Optimizing Real Time fMRI Neurofeedback for Therapeutic Discovery and Development [preprint]

While reducing the burden of brain disorders remains a top priority of organizations like the World Health Organization and National Institutes of Health (BRAIN, 2013), the development of novel, safe and effective treatments for brain disorders has been slow. In this paper, we describe the state of the science for an emerging technology, real time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rtfMRI) neurofeedback, in clinical neurotherapeutics. We review the scientific potential of rtfMRI and outline research strategies to optimize the development and application of rtfMRI neurofeedback as a next generation therapeutic tool. We propose that rtfMRI can be used to address a broad range of clinical problems by improving our understanding of brain-behavior relationships in order to develop more specific and effective interventions for individuals with brain disorders. We focus on the use of rtfMRI neurofeedback as a clinical neurotherapeutic tool to drive plasticity in brain function, cognition, and behavior. Our overall goal is for rtfMRI to advance personalized assessment and intervention approaches to enhance resilience and reduce morbidity by correcting maladaptive patterns of brain function in those with brain disorders

Optimizing real time fMRI neurofeedback for therapeutic discovery and development

While reducing the burden of brain disorders remains a top priority of organizations like the World Health Organization and National Institutes of Health, the development of novel, safe and effective treatments for brain disorders has been slow. In this paper, we describe the state of the science for an emerging technology, real time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rtfMRI) neurofeedback, in clinical neurotherapeutics. We review the scientific potential of rtfMRI and outline research strategies to optimize the development and application of rtfMRI neurofeedback as a next generation therapeutic tool. We propose that rtfMRI can be used to address a broad range of clinical problems by improving our understanding of brain-behavior relationships in order to develop more specific and effective interventions for individuals with brain disorders. We focus on the use of rtfMRI neurofeedback as a clinical neurotherapeutic tool to drive plasticity in brain function, cognition, and behavior. Our overall goal is for rtfMRI to advance personalized assessment and intervention approaches to enhance resilience and reduce morbidity by correcting maladaptive patterns of brain function in those with brain disorders

Impulsive Social Influence Increases Impulsive Choices on a Temporal Discounting Task in Young Adults

Adolescents and young adults who affiliate with friends who engage in impulsive behavior are more likely to engage in impulsive behaviors themselves, and those who associate with prosocial (i.e. more prudent, future oriented) peers are more likely to engage in prosocial behavior. However, it is difficult to disentangle the contribution of peer influence vs. peer selection (i.e., whether individuals choose friends with similar traits) when interpreting social behaviors. In this study, we combined a novel social manipulation with a well-validated delay discounting task assessing impulsive behavior to create a social influence delay discounting task, in which participants were exposed to both impulsive (smaller, sooner or SS payment) and non-impulsive (larger, later or LL payment) choices from their peers. Young adults in this sample, n = 51, aged 18–25 had a higher rate of SS choices after exposure to impulsive peer influence than after exposure to non-impulsive peer influence. Interestingly, in highly susceptible individuals, the rate of non-impulsive choices did not increase after exposure to non-impulsive influence. There was a positive correlation between self-reported suggestibility and degree of peer influence on SS choices. These results suggest that, in young adults, SS choices appear to be influenced by the choices of same-aged peers, especially for individuals who are highly susceptible to influence

Glycolaldehyde formation via the dimerization of the formyl radical

Glycolaldehyde, the simplest monosaccharide sugar, has recently been detected in low- and high-mass star-forming cores. Following our previous investigation into glycolaldehyde formation, we now consider a further mechanism for the formation of glycolaldehyde that involves the dimerization of the formyl radical, HCO. Quantum mechanical investigation of the HCO dimerization process upon an ice surface is predicted to be barrierless and therefore fast. In an astrophysical context, we show that this mechanism can be very efficient in star-forming cores. It is limited by the availability of the formyl radical, but models suggest that only very small amounts of CO are required to be converted to HCO to meet the observational constraints

Handbook for Family Planning Operations Research Design [Arabic]

