The subjective experiences of disagreeing with one's diagnosis of schizophrenia – a phenomenological study

This research focuses not on the diagnosis, aetiology and psychopharmacology of schizophrenia, but on the experiences of receiving an unwanted diagnosis of schizophrenia. Six participants were studied using semi-structured interviews focusing on their experiences of disagreeing with a schizophrenia diagnosis. The material was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Three superordinate themes were identified: (I) A self, independent of psychiatric labels, (II) Stigma and being part of society, and (III) Moving away from “mental illness”. Superordinate theme (I) centres around making sense of one’s experiences and creating a coherent self-narrative that can be held as true. Superordinate theme (II) centres around the participants’ experiences of themselves in relation to society. It is about stigma, fitting in, and the cost of social acceptance. Finally, superordinate theme (III) is centred around participants’ strivings towards a better life, fuelled by an underlying sense of hope. Literature around a lack of insight into schizophrenia, illness identity, and acceptance and impact of a psychiatric diagnosis was used to shed light on the findings of the current study. Existential literature was also used, onto which a philosophical understanding of the emergent themes could be built. The clinical significance of this study included a recommendation for mental health professionals to assist people within this population to create a meaningful narrative for their life story, incorporating a positive self-image while practising tolerance towards an individual’s own ways of meaning making. Further qualitative research on the experiences of disagreeing with one’s diagnosis of schizophrenia is certainly called for and recommendations for future research include making clearer distinctions between different ways of disagreeing with one’s diagnosis

The Ideal Intersection Property for Groupoid Graded Rings

We show that if a groupoid graded ring has a certain nonzero ideal property, then the commutant of the center of the principal component of the ring has the ideal intersection property, that is it intersects nontrivially every nonzero ideal of the ring. Furthermore, we show that for skew groupoid algebras with commutative principal component, the principal component is maximal commutative if and only if it has the ideal intersection property

The root-soil system of Norway spruce subjected to turning moment: resistance as a function of rotation

The reactions of trees to wind, rockfall, and snow and debris flow depend largely on how strong and deformable their anchorage in the soil is. Here, the resistive turning moment M of the root-soil system as a function of the rotation ϕ at the stem base plays the major role. M(ϕ) describes the behavior of the root-soil system when subject to rotational moment, with the maximum M(ϕ) indicating the anchorage strength M a of the tree. We assessed M(ϕ) of 66 Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst) by pulling them over with a winch. These 45- to 170-year-old trees grew at sites of low and high elevation, with a diameter at breast height DBH = 14-69cm and a height H = 9-42m. M(ϕ) displayed a strong nonlinear behavior. M a was reached at a lower ϕ for large trees than for small trees. Thus overhanging tree weight contributed less to M a for the large trees. Overturning also occurred at a lower ϕ for the large trees. These observations show that the rotational ductility of the root-soil system is higher for small trees. M a could be described by four monovariate linear regression equations of tree weight, stem weight, stem volume and DBH 2 ·H (0.80 < R 2 < 0.95), and ϕ at M a, ϕ a, by a power law of DBH2·H (R 2 = 0.85). We found significantly higher M a for the low-elevation spruces than for the high-elevation spruces, which were more shallowly anchored, but no significant difference in ϕ a. The 66 curves of M(ϕ), normalized (n) by M a in M-direction and by ϕ a in ϕ-direction, yielded one characteristic average curve: $$\overline{M} _{{\text{n}}} {\left( {\phi _{{\text{n}}} } \right)}$$ . Using $$\overline{M} _{{\text{n}}} {\left( {\phi _{{\text{n}}} } \right)}$$ and the predictions of M a and ϕ a, it is shown that M(ϕ) and the curves associated with M(ϕ) can be predicted with a relative standard error ≤25%. The parameterization of M(ϕ) by tree size and weight is novel and provides useful information for predicting with finite-element computer models how trees will react to natural hazard

Investigation of the anticorrosion performance of lignin coatings after crosslinking with triethyl phosphate and their adhesion to a polyurethane topcoat

This study investigates the anticorrosion properties of sustainable organic coatings, which were prepared by dissolution of two different types of technical lignins - organosolv lignin (OL) and kraft lignin (KL) - in an organic solvent and applied onto iron-phosphated steel by airassisted spray coating. Influence of triethyl phosphate (TEP) as a crosslinking agent for lignin and its effect on the anticorrosion properties of coatings during 24 h of immersion in 3.5% NaCl were investigated. Results obtained from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) of coated steels suggest that the initial protection performance (1 h immersion) of non-crosslinked OL is higher than that of KL. Nevertheless, KL coatings that contained TEP and were heat-treated at elevated temperature (180 °C) demonstrated the best overall anticorrosion performance. In contrast, a similar trend was not observed for OL coatings, which indicates that the structural properties of lignin may be a crucial factor in applicability of TEP as a crosslinking agent. In addition, a layer of polyurethane was applied on all the different types of lignin coatings prepared and their adhesion characteristics were studied by crosscut adhesion measurements (ISO 2409). These adhesion results revealed that neither KL-TEP nor OL-TEP coatings demonstrate proper adhesive characteristics with a polyurethane (PU) topcoat and consequently these coatings are not suitable for utilization as a primer coating for the PU topcoat studied

