Exploiting the open clusters in the Kepler and CoRoT fields

The open clusters in the Kepler and CoRoT fields potentially provide tight constraints for tests of stellar models and observational methods because they allow a combination of complementary methods. We are in the process of identi- fying and measuring parameters for detached eclipsing binaries (dEBs) in the open clusters in the Kepler and CoRoT fields. We make use of measurements of dEBs in the clusters to test the accuracy of asteroseismic scaling relations for mass. We are able to provide strong indications that the asteroseismic scaling relations over- estimate the stellar mass, but we are not yet able to distinguish between different proposed corrections from the literature. We argue how our ongoing measurements of more dEBs in more clusters, complemented by dEBs in the field, should be able to break the degeneracy. We also briefly describe how we can identify cluster stars that have evolved through non-standard evolution by making use of ensemble asteroseismology.Comment: Proc. of the workshop "Asteroseismology of stellar populations in the Milky Way" (Sesto, 22-26 July 2013), Astrophysics and Space Science Proceedings, (eds. A. Miglio, L. Girardi, P. Eggenberger, J. Montalban

Lego-Mindstorms im Physikpraktikum für das Lehramt Physik?

Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurde untersucht, wie geeignet Lego-Mindstorms-Roboter und ihre Software für einen Einsatz im Physikpraktikum für das Lehramt Physik sind. Lego bietet sehr viele Konstruktionsmöglichkeiten, weckt keinerlei Berührungsängste, so dass es sich prinzipiell als Grundausstattung eines Projektversuchs eignen sollte. Damit könnte in den frühen Studiensemestern ein eigenständiges und freies Experimentieren möglich sein.Dazu wurden ausgewählte, einfache Versuche aus den Bereichen Mechanik und Wärmelehre aufgebaut und getestet. Es wurde versucht, mit Hilfe der Lego-Mindstorms-Software quantitative Messungen und Auswertungen vorzunehmen, ohne dabei zu weit von den durch Lego und Dritt-Anbieter (Vernier) vorgegebenen Möglichkeiten abzuweichen. Die gewonnenen Erfahrungen lassen die Vorzüge und die Grenzen des Lego-Mindstorms-Systems deutlich hervortreten

Lego-Mindstorms im Physikpraktikum für das Lehramt Physik?

Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurde untersucht, wie geeignet Lego-Mindstorms-Roboter und ihre Software für einen Einsatz im Physikpraktikum für das Lehramt Physik sind. Lego bietet sehr viele Konstruktionsmöglichkeiten, weckt keinerlei Berührungsängste, so dass es sich prinzipiell als Grundausstattung eines Projektversuchs eignen sollte. Damit könnte in den frühen Studiensemestern ein eigenständiges und freies Experimentieren möglich sein.Dazu wurden ausgewählte, einfache Versuche aus den Bereichen Mechanik und Wärmelehre aufgebaut und getestet. Es wurde versucht, mit Hilfe der Lego-Mindstorms-Software quantitative Messungen und Auswertungen vorzunehmen, ohne dabei zu weit von den durch Lego und Dritt-Anbieter (Vernier) vorgegebenen Möglichkeiten abzuweichen. Die gewonnenen Erfahrungen lassen die Vorzüge und die Grenzen des Lego-Mindstorms-Systems deutlich hervortreten

An automated, geometry-based method for hippocampal shape and thickness analysis

The hippocampus is one of the most studied neuroanatomical structures due to its involvement in attention, learning, and memory as well as its atrophy in ageing, neurological, and psychiatric diseases. Hippocampal shape changes, however, are complex and cannot be fully characterized by a single summary metric such as hippocampal volume as determined from MR images. In this work, we propose an automated, geometry-based approach for the unfolding, point-wise correspondence, and local analysis of hippocampal shape features such as thickness and curvature. Starting from an automated segmentation of hippocampal subfields, we create a 3D tetrahedral mesh model as well as a 3D intrinsic coordinate system of the hippocampal body. From this coordinate system, we derive local curvature and thickness estimates as well as a 2D sheet for hippocampal unfolding. We evaluate the performance of our algorithm with a series of experiments to quantify neurodegenerative changes in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's disease dementia. We find that hippocampal thickness estimates detect known differences between clinical groups and can determine the location of these effects on the hippocampal sheet. Further, thickness estimates improve classification of clinical groups and cognitively unimpaired controls when added as an additional predictor. Comparable results are obtained with different datasets and segmentation algorithms. Taken together, we replicate canonical findings on hippocampal volume/shape changes in dementia, extend them by gaining insight into their spatial localization on the hippocampal sheet, and provide additional, complementary information beyond traditional measures. We provide a new set of sensitive processing and analysis tools for the analysis of hippocampal geometry that allows comparisons across studies without relying on image registration or requiring manual intervention

