cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Moka (Ceremonial Exchange) with Death

This chapter explores the topic of ritual change and innovation, drawing on the example of changes in exchange practices over time in Mount Hagen in Papua New Guinea. Our general point is that change is always happening, taking specific historical forms over time. We use the term “Wealth Vaulting” to express aspects of change in funerary customs. Expensive new forms of burial sites express a shift from displays of wealth in pigs to displays of permanent material tomb sites. These costly sites reflect cultural shifts in society toward investments in material wealth. The deceased is often someone who has died in suspicious or violent circumstances, and the grave may be protected against the putative revenge attacks of cannibal witches, reflecting anxieties about wealth disparities, and consumption in contemporary life. We cite further here the writings of linguists and philosophers in the analysis of change, pointing out that change and continuity fold into each other over time.
Surgical Management of Primary Pulmonary Artery Sarcoma

Primary pulmonary artery sarcoma is a rare cardiac tumor with a dismal prognosis without surgical therapy. It is often confused with the more common chronic pulmonary emboli which may delay the appropriate diagnosis or lead to suboptimal surgery. The objective of this study was to evaluate the short and long-term survival and local recurrence rate of pulmonary artery sarcoma cases operated on at our institution using an anatomic resection approach for the pulmonary trunk and main pulmonary arteries rather than endarterectomy. We searched our prospectively collected cardiac tumor database for cases of primary pulmonary sarcoma operated at our institution between June 2000 and September 2018 and followed until January 3, 2021. We used an anatomic resection and replacement technique for involved pulmonary root and main pulmonary arteries with endarterectomy used only for disease distal to the first arterial branch when lung preservation was possible. The primary endpoints for our study were survival from the time of initial diagnosis and survival from the time of our surgery. Secondary endpoints were operative 30-day mortality and incidence of local recurrence or metastatic disease. We identified 20 consecutive cases of surgical resection of primary pulmonary sarcoma. The median age at surgery was 52.5 years (IQR 43.5 – 60.5). Complete pulmonary root resection and reconstruction using a pulmonary homograft were needed in 16/20 (80%) of cases. All resections employed cardiopulmonary bypass with cardioplegic arrest. A pneumonectomy was needed in 7/20 (35%) of patients. A negative margin (R0) resection was achieved in 9 patients (45%) and margins were microscopically positive (R1) on final pathology in 9 patients (45%). Two patients (10%) had gross tumor (R2) at the resection margin. Operative mortality was 2/20 (10%). Median survival was 2.8 years from diagnosis (95% CI 1.3-8.8) and 2.7 years from surgery by our team (95% CI 0.8-5.9). Survival from first initial diagnosis at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years was 85.0 %, 49.1 %, 49.1 %, and 16.4%. Survival from our surgery by our team at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years was 70 %, 48.8 %, 41.8 %, and 8.4 %. Surgical resection of primary pulmonary artery sarcoma with an approach utilizing an anatomic resection of the pulmonary root and main pulmonary arteries when involved and pneumonectomy or endarterectomy when there is disease distal to the first branch artery can be done with a reasonable operative risk and long-term survival when compared to the natural history of the disease.
Nonsmooth rank-one matrix factorization landscape

We provide the first positive result on the nonsmooth optimization landscape of robust principal component analysis, to the best of our knowledge. It is the object of several conjectures and remains mostly uncharted territory. We identify a necessary and sufficient condition for the absence of spurious local minima in the rank-one case. Our proof exploits the subdifferential regularity of the objective function in order to eliminate the existence quantifier from the first-order optimality condition known as Fermat’s rule.
Effect of thin-film coating on wear in EGR-contaminated oil.

Increased use of higher-efficiency compression ignition direct injection (CIDI) diesel engines instead of today's gasoline engines will result in reduced fuel consumption and greenhouse gases emissions. However, NO{sub x} and particulate exhaust emissions from diesel engines must be significantly reduced due to their possible adverse health effects. Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is an effective way to reduce NO{sub x} emissions from diesel engines, but the particulates and acidic exhaust products in the recirculated gas will contaminate engine lubricant oil by increasing the soot content and total acid number (TAN). These factors will increase the wear rate in many critical engine components and seriously compromise engine durability. We have investigated the use of commercially available thin and hard coatings (TiN, TiCN, TiAlN, and CrN) to mitigate the negative effects of EGR on wear. In tests with the four-ball machine according to ASTM D4172, we found that all the four coatings deposited on M-50 steel significantly reduced wear in EGR-contaminated oils when compared with uncoated M50 steel balls.
A two-layer bus routing algorithm for high-speed boards

The increasing clock frequencies in high-end industrial circuits bring new routing challenges that cannot be handled by traditional algorithms. An important design automation problem for high-speed boards today is routing nets within tight minimum and maximum length bounds. In this paper, we propose an algorithm for routing bus structures between components on two layers such that all length constraints are satisfied. This algorithm handles length extension simultaneously during the actual routing process so that maximum resource utilization is achieved during length extension. Our approach here is to process one track at a time, and choose the best subset of nets to be routed on each track. The algorithm we propose for single-track routing is guaranteed to find the optimal subset of nets together with the optimal solution with length extension on one track. The experimental comparison with a recently proposed technique shows the effectiveness of this algorithm both in terms of solution quality and run-time.
The conversion of lycopene-15,15'-3H to cyclic carotenes by soluble extracts of higher plant plastids.