The root-soil system of Norway spruce subjected to turning moment: resistance as a function of rotation

The reactions of trees to wind, rockfall, and snow and debris flow depend largely on how strong and deformable their anchorage in the soil is. Here, the resistive turning moment M of the root–soil system as a function of the rotation ϕ at the stem base plays the major role. M(ϕ) describes the behavior of the root– soil system when subject to rotational moment, with the maximum M(ϕ) indicating the anchorage strength M a of the tree. We assessed M(ϕ) of 66 Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst) by pulling them over with a winch. These 45- to 170-year-old trees grew at sites of low and high elevation, with a diameter at breast height DBH = 14–69 cm and a height H =  9–42 m. M(ϕ) displayed a strong nonlinear behavior. M a was reached at a lower ϕ for large trees than for small trees. Thus overhanging tree weight contributed less to M a for the large trees. Overturning also occurred at a lower ϕ for the large trees. These observations show that the rotational ductility of the root–soil system is higher for small trees. M a could be described by four monovariate linear regression equations of tree weight, stem weight, stem volume and DBH ² ·H (0.80 R ² ϕ at M a, ϕ a, by a power law of DBH²·H (R ² = 0.85). We found significantly higher M a for the low-elevation spruces than for the high-elevation spruces, which were more shallowly anchored, but no significant difference in ϕ a. The 66 curves of M(ϕ), normalized (n) by M a in M-direction and by ϕ a in ϕ-direction, yielded one characteristic average curve: Mn (ϕn) M¯nϕn . Using this average curve and the predictions of M a and ϕ a, it is shown that M(ϕ) and the curves associated with M(ϕ) can be predicted with a relative standard error ≤25%. The parameterization of M(ϕ) by tree size and weight is novel and provides useful information for predicting with finite-element computer models how trees will react to natural hazards

A new low mass for the Hercules dSph: the end of a common mass scale for the dwarfs?

We present a new mass estimate for the Hercules dwarf spheroidal galaxy (dSph), based on the revised velocity dispersion obtained by Aden et al. (2009, arXiv:0908.3489). The removal of a significant foreground contamination using newly acquired Stromgren photometry has resulted in a reduced velocity dispersion. Using this new velocity dispersion of 3.72 +/- 0.91 km/s, we find a mass of M_300=1.9^{+1.1}_{-0.8} 10^6 M_sun within the central 300 pc, which is also the half-light radius, and a mass of M_433=3.7_{-1.6}^{+2.2} 10^6 M_sun within the reach of our data to 433 pc, significantly lower than previous estimates. We derive an overall mass-to-light ratio of M_433/L=103^{+83}_{-48} M_sun/L_sun. Our mass estimate calls into question recent claims of a common mass scale for dSph galaxies. Additionally, we find tentative evidence for a velocity gradient in our kinematic data of 16 +/- 3 km/s/kpc, and evidence of an asymmetric extension in the light distribution at about 0.5 kpc. We explore the possibility that these features are due to tidal interactions with the Milky Way. We show that there is a self-consistent model in which Hercules has an assumed tidal radius of r_t = 485 pc, an orbital pericentre of r_p = 18.5 +/- 5 kpc, and a mass within r_t of M_{tid,r_t}=5.2 +/- 2.7 10^6 M_sun. Proper motions are required to test this model. Although we cannot exclude models in which Hercules contains no dark matter, we argue that Hercules is more likely to be a dark matter dominated system which is currently experiencing some tidal disturbance of its outer parts.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures, Accepted for publication by ApJ

Root-soil rotation stiffness of Norway spruce ( Picea abies (L.) Karst) growing on subalpine forested slopes

Trees bend and break when exposed to external forces such as wind, rockfall, and avalanches. A common simplification when modelling the tree response to these forces is to simplify the system as a clamped beam which means that the stem deflection is related to the stem flexibility only. However, a certain part of the stem deflection originates from rotation of the root-soil plate. In this paper, we investigate this contribution to the overall stem deflection. Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst) trees were subjected to winching tests to analyse the anchorage mechanics of the tree. The tests were performed at two experimental sites with an average slope of 32 and 34° and one site with a nearly flat ground in subalpine forests near Davos, Switzerland, during the vegetation periods of 2003 and 2004. The trees were pulled downslope with a winch and the applied force, stem base rotation, and the angle of the applied force relative to the stem were recorded. After the tree had fallen over, stem diameter and branch mass were measured for every meter segment. These data were used to model the tree in the finite element software ANSYS®, which was used for calculating the rotational stem base moment as a␣function of stem base rotation. The root-soil rotation stiffness k root was defined as the secant stiffness calculated at 0.5° root-soil plate rotation. Young's modulus of elasticity E of the stem was iteratively changed until the correct stem rotation was obtained. The best correlation between k root and different tree characteristics was the squared diameter at breast height, DBH2. Not incorporating the normal forces due to weight of the overhanging masses from crown and stem resulted in a maximum underestimation for k root of approximately 14%. Thus, also the acting moment on the stem base will be underestimated causing the safety factor against uprooting to be overestimate

