Factor analysis of finger ridge-counts in Blacks and Whites

Finger ridge-counts of an American White, American Black and an African Black sample were subjected to factor analysis. The analysis was carried out using correlation matrices computed from 10-ridge counts, each finger being represented by its largest count, and from 20 ridge-counts, using both radial and ulnar counts for each finger. The 20 count analysis was much more informative, demonstrating the relative independence of the radial and ulnar sides of the fingers. Moreover, the radial and ulnar counts themselves generally resulted in two factors reflecting counts on the ulnar digits and the median digits. The independence of the thumb was also demonstrated. There was considerable intersample consistency, although some evidence of sex and race variation was observed.     

Hemoglobin concentration of high-altitude Tibetans and Bolivian Aymara

Elevated hemoglobin concentrations have been reported for high-altitude sojourners and Andean high-altitude natives since early in the 20th century. Thus, reports that have appeared since the 1970s describing relatively low hemoglobin concentration among Tibetan high-altitude natives were unexpected. These suggested a hypothesis of population differences in hematological response to high-altitude hypoxia. A case of quantitatively different responses to one environmental stress would offer an opportunity to study the broad evolutionary question of the origin of adaptations. However, many factors may confound population comparisons. The present study was designed to test the null hypothesis of no difference in mean hemoglobin concentration of Tibetan and Aymara native residents at 3,800-4,065 meters by using healthy samples that were screened for iron deficiency, abnormal hemoglobins, and thalassemias, recruited and assessed using the same techniques. The hypothesis was rejected, because Tibetan males had a significantly lower mean hemoglobin concentration of 15.6 gm/dl compared with 19.2 gm/dl for Aymara males, and Tibetan females had a mean hemoglobin concentration of 14.2 gm/dl compared with 17.8 gm/dl for Aymara females. The Tibetan hemoglobin distribution closely resembled that from a comparable, sea-level sample from the United States, whereas the Aymara distribution was shifted toward 3-4 gm/dl higher values. Genetic factors accounted for a very high proportion of the phenotypic variance in hemoglobin concentration in both samples (0.86 in the Tibetan sample and 0.87 in the Aymara sample). The presence of significant genetic variance means that there is the potential for natural selection and genetic adaptation of hemoglobin concentration in Tibetan and Aymara high-altitude populations.     

Sexually-dimorphic patterns of cortical asymmetry, and the role for sex steroid hormones in determining cortical patterns of lateralization

Cortical asymmetry varies in degree and direction. Sex differences exist for both dimensions of asymmetry: males tend to exhibit more accentuated asymmetries and stronger right hemisphere dominance compared with females, while females typically exhibit more diffuse lateralization patterns and greater left hemisphere bias compared with males. The following review considers the effects of sex steroid hormones on the sexual dimorphism of cortical lateralization patterns in human and nonhuman animals. Several excellent papers exist which consider sexual dimorphism in cortical asymmetries for morphological, physiological or functional asymmetries alone. This paper attempts to consider influences of sex steroid hormones on cortical lateralization in a framework that includes morphology, physiology and function. Converging evidence from studies that incorporate varying methodologies and theoretical backgrounds indicates that sex steroid hormones are important for influencing cortical asymmetry. Although a mechanism has not yet been identified, testosterone is the most likely candidate to influence cortical dominance.     

Finger ridge count and finger print pattern in maturity onset diabetes mellitus

Total finger ridge count, absolute finger ridge count and finger print pattern were studied in 150 maturity onset diabetes mellitus patients and compared to 120 controls. Significant findings were: in males, with both hands combined and separately (i) an increase in radial and ulnar loops and arches (ii) A decrease in whorls. (iii) In females, an increase in ulnar loops and a decrease in whorls in the left hand was observed.     

Christian's spondylo-digital syndrome: second familial case

We studied a mother and daughter with skeletal dysplasia which was characterized clinically by proximal and distal flexion contractures in the phalanges, and by brachydactyly, clinodactyly and ulnar and radial subdislocations of the fingers. Radiologically, the 2nd metacarpal in the daughter was seen to be longer than the other metacarpals, with bone carpal fusion, and flexion contractures of the fingers in both hands. Thoraco-lumbar xyphorotoscoliosis and malformed vertebrae with dyssegmentation of L2-L3, T12 and L1 with cuneiform shape, asymmetry of the pelvic bones and exostotic lesions in the proximal third of the tibia and the distal third of the femur were also noted. The clinical and radiological characteristics were compatible with the syndrome described by Christian et al. in 1975 and called the second metatarsal syndrome. The purpose of this paper was to present a second corroborative familial case and to propose another name: Christian's spondylo-digital syndrome.     

