bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Visual Manifestations in Giant Cell Arteritis: Trend over 5 Decades in a Population-based Cohort
Authors: Singh Abha G. , Kermani Tanaz A. , Crowson Cynthia S. , Weyand Cornelia M. , Matteson Eric L. , Warrington Kenneth J.
Published: December 2014

Objective.

To evaluate clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of patients with visual changes from giant cell arteritis (GCA) and to examine trends over the last 5 decades.

Methods.

We reviewed the medical records of a population-based cohort of patients with GCA diagnosed between 1950 and 2004. The clinical, ophthalmological, and laboratory features of patients with visual manifestations attributable to GCA were compared to patients without visual complications. Trends over time were examined using logistic regression modeling adjusted for age and sex.

Results.

In a cohort of 204 cases of GCA (mean age 76.0 ± 8.2 yrs, 80% female), visual changes from GCA were observed in 47 patients (23%), and 4.4% suffered complete vision loss. A higher proportion of patients with visual manifestations reported jaw claudication than did patients without visual changes (55% vs 38%, p = 0.04). Over a period of 55 years, we observed a significant decline in the incidence of visual symptoms due to GCA. There was a lower incidence of ischemic optic neuropathy in the 1980–2004 cohort vs 1950–1979 (6% vs 15%, p = 0.03). Patients diagnosed in later decades were more likely to recover from visual symptoms (HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.06–1.71). Chances of recovery were poor in patients with anterior ischemic optic neuropathy or complete vision loss.

Conclusion.

Incidence of visual symptoms has declined over the past 5 decades, and chances of recovery from visual symptoms have improved. However, complete loss of vision is essentially irreversible. Jaw claudication is associated with higher likelihood of development of visual symptoms.
Algunas notas sobre la figura de Argantonio y sus elementos míticos
Authors: Padilla Monge Aurelio
Published: December 2014

Los aspectos m.ticos de la figura de Argantonio, manifestación del buen monarca acogedor del viajero y expresión de la idea de fuente de riqueza lejana y misteriosa; la base mítica de su cronología vital, determinada por la aplicación de un módulo cronológico mítico de origen mesopotámico integrado en el acervo mítico griego, la utilización de un verdadero cliché narrativo para contar la historia de sus relaciones con los marinos foceos y el probable origen de su propio nombre, quizá tomado por Caronte de Lámpsaco de un ciclo mitolígico bitinio, permiten poner muy en duda la historicidad de este personaje.
Hijos de Melqart. Justino (44.5) y la koiné tiria entre los siglos IV y III a.C.
Authors: Álvarez Martí-Aguilar Manuel
Published: December 2014

Proponemos una nueva interpretación del pasaje de Justino (44.5) relativo al dominio cartaginés en la Península Ibérica, que no se iniciaría con la fundación de Gadir, sino de una colonia por parte de los gaditanos con la participación del templo de Melqart de Tiro. Identificamos esa colonia con Carteia, fundada en el segundo cuarto del siglo iv a.C. con la intervención del Melqart tirio en calidad de archegetes. Este episodio permite una comprensión más completa de las relaciones en el seno de la koiné identitaria tiria, una red de comunidades que reconocen, en Tiro a su madre patria y se vinculan por lazos de parentesco a través de la figura de Melqart. La intervención militar cartaginesa en auxilio de Gadir, a mediados del siglo IV a.C., se explicaría en el seno de esa red y confirmaría el establecimiento por parte de Cartago de ciertas bases territoriales en la Península antes de los Bárquidas, lo que invita a datar en la segunda mitad del siglo IV a.C. exploraciones atlánticas como las de Hannón e Himilcón.
Una hierofanía solar en el santuario ibérico de Castellar (Jaén)
Authors: Esteban César , Rísquez Carmen , Rueda Carmen
Published: December 2014

Parte del trabajo de campo fue financiado por el proyecto Arqueoastronomía (c.digo 7/93) del Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias. Asimismo, este trabajo se ha realizado dentro del proyecto Espacios rituales y modelos territoriales en el Alto Guadalquivir desde el siglo. IV a.C. hasta el siglo. I a.C.: los paisajes de la iconografía ibérica dentro del Subprograma Juan de la Cierva (MINECO, Plan nacional de I+D).
Las tabernae de Pollentia (Mallorca). Materiales figurados como manifestaciones apotropaicas, de religiosidad, y de representación durante el siglo III
Authors: Moreno Pérez A. Santiago , Orfila Pons Margarita
Published: December 2014

Se presentan una serie de materiales figurados recuperados en los niveles del siglo III d.C. en las tabernae estructuradas en insulae del entorno del foro de Pollentia. Estos materiales, principalmente esculturas exentas de pequeño formato, muestran distintas estrategias de representación y atracción de la clientela, pero también ciertas actitudes religiosas y supersticiosas, por lo que constituyen importantes indicadores sobre la vida cotidiana y el entramado de creencias de las clases populares que habitan estos establecimientos.
Health research in the Western Cape province, South Africa: Lessons and challenges
Authors: London Leslie , Naledi Tracey , Petros Sabela
Published: December 2014

