Deep brain stimulation in schizophrenia

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has successfully advanced treatment options of putative therapy-resistant neuropsychiatric diseases. Building on this strong foundation more and more mental disorders in the stadium of therapy-resistance are considered as possible indications for DBS. Especially schizophrenia with its associated severe and difficult to treat symptoms is gaining attention. This attention demands critical questions regarding the assumed mechanisms of DBS and its possible influence on the supposed pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Here we synoptically compare current approaches and theories of DBS and discuss the feasibility of DBS in schizophrenia as well as the transferability from other psychiatric disorders successfully treated with DBS. For this we consider recent advances in animal models of schizophrenic symptoms, results regarding the influence of DBS on dopaminergic transmission as well as data concerning neural oscillation and synchronization. In conclusion the use of DBS for some symptoms of schizophrenia seems to be a promising approach, but the lack of a comprehensive theory of the mechanisms of DBS as well as its impact on schizophrenia might void the use of DBS in schizophrenia at this point

Small scale variations in the microbenthic loop of Posidonia oceanica meadows: an experimental interpolation design.

In the sediment compartment of Posidonia oceanica meadows, there is a severe lack of information on small scale variations. In an attempt to understand spatial variations of the microbenthic loop (bacteria, organic matter, microphytobenthos and meiofauna), an experiment based on interpolation methods was led in Calvi Bay (Corsica, France), in March 2008, at 10 m depth. Twelve points were sampled randomly in a 125 x 125 cm square, divided into twenty-five 25 x 25 cm squares, to assess and describe the spatial distribution and variations of different parameters of the sediment. Those parameters are granulometry, density of P. oceanica, concentration in nutrients in the pore water, bacteria (biomass, abundance, morphotypes), organic matter (biomass), microphytobenthos (biomass), roots and rhizomes (biomass) and meiofauna (biomass). Results and distribution maps of the respective sediment parameters will be presented for the first time.Utilisation de l'exergie pour mesurer et détecter les effets des perturbations affectant les herbiers à Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile: caractérisation au sein du compartiment sédimentaire

Data Interpolating Empirical Orthogonal Functions (DINEOF): a tool for geophysical data analyses

An overview of the technique called DINEOF (Data Interpolating Empirical Orthog- onal Functions) is presented. DINEOF reconstructs missing information in geophys- ical data sets, such as satellite imagery or time series. A summary of the technique is given, with its main characteristics, recent developments and future research di- rections. DINEOF has been applied to a large variety of oceanographic variables in various domains of different sizes. This technique can be applied to a single variable (monovariate approach), or to several variables together (multivariate approach), with no complexity increase in the application of the technique. Error fields can be computed to establish the accuracy of the reconstruction. Examples are given to illustrate the capabilities of the technique. DINEOF is freely offered to download, and help is provided to users in the form of a wiki and through a discussion email list.RECOLOU

Gesundheitskompetenz: Modellbildung und empirische Modellprüfung einer Schlüsselqualifikation für gesundes Leben

Der Beitrag beschreibt ein Strukturmodell von Gesundheitskompetenz bestehend aus Basisfertigkeiten und weiterentwickelten Fertigkeiten, die sich wiederum auf eine perzeptiv-motivationale und eine handlungsorientierte Ebene beziehen. Im Unterschied zur health literacy ist das Modell vom klinischen Kontext abgelöst und als Lebenskompetenz für Gesundheit angelegt. Der Beitrag wirdmet sich auch der empirischen Überprüfung des Modells sowie der Frage, wie die Kompetenz erworben werden kann

Deep brain stimulation in schizophrenia

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has successfully advanced treatment options of putative therapy-resistant neuropsychiatric diseases. Building on this strong foundation more and more mental disorders in the stadium of therapy-resistance are considered as possible indications for DBS. Especially schizophrenia with its associated severe and difficult to treat symptoms is gaining attention. This attention demands critical questions regarding the assumed mechanisms of DBS and its possible influence on the supposed pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Here we synoptically compare current approaches and theories of DBS and discuss the feasibility of DBS in schizophrenia as well as the transferability from other psychiatric disorders successfully treated with DBS. For this we consider recent advances in animal models of schizophrenic symptoms, results regarding the influence of DBS on dopaminergic transmission as well as data concerning neural oscillation and synchronization. In conclusion the use of DBS for some symptoms of schizophrenia seems to be a promising approach, but the lack of a comprehensive theory of the mechanisms of DBS as well as its impact on schizophrenia might void the use of DBS in schizophrenia at this point

Dynamically Constrained Ensemble Perturbations: Application to Tides on the West Florida Shelf

Abstract. A method is presented to create an ensemble of perturbations that satisfies linear dynamical constraints. A cost function is formulated defining the probability of each perturbation. It is shown that the perturbations created with this approach take the land-sea mask into account in a similar way as variational analysis techniques. The impact of the land-sea mask is illustrated with an idealized configuration of a barrier island. Perturbations with a spatially variable correlation length can be also created by this approach. The method is applied to a realistic configuration of the West Florida Shelf to create perturbations of the M2 tidal parameters for elevation and depth-averaged currents. The perturbations are weakly constrained to satisfy the linear shallow-water equations. Despite that the constraint is derived from an idealized assumption, it is shown that this approach is applicable to a non-linear and baroclinic model. The amplitude of spurious transient motions created by constrained perturbations of initial and boundary conditions is significantly lower compared to perturbing the variables independently or to using only the momentum equation to compute the velocity perturbations from the elevation