Toward A Partial Understanding Of Complexity In Arikara Mortuary Practice

Abstract

Ethnohistorical references on Arikara mortuary practice are summarized, and the recently proposed hypothesis that Arikara mortuary practice was more complex than previously suspected is evaluated. In addition, the ethnohistorical sources are reinterpreted, and it is proposed that some Arikara mortuary complexity was directly related to season of death.     

Religious Significance Of Blackfoot Quillwork

Abstract

Quillwork among the Indian tribes of the Northwest as practised by the women embodied features of religious significance of a restrictive nature, Only a few women had the right to do this work and it was they who gave permission for others to be initiated into the religious pattern. The symbolisms, while varying between tribes, included specific prayers, face and hand painting and the wearing of specific ornaments, such as necklaces, while quilling. Quill work was done in return for gifts and the finished product could not be sold. Designs could be used only by the owner unless they were given away.     

On the Virtues Of Simplicity:

Abstract

The assumption of complexity seems to dominate much of anthropological thinking. This is clearly indicated by the frequency of use of complex multivariate statistics such as factor analysis. It is argued here that human behavior may often be much simpler than assumed and that the optimal approach to data analysis is to assume simplicity until demonstrated otherwise. It is also argued that when multivariate statistics are used, they are most effectively used in a deductive framework.     

The Rock Art Of Western Montana

Abstract

Western Montana rock art comprises 29 pictograph sites scattered throughout the mountainousPacific-drained portion of the state. The sites, composed of panels of simple red, yellow or black pictographs, cluster along the major streams in the region. A variety of zoomorphic, anthropomorphic and geometric designs predominate. Traditionally Western Montana rock art has beenassumed to be related to the rock art of the Northwestern Plains, however, this study demonstrates that functionally and stylistically its closest relationships are with Columbia Plateau rock art. Two style zones, each reflecting a different cultural influence, are recognized in theregion. The majority of sites apparently served as vision quest sites for Salishan tribes that inhabited the area during the Late Prehistoric Period. A few sites in the extreme southern portion of the region are attributed to Shoshoneans, and relate most closely to the pictographsof central and southern Idaho.     

Some Materials On The Assimilation Of Oklahoma Indians

Abstract

This article describes, in quite general terms, the current condition of the Indians of Oklahoma, with particular attention given the Cherokee. The author views the system of allotments in severalty and the policies of the Bureau of Indian Affairs as principal factors underlying the increased rate of assimilation of the Oklahoma tribes. She deals briefly with the Native American Church, and cites this as evidence of a reaction to assimilation on the part of the Indians.     

Notes on the Weasel in Historic Plains Indian Culture

Abstract

One of the smaller mammals of the Creat Plains is the short-legged, slender-bodied, agile and aggressive weasel. The historic Indian tribes of this region did not eat the weasel, but the northern tribes snared these animals in winter to obtain their handsome white pelts. Winter weasel pelts were coveted items in both intratribal and intertribal trade and were used by many tribes to decorate war bonnets, and the finest men’s shirts and leggings. Whole weasels were sometimes tied to shields as war medicine, and some Siouan tribes carv, ed representations of the weasel at the ends of their wooden war clubs. Among the Plains Indians the association of the weasel with warriors’ clothing and weapons appears to have been derived from their recognition of the fighting qualities of the weasel.     

Measurement of the Girth of Coniferous Trees at Braemar in 1894

ABSTRACT

Background: Plant communities are usually characterised by species composition and abundance, but also underlie a multitude of complex interactions that we have only recently started unveiling. Yet, we are still far from understanding ecological and evolutionary processes shaping the network-level organisation of plant diversity, and to what extent these processes are specific to certain spatial scales or environments.

Aims: Understanding the systemic mechanisms of plant–plant network assembly and their consequences for diversity patterns.

Methods: We review recent methods and results of plant–plant networks.