Background: Health research can play a critical role in strengthening health systems.However, little monitoring of health research is conducted in African countries to identify whether research contributes to addressing local health priorities.Aim/Setting: To review the profile of research on the health service platform in the Western Cape province of South Africa which was approved by the health authorities over the period January 2011 to December 2012.Methods: Databases held by both the Provincial and City of Cape Town health departments were reviewed. Descriptions of research institution, location of research, topic and funding size and source were analysed.Results: Of the health research approved in the province, 56% of projects were located on the District Health Services platform and 70% were based in the Cape Metropolitan area. For projects reporting budgetary information, the total funding was US $29.2 million. The primary focus of research was on HIV and tuberculosis (TB), whilst relatively few studies addressed nutrition, mental health or injury and there was little health systems research. Research funding was dominated by very large grants from foreign funders for HIV and/or TB research. South African government sources comprised less than 8% of all health research funding.Conclusion: There is a partial mismatch of donor funding to local health priorities. Greater focus on neglected areas such as mental health, trauma, nutrition and non-communicable disease, as well as greater investment in health systems research, is needed. Unless governments increase funding for research and a culture of research translation is achieved, health research will have limited impact on both local and national priorities.
Postoperative pyoderma gangrenosum
Authors: Faghihi G , Abtahi-Naeini B , Nikyar Z , Jamshidi K , Bahrami A
Published: December 2014

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is an uncommon inflammatory ulcerative skin disease. It is characterized by painful progressive necrosis of the wound margins. Rarely, postoperative pyoderma gangrenosum (PPG) manifests as a severe disturbance of wound healing following surgical interventions. Only rare cases of this complication have been reported after appendectomy. We report a case of PPG in a 29-year-old female after appendectomy. She was successfully treated with oral prednisolone. Postoperative pyoderma gangrenosum should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of any postoperative delayed wound healing, because this disease is simply distinguished from a postoperative wound.
Statistical Issues in the Design and Analysis of nCounter Projects
Authors: Jung Sin-Ho , Sohn Insuk
Published: December 2014

Numerous statistical methods have been published for designing and analyzing microarray projects. Traditional genome-wide microarray platforms (such as Affymetrix, Illumina, and DASL) measure the expression level of tens of thousands genes. Since the sets of genes included in these array chips are selected by the manufacturers, the number of genes associated with a specific disease outcome is limited and a large portion of the genes are not associated. nCounter is a new technology by NanoString to measure the expression of a selected number (up to 800) of genes. The list of genes for nCounter chips can be selected by customers. Due to the limited number of genes and the price increase in the number of selected genes, the genes for nCounter chips are carefully selected among those discovered from previous studies, usually using traditional high-throughput platforms, and only a small number of definitely unassociated genes, called control genes, are included to standardize the overall expression level across different chips. Furthermore, nCounter chips measure the expression level of each gene using a counting observation while the traditional high-throughput platforms produce continuous observations. Due to these differences, some statistical methods developed for the design and analysis of high-throughput projects may need modification or may be inappropriate for nCounter projects. In this paper, we discuss statistical methods that can be used for designing and analyzing nCounter projects.
Creation and Validation of the Self-esteem/Self-image Female Sexuality (SESIFS) Questionnaire
Authors: Lordello Maria C.O. , Ambrogini Carolina C. , Fanganiello Ana L. , Embiruçu Teresa R. , Zaneti Marina M. , Veloso Laise , Piccirillo Livia B. , Crude Bianca L. , Haidar Mauro , Silva Ivaldo
Published: December 2014

Introduction

Self-esteem and self-image are psychological aspects that affect sexual function.

AIMS

To validate a new measurement tool that correlates the concepts of self-esteem, self-image, and sexuality.

Methods

A 20-question test (the self-esteem/self-image female sexuality [SESIFS] questionnaire) was created and tested on 208 women. Participants answered: Rosenberg's self-esteem scale, the female sexual quotient (FSQ), and the SESIFS questionnaire. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to test concurrent validity of the SESIFS against Rosenberg's self-esteem scale and the FSQ. Reliability was tested using the Cronbach's alpha coefficient.

Result

The new questionnaire had a good overall reliability (Cronbach's alpha r = 0.862, p < 0.001), but the sexual domain scored lower than expected ( r = 0.65). The validity was good: overall score r = 0.38, p < 0.001, self-esteem domain r = 0.32, p < 0.001, self-image domain r = 0.31, p < 0.001, sexual domain r = 0.29, p < 0.001.

