We examined the feasibility of administering neuropsychological tests via videoconference. Twenty-nine participants from central Alberta volunteered for the study. All were 60 years of age or older and were without neurological or psychiatric disturbance. All the participants were tested under two experimental conditions: face to face and via videoconference (at a bandwidth of 336 or 384 kbit/s). Memory and learning, letter fluency, expressive word knowledge, reasoning, verbal attention and visual-spatial processing were examined. Scores for expressive word knowledge were similar in the two test conditions, although larger differences were found in the visual-spatial processing scores. Following the final testing session, participants were given a questionnaire which explored their reactions to the technology. There was no significant difference in the proportions of participants who expressed a preference for each mode of testing. All participants were comfortable with the technology.

The purpose of this study was an examination of the inter-rater reliability for a psychogeriatric population of the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), Axis V of the DSM-IV Classification System,. One-hundred-and-eight psychogeriatric patients, admitted to an acute-care psychiatric hospital, were rated on the GAF by three clinicians: a psychiatrist, a physician, and a psychologist. The psychologist also conducted a cognitive screening assessment at the time of admission, as well as a second rating of global functioning, which was carried out at the time of transfer/discharge from the admission unit. Results indicated good inter-rater reliability, with values ranging from 0.78 to 0.86. Comparisons were also made between the admission and transfer/discharge GAF scores. Implications for improving the inter-rater reliability of the GAF are discussed.

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In this paper, a test-bench for electrical drives with ultra high-speeds is described. The components of this test-bench are explained and the respective characteristics are given. The entire system shows a capability of nmax = 140000min-m T, =3ONm and P =39kW.

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