Stronger Decreases Research Articles

A Global Increase in Nearshore Tropical Cyclone Intensification

AbstractTropical Cyclones (TCs) inflict substantial coastal damages, making it pertinent to understand changing storm characteristics in the important nearshore region. Past work examined several aspects of TCs relevant for impacts in coastal regions. However, few studies explored nearshore storm intensification and its response to climate change at the global scale. Here, we address this using a suite of observations and numerical model simulations. Over the historical period 1979–2020, observations reveal a global mean TC intensification rate increase of about 3 kt per 24‐hr in regions close to the coast. Analysis of the observed large‐scale environment shows that stronger decreases in vertical wind shear and larger increases in relative humidity relative to the open oceans are responsible. Further, high‐resolution climate model simulations suggest that nearshore TC intensification will continue to rise under global warming. Idealized numerical experiments with an intermediate complexity model reveal that decreasing shear near coastlines, driven by amplified warming in the upper troposphere and changes in heating patterns, is the major pathway for these projected increases in nearshore TC intensification.

Steady-state Visual Evoked Potentials Reveal Dynamic (Re)allocation of Spatial Attention during Maintenance and Utilization of Visual Working Memory.

Visual working memory (VWM) allows storing goal-relevant information to guide future behavior. Prior work suggests that VWM is spatially organized and relies on spatial attention directed toward locations at which memory items were encoded, even if location is task-irrelevant. Importantly, attention often needs to be dynamically redistributed between locations, for example, in preparation for an upcoming probe. Very little is known about how attentional resources are distributed between multiple locations during a VWM task and even less about the dynamic changes governing such attentional shifts over time. This is largely due to the inability to use behavioral outcomes to reveal fast dynamic changes within trials. We here demonstrated that EEG steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEPs) successfully track the dynamic allocation of spatial attention during a VWM task. Participants were presented with to-be-memorized gratings and distractors at two distinct locations, tagged with flickering discs. This allowed us to dynamically track attention allocated to memory and distractor items via their coupling with space by quantifying the amplitude and coherence of SSVEP responses in the EEG signal to flickering stimuli at the former memory and distractor locations. SSVEP responses did not differ between memory and distractor locations during early maintenance. However, shortly before probe comparison, we observed a decrease in SSVEP coherence over distractor locations indicative of a reallocation of spatial attentional resources. RTs were shorter when preceded by stronger decreases in SSVEP coherence at distractor locations, likely reflecting attentional shifts from the distractor to the probe or memory location. We demonstrate that SSVEPs can inform about dynamic processes in VWM, even if location does not have to be reported by participants. This finding not only supports the notion of a spatially organized VWM but also reveals that SSVEPs betray a dynamic prioritization process of working memory items and locations over time that is directly predictive of memory performance.

Online cognitive bias modification for interpretation to reduce anxious thinking during the COVID-19 pandemic

Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent, and rates increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, most individuals with elevated anxiety do not access treatment due to barriers such as stigma, cost, and availability. Digital mental health programs, such as cognitive bias modification for interpretation (CBM-I), hold promise in increasing access to care. Before widely disseminating CBM-I, we must rigorously test its effectiveness and determine whom it is best positioned to benefit. The present study (which is a substudy of a parent trial) compared CBM-I against psychoeducation offered through the public website MindTrails, and also tested whether baseline anxiety tied to COVID-19 influenced the rate of change in anxiety and interpretation bias during and after each intervention. Adults with moderate-to-severe anxiety symptoms were randomly assigned to complete five sessions of either CBM-I or psychoeducation as part of a larger trial, and 608 enrolled in this substudy after Session 1. As predicted (https://osf.io/2dyzr), CBM-I was superior to psychoeducation at reducing anxiety symptoms (on the OASIS but not the DASS-21-AS: d = −0.31), reducing negative interpretation bias (d range = −0.34 to −0.43), and increasing positive interpretation bias (d = 0.79) by the end of treatment. Results also indicated that individuals higher (vs. lower) in baseline COVID-19 anxiety had stronger decreases in anxiety symptoms while receiving CBM-I but weaker decreases in anxiety symptoms (on the DASS-21-AS) while receiving psychoeducation. These findings suggest that CBM-I may be a useful anxiety-reduction tool for individuals experiencing higher anxiety tied to uncertain events such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Childhood adversity predicts stronger premenstrual mood worsening, stress appraisal and cortisol decrease in women with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder.