Conclusions

The SESIFS questionnaire has limitations in measuring the correlation among self-esteem, self-image, and sexuality domains. A new, revised version is being tested and will be presented in an upcoming publication.
On irreducible divisors of iterated polynomials
Authors: Gómez-Pérez Domingo , Ostafe Alina , Shparlinski Igor E.
Published: December 2014

D. Gómez-Pérez, A. Ostafe, A.P. Nicolás and D. Sadornil have recently shown that for almost all polynomials

f \in \mathbb F_q[X]

over the finite field of

q

elements, where

q

is an odd prime power, their iterates eventually become reducible polynomials over

\mathbb F_q

. Here we combine their method with some new ideas to derive finer results about the arithmetic structure of iterates of

f

. In particular, we prove that the

n

th iterate of

f

has a square-free divisor of degree of order at least

n^{1+o(1)}

as

n\to \infty

(uniformly in

q

).
A sharp multiplier theorem for Grushin operators in arbitrary dimensions
Authors: Martini Alessio , Müller Detlef
Published: December 2014

In a recent work by A. Martini and A. Sikora, sharp

L^p

spectral multiplier theorems for the Grushin operators acting on

\mathbb R^{d_1}_{x'} \times \mathbb R^{d_2}_{x''}

and defined by the formula

L=-\sum_{j=1}^{d_1}\partial_{x'_j}^2 - \Big(\sum_{j=1}^{d_1}|x'_j|^2\Big) \sum_{k=1}^{d_2}\partial_{x''_k}^2

are obtained in the case

d_1 \geq d_2

. Here we complete the picture by proving sharp results in the case

d_1 < d_2

. Our approach exploits

L^2

weighted estimates with "extra weights" depending essentially on the second factor of

\mathbb R^{d_1} \times \mathbb R^{d_2}

(in contrast to the mentioned work, where the "extra weights" depend only on the first factor) and gives a new unified proof of the sharp results without restrictions on the dimensions.
Linear multifractional stable motion: fine path properties
Authors: Ayache Antoine , Hamonier Julien
Published: December 2014

For at least a decade, there has been considerable interest in applied and theoretical issues related to multifractional random models. Nonetheless, only a few results are known in the framework of heavy-tailed stable distributions. In this framework, a paradigmatic example is the linear multifractional stable motion (LMSM)

\{Y(t)\colon t\in\mathbb R\}

. Stoev and Taqqu [30, 29| introduced LMSM by replacing the constant Hurst parameter of classical linear fractional stable motion (LFSM) by a deterministic function

H(\cdot)

depending on the time variable

t

. The main goal of our article is to make a comprehensive study of the local and asymptotic behavior of

\{Y(t):t\in\mathbb R\}

. To this end, one needs to derive fine path properties of

\{X(u,v)\colon (u,v)\in\mathbb R \times (1/\alpha,1)\}

, the field generating the process (i.e., one has

Y(t)=X(t,H(t))

for all

t\in\mathbb R

). This leads us to introduce random wavelet series representations of

\{X(u,v)\colon (u,v)\in\mathbb R \times (1/\alpha,1)\}

as well as of all its pathwise partial derivatives of any order with respect to

v

. Then our strategy consists in using wavelet methods which are reminiscent of those in [2, 5]. Among other things, we solve a conjecture of Stoev and Taqqu concerning the existence for LMSM of a version with almost surely continuous paths; moreover we significantly improve Theorem 4.1 in [29], which provides some bounds for the local Hölder exponent (in other words, the uniform pointwise Hölder exponent) of LMSM. Namely, we obtain a quasi-optimal global modulus of continuity, and also an optimal local one. It is worth noticing that, even in the quite classical case of LFSM, the optimal local modulus of continuity provides a new result which was previously not known.
Invited review: Clogging of granular materials in bottlenecks
Authors: Zuriguel Iker
Published: December 2014

During the past decades, notable improvements have been achieved in the understanding of static and dynamic properties of granular materials, giving rise to appealing new concepts like jamming, force chains, non-local rheology or the inertial number. The 'saltcellar' can be seen as a canonical example of the characteristic features displayed by granular materials: an apparently smooth flow is interrupted by the formation of a mesoscopic structure (arch) above the outlet that causes a quick dissipation of all the kinetic energy within the system. In this manuscript, I will give an overview of this field paying special attention to the features of statistical distributions appearing in the clogging and unclogging processes. These distributions are essential to understand the problem and allow subsequent study of topics such as the influence of particle shape, the structure of the clogging arches and the possible existence of a critical outlet size above which the outpouring will never stop. I shall finally offer some hints about general ideas that can be explored in the next few years. Received: 21 November 2014,  Accepted: 5 December 2014; Reviewed by: K. To, Institute of Physics, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan; Edited by: L. A. Pugnaloni; DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4279/PIP.060014Cite as: I Zuriguel, Papers in Physics 6, 060014 (2014)
Quaking Aspen Regeneration Following Prescribed Fire in Lassen Volcanic National Park, California, USA
Authors: Margolis Ellis Q. , Farris Calvin A.
Published: December 2014

