Geometric Morphometry Analysis of the Scapula: Implications for the Determination of Sex and Ancestry

The nascent but growing field of geometric morphometrics has proved to be a useful tool in the investigation of shape differences of skeletal elements of various populations. Until recently, most anthropological studies using geometric morphometrics have focused on shape differences of the skull, largely to the neglect of the postcrania. This research uses coordinate data derived from three-dimensional digitizing to quantify morphological variation in left and right scapulae of Blacks and Whites of both sexes. The sample analyzed was from a collection of present day Americans, making it particularly germane for forensic applications. Left and right scapulae of Black males, Black females, White males, and White females were digitized, producing three-dimensional coordinates that were subsequently subjected to Procrustes analysis, and residuals were analyzed by traditional statistical analyses. Consensus configurations were superimposed using thin-place splines to investigate shape variability among groups. Canonical discriminant function analysis suggested that shape differences exist between scapulae of Blacks and Whites and between the sexes. Principal component analysis showed that principal components loaded differently on the canonical discriminant functions of left and right scapulae. Centroid sizes effectively discriminated between males and females but did not discriminate between Blacks and Whites. The success of this study in differentiating shape variability between scapulae of males and females and between Blacks and Whites demonstrates the benefit of using geometric morphometry to examine biological variability of human subpopulations. In addition, the use of non-traditional landmarks allowed for a more complete analysis of scapular shape. The use of non-traditional landmarks showed that much of the variability in scapular shape between the sexes and between Blacks and Whites lies in previously neglected areas of the scapula

A rapid prototyping/artificial intelligence approach to space station-era information management and access

Applications of rapid prototyping and Artificial Intelligence techniques to problems associated with Space Station-era information management systems are described. In particular, the work is centered on issues related to: (1) intelligent man-machine interfaces applied to scientific data user support, and (2) the requirement that intelligent information management systems (IIMS) be able to efficiently process metadata updates concerning types of data handled. The advanced IIMS represents functional capabilities driven almost entirely by the needs of potential users. Space Station-era scientific data projected to be generated is likely to be significantly greater than data currently processed and analyzed. Information about scientific data must be presented clearly, concisely, and with support features to allow users at all levels of expertise efficient and cost-effective data access. Additionally, mechanisms for allowing more efficient IIMS metadata update processes must be addressed. The work reported covers the following IIMS design aspects: IIMS data and metadata modeling, including the automatic updating of IIMS-contained metadata, IIMS user-system interface considerations, including significant problems associated with remote access, user profiles, and on-line tutorial capabilities, and development of an IIMS query and browse facility, including the capability to deal with spatial information. A working prototype has been developed and is being enhanced

Initial overview of disconnection events in Halley's Comet 1986

We present an initial overview of the disconnection events (DE's) in Comet Halley in 1986. Although disconnection events are arguably the most spectacular of all dynamic comet phenomena, the mechanisms by which they occur are not fully understood. It is generally believed that the solar wind plays a major role in determining when disconnection events occur, but the details of the solar wind/cometary interactions responsible for initiating the tail disconnection are still under debate. The three most widely accepted models are: (1) high speed streams in the solar wind cause the tail to disconnect due to pressure effects; (2) decreased production of cometary ions in a high speed stream allows magnetic field to slip away from the comet; and (3) the tail disconnects after frontside reconnection of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) as the comet crosses a magnetic field sector boundary. We find that the front-side magnetic reconnection model is the best explanation for the DE's we have considered

Representative Names of Computing Degree Programs Worldwide

Through the auspices of ACM and with support from the IEEE Computer Society, a task group charged to prepare the IT2017 report conducted an online international survey of computing faculty members about their undergraduate degree programs in computing. The purpose of this survey was to clarify the breadth of and disparities in nomenclature used by diverse communities in the computing field, where a word or phrase can mean different things in different computing communities. This paper examines the English-language words and phrases used to name the computing programs of almost six hundred survey respondents, and the countries in which those names are used. Over eight hundred program names analysed in this paper reveal six program names that together account for more than half of all program names. The paper goes on to consider possible correspondence between reported program names and the five areas of computing identified by the ACM. Names such as computer science and information technology appear to dominate, but with different meanings, while the names of other computing disciplines show clear geographic preferences. Convergence towards a very small number of highly representative program names in computing education worldwide might be deceptive. The paper calls for further examination and international collaborations to align program names with program curriculum content