Lifetime traumatic events are prevalent in women with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) and predict stronger premenstrual symptom intensities. Less is known about the unique effects of childhood adversity on PMDD. This study aims to investigate the menstrual cycle related course of mood, stress appraisal and cortisol activity over time and the effects of childhood adversity - by controlling for recent stressful life events - on the cyclicity of these outcomes. Fifty-two women with PMDD completed questionnaires on childhood adversity and stressful life events during the past 12 months. Momentary negative and positive affect, stress appraisal, and saliva-cortisol were assessed within an Ambulatory Assessment (AA) design over four consecutive days during both the follicular and the late luteal phase. This AA was repeated after five months, resulting in two measurement bursts. Women with PMDD showed expected cycle related variations in mood and stress appraisal, whereby these effects weakened over time. No cortisol cyclicity was identified. Higher childhood adversity was linked to stronger increases in negative affect and stress appraisal, and stronger decreases in positive affect from the follicular toward the late luteal phase. Women with higher childhood adversity exhibited lower cortisol levels during the late luteal phase compared to the follicular phase whereas no such cyclicity was found in women with lower childhood adversity. Childhood adversity appears to show independent deteriorating effects on premenstrual mood worsening and stress appraisal in women with PMDD. The observed cortisol cyclicity in women with higher childhood adversity may point to different neuroendocrine subtypes of PMDD in relation to childhood trauma and requires further systematic research.

Student arousal, engagement, and emotion relative to Physical Education periods in school

BackgroundExercise has transient effects on cognition and mood, however the impact of Physical Education (PE) on cognitive and affective processes across the school day has not been examined. MethodThis study used wearables and questionnaires to track student arousal, engagement, and emotion across school days/periods following PE. Skin conductance, heart rate, heart rate variability, and self-reported engagement, arousal, and valence were analyzed for 23 students (age 15–17 years) on days with and without PE. ResultsSympathetic arousal was significantly higher for two hours following PE and there were stronger decreases in arousal across other classes relative to days without PE. On days with PE, engagement decreased, whereas valence increased from morning to afternoon. ConclusionThese findings highlight the importance of considering acute effects of PE on learning across the entire school day, and demonstrates the feasibility of wearables to clarify how the timing of PE could positively or negatively affect self-regulation and learning.

Application of intranasal oxytocin and affectionate touch reduce subsequent cortisol concentrations in romantic couples: Results from an ecological momentary assessment study

Social interactions and particularly affectionate touch are vital for mental and physical health. Research shows that affectionate touch is associated with release of oxytocin and has calming and stress reducing effects suggesting a regulatory effect of oxytocin on the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis. Here, we aimed to systematically investigate the effects of repeated intranasal oxytocin administration on salivary cortisol. Furthermore, we focused on the moderating role of couples’ affectionate touch on biopsychological stress outcomes in everyday life. 80 heterosexual romantic couples (N=160 individuals) completed ecologically momentary assessments over five days. Six times per day participants answered smartphone-based questions regarding affectionate touch and momentary stress levels providing concomitant saliva samples for cortisol assessment. Half of the sample was randomly assigned to an instructed positive appraisal task. In a randomized double-blind design, both partners self-administered oxytocin or placebo on five days twice during the early evening. Multilevel analyses showed that oxytocin administration was associated with higher cortisol in the following morning and stronger decreases during the day. Subjectively reported momentary stress was associated with increase of affectionate touch in couples. Moreover, results indicate that participants, who received affectionate touch from their partner showed significantly lower cortisol levels after oxytocin administration. These results suggest that oxytocin administration paired with affectionate touch in romantic couples can influence HPA axis regulation as indicated via diurnal cortisol levels. Thereby, the data shed light on the neuroendocrine underpinnings of the health-promoting effects of intimate social relationships.

Association of peripheral memory B cell population maintenance and long term survival after perioperative chemoimmunotherapy in NSCLC (NADIM trial).

