Concurrent Association Research Articles

Hark! Who goes there? Concurrent association of communication channels for multiple mobile robots

Robots working in teams can benefit from recruiting the help of nearby robots. But, while robots are typically aware of their neighbors' relative positions through information sensed locally (e.g., range and bearing), a robot does not necessarily know the network identifiers (IDs) of its neighbors directly from observation. In this work robots use a simple visual gesture, paired with wireless messages, to rapidly and effectively establish a one-to-one association between the relative positions (local, visual IDs) of neighboring robots and their network addresses (global, wireless IDs). We formalize the channel association problem and explore its structure from an information filter perspective. Under an idealized communication model, we investigate two simple probabilistic algorithms and contribute analyses of performance in terms of parameters, such as robot density, communication range, and movement speed. Branching Processes are used to predict the macroscopic performance of the algorithms, producing models that characterize the channel association behavior, given parameters that describe the multi-robot system. The approach also allows parameters to be fine-tuned when designing a system so that its performance meets some specified threshold.

Ultraviolet-B induces ERCC6 repression in lens epithelium cells of age-related nuclear cataract through coordinated DNA hypermethylation and histone deacetylation.

BackgroundUltraviolet-B (UVB) exposure attributes to the formation of age-related nuclear cataract (ARNC), which is mediated with DNA damage. DNA damage, an important factor for pathogenesis of ARNC, is induced by UVB, and is generally resolved by the nucleotide excision repair (NER) repair mechanism. Cockayne syndrome complementation group B (CSB) protein coded by ERCC6 is a vital component for NER. However, we found no association between selected ERCC6 polymorphisms and ARNC. In this study, we investigated whether UVB exposure could alter ERCC6 expression and the process could involve epigenetic changes of DNA methylation and/or histone acetylation of ERCC6 in the lens epithelial cells (LECs). We also assessed the involvement of those coordinated changes in lens tissue from ARNC patients.ResultsmRNA and protein expression of ERCC6 in lens tissue (LECs) were lower in ARNCs than those in the controls. This reduction corresponded to methylation of a CpG site at the ERCC6 promoter and histone modifications (methylation and acetylation) nearby this site. UVB-treated human lens epithelium B3 (HLE-B3) and 239T cell presented (1) increased apoptosis, suggesting reduced UV-damage repair, (2) hypermethylation of the CpG site located at position -441 (relative to transcription start site) within the binding region for transcriptional factor Sp1 in the ERCC6 promoter, (3) the enhancement of histone H3K9 deacetylation, (4) induction in DNA methyltransferases 3b (DNMT3b) and histone deacetylase1 (HDAC1) associated to the CpG site of ERCC6 by CHIP assay.ConclusionsThese findings suggest an orchestrated mechanism triggered by UVB radiation where the concurrent association of specific hypermethylation CpG site, H3K9 deacetylation of ERCC6, and repression of ERCC6 gene expression. Taken together, with the similar changes in the lens tissue from ARNC patients, our data unveiled a possible mechanism of epigenetic modification of DNA repair gene in the pathogenesis of ARNC.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13148-016-0229-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Longitudinal Change in Thigh Muscle Strength Prior to and Concurrent With Minimum Clinically Important Worsening or Improvement in Knee Function: Data From the Osteoarthritis Initiative.

