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137Cs activity concentrations were determined in vegetation from four Irish blanket bog ecosystems during the summer months of1989-1997. The dominant and abundant vegetation species were sampledat each site and the data were used to estimate long-term trends of 137Cs activity concentrations. A general decline in the 137Cs activity concentrations in vegetation was observed from all sites sampled. The fastest and most consistent long-term rates of 137Cs decline were observed in the bryophyte and lichenvegetation group with 137Cs effective half-life (Tef) values of 2.2 to 10.7 y. The ericoid group with the exceptionof one case also showed a significant long-term decline in 137Cs activity concentrations with Tefvalues of 3.5 to 12.4 y as did the rush species Juncus squarrosus (Tef range9.3 to 12.8 y). The sedge and grass groups showed the slowest and the least consistent rates of 137Cs decline, with Tef values of 2.9 to 59.8 y. Preliminary evaluation of 137Cs activity concentrations in sheep from some of the studied sites suggests that the decline found in vegetation is reflected in sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom has introduced binding requirements for the management of radon in the workplace in Member States of the European Union. How does it work in practice? In 2021, the European ALARA Network created a working group on ALARA for Radon at Work with the objective of collecting and sharing experiences from the field. A survey was developed to detail each step of the national regulations for the control of radon and to describe case studies showing implementation. This article presents a qualitative analysis of the answers received from seven countries. There are no two similar national regulations and, at each step, different provisions, protocols, techniques etc are applicable or recommended. This diversity contributes to the richness of the results and can inform about interesting and good practices, where 'good' is defined by what is appropriate in the nationally and locally prevailing circumstances. All national regulations follow a graded approach, which is a key component for the implementation of the optimisation (ALARA) principle, yet several potential weak points that may be challenging to ALARA have been identified and are discussed, namely the radon risk assessment, the focus on numerical values, uncertainties in the measurement, how to obtain economically efficient remediation, and the interface with other regulations. Strengthening collaboration between risk prevention and radiation protection actors could help to provide and build expertise on radon management in the workplace, especially when exposure is managed as a planned exposure situation., (© 2022 Society for Radiological Protection. Published on behalf of SRP by IOP Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: There are commonly long delays between the onset of bipolar disorder (BP), seeking of treatment and acquiring a bipolar disorder diagnosis. Whether a longer duration of undiagnosed bipolar disorder (DUBP) leads to an inferior treatment response is unclear in the literature., Method: We conducted two studies with independent samples of BP patients who had received a first-time diagnosis of BP - first investigating whether DUBP was related to clinical and social outcomes at the time of assessment (n=173) and, second, whether response to mood stabiliser medication was affected by DUBP when assessed three months following assessment and intervention (n=64)., Results: Participants׳ mean DUBP was 18-20 years (from the onset of mood episodes). After controlling for age, a longer DUBP was associated with employment difficulties, whereas a shorter DUBP was associated with a history of engaging in self-harm behaviours, as well as a reduced likelihood of experiencing social costs as consequence of the mood disorder. The majority of study variables were statistically unrelated to DUBP. In a multivariate analysis, age was the only predictor variable to make a significant contribution to the DUBP (33%). Across the 3-month intervention period, participants improved significantly on all but one outcome measure. The participants׳ likelihood to improve, become worse or experience minimal/no change over the study period was not significantly related to the DUBP., Limitations: Self-reporting poses a risk to measurement precision. Being a naturalistic observation, no specific dose of medication was prescribed. The small sample of BP I patients provided insufficient statistical power to undertake meaningful separate analyses of the BP I and BP II participants., Conclusion: Early detection and intervention remains important for helping to reduce morbidity and risks associated with untreated BP. However, the variation in DUBP was mostly a function of age and did not substantially affect clinical status at assessment, or lead to an inferior response to mood stabilising medication., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Gender differences in rates of bipolar disorder have been described, with most studies reporting males as over-represented in those diagnosed with a bipolar I disorder and females over-represented in those diagnosed with a bipolar II disorder. This could reflect true differences in prevalence or measurement error emerging from screening or case-finding measures. We examine the possible contribution of the latter by examining one screening measure-the Mood Swings Questionnaire (MSQ)., Methods: We analyse MSQ data from a large sample of age- and gender-matched bipolar I and bipolar II patients (and their composite group). Gender differences were examined in terms of prevalence and severity of MSQ symptoms, MSQ sub-scales scores and total MSQ scores, employing univariate and differential item functioning (DIF) analyses., Results: Both male and female bipolar I patients reported higher total MSQ and higher mysticism MSQ sub-scale scores than their male and female bipolar II counterparts. There were no gender differences when bipolar I, bipolar II and composite bipolar groups were separately examined on both total and sub-scale MSQ scores, suggesting that gender does not impact on MSQ scoring. When item analyses of bipolar I and II groups were undertaken separately, a number of differences emerged, but as