8551 Background: In the context of perioperative immunotherapy, it is crucial to personalize adjuvant treatment, identifying which patients should or should not receive post-surgical immunotherapy. Here we describe the changes in B cell peripheral blood immunophenotype during perioperative immunotherapy and its potential to predict disease progression in patients from NADIM I clinical trial (NCT03081689). Methods: Blood samples from 42 patients were obtained at pre-, post-neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy (pre-surgery) and at 6 and 12 months of adjuvant IO. Peripheral mononuclear cells were stained with CD19, CD20, CD38, CD24, CD27, CD25, CD10 antibody panel and analyzed by flow cytometry using FlowJo. Statistical analysis in paired samples was performed with Wilcoxon test and differences in parameters’ fold changes between disease status groups (Progression-free at 34.2 months) were determined by Mann-Whitney U tests. Variables cutoffs were stablished using ROC curve analysis. Progression-free survival (PFS) was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier curves and long-rank test. The median follow-up was 38.0 months. Results: Regarding the impact of NADIM complete treatment scheme in patient’s B cells, there was a reduction of memory B cells (CD19+CD20+CD38-CD24+CD27+; p < 0.001) and CD20 levels in total B cells (CD19+CD20+; p = 0.001) (n = 17). Importantly, this decrease occurs in all patients regardless their pathological response or disease progression. However, the magnitude of the memory B cell percentage and CD20 levels reduction was significantly more pronounced in patients whose disease progress thereafter (p = 0.023, p = 0.052 at 6 and 12 months for memory B cells; and p = 0.002, p = 0.009 at 6 and 12 months for CD20 expression). Patients with a relative drop of memory B cells greater than 90% at 6 or 12 months, showed a shorter PFS (p = 0.028, p = 0.007). Likewise, patients with a relative decrease of CD20 expression on B cells higher than 60% at 6 or 12 months had shorter PFS (p = 0.016, p < 0.001). The AUC ROCs to identify patients with disease progression, were 0.824 and 0.885 at 6 and 12 months for memory B cells; and 0.912 and 0.981 at 6 and 12 months for CD20 levels. Moreover, memory B cells percentage and CD20 levels decrease occur between surgery and the first 6 months of adjuvant therapy (n = 21, p < 0.001, p = 0.025). After that, these levels are maintained from 6 to 12 months of adjuvant treatment (n = 20, p = 0.290, p = 0.682), thus the overall reduction is also observed between surgery and 12 months samples (n = 17, p < 0.001, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Perioperative IO produces a significant reduction in memory B cells and CD20 levels. Importantly, stronger decreases might be helpful to predict progression since they are associated to shorter PFS, indicating that the maintenance of the memory B cell peripheral compartment is relevant for long-term survival of these patients.

Feed your microbes to deal with stress: a psychobiotic diet impacts microbial stability and perceived stress in a healthy adult population

The impact of diet on the microbiota composition and the role of diet in supporting optimal mental health have received much attention in the last decade. However, whether whole dietary approaches can exert psychobiotic effects is largely understudied. Thus, we investigated the influence of a psychobiotic diet (high in prebiotic and fermented foods) on the microbial profile and function as well as on mental health outcomes in a healthy human population. Forty-five adults were randomized into either a psychobiotic (n = 24) or control (n = 21) diet for 4 weeks. Fecal microbiota composition and function was characterized using shotgun sequencing. Stress, overall health and diet were assessed using validated questionnaires. Metabolic profiling of plasma, urine and fecal samples was performed. Intervention with a psychobiotic diet resulted in reductions of perceived stress (32% in diet vs. 17% in control group), but not between groups. Similarly, biological marker of stress were not affected. Additionally, higher adherence to the diet resulted in stronger decreases in perceived stress. While the dietary intervention elicited only subtle changes in microbial composition and function, significant changes in the level of 40 specific fecal lipids and urinary tryptophan metabolites were observed. Lastly, microbial volatility was linked to greater changes in perceived stress scores in those on the psychobiotic diet. These results highlight that dietary approaches can be used to reduce perceived stress in a human cohort. Using microbiota-targeted diets to positively modulate gut-brain communication holds possibilities for the reduction of stress and stress-associated disorders, but additional research is warranted to investigate underlying mechanisms, including the role of the microbiota.