Prescribed fire is commonly used for restoration, but the effects of reintroducing fire following a century of fire exclusion are unknown in many ecosystems. We assessed the effects of three prescribed fires, native ungulate browsing, and conifer competition on quaking aspen (Populus tremuloidesMichx.) regeneration in four small groves (0.5 ha to 3.0 ha) in Lassen Volcanic National Park, California, USA, over an 11 yr period. The effects of fire on aspen regeneration density and height were variable within and among sites. Post-fire aspen regeneration density generally decreased with greater conifer basal area (rs= −0.73), but there was a wide range of aspen regeneration densities (4000 to 36 667 stems ha−1) at transects with no live conifers post-fire. The height of aspen regeneration increased as a function of increasing years-since-fire (1 yr to 11 yr), but heavy browsing by mule deer (Odocoileus hemionusRafinesque) may alter future growth trajectories. Median percent of aspen regeneration browsed was high in burned (91 %) and unburned (81 %) transects. Only 7 % (282 stems ha−1to 333 stems ha−1) of post-fire aspen regeneration in 11-year old burns exceeded the height necessary to escape mule deer browsing (150 cm). Browsing may also be altering aspen growth form, such that multi-stemmed aspen regeneration was positively associated with proportion of aspen regeneration browsed. These four case studies indicate that the effects of prescribed fires on quaking aspen in the southern Cascade Range of northern California were highly variable and, when coupled with biotic factors (such as deer browsing and competing vegetation) and varying fire severity, fire may either benefit or hasten the decline of small aspen groves.
Vegetation Recovery and Fuel Reduction after Seasonal Burning of Western Juniper
Authors: Bates Jonathan D. , O’Connor Rory , Davies Kirk W.
Published: December 2014

The decrease in fire activity has been recognized as a main cause of expansion of North American woodlands. Piñon-juniper habitat in the western United States has expanded in area nearly 10-fold since the late 1800s. Woodland control measures using chainsaws, heavy equipment, and prescribed fire are used to restore sagebrush steppe plant communities. We compared vegetation recovery following cutting and prescribed fire on three sites in late Phase 2 (mid succession) and Phase 3 (late succession) western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis Hook.) woodlands in southeast Oregon. Treatments were partial cutting followed by fall broadcast burning (SEP); clear-cut and leave (CUT); and clear-cut and burn in early winter (JAN), late winter (MAR), and spring (APR); and untreated controls. Cover and density of herbaceous, shrub, and tree layers were measured. Five years after treatment, perennial bunchgrasses dominated two sites and co-dominated, with invasive annual grasses, at one site. Except for Sandberg blue-grass (Poa secunda J. Presl), cover and density of bunchgrasses, perennial and annual forbs, and annual grasses increased following treatments at all three sites and were greater than in controls. At each site, shrub, herbaceous, and ground cover response variables equalized or had begun to converge among treatments during the fourth or fifth year following application. SEP and APR treatments were mostly effective at reducing fuel sizes up to and including 1000-hr fuels while JAN and MAR treatments only consumed 1-hr and 10-hr fuels. Winter burning treatments (JAN, MAR) and the CUT treatments did not kill small junipers and seedlings and require additional tree control for sites to fully recover to functional sagebrush-herbaceous plant communities. The results demonstrate that juniper treatments are needed to recover sagebrush steppe plant communities.
Vegetation Response after Post-Fire Mulching and Native Grass Seeding
Authors: Morgan Penelope , Moy Marshell , Droske Christine A. , Lentile Leigh B. , Lewis Sarah A. , Robichaud Peter R. , Hudak Andrew T.
Published: December 2014

Post-fire mulch and seeding treatments, often applied on steep, severely burned slopes immediately after large wildfires, are meant to reduce the potential of erosion and establishment of invasive plants, especially non-native plants, that could threaten values at risk. However, the effects of these treatments on native vegetation response post fire are little studied, especially beyond one to two years. We compared species richness, diversity, and percent canopy cover of understory plants one, two, three, four, and six years after immediate post-fire application of wood strand mulch, agricultural wheat straw mulch, hydromulch + seed with locally adapted native grasses, seed only with locally adapted native grasses with no mulch, and untreated (no mulch or grass seeding) after the 2005 School Fire in Washington, USA. For wood strand mulch treatments, mean canopy cover of grasses and forbs was low, varying from 3 % to 20 % in post-fire years two through six; whereas wheat straw mulch had the lowest mean cover of grasses, <1 %, and the highest canopy cover of both forbs and shrubs, each >29 % in post-fire years two through six. Plots hydromulched and seeded with grass, and those seeded with grass but not mulched, tended to have higher grass cover than other treatments and untreated plots over the six years. Species richness and diversity was highest for the hydromulch + seed treatment. Ten non-native species were found, but never with more than 2 % canopy cover, each. Although the inference of our small-plot work is limited, our results suggest that post-fire rehabilitation treatments apparently altered the abundance and diversity of native perennial understory plants for one to six years post fire—effects that could persist for decades.
Minimal Persistence of Native Bunchgrasses Seven Years after Seeding following Mastication and Prescribed Fire in Southwestern Oregon, USA
Authors: Busby Laura M. , Southworth Darlene
Published: December 2014