Abstract Proof of the conversion of lycopene-15,15'-3H to neo-β-, α-, β-, δ-, and γ-carotenes by spinach chloroplasts and to neo-β- and β-carotenes by a soluble preparation of these plastids is presented in this paper. The conversion of lycopene-15,15'-3H to β-carotene by spinach chloroplasts was maximal when incubations were performed under nitrogen in light at 25° in the presence of NADP. When soluble preparations of spinach chloroplasts were used, an absolute requirement for FAD and a partial requirement for NADP were observed. Proof of the conversion of lycopene-15,15'-3H to cyclic carotenes by plastids, and by soluble extracts of plastids of fruit of "hi-β" and "hi-δ" tomato selections is also presented. Tritiated lycopene was converted to neo-β-, α-, β-, δ-, and γ-carotenes by hi-β tomato fruit plastids and to α-, β-, δ-, and γ-carotenes by a soluble preparation of these plastids. Both plastids and a soluble preparation of plastids of hi-δ tomato fruits converted tritiated lycopene to α-, β-, and δ-carotenes. Proof of the formation of the above cyclic carotenes from tritiated lycopene was obtained by chromatography with authentic carotenes on two different adsorbents. A close correspondence between radioactivity and optical density was observed for each carotene. Additional proof was obtained by crystallization of β-carotene to constant specific radioactivity and by gas-liquid chromatography of each hydrogenated carotene. Coincidence between mass and radioactivity of the hydrogenated carotenes was obtained. A mechanism is proposed for the formation of cyclic carotenes from lycopene.
Machine Learning for Discriminating Quantum Measurement Trajectories and Improving Readout.

Current methods for classifying measurement trajectories in superconducting qubit systems produce fidelities systematically lower than those predicted by experimental parameters. Here, we place current classification methods within the framework of machine learning (ML) algorithms and improve on them by investigating more sophisticated ML approaches. We find that nonlinear algorithms and clustering methods produce significantly higher assignment fidelities that help close the gap to the fidelity possible under ideal noise conditions. Clustering methods group trajectories into natural subsets within the data, which allows for the diagnosis of systematic errors. We find large clusters in the data associated with ${T}_{1}$ processes and show these are the main source of discrepancy between our experimental and ideal fidelities. These error diagnosis techniques help provide a path forward to improve qubit measurements.
Protein bound sulfhydryl and disulfide groups in squamous-cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

Abstract The occurrence and distribution of sulfhydryl and disulfide groups were studied in squamous-cell carcinoma and nonneoplastic biopsies of the uterine cervix. The results showed: 1. 1. Sulfhydryl groups, related to various phases of cell metabolism, were found in endocervical glandular epithelium, and in all viable squamous cells, whether occurring in epithelium of the portio vaginalis or in intraepithelial carcinoma. Sulfhydryl groups were also found in regions of neoplastic and nonneoplastic keratinization. 2. 2. Disulfide groups, related to cell keratinization, were found in keratinizing surface squamous cells, in epithelial pearls of squamous carcinoma, and in keratinizing neoplastic cells.
Noninvasive external cardiac pacing for thallium-201 scintigraphy

Improvements in noninvasive external cardiac pacing have led to a technique with reliable electrical capture and tolerable patient discomfort. To assess the use of this modality of pacing in combination with thallium scintigraphy as a noninvasive pacing stress test, we applied simultaneous noninvasive cardiac pacing, hemodynamic monitoring, and thallium-201 scintigraphy in 14 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization for chest pain syndromes. Two patients had normal coronary arteries, while the remaining 12 had significant coronary artery disease. Thallium scintigraphic responses to pacing were compared to routine exercise thallium stress testing in nine of these 14 patients. All patients were noninvasively paced to more than 85% of the age-predicted maximum heart rate. Twelve patients demonstrated reversible thallium defects, which corresponded in 11 cases to significant lesions seen on coronary angiography. Of nine patients who underwent both pacing and exercise thallium stress tests, comparable maximal rate-pressure products were achieved. Moreover, thallium imaging at peak pacing and during delayed views did not differ significantly from exercise thallium scintigraphy. A limiting factor associated with the technique was local patient discomfort, which occurred to some degree in all patients. We conclude that noninvasive external cardiac pacing together with thallium scintigraphy is capable of detecting significant coronary arterymore » disease and may be comparable to routine exercise thallium stress testing. This new modality of stress testing could be useful in patients unable to undergo the exercise required for standard exercise tolerance testing, particularly if improvements in the technology can be found to reduce further the local discomfort.« less
An efficient design for FIR filters with variable precision