Utility of serum complement factors C3 and C4 as biomarkers during therapeutic management of giant cell arteritis

Objective There is a strong unmet need for biomarkers in giant cell arteritis (GCA), as C-reactive protein (CRP) may be unreliable in patients treated with Tocilizumab (TCZ). We aimed to assess whether C3 and C4 are useful biomarkers in GCA patients, particularly in those treated with TCZ. Method We retrospectively enrolled all patients who underwent C3 and C4 measurement at baseline. All patients were evaluated at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after diagnosis, as part of routine follow-up. Two assessments after the end of the observational period, in case of further relapses, were also included. Results At baseline, mean ± sd levels (mg/dL) of C3 (133 ± 28.99) and C4 (25.9 ± 9.04) were within normal ranges. During follow-up, C3and C4 decreased in patients attaining remission (107.07 ± 19.86, p = 0.0006; 19.86 ± 10.27, p = 0.01, respectively) and sustained remission (95.85 ± 18.04, p = 0.001; 15.61 ± 9.75, p = 0.006). In TCZ-treated patients, even stronger decreases in C3 (83.11 ± 19.66, p = 0.001) and C4 (8.26 ± 3.83, p < 0.0001) were observed, and their values were not correlated with CRP or erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Conclusion C3 and C4 do not seem useful in the diagnosis of GCA, as normal values do not rule out active vasculitis. However, C3 and C4 correlate with disease activity. As the low C4 levels found in TCZ-treated patients are not correlated with CRP, C4 should be evaluated as a potential biomarker of disease activity and treatment response.

Longitudinal associations between social media use, mental well-being and structural brain development across adolescence

Youth of today grow up in a digital social world but the effects on well-being and brain development remain debated. This study tracked longitudinal associations between structural brain development, social media use and mental well-being.The study demonstrated two pathways of heterogeneity in brain development. First, adolescents who used social media more than their peers showed higher baseline cortical thickness in lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) and medial PFC; and stronger decreases in the lateral PFC and temporal parietal junction. In contrast, adolescents with lower mental well-being showed lower baseline levels of surface area in the medial PFC and posterior superior temporal sulcus relative to their peers. Whereas the associations between structural brain development and well-being remained significant after correction for multiple testing, the results for social media use did not survive FDR correction.These findings demonstrate that although social media use and mental well-being were both associated with differential trajectories of brain development, the associations we report are distinct. These results show a nuanced perspective on the presumed relations between social media use and well-being and provide a starting point to further examine neural mechanisms that could explain which adolescents thrive by social media and which might be harmed.

Interrelated changes in parental stress, parenting, and coparenting across the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Parental stress is a known risk factor for coercive parenting and for lower coparenting quality. In the present study, we examined whether and how changes in parental stress of mothers and fathers from the pre-COVID-19 period (T1) into the height of the first lockdown in the Netherlands (T2) were linked to changes in coercive parenting of mothers and fathers and to changes in coparenting quality. A total of 96 families (46.9% lower or medium and 53.1% higher educational background), with mother, father, and child (53.1% girls; T1: M age = 3.44 years, SD = 0.32; T2: M age = 4.72 years, SD = 0.61) participated. To examine interrelations between parental stress (reported using the Parental Stress Scale), coparenting, and coercive parenting (both reported using the Parenting And Family Adjustment Scales), a multivariate Latent Change Score (LCS) model was employed. Higher initial levels of parental stress were associated with higher initial levels of coercive parenting and lower initial levels of coparenting quality. Similarly, stronger increases in parental stress were associated with stronger increases in coercive parenting and with stronger decreases in coparenting quality. Directions of associations and effect sizes were similar for mothers and fathers in all analyses. The results from the present study indicate the importance of a family systems perspective in prevention and intervention programs. Promotion of systematic family-based preventive and intervention activities by the government might support families during challenging times, as during the novel COVID-19 pandemic. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

The impact of smoking on mortality in the face of population ageing: the example of Germany

Abstract Background Despite weak tobacco control, smoking in Germany has steadily declined over the last 25 years. As policymakers often expect that this trend will also reflect in a declining associated public health burden, I sought to quantify trends in smoking-attributable mortality (SAM) and to explore the impact of population ageing. Methods Smoking and mortality statistics from 1992 to 2018 were obtained from the German Statistical Office, from which SAM was calculated separately for each cause of death causally associated with smoking using Levin's formula for population-attributable fractions. The impact of population ageing was explored by comparing crude and age-standardized SAM, respectively. To estimate the impact of population ageing on future SAM, a forward projection until 2040 was modelled assuming continuation of smoking trends and constant mortality rates. Results About 126.900 deaths were attributable to smoking in Germany in 2018. Since 1992, total SAM declined only slightly, while stronger decreases were seen in age-adjusted SAM. Differences between crude and age-standardized SAM seem to be particularly striking in men. The forward projection of SAM suggests that recent increases in smoking in the middle aged as well as population ageing dynamics will lead to further steady increases within the next two decades in both sexes to about 138.250. Conclusions Results indicate that past decreases in SAM due to declines in smoking were largely compensated by population ageing. In the next two decades, current smoking trends and population ageing will lead to a steady increase in SAM. Only by taking determined immediate policy action could significant inroads into reducing the smoking-associated disease burden be achieved. Also, given still significant smoking rates in middle and old age, there is tremendous potential to curb the associated public health burden by intensifying cessation programs. Key messages Contrary to common expectations among policymakers, the smoking-attributable public health burden will strongly increase in the next decades in Germany. Determined immediate policy action is required to halt or attenuate these trends.

