Group cognitive therapy and alprazolam in the treatment of depression in older adults.

This study was designed to explore the relative and combined effectiveness of alprazolam (Xanax) and group cognitive therapy among elderly adults experiencing major affective disorder. Fifty-six subjects with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) diagnoses of major, unipolar depression were treated over a 20-week period in one of four groups: alprazolam support, placebo support, cognitive therapy plus placebo support, and cognitive therapy plus alprazolam support. The results revealed that individuals assigned to group cognitive therapy showed consistent improvement in subjective state and sleep efficiency relative to non-group-therapy subjects. No differences between alprazolam and placebo were noted, regardless of whether individuals received group cognitive therapy. Subjects assigned to group cognitive therapy were less likely than their counterparts to prematurely terminate treatment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Analysis of multiple geological datasets from the English Lake District

A geological database comprising coregistered Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) regional multielement stream sediment geochemistry, regional gravity and aeromagnetics, and geological map data has been established, in raster format, for the area of the English Lake District. To study spatial correlations within the database, TM imagery and its first-order structurally enhanced filter derivatives are combined with regional survey data using intensity-hue-saturation transforms and stereoscopic-view generation techniques. These are then overlaid with line and polygon information from other exploration datasets. Datasets are combined in a manner which maintains the identity of each dataset. The imagery produced demonstrates the power of image presentation for efficient multidata analysis.<>     

In0.53Ga0.47As junction field-effecttransistors as tunable feedback resistors for integrated receiverpreamplifiers

In_0.53Ga_0.47As active feedback junction field-effect transistors (JFETs) for use in integrated transimpedance photoreceivers are discussed. By varying the gate-to-source voltage V_GS, the resistance can be continuously tuned between 3 and 40 kΩ with a drain-to-source capacitance of <10 fF. The temperature coefficient of resistance is between -5 and -20 Ω/°C (for V_GS less than the pinch-off voltage). The combination of large resistance and low capacitance can result in high receiver sensitivity without sacrificing amplifier dynamic range. The feedback FET was fabricated adjacent to 1.8-μm-gate-length JFETs with transconductances of 110 mS/mm, gate-to-source capacitances of 1.3 pF/mm, and DC amplifier voltage gains of 100. The compatibility of these transistor structures indicates that an integrated preamplifier with dynamically tunable bandwidth can be realized     

Accommodating discontent: youth,conflict and the housing question in Hong Kong

Young people across many societies face growing problems in making the transition from the parental home to independent living. Rising house prices and the lack of affordable alternatives to home ownership is most commonly blamed. This paper explores these issues in relation to young people in Hong Kong. The paper argues that the housing question in Hong Kong has distinct local characteristics and cannot be disconnected from wider political and economic tensions. It also shows that the housing choices and views of young people are shaped by more than issues of cost and access. The paper draws on a unique data-set which explores the attitudes and expectations with regard to housing among young people in Hong Kong. Addressing the housing problem is widely regarded as a political priority and essential to maintain social cohesion. However, political imperatives and economic interests are pulling in different directions.     

Modeling of nonideal volume Bragg reflection gratings in photosensitive glass using a perturbed transmission matrix approach

Reflection spectra of volume Bragg gratings written in bulk photosensitive silicate glass for wavelength division multiplexing applications are modeled using a transmission matrix approach. This allows for the examination of the effects of spatial perturbations along the grating due to chirp, apodization, compositional inhomogeneities, and index contrast saturation leading to reflection spectra that are asymmetric about the Bragg peak. Effects of the nonlinear relationship between index contrast in the glass and exposure flux on the reflection spectrum is also studied. Volume Bragg gratings are fabricated in UV exposure-sensitive silicate glasses containing alkali-halide nano-crystalline domains, and their reflection spectra are compared with calculation. The magnitude and uniformity of the index changes observed in our glass gratings make them useful in a wide range of wavelength multiplexing applications.     

Introduction to the special section on evidence-based psychological treatments for older adults.

Psychology has a strong tradition as a science-based discipline. This tradition has also been strong in the subfields of geropsychology and clinical psychology. The convergence of these traditions leads to an expectation that mental health and aging practices will be theoretically sound and empirically tested. This Psychology and Aging Special Section on Evidence-Based Psychological Treatments for Older Adults presents findings which demonstrate that there are a number of evidence-based treatments that can contribute to exemplary care of older adults. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Harmonic load losses in HVDC converter transformers

Short-circuit losses were measured on a 213 MVA single-phase converter transformer at a number of frequencies between 60 Hz and 6 kHz. Using the results of these tests the harmonic losses during AC/DC converter operation were calculated. Variations of harmonic losses with transformer reactance, transformer winding stray loss factor and converter firing angle were studied. Using exponents of the components of harmonic losses with frequency derived from the tests, a table has been developed for determined the magnitude of the harmonic loss during converter operation. The data required to use the table are derived from design calculations and normal load loss test results     

The ecology of echo

Echo is a generic ecosystem model in which evolving agents are situated in a resource-limited environment. The Echo model is described, and the behavior of Echo is evaluated on two well-studied measures of ecological diversity: relative species abundance and the species-area scaling relation. In simulation experiments, these measures are used to compare the behavior of Echo with that of a neutral model, in which selection on agent genotypes is random. These simulations show that the evolutionary component of Echo makes a significant contribution to its behavior and that Echo shows good qualitative agreement with naturally occurring species abundance distributions and species-area scaling relations.