To investigate whether a clinically relevant change in knee function in patients with or at risk for osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is associated with concurrent or prior change in thigh muscle strength. Participants in the Osteoarthritis Initiative (n = 2,675 [1,485 women and 1,190 men]) with available measurements of isometric muscle strength at baseline, 2-year follow-up, and 4-year follow-up were grouped into those with greater than minimum clinically important worsening (score of ≥6 [of a possible 68] on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index function subscale) between 2-year follow-up and 4-year follow-up, those with greater than minimum clinically important improvement, and those without relevant change. Changes in isometric muscle strength concurrent with function change (between 2-year follow-up and 4-year follow-up) and preceding function change (between baseline and 2-year follow-up), with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), were determined, and differences between groups were assessed by analysis of covariance. Concurrent loss in extensor muscle strength in participants with worsening knee function during the 2-year follow-up-4-year follow-up period differed significantly from that in participants without change in knee function (-4.6% [95% CI -6.8, -2.4] and -2.2% [95% CI -3.0, -1.4], respectively; P = 0.03), as did the concurrent increase in strength among those with functional improvement (2.2% [95% CI -0.3, 4.7]; P < 0.0001). This increase in strength among subjects with improved function remained significantly different from the change in subjects with no change in function after adjustment for covariates, but was preceded by a greater loss in strength (-7.7% [95% CI -10.3, -5.0], P = 0.02) during the baseline-year 2 period compared to those without change in function during the year 2-year 4 period (-4.3% [95% CI -5.2, -3.4]). The decrease in strength during the baseline-year 2 period in those with worsening knee function during the year 2-year 4 period (-4.5% [95% CI -6.9, -2.2]) did not differ significantly from that in patients without a change in function (P = 0.87). No differences in changes in flexor muscle strength were observed between groups. These findings suggest that there is a positive concurrent longitudinal association between change in extensor muscle strength and worsening/improvement in knee function in patients with knee OA. However, a corresponding change in thigh muscle strength preceding the change in function was not observed.

The Longitudinal Impact of Parent Distress and Behavior on Functional Outcomes Among Youth With Chronic Pain.

Accumulating evidence supports the concurrent association between parent distress and behavior and child functioning in the context of chronic pain, with existing longitudinal studies limited to a pediatric surgical context that identify parent catastrophizing as influential. In this study, we examined how parent factors assessed at a multidisciplinary pediatric pain clinic evaluation affect child psychological and functional outcomes over time. A cohort of 195 patients with chronic pain (ages 8-17years) and their parents who presented for a multidisciplinary evaluation completed measures at baseline and at 4-month follow-up. Patients completed measures of pain catastrophizing, pain-related fear and avoidance, generalized anxiety, depressive symptoms, and functional disability. Parents completed measures of pain catastrophizing, pain-related fear and avoidance, and protective responses to child pain. Parent-reported child school functioning was also collected. Parent distress and behavior was concurrently associated with child distress and functioning at evaluation. After controlling for baseline child functioning, baseline parent avoidance and protective behavior emerged as significant predictors of child functioning at 4-month follow-up. Parent distress and behavior influence child distress and functioning over time and these findings identify key parent domains to target in the context of a child's pain treatment. Parent behavior, specifically avoidance and protective responses, influence child distress and functioning over time. Child pain treatment interventions should include influential parent factors to ensure successful outcomes.

Sarcoidosis and multiple myeloma: Concurrent presentation of an unusual association.

Literature on concurrent association of sarcoidosis with lymphoproliferative malignancies other than lymphoma e.g. multiple myeloma is meager. The rarity of the situation prompted us to report this patient who was a 51-year-old woman with a 2-years history of breathlessness, cough with expectoration, chest pain and backache. Initial evaluation revealed mild anemia, increased alkaline phosphatase with chest skiagram showing both lower zone non homogenous opacities with calcified hilar lymph nodes. CECT chest showed mediastinal with bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy, parenchymal fibrosis, traction bronchiectasis, ground glass opacities, septal and peribronchovascular thickening affecting mid and lower lung zones bilaterally. MRI Dorsolumbar spine was suggestive of marrow infiltrative disorder. EBUS FNA of intrathoracic nodes, EBB and TBLB confirmed sarcoidosis. PET CT revealed hyper metabolic activity in lung, multiple lymph nodes and lytic bone lesions. Serum protein electrophoresis and immunofixation revealed a monoclonal paraprotein, immunoglobulin IgG kappa type. Bone marrow biopsy revealed an increase in plasma cells (15%), but no granulomas. Diagnosis of Indolent or multiple myeloma with sarcoidosis was established. 12 cases of sarcoidosis and multiple myeloma have been reported in literature, and mostly preceding the onset of multiple myeloma by many years, in our case both were diagnosed concurrently.