We present an improved algorithm for selecting variable precision coefficients for FIR filters that produces a reduced space implementation with no degradation in frequency response. The algorithm is based on the fact that the frequency response of a filter has different sensitivities to different coefficients depending on the response itself (i.e. the coefficient value). The method provided here makes it possible to predict the variable precision of the quantized coefficients that are required to meet the specification. This approach, along with other technologies such as CSD and the scaling method used in our realizations, has opened exciting implementation possibilities for FPGAs, ASICs, and custom VLSI. The example study in this paper shows that using variable precision to exploit redundancy across the coefficients results in significant reductions in complexity and area over the uniform wordlength method.
Genomic imprinting and uniparental disomy in Angelman and Prader-Willi syndromes: A review

Although Angelman (AS) and Prader-Willi (PWS) syndromes are human genetic disorders with distinctly different developmental and neurobehavioural phenotypes, they both have abnormalities in inheritance of chromosome 15q11-q13. Whether AS or PWS arises depends on the parental origin of a deletion or uniparental disomy (the inheritance of 2 copies of a genetic locus from only one parent) for 15q11-q13. Normal development requires a genetic contribution for this genetic region from both a male and a female parent. The dependence on parental origin implies that genes in human 15q11-q13 have distinct functions depending upon epigenetic, parent-of-origin differences, known as genomic imprinting. Here, I review the role of uniparental disomy and genomic imprinting in the pathogenesis of AS and PWS, and briefly discuss phenotype-genotype correlations using candidate genes and mouse models, in particular for hypopigmentation.
The Antitumorigenic Function of EGFR in Metastatic Breast Cancer is Regulated by Expression of Mig6

Numerous studies by our lab and others demonstrate that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays critical roles in primary breast cancer (BC) initiation, growth and dissemination. However, clinical trials targeting EGFR function in BC have lead to disappointing results. In the current study we sought to identify the mechanisms responsible for this disparity by investigating the function of EGFR across the continuum of the metastatic cascade. We previously established that overexpression of EGFR is sufficient for formation of in situ primary tumors by otherwise nontransformed murine mammary gland cells. Induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is sufficient to drive the metastasis of these EGFR-transformed tumors. Examining growth factor receptor expression across this and other models revealed a potent downregulation of EGFR through metastatic progression. Consistent with diminution of EGFR following EMT and metastasis EGF stimulation changes from a proliferative to an apoptotic response in in situ versus metastatic tumor cells, respectively. Furthermore, overexpression of EGFR in metastatic MDA-MB-231 BC cells promoted their antitumorigenic response to EGF in three dimensional (3D) metastatic outgrowth assays. In line with the paradoxical function of EGFR through EMT and metastasis we demonstrate that the EGFR inhibitory molecule, Mitogen Induced Gene-6 (Mig6), is tumor suppressive in in situ tumor cells. However, Mig6 expression is absolutely required for prevention of apoptosis and ultimate metastasis of MDA-MB-231 cells. Further understanding of the paradoxical function of EGFR between primary and metastatic tumors will be essential for application of its targeted molecular therapies in BC.
Determination and analysis of guided wave propagation using magnetic resonance elastography

We present a novel extension of standard magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) measurement and analysis methods, which is applicable in cases where the medium is characterized by waveguides or fiber bundles (i.e., muscle) leading to constrained propagation of elastic waves. As a demonstration of this new method, MRI is utilized to identify the pathways of the individual fibers of a stalk of celery, and 3D MRE is then performed throughout the volume containing the celery fibers for a measurement of the displacements. A Helmholtz decomposition is performed permitting a separation of the displacements into longitudinal and transverse components, and an application of a hybrid Radon transform permits a spectral decomposition of wave propagation along the fibers. Dot product projections between these elastic displacements measured in the global coordinate system and three Frenet vectors representing the tangent and two corresponding orthogonal vectors along any particular fiber orientation yield the displacement contributions to wave propagation along the fiber as if it were a waveguide. A sliding window spatial Fourier transform is then performed along the length of each fiber to obtain dispersion images that portray space–wavenumber profiles. Therefore, this method can permit localized tracking and characterization of wave types, velocities, and coupling along arbitrarily oriented fibers. Magn Reson Med, 2005. Published 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Vascular contrast enhanced micro-CT imaging of "radiators" in the Brazilian free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis).

