Provisional topographic map of mars, mariner 4 region

Topographic map of Mars, Mariner IV space probe regio

Predictors of quality of life ratings from persons with dementia: the role of insight

Objective: Evidence suggests that people with dementia are able to respond accurately and consistently to questions about quality of life (QoL), although large discrepancies exist between patient and proxy ratings. This may be due, in part, to the reduced insight of the person with dementia. The aim of this study was to explore the predictors of QoL ratings in a sample of people with mild dementia, with a particular focus on the role of insight. Methods: Sixty-nine participants and their caregivers were recruited from a memory clinic setting. The Bath Assessment of Subjective Quality of Life in Dementia (BASQID), Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Quality of Life Scale, Memory Functioning Scale, Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Inventory and Mini Mental Status Examination were administered. Results: Regression analyses indicated that the strongest predictor of QoL ratings from persons with dementia was their awareness of memory function, such that lower awareness was associated with higher QoL ratings. Proxy ratings of activity performance and enjoyment of activity were also significant predictors of BASQID scores. Conclusions: Awareness of memory function impacts directly on patient QoL ratings and can also mask the effects of changes in other outcomes such as ADL function. Measures of awareness should therefore be employed alongside patient QoL ratings in order to ensure they are interpreted accurately. Discrepancies between patient and proxy QoL ratings do not necessarily occur because of patient unreliability, but may instead reflect the application of distinct modes of QoL assessment that emphasise very different outcomes

An Outer Planet Beyond Pluto and Origin of the Trans-Neptunian Belt Architecture

Trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) are remnants of a collisionally and dynamically evolved planetesimal disk in the outer solar system. This complex structure, known as the trans-Neptunian belt (or Edgeworth-Kuiper belt), can reveal important clues about disk properties, planet formation, and other evolutionary processes. In contrast to the predictions of accretion theory, TNOs exhibit surprisingly large eccentricities, e, and inclinations, i, which can be grouped into distinct dynamical classes. Several models have addressed the origin and orbital evolution of TNOs, but none have reproduced detailed observations, e.g., all dynamical classes and peculiar objects, or provided insightful predictions. Based on extensive simulations of planetesimal disks with the presence of the four giant planets and massive planetesimals, we propose that the orbital history of an outer planet with tenths of Earth's mass can explain the trans-Neptunian belt orbital structure. This massive body was likely scattered by one of the giant planets, which then stirred the primordial planetesimal disk to the levels observed at 40-50 AU and truncated it at about 48 AU before planet migration. The outer planet later acquired an inclined stable orbit (>100 AU; 20-40 deg) because of a resonant interaction with Neptune (an r:1 or r:2 resonance possibly coupled with the Kozai mechanism), guaranteeing the stability of the trans-Neptunian belt. Our model consistently reproduces the main features of each dynamical class with unprecedented detail; it also satisfies other constraints such as the current small total mass of the trans-Neptunian belt and Neptune's current orbit at 30.1 AU. We also provide observationally testable predictions.Comment: 80 pages, 24 figures, 7 tables. Accepted for publication in The Astronomical Journa

Constraints on planet X/Nemesis from Solar System's inner dynamics

We put full 3D constraints on a putative planet X by using the dynamics of the inner planets of the solar system. In particular, we compute the mimium distance of X as a function of its heliocentric latitude and longitude for different values of its mass.Comment: LaTex, MNRAS macros. 12 pages, 4 figures, 3 tables. To appear in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (MNRAS). Some typos fixe

Multiscale Topological Properties Of Functional Brain Networks During Motor Imagery After Stroke

In recent years, network analyses have been used to evaluate brain reorganization following stroke. However, many studies have often focused on single topological scales, leading to an incomplete model of how focal brain lesions affect multiple network properties simultaneously and how changes on smaller scales influence those on larger scales. In an EEG-based experiment on the performance of hand motor imagery (MI) in 20 patients with unilateral stroke, we observed that the anatomic lesion affects the functional brain network on multiple levels. In the beta (13-30 Hz) frequency band, the MI of the affected hand (Ahand) elicited a significantly lower smallworldness and local efficiency (Eloc) versus the unaffected hand (Uhand). Notably, the abnormal reduction in Eloc significantly depended on the increase in interhemispheric connectivity, which was in turn determined primarily by the rise in regional connectivity in the parieto-occipital sites of the affected hemisphere. Further, in contrast to the Uhand MI, in which significantly high connectivity was observed for the contralateral sensorimotor regions of the unaffected hemisphere, the regions that increased in connection during the Ahand MI lay in the frontal and parietal regions of the contralaterally affected hemisphere. Finally, the overall sensorimotor function of our patients, as measured by Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) index, was significantly predicted by the connectivity of their affected hemisphere. These results increase our understanding of stroke-induced alterations in functional brain networks.Comment: Neuroimage, accepted manuscript (unedited version) available online 19-June-201

