwent a weekly cue-exposure procedure. Although both groups had a reduction in craving over time, there were no significant differences among those treated with risperidone (n=19) compared to those taking a placebo (n=16) on the four craving dimensions. The results do not support the hypothesis that risperidone reduces cocaine craving among non-schizophrenic cocaine-dependent individuals

Cognitive disparity in schizophrenics with and without cocaine dependency

Although cognition has been investigated in individuals with schizophrenia and in non-schizophrenic cocaine abusers, few studies have focused on cocaine-abusing schizophrenics. Previous studies have shown contradictory results despite the fact that individuals with schizophrenia and cocaine dependence have worse long-term outcomes, and that each disorder separately is associated with neuropsychological impairment. The present study intended to clarify these inconsistencies with a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. Twenty-four cocaine-dependent schizophrenics and 23 non-drug abusing schizophrenics were recruited from the VA. Participants were administered tests focusing on motor skills, processing speed, attention, concentration, and executive functioning. While individuals with schizophrenia and cocaine dependence performed worse on the Grooved Peg Board and the Stroop A, the non-drug abusing schizophrenics performed worse on Trails Part A and B. However, a MANOVA failed to show group differences in overall neuropsychological performance. These findings are similar to the existing literature and suggest that cocaine may compromise motor functioning