An investigation into imagery rescripting for social anxiety in people with psychosis: A case series design

Background and aims Social anxiety is common in people with psychosis. Recent evidence suggests that cognitive behavioural interventions can be used with this population to reduce distress and increase functioning. Imagery rescripting is effective for a range of psychological problems including social anxiety. This study aimed to investigate whether imagery rescripting is effective for social anxiety in people with psychosis. Method A single case series, multiple baseline design was used. Ten participants were recruited from Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) and Integrated Delivery Team (IDT) services in Norfolk and Suffolk. The intervention was replicated from previous work in the social anxiety field (Wild et al., 2008; Wild & Clark, 2011). Throughout the study participants completed measures related to social anxiety, beliefs, memory and imagery, psychotic symptoms, depression, social functioning and quality of life. Each participant attended seven sessions including a one month follow-up assessment. Data were analysed using visual inspection and the calculation of reliable and clinical change. Exploratory group statistics and effect sizes were also calculated. Results Five participants achieved reliable and clinical change in social anxiety and were classified as ‘recovered’ (Wise, 2004). Improvements in belief, memory and imagery ratings were observed for most participants following imagery rescripting. Psychotic symptoms, depression, social functioning and quality of life remained largely stable. Those who didn’t recover had more complex needs or comorbid difficulties. Group Imagery rescripting for social anxiety in psychosis D. Heavens iii analyses revealed significant improvements and medium to large effect sizes. However, this should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size. Conclusion The study offers some support for the use of imagery rescripting for social anxiety in people with psychosis. Those with less complex presentations are likely to benefit most and it may offer a brief yet effective intervention for these individuals. Those with complex difficulties may require longer and more intensive input

Service user experience of the Norfolk youth service

Purpose: There is an international drive to improve mental health services for young people. This study aims to investigate service user experience of a youth mental health service in Norfolk, UK. In addition to suggesting improvements to this service, recommendations are made for the development of youth mental health services in general. Design/methodology/approach: A mixed-methods approach was used. Quantitative data from satisfaction questionnaires were analysed using descriptive statistics and compared between two time points. A semi-structured interview was used to generate qualitative data. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes in the interview transcripts and triangulation was used to synthesise quantitative and qualitative data. Findings: Service users appeared satisfied with the service. Significant improvements in satisfaction were found between two time points. Qualitative analysis identified three main themes that were important to service users, including support, information and personhood. Practical implications: Recommendations for the development of youth mental health services are provided. Although these are based on findings from the Norfolk youth service, they are likely to apply to other mental health services for young people. Originality/value: Mental health care for young people requires significant improvement. The Norfolk youth service is one of the first services of its kind in the UK. The findings from this study might be helpful to consider in the development of youth mental health services across the world

Determination of the Baryon Density from Large Scale Galaxy Redshift Surveys

We estimate the degree to which the baryon density, $\Omega_{b}$, can be determined from the galaxy power spectrum measured from large scale galaxy redshift surveys, and in particular, the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. A high baryon density will cause wiggles to appear in the power spectrum, which should be observable at the current epoch. We assume linear theory on scales $\geq 20h^{-1}Mpc$ and do not include the effects of redshift distortions, evolution, or biasing. With an optimum estimate of $P(k)$ to $k\sim 2\pi/(20 h^{-1} Mpc)$, the $1 \sigma$ uncertainties in $\Omega_{b}$ are roughly 0.07 and 0.016 in flat and open ($\Omega_{0}=0.3$) cosmological models, respectively. This result suggests that it should be possible to test for consistency with big bang nucleosynthesis estimates of $\Omega_{b}$ if we live in an open universe.Comment: 23 Pages, 10 Postscript figure

On the growth of linear perturbations

We consider the linear growth of matter perturbations in various dark energy (DE) models. We show the existence of a constraint valid at $z=0$ between the background and dark energy parameters and the matter perturbations growth parameters. For $\Lambda$CDM $\gamma'_0\equiv \frac{d\gamma}{dz}_0$ lies in a very narrow interval $-0.0195 \le \gamma'_0 \le -0.0157$ for $0.2 \le \Omega_{m,0}\le 0.35$. Models with a constant equation of state inside General Relativity (GR) are characterized by a quasi-constant $\gamma'_0$, for $\Omega_{m,0}=0.3$ for example we have $\gamma'_0\approx -0.02$ while $\gamma_0$ can have a nonnegligible variation. A smoothly varying equation of state inside GR does not produce either $|\gamma'_0|>0.02$. A measurement of $\gamma(z)$ on small redshifts could help discriminate between various DE models even if their $\gamma_0$ is close, a possibility interesting for DE models outside GR for which a significant $\gamma'_0$ can be obtained.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figures. Results unchanged; clarifying sentence added; one reference adde

