Imbalance between abstract and concrete repetitive thinking modes in schizophrenia.

Objective: Repetitive thoughts can be divided in two modes: abstract/analytic (decontextualized and dysfunctional) and concrete/experiential (problem-focused and adaptive). They constitute a transdiagnostic process involved in many psychopathological states but have received little attention in schizophrenia, as earlier studies only indexed increased ruminations (related to dysfunctional repetitive thoughts) without jointly exploring both modes. This study explored the two repetitive thinking modes, beyond ruminations, to determine their imbalance in schizophrenia.

Facial decoding in schizophrenia is underpinned by basic visual processing impairments.

Schizophrenia is associated with a strong deficit in the decoding of emotional facial expression (EFE). Nevertheless, it is still unclear whether this deficit is specific for emotions or due to a more general impairment for any type of facial processing. This study was designed to clarify this issue.

Ammonia Detection by use of Near-Infrared Diode-Laser-Based Overtone Spectroscopy.

We describe a portable diode-laser-based sensor for NH(3) detection using vibrational overtone absorption spectroscopy at 1.53 mum. Use of fiber-coupled optical elements makes such a trace gas sensor rugged and easy to align.

Ambient formaldehyde detection with a laser spectrometer based on difference-frequency generation in PPLN.

A laser spectrometer based on difference-frequency generation in periodically poled LiNbO3 (PPLN) has been used to quantify atmospheric formaldehyde with a detection limit of 0.32 parts per billion in a given volume (ppbV) using specifically developed data-processing techniques. With state-of-the-art fiber-coupled diode-laser pump sources at 1083 nm and 1561 nm, difference-frequency radiation has been generated in the 3.

Applications of Kalman filtering to real-time trace gas concentration measurements.

A Kalman filtering technique is applied to the simultaneous detection of NH3 and CO2 with a diode-laser-based sensor operating at 1.53 micrometers. This technique is developed for improving the sensitivity and precision of trace gas concentration levels based on direct overtone laser absorption spectroscopy in the presence of various sensor noise sources.