The Brazilian free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis) exhibits a highly vascularized, hairless thermal window (or “radiator”) on the proximal ventral surfaces of extended wings and body. We identified this character using thermal infrared imaging and investigated the vasculature using barium sulfate enhanced microcomputed tomography (micro-CT). Micro-CT images revealed unique arrangements of arteries and veins in the region of the radiator positioned perpendicular to the axis of the body. Coupling micro-CT imaging with analysis of surface temperature profiles, we concluded that radiators aid in thermoregulation during flight in variable environments. This study represents the first application of contrast enhanced micro-CT to visualize vasculature of bats and thus exhibits a promising technique for further investigations of cardiovascular function and anatomy in bats. Anat Rec, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The effect of the heterogeneity variance estimator on some tests of treatment efficacy.

Abstract The effect of two noniterative heterogeneity variance estimators on two test procedures for the overall treatment effect using the log odds ratio as the outcome measure is investigated. Using simulated significance levels, it is shown that in addition to being sensitive to changes in the magnitude of the heterogeneity variance, the standard test procedure in meta-analysis (or multicenter clinical trials) is also sensitive to the heterogeneity variance estimator used and attains significance levels that are far from the prescribed level. A second test procedure by Hartung [Hartung, J. (1999). An alternative method for meta-analysis. Biometrical J. 41:901–916], is shown to exhibit good control of type I error probability regardless of changes in the magnitude of the heterogeneity variance and the heterogeneity variance estimator used.
3,4-Methylenedioxy-N-methamphetamine (Ecstasy) Promotes the Survival of Fetal Dopamine Neurons in Culture

The current study examined whether modest concentrations of MDMA could increase the survival and/or neurite outgrowth of fetal midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons in vitro since increased DA neurite outgrowth has been previously observed in vivo from prenatal exposure. MDMA concentrations in fetal brain were quantified to determine relevant in vivo concentrations to employ in vitro. A dose response study in vitro demonstrated that MDMA, at concentrations observed in vivo, resulted in increased, DA-specific, neuron survival. Higher doses resulted in non-specific neurotoxicity. MDMA application immediately after culture establishment resulted in greater survival than delayed application, however both were superior to control. MDMA significantly increased the expression of the slc6a3 gene (dopamine transporter; DAT) in culture. Co-application of the DAT reuptake inhibitor methylphenidate (MPH) with MDMA attenuated this effect. Progressive reductions in MPH concentrations restored the MDMA-induced survival effect. This suggests that MDMA's action at DAT mediates the survival effect. Neurite density per neuron was unaffected by MDMA in vitro suggesting that MDMA promotes DA neuron survival but not neurite outgrowth in culture. Finally, animals prenatally exposed to MDMA and examined on postnatal day 35 showed an increase in tyrosine hydroxylase-positive (TH+) neurons in the substantia nigra but not in the ventral tegmental area. These data suggest that during development, MDMA can increase the survival of DA neurons through its action at its transporter. Understanding how MDMA increases DA neuron survival may provide insight into normal DA neuron loss during development.
Population pharmacodynamic analysis of erythropoiesis in preterm infants for determining the anemia treatment potential of erythropoietin.

A population pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model was developed to describe changes in erythropoiesis as a function of plasma erythropoietin (EPO) concentration over the first 30 days of life in preterm infants who developed severe anemia requiring red blood cell (RBC) transfusion. Several covariates were tested as possible factors influencing the responsiveness to EPO. Discarded blood samples in 27 ventilated preterm infants born at 24–29 wk of gestation were used to construct plasma EPO, hemoglobin (Hb), and RBC concentration-time profiles. The amount of Hb removed for laboratory testing and that transfused throughout the study period were recorded. A population PK/PD model accounting for the dynamic Hb changes experienced by these infants was simultaneously fitted to plasma EPO, Hb, and RBC concentrations. A covariate analysis suggested that the erythropoietic efficacy of EPO is increased for preterm infants at later gestational ages. The PD analysis showed a sevenfold difference in maximum Hb production rate dependent on gestational age and indicated that preterm infants, when stimulated by EPO, have the capacity to produce additional Hb that may result in a decrease in RBC transfusions. The present model has utility in clinical trial simulations investigating the treatment potential of erythropoietic stimulating agents in the treatment of anemia of prematurity.
Population Based Analysis of Incidence and Predictors of Open Conversion during Minimally Invasive Radical Prostatectomy