The impact of smoking on deaths and disease in the face of population ageing: the example of Germany

Abstract Background Despite weak tobacco control, smoking in Germany has steadily declined over the last 25 years. As policymakers expect that this trend will reflect in a declining associated public health burden, I sought to quantify trends in smoking-attributable mortality (SAM) and smoking-attributable cancer incidence (SACI) and to explore the impact of population ageing. Methods Smoking and mortality statistics from 1992 to 2017 were obtained from the German Statistical Office, from which SAM was calculated separately for each cause of death causally associated with smoking. Cancer incidence data from 1999 to 2016 was obtained from the German Cancer Registry, and SACI was calculated separately for each cancer site causally associated with smoking. The impact of population ageing was explored by comparing crude and age-standardized SAM and SACI, respectively. To estimate the impact of population ageing on future SAM and SACI, a forward projection until 2035 was modelled. Results Preliminary results suggest that total SAM and SACI only slightly declined over time, while stronger decreases were seen in age-adjusted SAM and SACI. Differences between crude and age-standardized SAM and SACI seem to be particularly striking in men. The forward projection of SAM and SACI suggests that population ageing will lead to further steady increases within the next two decades in both sexes. Conclusions Results indicate that past decreases in SAM and SACI due to declines in smoking were largely compensated by population ageing. In the next two decades, population ageing will lead to a steady increase in SAM and SACI. Only by taking determined immediate action with a comprehensive set of evidence-based tobacco control polices could significant inroads into reducing the smoking-associated disease burden be achieved. Also, given still significant smoking rates in middle and old age, there is tremendous potential to curb the associated public health burden by intensifying cessation programs. Key messages Contrary to common expectations among policymakers, the smoking-attributable public health burden will strongly increase in the next decades. Determined immediate policy action is required to halt or attenuate these trends.

Polyamine biosynthetic pathways and their relation with the cold tolerance of maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings

ABSTRACT Background The present study was designed to investigate the inhibition role of two polyamine biosynthesis inhibitors, i.e., D-arginine (D-Arg) and DL-α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), in polyamine biosynthesis under chilling stress in different tissues of two maize inbred lines – Huang C (chilling-tolerance) and Mo17 (chilling-sensitive). Results The results showed that exposure to the lower concentration of polyamine biosynthesis inhibitors improved seedlings growth, such as the root length, root and shoot fresh weight, chlorophyll a (chl a). The effectiveness of 10 µM D-Arg treatments was more prominent than those of 10 µM DFMO. However, the higher concentration of inhibitors suppressed seedlings growth, and the exposure to 100 µM DFMO caused stronger decreases in the photosynthetic pigments, such as chlorophyll a (chl a), chlorophyll b (chl b), total chlorophyll and carotenoids, than the other treatments. Meanwhile, the inhibitor treatments caused the lower content of putrescine (Put) in roots, mesocotyls and coleoptiles in both maize inbred lines as compared with untreated plants. However, the lower concentration (10 µM) of polyamine biosynthetic inhibitors improved the Spd content, except 10 µM D-Arg in root of Huang C, and 10 µM DFMO in coleoptiles of both Mo17 and Huang C. The correlation analysis found that Spd was positively significantly correlated with root length and shoot fresh weight of seedling. Conclusion It was showed that the Spd played an important role in seedling growth improvement. At the same concentration of polyamine biosynthetic inhibitors, the Put contents in different tissues of the seedlings treated with DFMO were generally lower than those treated with D-Arg, except for Put contents in root of Mo17 with 10 µM treatment. Moreover, the treatments of 100 µM were more prominent than those of 10 µM treatments. Exposure to 100 µM D-Arg and 100 µM DFMO could each decrease the activities of Arginine decarboxylase (ADC), Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC) in all maize tissues. However, the decrease of the ADC activity was more prominent in 100 µM D-Arg-treated seedlings, while the decrease of SAMDC and ODC activities was prominent in 100 µM DFMO-treated seedlings. Genes involved in polyamine biosynthesis, such as ADC, ODC, SAMDC, and PAO, showed different expression patterns in response to chilling stress and polyamine biosynthesis inhibitors. This study suggested that Put was synthesized via both the ADC and ODC pathways after chilling stress, with the ODC pathway being the major one.