One year psychosocial outcome in head injury

Dermatoglyphic traits in an endogamous community of the village Chmelnica (North-Eastern part of Slovakia) are reported and their frequency is compared with an average Slovak population. The results of this study demonstrate the regional variability and the particular dermatoglyphic specificity of the investigated population. The most conspicuous are the increased intergender differences in the course of the main lines on the palms, their consequently higher quantitative expression by indices, and the higher quantitative values of total line numbers on fingers that was observed for females of our sample.     

Dose-dependent response of vestibular hair cells of guinea pigs following streptomycin ototoxiation

This study examines one of the largest pedigrees with radial polydactyly type IV (uncomplicated polysyndactyly) comprising a total of 69 individuals, of whom 26 have been affected over six generations. Typical manifestations of the pedigree were bilateral radial and ulnar digital duplications, as well as syndactyly between the middle and ring fingers and the second and third toes. There was no craniofacial anomaly in any of the 17 cases examined physically. This observation suggests that radial polydactyly type IV and Greig craniofacial-synostosis syndrome with similar digital manifestations are clinically-distinct entities.     

Differences in fine control of forces generated by the tongue, lips and fingers in humans

This study compared the fine control of forces generated by the tongue, lips and fingers in middle-aged adults. The aims were to determine whether (1) the articulatory organs (tongue, lips) and fingers differed in the manner of motor control, (2) force control of the various articulatory organs was similar, and (3) control of forces generated by males was different from that of forces generated by females. The relation among several variables of the ramp-and-hold force contraction and target force level was quantified for the articulatory organs and the fingers in 14 normal individuals (7 males and 7 females). Using visual feedback, participants produced ramp-and-hold compression forces as rapidly and accurately as possible to targets ranging from 0.25 to 2 N. The results showed differences in the profiles of forces generated by the articulatory organs and fingers. In particular, the forefingers were characterized by a greater accuracy of force control and precision of movement, a greater stability of the hold phase, but by slower velocities than the articulatory organs. Motor control of the lower lip differed from that of the upper lip and tongue. Mostly, the lower lip was characterized by a greater precision of contraction, faster development of the force, and greater stability of the hold phase than the upper lip and tongue. Gender was a distinguishing factor in the force task; males were able to produce forces with higher velocities and greater precision than females.     

Quantitative digital dermatoglyphic parameters--their distribution in families

112 mother-child-father tercettes have been examined for several quantitative dermatoglyphic parameters (total ridge count--TRC--, radial and ulnar differrences, index of pattern type [KEITER]). The distribution of pattern among children has been compared to those of their parents. In the majority of cases within the empirical distribution of the children extreme values outside of the variation range of the parents were observed. This is in contrast to the formal genetic model of additive polygeny (HOLT). These findings have been interpreted as manifestation of TRC-heterogeneity suggesting a modifying action of radial and ulnar ridge differences. The parent-child correlation for the radio-ulnar differences and the index of pattern type were lower than that for the TRC. The interpretation of unexpected differences in quantitative dermatoglyphic parameters of children in relation to the variation of their parents has to be discussed very carefully. Due to the small number of material a correlation between the isolated position of the children in TRC to mother-child-differences in serological markers could not be excluded in this study.     

The relation of planum temporale asymmetry and morphology of the corpus callosum to handedness, gender, and dyslexia: a review of the evidence

Asymmetry of the planum temporale in relation to handedness, gender, and dyslexia is reviewed. The frequency of rightward asymmetry is rather higher than are estimates of the proportion of right hemisphere speech representation in the general population. Conversely, the frequency of leftward asymmetry is lower than the proportion of the population with left hemisphere speech. Neuro-anatomic asymmetry may relate more to handedness than to language lateralization. There are suggestions that neuroanatomic asymmetry is reduced in females compared to males but the data are inconclusive. Reports concerning handedness and gender differences in callosal structure are conflicting but, as with planum asymmetry, any effect of handedness is as likely to relate to degree as to direction of handedness. It has been reported that the plana are more often symmetrical in size or larger on the right side among dyslexics than controls but this has not always been found. However, greater frequency of atypical (a)symmetry of the planum in dyslexia would be consistent with the absence of a factor which, when present, biases the distribution of planum asymmetry toward the left (and handedness towards the right) as hypothesized by Annett (1985). Studies of the size of the corpus callosum in dyslexia have produced conflicting findings.     

