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Cybercriminal markets serve as hubs for offenders and enable the sale of illegal goods and services. Thus far, the primary tactics that have been employed against these sites are arrests of cybercriminals and takedowns of marketplace infrastructure. This research note examines a different genus of disruptive strategy: attacks on user reputation. In this area, there has been some scholarly discussion of slander and Sybil operations as a means of fostering distrust. But carrying out empirical work on the effectiveness of these tactics is challenging. This research note presents a possible method for investigating this topic: social laboratory experiments. It reports on a feasibility pilot study inspired by cybercrime disruption, but which speaks to a broader range of extra-legal markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we explore the determinants of co-membership in organised crime groups in a British police force. We find that co-membership of OCGs is higher among individuals who share the same ethnicity and nationality; who have committed acts of violence; and who perpetrate the vast majority of their crimes in the same area. We also find a homophily tendency in relation to age and gender, and that task specialisation within groups is driven by the type of activity. We interpret some results as conforming to the argument that recruitment from a small area and similar ethnic/national background increases cooperation and reduces the likelihood of opportunistic behaviour in a context of rather effective policing. Our findings do not conform to the suggestive image of OC members as 'urban marauders' and OCGs as large and powerful multinationals. OCGs tend to be small, localised and formed by people with the same background. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People with psychosis often experience difficulties engaging in mental health treatments. This review sought to identify, summarise and critically evaluate studies that investigated associations between adult attachment and relationships with mental health services in the context of psychosis. A search was conducted on the following databases from 1980 to February 2019: Web of Science; PubMed; CINAHL; and PsycINFO. Of the 10,683 articles identified, 11 met inclusion criteria for the review. These articles were then quality appraised using the Effective Public Health Practice Project tool (EPHPP). There was some evidence of associations between insecure attachment (namely avoidant attachment) and therapeutic alliance, and insecure attachment and engagement with services. Secure attachment was also associated with self-reported attachment to services as a whole. There were a number of limitations across the studies; the majority of studies were cross-sectional and it was difficult to make comparisons between studies due to the range of different measures used to assess attachment and alliance. Adult attachment security may be an important factor to consider in determining the way in which service users with psychosis engage with mental health services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Despite the vital role parents play in caring for children with auditory hallucinations, very little research has garnered their experiences, opinions and recommendations for improving service design and delivery. Methods 132 participants (Mage = 39.11; SD = 8.50) from 14 countries completed an online qualitative survey, providing rich reflective narratives about their individual and systemic experiences of caring for a child with auditory hallucinations. Narratives were analyzed through a Foucauldian-informed narrative analysis, which recognized the influence of internalized stigma and societal narratives that surround hallucinations across Western cultures. Results Four emancipatory narratives provide novel insights into the experience of caring for a young voice-hearer. Participants discussed their first thoughts and reactions, which were often influenced by negative societal narratives surrounding voice-hearing and fears for the future, as well as how a lack of tailored systemic support could adversely affect family functioning. Conclusions Parents require greater access to, and inclusion in, intervention pathways within mental health services. Mothers may require additional resource due to a lack of systemic support and risks to their wellbeing as they care for their child. Participants recommend changes for clinical care, including earlier early intervention pathways for young children, easily accessible online information, support groups, and parent training programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theoretical models and qualitative research suggest that dissociation can be functional in some circumstances, despite being a cause of concern for many. This is the first study that evaluates a novel questionnaire on positive appraisals of dissociation (the Positive Beliefs about Dissociation Questionnaire; PBD-Q), and its link with dissociation frequency and related distress. Development of items was based on lived experience expertise within the research team and qualitative findings. Items were refined through cognitive interviewing with people with lived experience of dissociation prior to deployment using an online survey. A sample of 228 participants scoring >10 on the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES-II) completed a battery of measures comprising the PBD-Q and a previously developed measure of negative beliefs of dissociation. Exploratory factor analysis revealed three factors: positive beliefs about emotion management, positive beliefs about self-expression, and positive beliefs about maintaining social image. Within this particular sample the PBD-Q showed excellent internal consistency, face validity, convergent validity, and test–retest