From paper maps to the Digital Earth and the Internet of Places

Maps have always been tools that have fascinated men, for their ability to make us see the world that surrounds us. They were and are the outcome of models and methods applied to the observation of the world, starting from geodesy, surveying photogrammetry and remote sensing. All these disciplines, which we now group under the new name of geomatics, have had a tremendous boost in recent years. However, the synergy with information computer technology is probably the aspect that is revolutionizing more cartography. Earlier computers and after the Internet have brought us to new concepts and tools that will have profound effects not only in the world of niche of cartographers, but also more generally in the life of all human beings. The Digital Earth, proposed in 1998 by Al Gore, has been enriched in just twenty years of a set of new demands, which make even more interesting and challenging being cartographers today. The paper, without claiming to be comprehensive, aims at providing a concise overview of the state of art and of the advancement in this area. Moreover, it urges the community of geomatics to be protagonist and promoter of a new cartography, largely to be reinvented, and that would put us at the center of processes of knowledge and management of the Earth. The map makers in the past helped discovering new worlds, now the challenge is to rediscover our common world with new eyes of environmental, social, economic equity, sustainability and participation

Normal-shock/boundary-layer interactions in transonic intakes at high incidence

During high-incidence manoeuvres, shock-wave boundary layer interactions can develop over transonic inlet lower lips, significantly impacting aerodynamic performance. Here, a novel experimental rig is used to investigate the nature and severity of these interactions for a typical high incidence scenario. Furthermore, we explore the sensitivity to changes in angle of incidence and mass flow rate, as potentially experienced across off-design operations. The reference flow-field, informed by typical climb conditions, is defined by an incidence of 23° and a free stream Mach number M=0.435. The lower lip flow is characterised by a rapid acceleration around the leading-edge and a M=1.4 shock ahead of the intake diffuser. Overall, this flow-field is found to be relatively benign, with minimal shock-induced separation. Downstream of the interaction, the boundary layer recovers a healthy profile ahead of the nominal fan location. Increasing incidence by 2°, the separation becomes noticeably larger and unsteadiness develops. Detrimental effects are exacerbated at an even higher incidence of 26°. Increasing the mass flow rate over the lip by up to 15% of the initial value has minor effects on performance and is not found to inhibit the boundary layer profile recovery

Attention network dysfunction underlies memory impairment in posterior cortical atrophy

Accumulating evidence suggests that memory is impaired in posterior cortical atrophy (PCA), alongside the early and defining visual disorder. The posterior parietal cortex is a key region of pathology in PCA and memory impairment may be the result of dysfunction of parietally dependent network function rather than the medial temporal lobe dependent dysfunction that defines the storage deficits in typical Alzheimer's disease. We assessed episodic memory performance and network function in16 PCA patients and 19 healthy controls who underwent structural and resting-state functional MRI and neuropsychological testing. Memory was assessed using the Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCSRT), a sensitive test of episodic memory storage and retrieval. We examined correlations between memory performance and functional connectivity in the dorsal attention (DAN) and default mode network (DMN). Immediate recall on the FCSRT was relatively preserved in PCA patients. Total recall performance was impaired in patients relative to healthy controls and performance benefitted from retrieval cues. In patients only, disrupted connectivity in the DAN, but not the DMN, was associated with total recall. Memory impairment may arise from disruption to the dorsal attention network, subserved by the dorsal posterior parietal cortex, a key region of pathology in PCA, rather than classic medial temporal lobe memory circuitry.We propose that functional dysconnectivity in attentional circuits underpins memory impairment in PCA

Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe Commentary on the Treatment of Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency

Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) is a putative new theory that has been suggested by some to have a direct causative relation with the symptomatology associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) [1]. The core foundation of this theory is that there is abnormal venous drainage from the brain due to outflow obstruction in the draining jugular vein and/or azygos veins. This abnormal venous drainage, which is characterised by special ultrasound criteria, called the “venous hemodynamic insufficiency severity score” (VHISS), is said to cause intracerebral flow disturbance or outflow problems that lead to periventricular deposits [2]. In the CCSVI theory, these deposits have a great similarity to the iron deposits seen around the veins in the legs in patients with chronic deep vein thrombosis. Zamboni, who first described this new theory, has promoted balloon dilatation to treat the outflow problems, thereby curing CCSVI and by the same token alleviating MS complaints. However, this theory does not fit into the existing bulk of scientific data concerning the pathophysiology of MS. In contrast, there is increasing worldwide acceptance of CCSVI and the associated balloon dilatation treatment, even though there is no supporting scientific evidence. Furthermore, most of the information we have comes from one source only. The treatment is called “liberation treatment,” and the results of the treatment can be watched on YouTube. There are well-documented testimonies by MS patients who have gained improvement in their personal quality of life (QOL) after treatment. However, there are no data available from patients who underwent unsuccessful treatments with which to obtain a more balanced view. The current forum for the reporting of success in treating CCSVI and thus MS seems to be the Internet. At the CIRCE office and the MS Centre in Amsterdam, we receive approximately 10 to 20 inquiries a month about this treatment. In addition, many interventional radiologists, who are directly approached by MS patients, contact the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE) for advice. Worldwide, several centres are actively promoting and performing balloon dilatation, with or without stenting, for CCSVI. Thus far, no trial data are available, and there is currently no randomized controlled trial (RCT) in progress Therefore, the basis for this new treatment rests on anecdotal evidence and successful testimonies by patients on the Internet. CIRSE believes that this is not a sound basis on which to offer a new treatment, which could have possible procedure-related complications, to an often desperate patient population