Language disturbance and functioning in first episode psychosis

Language disturbance has a central role in the presentation of psychotic disorders however its relationship with functioning requires further clarification, particularly in first episode psychosis (FEP). Both language disturbance and functioning can be evaluated with clinician-rated and performance-based measures. We aimed to investigate the concurrent association between clinician-rated and performance-based measures of language disturbance and functioning in FEP. We assessed 108 individuals presenting to an Early Intervention in Psychosis Service in Ireland. Formal thought disorder (FTD) dimensions and bizarre idiosyncratic thinking (BIT) were rated with structured assessment tools. Functioning was evaluated with a performance-based instrument, a clinician-rated measure and indicators of real-world functioning. The disorganisation dimension of FTD was significantly associated with clinician-rated measures of occupational and social functioning (Beta=−0.19, P<0.05 and Beta=−0.31, P<0.01, respectively). BIT was significantly associated with the performance-based measure of functioning (Beta=−0.22, P<0.05). Language disturbance was of less value in predicting real-world measures of functioning. Clinician-rated and performance-based assessments of language disturbance are complementary and each has differential associations with functioning. Communication disorders should be considered as a potential target for intervention in FEP, although further evaluation of the longitudinal relationship between language disturbance and functioning should be undertaken.

Interindividual differences in general cognitive ability from age 18 to age 65 years are extremely stable and strongly associated with working memory capacity

The objective of the study was to examine the degree of stability of interindividual differences in general cognitive ability (g) across the adult life span. To this end, we examined a sample of men (n=262), cognitively assessed for the first time at age 18 (conscript data). The sample was reassessed at age 50 and at five year intervals up to age 65. Scores from conscript tests at age 18 were retrieved and three of the subtests were used as indicators of g in early adulthood. At age 50–65years, four indicators served the same purpose. At the 15-year follow-up (age 65) two working memory measures were administered which allowed examination of the relationship with working memory capacity. Results from structural Equation Modelling (SEM) indicated extremely high level of stability from young adulthood to age 50 (standardized regression coefficient=−95) as well as from age 50 to age 55, 60 and 65 with stability coefficients of .90 or higher for the for the latent g factor. Standardized regression coefficients between young-adult g and the g factor in midlife/old age were .95 from age 18 up to age 50 and 55, .94 up to age 60, and .86 up to age 65. Hence, g at age 18 accounted for 90–74% of the variance in g 32–47years later. A close association between g and working memory capacity was observed (concurrent association: r=.88, time lagged association: r=.61). Taken together, the present study demonstrates that interindividual differences in g are extremely stable over the period from 18 to midlife, with a significant deviation from unity only at age 65. In light of the parieto-frontal integration theory (P-FIT) of intelligence, consistent with the close association between g and working memory capacity, midlife may be characterized by neural stability, with decline and decreased interindividual stability, related to loss of parieto-frontal integrity, past age 60.

Fetuin-A and risk of coronary heart disease: A Mendelian randomization analysis and a pooled analysis of AHSG genetic variants in 7 prospective studies

Background and aimsFetuin-A has a plausible role in the inhibition of arterial calcification, but its association with risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in the general population is unclear. We used two common genetic variants in the fetuin-A gene (AHSG) that are strongly associated with circulating fetuin-A levels to investigate the associations with risk of CHD and subclinical cardiovascular measures (intima-media thickness, ankle-arm index, and coronary artery calcification). MethodsGenetic variation and fetuin-A levels were assessed in 3299 community-living individuals (2733 Caucasians and 566 African Americans) 65 years of age or older, free of previous cardiovascular disease, who participated in the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) in 1992–1993. ResultsAmong Caucasians, both rs2248690 and rs4917 were associated with 12% lower fetuin-A concentrations per minor allele (P < 0.0001). The hazard ratios (HRs) per minor allele for incident CHD were 1.12 (95% CI: 1.00–1.26) for rs2248690 and 1.02 (0.91–1.14) for rs4917. Using both genotypes as an instrumental variable for measured fetuin-A, the HRs for one standard deviation increase in genetically determined fetuin-A levels on CHD risk were 0.84 (95% CI: 0.70–1.00) for rs2248690 and 0.97 (95% CI: 0.82–1.14) for rs4917, respectively. However, in CHS neither of the genotypes were associated with subclinical cardiovascular measures and when CHS data were meta-analyzed with data from six other prospective studies (totaling 26,702 Caucasian participants and 3295 CHD cases), the meta-analyzed HRs for incident CHD were 1.12 (0.93–1.34) and 1.06 (0.93–1.20) for rs2248690 and rs4917, respectively (p heterogeneity 0.005 and 0.0048). ConclusionCommon variants in the AHSG gene are strongly associated with fetuin-A levels, but their concurrent association with CHD risk in current prospective studies is inconsistent. Further investigation in studies with measured fetuin-A and AHSG variants is needed to clarify the potential causal association of fetuin-A with CHD risk.