Seeding of native grasses is widely used to restore plant communities and prevent establishment of introduced species following wildfire and prescribed burns. However, there is a lack of long-term data to evaluate the success of native grass seeding. Here, in the interior valley shrublands of southwestern Oregon, we resurveyed plots that had been masticated and burned, and then seeded with bunchgrasses seven years previously. The prescribed fires had resulted in bare ground that increased opportunities for bunchgrass germination as well as for invasion by introduced plants. After two years, native grass seeding was successful, with increased bunchgrass cover that correlated with decreased cover of introduced species. However, five years later, bunchgrass cover had declined by 80%, and the frequency of plots with bunchgrasses had declined by 60%. Cover of surviving bunchgrasses in year 7 correlated positively with bunch-grass cover in year 2 (R2 = 0.34; P = 0.003). Seven years after prescribed fire and seeding, native cover, introduced cover, and species richness were unchanged, and bunchgrass persistence was minimal. Basically, seeding following mastication and prescribed burning had a minimal effect. This study highlights the importance of longer-term monitoring to determine the efficacy of seeding treatments.
Making a World of Difference in Fire and Climate Change
Authors: Huffman Mary R.
Published: December 2014

Together with other stressors, interactions between fire and climate change are expressing their potential to drive ecosystem shifts and losses in biodiversity. Closely linked to human well-being in most regions of the globe, fires and their consequences should no longer be regarded as repeated surprise events. Instead, we should regard fires as common and enduring components of most terrestrial systems, including their social context. At the global scale, too much fire and the wrong kinds of fire are trumping not enough fire as the most influential fire problems we must address. Intensified fire suppression and government prohibition of burning is not a long-term solution at the global scale. Acknowledging the importance of programs to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, I propose that fire ecologists come together to elevate attention on four less-discussed priorities: ecological systems in which people depend on fire for survival and well-being; systems in which governments unwisely insist on command and control approaches to fire; places where peatlands are burning; and, places where climate-driven changes in fire will cause type conversion. Finally, I propose holding a worldwide fire summit to debate these priorities and to create fire management goals at the global scale. Taken all together, these proposed steps could enable fire ecologists to mount a worldwide offensive to shape the future of fire in the era of climate change.
A Dependable Device to Secure Condylar Position into Glenoid Fossa during Orthognathic Surgery
Authors: Mukherji Srijon , Shah Pratik Dipak
Published: December 2014

A change in condylar positioning is one of the area of concern following orthognathic surgery which may occur due to numerous reasons like paralysis of the muscles of mastication, fixation methods, malalignment of the bone segments and more commonly due to inadvertent force used to bring the jaws in to occlusion. Deranged position of condyle may lead to relapse following surgery and also causes TMD sequelae. Condylar position in the glenoid fossa can be secured during orthognathic surgery by using condylar positioning device. The role and design of the condylar positioning device has been discussed in detail in this technical note.

How to cite this article

Shah PD, Mukherji S. A Dependable Device to Secure Condylar Position into Glenoid Fossa during Orthognathic Surgery. J Contemp Dent 2014;4(3):178-180.
Comprehensive Treatment of a Partially Edentulous Patient with Overdentures
Authors: Nadgere Jyoti , Mengal Ganesh Pandurang
Published: December 2014

Treatment of partially edentulous patients with few remaining teeth is very challenging. These cases can be successfully treated with natural teeth supported overdentures. Comprehensive treatment plan with natural teeth supported overdentures saves the proprioceptive response of the teeth, along with other benefits such as improved masticatory efficiency, better retention, stability, support as compared to conventional tissue supported complete dentures. The other most important benefit of overdentures is the psychological security of well retaining dentures which increases patient's confidence level. This article presents a case report in which a partially edentulous patient was successfully rehabilitated with comprehensive treatment of maxillary natural teeth supported overdenture with locator attachment (Zest Anchors) and mandibular partial denture.

How to cite this article

Mengal GP, Ram SM, Nadgere J, Shah N. Comprehensive Treatment of a Partially Edentulous Patient with Overdentures. J Contemp Dent 2014;4(3):185-189.
Neurocognitive underpinnings of language disorder: Contrasting schizophrenia and mood disorders
Authors: Cohen Alex S. , Auster Tracey , Callaway Dallas , MacAulay Rebecca K. , Minor Kyle S.
Published: December 2014