reliability. Higher scores on the PBD-Q were significantly related to higher frequencies of dissociative experiences as well as dissociation-related distress. The factor structure remained stable when the analyses were restricted to individuals scoring >30 on the DES-II. In conclusion, our findings indicate that positive beliefs about dissociation can be reliably and validly measured in adults who experience levels of dissociation that are higher than the general population. These beliefs could be involved in the maintenance of dissociation and represent promising targets for future research, clinical assessment, and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tannins are polyphenolic compounds produced by plants and they are used in industrial vegetable tanning of leather. Tannins represent one of the low biodegradability substances in tannery wastewaters with high recalcitrant soluble chemical oxygen demand, furthermore high concentration of tannins can inhibit biological treatment. In the present study, four novel rotating submerged packed bed reactors were inoculated with a selected fungal strain to reach a biological degradation of tannins in non-sterile conditions. The selected fungal strain, Aspergillus tubingensis MUT 990, was immobilised in polyurethane foam cubes carriers and inserted inside a submerged rotating cage reactors. The reactors were feed with a solution composed of four tannins: Quebracho (Schinopsis spp.), Wattle (Mimosa spp.), Chestnut (Castanea spp.) and Tara (Caesalpinia spp.). Four reactors with a volume of 4 L each were used, the co-substrate was pure malt extract, the hydraulic retention time was 24 h and the pH setpoint was 5.5. The reactors configuration was chosen to allow the study of the effect of rotation and the co-substrate addition on tannins removal. The experiment lasted two months and it was achieved 80% of chemical oxygen demand and up to 90% dissolved organic carbon removal, furthermore it was detected an important tannase activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mental health services aim to provide holistic care, but the intimacy needs of clients are neglected. Currently there is limited understanding of the challenges mental health professionals (MHPs) face when considering supporting the relationship needs of people with psychosis. Aim: This study investigated the views of community-based MHPs from a range of disciplines regarding the barriers and facilitators to supporting clients with their romantic relationship needs. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 professionals and analysed from a realist perspective using thematic analysis. Results: Barriers identified were: (1) "They will never be able to form close attachments." (2) "Modern social care teaches us reduce risk, reduce risk, reduce risk." (3) "You're only relying on what you've picked up over the years". Facilitators were: (1) "If they could find a partner they would progress a lot more". (2) "It's all to do with the relationship you've got between you and your client". (3) "It's having the resources". Conclusions: Results highlight areas for service improvement and will help inform the development of future interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the potential role of metaphor as a signal and determinant of distress in first-person accounts of voice-hearing by people with schizophrenia diagnoses. The degree of distress experienced by voice-hearers depends, amongst other factors, on voice-hearers' perceptions of the "power" of the voices, and on the extent to which the voices can control or be controlled by the person. Metaphors are well known to both reflect and reinforce particular ways of making sense of subjective and sensitive experiences, including in terms of attributions of agency, power and control. Metaphors were systematically identified and analysed in semi-structured interviews with 10 voice-hearers with diagnoses of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. Divergent uses of metaphors framed the experience of voice-hearing in distinctive ways and were found to have different implications for perceptions of mutual power and control between voice-hearer and voices. Participants who used metaphors in which they are in disempowered positions tended to report higher level of distress, while participants who used metaphors in ways that constructed them as empowered tended to report lower levels of distress. It is argued that metaphor analysis can be usefully added to well-established approaches to both understanding and addressing distress in voice-hearers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pesticides can help reduce yield losses caused by pests, pathogens, and weeds, but their overuse causes serious environmental pollution. They are persistent in the environment and are biomagnified through the food chain, becoming a serious health hazard for humankind. Bioremediation, where microbes are used to degrade pesticides in situ, is a useful technology. This review summarizes data on the fungi involved in the biodegradation of chemical pesticides and their application in soil and water bioremediation. Indications for future studies in this field are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction:Auditory hallucinations are associated with signal detection biases. We examine the extent to which suggestions influence performance on a signal detection task (SDT) in highly hallucination-prone and low hallucination-prone students. We also explore the relationship between trait suggestibility, dissociation and hallucination proneness. Method:In two experiments, students completed on-line measures of hallucination proneness (the revised Launay–Slade Hallucination Scale; LSHS-R), trait suggestibility (Inventory of Suggestibility) and dissociation (Dissociative Experiences Scale-II). Students in the upper and lower tertiles of the LSHS-R