Results: We synthetize how plant–plant networks can help us to: (a) assess how competition and facilitation may balance each other through the network; (b) analyse the role of plant–plant interactions beyond pairwise competition in structuring plant communities, and (c) forecast the ecological implications of complex species dependencies. We discuss pros and cons, assumptions and limitations of different approaches used for inferring plant–plant networks.

Conclusions: We propose novel opportunities for advancing plant ecology by using ecological networks that encompass different ecological levels and spatio-temporal scales, and incorporate more biological information. Embracing networks of interactions among plants can shed new light on mechanisms driving evolution and ecosystem functioning, helping us to mitigate diversity loss.     

The Function of Ceremonial Sexual Intercourse Among the Northern Plains Indians

Abstract

Sexual intimacy as a means of transferring spiritual power appears to have been a Mandan-Hidatsa ceremonial trait borrowed by three Algonkian Plains tribes as part of the graded men’s societies complex. The Algonkian tribes modified the rite, which in the village tribes emphasized the role of father’s clan. The Arapaho emphasized the cosmic symbolism of the rite, the Atsina made it a test of self-discipline, and the Blackfoot stressed the dangerous power commanded by those who performed it. These modifications parallel the differences in kinship structure between village and nomadic Plains tribes discussed by Eggan.     

Nesting biology,life cycle,and interactions between females of Manuelia postica,a solitary species of the Xylocopinae (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Abstract

The Xylocopinae contains four tribes with species which show a range of nesting habits, from solitary to social. The Manueliini is the sister group to all other Xylocopine tribes, with one genus, Manuelia, of three species found mainly in Chile. This is a solitary genus, whose biology is scarcely known for two species, M. gayatina and M. gayi, and so far completely unknown for M. postica. This paper reports on nesting substrates, nest architecture, nesting behaviours, life cycle, and interactions between females at nesting sites, for M. postica. The results indicate that M. postica presents some features which are typical of solitary life, and also some features which are unusual in solitary bees but have been reported in phylogenetically more apical social species. Our findings open interesting questions on the ecological scenarios involved in the evolution of sociality within the Xylocopinae.     

Sensory ecology of scyphomedusae

The sensory ecology of scyphomedusae is a subject ripe for investigation. There are sensory structures for which there is no experimental evidence of function, there are behavioral performances for which there are no demonstrated sense organs, and there are behaviors for which there are no adaptive explanations. Scyphomedusae are diploblastic animals with a primitive level of neurological complexity, yet they exhibit a wide range of complex and sophisticated behaviors, such as sun compass navigation and daily horizontal migrations. This paper reviews the sensory ecology of orientation and migratory behavior in scyphomedusae, with an emphasis on data from Aurelia aurita. Adaptive explanations for complex behavior of individuals must be evaluated at the population level in order to assess their ecological importance.     

Evolution of exceptional species richness among lineages of fleshy-fruited Myrtaceae

MethodsBayesian phylogenetic analyses of plastid and nuclear DNA sequences were used to estimate intertribal relationships and lineage divergence times in Myrtaceae. Focusing on the fleshy-fruited tribes, a variety of statistical approaches were used to assess diversification rates and diversification rate shifts across the family.ConclusionsFleshy fruits have evolved independently in Syzygieae and Myrteae, and this is accompanied by exceptional diversification rate shifts in both instances, suggesting that the evolution of fleshy fruits is a key innovation for rainforest Myrtaceae. Noting the scale dependency of this hypothesis, more complex explanations may be required to explain diversification rate shifts occurring within the fleshy-fruited tribes, and the suggested phylogenetic hypothesis provides an appropriate framework for this undertaking.     