The development of executive function and language skills in the early school years.

BackgroundThe developmental relationships between executive functions (EF) and early language skills are unclear. This study explores the longitudinal relationships between children's early EF and language skills in a sample of children with a wide range of language abilities including children at risk of dyslexia. In addition, we investigated whether these skills independently predict children's attention/behaviour skills.MethodData are presented from 243 children at four time points. Children were selected for being at risk of reading difficulties either because of a family history of dyslexia (FR; N = 90) or because of concerns regarding their language development (LI; N = 79) or as typically developing controls (TD; N = 74). The children completed tasks to assess their executive function and language skills at ages 4, 5 and 6 years. At 6 (T4) and 7 years (T5) parents and teachers rated the children's attention/behaviour skills.ResultsThere was a strong concurrent relationship between language and EF at each assessment. Longitudinal analyses indicated a considerable degree of stability in children's language and EF skills: the influence of language on later EF skills (and vice versa) was weak and not significant in the current sample. Children's EF, but not language, skills at T3 predicted attention/behaviour ratings at T4/T5.ConclusionsThere is a strong concurrent association between language and EF skills during the preschool and early school years, when children with language impairment show persistent EF deficits. Latent variables measuring language and EF show high longitudinal stability with little evidence of significant or strong reciprocal influences between these constructs. EF, but not language, skills predict later ratings of children's attention and behaviour.

Association of Exercise Intolerance in Type 2 Diabetes With Skeletal Muscle Blood Flow Reserve

ObjectivesThis study sought to investigate the association of exercise intolerance in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) with skeletal muscle capillary blood flow (CBF) reserve. BackgroundExercise intolerance in T2DM strongly predicts adverse prognosis, but associations with muscle blood flow independent of cardiac dysfunction are undefined. MethodsIn 134 T2DM patients without cardiovascular disease, left ventricular function and contrast-enhanced ultrasound of the quadriceps (for CBF; i.e., product of capillary blood volume and velocity) were assessed at rest and immediately following treadmill exercise for peak oxygen uptake (Vo2peak). Left ventricular systolic and diastolic functional reserve indexes were derived from changes in systolic and early diastolic color tissue Doppler velocities. Cardiac index reserve and its constituents (stroke volume and chronotropic indexes) and left ventricular filling pressure (ratio of early diastolic mitral inflow and annular velocities) were also measured. ResultsVo2peak correlated with muscle CBF reserve (β = 0.16, p = 0.005) independent of cardiac index reserve and clinical covariates. This was explained by higher muscle capillary blood velocity reserve (β = 0.18, p = 0.002), rather than blood volume reserve (p > 0.10) in patients with higher Vo2peak. A concurrent association of Vo2peak with cardiac index reserve (β = 0.20, p < 0.001) appeared to reflect chronotropic index (β = 0.15, p = 0.012) rather than stroke volume index reserve (p > 0.10), although the systolic functional reserve index was also identified as an independent correlate (β = 0.16, p = 0.028). No associations of Vo2peak with diastolic functional reserve were identified (p > 0.10). ConclusionsVo2peak is associated with muscle CBF reserve in T2DM, independent of parallel associations with cardiac functional reserve. This is consistent with a multifactorial basis for exercise intolerance in T2DM.

Relationship between sleep problems and psychological outcomes in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors and controls.