performed an auditory SDT. Prior to the task, suggestions were made pertaining to the number of expected targets (Experiment 1,N = 60: high vs. low suggestions; Experiment 2,N = 62, no suggestion vs. high suggestion vs. no voice suggestion). Results:Correlational and regression analyses indicated that trait suggestibility and dissociation predicted hallucination proneness. Highly hallucination-prone students showed a higher SDT bias in both studies. In Experiment 1, both bias scores were significantly affected by suggestions to the same degree. In Experiment 2, highly hallucination-prone students were more reactive to the high suggestion condition than the controls. Conclusion:Suggestions may affect source-monitoring judgments, and this effect may be greater in those who have a predisposition towards hallucinatory experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The production of laccases from Trametes pubescens was investigated along with the role of nutrients and elicitors. Copper proved to be a fundamental inducer, although productivity yields were consistently enhanced only in the presence of additional compounds (textile dyes). Using a central composite design, the optimal culture condition was examined, by taking into consideration the three distinct variables and their combinatorial effect. The 290 U ml−1 of laccases were produced after setting nitrogen, copper, and reactive blue 19 concentration; in a bioreactor, activity recovery was lower (90 U ml−1) and pellet morphology was different. The activity of the laccase crude extract was maximal at 60°C and stable for 14 h at 50°C and for 2 months at pH 6 and room temperature. The biotechnological potential was assessed, confirming the capacity to decolorize single or mixed solutions of textile dyes and to enhance the whitening yield of raw cotton fibers, working in synergism with the conventional H2O2-based method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The content of voices is often self-referent, and related to concerns or salient aspects of voice-hearers’ lives. Based on a cybernetic theory of cognition and behaviour known as Perceptual Control Theory (PCT), this study examined whether the content of voices is thematically linked to the more fundamental construct of goals, i.e. internal representations of desired and undesired states. Twenty-two clinical and 18 non-clinical voice-hearers completed self-report measures of personal goals and clinical interviews to gather qualitative descriptions of voice content. Participants’ interview transcripts were systematically contrasted with their reported goals to code instances of thematic correspondence between voice content and personal goals. The analysis revealed that 33 of the 40 participants (82.5%) reported voices that thematically matched at least one of their reported goals. This study provides preliminary evidence that the content of voices is frequently associated with voice-hearers’ goals. It is proposed that personal goals receive further attention as a possible factor to understand the meaning of voices in both research and clinical contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Most of the energy input of low-order lotic food webs derives from non-living sources of terrestrial organic matter. For this reason, many studies have examined patterns of leaf breakdown; most recently, interest has focused on the importance of water quality or the nature (native versus exotic) of plant material. In this study, we combined both aspects by analyzing the breakdown process and macroinvertebrate colonization of leaf bags containing leaves of different plant types in two nearby sites with different levels of water quality. We exposed a total of 600 leaf bags made of five leaf types (three native:Alnus incana,Populus albaandQuercus robur; and two exotic:Reynoutria japonicaandRobinia pseudoacacia) at two sites of the Pellice River (northwestern Italy). Leaf bags were retrieved after 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 days, leaf mass loss determined and the associated macroinvertebrates quantified. Significant differences were found in the mass loss and in the colonization of leaf bags between sites but not between native and exotic species. Dry mass loss was different among species but without any evident relation with exotic or native origin of plants. In our study sites, geographical origin of plant detritus is not per se central in shaping macroinvertebrate colonization and mass loss because the impact of wastewater treatment plant effluent seems to be much more important than plant origin in the breakdown process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Experience sampling (ES) involves participants rating ambulant phenomena at unpredictable intervals. Despite its perceived benefits, there is little published research evaluating the limitations of this method.Method: Predictors of compliance were investigated across three studies using ES in psychotic populations.Results: Regression analyses indicated that none of the demographic or clinical variables significantly (p.05) predicted the number of valid reports or compliance as defined by traditionally used cut-off points (33%).Conclusions: We conclude that it is difficult to predict compliance in ES research, which is likely to be an accessible methodology, even for people experiencing distressing symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In Italy, Corynephorus communities are distributed along the medium course of the Ticino river and Sesia river and the internal sand dunes of Lomellina (through the Vercelli, Novara and Pavia provinces); these stations represent the southern limit of European distribution of this habitat. A phytosociological study was carried out to gain better knowledge of their composition; of their affinity or diversity against the central European communities; of their distribution