Origin of large moments in Mnx_xSi1−x_{1-x} at small x

Recently, the magnetic moment/Mn, $M$, in Mn$_x$Si$_{1-x}$ was measured to be 5.0 $\mu_B$/Mn, at $x$ =0.1%. To understand this observed $M$, we investigate several Mn$_x$Si$_{1-x}$ models of alloys using first-principles density functional methods. The only model giving $M = 5.0$ was a 513-atom cell having the Mn at a substitutional site, and Si at a second-neighbor interstitial site. The observed large moment is a consequence of the weakened d-p hybridization between the Mn and one of its nearest neighbor Si atoms, resulting from the introduction of the second-neighbor interstitial Si. Our result suggests a way to tune the magnetic moments of transition metal doped semiconductors.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

Population-Based Fish Consumption Survey and Probabilistic Methylmercury Risk Assessment

A fish consumption survey was developed and administered by telephone to 820 Wyoming fishing license holders. Survey respondents provided the frequency, species, and quantity of Wyoming-caught and store-bought fish consumed for license holder and household members. Deterministic and probabilistic methylmercury exposure distributions were estimated by multiplying fish consumption by species-specific mercury concentrations for each household member. Risk assessments were conducted for children, women of childbearing age, and the rest of the population by comparing methylmercury exposure distributions to levels of concern. The results indicate that probabilistic risk assessment likely provides a more realistic view of the risk to the study population. The results of this study clearly indicate that: (1) there is no level of fish consumption that is without risk of methylmercury exposure, (2) fish advisories may be warranted for children and women of childbearing age, and (3) that store-bought fish generally contribute more to methylmercury exposure than do Wyoming-caught fish

Shannon Snow, soprano; Paul Feaver, tenor; Leslee Heys, piano; Katie Fang, piano

Shannon Snow, soprano; Paul Feaver, tenor; Leslee Heys, piano; Katie Fang, pianoShannon Snow et al: presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for Music 440B. -- Katie Fang: presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for Music 345B

Use Of The PSI Technique In Prerequisite Courses

An engineering physics course, in which the Personalized System of Instruction (PSI) technique has been used, has been designed to meet the requirements that all of a prescribed list of subjects be covered and that the course be completed within a single semester. The course was modified so that it has two levels of mastery for each unit: a passing level and a complete mastery level. All students were required to reach a passing level of mastery on all of the required material. Grades were assigned according to the number of complete mastery level examinations passed. It was found that unit deadlines are necessary to insure completion of the material, but they do not hinder progress because only passing mastery is required by each deadline. Ninety-two percent of the students who have completed the course indicate a preference for this PSI technique over the regular lecture. © 1975, American Association of Physics Teachers. All rights reserved

Population-Based Fish Consumption Survey and Probabilistic Methylmercury Risk Assessment

A fish consumption survey was developed and administered by telephone to 820 Wyoming fishing license holders. Survey respondents provided the frequency, species, and quantity of Wyoming-caught and store-bought fish consumed for license holder and household members. Deterministic and probabilistic methylmercury exposure distributions were estimated by multiplying fish consumption by species-specific mercury concentrations for each household member. Risk assessments were conducted for children, women of childbearing age, and the rest of the population by comparing methylmercury exposure distributions to levels of concern. The results indicate that probabilistic risk assessment likely provides a more realistic view of the risk to the study population. The results of this study clearly indicate that: (1) there is no level of fish consumption that is without risk of methylmercury exposure, (2) fish advisories may be warranted for children and women of childbearing age, and (3) that store-bought fish generally contribute more to methylmercury exposure than do Wyoming-caught fish