Investigating Prosodic Accommodation in Clinical Interviews with Depressed Patients

Six in-depth clinical interviews, involving six elderly female patients (aged 60+) and one female psychiatrist, were recorded and analysed for a number of prosodic accommodation variables. Our analysis focused on pitch, speaking time, and vowel-space ratio. Findings indicate that there is a dynamic manifestation of prosodic accommodation over the course of the interactions. There is clear adaptation on the part of the psychiatrist, even going so far as to have a reduced vowel-space ratio, mirroring a reduced vowel-space ratio in the depressed patients. Previous research has found a reduced vowel-space ratio to be associated with psychological distress; however, we suggest that it indicates a high level of adaptation on the part of the psychiatrist and needs to be considered when analysing psychiatric clinical interactions

Tumour necrosis factor gene polymorphism: a predictive factor for the development of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease

Epstein–Barr virus-positive post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is a potentially lethal complication of iatrogenic immunosupression after transplantation. Predicting the development of PTLD allowing early and effective intervention is therefore of importance. Polymorphisms within cytokine genes are implicated in susceptibility to, and progression of, disease however the published data are often conflicting. We undertook investigation of polymorphic alleles within cytokine genes in PTLD and non-PTLD transplant cohorts to determine risk factors for disease. <br/> Methods: SSP-PCR was used to analyse single nucleotide polymorphism within tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin- 1, -6, -10 and lymphotoxin-α genes. The TNF-α levels were measured by standard enzyme-linked immuno-absorbant assay. <br/> Results: We show an association between variant alleles within the TNF-α promoter (−1031C (<i>P</i>=0.005)); −863A (<i>P</i>=0.0001) and TNF receptor I promoter regions (−201T (<i>P</i>=0.02)); −1135C (<i>P</i>=0.03) with the development of PTLD. We also show an association with TNF-α promoter haplotypes with haplotype-3 significantly increased (<i>P</i>=0.0001) and haplotype-1 decreased (P=0.02) in PTLD patients compared to transplant controls. Furthermore, we show a significant increase (<i>P</i>=0.02) in the level of TNF-α in PTLD patient plasma (range 0–97.97 pg ml<sup>−1</sup>) compared to transplant controls (0–8.147 pg ml<sup>−1</sup>), with the highest levels found in individuals carrying the variant alleles. <br/> Conclusion: We suggest that genetic variation within TNF-α loci and the level of plasma cytokine could be used as a predictive risk factor for the development of PTLD

Improving groundwater quality management for the sustainable utilization of the Bangkok Aquifer System

Several measures have been implemented to address the negative environmental consequences brought about by the over exploitation of groundwater resources in the Bangkok Aquifer System. However, such measures were mainly directed to quantity issues such as resource depletion and land subsidence, whereas quality aspects seem to have been given less attention. Given that quality deterioration, mainly chloride contamination, has affected groundwater users, this article evaluates current groundwater quality management practices in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region, points out the challenges, and provides some specific recommendations for the sustainable utilization of the valuable resource

Climate risks and adaptation strategies in the Lower Mekong River basin

This paper examines perceived climate risks, their impacts, and existing adaptation practices at the local level, including the role of local institutions. The analysis focuses on two selected areas in Vietnam and Thailand. The paper is based on the information collected through key informant interviews at provincial and district level, focus group discussions at village level, and household survey. Several adaptation practices exist at local level to deal with the perceived risks of drought, floods, and salinity intrusion. Most of the adaptation practices were autonomous focusing on coping with short-term risks rather than structural longterm climate risks. Some adaptation practices, such as crop insurance and regulatory measures included in the literature and practiced in other places, did not exist at local level in the case study countries, but some local practices such as farmers’ annual fair could be an important addition to the inventory of potential adaptation measures. Local institutions have facilitated adaptation in different ways. They (1) lead and support unique adaptation practices suitable to the local context; (2) act as a catalyst to help people to adapt some practices by providing technical and material support

Comparison of different quantile regression methods to estimate predictive hydrological uncertainty in the Upper Chao Phraya River Basin, Thailand

The estimation of predictive uncertainty and its application as a post‐processor of hydrological model output, such as water level, can provide additional information useful for short‐term hydrological forecasting. In this study, We applied quantile regression models for estimating predictive hydrological uncertainty and used it to derive probabilistic hydrological forecasts. Forecast water levels and associated forecast errors were used as predictor and predictand, respectively, to develop three regression models: (a) linear quantile regression (LQR), (b) weighted LQR and (c) LQR in Gaussian space using Normal Quantile Transformation. These different models for hydrological forecasting were developed for, and applied to, the operational flood forecasting system in the Upper Chao Phraya River, Thailand. The quality of these forecasts in terms of reliability, sharpness and overall skill were assessed using various graphical and numerical verification metrics. Results show that the improvement of forecast in terms of either reliability or sharpness depends upon the configurations used. With comparable overall performance, weighted LQR provided a relatively simple configuration, which can be used for estimating uncertainty in hydrological forecasting

Projected changes in the near‐future mean climate and extreme climate events in Northeast Thailand

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Wiley via the DOI in this recordThis study provides an assessment of changes in mean and extreme climate in northeast Thailand, focusing on the near-future period (2021–2050). Spatiotemporal changes in climate extremes and return values are investigated compared to 1981–2010. Climate model-related uncertainties are quantified using 14 models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5) and 8 models from phase 6 (CMIP6). CMIP6 models have a higher sensitivity to external forcings as the CMIP6 ensemble suggests an increase in maximum and minimum temperatures by 1.45°C (0.8–1.9°C) and 1.54°C (1.1–1.9°C) under the high emission scenario, which is greater than by CMIP5 ensemble: 1.10°C (0.5–1.7°C) and 1.13°C (0.7–1.6°C), respectively. No significant changes in annual rainfall are projected, although it will be temporally more uneven with decreases (6–11%) during the pre-rainy season (March–May) and increases (2–8%) during the rainy season (June–October). The bootstrap analysis technique shows the inter-model uncertainties for rainfall projections in CMIP6 have reduced by 40% compared to CMIP5. The annual number of hot days will increase more than twofold and warm nights, more than threefold. Near-future will experience an increase in the rainfall intensity, a decrease in the number of rainy days, and an increase in the 20-year return values of annual maximum 1-day rainfall and consecutive 5-days rainfall (>30%). In addition, the rainy season will be shortened in the future as onset and retreat are delayed, which may have implications in agricultural activities in the basin since cultivation is primarily rainfed. These findings suggest that anthropogenic activities will significantly amplify the climate extremes. The study results will be useful for managing climate-related risks and developing adaptation measures to improve resilience towards potential climate hazards.Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)National Research Council of ThailandThailand Science Research and Innovatio