The effects of audiogenic stress on the growth of long bones in the laboratory rat (Rattus norvegicus)

It has been demonstrated that experimentally induced cold stress produces a stunting effect in the limbs of rodents. Such an effect has also been reported for the dentition and limbs in response to other stressors (heat, cold). Recent research into the effects of various stressors on the magnitude of fluctuating dental asymmetry demonstrated that general stress increases the magnitude of fluctuating dental asymmetry in experimental animals. However, no increase in the magnitude of fluctuating asymmetry of limb length was reported as a response of general stress. In the light of such studies the present research investigates the relationship between stress and the mass per unit length of limbs. The stressor chosen for the present study was audiogenic stress as it has been demonstrated to induce the general stress syndrome and also increase the magnitude of fluctuating dental asymmetry. Audiogenic stress is found to produce increases in the magnitude of fluctuating asymmetry of the mass per unit length of long bones in the laboratory rat. Also the absolute values of long bone length and mass per unit length are significantly smaller in stressed animals when compared with controls. The relationship between the stress induced stunting of linear dimensions and the increase in the magnitude of fluctuating asymmetry is discussed.     

Sex-related differences in cortical function after medial frontal lesions in rats.

The effects of sex on the performance of 4 spatial mazes (Morris water task, landmark task, radial arm maze, and egocentric radial arm maze) were studied in male and female rats given medial frontal lesions. Operated rats from both sexes were impaired at all of the tasks, but the frontal males were much less impaired than frontal females on the Morris task and the radial arm maze, both of which require animals to use multiple visual-spatial cues for their successful solution. Males also performed better on the egocentric maze. In contrast, frontal females performed better than frontal males at the landmark task, which is best solved by using a single spatial cue. The only sex difference in unoperated rats was a small advantage for females on the egocentric task. The sex differences may reflect an underlying difference in cortical organization or a differential response to cortical lesion in males and females. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Male traits, mating tactics and reproductive success in the buff-breasted sandpiper, Tryngites subruficollis

Buff-breasted sandpipers use a variety of mating tactics to acquire mates, including remaining at a single lek for most of the breeding season, attending multiple leks during the season, displaying solitarily or displaying both on leks and solitarily. We found that differences in body size, body condition, fluctuating asymmetry scores, wing coloration, territory location and behaviour (attraction, solicitation and agonistic) did not explain the observed variation in mating tactics used by males. Which males abandoned versus returned to leks was also not related to morphology or behaviour, and there was no tendency for males to join leks that were larger or smaller than the lek they abandoned. These results suggest that male desertion of leks was not dependent on a male's characteristics nor on the size of the lek he was presently attending. Males did join leks with larger males than their previous lek, perhaps to mate with females attracted to these larger 'hotshot' males. Males at both leks and solitary sites successfully mated. Lek tenure did not affect mating success, although lekking males appeared to mate more frequently than solitary males. Courtship disruption and to a lesser extent, female mimicry, were effective at preventing females from mating at leks, and may offer a partial explanation for female mating off leks. Our analysis that combined all males together within a year (regardless of mating tactic) indicated that males that attended leks for longer periods of time and that had fewer wing spots were significantly more likely to mate. Given some evidence that wing spotting declines with age, and that females inspect male underwings during courtship, the latter result suggests that female choice may play some role in determining male success. We suggest that male buff-breasted sandpipers may use alternative mating tactics more readily than males in other 'classic' lek-breeding species because: (1) unpredictable breeding conditions in this species' high arctic breeding range leads to low lek stability, which in turn hinders mate selection mechanisms mediated by male dominance and female choice; and (2) males are not constrained by morphological markings that indicate status or sex. Both characteristics may reduce the reproductive benefits associated with males adopting one mating tactic and result in a sort of scramble competition in which males switch between tactics as local conditions change.Copyright 1998 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour     

Evaluating the effects of interface factors on the torque exertion capabilities of operating handwheels

This study intends to assess factors affecting human torque exertion capabilities of operating valve handwheels (maximum volitional torque exertion of wrist radial/ulnar deviation, R/U MVTE). Forty student subjects (20 males and 20 females) participated in this study. In addition to gender and subject factors, gloves (one layer of cotton, two layers of cotton and rubber gloves), operating height (elbow, shoulder and overhead), handwheel size and shape were selected. Barehanded condition was also involved. The results indicate that all the main effects and the first order interactions were significant. The gloved R/U MVTEs were found to be greater than the barehanded R/U MVTE. For operating height, shoulder height gave the greatest R/U MVTE, followed by elbow and overhead heights. The handwheel diameters ranging from 75 to 95 mm for males and 65 to 80 mm for females were found to have the greater R/U shear force. The average R/U MVTE of operating valve handwheel for females was about 63% (3.8/6.05) of that of males.     

