Intercomparison of methods of coupling between convection and large-scale circulation: 2. Comparison over nonuniform surface conditions

As part of an international intercomparison project, the weak temperature gradient (WTG) and damped gravity wave (DGW) methods are used to parameterize large-scale dynamics in a set of cloud-resolving models (CRMs) and single column models (SCMs). The WTG or DGW method is implemented using a configuration that couples a model to a reference state defined with profiles obtained from the same model in radiative-convective equilibrium. We investigated the sensitivity of each model to changes in SST, given a fixed reference state. We performed a systematic comparison of the WTG and DGW methods in different models, and a systematic comparison of the behavior of those models using the WTG method and the DGW method. The sensitivity to the SST depends on both the large-scale parameterization method and the choice of the cloud model. In general, SCMs display a wider range of behaviors than CRMs. All CRMs using either the WTG or DGW method show an increase of precipitation with SST, while SCMs show sensitivities which are not always monotonic. CRMs using either the WTG or DGW method show a similar relationship between mean precipitation rate and column-relative humidity, while SCMs exhibit a much wider range of behaviors. DGW simulations produce large-scale velocity profiles which are smoother and less top-heavy compared to those produced by the WTG simulations. These large-scale parameterization methods provide a useful tool to identify the impact of parameterization differences on model behavior in the presence of two-way feedback between convection and the large-scale circulation.

Prevalence and predictors of psychotropic medication use: results from the Northern Ireland Study of Health and Stress

BACKGROUND

To identify the predictors of psychotropic medication use and to determine rates and patterns of use in Northern Ireland (NI) among the general population and various subgroups.

METHOD

Analysis of data from the NI Study of Health and Stress, a representative household survey undertaken between 2004 and 2008 with 4340 individuals. Respondents were asked about prescribed psychotropic medication use in the previous 12 months along with a series of demographic questions and items regarding experience of traumatic life events. Mental health disorders were assessed using the World Health Organization's Composite International Diagnostic Interview.

RESULTS

Females, individuals aged 50-64 years old, those who were previously married, and those who had experienced a traumatic lifetime event were more likely to have taken any psychotropic medication. Use of any psychotropic medication in the population in the previous 12 months was 14.9%. Use among individuals who met the criteria for a 12-month mental health disorder was 38.5%. Almost one in ten individuals (9.4%) had taken an antidepressant.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with other countries, NI has high proportions of individuals using psychotropic medication in both the general population and those who met the criteria for a 12-month mental disorder. However, these results still suggest possible under treatment of mental disorders in the country. In addition, rates of use in those with no disorder are relatively high. The predictors of medication use are similar to findings in other countries. Possible research and policy implications are discussed.

Intercomparison of methods of coupling between convection and large-scale circulation: 1. Comparison over uniform surface conditions

As part of an international intercomparison project, a set of single-column models (SCMs) and cloud-resolving models (CRMs) are run under the weak-temperature gradient (WTG) method and the damped gravity wave (DGW) method. For each model, the implementation of the WTG or DGW method involves a simulated column which is coupled to a reference state defined with profiles obtained from the same model in radiative-convective equilibrium. The simulated column has the same surface conditions as the reference state and is initialized with profiles from the reference state. We performed systematic comparison of the behavior of different models under a consistent implementation of the WTG method and the DGW method and systematic comparison of the WTG and DGW methods in models with different physics and numerics. CRMs and SCMs produce a variety of behaviors under both WTG and DGW methods. Some of the models reproduce the reference state while others sustain a large-scale circulation which results in either substantially lower or higher precipitation compared to the value of the reference state. CRMs show a fairly linear relationship between precipitation and circulation strength. SCMs display a wider range of behaviors than CRMs. Some SCMs under the WTG method produce zero precipitation. Within an individual SCM, a DGW simulation and a corresponding WTG simulation can produce different signed circulation. When initialized with a dry troposphere, DGW simulations always result in a precipitating equilibrium state. The greatest sensitivities to the initial moisture conditions occur for multiple stable equilibria in some WTG simulations, corresponding to either a dry equilibrium state when initialized as dry or a precipitating equilibrium state when initialized as moist. Multiple equilibria are seen in more WTG simulations for higher SST. In some models, the existence of multiple equilibria is sensitive to some parameters in the WTG calculations.

