VHF Boundary Layer Radar and RASS

This thesis describes the refinements, modifications and additions to a prototype Very High Frequency (VHF) Boundary Layer (BL) Spaced Antenna (SA) radar initially installed at the University of Adelaide's Buckland Park field site in 1997. Previous radar observations of the lowest few kilometres of the atmosphere, in particular the Atmospheric Boundary Layer, have used Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) radars. Unlike VHF radars, UHF radars are extremely sensitive to hydro-meteors and have difficulty in distinguishing clear-air echoes from precipitation returns. The advantages and requirements of using a VHF radar to observe the lowest heights is discussed in conjunction with some of the limitations. The successful operation of the system over long periods has enabled in-depth investigation of the performance of the system in a variety of conditions and locations. Observations were made from as low as 300m and as high as 8 km, dependent upon conditions. Comparisons between the radar and alternative wind measuring devices were carried out and examined. The antenna system of the radar is a critical component which was analysed in depth and subsequently re-designed. Through the use of numerical models and mea- surements, evaluation of different designs was accomplished. Further calibration of the remaining components of the full system has enabled estimations of the absolute received power. Additional parameters which can be derived with a calibrated radar were compared with values obtained by other authors, giving favourable results. Full Correlation Analysis (FCA) is the predominant technique used in this work. A brief discussion of the background theory and parameters which can be measured is described. A simple one-dimensional model was developed and combined with a 'radar backscatter model' to investigate potential sources of errors in the parameters determined using FCA with the VHF Boundary Layer Radar. In particular, underes- timations in the wind velocity were examined. The integration of a Radio Acoustic Sounding System (RASS) to obtain tempera- ture profiles is discussed. The theory of RASS measurements including the limitations and considerations which are required for the VHF BL radar are given. The difficulties encountered trying to implement such a system and the subsequent success using a Stratospheric Tropospheric (ST) Profiler in place of the BL radar is presented. Taken as a whole this thesis shows the success of the VHF BL to obtain mea- surements from as low as 300m. The validation of this prototype radar provides an alternative and, in certain situations, a superior device with which to study the lower troposphere.Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Department of Physics and Mathematical Physics, 2001

Quantum Interference and Inelastic Scattering in a Model Which-Way Device

A which-way device is one which is designed to detect which of 2 paths is taken by a quantum particle, whether Schr\"odinger's cat is dead or alive. One possible such device is represented by an Aharonov-Bohm ring with a quantum dot on one branch. A charged cantilever or spring is brought close to the dot as a detector of the presence of an electron. The conventional view of such a device is that any change in the state of the cantilever implies a change in the electron state which will in turn destroy the interference effects. In this paper we show that it is in fact possible to change the state of the oscillator while preserving the quantum interference phenomenon.Comment: 5 pages, 7 figures, Localisation 2002 Toky

Modifiable risk factors predicting major depressive disorder at four year follow-up: a decision tree approach

BACKGROUND: Relative to physical health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, little is known about risk factors that predict the prevalence of depression. The present study investigates the expected effects of a reduction of these risks over time, using the decision tree method favoured in assessing cardiovascular disease risk. METHODS: The PATH through Life cohort was used for the study, comprising 2,105 20-24 year olds, 2,323 40-44 year olds and 2,177 60-64 year olds sampled from the community in the Canberra region, Australia. A decision tree methodology was used to predict the presence of major depressive disorder after four years of follow-up. The decision tree was compared with a logistic regression analysis using ROC curves. RESULTS: The decision tree was found to distinguish and delineate a wide range of risk profiles. Previous depressive symptoms were most highly predictive of depression after four years, however, modifiable risk factors such as substance use and employment status played significant roles in assessing the risk of depression. The decision tree was found to have better sensitivity and specificity than a logistic regression using identical predictors. CONCLUSION: The decision tree method was useful in assessing the risk of major depressive disorder over four years. Application of the model to the development of a predictive tool for tailored interventions is discussed

Revisiting the Old Industrial Region: Adaptation and Adjustment in an Integrating Europe

The position of old industrial regions (OIRs) has been neglected in recent regional development research, partly as a result of dominant discourses concerned with concepts such as the knowledge economy, learning regions and the new regionalism. One outcome of this conceptual overload is that empirical research has typically been confined to all too familiar case studies of regional success that tell a rather partial story. Yet the extension of the European integration project eastwards alongside growing competition from the urban and regional ‘hotspots’ of the global south prompts a series of largely unconsidered questions about the ability of OIRs to achieve sustainable economic development and social cohesion in the years ahead. Lacking the capital, technological and labour assets of more dynamic cities and regions, and with the historic legacy of deindustrialisation and the decline of traditional sectors, OIRs face some important dilemmas of adjustment and adaptation. In this paper our purpose is to engage with these issues through some preliminary empirical research into the recent fortunes of OIRs in Western Europe’s largest economies: France, Germany, Spain and the UK. Drawing upon material from the Eurostat database, our results hint at interesting patterns of divergence in the performance of OIRs in terms of processes of economic restructuring, employment change and social cohesion. In particular some important variations emerge in the trajectory of regions within different national contexts. Drawing upon recent thinking relating to commodity chains and global production networks, our results lead us to pose a series of questions that relate to the way regions are being repositioned within broader political and economic networks as part of unfolding processes of uneven development and changing spatial divisions of labour

Evolution in Economic Geography: Institutions, Regional Adaptation and Political Economy

