Medical conditions and depressive, anxiety, and somatic symptoms in older adults with and without generalized anxiety disorder

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine medical illness and anxiety, depressive, and somatic symptoms in older medical patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). METHOD: A case-control study was designed and conducted in the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Geriatrics Clinics. A total of fifty-four older medical patients with GAD and 54 matched controls participated. MEASUREMENTS: The measurements used for this study include: Brief Symptom Inventory-18, Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, and the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule. RESULTS: Older medical patients with GAD reported higher levels of somatic symptoms, anxiety, and depression than other older adults, as well as higher rates of diabetes and gastrointestinal conditions. In a multivariate model that included somatic symptoms, medical conditions, and depressive and anxiety symptoms, anxiety symptoms were the only significant predictors of GAD. CONCLUSION: These results suggest first, that older medical patients with GAD do not primarily express distress as somatic symptoms; second, that anxiety symptoms in geriatric patients should not be discounted as a byproduct of medical illness or depression; and third, that older adults with diabetes and gastrointestinal conditions may benefit from screening for anxiety

Comparative genome mapping of the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) reveals greater similarity to rat (Rattus norvegicus) than to the lab mouse (Mus musculus)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Deer mice (<it>Peromyscus maniculatus</it>) and congeneric species are the most common North American mammals. They represent an emerging system for the genetic analyses of the physiological and behavioral bases of habitat adaptation. Phylogenetic evidence suggests a much more ancient divergence of <it>Peromyscus </it>from laboratory mice (<it>Mus</it>) and rats (<it>Rattus</it>) than that separating latter two. Nevertheless, early karyotypic analyses of the three groups suggest <it>Peromyscus </it>to be exhibit greater similarities with <it>Rattus </it>than with <it>Mus</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Comparative linkage mapping of an estimated 35% of the deer mouse genome was done with respect to the Rattus and Mus genomes. We particularly focused on regions that span synteny breakpoint regions between the rat and mouse genomes. The linkage analysis revealed the Peromyscus genome to have a higher degree of synteny and gene order conservation with the Rattus genome.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These data suggest that: 1. the <it>Rattus </it>and <it>Peromyscus </it>genomes more closely represent ancestral Muroid and rodent genomes than that of <it>Mus</it>. 2. the high level of genome rearrangement observed in Muroid rodents is especially pronounced in <it>Mus</it>. 3. evolution of genome organization can operate independently of more commonly assayed measures of genetic change (e.g. SNP frequency).</p

Long term study of the seismic environment at LIGO

The LIGO experiment aims to detect and study gravitational waves using ground based laser interferometry. A critical factor to the performance of the interferometers, and a major consideration in the design of possible future upgrades, is isolation of the interferometer optics from seismic noise. We present the results of a detailed program of measurements of the seismic environment surrounding the LIGO interferometers. We describe the experimental configuration used to collect the data, which was acquired over a 613 day period. The measurements focused on the frequency range 0.1-10 Hz, in which the secondary microseismic peak and noise due to human activity in the vicinity of the detectors was found to be particularly critical to interferometer performance. We compare the statistical distribution of the data sets from the two interferometer sites, construct amplitude spectral densities of seismic noise amplitude fluctuations with periods of up to 3 months, and analyze the data for any long term trends in the amplitude of seismic noise in this critical frequency range.Comment: To be published in Classical and Quantum Gravity. 24 pages, 15 figure

Scholarship in Review 86(1)

Scholarship in Review was a magazine highlighting research and scholarly activities at Central Washington University, published by the Office of Graduate Studies and Research.https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/scholarship_in_review/1002/thumbnail.jp

VoIP security - attacks and solutions

Voice over IP (VoIP) technology is being extensively and rapidly deployed. Flexibility and cost efficiency are the key factors luring enterprises to transition to VoIP. Some security problems may surface with the widespread deployment of VoIP. This article presents an overview of VoIP systems and its security issues. First, we briefly describe basic VoIP architecture and its fundamental differences compared to PSTN. Next, basic VoIP protocols used for signaling and media transport, as well as defense mechanisms are described. Finally, current and potential VoIP attacks along with the approaches that have been adopted to counter the attacks are discussed

Blueberry Progress Reports

The 1978 edition of the Blueberry Progress Reports was prepared for the Maine Blueberry Commission and the University of Maine Blueberry Advisory Committee by researchers with the Maine Life Sciences and Agriculture Experiment Station and Maine Cooperative Extension Service at the University of Maine, Orono. Projects in this report include: 1. Weed Control in Blueberry Fields 2. Pruning of Blueberries 3. Integrated Management of Blueberry Fields 4. Factors Regulating Rhizome Initiation and Development in the Lowbush Blueberry 5. Effect of Plant-Water Stress on Lowbush Blueberry Growth Yield and Quality 6. Blossom Blight of Blueberries 7. Botrytis Blossom Blight of Lowbush Blueberries 8. Insects Affecting the Blueberry 9. Treatment of Blueberries with Potassium Sorbate to Reduce Spoilage During Temporary Storage 10. Cooperative Extension Activitie