"Selbstscreen-Prodrom" - ein Selbstbeurteilungsinstrument zur Früherkennung von psychischen Erkrankungen und Psychosen

OBJECTIVE: In the past years, the significance of early detection of psychoses has been increasingly recognized. Screening for the onset of disorders should focus on individuals seeking treatment in an outpatient setting and should preferably operate stepwise. Within a prospective study for the early detection of psychoses (FePsy = Früh Erkennung von PSYchosen) the self-rating instrument "Self-screen Prodrome" was developed to differentiate between healthy individuals, individuals with psychosis or an at-risk mental state for psychosis and patients with other ICD-10 diagnoses. METHOD: The "Self-screen Prodrome" was developed by taking established risk factors and early signs of disease into account. In particular, prodromes and pre-psychotic symptoms were captured. A total score and a subscale were analyzed with regard to validity and reliability. RESULTS: The total score "Self-screen Prodrome" distinguished between outpatients with a mental disorder and healthy individuals (Cut-off < or = 6; sensitivity: 85 % specificity: 91 %). Additionally the subscale distinguished between psychosis-(risk)-individuals and outpatients with other ICD-10 psychiatric diagnoses (Cut-off < or = 2; sensitivity: 85 % specificity: 39 %). CONCLUSION: The "Self-screen Prodrome" is a useful instrument that a) separates mentally ill patients from healthy individuals and b) filters individuals with a risk of developing psychoses from patients with other ICD-10 diagnoses for further screening. The next step in the early detection of psychoses for identified individuals should be a detailed psychiatric exploration by experts

Subarctic Atmospheric Aerosol Composition: 2. Hygroscopic Growth Properties

Subarctic aerosols were sampled during July 2007 at the Abisko Scientific Research Station Stordalen site in northern Sweden with an instrument setup consisting of a custombuilt Hygroscopicity Tandem Differential Mobility Analyzer (HTDMA) connected in series to a single particle mass spectrometer. Aerosol chemical composition in the form of bipolar single particle mass spectra was determined as a function of hygroscopic growth both in situ and in real time. The HTDMA was deployed at a relative humidity of 82%, and particles with a dry mobility diameter of 260 nm were selected. Aerosols from two distinct air masses were analyzed during the sampling period. Sea salt aerosols were found to be the dominant particle group with the highest hygroscopicity. High intensities of sodium and related peaks in the mass spectra were identified as exclusive markers for large hygroscopic growth. Particles from biomass combustion were found to be the least hygroscopic aerosol category. Species normally considered soluble (e.g., sulfates and nitrates) were found in particles ranging from high to low hygroscopicity. Furthermore, the signal intensities of the peaks related to these species did not correlate with hygroscopicity

Intercomparison Study of Six HTDMAs: Results and Recommendations

We report on an intercomparison of six different hygroscopicity tandem differential mobility analysers (HTDMAs). These HTDMAs are used worldwide in laboratory experiments and field campaigns to measure the water uptake of aerosol particles and have never been intercompared. After an investigation of the different design of the instruments with their advantages and inconveniencies, the methods for calibration, validation and data analysis are presented. Measurements of nebulised ammonium sulphate as well as of secondary organic aerosol generated from a smog chamber were performed. Agreement and discrepancies between the instruments and to the theory are discussed, and final recommendations for a standard instrument are given, as a benchmark for laboratory or field experiments to ensure a high quality of HTDMA data.JRC.H.2-Climate chang

Reliabilität und Validität des Wender-Reimherr-Interviews (WRI). Ein Instrument zur Diagnostik der ADHS im Erwachsenenalter [freier Beitrag]

Grundlage der Diagnostik der ADHS (Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/Hyperaktivitätsstörung) im Erwachsenenalter ist in der Regel die DSM-IV- oder ICD-10-Klassifikation. Für die Psychopathologie der Erwachsenen sind diese Systeme nur bedingt geeignet. Die Utah-Kriterien, die mit dem Wender-Reimher-Interview (WRI) erfasst werden können, beziehen sich explizit auf das Erwachsenenalter. Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war, die psychometrischen Charakteristiken sowie die Verteilung und Kombination der sieben Bereiche des WRI zu untersuchen und zudem einen Vergleich mit anderen Selbst- und Fremdbeurteilungsverfahren der ADHS-Diagnostik zu ziehen. Die Skalenhomogenität des WRI lag mit einem Cronbachs α von .88 hoch. Die Interrater-Reliabilität lag auf Itemebene zwischen .45 und .95. Hohe Korrelationen mit anderen Instrumenten bestätigten die konvergente Validität des Interviews. Das WRI erwies sich als ein reliables und valides Instrument, das über das dreidimensionale Modell der ADHS Unaufmerksamkeit, Hyperaktivität und Impulsivität hinausgeht und dabei die Symptomatik der erwachsenen ADHS-Patienten besser berücksichtigt

Do videogame rewards influence players’ subsequent prosocial engagement? A preregistered partial replication study on the role of reward and reasoning

Prosocial behaviours are actions that have a positive impact on others. Those who act prosocially in videogames are more likely to be prosocial after the game. In-game rewards may impact this prosocial transfer to real life but there are mixed findings. The aim of this research was to determine the impact that in-game rewards for helping have on post-game prosocial behaviour. We partially replicated and extended a prior study that showed an impact of in-game rewards on a post-game charitable donation. While playing a videogame, players voluntarily chose to help a non-player character or not and were rewarded or not based on their experimental condition. Pre- and post-gameplay questionnaires were used to measure trait empathy, prosocial self-concept, and reasoning for in-game helping. Participants were then offered a bonus compensation and given the opportunity to donate some amount of it to charity. Moral Reasoning was positively associated with donation behaviour, successfully replicating some prior findings. However, in-game rewards did not affect reasoning or donation behaviour. The outcomes of this research help both researchers and developers better understand how rewards affect players’ reasoning and how to better utilise games as a method to increase prosocial behaviour in people.</p

Reliability Analysis of a Three-Phase Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor under some Internal Faults

This paper presents a reliability analysis of an interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPSM) under some specific electrical faults in stator windings. The objective of the current work is to examine this type of electrical machines at system level, by demonstrating its post-failure behavior and drawing potential causes and effects of these reactions. In the analysis part, the influence of the fault severity on the machine's performance is analyzed through simulation models built in MATLAB/Simulink environment. The presented findings elucidate the fault signatures and factors that contribute to hazard fault propagation, such as the fault intensity, pre-failure operating conditions, and post-failure controller action

Intercomparison study of six HTDMAs : results and recommendations

We report on an intercomparison of six different hygroscopicity tandem differential mobility analysers (HTDMAs). These HTDMAs are used worldwide in laboratory experiments and field campaigns to measure the water uptake of aerosol particles and have never been intercompared. After an investigation of the different design of the instruments with their advantages and inconveniencies, the methods for calibration, validation and data analysis are presented. Measurements of nebulised ammonium sulphate as well as of secondary organic aerosol generated from a smog chamber were performed. Agreement and discrepancies between the instruments and to the theory are discussed, and final recommendations for a standard instrument are given, as a benchmark for laboratory or field experiments to ensure a high quality of HTDMA data.Peer reviewe