Directional dominance on stature and cognition in diverse human populations

Homozygosity has long been associated with rare, often devastating, Mendelian disorders1, and Darwin was one of the first to recognize that inbreeding reduces evolutionary fitness2. However, the effect of the more distant parental relatedness that is common in modern human populations is less well understood. Genomic data now allow us to investigate the effects of homozygosity on traits of public health importance by observing contiguous homozygous segments (runs of homozygosity), which are inferred to be homozygous along their complete length. Given the low levels of genome-wide homozygosity prevalent in most human populations, information is required on very large numbers of people to provide sufficient power3, 4. Here we use runs of homozygosity to study 16 health-related quantitative traits in 354,224 individuals from 102 cohorts, and find statistically significant associations between summed runs of homozygosity and four complex traits: height, forced expiratory lung volume in one second, general cognitive ability and educational attainment (P < 1 × 10−300, 2.1 × 10−6, 2.5 × 10−10 and 1.8 × 10−10, respectively). In each case, increased homozygosity was associated with decreased trait value, equivalent to the offspring of first cousins being 1.2 cm shorter and having 10 months’ less education. Similar effect sizes were found across four continental groups and populations with different degrees of genome-wide homozygosity, providing evidence that homozygosity, rather than confounding, directly contributes to phenotypic variance. Contrary to earlier reports in substantially smaller samples5, 6, no evidence was seen of an influence of genome-wide homozygosity on blood pressure and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, or ten other cardio-metabolic traits. Since directional dominance is predicted for traits under directional evolutionary selection7, this study provides evidence that increased stature and cognitive function have been positively selected in human evolution, whereas many important risk factors for late-onset complex diseases may not have been.

Book Review: "The Interface: IBM and the Transformation of Corporate Design, 1945-1975", John Harwood, Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2011

Within the history of twentieth-century design, there are a number of well-known objects and stories that are invoked time and time again to capture a pivotal moment or summarize a much broader historical transition. For example, Marcel Breuer’s Model B3 chair is frequently used as a stand-in for the radical investigations of form and new industrial materials occurring at the Bauhaus in the mid-1920s. Similarly, Raymond Loewy’s streamlined pencil sharpener has become historical shorthand for the emergence of modern industrial design in the 1930s. And any discussion of the development of American postwar “organic design” seems incomplete without reference to Charles and Ray Eames’s molded plywood leg splint of 1942. Such objects and narratives are dear to historians of modern design. They are tangible, photogenic subjects that slot nicely into exhibitions, historical surveys, and coffee-table best sellers...

Student perception of a new integrated anatomy practical program: Does students' prior learning make a difference?

While there is evidence that science and non-science background students display small differences in performance in basic and clinical sciences, early in a 4-year, graduate entry medical program, this lessens with time. With respect to anatomy knowledge, there are no comparable data as to the impact previous anatomy experience has on the student perception of the anatomy practical learning environment. A study survey was designed to evaluate student perception of the anatomy practical program and its impact on student learning, for the initial cohort of a new medical school. The survey comprised 19 statements requiring a response using a 5-point Likert scale, in addition to a free text opportunity to provide opinion of the perceived educational value of the anatomy practical program. The response rate for a total cohort of 82 students was 89%. The anatomy practical program was highly valued by the students in aiding their learning of anatomy, as indicated by the high mean scores for all statements (range: 4.04-4.7). There was a significant difference between the students who had and had not studied a science course prior to entering medicine, with respect to statements that addressed aspects of the course related to its structure, organization, variety of resources, linkage to problem-based learning cases, and fairness of assessment. Nonscience students were more positive compared to those who had studied science before (P levels ranging from 0.004 to 0.035). Students less experienced in anatomy were more challenged in prioritizing core curricular knowledge. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Shelter from the storm? Use and misuse of coastal vegetation bioshields for managing natural disasters