A critical comparison of technologies for a plant genome sequencing project

BACKGROUND: A high-quality genome sequence of any model organism is an essential starting point for genetic and other studies. Older clone-based methods are slow and expensive, whereas faster, cheaper short-read-only assemblies can be incomplete and highly fragmented, which minimizes their usefulness. The last few years have seen the introduction of many new technologies for genome assembly. These new technologies and associated new algorithms are typically benchmarked on microbial genomes or, if they scale appropriately, on larger (e.g., human) genomes. However, plant genomes can be much more repetitive and larger than the human genome, and plant biochemistry often makes obtaining high-quality DNA that is free from contaminants difficult. Reflecting their challenging nature, we observe that plant genome assembly statistics are typically poorer than for vertebrates. RESULTS: Here, we compare Illumina short read, Pacific Biosciences long read, 10x Genomics linked reads, Dovetail Hi-C, and BioNano Genomics optical maps, singly and combined, in producing high-quality long-range genome assemblies of the potato species Solanum verrucosum. We benchmark the assemblies for completeness and accuracy, as well as DNA compute requirements and sequencing costs. CONCLUSIONS: The field of genome sequencing and assembly is reaching maturity, and the differences we observe between assemblies are surprisingly small. We expect that our results will be helpful to other genome projects, and that these datasets will be used in benchmarking by assembly algorithm developers.</p

Extensive MRO CRISM Observations of 1.27 micron O2 Airglow in Mars Polar Night and Their Comparison to MRO MCS Temperature Profiles and LMD GCM Simulations

The Martian polar night distribution of 1.27 micron (0-0) band emission from O2 singlet delta [O2(1Delta(sub g))] is determined from an extensive set of Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectral Mapping (CRISM) limb scans observed over a wide range of Mars seasons, high latitudes, local times, and longitudes between 2009 and 2011. This polar nightglow reflects meridional transport and winter polar descent of atomic oxygen produced from CO2 photodissociation. A distinct peak in 1.27 micron nightglow appears prominently over 70-90NS latitudes at 40-60 km altitudes, as retrieved for over 100 vertical profiles of O2(1Delta(sub g)) 1.27 micron volume emission rates (VER). We also present the first detection of much (x80+/-20) weaker 1.58 micron (0-1) band emission from Mars O2(1Delta(sub g)). Co-located polar night CRISM O2(1Delta(sub g)) and Mars Climate Sounder (MCS) (McCleese et al., 2008) temperature profiles are compared to the same profiles as simulated by the Laboratoire de Mtorologie Dynamique (LMD) general circulation/photochemical model (e.g., Lefvre et al., 2004). Both standard and interactive aerosol LMD simulations (Madeleine et al., 2011a) underproduce CRISM O2(1Delta(sub g)) total emission rates by 40%, due to inadequate transport of atomic oxygen to the winter polar emission regions. Incorporation of interactive cloud radiative forcing on the global circulation leads to distinct but insufficient improvements in modeled polar O2(1Delta(sub g)) and temperatures. The observed and modeled anti-correlations between temperatures and 1.27 mm band VER reflect the temperature dependence of the rate coefficient for O2(1Delta(sub g)) formation, as provided in Roble (1995)

Coal-derived rates of atmospheric dust deposition during the Permian

Despite widespread evidence for atmospheric dust deposition prior to the Quaternary, quantitative rate data remains sparse. As dust influences both climate and biological productivity, the absence of quantitative dust data limits the comprehensiveness of models of pre-Quaternary climate and biogeochemical cycles. Here, we propose that inorganic matter contained in coal primarily records atmospheric dust deposition. To test this, we use the average concentration of inorganic matter in Permian coal to map global patterns and deposition rates of atmospheric dust over Pangea. The dust accumulation rate is calculated assuming Permian peat carbon accumulation rates in temperate climates were similar to Holocene rates and accounting for the loss of carbon during coalification. Coal-derived rates vary from 0.02 to 25 g m− 2 year− 1, values that fall within the present-day global range. A well-constrained East–West pattern of dust deposition corresponding to expected palaeoclimate gradients extends across Gondwana with maximum dust deposition rates occurring close to arid regions. A similar pattern is partially defined over the northern hemisphere. Patterns are consistent with the presence of two large global dust plumes centred on the tropics. The spatial patterns of dust deposition were also compared to dust cycle simulations for the Permian made with the Community Climate System Model version 3 (CCSM3). Key differences between the simulations and the coal data are the lack of evidence for an Antarctic dust source, higher than expected dust deposition over N and S China and greater dust deposition rates over Western Gondwana. This new coal-based dust accumulation rate data expands the pre-Neogene quantitative record of atmospheric dust and can help to inform and validate models of global circulation and biogeochemical cycles over the past 350 Myr

Economic Evaluation alongside a Randomised Controlled Crossover Trial of Modified Group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Anxiety Compared to Treatment-as-Usual in Adults with Asperger Syndrome

