Interview with Michael Cooper

Michael Cooper talks about Kenyon Hillel, Kosher Food, and Judaismhttps://digital.kenyon.edu/elfs_interviews/1073/thumbnail.jp

The Bümpliz trough sedimentary succession: a key to unravel the history of Mid-Pleistocene ice cover and lake formation in the overdeepened Aare Valley (Bern, CH)

During the Quaternary glacial–interglacial cycles, glaciers repeatedly advanced from the Alps into their surrounding lowlands. These glaciers left an imprint on the Alpine landscape that is reminiscent of the mass and thickness of the once present ice. The immense impact of glacial erosion is documented by the formation of overdeepened bedrock troughs in and around the Alps. The prevalent landforms and deposits found in the present-day landscape were formed during the last glaciation, and, therefore, the last glacial cycle is well understood. However, the recognition of the number and the timing of older Alpine glaciations in the surficial geological record is at odds with the globally recognized periods of cooling and ice buildup. In this context, archives of older glacial–interglacial cycles could have been preserved in overdeepened valleys in and around the Alps and where thick sequences of Quaternary sediments accumulated. In the present thesis I explore the glaciation history of the Middle Aare Valley based on a 211.5 m deep scientific drilling that was sunk into the sedimentary infill of such an overdeepened trough. In the Bern area, where the overdeepened trough is located, the advances of the Aare Galcier during the past 300 kyr have apparently been accompanied by the formation of a paleo-lake that had reached out onto the Swiss Plateau. However, the conditions under which this lake had formed have not been well explored yet. In the first part of the thesis I report the results of the sedimentological analysis conducted on the recovered deposits. A depositional model is developed that comprises two glacial–limnic sequences distinguished in the sedimentary succession. This model outlines the formation of till during two glacial advances into the investigated overdeepened trough and, after the recession of the ice, the sediment accumulation in a lake. Eventually, the basin was filled and fluvial deposits accumulated thereafter. This transition from a limnic into a fluvial setting is used to infer a regional paleo-base level that is probably tied to the paleo-lake referred to above. Furthermore, a minimum age for the encountered sediment is derived from feldspar luminescence measurements (250–300 ka). The second part of the thesis revolves around a provenance analysis. Potentially, the sediment in the Bern area could have been supplied by two major glaciers, the Valais Glacier and the Aare Glacier. I employ the sediment bulk chemical composition to fingerprint four source rock units in the central Swiss Alps, where both glaciers originated. These fingerprints are then used to determine the most probable source of the sediment in the core. The results of this provenance analysis show that the Aare Glacier had dominated the Bern area during the formation of the investigated sedimentary suite. In the third chapter, the depositional age of the sedimentary sequence is investigated through isochron burial dating based on cosmogenic 10Be and 26Al. This is the first application of cosmogenic nuclide dating on sediments recovered from depths > 80 m in an overdeepened trough around the Alps. The obtained nuclide concentrations are rather low and yet the nuclide ratios are exceptionally high, reaching up to 19. Nevertheless, a burial age of the lower half of the recovered sedimentary suite is calculated. The age of 320±250 ka is in good agreement with the previously reported luminescence age, and both ages indicate that the entire sequence was probably deposited during a single glaciation with two distinct glaical advances

Seyffart’s Directory of Drug Dosage in Kidney Disease By Günte Seyffart Dustri-Verlag Dr. Karl Feistle, 2011 870 pp, hardcover, US$135.00 ISBN 9783871854002

Unknow

Entwicklung und Evaluation eines Trainingsprogramms zur Verbesserung von motorischen Leistungen und Dual-Task-Leistungen bei geriatrischen Patienten mit leichter bismittelschwerer demenzieller Erkrankung : eine randomisierte kontrollierte Studie

