Pre-late Devensian high-arctic marine deposits in SW Scotland

We present new interpretations of Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data and marine fossils collected from three sites on the Rhins of Galloway which, contrary to recent proposals, suggest that the landforms and deposits of the region do not represent evidence for a readvance during the Lateglacial Period. Rather we suggest that the high-arctic fauna found in the region are representative of an earlier, colder part of a Middle Devensian ice-free interval. The predominantly streamlined topography, and distinct lack of identifiable discrete moraine limits argues for only minor, local glacial advances, in combination with widespread rapid retreat across the peninsula at the end of the Lateglacial

A characterization of associativity

A necessary and sufficient condition for associativity of a function is given, in terms of a particular relation being a function. The concept of an associative function is generalized to the concept of a function being asssociative relative to a sequence and a characterization of such relative associativity is also given. These two characteristics are applied to the problem of proving the associativity, or relative associativity, of a function

The effects of recombination rate on the distribution and abundance of transposable elements

Transposable elements (TEs) often accumulate in regions of the genome with suppressed recombination. But it is unclear whether this pattern reflects a reduction in the efficacy of selection against deleterious insertions or a relaxation of ectopic recombination. Discriminating between these two hypotheses has been difficult, because no formal model has investigated the effects of recombination under the deleterious insertion model. Here we take a simulation-based approach to analyze this scenario and determine the conditions under which element accumulation is expected in low recombination regions. We show that TEs become fixed as a result of Hill–Robertson effects in the form of Muller's ratchet, but only in regions of extremely low recombination when excision is effectively absent and synergism between elements is weak. These results have important implications for differentiating between the leading models of how selection acts on TEs and should help to interpret emerging population genetic and genomic data

The feasibility of a cognitive behavioural therapy group for men with mild/moderate cognitive impairment

Memory aid groups have often been used as a method for teaching mnemonic strategies to older adults in early stages of dementia. This study describes the use of CBT to address unhelpful memory-related beliefs in three older men with mild/moderate dementia and associated low mood or anxiety. The members were able to participate and engage in the sessions, and changes in behaviour, cognition and affect were monitored over the course of a 7 week group intervention. Recommendations are made for further research

Keeping conceptualizations simple: Examples with family carers of people with dementia

This paper forms the second in a series of three articles on conceptualizations of older people's distress. The focus is on simple and concrete "mini-formulations" that keep the amount of information in them to a minimum, yet retain explanatory and predictive power. Such formulations can be used as the basis for action plans for intervention, while avoiding overburdening the cognitive capacity of the client or therapist. Simple linear and cyclical models are described, as are cognitive triad and dyad models. The uses of "mini-formulations" for group and individual settings are illustrated in a case example of a lady caring for her husband who has dementia