Anti-amyloid antibody therapies in Alzheimer's disease

After years of failed attempts to develop a disease-modifying therapy for Alzheimer's disease, consistent evidence in support of clinical efficacy was finally presented for a monoclonal antibody targeting the amyloid-beta protofibrils. In addition to meeting the primary outcome of slowing clinical disease progression over 18 months, secondary clinical outcomes and amyloid-beta lowering on PET also underpin the positive results of the trial. In this opinion piece, we highlight the key characteristics of the previous unsuccessful trials and analyse the potential reasons why those attempts to develop a treatment for early Alzheimer's disease failed. We compare the safety profiles of the different antibodies and highlight cautionary measures for their routine clinical use. Last, we discuss the role of blood-based biomarkers in transforming the clinical care pathway to facilitate the uptake of antibody treatments, proposing an integrated case-finding and treatment model crossing the different healthcare sectors. Taken together, a real breakthrough may have been achieved by proving that amyloid-beta reduction results in clinical benefits, rather than just biomarker changes. At the same time, routine use of the new generation of drugs will show if statistical efficacy translates into clinically meaningful change. This may just be the beginning of a new era of Alzheimer's disease drug development. Perneczky et al. examine why previous trials of disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer's disease failed and why lecanemab fared differently. They discuss what the results may mean for patients, and argue that healthcare systems must adapt to facilitate rapid and safe uptake of anti-amyloid antibody treatment

Subjective Cognitive Decline (Preface)

First paragraph: Perceived decline in cognition in the absence of what is commonly termed ‘objective evidence’ is frequently referred to as subjective cognitive decline (SCD). While etiologically heterogeneous and therefore potentially responsive to intervention in some cases, SCD remains primarily associated with an increased risk of developing dementia. It is becoming clear however that, irrespective of cause, SCD can have a detrimental effect upon quality of life. Although there is increasing interest in SCD within both research and clinical arenas, it remains a topic that provokes substantial debate particularly with regard to its definition, diagnosis, and management

Are We Ready? The Construct of Subjective Cognitive Impairment and its Utilization in Clinical Practice: A Preliminary UK-Based Service Evaluation

Extensive research on the concept of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) as a potential prodromal stage of dementia has highlighted the likelihood that abnormalities in information processing occur at even earlier stages in the disease process with research increasingly focused on the relatively new concept of subjective cognitive impairment (SCI). An individual with SCI will experience cognitive impairment solely on a subjective level, which is in contrast to an individual with MCI who will also experience cognitive impairment at an objective level. SCI is believed to be a risk factor for development of MCI. This qualitative service evaluation aimed to determine how much is known about SCI and how it is currently managed in specialist clinical practice in the UK. An email-based questionnaire containing a vignette of an individual presenting with SCI was distributed to 112 memory clinics requesting information on their most likely approach to such an individual. The 21% response rate evinces potential time pressure within clinical services that may preclude research participation and/or a lack of issue salience at present. However, the data from those who responded provide an important insight into ‘where we are now’ in relation to this issue. Analysis revealed main themes associated with SCI, namely the factors that influence what action is taken when an individual presents and what further investigations are performed, the multiplicity of potential outcomes experienced, and the barriers clinicians may face. The findings highlight the need for a coherent and consistent framework in relation to the management of SCI

Determinants of the essential one-carbon metabolism metabolites, homocysteine, S-adenosylmethionine, S-adenosylhomocysteine and folate, in cerebrospinal fluid

Background: Disturbances in the levels of one-carbon (1C) metabolism metabolites have been associated with a wide variety of neuropsychiatric diseases. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of homocysteine (Hcy) and the other 1C metabolites, nor their interrelatedness and putative determinants, have been studied extensively in a healthy population. Methods: Plasma and CSF samples from 100 individuals free from neuropsychiatric diseases were analyzed (55 male, 45 female; age 50±17 years). In blood, we measured plasma Hcy, serum folate and serum vitamin B12. In CSF, we measured total Hcy, S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-methylTHF). Highly selective analytical methods like liquid chromatography combined with either mass spectrometry or fluorescence detection were used. Results: CSF Hcy was inversely correlated with CSF 5-methylTHF and positively with plasma Hcy, independent of serum folate status. CSF SAH correlated with age, lower CSF 5-methylTHF and higher CSF Hcy. CSF 5-methylTHF showed independent negative correlations with age and positive correlations with serum folate. CSF SAM did not correlate with any of the 1C metabolites. Conclusions: Aging is characterized by a reduction in CSF 5-methylTHF levels and increased CSF levels of the potentially neurotoxic transmethylation inhibitor SAH. CSF 5-methylTHF, which is itself determined in part by systemic folate status, is a powerful independent determinant of CSF levels of Hcy and SA

Complementary pre-screening strategies to uncover hidden prodromal and mild Alzheimer's disease: Results from the MOPEAD project

Diagnostic gap; Early diagnosis; PopulationBrecha de diagnóstico; Diagnóstico precoz; PoblaciónBretxa de diagnòstic; Diagnòstic precoç; PoblacióIntroduction: The Models of Patient Engagement for Alzheimer's Disease (MOPEAD) project was conceived to explore innovative complementary strategies to uncover hidden prodromal and mild Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia cases and to raise awareness both in the general public and among health professionals about the importance of early diagnosis. Methods: Four different strategies or RUNs were used: (a) a web-based (WB) prescreening tool, (2) an open house initiative (OHI), (3) a primary care-based protocol for early detection of cognitive decline (PC), and (4) a tertiary care-based pre-screening at diabetologist clinics (DC). Results: A total of 1129 patients at high risk of having prodromal AD or dementia were identified of 2847 pre-screened individuals (39.7%). The corresponding proportion for the different initiatives were 36.8% (WB), 35.6% (OHI), 44.4% (PC), and 58.3% (DC). Conclusion: These four complementary pre-screening strategies were useful for identifying individuals at high risk of having prodromal or mild AD.This project has received funding from the Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking under Grant Agreement No 115985. This Joint Undertaking receives support from the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation program and the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations. www.imi.europa.eu/. All participants provided informed consent