How cancer history and distress relate to sleep outcomes of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) is unclear. The current study compares AYA cancer survivors to controls on indicators of sleep and fatigue; examines the concurrent association between psychological status, sleep, and fatigue; and investigates the lagged relationship between sleep and fatigue problems with psychological functioning. AYA cancer survivors (n = 167) and controls (n = 170), ages 16 to 30, completed measures at a survivorship clinic/primary care visit (time 1) and 2 months later (time 2). Participants completed questions about sleep quality, quantity, sleep medication use, self-reports of sleep problems, and fatigue in addition to measures of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). There were no differences in sleep quantity or quality between survivors and controls, but survivors reported significantly more fatigue. Within groups, AYAs with self-reported sleep and fatigue problems reported significantly higher depression, anxiety, and PTS symptoms. Controlling for baseline depression, sleep, and fatigue problems at time 1 significantly predicted depression at time 2 in survivors but not in controls. This study offers important insight into the psychological functioning of childhood cancer survivors and prospectively describes sleep and fatigue as risk factors for poor psychological functioning in survivors. These findings support screening for sleep problems in AYA survivors as these difficulties are closely related to mental health functioning.

Peptic ulcer frequency differences related to h. Pylori or aines.

Peptic ulcer etiology has been changing because of H. pylori decline. To estimate peptic ulcer prevalence in 10 years-interval and compare the association with H. pylori and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Methods Records assessment in two periods: A (1997-2000) and B (2007-2010), searching for peptic ulcer, H. pylori infection and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use. Peptic ulcer occurred in 30.35% in A and in 20.19% in B. H. pylori infection occurred in 73.3% cases in A and in 46.4% in B. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use was 3.5% in A and 13.3% in B. Neither condition occurred in 10.4% and 20.5% in A and B respectively. Comparing both periods, we observed reduction of peptic ulcer associated to H. pylori (P=0.000), increase of peptic ulcer related to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (P=0.000) and idiopathic peptic ulcer (P=0.002). The concurrent association of H. pylori and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs was also higher in B (P=0.002). Rates of gastric ulcer were higher and duodenal ulcer lower in the second period. After 10 years, the prevalence of peptic ulcer decreased, as well as ulcers related to H. pylori whereas ulcers associated to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs increased. There was an inversion in the pattern of gastric and duodenal ulcer and a rise of idiopathic peptic ulcer.

Brain amyloid-β burden is associated with disruption of intrinsic functional connectivity within the medial temporal lobe in cognitively normal elderly.

The medial temporal lobe is implicated as a key brain region involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and consequent memory loss. Tau tangle aggregation in this region may develop concurrently with cortical Aβ deposition in preclinical AD, but the pathological relationship between tau and Aβ remains unclear. We used task-free fMRI with a focus on the medical temporal lobe, together with Aβ PET imaging, in cognitively normal elderly human participants. We found that cortical Aβ load was related to disrupted intrinsic functional connectivity of the perirhinal cortex, which is typically the first brain region affected by tauopathies in AD. There was no concurrent association of cortical Aβ load with cognitive performance or brain atrophy. These findings suggest that dysfunction in the medial temporal lobe may represent a very early sign of preclinical AD and may predict future memory loss.

The Role of Moral Disengagement in the Associations Between Children's Social Goals and Aggression

The construct of moral disengagement has increasingly been used by researchers to account for the asymmetry between children’s moral reasoning and their moral behavior. According to this theory, moral disengagement occurs most aptly when children are motivated to violate their moral beliefs, such as when they hold antisocial goals during social conflict. In line with this, the current study examined whether moral disengagement would mediate the associations among children’s antisocial and prosocial goals and aggressive behavior, both concurrently and over time. Specifically, cross-sectional and longitudinal data from 379 children were examined during and across their fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade school years. Findings provide evidence that moral disengagement mediates the concurrent association between antisocial goals and higher levels of aggressive behavior, as well as the concurrent association between prosocial goals and lower levels of aggressive behavior. Further, moral disengagement emerged as a significant mediator of the longitudinal association between prosocial goals and lower rates of aggressive behavior toward peers across the span of middle childhood. Finally, moral disengagement also emerged as a potential mechanism in the continued endorsement of relationship maintenance goals over time. Findings are discussed in terms of theoretical and practical implications.