and of the main threats to their conservation. Original and literature relevés (114) were elaborated producing a cluster analysis; correspondence analysis (CA), principal component analysis and Kruskal–Wallis test were carried on to characterize the clusters of relevés taking into consideration biological forms, chorological groups, Ellenberg indicator values and floristic groups. Italian Corynephorus communities can be attributed to the following syntaxa: Spergulo vernalis-Corynephoretum canescentis, Spergulo vernalis-Corynephoretum canescentis cladonietosum, Spergulo vernalis-Corynephoretum canescentis silenetosum nutantis and Spergulo vernalis-Corynephoretum canescentis artemisietosum campestris. Italian Corynephorus communities are included in the Habitat 2330 of the EU Habitat Directive. They are threatened by different factors (such as restricted areas of occurrence, alien plant invasion and natural dynamics) and they need to be managed if we want to conserve them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungi play irreplaceable roles for ecosystem functioning. They may adopt different lifestyles, for example saprotrophs, symbionts or parasites: some species are cosmopolitan with a wide distribution and others, thanks to their ecological plasticity, may adapt to harsh environments precluded to most of life forms. In stressing conditions, their role is even more crucial for the recycling of organic matter or favoring nutrients uptake. When the conditions become really extreme and competition is low, fungi focus on extremotolerance and evolve peculiar competences to exploit natural or xenobiotic resources in the particular constrains imposed by the environment. This paper focuses on three different cases of fungal life in the extremes: hydrocarbon-polluted sites, extremely acidic substrates, and littoral dunes, aiming to give few but significant examples of the role of these fascinating organisms in peculiar habitats and the valuable biotechnological potentialities of the abilities they have evolved in response to such constrains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In light of critiques of the first meta-analysis of studies examining the relationship of childhood adversities to psychosis, two of the authors of the meta-analysis ask whether the same criteria are used to evaluate bio-genetic and psycho-social research into the causes of psychosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The kingdom Fungi comprises one of the most diverse groups of living organisms. They are numerous, ubiquitous and undertake many roles both independently and in association with other organisms. Fungi display a wide diversity of forms also mirrored by functional diversity and play such a dominant role in human society that they are arguably biotechnologically the most important group of organisms. Ex situ conservation of fungi, not only guarantees correct management and conservation of biodiversity, but also its exploitation in different fields. This article describes the major biological resource centres dealing with fungi in Italy and gives several examples of fungal exploitation in different fields of applications. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The fungal biodiversity in its overall is mostly still unknown and the ecological role of these organisms, particularly in some border ecosystems, is often underestimated. This study aims to give both an overview of the state of the art and to present new data on the mycodiversity in some peculiar environments as rocks, beach sand, and water in Italy. Particularly, rock fungi are here reported from high mountain peaks, sea cliffs, and monuments; sand associated fungi from beach ecosystems in Puglia and Ligurian coasts; marine fungi associated with the endemic seagrass of the Mediterranean Posidonia oceanica L.; aquatic hyphomycetes (Ingoldian fungi) from both streams in the Ticino Natural Park and lentic water in Lago Maggiore; fungi from the water distribution system in Turin. Ecological and evolutive considerations are put forward. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In the last 30 years, the spread of emerging and invasive fungal pathogens has had a profound impact on plants, animals and humans, causing crop losses and damaging their health with economic and social impact. Awareness of the biodiversity of these pathogens is essential for their detection, identification and control. In this article, their diversity in Italy is reviewed taking into consideration the international context. Fungal endophytes, important ecological agents whose lifestyle can be switched by stochastic events from beneficial/neutral to pathogenic, are included in this review. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article starts by offering comments on the framework proposed by Carlo Morselli, Mathilde Turcotte and Valentina Tenti for understanding the factors underlying the mobility of organised crime groups. It then presents a modified framework, consisting of three elements: 'supply', 'local conditions' and 'demand for mafia protection'. The article continues by applying the new framework to several cases and concludes with recommendation for future research and for policy makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Recent studies have linked hallucination-proneness to dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs, dissociation, and disrupted capacity to discriminate between internal and external cognitive events (reality discrimination). This study addressed a number of methodological limitations of previous research by investigating the relationship between hallucination-proneness and the aforementioned variables while controlling for comorbid symptoms. Method. A large sample of nonclinical participants was screened on measures of hallucination-proneness, cognitive intrusions, paranoid ideation, metacognitive