Community Engagement in Cultural Heritage A Digital Context

A series of case studies outlining the application of virtual reality and digital technologies for cultural heritage is presented in this article with an aim to examine the role for community engagement and SMEs in cultural heritage within a digital context. Digital technologies can be a repository and tool for telling local stories in relation to place and time on site and virtually off-site. In a series of case studies, tools and technologies for virtual reality experiences are outlined to identify the appropriate tools which can best facilitate this community engagement. In addition, community-based digital heritage initiatives will be discussed with reference to the Faro Convention. These technologies include applying BIM or GIS for historic structures involves initially data capture of the geometry and texture using laser scanning or digital photogrammetry, and then converting the digital survey data to solid Building Information Models (BIM). The process is described as Historic BIM or Historic GIS and, in this paper, several virtual reconstruction case studies of Irish Megalithic and Romanesque structures are presented

Inflammatory biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease plasma

Introduction: Plasma biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD)diagnosis/stratification are a “Holy Grail” of AD research and intensively sought; however, there are no well-established plasma markers. Methods: A hypothesis-led plasma biomarker search was conducted in the context of international multicenter studies. The discovery phase measured 53 inflammatory proteins in elderly control (CTL; 259), mild cognitive impairment (MCI; 199), and AD (262)subjects from AddNeuroMed. Results: Ten analytes showed significant intergroup differences. Logistic regression identified five (FB, FH, sCR1, MCP-1, eotaxin-1)that, age/APOε4 adjusted, optimally differentiated AD and CTL (AUC: 0.79), and three (sCR1, MCP-1, eotaxin-1)that optimally differentiated AD and MCI (AUC: 0.74). These models replicated in an independent cohort (EMIF; AUC 0.81 and 0.67). Two analytes (FB, FH)plus age predicted MCI progression to AD (AUC: 0.71). Discussion: Plasma markers of inflammation and complement dysregulation support diagnosis and outcome prediction in AD and MCI. Further replication is needed before clinical translation