A comparison of dexmedetomidine and midazolam for sedation in third molar surgery

This randomised, double-blind study compared dexmedetomidine and midazolam for intravenous sedation during third molar surgery under local anaesthesia. Sixty patients received either dexmedetomidine (up to 1 microg x kg(-1)) or midazolam (up to 5 mg), which was infused until the Ramsay Sedation Score was four or the maximum dose limit was reached. Intra-operative vital signs, postoperative pain scores and analgesic consumption, amnesia, and satisfaction scores for patients and surgeons, were recorded. Sedation was achieved by median (IQR (range)) doses of 47 microg (39-52 (25-76)) or 0.88 microg x kg(-1) (0.75-1.0 (0.6-1.0)) dexmedetomidine, and 3.6 mg (3.3-4.4 (1.9-5.0)) or 0.07 mg x kg(-1) (0.055-0.085 (0.017-0.12)) midazolam. Heart rate and blood pressure during surgery were lower in dexmedetomidine group. There was no significant difference in satisfaction or pain scores. Midazolam was associated with greater amnesia. Dexmedetomidine produces comparable sedation to midazolam.postprin

A P300-based cognitive assessment battery

© 2015 The Authors. Brain and Behavior published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Background: It is well established that some patients who are diagnosed as being in a vegetative state or a minimally conscious state show reliable signs of volition that may only be detected by measuring neural responses. A pertinent question is whether these patients are capable of higher cognitive processes. Methods: Here, we develop a series of EEG paradigms that probe several core aspects of cognition at the bedside without the need for motor responses and explore the sensitivity of this approach in a group of healthy controls. Results: Using analysis of ERPs alone, this method can determine with high reliability whether individual participants are able to attend a stimulus stream, maintain items in working memory, or solve complex grammatical reasoning problems. Conclusion: We suggest that this approach could form the basis of a brain-based battery for assessing higher cognition in patients with severe motor impairments or disorders of consciousness

The relevance of professionals’ attachment style, expectations and job attitudes for therapeutic relationships with young people who experience psychosis

Background: Therapeutic relationships are a central component of community treatment for psychosis and thought to influence clinical and social outcomes, yet there is limited research regarding the potential influence of professional characteristics on positive therapeutic relationships in community care. It was hypothesised that professionals’ relating style and attitudes toward their work might be important, and thus this exploratory study modelled associations between these characteristics and therapeutic relationships developed in community psychosis treatment. Methods: Dyads of professionals and young patients with psychosis rated their therapeutic relationships with each other. Professionals also completed measures of attachment style, therapeutic optimism, outcome expectancy, and job attitudes regarding working with psychosis. Results: Professionals’ anxious attachment predicted less positive professional therapeutic relationship ratings. In exploratory directed path analysis, data also supported indirect effects, whereby anxious professional attachment predicts less positive therapeutic relationships through reduced professional therapeutic optimism and less positive job attitudes. Conclusions: Professional anxious attachment style is directly associated with the therapeutic relationship in psychosis, and indirectly associated through therapeutic optimism and job attitudes. Thus, intervening in professional characteristics could offer an opportunity to limit the impact of insecure attachment on therapeutic relationships in psychosis

RESPOND – A patient-centred program to prevent secondary falls in older people presenting to the emergency department with a fall: Protocol for a multi-centre randomised controlled trial