few were consistent across bipolar sub-types such differences could reflect chance and failure to control for multiple comparisons. The over-representation of some items in females and some in males may have contributed to the comparable total and sub-scale scores., Limitations: Large sample size and only one measure (i.e. MSQ) examined., Conclusion: As total and sub-scale MSQ scores were uninfluenced by gender we can conclude that this screening test is not confounded by gender and, if representative of other such screening measures, would indicate that any differential prevalence of the bipolar disorders identified in community studies possibly reflects gender differences in their occurrence rather than artefactual consequences of screening measures having a gender bias., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: DSM-IV and DSM-5 impose a 4 day duration criterion for hypomanic episodes yet several studies have suggested that such an imposition may be invalid. We report a study involving a large sample pursuing the likely salience of the DSM duration criterion., Methods: We analyzed data on hypomanic symptoms provided by two bipolar screening measures - the Mood Disorders Questionnaire (MDQ) and the Mood Swings Questionnaire (MSQ) in a sample of 501 patients meeting DSM and other symptom criteria for a bipolar II disorder (BP II) and contrasted data for 186 meeting the DSM minimum duration of 4 days and 315 experiencing episodes lasting less than 4 days (i.e. 'standard' vs. 'brief' groups)., Results: The brief group reported slightly less severe hypomanic episodes, but the two groups did not differ on a number of illness correlates including age of onset of depressive and of hypomanic episodes, or by rates of depressive and bipolar conditions in first-degree family members., Limitations: The possibility of false positive BP II diagnoses, especially with brief hypomanic episodes, must be conceded while our examination of clinical symptoms was limited to two measures., Conclusions: This study is consistent with previous studies suggesting that the DSM duration of 4 or more days for a diagnosis of a hypomanic episode is unnecessary to the clinical definition of a BP II disorder. Its preservation is likely to exclude a substantive number of those with a true BP II condition., (© 2013 Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: Risk-taking behaviours during hypomanic states are recognised, however the high-risk nature of some behaviours-including the potential for harm to both the individual and others-has not been detailed in the research literature. The current study examines risk-taking behaviours and their consequences (including their potential for impairment) in those with a bipolar II condition., Method: Participants were recruited from the Sydney-based Black Dog Institute Depression Clinic. Diagnostic assignment of bipolar II disorder was based on clinician judgement and formal DSM-IV criteria. Participants completed a series of detailed questions assessing previous risk-taking behaviours during hypomanic states., Results: The sample comprised a total of 93 participants. Risk-taking behaviours during hypomania included spending significant amounts of money, excessive alcohol or drug use, dangerous driving and endangering sexual activities. Key consequences included interpersonal conflict, substantial financial burden and feelings of guilt, shame and remorse. Despite recognition of the risks and consequences associated with hypomanic behaviours, less than one-fifth of participants agreed that hypomania should be treated because of the associated risks., Limitations: Study limitations included a cross-sectional design, reliance on self-report information, lack of controlling for current mood state, and comprised a tertiary referral sample that may be weighted to more severe cases. Findings may therefore not be generalisable and require replication., Conclusions: Risk-taking behaviours during hypomania are common, and often linked with serious consequences. Whilst hypomania is often enjoyed and romanticised by patients-leading to ambivalence around treatment of such states-careful consideration of the impact of risk-taking behaviour is necessary, while the study raises the question as to what is 'impairment' in hypomania. Findings should advance clinical management by identifying those high-risk behaviours that would benefit from pre-emptive weighting in developing individual's wellbeing plans for managing the condition., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Melancholia is positioned as either a more severe expression of clinical depression or as a separate entity. Support for the latter view emerges from differential causal factors and treatment responsiveness but has not been convincingly demonstrated in terms of differential clinical features. We pursue its prototypic clinical pattern to determine if this advances its delineation., Methods: We developed a 24-item measure (now termed the Sydney Melancholia Prototype Index or SMPI) comprising 12 melancholic and 12 non-melancholic prototypic features (both symptoms and illness correlates). In this evaluative study, 278 patients referred for tertiary level assessment at a specialized mood disorders clinic completed the self-report SMPI as well as a depression severity measure and a comprehensive assessment schedule before clinical interview, while assessing clinicians completed a clinician version of the SMPI items following their interview. The independent variable (diagnostic gold standard) was the clinician's judgment of a melancholic versus non-melancholic depressive episode. Discriminative performance was evaluated by Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) analysis of four strategies for operationalising the SMPI self-report and SMPI clinician measures, and with the former strategies compared to ROC analysis of the depression severity measure. The external validity of the optimally discriminating scores on each measure was tested against a range of clinical variables., Result: Comparison of the two self-report measures established that the SMPI provided greater discrimination than the depression severity measure, while comparison of the self-report and clinician-rated SMPI measures established the latter as more discriminating of clinically diagnosed melancholic