Vegetated coastal ecosystems provide goods and services to billions of people. In the aftermath of a series of recent natural disasters, including the Indian Ocean Tsunami, Hurricane Katrina and Cyclone Nargis, coastal vegetation has been widely promoted for the purpose of reducing the impact of large storm surges and tsunami. In this paper, we review the use of coastal vegetation as a "bioshield" against these extreme events. Our objective is to alter bioshield policy and reduce the long-term negative consequences for biodiversity and human capital. We begin with an overview of the scientific literature, in particular focusing on studies published since the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004 and discuss the science of wave attenuation by vegetation. We then explore case studies from the Indian subcontinent and evaluate the detrimental impacts bioshield plantations can have upon native ecosystems, drawing a distinction between coastal restoration and the introduction of exotic species in inappropriate locations. Finally, we place bioshield policies into a political context, and outline a new direction for coastal vegetation policy and research.

Shelter from the storm? Use and misuse of coastal vegetation bioshields for managing natural disasters

Vegetated coastal ecosystems provide goods and services to billions of people.In the aftermath of a series of recent natural disasters, including the Indian Ocean Tsunami, Hurricane Katrina and Cyclone Nargis, coastal vegetation has been widely promoted for the purpose of reducing the impact of large storm surges and tsunami. In this paper, we review the use of coastal vegetation as a ``bioshield'' against these extreme events. Our objective is to alter bioshield policy and reduce the long-term negative consequences for biodiversity and human capital. We begin with an overview of the scientific literature, in particular focusing on studies published since the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004 and discuss the science of wave attenuation by vegetation. We then explore case studies from the Indian subcontinent and evaluate the detrimental impacts bioshield plantations can have upon native ecosystems, drawing a distinction between coastal restoration and the introduction of exotic species in inappropriate locations. Finally, we place bioshield policies into a political context, and outline a new direction for coastal vegetation policy and research.

Pragmatismi poliittisena filosofiana. Yksilö ja yhteisö John Deweyn ajttelussa

John Dewey (1859-1952) oli yhdysvaltalainen filosofi, pedagogi ja julkinen keskustelija, jonka ajattelu on merkittävästi vaikuttanut pragmatismina tunnetun filosofisen suuntauksen kehittymiseen. Tässä Pro gradu -tutkielmassa tarkastellaan Devveyn poliittista filosofiaa ja ajattelua. Tarkoituksena on selvitellä, millaista on Devveyn poliittinen filosofia ja voiko hänen pragmatistinen poliittinen filosofiansa tarjota jotain mielenkiintoista myös tämän päivän poliittisen filosofian kentälle. Tutkielmassa tarkastellaan Devveyn esittämää kritiikkiä klassista liberalismia ja individualismia kohtaan, Devveyn omaa poliittisen filosofian projektia sekä sen kohtaama kritiikkiä ja arvioidaan Devveyn poliittista filosofiaa yleisesti. Tarkastelun kohteena ovat muun muassa Devveyn käsitykset yksilöstä, valtiosta, demokratiasta, vallasta ja tiedosta. Ensisijaisena lähteenä tutkielmassa on Devveyn koottujen teosten sarja vuosilta 1882-1953, ennen kaikkea 1920-30-lukujen tuotanto. Lisäksi lähteenä on useita tuoreita artikkeleita sekä kommentaareja. Keskeisin löytö tutkielmassa on, että Devveyn poliittisen filosofian oleellinen piirre on "anti-essentialismi", eli huomion siirtäminen pois jostain oletetuista yksilöiden ja ryhmien olemuksista tai sisäisestä luonnosta niiden välisiin suhteisiin ja näiden ilmauksiin. Tähän liittyen Devveyn poliittisen filosofian keskeiseksi lähtökohdaksi osoittautuu perinteisen yksilö-yhteisö jaottelun kyseenalaistaminen. Tutkielma tarjoaa laajan katsauksen Devveyn poliittiseen ajatteluun sekä pragmatistiseen poliittiseen filosofiaan.

