The Relationship Between Individual and Group Creative Behaviors

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between individual and group　creative behaviors. Creativity is defined as the interaction among aptitude, process, and environment by which an individual or a group produces a perceptible product that is both novel and useful (Plucker et al. 2004).Group creativity are performed via brainstorming and group meetings (Reiter-Palmon et al., 2012). Data was collected from 108 Indonesian college students. Individual creative behaviors were measured via the activity checklist developed by Runco et al.(2001). Group creative behaviors were evaluated by the self-reported scale that clearly reflected the process to generate ideas in group activities. Factor analysis found five factor solutions for group creative behaviors. Linear regression analysis found that Runco's individual creative behaviors exerted the significant influences on four out of five group creative factors, i.e., collaborative, originality, ingenious, and self-confidence. Theoretical and practical implications are considered

Nonpolar optical scattering of positronium in magnesium fluoride

We report the results of the analysis of the temperature broadening of the momentum distribution of delocalized Positronium (Ps) in Magnesium Fluoride in terms of optical deformation-potential scattering model (long-wavelength optical phonons). The Ps optical deformation-potential coupling constant $D_{o}$ in MgF$_{2}$ has been determined to be $(1.8\pm0.3)\times10^{9}$ eV/cm. We also show that the Ps momentum distribution is sensitive to second-order phase transitions in those crystals where optical deformation-potential scattering is allowed in one and forbidden in another crystalline phase

Application of constitutive friction laws to glacier seismicity

While analysis of glacial seismicity continues to be a widely used method for interpreting glacial processes, the underlying mechanics controlling glacial stick-slip seismicity remain speculative. Here, we report on laboratory shear experiments of debris-laden ice slid over a bedrock asperity under carefully controlled conditions. By modifying the elastic loading stiffness, we generated the first laboratory icequakes. Our work represents the first comprehensive lab observations of unstable ice-slip events and replicates several seismological field observations of glacier slip, such as slip velocity, stress drop, and the relationship between stress drop and recurrence interval. We also observe that stick-slips initiate above a critical driving velocity and that stress drop magnitude decreases with further increases in velocity, consistent with friction theory and rock-on-rock friction laboratory experiments. Our results demonstrate that glacier slip behavior can be accurately predicted by the constitutive rate-and-state friction laws that were developed for rock friction

Mixed brittle and viscous strain localisation in pelagic sediments seaward of the Hikurangi margin, New Zealand

Calcareous‐pelagic input sediments are present at several subduction zones and deform differently to their siliciclastic counterparts. We investigate deformation in calcareous‐pelagic sediments drilled ~20 km seaward of the Hikurangi megathrust toe at Site U1520 during IODP Expeditions 372 and 375. Clusters of normal faults and subhorizontal stylolites in the sediments indicate both brittle faulting and viscous pressure solution operated at 150°C where frictional (possibly seismic) slip likely predominates

Terahertz analysis of an East Asian historical mural painting

Terahertz (THz) spectroscopy and THz and imaging techniques are expected to have great potential for the non-invasive analysis of artworks. We have applied THz imaging to analyse the historic mural painting of a Lamaism temple by using a transportable time-domain THz imaging system; such an attempt is the first in the world. The reflection image revealed that there are two orange colours in the painting, although they appear the same to the naked eye. THz imaging can also estimate the depth of cracks. The colours were examined by X-ray fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy, and the results were found to be in good agreement. This work proved that THz imaging can contribute to the non-invasive analysis of cultural heritage

Anti-PAD4 autoantibodies in rheumatoid arthritis: levels in serum over time and impact on PAD4 activity as measured with a small synthetic substrate

Isoform 4 of the human peptidylarginine deiminase (hPAD4) enzyme may be responsible for the citrullination of antigens in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and has been shown to be itself the target of disease-specific autoantibodies. Here, we have tested whether the level of serum anti-hPAD4 antibodies in RA patients is stable over a period of 10 years and whether the antibodies influence hPAD4-mediated deimination of the small substrate N-α-Benzoyl-l-arginine ethyl ester. RA sera (n = 128) obtained at baseline and after 10 years were assessed for anti-hPAD4 antibodies by a specific immunoassay. For 118 RA patients, serum anti-hPAD4 IgG levels were stable over 10 years. Seven patients who were negative for anti-PAD4 IgG at baseline had become positive after 10 years. Further, total IgG from selected RA patients and controls were purified, and a fraction was depleted for anti-hPAD4 antibodies. Kinetic deimination assays were performed with total IgG and depleted fractions. The kcat and Km values of hPAD4-mediated deimination of N-α-Benzoyl-l-arginine ethyl ester were not affected by the depletion of the anti-hPAD4 antibodies from the total IgG pool. In conclusion, RA patients remain positive for anti-hPAD4 antibodies over time and some patients who are initially anti-hPAD4 negative become positive later in the disease course. The anti-hPAD4 antibodies did not affect the enzymatic activity of hPAD4 when the small substrate N-α-Benzoyl-l-arginine ethyl ester was used. However, this finding may not exclude an effect of these autoantibodies on citrullination of protein substrates in RA

Evidence of seismic slip on a large splay fault in the Hikurangi subduction zone

The Hikurangi subduction zone is capable of producing moderate to large earthquakes as well as regularly repeating slow slip events. However, it is unclear what structures host these different slip styles along the margin. Here we address whether splay faults can host seismic slip at shallow (1 m as observed in the 1947 Poverty and Tolaga Bay earthquakes