BIG GEO DATA MANAGEMENT: AN EXPLORATION WITH SOCIAL MEDIA AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS OPEN DATA

The term Big Data has been recently used to define big, highly varied, complex data sets, which are created and updated at a high speed and require faster processing, namely, a reduced time to filter and analyse relevant data. These data is also increasingly becoming Open Data (data that can be freely distributed) made public by the government, agencies, private enterprises and among others. There are at least two issues that can obstruct the availability and use of Open Big Datasets: Firstly, the gathering and geoprocessing of these datasets are very computationally intensive; hence, it is necessary to integrate high-performance solutions, preferably internet based, to achieve the goals. Secondly, the problems of heterogeneity and inconsistency in geospatial data are well known and affect the data integration process, but is particularly problematic for Big Geo Data. Therefore, Big Geo Data integration will be one of the most challenging issues to solve. With these applications, we demonstrate that is possible to provide processed Big Geo Data to common users, using open geospatial standards and technologies. NoSQL databases like MongoDB and frameworks like RASDAMAN could offer different functionalities that facilitate working with larger volumes and more heterogeneous geospatial data sources

APOE genotype and cognition in healthy individuals at risk of Alzheimer's disease: A review

APOE-\u3b54 is best known as a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Consequently, there is considerable research interest in understanding whether APOE-\u3b54 influences cognition in healthy adults. Despite a substantial literature reporting effects of APOE genotype on cognition, findings are inconsistent. In particular, it is challenging to separate whether cognitive deficits in APOE-\u3b54 carriers reflect the influence of prodromal dementia pathology (\u201cprodromal hypothesis\u201d), or a direct contribution of APOE genotype to individual differences (\u201cphenotype hypothesis\u201d). Variable methodology across studies further complicates the issue. These challenges have limited what can be learnt about the processes underlying cognitive ageing and dementia by studying the influence of APOE genotype on cognition. In this review, we focus on the two compatible neurobiological mechanisms by which APOE genotype may influence cognition in healthy adults (prodromal and phenotype). We summarise the behavioural evidence for the influence of APOE on cognition in non-demented adults and explore key methodological challenges for disentangling the cognitive effects of different neurobiological mechanisms of APOE. Evidence suggests that at least some APOE-\u3b54 cognitive deficits are due to early AD pathology, whilst sensitive measures of cognition are beginning to reveal subtle cognitive differences between APOE genotypes in mid-adulthood, prior to the onset of the AD prodromal period. We conclude with recommendations for future research to investigate the cognitive consequences of neurobiological processes affected by APOE and maximise the translational potential of this research

Glucose instability is associated with a high level of circulating p-selectin.

We have previously shown that glycemic instability, as measured by the coefficient of variation for fasting plasma glucose (CV-FPG), is an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality in type 2 diabetes (1,2). The mechanisms, if any, underlying the association between long-term plasma glucose instability and vascular diseases are difficult to explain. In vitro studies with retinal capillary pericytes have shown that rapid glucose fluctuations in the culture medium induced cellular damage and death by apoptosis (3). Moreover, tubulointerstitial cells exposed to intermittent high glucose concentrations underwent changes in cellular growth, collagen synthesis, and cytokine secretion that were more severe than those observed in cells exposed to stable high-glucose concentrations (4). These data extrapolated

Effect of moderate weight loss on hepatic, pancreatic and visceral lipids in obese subjects

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of weight loss on visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat, liver and pancreas lipid contentand to test the effects of these changes on metabolic improvement observed after weight loss.DESIGN: Weight-loss program designed to achieve a loss of 7--10% of the initial weight.SUBJECTS: 24 obese subjects (13 males and 11 females) with age ranging from 26 to 69 years and body mass index (BMI)30.2 -- 50.5 kgm2. Measurements: weight, BMI, waist circumference, body composition as assessed by dual-energy X-rayabsorptiometry, metabolic variables, leptin, adiponectin, visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat, liver and pancreas lipidcontent as assessed by magnetic resonance were evaluated before and after weight loss achieved by hypocaloric diet.RESULTS: After a mean body weight decrease of 8.9%, BMI, waist circumference, fat mass, all metabolic variables, homeostasismodel assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA), alanine amino transferase, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, high-sensitivityC-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and leptin, but not adiponectin and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, significantly decreased (allPo0.01). Visceral and subcutaneos abdominal fat, liver and pancreas lipid content significantly decreased (all Po0.01). Percentchanges in liver lipid content were greater (84.1\ub13%) than those in lipid pancreas content (42.3\ub129%) and visceral abdominalfat (31.9\ub115.6%). After weight loss, percentage of subjects with liver steatosis decreased from 75 to 12.5%. Insulin resistanceimprovement was predicted by changes in liver lipid content independently of changes in visceral fat, pancreas lipid content,systemic inflammation, leptin and gender.CONCLUSION: Moderate weight loss determines significant decline in visceral abdominal fat, lipid content in liver andpancreas. Reduction of liver lipid content was greater than that of pancreas lipid content and visceral fat loss. Liver lipidcontent is the strongest predictor of insulin resistance improvement after weight loss

Harnack inequality and regularity for degenerate quasilinear elliptic equations

We prove Harnack inequality and local regularity results for weak solutions of a quasilinear degenerate equation in divergence form under natural growth conditions. The degeneracy is given by a suitable power of a strong $A_\infty$ weight. Regularity results are achieved under minimal assumptions on the coefficients and, as an application, we prove $C^{1,\alpha}$ local estimates for solutions of a degenerate equation in non divergence form