Purpose: We used population based data to measure the rates and risk factors of open conversion during minimally invasive radical prostatectomy in the United States.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the records of 87,415 patients in the NCDB who underwent minimally invasive radical prostatectomy between 2010 and 2011. We compared surgical outcomes and treatment facility characteristics between converted and nonconverted cases. Multivariable analysis was done to evaluate conversion risk factors.Results: There were 82,338 robot-assisted (94%) and 5,077 laparoscopic (6%) radical prostatectomies, and 1,080 conversions (1.2%). Fewer robot-assisted cases were converted than laparoscopic cases (0.9% vs 6.5%, p <0.001). The median yearly treatment facility volume of minimally invasive radical prostatectomy was 32 (IQR 10–72). Patients who underwent conversion were more likely to be rehospitalized within 30 days (4.4% vs 2.7%, p = 0.002) and have a postoperative hospital stay of greater than 2 day...
Abstract 4008: Effects of a combination of Atorvastatin and Biochanin A on signal transduction and invasiveness of pancreatic cancer cell lines.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the leading causes of cancer related deaths in the United States. Low survival rate associated with this cancer can be attributed to late detection, invasion and metastasis besides chemo-resistance and relapse following surgical resection. Our previous studies demonstrated combination treatment employing Biochanin A with Atorvastatin, an anti-hyperlipidemic drug, was more effective in inhibiting pancreatic cell growth compared to monotherapy. Biochanin A is a naturally occurring isoflavone exhibiting anti-cancer properties in different cancer models. Flow Cytometry studies have demonstrated early apoptosis in AsPC-1 pancreatic cancer cells following a 24-hour exposure to the combination treatment while PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells did not show significant apoptosis after the treatment for 24 hours and 48 hours. Ongoing studies support the possibility that combination treatment induces cell cycle arrest in PANC-1 cells. We also studied the effects of the combination on invasiveness and on expression of proteins involved in signal transduction pathways in these cell lines. Gelatin zymography invasion assay showed a higher Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activity in cultures exposed to Atorvastatin while Biochanin A decreased the effects of atorvastatin induced MMP-2 activity in combination treatment. Combination treatment exerted differential effects on MAPK, PI3K/AKT, mTOR and JAK/STAT pathways in these cell lines. These results may have implications in design of new chemotherapeutic strategies for treating pancreatic cancer. Acknowledgement This study was supported by grants from INBRE Program, NIH Grant No. P20 RR016454, Mountain States Tumor and Medical Research Institute and University Research Committee, ISU grant. Citation Format: Satya Murthy Tadinada, James C.K. Lai, Alok Bhushan. Effects of a combination of Atorvastatin and Biochanin A on signal transduction and invasiveness of pancreatic cancer cell lines. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4008. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-4008
Analysis of a Cylindrical Shell Vibrating in a Cylindrical Fluid Region

Analytical and experimental methods are presented for evaluating the vibration characteristics of cylindrical shells such as the thermal liner of the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) reactor vessel. The NASTRAN computer program is used to calculate the natural frequencies, mode shapes, and response to a harmonic loading of a thin, circular cylindrical shell situated inside a fluid-filled rigid circular cylinder. Solutions in a vacuum are verified with an exact solution method and the SAP IV computer code. Comparisons between analysis and experiment are made, and the accuracy and utility of the fluid-solid interaction package of NASTRAN is assessed.
Thioredoxin peroxidase-1 (peroxiredoxin-1) is increased in thioredoxin-1 transfected cells and results in enhanced protection against apoptosis caused by hydrogen peroxide but not by other agents including dexamethasone, etoposide, and doxorubicin

Abstract Thioredoxin-1 (Trx-1) is a small redox oncoprotein whose expression is increased in a number of human primary cancers where it is associated with aggressive tumor growth, inhibition of apoptosis and decreased patient survival. We report that Trx-1-transfected MCF-7 human breast cancer cells have increased expression of thioredoxin peroxidase-1 (TrxP-1) a peroxiredoxin family member that scavenges H 2 O 2 using Trx-1 as a source of reducing equivalents. Our work shows that TrxP-1 is more effective than selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase in protecting cells against H 2 O 2 damage. Transfection of mouse WEHI7.2 lymphoma cells with human TrxP-1 or TrxP-2, but not TrxP-4, protects the cells against H 2 O 2 induced apoptosis but does not protect against apoptosis induced by dexamethasone, etoposide, or doxorubicin. The results show that an increase in TrxP-1 expression contributes to the protection against H 2 O 2 induced apoptosis caused by Trx-1, but does not protect against apoptosis induced by other agents.
Predictors of community therapists' use of therapy techniques in a large public mental health system.