Language disorder is a deleterious, but poorly understood, symptom of schizophrenia. Burgeoning research suggests that it also occurs in depression and bipolar disorders. Building on prior research, the present study evaluated the degree to which language disorder was associated with neurocognitive deficits in a sample of patients with schizophrenia and mood disorders. Employed in this study were a standard neurocognitive battery and a behavior-based analysis of language disorder from natural speech. Speech samples were collected from two separate counterbalanced conditions administered a week apart. During an “activity” speech condition, participants discussed their daily activities, hobbies and interests. During a “social” speech condition, participants discussed social relationships from their lives. The schizophrenia and mood disorder groups were similar in severity of language disorder during the activity condition. However, there was a significant difference in the severity of language disorder within the schizophrenia patient group but not the mood disorder group. For patients with schizophrenia, language disorder was associated with a range of neurocognitive deficits for both the activity and social speech conditions. For patients with mood disorders, language disorder was significantly associated with poorer neurocognitive functioning during the activity condition, conversely it was significantly associated with better neurocognitive functioning during the social condition. These findings highlight the importance of neurocognition for understanding language disorder across a wide swath of severe mental illnesses. They also emphasize how mitigating factors that exacerbate language disorder may differ in patients with schizophrenia versus mood disorders. Directions for future research are discussed.
Cognitive Reactivity in Obsessional Rumination: A Naturalistic and Longitudinal Investigation
Authors: Careau Yves , O'Connor Kieron P. , Turgeon Lyse , Freeston Mark H.
Published: December 2014

To date, evidence for cognitive reactivity in OCD has been provided through laboratory-based investigations assessing the impact of mood-states on obsessional appraisals and behaviours in experimenter controlled scenarios. In order to better grasp the dynamics of cognitive reactivity in OCD, the current study provides an extensive and intensive analysis of the longitudinal and naturalistic covariation between transient mood-states and appraisals across 8 individuals with obsessional rumination. Drawing on current models of cognitive reactivity, the use of different processing styles was hypothesised to differentially affect cognitive reactivity. Participants completed diaries recording mood-states and appraisals over the course of a cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for OCD. Based on the sequential analysis of conditional probability, contingency magnitude estimations of covariations revealed the presence of cognitive reactivity in 7 out of 8 participants. Further, covariation between mood and cognition showed close relationships to the participants' neutralization profiles associated with the Systematic, Superficial and Altered processing styles.
An Eye Tracking Study of the Time Course of Attention to Positive and Negative Images in Dysphoric and Non-dysphoric Individuals
Authors: Arndt Jody E. , Newman Kristin R. , Sears Christopher R.
Published: December 2014

Researchers studying selective attention in depressed and dysphoric individuals have documented biases in the allocation of attention to emotional information (Gotlib & Joormann, 2010; Yiend, 2010). Recent studies using eye gaze tracking have shown that when images are presented for extended durations (5–30 seconds), depressed and dysphoric individuals attend to depression-related images more than never depressed individuals and attend to positive images less (Armstrong & Olatunji, 2012). The present study used eye gaze tracking and time course analyses to look for differences between dysphoric and non-dysphoric individuals in their attention to emotional images over time. Participants viewed sets of four images (a depression-related image, a threat-related image, a positive image, and a neutral image) while their eye fixations were tracked and recorded throughout a 10-second presentation. The time course analyses, which divided each 10-second presentation into 2-second intervals, revealed that group differences in attention to positive and depression-related images emerged only after 4 seconds had elapsed and then persisted for the remainder of the 10-second presentation. Dysphoric and non-dysphoric participants were further distinguished by the temporal profiles of their attention to positive and depression-related images. The implications for researchers' understanding of attention to emotion in dysphoria and depression are discussed.
Diminished physiological flexibility is associated with intolerance of uncertainty during affective decision making in adolescence
Authors: Wild A. , Freeston M. H. , Heary S. , Rodgers J.
Published: December 2014

Adults with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) are reported to display discrepancy between self-reported somatic anxiety symptoms and physiological indices. Whilst physiological indices indicate a reduced physiological response, self-report measures reflect the perception of heightened and aversive somatic symptoms. It is unclear whether the discrepancy between perceived and observed somatic arousal in adults with GAD, extends into adolescence. This study aimed to investigate whether in healthy adolescents the degree of intolerance of uncertainty (a core construct in the development of GAD), affected the perception of somatic arousal in anxiety provoking situations, to determine if the discrepancy between perceived and observed physiological arousal, evident in adults with GAD, is present in adolescence. The sample were 33 healthy adolescents recruited from school settings (mean age 12 years) divided in to two groups based on the presence of either high or low intolerance of uncertainty as measured by a brief self-report tool. Differences in physiological arousal, measured via electrodermal activity, were assessed in the two groups during a decision making task used to induce a mild state of anxiety. During the decision making task, adolescents with low intolerance of uncertainty reported lower levels of anxiety relative to a more flexible physiological response pattern, than those with high intolerance of uncertainty. The adolescents with high intolerance of uncertainty reported higher levels of anxiety relative to a less flexible physiological response pattern than those in the low IU group. The results indicate that the pattern of dissociation between physiological and self-reports of somatic symptoms in adults with GAD, is detectable in a sample of healthy adolescents with high intolerance of uncertainty. The study extends the current understanding of anxiety in adolescence and specifies future research, with the potential to improve treatment options for this distressing disorder.
Attention Effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Formerly Depressed Patients
Authors: Verhoeven Josine E. , Vrijsen Janna N. , van Oostrom Iris , Speckens Anne E. M. , Rinck Mike
Published: December 2014