Noise performance of a frequency nondegenerate phase-sensitive amplifier with unequalized inputs

For the first time to our knowledge, the noise performance of a frequency nondegenerate phase-sensitive amplifier (PSA) with unequalized input powers has been experimentally characterized, based on a fiber-based parametric copier-PSA scheme. Two different noise-figure (NF) definitions-separate and combined NFs-are provided and compared. The results show that the separate NF of the weaker input wave is lower than that of the stronger wave due to the correlated-light nature. When considering the combined NF, the optimal noise performance (0 dB NF) is obtained only when the input powers are equal. Experiments agree well with the theoretical predictions. (C) 2011 Optical Society of Americ

Effect of co-twin gender on neurodevelopment symptoms : a twin register study

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are neurodevelopmental disorders thought to have both genetic and environmental causes. It has been hypothesized that exposure to elevated levels of prenatal testosterone is associated with elevated traits of ASD and ADHD. Assuming that testosterone levels from a dizygotic male twin fetus may lead to enhanced testosterone exposure of its co‐twins, we aimed to test the prenatal testosterone hypothesis by comparing same‐sex with opposite‐sex dizygotic twins with respect to neurodevelopmental symptoms. Methods: Neuropsychiatric traits were assessed in a population‐based twin cohort from the Child and Adolescent Twin Study in Sweden (CATSS). Parental interviews were conducted for 16,312 dizygotic twins, 9 and 12 years old, with the Autism–Tics, ADHD, and other Comorbidities inventory (A‐TAC). Results: Girls with a female co‐twin had an increased risk of reaching the cut‐off score for ADHD compared with girls with a male co‐twin. Both boys and girls with a female co‐twin displayed a larger number of traits related to attention deficit and repetitive and stereotyped behaviors than those with a male twin. In girls, this also extended to social interaction and the combined measures for ASD and ADHD, however with small effect sizes. Conclusions: Our results are reverse to what would have been expected from the prenatal testosterone hypothesis but consistent with a previous study of ASD and ADHD traits in dizygotic twins. The seemingly protective effect for girls of having a twin brother may be an effect of parent report bias, but may also be an unexpected effect of sharing the intrauterine environment with a male co‐twin.The Swedish Research CouncilThe Brain FoundationBertil Hållsten’s FoundationSöderström’s foundationThe Swedish Council for Health, Working Life and WelfareStockholm County Council (ALF)The Söderström-Königska FoundationManuscrip

Influence of slaughter age and carcass suspension on meat quality in Angus heifers

This study investigated the effects of pelvic suspension and slaughter age on longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) from 40 heifers with at least 75% Angus breeding. A total of 20 heifers were slaughtered directly from pasture at 18 months of age, and carcass sides were hung either by the Achilles tendon or the pelvic bone. The other 20 heifers were assigned to an additional winter housing period and slaughtered at 22 months of age; carcass sides were hung only by Achilles suspension. All carcasses were electrically stimulated and assessed according to the EUROP carcass classification system. In addition, the LTL muscles were aged for 7 or 14 days before meat quality was evaluated for intramuscular fat (IMF), drip loss, colour, shear force, compression and sensory analysis. The 22-month-old heifers were heavier, fatter and had more IMF than 18-month-old heifers. Conformation scores (muscling) did not differ between the two slaughter groups. Pelvic suspension reduced both between- and within-animal variation for peak force, total energy and compression peak force. For the 18-month-old heifers, pelvic suspension also decreased peak force, total energy and compression variables for the LTL muscles from both ageing periods, whereas Achilles-suspended samples had lower shear force values only at day 14. Sensory analysis showed that pelvic-suspended sides had greater tenderness, lower bite resistance, less threadiness, higher juiciness and meat flavour and less visible marbling than meat from Achilles-suspended sides. Pelvic-suspended sides at 18 months of age were similar in peak force and total energy values to the 22-month-old heifers. The importance of ageing the Achilles-suspended sides was more obvious for samples from 18-month-old heifers than from the 22-month-old animals. The correlations between the different instrumental measurements and sensory tenderness were considerably higher for carcasses suspended by the Achilles tendon (r = -520.55 to 0.20) than for those hung by the pelvic bone (r = -520.25 to 0.19). More correlations between sensory-evaluated tenderness and shear variables were significant after 7 days (n = 6) of ageing than after 14 days (n = 4) of ageing. This study clearly shows the benefits of pelvic suspension, which reduces the need for additional feeding after pasture