Family-Focused Preventive Interventions: Evaluating Parental Risk Moderation of Substance Use Trajectories.

Four years of longitudinal data from 373 families participating in a randomized intervention-control clinical trial were used to examine whether intervention effects on adolescent alcohol and tobacco use trajectories were moderated by family risk, as defined by parental social emotional maladjustment. Consistent with earlier outcome evaluations based on analyses of covariance, analyses confirmed that both the Preparing for the Drug Free Years program and the Iowa Strengthening Families Program favorably influenced alcohol use index trajectories across the time frame of the study; only the latter program, however, evidenced positive effects on a tobacco use index. Concerning the primary research question, analyses provided no support for family risk moderation of any intervention effect. Findings indicate the feasibility of developing universal preventive interventions that offer comparable benefits to all families. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Human, rhesus macaque, and feline sequences highly similar to mouse mammary tumor virus sequences

Sequences highly similar (>95%) to the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) env gene have been amplified from human DNA samples, including DNA samples from patients with breast cancer (BC) and persons who did not have BC. The sequences from human DNA were distinct from the MMTV sequences used as controls in these PCR reactions, indicating that these results are not simply due to contamination. In addition to both, mouse and human-related sequences were also amplified from some monkey and cat genomic DNA samples. These products were shown to be distinct from, but highly related to, the MMTV env gene, whereas, testing of other sources (lambda phage, snake, cockroach, sea urchin, chicken, or dog) demonstrated no specific amplification. A sequence 90% similar to the MMTV group antigen gene (gag) was amplified from cat DNA. These results indicate that DNA from vertebrate species other than rodents, including some but not all humans, monkeys, and cats, can contain sequences closely related to MMTV.     

An integer goal programming model for determining capital expenditures for correctional facilities

The selection of capital expenditure projects for the construction of state correctional facilities is often complicated by the existence of multiple and conflicting objectives on the part of the various interest groups involved in the decision-making process. While some groups view the limited availability of state funds to construct such facilities as the paramount consideration, others might consider having adequate capacity to house prisoners in a satisfactory manner, and the effect of prison overcrowding on prisoner sentencing as the primary factors in the decision to construct new facilities. As such. it is imperative that the limited funds available for constructing correctional facilities be allocated in the most efficient and satisfactory manner possible. In this paper, integer goal programming is demonstrated via a case example as a means for allocating funds for capital expenditures for new and renovated correctional facilities. Sensitivity analysis is performed using the model in order to demonstrate its capability for testing various planning scenarios including alternative priority structures, goal constraints and goal levels.     

Synthesis and dissociation of soliton molecules in parallel optical-soliton reactors

Mode-locked lasers have been widely used to explore interactions between optical solitons, including bound-soliton states that may be regarded as"photonic molec...     

Gas chromatographic-olfactometric characterization of aroma active compounds in sun-dried and vacuum-dried tarhana

The influence of drying methods on the aroma active volatiles of sun-dried tarhana (SDT) and vacuum-dried tarhana (VDT) were compared using headspace SPME, GC-O and GC-MS. Although vacuum drying reduced the total amount of volatiles as compared to SDT (total FID peak area), more aroma active material was retained with VDT (total olfactory peak area). Vacuum drying retained a greater number of aroma active components (41) whereas the sun-dried method retained only 23. Aldehydes were the largest single class of aroma compounds in both types of tarhana: 17 in VDT and 10 in SDT. Other differentiating aroma compounds include alcohols, terpenes, and phenols such as geraniol, terpinolene, and 4-vinylguaiacol among others. A total of 22 aroma active components were present in greater amounts in the VDT versus only four aroma compounds present in greater amounts in the SDT.     

Application of heterogeneous nucleation theory to precipitate nucleation at GP zones

The accelerated nucleation of precipitates at GP zones is explained using heterogeneous nucleation theory. Nucleation at zone : matrix boundaries is encouraged by several factors: 1) the chemical interfacial energy of zone : matrix boundaries can significantly decrease the interfacial energy barrier to nucleation; 2) destruction of quenched-in excess vacancies at incoherent portions of the nucleus surface may make the change in the volume free energy significantly more negative; 3) the crystal structures of the zone and matrix are identical and parallel which permits the nucleus to be faceted in both phases. Some additional assistance to nucleation at GP zones is provided by: 4) the accelerated diffusivity resulting from the presence of excess vacancies and 5) the large area of zone : matrix boundary per unit volume of matrix. These factors can more than compensate for the decreased solute supersaturation due to the formation of GP zones and provide an explanation for the enhanced nucleation of precipitates in the presence of GP zones.     

An augmented EM algorithm for monotonic Bayesian networks using parameterized conditional probability tables

Bayesian networks offer an attractive framework for describing the relationship between latent proficiency variables and observable outcomes. In educational applications, it is useful to restrict the conditional probability tables of the Bayesian network to be monotonic—increasing skill implies a high chance of a good performance. This paper describes the DiBello family of models for Bayesian networks, which enforce monotonicity, and introduces an augmented EM algorithm for estimating the parameters of these models. In a calibration experiment using simulated data, the algorithm did a good job recovering the model parameters and the conditional probability tables with sample sizes as low as 400.

     

CASTING CHARACTERISTICS OF CLAYS: I,IMPROVED METHODS FOR DETERMINATION*

Part I of this investigation covers the development of reliable laboratory tests to indicate the relative properties of different clays with the primary consideration of their casting behavior. Methods are given for the determination of casting rate, permeability, water retention, fluidity, thixotropy, organic content, shrinkage, and dry strength. By determining the effect of varying increments of electrolyte on the foregoing properties, it is possible to select clays which have desirable casting characteristics for commercial use. Samples of fast- and slow-casting kaolins and ball clays were used to indicate the utility of the methods employed; results are also given for two composite bodies. In developing the test procedures using the Büchner funnel (vacuum), the effect of the following factors was determined: mixing procedure, ratio of clay to flint, feldspar vs. flint as the nonplastic, electrolyte content, quantity of slip used, specific gravity of slip, slip temperature, aging, and vacuum pressure; The optimum procedure for testing clays was then evolved. Part II and Part III of this series of studies are in preparation for publication.