Association of Short Sleep Duration with Psychological Conditions in Cancer Survivors: From the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Background: Cancer survivors experience various psychological complications. This study aims to explore the concurrent association between short sleep duration and poor psychological conditions among adult cancer survivors in Korea. Methods: Cross-sectional study using data from the fourth and fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2007-2012) included 1,042 cancer survivors and 33,867 non-cancer controls. Psychological conditions (i.e., severe distress, depression, suicidal ideation and suicide attempt) were compared between cancer survivors and non-cancer controls. Based on logistic regression models controlling for age and sex, associations between short sleep duration and psychological status were evaluated among cancer survivors. Results: Cancer survivors exhibited higher estimated proportions of depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempt than non-cancer controls. Short sleep duration was found to have a significantly increased likelihood for poor psychological outcomes such as severe distress, depression, and suicidal ideation in cancer survivors (OR=2.21, 95% CI 1.28-3.81; OR=3.14, 95% CI 1.47-6.72, and OR=2.32, 95% CI 1.70-3.78, respectively). Conclusions: Our findings indicate that short sleep duration can place cancer survivors at a higher risk of adverse psychological conditions. Interventions focused on improving both sleep behavior and psychological stability among cancer survivors are needed.

Simeprevir with peginterferon/ribavirin for treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 1 infection: pooled safety analysis from Phase IIb and III studies.

This pooled analysis of five Phase IIb and III studies evaluated the safety and tolerability of simeprevir, a once daily, oral hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3/4A protease inhibitor. Data were summarised for patients who received simeprevir 150 mg once daily (n = 924) or placebo (n = 540) plus pegylated interferon-α/ribavirin for 12 weeks. During the first 12 weeks of treatment, few patients discontinued simeprevir or placebo due to adverse events (AEs) (both 2.2%). Pruritus (23.8% vs 17.4%), rash (any; 22.9% vs 16.7%) and photosensitivity (3.2% vs 0.6%) [Correction added on 16 January 2015, after first online publication: In the above sentence, the values in 'Photosensitivity' were previously incorrect and have now been changed to 3.2% vs 0.6%.] were more prevalent in the simeprevir vs the placebo groups. Most AEs were grade 1/2 (72.4% for simeprevir vs 71.3% for placebo). All grade 3/4 AEs occurred in <5.0% of patients, except neutropenia (9.8% vs 7.6%). Overall incidence of neutropenia was similar (17.3% vs 15.7%). Incidence of anaemia was 13.2% for simeprevir vs 10.9% for placebo, and incidence of increased bilirubin was 8.4% vs 2.8%. Bilirubin increases were mild-to-moderate and transient without concurrent transaminase increases or association with hepatic injury. Safety and tolerability did not vary with METAVIR score, although increased bilirubin and anaemia were more frequent in simeprevir-treated patients with METAVIR F4 (increased bilirubin, 13.0% vs 3.3%; anaemia, 19.0% vs 14.8%). Serious AEs were infrequent (2.1% for simeprevir vs 3.0% for placebo). No deaths were reported during the first 12 weeks of treatment. Patient-reported fatigue and other outcomes were comparable for both groups, but were of shorter duration for simeprevir due to the use of response-guided therapy. Simeprevir is well tolerated in HCV genotype 1-infected patients.

Language and traits of autism spectrum conditions: evidence of limited phenotypic and etiological overlap.

Language difficulties have historically been viewed as integral to autism spectrum conditions (ASC), leading molecular genetic studies to consider whether ASC and language difficulties have overlapping genetic bases. The extent of genetic, and also environmental, overlap between ASC and language is, however, unclear. We hence conducted a twin study of the concurrent association between autistic traits and receptive language abilities. Internet-based language tests were completed by ~3,000 pairs of twins, while autistic traits were assessed via parent ratings. Twin model fitting explored the association between these measures in the full sample, while DeFries-Fulker analysis tested these associations at the extremes of the sample. Phenotypic associations between language ability and autistic traits were modest and negative. The degree of genetic overlap was also negative, indicating that genetic influences on autistic traits lowered language scores in the full sample (mean genetic correlation = −0.13). Genetic overlap was also low at the extremes of the sample (mean genetic correlation = 0.14), indicating that genetic influences on quantitatively defined language difficulties were largely distinct from those on extreme autistic traits. Variation in language ability and autistic traits were also associated with largely different nonshared environmental influences. Language and autistic traits are influenced by largely distinct etiological factors. This has implications for molecular genetic studies of ASC and understanding the etiology of ASC. Additionally, these findings lend support to forthcoming DSM-5 changes to ASC diagnostic criteria that will see language difficulties separated from the core ASC communication symptoms, and instead listed as a clinical specifier.

