Warm thick target solar gamma-ray source revisited

The 1.63 MeV gamma-ray line of Ne-20 is sensitive to protons of lower energies than most other nuclear de-excitation lines. Its unexpected strength has been taken as evidence for a solar flare fast ion distribution that remains steep at low energies, and thus has a large total energy content. It has also been suggested that its strength might instead reflect the enhancement of ion lifetimes that occurs when ambient temperatures exceed 10(7) K. Here we revisit this idea ( a) recognising that ions may be effectively trapped in high temperature regions and (b) taking account of the contribution to the line of all ions above threshold. The strength of the 1.63 MeV line relative to other de-excitation lines has been used to estimate the steepness (e.g. energy power-law index) of the ion distribution. We show that these estimates must be significantly revised if primary ions are contained in a region with temperature in the few 10(7) K range, lower than found elsewhere. Such a region would almost certainly be coronal, so we also briefly review other arguments for and against coronal gamma-ray sources

Internet-based CBT for depression with and without telephone tracking in a national helpline: randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND Telephone helplines are frequently and repeatedly used by individuals with chronic mental health problems and web interventions may be an effective tool for reducing depression in this population. AIM To evaluate the effectiveness of a 6 week, web-based cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) intervention with and without proactive weekly telephone tracking in the reduction of depression in callers to a helpline service. METHOD 155 callers to a national helpline service with moderate to high psychological distress were recruited and randomised to receive either Internet CBT plus weekly telephone follow-up; Internet CBT only; weekly telephone follow-up only; or treatment as usual. RESULTS Depression was lower in participants in the web intervention conditions both with and without telephone tracking compared to the treatment as usual condition both at post intervention and at 6 month follow-up. Telephone tracking provided by a lay telephone counsellor did not confer any additional advantage in terms of symptom reduction or adherence. CONCLUSIONS A web-based CBT program is effective both with and without telephone tracking for reducing depression in callers to a national helpline. TRIAL REGISTRATION Controlled-Trials.comISRCTN93903959.Funding for the trial was provided by an Australian Research Council Linkage Project Grant (LP0667970) (http://www.arc.gov.au/). LF is supported by an Australian Postgraduate Award Industry scholarship. KG is supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council Fellowship (No. 525413) and HC is supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council Fellowship (No. 525411)

Comment on the paper I. M. Suslov: Finite Size Scaling from the Self Consistent Theory of Localization

In the recent paper [I.M.Suslov, JETP {\bf 114} (2012) 107] a new scaling theory of electron localization was proposed. We show that numerical data for the quasi-one dimensional Anderson model do not support predictions of this theory.Comment: Comment on the paper arXiv 1104.043

Unpaired Drake Avoidance Behaviour and Mate Recognition by Female Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos, During the Spring Breeding Season

An observation of a female Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) avoiding unpaired drakes, in breeding season, until reuniting with her mate after audio recognition of the rähb call. This observation supports the supposition that this vocalization by the male Mallard is a response to separation from the female and functions as a contact call in mate recognition