The impact of STI test results and face-to-face consultations on subsequent behavior and psychological characteristics

Sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing without face-to-face counselling is increasingly offered at sexual health centers (SHC), and ordering self-sampling tests online is becoming more popular. However, the impact of testing without counselling on behavior is unknown. We examine the impact of STI testing with and without consultation and the combined effect of a positive test result and treatment consultation, on behavioral and psychological characteristics over time. Data from a longitudinal study among heterosexual SHC visitors aged 18–24 years was used. The impact of a test consultation (participants who tested chlamydia negative with vs. without consultation) and treatment consultation/positive test result (participants who tested chlamydia positive vs. negative), was assessed by comparing behavioral and psychological characteristics before testing (baseline), and at three-week and six-month follow-up, using generalized estimating equation models. Changes after testing were similar between participants who tested chlamydia negative with and without test consultation, namely decreased risk perception, shame, number of partners, and increased knowledge. However, participants who tested chlamydia positive reported stronger increases in health goals and intentions towards condom use, and stronger decreases in the number of partners and stigma, compared to participants who tested negative. Furthermore, condom use increased in chlamydia positive, and decreased in chlamydia negative participants. A treatment consultation/positive test result had a risk-reducing impact on behavioral and psychological characteristics, whereas the impact of a test consultation was limited. Since the majority of young heterosexuals test chlamydia negative, alternative interventions (e.g., online) achieving risk-reducing behavior change targeted to individuals who tested negative are needed.

The strength of alpha and gamma oscillations predicts behavioral switch costs

Cognitive flexibility is often examined using task-switch paradigms, whereby individuals either switch between tasks or repeat the same task on successive trials. The behavioral costs of switching in terms of accuracy and reaction time are well-known, but the oscillatory dynamics underlying such costs are poorly understood. Herein, we examined 25 healthy adults who performed a task-switching paradigm during magnetoencephalography (MEG). All MEG data were transformed into the time-frequency domain and significant oscillatory responses were imaged separately per condition (i.e., switch, repeat) using a beamformer. To determine the impact of task-switching on the neural dynamics, the resulting images were examined using paired-samples t-tests. Whole-brain correlations were also computed using the switch-related difference images (switch – repeat) and the switch-related behavioral data (i.e., switch costs). Our key results indicated stronger decreases in alpha and beta activity, and greater increases in gamma activity in nodes of the cingulo-opercular and fronto-parietal networks during switch relative to repeat trials. In addition, behavioral switch costs were positively correlated with switch-related differences in right frontal and inferior parietal alpha activity, and negatively correlated with switch effects in anterior cingulate and right temporoparietal gamma activity. In other words, participants who had a greater decrease in alpha or increase in gamma in these respective regions had smaller behavioral switch costs, which suggests that these oscillations are critical to supporting cognitive flexibility. In sum, we provide novel data linking switch effects and gamma oscillations, and employed a whole-brain approach to directly link switch-related oscillatory differences with switch-related performance differences.

Temporal dynamics of couples’ communication behaviors in conflict discussions: A longitudinal analysis

Negative and positive conflict communication predicts long-term relationship satisfaction. However, some studies show harmful effects and others show beneficial effects of negative conflict communication on long-term relationship satisfaction. One reason for the heterogeneous results might be that most studies focused on aggregated behaviors across a conflict interaction but neglected the temporal dynamics within such an interaction. This study examined whether individual initial levels and temporal trajectories of negative and positive communications predict long-term relationship satisfaction, and whether self-efficacy beliefs about clarity of other’s feelings (CoF) alter initial levels and temporal trajectories of negative and positive communications. Negative and positive communications were measured based on sequentially coded conflict discussions of 365 couples; self-efficacy beliefs about CoF and relationship satisfaction were measured by self-report questionnaires at baseline and at four annual follow-up assessments. Results revealed that women’s initial positive communication predicted higher intercepts of both partners’ relationship satisfaction, and stronger decreases in women’s negative communication predicted a higher intercept of relationship satisfaction in women. Additionally, less steep decreases in women’s trajectories of negative communication predicted greater maintenance in women’s relationship satisfaction over time. Additionally, men’s self-efficacy beliefs about CoF predicted decreases in men’s negative communication, increases in women’s negative communication, and higher initial levels of women’s positive communication. The current study highlights the relevance of dynamic aspects of partners’ communication behaviors.