Terahertz Time Domain Spectroscopy to Detect Low-Frequency Vibrations of Double-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

We have measured the frequency-dependent real index of refraction and extinction coefficient (and hence the complex dielectric function) of a free-standing double-walled carbon nanotube film of thickness 200 nm by using terahertz time domain spectroscopy in the frequency range 0.1 to 2.5 THz. The real index of refraction and extinction coefficient have very high values of approximately 52 and 35, respectively, at 0.1 THz, which decrease at higher frequencies. Two low-frequency phonon modes of the carbon nanotubes at 0.45 and 0.75 THz were clearly observed for the first time in the real and imaginary parts of the complex dielectric function along with a broad resonance centred at around 1.45 THz, the latter being similar to that in single-walled carbon nanotubes assigned to electronic excitations. Our experiments bring out a possible application of double-walled carbon nanotube films as a neutral density filter in the THz range.

Työhön liittyvä kilpailu 18 - 65-vuotiaiden pyhtääläisten kuvaamana

Tutkimuksen kohteena olivat Pyhtään työikäisten asukkaiden näkemykset ja kokemukset työssä esiintyvästä kilpailusta Tutkimusongelma oli työhön liittyvän kilpailun ilmiön hahmottaminen. Tutkimuksen tarkoitus oli valottaa työhön liittyvän kilpailun moninaisuutta antaen esimerkkejä sen eri muodoista, esittäen ajatuksia uusien tulkintojen tekemiselle ja herättäen ideoita kilpailun eri muotojen soveltamiselle työn ja työilmapiirin tutkimuksissa. Tavoitteena oli tutkia haastatteluissa esiintyviä tapoja käsittää työhön liittyvä kilpailu ja sitä, missä määrin eri ammateissa kuvattiin sosiaalista kilpailua verrattuna välineelliseen kilpailuun. Työyhteisöön samastumista tarkasteltiin kilpailun ja koetun oikeudenmukaisuuden näkökulmista. Työn arvostusta käsiteltiin tarkastellen haastateltujen käsitystä ammattinsa yleisestä arvostuksesta sekä haastateltujen omia arvioita ammatistaan, sekä millä tavalla ammattirooli nousi esiin haastateltujen itsen kuvauksissa. Työpaikan ihmissuhteita ja valtaa tarkasteltiin kohdistamalla huomio työtovereiden kanssa toimeen tulemiseen ja työpaikan ihmissuhteiden aiheuttamaan stressiin sekä haastateltujen työssään kokeman oman vaikutusvallan, tasavertaisuuden, epäreiluuden, arvostuksen ja kilpailun määrään. Selvitettiin myös miten vallankäyttöä ja kiusaamista kuvattiin ja millä tavalla vallankäytön ja kiusaamisen katsottiin edesauttavan tavoitteiden saavuttamisessa. Lopuksi tarkastelun kohteina olivat ongelmien käsittely, työssä viihtyminen ja viihtymiseen vaikuttavat seikat. Aineisto kerättiin Pyhtäällä kesällä 2007. Vastaajia oli yhteensä 245 ja vastausprosentti oli 50. Tutkimuksessa mukana olivat kalkki työilmapiiriä ja työpaikan ihmissuhteita koskeviin kysymyksiin vastanneet haastatellut (N = 167). Suurimmaksi osaksi tutkimus oli kuvailevaa, mutta siinä oli myös kvantitatiivista kysymyksenasettelua. Tutkimuksessa käytettiin sekä kvalitatiivisia että kvantitatiivisia analyysimenetelmiä. Puolistrukturoiduissa yksilöhaastatteluissa hyödynnettiin tulkitsevaa fenomenologista analyysia. Kirjattuja avovastauksia tutkittiin luokittavalla ja tulkitsevalla sisällönanalyysilla. Lisäksi laskettiin tilastollisia merkitsevyyksiä Työpaikalla esiintyvä kilpailu nähtiin haastateltujen selonteoissa hyvin moninaisena, sekä myönteisenä että haitallisena. Siihen ymmärrettiin kuuluvan niin resursseihin, työtehtäviin, tuloksiin ja palkkioihin liittyvää välineellistä kilpailua, kuin ihmisten välistä sosiaalista valtataisteluakin. Suhteessa välineelliseen kilpailuun sosiaalista kilpailua kuvattiin eniten hoiva- ja sosiaalialan ammateissa. Suhteessa sosiaaliseen kilpailuun välineellistä kilpailua kuvasivat eniten yrittäjät Vastausten perusteella suun kilpailun määrä korreloi työpaikan ihmissuhteiden aiheuttamaan stressiin, mutta vain silloin, kun kokemus työpaikan oikeudenmukaisuudesta oli matala. Kilpailun eri muotojen (kilpailu omien tavoitteiden saavuttamisesta vs. kilpailu organisaation tavoitteiden saavuttamisesta) väliset yhteydet työyhteisöön samastumiseen eivät aineistossa olleet tilastollisesti merkitseviä. Haastatellun arvio oman ammattinsa arvostuksesta ei myöskään ennustanut haastatellun todennäköisyyttä esittää itsensä ammattikuntansa edustajana avoimen itsen kuvauksen tilanteessa. Koettu oikeudenmukaisuus kuitenkin korreloi työyhteisöön samastumiseen. Mitä oikeudenmukaisempana haastatellut työpaikkaansa pitivät, sitä tärkeämmäksi samastumiskohteeksi he sen tyypillisesti arvioivat. Myös työssä viihtymisen ja työpaikan koetun oikeudenmukaisuuden välinen korrelaatio oli aineistossa voimakas. Lisäksi silloin, kun kokemus oikeudenmukaisuudesta oli matalalla tasolla, oli myös työpaikan ihmissuhteiden aiheuttama stressi yhteydessä vähäiseen työssä viihtymiseen. Tärkeimmät läheet tutkimuksessa olivat: Turner. John C 1975. Social comparison and social identity. Some prospects for intergroup behaviour. European Journal of Social Psychology, 5(1), 5-34. Haslam, S. Alexander 2004. Psychology in organizalions. The social identity approach Second Edition. London: SAGE Publications. Tyler, Tom - Blader. Steven 2000. Cooperation in Groups: Procedural Justice, Social Identity, and Behavioural Engagement. Essays in Social Psychology. Philadelphia: Psychology Press / Taylor & Francis Group. Kantolahti, T. - Tikander, T. 2010. Puheenvuoroja työn kuormittavuudesta. Sosiaali- ja terveysministeriön selvityksiä 2010:17

