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The development of a system that monitors social media continuously for general landslide-related content using a landslide classification model to identify and retain the most relevant information is described and validated. The system harvests photographs in real-time from these data and tags each image as landslide or not-landslide. A training model was developed with input from computer scientists, geologists (landslide specialists) and social media specialists to establish a large image dataset that has then been applied to the live Twitter data stream. The preliminary model was developed by training a convolutional neural network on the dataset. Quantitative verification of the system's performance during a real-world deployment shows that the system can detect landslide reports with Precision = 76%. The demonstrator model is currently running live https://landslide-aidr.qcri.org/service.php ; the next stage of development will incorporate stakeholder and user feedback. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The utility of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) proteins such as 14-3-3, tau protein and S-100b as diagnostic markers in the early stages of sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (sCJD) is unclear. We examined the diagnostic value of these CSF proteins in the early stages of sCJD (within 6 weeks of onset of symptoms). Four groups of patients were compared: patients with probable or neuropathologically confirmed sCJD with CSF taken within 6 weeks of onset (‘sCJD<6-week group’, n =47); patients with CSF taken within 6 weeks of disease onset but with a diagnosis other than CJD (‘non-sCJD<6-week group’, n =21); patients with neuropathologically proven sCJD where CSF was taken later than 6 weeks after onset (’sCJD>6-week group’, n =206); patients with CSF taken later than 6 weeks after onset of symptoms but with a diagnosis other than CJD (‘non-sCJD>6-week group’, n =166). The sensitivity and specificity of different combinations of neuronal proteins were ascertained. The sensitivities of all three markers were similar and ranged from 96% to 98%. The sensitivity of these markers was greater in the ‘sCJD<6-week group’ than in the ‘sCJD>6-week group’. This may be due to differences in the PRNP codon 129 and PrP isotype distribution between these groups. CSF tau protein had the greatest specificity (82%). We found all three CSF protein markers to be highly sensitive in the early stages of sCJD, with CSF tau protein having the greatest specificity and efficiency. Our findings indicate that CSF protein markers are effective tests in the early stages of sCJD. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The mechanisms underlying age-related loss of muscle and bone tissue are poorly understood but are thought to involve changes in sex hormone status, physical activity, and circulating levels of inflammatory cytokines. This study attempts to develop an animal model useful for evaluating these mechanisms in vivo. Male C57BL/6 mice were included for study at 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 29 months of age. Endocortical mineralizing surface, serum leptin, body weight, and percentage of body fat all increased between 6 and 12 months of age as activity level declined. Serum levels of the inflammatory marker IL-6 increased significantly after 12 months of age, following the observed increase in body weight and percent body fat. Hindlimb muscle mass declined significantly between 18 and 24 months of age, both absolutely and relative to total body mass, with a further decline (∼15%) between 24 and 29 months. Loss of muscle mass after 18 months of age was accompanied by a significant increase in bone resorption, as indicated by serum pyridinoline cross-links, and a significant decrease in fat mass, serum leptin, bone strength, bone mineral density, and vertical cage activity. No significant changes in serum testosterone with aging were detected in the mice, as levels were essentially constant between 6 and 29 months. Our data show that mice lose a significant amount of muscle and bone tissue with age, and this loss of musculoskeletal tissue is accompanied by a drop in serum leptin and preceded by a significant decrease in physical activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]