Load modulates the alpha and beta oscillatory dynamics serving verbal working memory

A network of predominantly left-lateralized brain regions has been linked to verbal working memory (VWM) performance. However, the impact of memory load on the oscillatory dynamics serving VWM is far less understood. To further investigate this, we had 26 healthy adults perform a high-load (6 letter) and low-load (4 letter) variant of a VWM task while undergoing magnetoencephalography (MEG). MEG data were evaluated in the time-frequency domain and significant oscillatory responses spanning the encoding and maintenance phases were reconstructed using a beamformer. To determine the impact of load on the neural dynamics, the resulting images were examined using paired-samples t-tests and virtual sensor analyses. Our results indicated stronger increases in frontal theta activity in the high- relative to low-load condition during early encoding. Stronger decreases in alpha/beta activity were also observed during encoding in bilateral posterior cortices during the high-load condition, and the strength of these load effects increased as encoding progressed. During maintenance, stronger decreases in alpha activity in the left inferior frontal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, supramarginal gyrus, and inferior parietal cortices were detected during high- relative to low-load performance, with the strength of these load effects remaining largely static throughout maintenance. Finally, stronger increases in occipital alpha activity were observed during maintenance in the high-load condition, and the strength of these effects grew stronger with time during the first half of maintenance, before dissipating during the latter half of maintenance. Notably, this was the first study to utilize a whole-brain approach to statistically evaluate the temporal dynamics of load-related oscillatory differences during encoding and maintenance processes, and our results highlight the importance of spatial, temporal, and spectral specificity in this regard.

The Impact of Loneliness on Outcomes of Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients with COPD

Psychological factors such as negative affect have been demonstrated to impact course and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, little is known about the respective impact of social factors. In several other chronic diseases, loneliness has been shown to predict morbidity, but little is known about its impact on COPD. Therefore, this study examined the associations between loneliness and outcome measures of a pulmonary rehabilitation program (PR). Before and after a 3-week inpatient PR program, patients with COPD (N = 104) underwent a 6-min walking test to measure functional exercise capacity. Loneliness was assessed with the Loneliness Scale. The Medical Outcomes Study 36-item short form, 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire, and 7-item General Anxiety Disorder questionnaire were administered as measures of health-related quality of life (HQoL), depression, and anxiety, respectively. Multiple regression analyses showed that at the start of PR, more loneliness was associated with worse levels of functional exercise capacity, HQoL, depression, and anxiety, but with greater improvements in functional exercise capacity and HQoL over the course of PR, even after controlling for age, sex, lung function, and smoking status. Patients with stronger decreases in loneliness from start to end of PR showed stronger improvements in functional exercise capacity and HQoL over the course of PR. The present study shows that subjective loneliness is associated with relevant treatment outcomes in patients with COPD undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation. Therefore, loneliness should be addressed in patients with COPD as it could play a significant role in their disease progression.

Climate change impact on West African rivers under an ensemble of CORDEX climate projections

In the context of a region-wide hydropower potential study, the impact of climate change on the hydrology of West Africa was assessed. Climate data of 30 Regional Climate Model simulations of the CORDEX initiative based on two emission scenarios (Representative Concentration Pathways RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) were applied in a water balance model. Future changes in the water balance for an area of 3.7 million km2 and resulting changes in river discharge in 500,000 river reaches were investigated for two future periods, 2026–2045 and 2046–2065. This article focuses on 12 key locations in the 10 largest river basins, and all results for the entire West Africa region are publicly available via the ECOWAS Observatory for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (www.ecowrex.org/smallhydro).For large parts of the region, projected changes in climate do not lead to substantial reductions in river discharge, with median results of the model ensemble in the range of ±5%. Stronger decreases in discharge are projected for regions in the north and east of West Africa, pronounced increases mainly for the southwest. The application of a large climate model ensemble exhibits the high uncertainty related with these projections, but also shows regions with high agreement between results with different models. The regional climate change impact analysis provides a baseline for climate-informed decision making for hydropower development and other fields of water management and water policy and enables regional focus for initiating further research and developing adaptation pathways.