Rätt som argument : Leo Mechelin och finska frågan 1886-1912

Right as an Argument. Leo Mechelin and the Finnish Question 1886-1912 At the turn of the 20th century the Finnish Question rose up as a political and juridical issue at the international arena. The vaguely précised position of Finland in the Russian empire led to diverse conclusions concerning the correctness of the February manifesto of 1899. It was predominantly among a European elite of politicians, cultural workers and academics the issue rose some interest. Finns were active making propaganda for their cause, and they put an emphasis on the claim that the right was on the Finnish side. In the study Elisabeth Stubb compare the Finnish, Russian and European statements about the Finnish Question and analyse their use of right as an argument. The Finnish Question offers at the same time a case study of a national entity which possesses a political sphere of life but is not fully independent, and its possibilities to drive its interests in an international context. Leo Mechelin (1839-1914), the leader of the Finnish propaganda organization abroad, is used as a point of departure. The biographical stance is formed into a triangle, where Leo Mechelin, the idea of right and the Finnish Question abroad are the three cornerstones. The treatment of one cornerstone sheds a ligth on the two others. The metaphor of triangulation also worked as a method to reach "a third stance" in a scinetific and political issue that usually is polarised into two opposite alternatives. An adherence to a strict legal right could not in the end offer a complete, unquestionable and satisfactory solution to the Finnsih Question, it was dependent on "the right of state wisdom and sound insight". The Finnish propaganda abroad used almost completely alternative ways of making politics. The propaganda did not have a decisive effect on countries' official politics, but gained unofficial support, especially in the public opinion and in academic statements. Mechelin claimed that the political field was dependent on public opinion and scientific research. Together with the official politics these two fields formed a triangle that shared the task of balancing the political arena and preventing it from making unwise decisions of taking an unjust turn. The international sphere worked as a balancing part in the Finnish Question. Mechelin tried by claiming the status of state for Finland's part to secure the country a place at the official international arena. At the same time, and especially when the claim was not fully adopted, he emphasised, and in a European context worked for, that right would become the guiding light not only for international relations, but also for the policy making in the inner life of the state.