Embarrassment when illness strikes a close relative: a World Mental Health Survey Consortium Multi-Site Study

BACKGROUND

In this global study we sought to estimate the degree to which a family member might feel embarrassed when a close relative is suffering from an alcohol, drug, or mental health condition (ADMC) versus a general medical condition (GMC). To date, most studies have considered embarrassment and stigma in society and internalized by the afflicted individual but have not assessed family embarrassment in a large-scale study.

METHOD

In 16 sites of the World Mental Health Surveys (WMHS), standardized assessments were completed including items on family embarrassment. Site matching was used to constrain local socially shared determinants of stigma-related feelings, enabling a conditional logistic regression model that estimates the embarrassment close relatives may hold in relation to family members affected by an ADMC, a GMC, or both conditions.

RESULTS

There was a statistically robust association such that subgroups with an ADMC-affected relative were more likely to feel embarrassed compared to subgroups with a relative affected by a GMC (p<0.001), even with covariate adjustments for age and sex.

CONCLUSIONS

. The pattern of evidence from this research is consistent with conceptual models for interventions that target individual- and family-level stigma-related feelings of embarrassment as possible obstacles to effective early intervention and treatment for an ADMC. Macro-level interventions are under way but micro-level interventions may also be required among family members, along with care for each person with an ADMC.

In vitro modulation of murine natural killer cytotoxicity by zinc

The in vitro effects of zinc on natural killer (NK) activity of murine spleen cells were studied. The pretreatment of splenocytes with non-toxic concentrations of ZnSO4 induced a decrease of lytic activity against YAC-1 and RDM4 targets. The lytic function of non-activated and poly(I) X poly(C)-activated NK cells was similarly inhibited. When the interaction of effector cells with zinc was studied for 5 min, a significant inhibition of NK lysis was noted, which was maximal after 30 min. Zinc was undoubtedly responsible for the observed effects, since the concurrent addition of both zinc and suitable concentrations of o-phenanthroline, a Zn++ chelating agent, made it possible to maintain a normal level of lysis. Moreover, the pretreatment of spleen cells with increased concentrations of o-phenanthroline also inhibited NK lysis, suggesting that a physiological intracellular zinc content is required to maintain an optimal lytic function of NK cells. Although the lysis was completely suppressed after the addition of 10(-4) M ZnSO4, the frequency of target-binding cells (TBC), which was assumed to represent the first stage of NK-mediated cytolysis, was only partly inhibited. The results are discussed in view of a possible action of zinc on cell membrane functions, enzyme systems, and release of lymphokines.

Natural and reinforced immunity against hapten-modified cells in vivo: importance of serum-borne and cellular factors

Chromium 51-labelled murine splenocytes were injected intravenously into syngeneic non-immune recipients. The percentages of radioactivity recovered in the spleens and the livers were determined, together with the liver/spleen (L/S) radioactivity ratios. It was found that using trinitrobenzene sulphonate (TNBS)-treated cells resulted in a diminution of splenic recovery, with a concomitant augmentation of the L/S ratio, which corresponded to figures found when non-treated xenogeneic lymphocytes were injected. When using splenocytes modified with trifluoromethyl-dinitrobenzene sulphonate (CF3-DNBS)--an analogue of TNBS--this sort of natural immunity was not observed. As cell modifications with TNBS and CF3-DNBS have previously been shown to cross-react in purely cellular immunity tests, the striking difference observed here was tentatively attributed to differential sensitivity to serum-borne factors which mediate this in vivo natural resistance. These factors are likely to be naturally occurring anti-trinitrophenyl antibodies. Contrastingly, if TNBS- and CF3-DNBS-modified splenocytes were injected into either anti-TNBS or anti-CF3-DNBS immunized mice, the modification of radioactivity recovery and L/S indexes (compared to those in non-immunized controls) was always greater in the case of the CF3-DNBS cells. It is concluded that, of these two cross-reacting cell surface modifying treatments, one (TNBS) is sensitive both to natural and reinforced immunity, whereas the second (CF3-DNBS) is sensitive only to reinforced immunity. As we have previously shown in vitro, that CF3-DNBS-modified cells do not seem to be sensitive to cytotoxic antibodies, we believe that the in vivo immune rejection observed is essentially a cell-mediated reaction, whereas the natural immunity is mainly a serum-dependent reaction.