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is a group intervention designed to prevent relapse in recurrently depressed patients. It is not clear which cognitive processes accompany MBCT's clinical effects. This study examined effects of MBCT on attentional processes in remitted depressed patients in order to further identify the mechanisms of change in MBCT. Remitted depressed patients (N = 28) completed both subjective and objective measures of attention before and after participation in MBCT. The MBCT group was compared to a control group of remitted depressed patients not participating in MBCT (N = 26). While MBCT did not show effects on subjective measures of attention control or on sustained attention, the intervention did appear to be associated with less distraction by task-irrelevant stimuli, particularly negative stimuli. Our findings suggest that MBCT may decrease vulnerability to depression-related environmental cues and thereby decrease the risk of a relapse or recurrence of depression.
Effects of a Multi-session Cognitive Bias Modification Program on Interpretative Biases and Social Anxiety Symptoms in a Sample of Iranian Socially-Anxious Students
Authors: Khalili-Torghabeh Saemeh , Fadardi Javad Salehi , Mackintosh Bundy , Reynolds Shirley , Mobini Sirous
Published: December 2014

This study examines the effects of a multi-session Cognitive Bias Modification (CBM) program on interpretative biases and social anxiety in an Iranian sample. Thirty-six volunteers with a high score on social anxiety measures were recruited from a student population and randomly allocated into the experimental and control groups. In the experimental group, participants received 4 sessions of positive CBM for interpretative biases (CBM-I) over 2 weeks in the laboratory. Participants in the control condition completed a neutral task matched the active CBM-I intervention in format and duration but did not encourage positive disambiguation of socially ambiguous scenarios. The results indicated that after training the positive CBM-I group exhibited more positive (and less negative) interpretations of ambiguous scenarios and less social anxiety symptoms relative to the control condition at both 1 week post-test and 7 weeks follow-up. It is suggested that clinical trials are required to establish the clinical efficacy of this intervention for social anxiety.
Mania Risk is Associated with Dominance Behavior in an Interpersonal Negotiation Task
Authors: Fulford Daniel , Sinclair Sungchoon , John Oliver P. , Johnson Sheri L.
Published: December 2014

Researchers have noted strong parallels in the symptoms of mania—including grandiosity, hostility, goal-driven behavior, and overly sexualized behavior—and dominance. Drawing on these parallels, it has been hypothesized that bipolar disorder might be related to dysregulations of the dominance system, which includes dominance motivation, power, and dominance behavior. The goal of the current study was to consider whether manic tendencies related to the dominance system as measured in an ecologically valid experimental paradigm. Participants took part in small group interactions in which they negotiated merit pay for candidates seeking promotion. They completed ratings of their own and peers' dominance behaviors during the interaction. All participants also completed the Hypomanic Personality Scale to assess risk for mania, as well as scales to assess for current (hypo)mania and history of depression. Whereas history of depression was related to lower dominance motivation, mania risk was related to dominance behavior during the task, and peers rated this dominance behavior unfavorably. Findings provide a framework for understanding some of the social problems observed in bipolar disorder, with both depression history and mania risk contributing to dysregulations in the dominance system.
Long-term characterization of organic and elemental carbon in the PM2.5 fraction: the case of Athens, Greece
Authors: Paraskevopoulou D. , Liakakou E. , Gerasopoulos E. , Theodosi C. , Mihalopoulos N.
Published: December 2014

Abstract. Organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) and main ions were measured in a total of 1510 PM2.5 daily aerosol samples collected from May 2008 to April 2013 in Athens, Greece. OC and EC concentrations were 2.1 ± 1.3 μg m−3 and 0.54 ± 0.39 μg m−3, accounting for 11 ± 3% and 3 ± 1% of PM2.5 mass, respectively, with an average OC/EC ratio of 4.7 ± 3.1. Significant correlation was found between OC and EC during the whole period, indicating emissions by common primary sources on a regional scale. WSOC concentration ranged from 0.03 to 10.6 μg m−3, with an average of 1.5 ± 0.9 μg m−3. By considering the Finokalia (Crete) station as a reference, it was estimated that, during the warm season in Athens, 67 ± 7% of emitted OC and 53 ± 12% of emitted EC is regional, while, during cold months, the regional contribution of OC is only 33 ± 7% and of EC 29 ± 8%. Furthermore, secondary organic carbon (SOC) was calculated for the warm period of the year (April to October). The estimated SOC constituted about 75 ± 6% of PM2.5 organic carbon in Athens, highlighting significant aging processes on a regional scale. In the period 2011–2013 and during wintertime, an increase in OC and EC levels was observed, attributed to an increase in wood burning for domestic heating due to the economic crisis.
A global model simulation for 3-D radiative transfer impact on surface hydrology over Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains
Authors: Lee W.-L. , Gu Y. , Liou K. N. , Leung L. R. , Hsu H.-H.
Published: December 2014