Importance Few studies have examined the effects of individual and organizational characteristics on the use of evidence-based practices in mental health care. Improved understanding of these factors could guide future implementation efforts to ensure effective adoption, implementation, and sustainment of evidence-based practices. Objective To estimate the relative contribution of individual and organizational factors on therapist self-reported use of cognitive-behavioral, family, and psychodynamic therapy techniques within the context of a large-scale effort to increase use of evidence-based practices in an urban public mental health system serving youth and families. Design, Setting, and Participants In this observational, cross-sectional study of 23 organizations, data were collected from March 1 through July 25, 2013. We used purposive sampling to recruit the 29 largest child-serving agencies, which together serve approximately 80% of youth receiving publically funded mental health care. The final sample included 19 agencies with 23 sites, 130 therapists, 36 supervisors, and 22 executive administrators. Main Outcomes and Measures Therapist self-reported use of cognitive-behavioral, family, and psychodynamic therapy techniques, as measured by the Therapist Procedures Checklist–Family Revised. Results Individual factors accounted for the following percentages of the overall variation: cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques, 16%; family therapy techniques, 7%; and psychodynamic therapy techniques, 20%. Organizational factors accounted for the following percentages of the overall variation: cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques, 23%; family therapy techniques, 19%; and psychodynamic therapy techniques, 7%. Older therapists and therapists with more open attitudes were more likely to endorse use of cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques, as were those in organizations that had spent fewer years participating in evidence-based practice initiatives, had more resistant cultures, and had more functional climates. Women were more likely to endorse use of family therapy techniques, as were those in organizations employing more fee-for-service staff and with more stressful climates. Therapists with more divergent attitudes and less knowledge about evidence-based practices were more likely to use psychodynamic therapy techniques. Conclusions and Relevance This study suggests that individual and organizational factors are important in explaining therapist behavior and use of evidence-based practices, but the relative importance varies by therapeutic technique.
Effects of dietary boron and arsenic on the behavior of mallard ducklings

High concentrations of boron and arsenic have been associated with irrigation drain water and aquatic plants consumed by waterfowl. Both compounds affect the central nervous system and cause generalized physiological distress in mammals and waterfowl. We examined sublethal effects of boron and arsenic on the behavior of developing mallard ducklings (Anas platyrhynchos). Day-old ducklings received an untreated diet (control) or a diet containing 100, 400, or 1,600 ppm boron, added as boric acid, or 30, 100, or 300 ppm arsenic, added as sodium arsenate. Activity schedules and behavior durations were analyzed for effects at the various treatment levels. Both boron and arsenic at the highest levels had significant effects on the activity schedules of developing ducklings, including increased time at rest and under the provided heat lamp. We also observed decreases in the amount of time treated ducklings spent in alert behaviors and in the water in comparison to control ducklings. High levels of boron (1,600 ppm) increased feeding time overall but did not increase the amount of food consumed. Arsenic had no effect on feeding behavior. There were no differences found in the durations of behaviors as a result of treatment. These findings, in combination with reported effects on the growth and physiology of ducklings under identical treatments, suggest that reported concentrations of these compounds in aquatic plants in the Central Valley of California could adversely affect normal duckling development and survival.
Construction of linear invariants in phylogenetic inference.

Abstract An analytical method is presented for constructing linear invariants. All linear invariants of a k-species tree can be derived from those of (k−1)-species trees using this method. The new method is simpler than that of Cavender, which relies on numerical computations. Moreover, the new method provides a convenient tool to study the relationships between linear invariants of the same tree or of different trees. All linear invariants of trees of up to five species are derived in this study. For four species, there are 16 independent linear invariants for each of the three possible unrooted trees, 14 of which are shared by two unrooted trees and 12 of these are shared by all three unrooted trees; the last types of linear invariants can be used to construct tests on the assumptions about nucleotide substitutions. The number of linear invariants for a tree is found to increase rapidly with the number of species.
Applying Creative Thinking Techniques to Everyday Problems

Discusses the virtues of creativity as the first part of a process enabling companies to outperform their competitors. Considers five techniques for stimulating creativity, with examples of applications of each: lateral thinking, metaphoric thinking, positive thinking, association trigger, and capturing and interpreting dreams. Surmises that creative thinking relies on practice and the right environment as well as education in techniques.
Simultaneous Determination of Thermal Diffusivity and Heat Transfer Coefficient during Sterilization of Carrot Dices in a Packed Bed

Carrot dices were heated under ultra-high temperature sterilization conditions in a packed bed to quantify the effect of superficial fluid velocities on heat transfer coefficient (h) and obtain a value for thermal diffusivity (α). h and α were determined simultaneously under non-constant heating fluid temperatures using a finite difference technique. Temperature profiles calculated using assumed h and α were matched with measured temperature at two points in a cube. Using best fit value for α of 1.94 × 10−7 m2/sec, mean h ranged from 600 to 1533 and 359 to 735 W/m2K for 0 and 1.58 cm/sec fluid velocity and 1 and 2 cm cubes, respectively. At 15.2 cm/sec, when a controlled heat transfer, calculated α was 1.86 ± 0.044 × 10−7 m2/sec.
Biologically derived water soluble conducting polyaniline