Thema der vorliegenden Arbeit ist die Entwicklung und Evaluation eines körperlichen Trainingsprogramms zur Verbesserung klinisch relevanter motorischer Leistungen (Kraft, funktionelle Leistungen) und aufmerksamkeitsabhängiger motorischer Leistungen (Dual-Tasks) bei Patienten mit beginnender bis mittelschwerer demenzieller Erkrankung. In Manuskript 1 ist eine systematische Analyse der bislang veröffentlichten randomisierten, kontrollierten Studien zum körperlichen Training bei kognitiver Schädigung dokumentiert. Es zeigen sich kontroverse Ergebnisse bei zum Teil erheblichen untersuchungsmethodischen Mängeln. Bislang fehlen etablierte Bewegungsprogramme, welche sowohl die spezifischen Defizite als auch die verbliebenen Ressourcen demenziell Erkrankter berücksichtigen. Die Konzeption eines demenzspezifischen körperlichen Trainingsprogramms ist in Manuskript 1 und 2 dargestellt. In Manuskript 1 sind die drei Komponenten des neuen Ansatzes (progressives Kraft- und Funktionstraining, Dual-Task-Training, krankheitsspezifische Trainingsrichtlinien) dokumentiert. In Manuskript 2 werden methodische Aspekte des Gruppentrainings (Organisation, Kommunikation) im Kontext demenzassoziierter kognitiver, behavioraler und psychosozialer Beeinträchtigungen aufgeführt. Manuskript 3 umfasst die forschungsmethodische Konzeption zur Evaluation des neuen Trainingsansatzes. Dokumentiert sind u.a. Studiendesign (randomisierte kontrollierte Studie), Einschlusskriterien (gesicherte Demenzdiagnose nach internationalen Kriterien), Intervention (Kraft-, Funktions-, Dual-Task-Training, 3 Monate, 2x/Woche, 2 Stunden, Kleingruppen à 4-5 Teilnehmer), Kontrollaktivität (unspezifische Hockergymnastik, 3 Monate, 2x/Woche, 1 Stunde), Studienendpunkte (verschiedene Kraft- und Funktionsparameter, Dual- Task Leistungen, körperliche Aktivität) und Messmethoden (etablierte, validierte Tests). Manuskript 4 belegt trainingsinduzierte Effekte auf motorische Leistungen der Studienteilnehmer (n= 122). Nach dem Ende der Interventionsphase zeigten sich statistisch signifikante Verbesserungen in allen gemessenen Kraft- und Funktionsparametern in der Trainingsgruppe im Vergleich mit der Kontrollgruppe (p≤ 0.001-0.029, Varianzanalyse mit Messwiederholung, Interaktionseffekt: Gruppe x Zeit). Die Trainingseffekte waren in Abhängigkeit der gemessenen Parameter gering bis hoch (ηp 2: 0.045-0.424). Für Parameter mit hohen Effektstärken blieben die Trainingszugewinne auch zum Nachbeobachtungszeitpunkt nach drei Monaten erhalten. Patienten mit initial geringen motorischen Leistungen profitierten am meisten von dem Training. Der Schweregrad der kognitiven Einschränkung war nicht negativ mit dem Trainingsbenefit assoziiert. Das körperliche Aktivitätsniveau stieg im Interventionszeitraum signifikant an und blieb auch nach Ende der Intervention erhöht. Manuskript 5 umfasst die Evaluation des spezifischen Dual-Task-Trainings. Unter Singleund Dual-Task-Bedingungen wurde die Gangleistung über ein computergestütztes Ganganalysesystem sowie die kognitive Leistung (Rechenaufgabe: +2er-Schritte; -3er-Schritte) über digitale Sprachaufzeichnungen erfasst. Im Vergleich zur Kontrollgruppe zeigte sich in der Trainingsgruppe eine Verbesserung der Gangleistung (Geschwindigkeit, Kadenz, Schreitlänge, Single-Support-Phase, p≤ 0.001-0.007; Zykluszeit: p= 0.056, Gruppe x Zeit) und der Dual-Task-Gesamtleistung (motorisch + kognitiv: p= 0.026, Gruppe x Zeit) während des Gehens mit komplexer Rechenaufgabe (-3er-Schritte). Beim Gehen mit einfacher Rechenaufgabe (+2er-Schritte) zeigten sich dagegen keine signifikanten Trainingseffekte. Insgesamt belegen die Studienergebnisse die Effektivität des neu entwickelten Trainingsansatzes und weisen – im Gegensatz zu der bislang wenig evidenzbasierten Diskussion – auf das hohe Rehabilitationspotenzial von Patienten mit beginnender bis mittelschwerer demenzieller Erkrankung hin. Die gewonnen wissenschaftlichen Ergebnisse wurden auf einer neuen Webseite (www.bewegung-bei-demenz.de) in Form von evidenzbasierten Informationen und Handlungsanleitungen (interaktives Heimtrainingsprogramm) für Betroffene, Angehörige und Fachpersonal veröffentlicht (zielgruppenspezifische Translation)