Demand-withdraw, Couple Satisfaction and Relationship Duration

The demand-withdraw interaction pattern is a pattern of conflict in which one-spouse pressures or blames while the other avoids or withdraws. Research has consistently shown that demand-withdraw behaviours are associated with couple dissatisfaction. However, longitudinal associations between the two constructs are less robust. Moreover, existing research has been overwhelmingly conducted with relatively young couples, overlooking the differences that may exist between young and well- established marriages. The present study examined concurrent and longitudinal association between demand-withdraw pattern and couple dissatisfaction in a sample of 176 couples with a wide range of relationship duration (1 to 55 years). Couples provided data on two occasions (4-month interval). Cross-lagged panel models were used to examine: a) associations between couple dissatisfaction and demand-withdraw, specifically testing for the direction of effects b) whether these relations were moderated by relationship duration (four groups were formed based on relationship length: young; stable young; stable mature; old). Results demonstrated that: a) the demand-withdraw pattern and couple dissatisfaction were associated both concurrently and longitudinally and couple dissatisfaction was a predictor of the demand-withdraw pattern for all participants, with the only exception of the young women group; b) relationship duration moderated the association between demand-withdraw and dissatisfaction only for women. Findings suggest that demand-withdraw may have the role of “detector” of couple distress, especially in older couples. Moreover, the moderating role of relationship duration suggests that different couples may enact demand-withdraw in different ways.

Mineral impurities in azurite pigments: artistic or natural selection?

Nineteen natural specimens of azurite from European mining locations used in medieval times were analysed by Raman microscopy to investigate the existence and identity of any impurities. Malachite, hematite, goethite and other commonly occurring minerals such as cuprite, rutile and anatase were detected in a significant proportion of the specimens. Other minerals detected, albeit less frequently, include quartz, calcite, cerussite, orthoclase, beudantite and jarosite. These findings indicate that any iron oxides and malachite detected as minor impurities in azurite‐containing museum objects should be taken as a consequence of the natural make‐up of azurite specimens used for the pigments rather than a deliberate addition by the artist. Furthermore, the apparently sensible assumption that black and orange‐brown impurities in azurite pigments are mainly copper oxides (cuprite and tenorite) is incorrect as these particles actually correspond to the iron oxides, goethite and hematite. It is possible with considerable further work that the concurrent association of the less common impurities within a single pigment sample might help to ascertain the provenance of an individual azurite‐containing pigment by relating it to a known historic azurite source. If such a provenance study was carried out, we expect specific localization of an azurite pigment would only be possible if a source region or mine is known to contain azurite with particularly exotic or unusual composition. © 2014 Victoria and Albert Museum, London first published in the Journal of Raman Spectroscopy by John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Parental overcontrol as a mechanism explaining the longitudinal association between parent and child anxiety

Although numerous studies have documented the concurrent association between parental overcontrol and child anxiety, few have examined overcontrol for its prospective association with children’s anxiety. In this study we evaluate whether parental overcontrol prospectively predicts children’s anxiety symptoms across the transition to early adolescence (H1), whether parental overcontrol mediates the association between parent and child anxiety (H2), and whether parental overcontrol mediates the association between child avoidant coping and child anxiety (H3). School-aged children (N = 102) and their mothers and fathers completed this two wave study. At Time 1, each family member reported on his/her own anxiety symptoms (children: State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children; parents: Symptom Checklist-90 Revised), parents reported on their overcontrolling parenting behavior (USC Parental Overcontrol Scale) and children reported on their avoidant coping (Children’s Coping Strategies Checklist- Revision 1). Children reported on their anxiety symptoms two-and-a-half years later using the same scale. Results indicated that having at least one parent who reported highly overcontrolling parenting was associated with persistent anxiety symptoms across this developmental transition. When both mother and father overcontrol were evaluated in the same models, only maternal overcontrol acted as an indirect effect explaining the prospective associations (H2) between maternal and child anxiety and (H3) between child avoidant coping and child anxiety. Our study provides evidence for the prospective association between parental overcontrol and child anxiety and suggests that maternal overcontrol is a mechanism underlying the association between maternal and child anxiety.