Tai Chi/Qi Gong in Mental Health Treatment and Prevention: A review of Meta-Analytic Evidence and an Analysis of Evidence Congruence with Training Practices

In a review of the literature, Abbot and Lavretsky (2013) concluded that Tai Chi and Qi Gong, two complementary and alternative therapies, improved mental and behavioral health-related outcomes. Their review inspired a number of meta-analytical reviews and follow up randomized controlled trials (RCT) that focused on specific outcome categories defined in their paper. My thesis expands Abbot and Lavretsky’s review by examining the results of these posterior meta-analyses and RCT studies. In addition, I replicate the methodological searches provided by each included meta-analysis to bolster their findings with more recent publications. Creating an updated meta-analysis of my own to support or refute Abbot and Lavretsky’s claims, I add to the argument on Tai Chi and Qi Gong’s therapeutic effect on treating mental illness. Tai Chi and Qi Gong appear to be therapeutically beneficial across a range of mental health issues, and are indicated as a safe alternative of treatment. Future studies should include more methodological rigor (blinding, randomization, and reporting) and study these complementary and alternative therapies effect on additional disorders

AN EVALUATION OF PRICING PERFORMANCE AND HEDGING EFFECTIVENESS OF THE BARLEY FUTURES MARKET

This paper investigates the pricing efficiency and hedging effectiveness of the Winnipeg barley futures market, using the Chicago corn futures market as a norm. Several tests of pricing efficiency were conducted and the stability of the basis was studied. The barley futures market operates in a heavily regulated economic environment and this is shown to impact on both price behavior and hedging opportunities.Crop Production/Industries, Marketing,

UNDERSTANDING THE CANADA/UNITED STATES GRAINS DISPUTE: FACTORS AND IMPACTS

Agricultural and Food Policy, International Relations/Trade,

Features in Evanescent Aharonov-Bohm interferometry

In this work we analyze an Aharonov-Bohm interferometer in the tunneling regime. In this regime, current magnification effect which arises in presence of transport currents is absent. A slight modification in the form of a quantum well incorporated in one of the arms leads to revival of current magnification. Systematics in magneto-conductance oscillations are observed in this evanescent wave geometry. In this framework we also see absence of Fano lineshapes in transmission resonances but once again one can recover these if the direct path supports propagating modes.Comment: 7 pages, 7 figures. Minor changes made. Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Current magnification effect in mesoscopic systems at equilibrium

We study the current magnification effect and associated circulating currents in mesoscopic systems at equilibrium. Earlier studies have revealed that in the presence of transport current(non-equilibrium situation), circulating currents can flow in a ring even in the absence of magnetic field. This was attributed to current magnification which is quantum mechanical in origin. We have shown that the same effect can be obtained in equilibrium systems, however, in the presence of magnetic flux. For this we have considered an one-dimensional open mesoscopic ring connected to a bubble, and the system is in contact with a single reservoir. We have considered a special case where bubble does not enclose magnetic flux, yet circulating currents can flow in it due to current magnification.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures. Minor corrections made and journal reference adde

Categorical Data

A very brief survey of regression for categorical data. Categorical outcome (or discrete outcome or qualitative response) regression models are models for a discrete dependent variable recording in which of two or more categories an outcome of interest lies. For binary data (two categories) probit and logit models or semiparametric methods are used. For multinomial data (more than two categories) that are unordered, common models are multinomial and conditional logit, nested logit, multinomial probit, and random parameters logit. The last two models are estimated using simulation or Bayesian methods. For ordered data, standard multinomial models are ordered logit and probit, or count models are used if ordered discrete data are actually a count.binary data, multinomial, logit, probit, count data

A satellite data terminal for land mobile use

Telesat Mobile Incorporated (TMI) has recently introduced the Mobile Data Service (MDS) into Canada. This paper outlines the system design and some key aspects of the detailed design of the Mobile Earth Terminal (MET) developed by Canadian Aeronautics Limited (CAL) for use with the MDS. The technical requirements for the MET are outlined and the equipment architecture is described. The major design considerations for each functional module are then addressed. Environmental conditions unique to the land mobile service are highlighted, along with the measures taken to ensure satisfactory operation and survival of the MET. Finally, the probable direction of future developments is indicated

Equilibrium currents in quantum double ring system: A non-trivial role of system-reservoir coupling

Amperes law states that the magnetic moment of a ring is given by current times the area enclosed. Also from equilibrium statistical mechanics it is known that magnetic moment is the derivative of free energy with respect to magnetic field. In this work we analyze a quantum double ring system interacting with a reservoir. A simple S-Matrix model is used for system-reservoir coupling. We see complete agreement between the aforesaid two definitions when coupling between system and reservoir is weak, increasing the strength of coupling parameter however leads to disagreement between the two. Thereby signifying the important role played by the coupling parameter in mesoscopic systems.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figure