Quantum simulation of the spin-boson model with a microwave circuit

We consider superconducting circuits for the purpose of simulating the spin-boson model. The spin-boson model consists of a single two-level system coupled to bosonic modes. In most cases, the model is considered in a limit where the bosonic modes are sufficiently dense to form a continuous spectral bath. A very well known case is the ohmic bath, where the density of states grows linearly with the frequency. In the limit of weak coupling or large temperature, this problem can be solved numerically. If the coupling is strong, the bosonic modes can become sufficiently excited to make a classical simulation impossible. Here, we discuss how a quantum simulation of this problem can be performed by coupling a superconducting qubit to a set of microwave resonators. We demonstrate a possible implementation of a continuous spectral bath with individual bath resonators coupling strongly to the qubit. Applying a microwave drive scheme potentially allows us to access the strong-coupling regime of the spin-boson model. We discuss how the resulting spin relaxation dynamics with different initialization conditions can be probed by standard qubit-readout techniques from circuit quantum electrodynamics.Comment: 23 pages, 10 figure

Comparing the Effects of Two Perturbation-Based Balance Training Paradigms in Fall-Prone Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction: There is increasing evidence that perturbation-based balance training (PBT) is highly effective in preventing falls at older age. Different PBT paradigms have been presented so far, yet a systematic comparison of PBT approaches with respect to feasibility and effectiveness is missing. Two different paradigms of PBT seem to be promising for clinical implementation: (1) technology-supported training on a perturbation treadmill (PBTtreadmill); (2) training of dynamic stability mechanisms in the presence of perturbations induced by unstable surfaces (PBTstability). This study aimed to compare both program's feasibility and effectiveness in fall-prone older adults. Methods: In this three-armed randomized controlled trial, seventy-one older adults (74.9 ± 6.0 years) with a verified fall risk were randomly assigned into three groups: PBTtreadmill on a motorized treadmill, PBTstability using unstable conditions such as balance pads, and a passive control group (CG). In both intervention groups, participants conducted a 6-week intervention with 3 sessions per week. Effects were assessed in fall risk (Brief-BEST), balance ability (Stepping Threshold Test, center of pressure, limits of stability), leg strength capacity, functional performance (Timed Up and Go Test, Chair-Stand), gait (preferred walking speed), and fear of falling (Short FES-I). Results: Fifty-one participants completed the study. Training adherence was 91% for PBTtreadmill and 87% for PBTstability, while no severe adverse events occurred. An analysis of covariance with an intention-to-treat approach revealed statistically significant group effects in favor of PBTstability in the Brief-BEST (p = 0.009, η2 = 0.131) and the limits of stability (p = 0.020, η2 = 0.110) and in favor of PBTtreadmill in the Stepping Threshold Test (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.395). The other outcomes demonstrated no significant group effects. Conclusion: Both training paradigms demonstrated high feasibility and were effective in improving specific motor performances in the fall-prone population and these effects were task specific. PBTtreadmill showed higher improvements in reactive balance, which might have been promoted by the unpredictable nature of the included perturbations and the similarity to the tested surface perturbation paradigm. PBTstability showed more wide-ranging effects on balance ability. Consequently, both paradigms improved fall risk-associated measures. The advantages of both formats should be evaluated in light of individual needs and preferences. Larger studies are needed to investigate the effects of these paradigms on real-life fall rates.This study was supported by the Klaus Tschira Foundation. The responsibility for the content of this paper lies with the authors. The funders did not take any part in this work.Peer Reviewe