The Handbook for Family Planning Operations Research Design, first published in English by the Population Council in 1983, was based on field research studies in Asia. This second edition contains revised and expanded sections. Where appropriate, examples from Latin America and Africa have been added. The introductory section contains a current statement on the process of health and family planning operations research (OR). New chapters have been included on selecting an appropriate intervention to test in an OR study, and on describing the main elements of the study intervention. The chapter on information dissemination has been expanded and a new chapter on the utilization of research findings has been added. The book is designed to help health and family planning researchers develop and write a detailed OR proposal. It also aims to help program administrators and managers understand the process of OR and the uses of research findings for service-delivery improvement. Although the book is not a text on research methods, it does provide key concepts and important methods essential to conducting field research studies

Handbook for Family Planning Operations Research Design

The Handbook for Family Planning Operations Research Design, first published in English by the Population Council in 1983, was based on field research studies in Asia. This second edition contains revised and expanded sections. Where appropriate, examples from Latin America and Africa have been added. The introductory section contains a current statement on the process of health and family planning operations research (OR). New chapters have been included on selecting an appropriate intervention to test in an OR study, and on describing the main elements of the study intervention. The chapter on information dissemination has been expanded and a new chapter on the utilization of research findings has been added. The book is designed to help health and family planning researchers develop and write a detailed OR proposal. It also aims to help program administrators and managers understand the process of OR and the uses of research findings for service-delivery improvement. Although the book is not a text on research methods, it does provide key concepts and important methods essential to conducting field research studies

Prevalence and occurrence of zoonotic bacterial pathogens in surface waters determined by quantitative PCR

The prevalence and concentrations of Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella spp. and enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) were investigated in surface waters in Brisbane, Australia using quantitative PCR (qPCR) based methodologies. Water samples were collected from Brisbane City Botanic Gardens (CBG) Pond, and two urban tidal creeks (i.e., Oxley Creek and Blunder Creek). Of the 32 water samples collected, 8 (25%), 1 (3%), 9 (28%), 14 (44%), and 15 (47%) were positive for C. jejuni mapA, Salmonella invA, EHEC O157 LPS, EHEC VT1, and EHEC VT2 genes, respectively. The presence/absence of the potential pathogens did not correlate with either E. coli or enterococci concentrations as determined by binary logistic regression. In conclusion, the high prevalence, and concentrations of potential zoonotic pathogens along with the concentrations of one or more fecal indicators in surface water samples indicate a poor level of microbial quality of surface water, and could represent a significant health risk to users. The results from the current study would provide valuable information to the water quality managers in terms of minimizing the risk from pathogens in surface waters

Effects Of Plyometric and Endurance Training on Aerobic and Anaerobic Power.

Snyder, T., Shaw, E., Mueller, A., Stoeckel, E., Strom, A., VanDerVeeken, T., Swensen, T., Exercise and Sport Sciences, Ithaca College, Ithaca NY Purpose and Methods: Extending the work of Burgomaster and Gibala, we compared the effects of four weeks of plyometric and endurance training on various indices of aerobic and anaerobic performance in 29 active college age males and females (19.4 ± 1.8 years and 69.9 ± 13.8 kg), who were assigned to a plyometric (6 males and 9 females) or endurance training group (6 males and 8 females). Endurance training consisted of 30 min of cycling at a heart rate corresponding to 75% of VO2 max; plyometric training consisted of various jumps and lunges, yielding 120 foot to ground touches. Both groups trained 30 min.d-1, 3 d.wk-1 for four weeks; workouts were preceded and followed by a warm-up and cool down. Cycle VO2 max, 2-mile cycling time trial (TT) performance, and Wingate 30 s peak (PPO) and mean power output (MPO) were assessed before and after training. Data were compared with a repeated measures ANOVA. Results: Mean (SD) for dependent variables and % change are shown. * indicates significant changes across time. There were no differences between groups before and after training for any variable. Even though the magnitude of change for each variable was larger with cycle training, plyometric training did improve VO2 max by 7.1%, and PPO and MPO by 11 and 12%, respectively. Further, the 3.4% change in TT performance following plyometric training was nearly significant (p=0.063). Conclusion: Plyometric training is an effective means by which to enhance indices of aerobic and anaerobic fitness. This project was funded by Ithaca College