Abstract. We investigate 3-D mountain effects on solar flux distributions and their impact on surface hydrology over the Western United States, specifically the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada using CCSM4 (CAM4/CLM4) global model with a 0.23° × 0.31° resolution for simulations over 6 years. In 3-D radiative transfer parameterization, we have updated surface topography data from a resolution of 1 km to 90 m to improve parameterization accuracy. In addition, we have also modified the upward-flux deviation [3-D − PP (plane-parallel)] adjustment to ensure that energy balance at the surface is conserved in global climate simulations based on 3-D radiation parameterization. We show that deviations of the net surface fluxes are not only affected by 3-D mountains, but also influenced by feedbacks of cloud and snow in association with the long-term simulations. Deviations in sensible heat and surface temperature generally follow the patterns of net surface solar flux. The monthly snow water equivalent (SWE) deviations show an increase in lower elevations due to reduced snowmelt, leading to a reduction in cumulative runoff. Over higher elevation areas, negative SWE deviations are found because of increased solar radiation available at the surface. Simulated precipitation increases for lower elevations, while decreases for higher elevations with a minimum in April. Liquid runoff significantly decreases in higher elevations after April due to reduced SWE and precipitation.
Development and field testing of a rapid and ultra-stable atmospheric carbon dioxide spectrometer
Authors: Xiang B. , Nelson D. D. , McManus J. B. , Zahniser M. S. , Wehr R. A. , Wofsy S. C.
Published: December 2014

Abstract. We present field test results for a new spectroscopic instrument to measure atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) with high precision (0.02 μmol mol−1, or ppm at 1 Hz) and demonstrate high stability (within 0.1 ppm over more than 8 months), without the need for hourly, daily, or even monthly calibration against high-pressure gas cylinders. The technical novelty of this instrument (ABsolute Carbon dioxide, ABC) is the spectral null method using an internal quartz reference cell with known CO2 column density. Compared to a previously described prototype, the field instrument has better stability and benefits from more precise thermal control of the optics and more accurate pressure measurements in the sample cell (at the mTorr level). The instrument has been deployed at a long-term ecological research site (the Harvard Forest, USA), where it has measured for 8 months without on-site calibration and with minimal maintenance, showing drift bounds of less than 0.1 ppm. Field measurements agree well with those of a commercially available cavity ring-down CO2 instrument (Picarro G2301) run with a standard calibration protocol. This field test demonstrates that ABC is capable of performing high-accuracy, unattended, continuous field measurements with minimal use of reference gas cylinders.
Autonomous profiling float observations of the high biomass plume downstream of the Kerguelen plateau in the Southern Ocean
Authors: Grenier M. , Della Penna A. , Trull T. W.
Published: December 2014

Abstract. Natural iron fertilisation from Southern Ocean islands results in high primary production and phytoplankton biomass accumulations readily visible in satellite ocean colour observations. These images reveal great spatial complexity with highly varying concentrations of chlorophyll, presumably reflecting both variations in iron supply and conditions favouring phytoplankton accumulation. To examine the second aspect, in particular the influences of variations in temperature and stratification, we deployed four autonomous profiling floats in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current near the Kerguelen plateau in the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean. Each "bio-profiler" measured more than 250 profiles of temperature (T), salinity (S), dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll fluorescence (Chl a), and particle backscatter in the top 300 m of the water column, sampling up to 5 profiles per day along meandering trajectories extending up to 1000 km. Comparison of surface Chl a estimates (top 50 m depth; analogous to values from satellite images) with total water column inventories revealed largely linear relationships, suggesting that dilution of chlorophyll by mixed layer depth variations plays only a minor role in the spatial distributions observed by satellite, and correspondingly that these images provide credible information on total and not just surface biomass accumulations. Regions of very high Chl a accumulation (1.5–10 μg L-1) were associated predominantly with a narrow T–S class of surface waters, which appears to derive from the northern Kerguelen plateau. In contrast, waters with only moderate Chl a enrichments (0.5–1.5 μg L-1) displayed no clear correlation with water properties, including no dependence on mixed layer depth, suggesting a diversity of sources of iron and/or its efficient dispersion across filaments of the plume. The lack of dependence on mixed layer depth also indicates a limited influence on production by light limitation. One float became trapped in a cyclonic eddy, allowing temporal evaluation of the water column in early autumn. During this period, decreasing surface Chl a inventories corresponded with decreases in oxygen inventories on sub-mixed layer density surfaces, consistent with significant export of organic matter and its respiration and storage as dissolved inorganic carbon in the ocean interior. These results are encouraging for the expanded use of autonomous observing platforms to study biogeochemical, carbon cycle, and ecological problems, although the complex blend of Lagrangian and Eulerian sampling achieved by the floats suggests that arrays rather than single floats will often be required.