Chemotherapy with cisplatin and vinorelbine for elderly patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

BACKGROUND: Although modest improvements in the survival of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can be achieved with cisplatin-based chemotherapy (CT), its value is disputed in the geriatric setting. In this study, we evaluate the feasibility of vinorelbine/cisplatin CT for elderly NSCLC patients. METHODS: In this pilot phase I/II trial, all patients received CT with vinorelbine 25 mg/m(2), on day 1 and 8, and cisplatin on day 1, in 28 days-cycles. After stratification for age (up to 75 years), younger patients were sequentially allocated to moderate cisplatin doses (80 mg/m(2 )or 90 mg/m(2)), and older patients were allocated to lower cisplatin doses (60 mg/m(2 )or 70 mg/m(2)). We recruited patients aged over 70 years with newly diagnosed NSCLC, clinical stage III or IV, Karnofsky performance status ≥ 70%, normal serum creatinine, peripheral neuropathy ≤ grade 1, and no prior cancer therapy. RESULTS: Analysis was by intention to treat. Main toxicities (grade 3–4) was as follows: neutropenia, 20%; anemia, 11%; and thrombocytopenia, 2%; alopecia, 55%; fatigue, 11%; and peripheral neurotoxicity, 2%. No grade 3–4 emesis or renal toxicity occurred. Global median time to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS) were 27.0 (95% CI: 10.1 to 43.7) weeks and 30.1 (95% CI: 24.4 to 35.8) weeks; 1- and 2-year survival rates were 36.3% and 13.2%, respectively. Overall response rate was 50.0% (95% CI: 35.4% to 64.5%), with 1 complete response; no difference on response rate was noticed according to cisplatin dose. Median overall survival was 30.1 weeks, with 1- and 2-year survival rates of 36.3% and 13.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Age does not preclude assessment on the role of cisplatin-vinorelbine CT for elderly NSCLC patients with good performance status and adequate bodily functions

Brain structural covariance networks in obsessive-compulsive disorder: a graph analysis from the ENIGMA Consortium.

Brain structural covariance networks reflect covariation in morphology of different brain areas and are thought to reflect common trajectories in brain development and maturation. Large-scale investigation of structural covariance networks in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) may provide clues to the pathophysiology of this neurodevelopmental disorder. Using T1-weighted MRI scans acquired from 1616 individuals with OCD and 1463 healthy controls across 37 datasets participating in the ENIGMA-OCD Working Group, we calculated intra-individual brain structural covariance networks (using the bilaterally-averaged values of 33 cortical surface areas, 33 cortical thickness values, and six subcortical volumes), in which edge weights were proportional to the similarity between two brain morphological features in terms of deviation from healthy controls (i.e. z-score transformed). Global networks were characterized using measures of network segregation (clustering and modularity), network integration (global efficiency), and their balance (small-worldness), and their community membership was assessed. Hub profiling of regional networks was undertaken using measures of betweenness, closeness, and eigenvector centrality. Individually calculated network measures were integrated across the 37 datasets using a meta-analytical approach. These network measures were summated across the network density range of K = 0.10-0.25 per participant, and were integrated across the 37 datasets using a meta-analytical approach. Compared with healthy controls, at a global level, the structural covariance networks of OCD showed lower clustering (P < 0.0001), lower modularity (P < 0.0001), and lower small-worldness (P = 0.017). Detection of community membership emphasized lower network segregation in OCD compared to healthy controls. At the regional level, there were lower (rank-transformed) centrality values in OCD for volume of caudate nucleus and thalamus, and surface area of paracentral cortex, indicative of altered distribution of brain hubs. Centrality of cingulate and orbito-frontal as well as other brain areas was associated with OCD illness duration, suggesting greater involvement of these brain areas with illness chronicity. In summary, the findings of this study, the largest brain structural covariance study of OCD to date, point to a less segregated organization of structural covariance networks in OCD, and reorganization of brain hubs. The segregation findings suggest a possible signature of altered brain morphometry in OCD, while the hub findings point to OCD-related alterations in trajectories of brain development and maturation, particularly in cingulate and orbitofrontal regions

Shear behavior of DFDP-1 borehole samples from the Alpine Fault, New Zealand, under a wide range of experimental conditions

The Alpine Fault is a major plate-boundary fault zone that poses a major seismic hazard in southern New Zealand. The initial stage of the Deep Fault Drilling Project has provided sample material from the major lithological constituents of the Alpine Fault from two pilot boreholes. We use laboratory shearing experiments to show that the friction coefficient µ of fault-related rocks and their precursors varies between 0.38 and 0.80 depending on the lithology, presence of pore fluid, effective normal stress, and temperature. Under conditions appropriate for several kilometers depth on the Alpine Fault (100 MPa, 160 °C, fluid-saturated), a gouge sample located very near to the principal slip zone exhibits µ = 0.67, which is high compared with other major fault zones targeted by scientific drilling, and suggests the capacity for large shear stresses at depth. A consistent observation is that every major lithological unit tested exhibits positive and negative values of friction velocity dependence. Critical nucleation patch lengths estimated using representative values of the friction velocity-dependent parameter a−b and the critical slip distance D c , combined with previously documented elastic properties of the wall rock, may be as low as ~3 m. This small value, consistent with a seismic moment M o = ~4 × 1010 for an M w = ~1 earthquake, suggests that events of this size or larger are expected to occur as ordinary earthquakes and that slow or transient slip events are unlikely in the approximate depth range of 3–7 km