Abstract An enzymatic, polyelectrolyte (matrix) assisted polymerization of aniline that directly leads to the formation of water soluble, electrically conducting polyaniline is reported. This new biological route is advantageous in that it offers a mild (pH 4–5), benign, one pot synthesis where the desired product requires minimal purification prior to processing. UV-visnear-IR spectroscopy, FTIR, GPC and conductivity measurements all confirm that the eluctroactive and conducting form of polyaniline, similar to that which is traditionally chemically synthesized, is formed.
The thermal decomposition of carbon dioxide

Abstract A thermodynamic study has been made of the thermal decomposition of carbon dioxide by calculating the equilibrium concentrations of the decomposition products as a function of temperature and total pressure. It was found that over a fairly wide range of temperature and pressure, CO 2 dissociates into carbon monoxide and oxygen with no precipitation of carbon. At each total pressure, above a certain critical temperature, the carbon monoxide disproportionates and the decomposition products are carbon oxygen.
Method for Estimation of Ocean Current Velocity from Satellite Images

Barotropic instability waves on a shear interface propagate at the average speed of the water on the two sides. Assuming the instability to be excited by tidal oscillations, the phase speed is the wavelength divided by the tidal period. If the water is at rest on one side of the shear layer the current speed on the other side can be calculated. This method, applied to the Gulf Stream beyond Cape Hatteras as seen in satellite images, gives estimates of current speed in general agreement with in situ observations.
Fluorometric assay of serum 5′-nucleotide phosphodiesterase in normal humans and cancer patients

Abstract A sensitive method of assaying serum 5′-nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDase) is described. A preliminary study did not find significant differences between the levels of PDase in cancer patients and those of normal human sera.
Synthesis of new gramine‐type analogs of CC‐1065

Preparation of two new analogs 5 and 6 of the antitumor antibiotic CC-1065 1 are described. These compounds represent structural modifications of the active analogs 3 and 2 respectively, in which the dienone A-unit has been replaced by the tricyclic achiral gramine unit 4. Modest cytotoxicity was exhibited by compounds 5 and 6.
Examining the Influence of Gender on the Modality Effect.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of modality and gender on learning from a computer-based matrix graphic organizer. A 2 × 2 factorial experiment was created by crossing two presentation modes (visual text vs. spoken text) and gender. Dependent measures included transfer and comprehension tests. Results revealed a significant modality by gender interaction on the transfer test. These results suggest that when the goal of learning is to transfer information to new contexts, males benefit from a dual mode presentation of text, whereas females benefit from a text only (single mode) presentation. This study adds to the literature by showing that gender is another factor to consider in conjunction with expertise and modality in multimedia learning.
The Effects of Accompanying Harmonic Context on Vocal Pitch Accuracy of a Melody

This study examined the effects of five stylistically diverse vocal harmonisations (traditional tonal, chromatic, dissonant, quartal, and chords with extensions) on a singer's ability to sing an accompanying melodic line. Twenty-five college female sopranos enrolled in various university choral ensembles learned three unfamiliar melodies in an isolated setting, then sang each melody with each of the five different harmonisations. Performances were measured against a prerecorded reference tape using the Micro Music Pitch Master.Results indicated a statistically significant difference among performances with the various harmonic accompaniments and suggested a higher degree of vocal pitch accuracy oni melodies accompanied by traditional tonal harmony. Secondary findings indicated a statistically significant inverse relationship between years of choral ensemble experience and the number of trials needed to learn an unfamiliar melody, and between the number of trials needed to learn an unfamiliar melody and to...
A phonocardiographic study of the apical diastolic murmurs in pure mitral insufficiency

Abstract A phonocardiographic study was made of the apical diastolic murmurs and sounds encountered in a group of 18 patients with high-grade pure mitral insufficiency. The characteristic diastolic murmur occupied early mid-diastole and usually corresponded to a small atrioventricular pressure gradient developing during rapid ventricular filling. A protodiastolic third heart sound was usually present. In the presence of sinus rhythm with prolongation of atrioventricular conduction a presystolic gallop sound and presystolic murmur could be detected. In a few patients an additional low-frequency sound in rapid filling and a component of the diastolic murmur were thought to be due, respectively, to transient valve closure and diastolic mitral regurgitation. Some observations were made concerning the initial and terminal portions of the systolic murmur of mitral regurgitation.
The Peer Context of Adolescent Substance Use: Findings from Social Network Analysis

To examine the peer context of adolescent substance use, social network analysis was used to measure three domains of attributes of peer networks: social embeddedness, social status, and social proximity to substance users. The sample was a panel of 5,104 sixth, seventh, and eighth graders in three public school systems surveyed every 6 months for five assessments. Hierarchical generalized linear models showed that adolescents less embedded in the network, with greater status, and with closer social proximity to peer substance users were more likely to use substances. Also, adolescents in less dense networks and networks with higher smoking prevalence were more likely to smoke and use marijuana. Results establish the utility of social network analysis for measuring peer context and indicate that conventionality of relationships—having friends in the network, being liked but not too well liked, and having fewer friends who use substances—is most beneficial.
Forming an effective multi-robot team robust to failures