Evaluation of the complexity of treatment plans from a national IMRT/VMAT audit – Towards a plan complexity score

PurposeThis work aimed to characterize and compare the complexity of the plans created in the context of a national IMRT/VMAT audit. A plan complexity score is proposed to summarize all the evaluated complexity features.Materials and methodsNine complexity metrics have been computed for the audit plans, evaluating different complexity aspects. An approach based on Principal Component Analysis was followed to explore the correlation between the metrics and derive a smaller set of new uncorrelated variables (principal components, PCs). The resulting PCs were then used to calculate a plan complexity score. Plan quality was also assessed and the correlation between plan complexity, quality and deliverability investigated using the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.ResultsThe first two PCs explained over 90% of the total variance in the original dataset. Their representation allowed to identify patterns in the data, namely a clear separation between plans created using different technologies/techniques. The calculated plan complexity score quantified these differences. Sliding window Eclipse plans were found to be the most complex and VMAT Eclipse group presented the highest complexity variability, for the evaluated parameters. Concerning plan quality, no differences between treatment technology/technique have been identified. However, plans with larger number of monitor units tended to be associated with higher deviations between calculated and measured doses.ConclusionsThe proposed plan complexity score allowed to summarize the differences not only inter- but also intra-groups of technologies/techniques, paving the way for improvement of the planning strategies at the national level through knowledge sharing.     

A hub-and-spoke model to deliver effective access to chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy in a public health network: the Catalan Blood and Tissue Bank experience

Background aimsTo describe and analyze whether a hub-and-spoke organizational model could efficiently provide access to chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy within a network of academic hospitals and address the growing demands of this complex and specialized activity.MethodsThe authors performed a retrospective evaluation of activity within the Catalan Blood and Tissue Bank network, which was established for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to serve six CAR T-cell programs in academic hospitals of the Catalan Health Service. Procedures at six hospitals were followed from 2016 to 2021. Collection shipments of starting materials, CAR T-cell returns for storage and infusions for either clinical trials or commercial use were evaluated.ResultsA total of 348 leukocytapheresis procedures were performed, 39% of which were delivered fresh and 61% of which were cryopreserved. The network was linked to seven advanced therapy medicinal product manufacturers. After production, 313 CAR T-cell products were shipped back to the central cryogenic medicine warehouse located in the hub. Of the units received, 90% were eventually administered to patients. A total of 281 patients were treated during this period, 45% in clinical trials and the rest with commercially available CAR T-cell therapies.ConclusionsA hub-and-spoke organizational model based on an existing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation program is efficient in incorporating CAR T-cell therapy into a public health hospital network. Rapid access and support of growing activity enabled 281 patients to receive CAR T cells during the study period.     

The Archaeology Of The Breeden Site

Abstract

The Breeden Site cultural sequence reenforcesthe general culture history already established for the Bad-Cheyenne Region and the more inclusive Middle Missouri Tradition. House remains and the bulk of the ceramic materials from the site indicate habitation of the area by peoples of the Initial Middle Missouri Variant and the PostContact Coalescent Variant.Component A at the Breeden Site and the Monroe and Anderson components at the Dodd Site exhibit a complex of diagnosticcultural traits significant enough to define a new phase - the Anderson Phase. A temporal span of approximately A.D. 950to 1250 is suggested for the phase. Component B of the Breeden Site, an early manifestation of the Post-Contract Coalescent Variant, is closely associated with components of the Felicia Phase and the putative Talking Crow Phase. Breeden Component B probably represents an upriver movement of Coalescent peoples from the Big Bend area, eventually being assimilated into the Arikara populations of the Bad River Phase within the Bad-Cheyenne Region.     