beliefs, and dispositional mindfulness (including measures of dissociation-like experiences). In addition, a signal detection task was used to investigate reality discrimination in four subgroups of participants selected on the basis of their scores on hallucination-proneness and intrusions. Results. Regression analyses for the self-report data were conducted to investigate the predictors of hallucination-proneness and paranoia when controlling for comorbid symptoms. Also, between-group differences on the behavioural data were tested to determine whether perturbed reality discrimination is specifically associated with hallucination-proneness rather than cognitive intrusions. Results revealed that metacognitive beliefs are more strongly associated with intrusions and paranoia than hallucination-proneness, whereas hallucination-proneness is related to perturbed reality discrimination and dissociation. Conclusions. These results clarify previous research on metacognitive dysfunction in hallucination-proneness, and highlight the importance of controlling for the covariation among symptoms when investigating the cognitive processes underlying psychotic experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary objectives: It has been proposed that dissociation plays a role in the aetiology of hallucinatory experiences. The present study examined the relationship between reports of auditory hallucinations and dissociative experiences in the daily lives of patients with psychosis. The influence of everyday stressors on dissociation and on the hypothesised relationship between dissociation and hallucinatory experiences was also investigated. Finally, this study examined the association between hallucinations and other non-dissociative dysfunctional strategies used to suppress unpleasant mental events (i.e. experiential avoidance). Method: Forty-two patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorder and 23 healthy controls were studied for six days using the Experience Sampling Method (ESM), a structured self-assessment diary technique. Results: Patients who hallucinated during the assessment period (n = 21) reported elevated levels of dissociation compared to non-hallucinating patients and healthy controls. Within the hallucinating patient group, auditory hallucinations were significantly predicted by both dissociation and experiential avoidance, although only the effect of dissociation remained significant after controlling for comorbid paranoia. Dissociation predicted the occurrence of auditory hallucinations especially under high stress. Hallucinating patients also reported a greater increase in dissociation in response to minor daily life stress compared to clinical and non-clinical controls. Conclusions: These results further support the link between auditory hallucinations and experiences of dissociative detachment, and might inform future investigations into the mechanisms underlying this association. Interventions designed to reduce dissociation should be studied as potential treatments for auditory hallucinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During pregnancy, drug addiction represents one of the most dangerous situations. Each drug can badly affect the fetal development and, when the pregnancy is over, the negative influence continues in the newborn which is exposed to many risks, in particular the withdrawal syndrome. Since it is difficult to predict the newborn's outcome only on the basis of the kind of drug assumed by the mother during pregnancy, we propose the idea of a score based on the placenta's state of health. The aim of the study is to correlate the placental score to the withdrawal symptoms graveness. Our retrospective study includes 35 newborns exposed in uterus to illegal and legal drugs. We used the Finnegan's scoring system to quantify withdrawal symptoms and the placental score, based on the anatomopathological analysis, to assess the placenta's health. The newborns included in our study have been divided into two groups depending on the result of the placental score (≤2 or ≥3). We found a significant statistical difference between the newborns whose placental score was low (≤2) and those whose score was high (≥3): the second group showed severe withdrawal symptoms for a longer time during the hospital stay ( p = 0.014). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction to the book is presented in which the author discusses collective disaster, social crimes, and social aspect of wedding.

The degree of decolorization of Poly R-478, a highly recalcitrant anthraquinone dye, by three basidiomycetes belonging to Polyporales isolated from compost was investigated together with the enzymes involved, Decolorization tests in two liquid cultures, one with a simple mycelium inoculum, the other with an inoculum of mycelium grown on straw, resulted in 70% and 87% decolorization respectively in 7 days. However, the efficiency did not increase significantly in the presence of the lignocellulose substrate. The three strains produced laccase and/or manganese peroxidase activity during the decolorization, whereas lignin peroxidase activity was not observed. Previous growth on straw enhanced the synthesis of ligninolytic enzymes, though there was no correlation between enzyme activity and decolorization. The three fungi can be proposed as promising candidates for the treatment of colored industrial effluents and probably for soils contaminated by complex polymers, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the book "Gomorra: Viaggio nell'impero economico e nel sogno di dominio della camorra," by Roberto Saviano and Vincenzo Marra's documentary film "L'udienza è aperta." Saviano's book focuses on the operation of Naples, Italy's notorious secret society comorra. While Marra's documentary offers an insight on the law enforcement operation in the city to address the crime problems.