We are interested in forming a multi-robot team that attains high utility at a task, and is robust to failures in the robots. We consider configurable robots that are composed of modules, e.g., motors, sensors, and actuators, where each module has an independent probability of failure. The performance of the multi-robot team at the task depends not only on how the robots in the team are composed from modules, but also the probability of failure of the selected modules. We formally define the robust team formation problem, and introduce two methods of defining the optimal team. We contribute the Robust Synergy Graph for Configurable Robots (ρ-SGraCR) model, and two team formation algorithms to find effective robust teams. The first algorithm, OptRobust, runs in exponential time and finds the optimal robust team. The second algorithm, ApproxRobust, makes assumptions about the module failures and approximates the optimal robust team, and runs in polynomial time. We demonstrate the efficacy of the ρ-SGraCR model in modeling robust team performance, and evaluate ApproxRobust and OptRobust. Finally, we apply the ρ-SGraCR model to a real robot problem in the foraging domain, and show that it outperforms competing approaches.
Late-life depression among black and white elderly homecare patients.

Objective The authors compared the prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) and the prescription rates of antidepressant medication, by race, among frail, older homecare patients. Methods A random sample of 56 black and 458 white newly admitted homecare patients age 65 and over was assessed for MDD with structured interviews and medical records, and antidepressant prescription rates were tallied. Results The prevalence of MDD did not differ significantly across racial groups. Only 16.7% of black patients and 32.0% of white patients were prescribed antidepressant medication. Conclusions Prevalence of MDD was similar among black and white elderly homecare patients. In both groups, depression is undertreated and contributes to the burden of this frail, older patient group.
Updates for the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury

The International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) is the most widely used classification in the field of spinal cord injury medicine. Since its first publication in 1982, multiple revisions refining the recommended examination, scaling, and classification have taken place to improve communication, consistency, and clarity. This article describes a brief historical perspective on the development and changes over the years leading to the current ISNCSCI, detailing the most recent updates of 2011 and the worksheet 2013 as well as issues facing the ISNCSCI for the future.
Using Impedance Spectroscopy to Assess the Viability of the Rapid Chloride Test for Determining Concrete Conductivity

The suitability of using the initial current from the rapid chloride test (ASTM C 1202) to determine specimen conductivity is tested using impedance spectroscopy with a frequency spectrum of 10 Hz to 1 MHz. The specimen conductivity has an analytical relationship to specimen diffusivity and so is a useful quantity in service life prediction. Measurements made on specimens of different lengths indicate that the total charge passed during the six hour conduction test carried out according to ASTM C 1202 is not a direct measure of specimen conductivity. Further, ohmic heating during the 6 hour test makes it nearly impossible to directly measure any specimen transport property from the results. The total charge passed during the 6 hour conduction test is, therefore, not a reliable quantity for service life prediction. Results indicate that the direct current (dc) measurement of resistance using a voltage of 60 V is sufficient to overwhelm polarization effects, thereby yielding an accurate estimate of the true specimen conductivity. Impedance spectroscopy measurements also indicate that corrosion may form on the brass electrodes, adding bias to a conductivity estimate based upon a dc measurement.
Process dissociation using a guided procedure

A method for achieving process dissociation is described that places less emphasis on participants’ understanding and remembering interpretations of test cues than does the standard procedure. The proposed method, called theguided procedure, tests memory with a sequence of two prompts, one requesting word-stem recognition, followed by another for word-stem completion. Inclusion and exclusion conditions are produced by requesting completion of recognized stems to form previously presented or new words, respectively. Estimates of automatic and conscious memory produced by the standard and the guided procedures are compared in studies modeled after Toth, Reingold, and Jacoby (1994). Although not significantly different in many aspects, the outcomes differ in ways that may reflect less reliance on a generate—recognize strategy of participants tested with the guided procedure. Additional measures of memory available only with the guided procedure are presented.
An Exploratory Study of Communication, Gender-Role Conflict, and Social Support of Parents of Children Treated at Children's Hospital

This article explores the relationships between communication and social support of parents of children with cancer (N = 44), and the importance of gender-role conflict in fathers. Structural equation modeling and the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model were used to test the expected relationships between communication, social support, gender-role conflict, and anxiety, and to control for sample nonindependence. Results suggest communication increases perceived emotional and instrumental social support between parents, and instrumental support from fathers results in less anxiety for mothers. When fathers experienced more conflict about their role as financial supporter for the family (i.e., career achievement gender-role conflict), fathers perceived less instrumental and emotional support from their wives. However, fathers who experienced more conflict about career achievement were also less anxious. A second measure of fathers’ gender-role conflict (i.e., emotional expression) was unrelated to either mo...