or non-melancholic depression. ROC analyses favoured self-report SMPI distinction of melancholic from non-melancholic depression being most optimally calculated by a 'difference' score of at least four or more melancholic than non-melancholic items being affirmed (sensitivity of 0.69, specificity of 0.77). For the clinician-rated SMPI measure, ROC analyses confirmed the same optimal difference score of four or more as highly discriminating of melancholic and non-melancholic depression (sensitivity of 0.84, specificity of 0.92). As the difference score had positive predictive values of 0.90 and 0.70 (for the respective clinician-rated and self-report SMPI forms) and respective negative predictive values of 0.88 and 0.70, we conclude that the clinician-rated version had superior discrimination than the self-report version. External validating data quantified the self-rated and clinician-rated Index-assigned non-melancholic patients having a higher prevalence of anxiety disorders, a higher number of current and lifetime stressors, as well as elevated scores on several personality styles that are viewed as predisposing to and shaping such non-melancholic disorders., Limitations: Assigned melancholic and non-melancholic diagnoses were determined by clinician judgement, risking a circularity bias across diagnostic assignment and clinical weighting of melancholic and non-melancholic features. The robustness of the Index requires testing in primary and secondary levels of care settings., Conclusions: The clinician-rated SMPI differentiated melancholic and non-melancholic depressed subjects at a higher level of confidence than the self-report SMPI, and with a highly acceptable level of discrimination. The measure is recommended for further testing of its intrinsic and applied properties., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: There is limited research examining temperament and personality in bipolar II disorder. We sought to determine any over-represented temperament and personality features in bipolar II disorder compared to other affective groups., Method: Scores on a self-report measure of temperament and personality were examined in a sample of 443 participants diagnosed with unipolar, bipolar I and bipolar II disorder., Results: After controlling for age, gender, age of depression onset and current depression severity, those with bipolar II disorder were characterized by higher irritability, anxious worrying, self-criticism and interpersonal sensitivity scores, and with lower social avoidance scores compared to unipolar participants. No differences were found between bipolar sub-types on any temperament and personality sub-scales. Limitations included the lack of a control group, a relatively small sample of bipolar I participants, and with the cross-sectional design disallowing conclusions regarding premorbid personality traits as opposed to illness 'scarring' effects., Conclusions: Further research should seek to clarify whether certain temperament and personality styles are over-represented in bipolar II disorder. Any over-represented characteristics may assist with diagnostic differentiation from phenomenologically similar conditions and lead to more appropriate clinical management., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: As melancholia has resisted symptom-based definition, this report considers possible explanations and options for moving forward. Clinician-assigned melancholic and non-melancholic groups were initially compared to refine a candidate set of differentiating symptoms alone for examination against a set of non-clinical validators. Analyses then examined the capacity of both the refined symptom and validator sets to discriminate the assigned melancholic and non-melancholic subjects., Methods: Subjects completed measures assessing symptoms and correlates (putative validators) of diagnostic sub-type, and were assessed independently by two psychiatrists., Results: Analyses identified 14 severity-based symptoms as discriminating clinically-diagnosed groups - with melancholic subjects differing significantly from non-melancholic subjects across a number of validators. Such symptom-based discrimination was superior to DSM-IV and Newcastle Index assignment in a study sub-set. While the refined symptom set had an overall accurate classificatory rate of 68%, use of the combined sets of refined symptoms and validators improved classification to 80%., Conclusions: Melancholia definition is improved by the use of correlates in addition to depressive symptoms, suggesting that melancholia may be mapped more precisely by use of multiple co-ordinates or data sources., (Copyright 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Our objective was to further determine the diagnostic utility of the Mood Swings Survey (MSS) in distinguishing bipolar and unipolar disorders, and draw comparisons between this measure and the widely-used Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ)., Methods: A total of 247 consecutively recruited patients attending the Black Dog Institute Depression Clinic were administered the Mood Swings Survey (MSS) as part of a computerized Mood Assessment Program (MAP), in addition to undergoing clinical assessment by two independent psychiatrists. The MDQ, along with a structured interview assessing DSM-IV criteria for bipolar disorder, was administered to a sub-sample of patients., Results: The MSS-46 demonstrates comparable sensitivity and specificity to the MDQ (86.5% and 60.0% vs. 78.8% and 71.4%) when using pre-established cut-off scores. MSS diagnoses embedded within the computerized program correctly classified 82.2% of cases when compared to clinician diagnosis. Optimal cut-off scores derived in the current sample were > or = 35 (Se=88.5%, Sp=60.0%) for the MSS-46, and > or = 7 (Se=78.8%, Sp=71.4%) for the MDQ, indicating acceptable stability of cut-off scores in differing samples for both measures., Limitations: ROC analyses compromised 'true' estimates of MSS sensitivity and specificity as a number of patients who did not affirm the initial screener question were excluded from these analyses., Conclusions: Further work is required to evaluate the diagnostic utility of the MSS in differing clinical and community samples to determine the stability of its cut-off score and to refine the item set.