Economic geography has, over the last decade or so, drawn upon ideas from evolutionary economics in trying to understand processes of regional growth and change, with the concept of path dependence assuming particular prominence. Recently, some prominent researchers have sought to delimit and develop an evolutionary economic geography (EEG) as a distinct approach, aiming to create a more coherent and systematic theoretical framework for research. This paper contributes to debates on the nature and development of EEG. It has two main aims. First, we seek to restore a broader conception of social institutions and agency to EEG, informed by the recent writings of institutional economists like Geoffrey Hodgson. Second, we link evolutionary concepts to political economy approaches, arguing that the evolution of the economic landscape must be related to the broader dynamics of capital accumulation, centred upon the creation, realisation and geographical transfer of value. As such, we favour the utilisation of evolutionary and institutional concepts within a geographical political economy approach rather than the construction of a separate and theoretically ‘pure’ EEG; evolution in economic geography, not an evolutionary economic geography

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)

Adherence to the MoodGYM program: Outcomes and predictors for an adolescent school-based population

Background Program adherence has been associated with improved intervention outcomes for mental and physical conditions. The aim of the current study is to investigate adolescent adherence to an Internet-based depression prevention program in schools to identify the effect of adherence on outcomes and to ascertain the predictors of program adherence. Methods Data for the current study (N=1477) was drawn from the YouthMood Project, which was conducted to test the effectiveness of the MoodGYM program in reducing and preventing symptoms of anxiety and depression in an adolescent school-based population. The current study compares intervention effects across three sub-groups: high adherers, low adherers and the wait-list control condition. Results When compared to the control condition, participants in the high adherence intervention group reported stronger intervention effects at post-intervention and 6-month follow-up than participants in the low adherence group for anxiety (d=0.34–0.39 vs. 0.11–0.22), and male (d=0.43–0.59 vs. 0.26–0.35) and female depression (d=0.13–0.20 vs. 0.02–0.04). No significant intervention effects were identified between the high and low adherence groups. Being in Year 9, living in a rural location and having higher pre-intervention levels of depressive symptoms or self-esteem were predictive of greater adherence to the MoodGYM program. Limitations The program trialled is Internet-based and therefore the predictors of adherence identified may not generalise to face-to-face interventions. Conclusions The current study provides preliminary support for the positive relationship between program adherence and outcomes in a school environment. The identification of significant predictors of adherence will assist in identifying the type of user who will engage most with an online depression prevention program.ALC is supported by National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)Fellowship 1013199, HC is supported by NHMRC Fellowship 525411, and KMG is supported by NHMRC Fellowship 42541

Truth Seeker Jazz Suite for Big Band

This analysis and discussion of Truth Seeker Jazz Suite should aid the listener in understanding its intent and construction. Truth Seeker Jazz Suite could be considered simply as a musical war protest that transmits a social message. But more than that, it is quasi-autobiographical as well. Similar in the way that Hector Berlioz depicted his love and sadness for not having (early on) been able to win the affections of Irish actress Harriet Smithson in his Symphony Fantastique, Truth Seeker will musically depict my own quest to filter through the mass of information that we consume in hopes of discovering truth and meaning in times of continued war and violence. It is my hope that listeners would allow the work’s programmatic elements to help them realize their own personal endeavors toward deeper truth and understanding of our world. This piece is written for large jazz ensemble including 2 alto saxophones, 2 tenor saxophones, baritone saxophone, 4 trumpets doubling on flugelhorn, 3 tenor trombones, bass trombone, guitar, piano, bass, and drums. This instrumentation places this work in the larger lineage of Duke Ellington, Benny Moten, Count Basie, and Thad Jones, reflecting the quintessential American sound. Since the loose program of this piece reflects my American experience of becoming more socially aware, the modern big band offers the most flexibility in expressing different Afro-centric, blues, and rock grooves that will be required to tell this American tale. As I was born in 1968, the sound and notion of the modern concept album, comprised of interrelated tracks, captured my ear. John Coltrane’s suite for jazz quartet, A Love Supreme, and many of his albums have a continuity in programming where songs, grooves, and tempos balance each other perfectly to create a journey for the listener. In addition to jazz influences, rock icons like Jimi Hendrix and the Beatles have also left an indelible mark on modern music. While my main influence is jazz music of the 1940s onward, rock music through hip hop has filtered into my ear and settled into my own sub-consciousness. I feel that in the effort to write modern music, it is natural to work within contemporary musical esthetics and attempt to push their boundaries. This piece does not focus on recreating the great swing music of the past jazz masters but instead builds on those traditions and is a culmination of my influences. This three-movement modern jazz suite depicts my musical reactions to why governments resort to violence, which I vehemently oppose. The musical depictions of my discoveries will reflect the gamut of emotions including: confusion, anger, pride, strength, weakness, beauty, agony, etc. While other jazz musicians have written more overt protest pieces than this, this suite attempts to communicate a serious social message through abstract music. There is no formal program and there are no words aside from the titles. However, I would be honored if my work would be considered in that lineage of any artist of similar pursuits. Sonny Rollins’ Freedom Suite, and Charles Mingus’ New Tijuana Moods, Remember Rockefeller at Attica, and Fables of Faubus were all inspirations for this piece. In addition, music from the vast jazz canon helped me to believe that instrumental music has the power to convey real meaning. As Rollins and Mingus railed against the offensive civil rights issues of their day, I too am deeply concerned with political issues of violence and inequality and I strive to spark an increased social awareness in others through my music

Plantation Slavery and Land Ownership in the West Highlands and Islands: Legacies and Lessons

No abstract available

An Observation of the Spring 2006 Migration of Black Scoter Melanitta nigra, in Northumberland Strait, Interrupted by the Confederation Bridge, New Brunswick - Prince Edward Island

An observation from the bridge of a flock of Black Scoters suggests that, nine years after construction, the 12.9 km Confederation Bridge may still be a partial barrier to bird migration. Only 3 of 18 scoters (16.7%) crossed over the structure during the observation period