Background: There is a growing interest in using group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with people who have Asperger Syndrome (AS) and comorbid mental health problems. This study aims to assess the cost-effectiveness of modified group CBT for adults with AS experiencing co-occurring anxiety compared to treatment-as-usual. Methods: Economic evaluation alongside a pilot, multi-centre, single-blind, randomised controlled trial. Costs from the UK public sector (National Health Service and Social Services) and societal perspectives, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), incremental net (monetary) benefit (INB), expected value of perfect information, expected value of sample information, expected net gain of sampling, and efficient sample size of a future trial are reported. Results: Over 48 weeks, from the societal perspective, CBT results in additional costs of £6647, with only a 0.015 gain in QALYs, leading to a negative INB estimate of £6206 and a 23% probability of cost-effectiveness at a threshold of £30,000/QALY. Results from sensitivity analyses support the unlikely cost-effectiveness of CBT, but indicate the potential for cost-effectiveness over longer time horizons. Eliminating decision uncertainty is valued at £277 million and the efficient sample size for a future trial is estimated at 1,200 participants per arm. Limitations: Relatively small sample size and prevalence of missing data present challenges to the interpretation of the results. Conclusions: Current evidence from this small pilot study suggests that on average, modified group CBT is not cost-effective. However, there is much decision uncertainty so such a conclusion could be wrong. A large, full scale trial to reduce uncertainty would be an efficient investment for the UK health economy

The People with Asperger syndrome and anxiety disorders (PAsSA) trial: a pilot multicentre, single-blind randomised trial of group cognitive-behavioural therapy.

BACKGROUND: There is a growing interest in using cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) with people who have Asperger syndrome and comorbid mental health problems. AIMS: To examine whether modified group CBT for clinically significant anxiety in an Asperger syndrome population is feasible and likely to be efficacious. METHOD: Using a randomised assessor-blind trial, 52 individuals with Asperger syndrome were randomised into a treatment arm or a waiting-list control arm. After 24 weeks, those in the waiting-list control arm received treatment, while those initially randomised to treatment were followed up for 24 weeks. RESULTS: The conversion rate for this trial was high (1.6:1), while attrition was 13%. After 24 weeks, there was no significant difference between those randomised to the treatment arm compared with those randomised to the waiting-list control arm on the primary outcome measure, the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: Trials of psychological therapies with this population are feasible. Larger definitive trials are now needed. DECLARATION OF INTEREST: None. COPYRIGHT AND USAGE: © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 2016. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) licence.This research was supported by a grant from the National Institute for Health Research, Research for Patient Benefit funding stream (Grant reference: PB-PG-1208-18024), trial registration: ISRCTN 30265294 (DOI: 10.1186/ISRCTN30265294), UKCRN 8370. P.E.L. is supported by a National Institute for Health Research Postdoctoral Fellowship (Grant Reference: NIHR-PDF-2011-04-040). This article presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR

New Neutrino Mass Bounds from Sloan Digital Sky Survey III Data Release 8 Photometric Luminous Galaxies

We present neutrino mass bounds using 900,000 luminous galaxies with photometric redshifts measured from Sloan Digital Sky Survey III Data Release Eight (SDSS DR8). The galaxies have photometric redshifts between $z = 0.45$ and $z = 0.65$, and cover 10,000 square degrees and thus probe a volume of 3$h^{-3}$Gpc$^3$, enabling tight constraints to be derived on the amount of dark matter in the form of massive neutrinos. A new bound on the sum of neutrino masses $\sum m_\nu < 0.26$ eV, at 95% confidence level (CL), is obtained after combining our sample of galaxies, which we call "CMASS", with WMAP 7 year Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) data and the most recent measurement of the Hubble parameter from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). This constraint is obtained with a conservative multipole range choice of $30 < \ell < 200$ in order to minimize non-linearities, and a free bias parameter in each of the four redshift bins. We study the impact of assuming this linear galaxy bias model using mock catalogs, and find that this model causes a small ($\sim 1-1.5 \sigma$) bias in $\Omega_{\rm DM} h^2$. For this reason, we also quote neutrino bounds based on a conservative galaxy bias model containing additional, shot noise-like free parameters. In this conservative case, the bounds are significantly weakened, e.g. $\sum m_\nu < 0.36$ eV (95% confidence level) for WMAP+HST+CMASS ($\ell_{\rm max}=200$). We also study the dependence of the neutrino bound on multipole range ($\ell_{\rm max}=150$ vs $\ell_{\rm max}=200$) and on which combination of data sets is included as a prior. The addition of supernova and/or Baryon Acoustic Oscillation data does not significantly improve the neutrino mass bound once the HST prior is included. [abridged]Comment: 14 pages, 8 figures, 1 tabl