Introduction: Participation in falls prevention activities by older people following presentation to the Emergency Department (ED) with a fall is suboptimal. This randomised controlled trial (RCT) will test the RESPOND program which is designed to improve older persons’ participation in falls prevention activities through delivery of patient-centred education and behaviour change strategies. Design and setting: An RCT at two tertiary referral EDs in Melbourne and Perth, Australia. Participants: Five-hundred and twenty eight community-dwelling people aged 60-90 years presenting to the ED with a fall and discharged home will be recruited. People who: require an interpreter or hands-on assistance to walk; live in residential aged care or >50 kilometres from the trial hospital; have terminal illness, cognitive impairment, documented aggressive behaviour or history of psychosis; are receiving palliative care; or are unable to use a telephone will be excluded. Methods: Participants will be randomly allocated to the RESPOND intervention or standard care control group. RESPOND incorporates: (1) home-based risk factor assessment; (2) education, coaching, goal setting, and follow-up telephone support for management of one or more of four risk factors with evidence of effective intervention; and (3) healthcare provider communication and community linkage delivered over six months. Primary outcomes are falls and fall injuries per-person-year. Discussion: RESPOND builds on prior falls prevention learnings and aims to help individuals make guided decisions about how they will manage their falls risk. Patient-centred models have been successfully trialled in chronic and cardiovascular disease however evidence to support this approach in falls prevention is limited. Trial registration. The protocol for this study is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12614000336684)

The Rise And Fall Of The Muslim Brotherhood In The Egyptian Revolution: The Interplay of Narrative And Other Factors

This study examines the interplay of narrative and other factors in the rise and fall of the Muslim Brotherhood during the Egyptian Revolution. I hypothesize that narrative played a major role in the Muslim Brotherhoods rise to power, and that failure to adapt their narrative in the aftermath contributed to their downfall. Chairman Mao said, "the guerrilla must move amongst the people as a fish swims in the sea." A successful narrative is an indispensable element in a successful revolution. Revolutionaries rely on popular support. A powerful justice narrative is the kindling which ignites revolutionary hearts. Forged in the furnace of rebellion, revolutionary leaders tend to be charismatic figures, often with authoritarian tendencies. In the afterglow of successful revolution, revolutionary leaders are often loathe to change old habits, relying instead on old narratives and loyalists from revolutionary days. However, in the aftermath of revolution a fundamental change has occurred which cannot be masked with revolutionary slogans: outsider has become insider; rebel has become ruler. The pre-revolutionary narrative of struggle must evolve in order to be legitimate. A new narrative is required which embraces the entire nation, not merely loyal supporters. The new narrative must be inclusive, and offer the hope of peace and prosperity. Regimes whose narratives fail, who are unable to effect their will by persuasion of narrative, often resort to coercive authoritarianism. The most successful scenario in the aftermath of revolution is that leaders adapt their narrative (including policies) to the changed context (revolutionaries as rulers) and reform existing institutions. Historically, the failure to successfully adapt narrative results in instability. After existing on the political fringes for over 80 years, The Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood gained power during the Egyptian Revolution that began on 25 January 2011, which was part of the Arab Spring and culminated with victories in parliamentary elections followed by the election of Muslim Brotherhood President Mohammed Morsi on 30 June 2012. Only a year later, on 3 July 2013 President Morsi and the Brotherhood were deposed by the Egyptian military, after massive public demonstrations opposing the Muslim Brotherhood. The Muslim Brotherhood were able to ascend to power in large part because of a credible narrative based on a long history of being one of the few national institutions to provide social services to orphans, widows, the sick and the poor as well as a courageous opponent of dictatorship for many decades. However, the heavy baggage of ideology, expedient alliances, and occasional cooperation with dictatorships proved to be difficult to reconcile after they achieved power. After rising to power, the Muslim Brotherhood leaders engaged in behavior and adopted policies that conflicted with their official narrative of tolerance and inclusiveness, which put into question not only the credibility of the narrative but the legitimacy of the organization itself. In the year after rising to political power, the Muslim Brotherhood failed to unify the country or effectively manage the economy. In fairness to the Muslim Brotherhood, one year is a short period of time, and any other regime would have faced similar challenges. Negative environmental factors such as a failing economy, deteriorating social conditions, questions of credibility, opposition to their increasingly overt religious ideology, and their partisan triumphalism undermined their support. Other important elements contributed to the Muslim Brotherhood's success during the Egyptian Revolution. The most important factor was the existence of a long established and well-developed national organization throughout Egypt. Narrative was the second most important element. The third major factor was the weakness of the opposition