An advisory reference level of 200 Bq m(-3) and a statutory reference level of 400 Bq m(-3) apply to radon exposure in Irish schools. Following the results of a national survey of radon in Irish schools, several hundred classrooms were identified in which the reference levels were exceeded and a remediation program was put in place. This paper provides an initial analysis of the effectiveness of that remediation program. All remediation techniques proved successful in reducing radon concentrations. Active systems such as radon sumps and fan assisted under-floor ventilation were generally applied in rooms with radon concentrations above 400 Bq m(-3). These proved most effective with average radon reduction factors of 9 to 34 being achieved for radon sumps and 13 to 57 for fan assisted under-floor ventilation. Both of these techniques achieved maximum radon reduction factors in excess of 100. The highest average reduction factors were associated with the highest initial radon concentrations. Passive remediation systems such as wall and window vents were used to increase background ventilation in rooms with radon concentrations below 400 Bq m(-3) and achieved average radon reductions of approximately 55%. Following the installation of active remediation systems, the radon concentration in adjacent rooms, i.e., rooms in which the radon concentration was already below 200 Bq m(-3) and therefore did not require remediation, was further reduced by an average of 25%. The long-term effectiveness of a number of radon sump systems with at least three years operation showed no evidence of fan failures. This study showed an apparent increase in sump effectiveness with time as indicated by an increase in radon reduction factors during this period.

In July 2003, a passive radon measurement carried out over a 3-month period in a house near Castleisland in County Kerry (South-West of Ireland) identified a seasonally adjusted annual average concentration of approximately 49 000 Bq m(-3). This is the highest radon concentration ever recorded in a house in Ireland. It is almost 250 times higher than the national reference level of 200 Bq m(-3) for homes and it gives rise to an estimated annual radiation dose of approximately 1.2 Sv to the occupants. This paper describes the identification of the 'Castleisland house' and gives information on the local geology, the levels of natural background radiation in the area and the follow-up actions taken to remediate the house as well as the efforts made to heighten awareness in the locality of the hazards from radon.

Forty-two red deer (Cervus elaphus) were shot during the 1992 annual cull in Glenveagh National Park, Ireland. Samples of rumen, kidney and faeces were removed from each animal. Kidney samples were used to estimate flesh radiocaesium (137Cs) concentrations and the 95% confidence interval for the mean was 203 +/- 12 Bq kg-1. The maximum recorded 137Cs concentration in kidney was 367 Bq kg-1 (fresh weight). The altitude of the cull, the age and sex of each animal were recorded. Neither age nor sex correlated with concentrations of 137Cs in rumen, kidneys or faeces. Despite the limited altitudinal range of the study and the free ranging behaviour of deer, there was a highly significant positive correlation between rumen, kidney and faecal 137Cs concentrations and the altitude of the cull. 40K concentrations in rumen, kidney and faeces did not correlate with the altitude of cull, age or sex of slaughtered animals. Significant 137Cs concentration differences were identified in the sequence: rumen < faeces = faeces. 137Cs concentrations in rumen, kidney and faeces for individual animals were all significantly correlated. Statistical testing showed that the concentration sequence for 40K was: rumen < kidney = faeces; a sequence which differs from that of 137Cs. A comparison of ratios test for rumen:faecal ratios demonstrated that significantly more 137Cs was excreted in faeces than was the case for 40K. The concentration of 137Cs excreted in faeces relative to concentrations in forage (rumen), is approximately twice that for 40K. Linear regression of faecal 137Cs concentrations (y) on kidney concentrations (x) was carried out, the regression equation is y = -86.90 + 0.97x. This equation (R2 = 0.73, F1,40 = 107) may be used to predict 137Cs concentrations in flesh by measurement of faecal concentrations. This is a useful preliminary assessment method, particularly with herds of wild animals that prove difficult to capture for in vivo monitoring.