Application of Molecular Biology and Genetics in Endocrinology

ObjectiveTo review the growing impact of molecular biology and genetics on clinical endocrinology.MethodsMedical literature, databases, and Web sites describing genetics and genomic medicine with relevance for clinical endocrinology were reviewed.ResultsMany monogenic disorders can now be explained at the molecular level and the diagnosis can be established through mutational analysis. The ability to establish a molecular diagnosis is relevant for carrier detection and genetic counseling. In contrast to the significant advances in monogenic disorders, the current knowledge about the genetic components contributing to the pathogenesis of complex disorders is still relatively modest and is a major focus of current research efforts. Molecular biology already has an important impact on therapy in endocrine disorders. A broad spectrum of recombinant peptides and proteins are used in daily practice, eg, insulin and insulin analogues. Moreover, the increasingly detailed understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of cancer is leading to the development of novel and more specific inhibitors. While genetic testing has many advantages, it is important that physicians and patients are aware of potential limitations. They include, among others, technical limitations and allelic and nonallelic heterogeneity. These limitations need to be discussed in detail with patients and relatives, and it is often useful to involve a genetic counselor before obtaining informed consent by the individuals undergoing testing.ConclusionMolecular biology and genetics play an increasingly important role for the diagnosis and therapy of endocrine disorders. Challenges for the future include the elucidation of the genetic components contributing to complex disorders, eg, diabetes mellitus type 2, and the development of cheaper and comprehensive DNA sequencing technologies. Lastly, it is important that there is continuing attention directed towards the ethical, social, and legal aspects surrounding genetic medicine. (Endocr Pract, 2007;13: 534-541)     

Bobgunnia, a new African genus of tribe Swartzieae (Fabaceae, Faboideae)

A new genus, Bobgunnia, is established in tribe Swartzieae for the African species of Swartzia. Two new combinations are made: B. fistuloides and B. madagascariensis. The new genus has seeds, unlike the remainder of tribe Swartzieae but like the other tribes of Faboideae. The systematic position of Swartzieae is reevaluated.     

药品可及性视角下国家基本药物制度实施效果评价

目的 研究基本药物制度对我国基层医疗卫生机构药品可及性的影响。方法 选取上海、江西、四川和重庆共24家基层医疗机构进行问卷调查和小组访谈。结果 基本药物制度实施后,基层医疗卫生机构药品的配备率、招标采购、配送时间以及患者药品负担得到了明显改善,药品零差率销售补偿机制不断完善。结论 我国基层医疗卫生机构基本药物的可及性不断提高,但是在目录遴选、招标采购、药品配送、人才队伍建设和补偿机构方面仍然存在着诸多问题。     

Wood anatomy of the subfamily Crotonoideae (Euphorbiaceae s.s.) from India: systematic implications with special reference to the taxonomic delimitation of Givotia and Vernicia

The wood anatomy of 15 representative species belonging to 12 genera of nine tribes of the subfamily Crotonoideae (Euphorbiaceae) are comprehensively described with focus on systematic implications. In addition, ecological and evolutionary aspects are evaluated. An identification key to the species based on wood anatomical features is presented. The wood microstructure of the tribes was found to be considerably heterogeneous reflecting an unnatural classification of the subfamily. However, the results confirm the generic relationship within subtribe Aleuritinae and tribe Ricinodendreae. Vernicia and Givotia may be recognized based on wood anatomical and morphological characters. The tribes Micrandreae and Adenoclineae have considerable similarity in wood anatomy. The wood structure of the monogeneric tribes Trigonostemoneae and Geloneae idicate a close relationship with the tribe Crotoneae.     

Coherent dynamics and association networks among lake bacterioplankton taxa

Bacteria have important roles in freshwater food webs and in the cycling of elements in the ecosystem. Yet specific ecological features of individual phylogenetic groups and interactions among these are largely unknown. We used 454 pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA genes to study associations of different bacterioplankton groups to environmental characteristics and their co-occurrence patterns over an annual cycle in a dimictic lake. Clear seasonal succession of the bacterioplankton community was observed. After binning of sequences into previously described and highly resolved phylogenetic groups (tribes), their temporal dynamics revealed extensive synchrony and associations with seasonal events such as ice coverage, ice-off, mixing and phytoplankton blooms. Coupling between closely and distantly related tribes was resolved by time-dependent rank correlations, suggesting ecological coherence that was often dependent on taxonomic relatedness. Association networks with the abundant freshwater Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria in focus revealed complex interdependencies within bacterioplankton communities and contrasting linkages to environmental conditions. Accordingly, unique ecological features can be inferred for each tribe and reveal the natural history of abundant cultured and uncultured freshwater bacteria.