Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for individuals whose lives have been affected by cancer: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: This study evaluated the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for individuals with a diagnosis of cancer. Method: Participants (N = 115) diagnosed with cancer, across site and stage, were randomly allocated to either the treatment or the wait-list condition. Treatment was conducted at 1 site, by a single therapist, and involved participation in 8 weekly 2-hr sessions that focused on mindfulness. Participants meditated for up to 1 hr daily and attended an additional full-day session during the course. Participants were assessed before treatment and 10 weeks later; this second assessment occurred immediately after completion of the program for the treatment condition. The treatment condition was also assessed at 3 months postintervention. All postinitial assessments were completed by assessors who were blind to treatment allocation. Results: There were large and significant improvements in mindfulness (effect size [ES] = 0.55), depression (ES = 0.83), anxiety (ES = 0.59), and distress (ES = 0.53) as well as a trend for quality of life (ES = 0.30) for MBCT participants compared to those who had not received the training. The wait-list group was assessed before and after receiving the intervention and demonstrated similar change. Conclusions: These improvements represent clinically meaningful change and provide evidence for the provision of MBCT within oncology settings. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Lithium chloride and avoidance of novel places.

In Exp I, 40 male hooded rats were exposed to a distinctive chamber (Chamber A, part of a 2-chamber apparatus) that was novel for half of the Ss but familiar for the other half. Each S was subsequently injected with lithium chloride or saline. In a test trial conducted 24 hrs later, all Ss were given a choice between Chamber A and Chamber B, which was novel for all Ss. The group made familiar with Chamber A and then given lithium showed a significant preference for that side or an avoidance of the novel side, a "spatial neophobia." Exp II, with 40 Ss, confirmed the spatial neophobia effect and demonstrated that it did not depend on the particular conditioning procedure used in the 1st experiment. The spatial neophobia effect was related to similar effects in the taste aversion literature and to the results of research on lithium-induced decreases in exploratory behavior. (30 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Canadian prime ministers: Complexity in political crises.

Examined the reactions of 3 Canadian prime ministers to major domestic crises. Previous laboratory research has shown that environmental stress leads to decreases in integrative complexity among decision makers. Studies of documents related to historical events have focused on the behavior of leadership in international crises. The current data support the hypothesis of a stress-related decrease in a different context. The integrative complexity of speeches given by Sir John A. Macdonald, W. L. Mackenzie King, and Pierre Trudeau decreased as the climax of 3 critical events approached. (French abstract) (8 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Comparison of psychoanalytic and a client-centered group treatment model on measures of anxiety and self-actualization.

30 volunteer graduate counseling students were randomly assigned by sex to 1 of 4 treatment groups involved in either a psychoanalytic or a client-centered group treatment model. One male and 1 female group leader led 1 group in each model. All groups met for 2 4.5-hr sessions on consecutive Saturdays or Sundays. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was administered toward the end of the 1st day. The Personal Orientation Inventory (POI) was used to measure self-actualization before, immediately after, and 1 mo following treatment. Data were analyzed on 19 Ss who completed both days of treatment. Significant differences were found between treatment models in levels of group anxiety and in gains in self-actualization. The psychoanalytic groups reported higher anxiety, and the client-centered groups showed greater initial gains on the POI and maintained these gains at follow-up. Sex of leader was not a major source of difference between group treatment models. (10 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A star is born: Psychologists and the media.

Discusses psychology's changing relationship with the media. The potential impact of psychologists as consumer educators and social commentators is explored. Possible reasons for increased participation in the media are given. Changes in the American Psychological Association's Ethical Principles of Psychologists are reviewed, and an empirical approach to changing ethics is suggested. (27 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Designing energy efficient target tracking protocol with quality monitoring in wireless sensor networks

Target tracking is one application of wireless sensor networks and energy efficient target tracking algorithms that can be used for accurate tracking are highly desired. In order to achieve energy savings, we focus on reducing energy usage by limiting the number of sensors used to track a target through monitoring their data quality and by limiting the amount of data being sent to the cluster head. We propose an energy efficient target tracking protocol that uses two algorithms to accomplish this goal. Simulation studies show that the network lifetime is extended up to 35% with application of both algorithms and that the side effect on target tracking accuracy is not too negative.     

Marine shrimp fisheries research—a mismatch on spatial and thematic needs

Scientometrics - Marine shrimp fishing is an economic activity of global importance due to its high profitability, but it also presents several environmental and socioeconomic problems. In a...     

Demonstration of a 1-W injection-locked continuous-wave titanium:sapphire laser

We report on a 1-W injection-locked cw titanium:sapphire ring laser at 846 nm. Single-frequency operation requires only a few milliwatts of injected power. This relatively simple and inexpensive system can be used for watt-level single-frequency lasers across most of the titanium:sapphire gain region. A brief review of injection-locking theory is given, and conclusions based on this theory indicate ways to improve the performance of the system.