This article explores the interplay among economic imperatives within the entertainment business, the mafia's role in the creation of its own media image, and the production of gangster films. Taking Japan as a case study, the paper shows that, when given the chance to influence the content of gangster movies, crime bosses have portrayed themselves as benevolent patriarchs and a positive force in society, rather the anti-heroes of classic American gangster movies. In Japan, such a choice had, however, the unintended consequence of a decline in audience interest and eventually led to the demise of studio yakuza movies. Ultimately, the paper shows that the mafia control over art can lead to the death of art—something that is bad for the mafia as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research illustrates the qualitative and quantitative composition of the mycoflora of both a green compost (thermophilically produced from plant debris) and a vermicompost (mesophilically produced by the action of earthworms on plant and animal wastes after thermophilic preconditioning). Fungi were isolated using three media (PDA, CMC, PDA plus cycloheximide), incubated at three temperatures (24, 37 and 45 C). Substantial quail-quantitative differences in the species composition of the two composts were observed. The total fungal load was up to 8.2 x 105 CFU/g dwt in compost and 4.0 x 105 CFU/g dwt in vermicompost. A total of 194 entities were isolated: 118 from green compost, 142 from vermicompost; 66 were common to both. Structural characterization of this kind is necessary to determine the most appropriate application of a compost and its hygienic quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of fungi to break down complex carbon sources makes them of vital importance in both the generation and application of compost. This paper illustrates the diversity and functions of the mycoflora of both a green compost (made solely thermophilically from plant debris) and a vermicompost (made mesophilicalIy by the action of earthworms on plant and animal wastes). The soil dilution plate technique was applied on 3 media (PDA, CMC, PDA plus cycloheximide) and at 3 incubation temperatures (24°C, 37°C and 45°C) to isolate and identify fungal entities. Enzymatic activities (amylase, cellulase, chitinase, esterase, ligninase, pectinase, phosphatase, plastic degradation and xylanase) of most species from both composts were evaluated with a semiquantitative method on 15 substrates. There were substantial quali-quantitative differences in the species composition of the two composts. A total of 193 entities were isolated: 54 from green compost only, 77 from vermicompost only, 62 from both. This taxonomic diversity was reflected in the metabolic potential. Amilase, cellulase, protease and esterase activities were significantly higher in the green compost. Lignin and plastic polymer degradation were significantly higher in the vermicompost. Structural and functional characterization of this kind is of assistance in determining both the most appropriate application of composts and their hygienic quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on a study that investigated the effects on mycoflora of Norway spruce stumps of biological and chemical treatments in the fight against Heterobasidion annosum coll. Life cycle of Heterobasidion annosum; Materials and methods used; Results and discussion.

BackgroundMethodsResultsDiscussionHearing Voices Groups (HVGs) have proliferated internationally. They are premised on the notion that connections between peers facilitate personal recovery. Little systematic research exists into if, and how, HVGs may be effective, especially when convened online. This paper aims to harmonise standardised research methodology with the liberatory, survivor-led ethos of many HVGs to outline a protocol for the first longitudinal, nonrandomised trial of an online HVG to take place within UK mental health services.Six to ten adults who hear voices will be recruited from both community and UK National Health Service (NHS) settings to participate in a six-month peer-support group that is delivered via videoconference. Participants will complete questionnaires assessing social support, voice-hearing and feelings of personal recovery and qualitative interviews at baseline and at the end of the group. Participants will also complete measures of group cohesion at weeks 4 and 12.Data will be analysed for feasibility, acceptability and safety.This is the first longitudinal study evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of an online HVG held within the NHS. The findings may provide insights into the impact of such interventions and inform the design of a future, definitive study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the authors' comments on an article on the role of social factors in the aetiology of psychosis, by R. Murray and colleagues, published in the periodical "Psychosis." They talk about evaluating logical and psychosocial theories against similar benchmarks, and the role of childhood abuse and trauma in psychosis. They talk about using biological models of psychosis. They discuss genetic research into psychosis, and correlations between symptoms and certain DNA sequences.

The article discusses various reports published within the issue, including one by Carlo Morselli and Katia Petit on the discussion of the structure and evolution of a drug importation network operated from Montreal, Canada and another by Sony Pellissery on the assessment of relationships among local public officials.

An introduction to the book is presented in which the author discusses social crimes, hate crimes, and social conditions.

A correction to the article "Investigating the Russian mafia: an introduction for students, law enforcement and international business," by Joseph D. Serio in the November 2008 issue is presented.