Structural basis for poor uracil excision from hairpin DNA

Two-dimensional NMR and molecular dynamics simulations have been used to determine the three-dimensional structures of two hairpin DNA structures: d-CTAGAG GATCCUTTTGGATCCT (abbreviated as U1-hairpin) and d-CTAGAGGATCCTTUTGGATCCT (abbreviated as U3-hairpin). The (1) H resonances of both of these hairpin structures have been assigned almost completely. NMR restrained molecular dynamics and energy minimization procedures have been used to describe the three-dimensional structures of these hairpins. This study and concurrent NMR structural studies on two other d-CTAGAGGA TCCTUTTGGATCCT (abbreviated as U2-hairpin) and d-CTAGAGGATCCTTTUGGATCCT (abbreviated as U4-hairpin) have shed light upon various interactions reported between Echerichia coli uracil DNA glycosylase (UDG) and uracil-containing DNA. The backbone torsion angles, which partially influence the local conformation of U12 and U14 in U1 and U3-hairpins, respectively, are probably locked in the trans conformation as in the case of U-13 in the U2-hairpin. Such a stretched-out backbone conformation in the vicinity of U-12 and U-14 is thought to be the reason why the K-m value is poor for U1- and U3-hairpins as it is for the U2-hairpin. Furthermore, the bases U-12 and U-14 in both U1- and U3-hairpins adopt an anti conformation, in contrast with the base conformation of U-13 in the U2-hairpin, which adopts a syn conformation. The clear discrepancy observed in the U-base orientation with respect to the sugar moieties could explain why the V-max value is 10- to 20-fold higher for the U1- and U3-hairpins compared with the U2-hairpin. Taken together, these observations support our interpretation that the unfavourable backbone results in a poor K-m value, whereas the unfavourable nucleotide conformation results in a poor V-max value. These two parameters therefore make the U1- and U3-hairpins better substrates for UDG compared with the U2-hairpin, as reported earlier [Kumar, N. V. & Varshney, U. (1997) Nucleic Acids Res. 25, 2336-2343.].

Experimental and Theoretical Studies of Unusual Four-Membered Metallacycles from Reactions of Group 4 Metallocene Bis(trimethylsilyl)-acetylene Complexes with the Sulfurdiimide Me3SiN=S=NSiMe3

The use of the sulfurdiimide RN=S=NR' (R = R' = SiMe3, 3) in reactions with group 4 metallocene bis(trimethylsilyl)-acetylene complexes of the type [Cp2M(L (eta(2)-Me3Si-C2SiMe3)] (1: M = Ti, no L; 2: M = Zr, L = pyridine) has led to the formation of four-membered metallacycles 4M containing the group 4 metal, nitrogen and sulfur. DFT calculations performed on compound 4Ti indicate that this complex is best described as a sigma-complex with cyclic delocalisation of the ring electrons. Moreover, pseudo-Jahn-Teller distortion plays a significant role in stabilising this complex.