Maximum acceptable frequencies for females performing a drilling task in different wrist postures

This paper presents a study on the effect of wrist posture; flexion, extension, ulnar deviation, and radial deviation on maximum acceptable frequencies (MAF) for a drilling task using a psychophysical approach. Twelve females were selected from a college population to serve as subjects and an adjustable workstation was used to simulate a drilling task. The results revealed that flexion, extension, and radial deviation all had a significant effect on MAF but, ulnar deviation did not. The postures have been ranked in order of possible risk of contributing to CTD injury, with neutral having the lowest rank (lowest risk) and flexion having the highest rank (greatest risk).     

Sex differences in EEG in adult gonadectomized rats before and after hormonal treatment

EEG activity was recorded from the left and right parietal cortex in adult male and female Wistar rats that were gonadectomized (GNX) after puberty during 2 days without and 3 days with hormonal treatment (either testosterone propionate, 5 alpha-DHT or vehicle in males and progesterone, estradiol benzoate or vehicle in females). In contrast to EEG characteristics reported for intact rats, GNX abolished right over left parietal activation in both sexes and, sex differences in EEG interhemispheric correlation and in theta and delta relative power in the right parietal; additionally GNX males showed higher absolute power than females. Hormonal treatment reestablished interparietal asymmetry in both sexes and a lack of sex differences in absolute power, however, it was not enough to reestablish sex differences in delta and theta proportion in the right parietal nor in interhemispheric correlation. Differential effects were obtained with testosterone propionate and 5 alpha-DHT in males suggesting that activational effects of testosterone on EEG are probably exerted through testosterone or its aromatized metabolites. The results of our study indicate that the activational effects of gonadal steroids after puberty are necessary for maintaining sex differences in the EEG of the adult rat.     

Collegiate swimmers: sex differences in self-reports and indices of physiological stress

Psychological and physiological stress indices were taken from collegiate swimmers of both sexes prior to a practice session and prior to a meet. At another time these same individuals were administered a scale to ascertain their relative self-reported masculinity and femininity. Analysis of covariance demonstrated that 14 males had higher systolic blood pressure than 13 females but lower self-reported feelings of anxiety and hostility associated with the stress of competition. Sex differences in relative masculinity and femininity provided the key to interpretation.     

Genetic variability in sensitivity to population density affects the dynamics of simple ecological models

Many 1-dimensional discrete time ecological models contain a sensitivity parameter that does not affect the dynamic complexity of these models. We show that genetic variability in this parameter can have a strong effect on population dynamics. We incorporate ecological dynamics in two different population genetic models with one locus and two alleles. The first is the classical model of a randomly mating population in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, and the second is a model of differential selection in males and females. In populations in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, variability in the sensitivity parameter can be maintained by overdominance. In this case, the dynamics of the polymorphic population tend to be much simpler than those of monomorphic populations. In the model with different selection in males and females, polymorphisms can be maintained in various ways, e.g., by opposing directional selection in males and females. Polymorphism in the sensitivity parameter tends to simplify population dynamics in the model with different selection in males and females as well. A number of interesting dynamic effects can be observed, e.g., multiple attractors with complicated basins of attraction. Then the final state of the system after a successful invasion by mutant alleles may depend on the mutation rate and on the distribution of mutational steps. In addition, there are situations in which genetic variability destabilizes a stable population dynamic equilibrium in the monomorphic model. There is an analogy between genetic variability and variability imposed by the environment. If differences in sensitivity are caused by the environment, dynamic effects similar to those in the genetic models can be observed. In addition, source-sink structures that are known to occur in spatially structured models can be seen in the genetic model if one of the genotypes is inviable. The results suggest that combining ecological and population genetic models can lead to a number of new insights. More work is needed, e.g., with fertility models, in which fitnesses are not assigned to individuals, but to mating pairs.     

Smoking characteristics by type of employment

Smoking habits are examined in a probability sample of 75,827 American men and women. The data was obtained from The 1970 Household Interview Survey conducted by The National Center for Health Statistics. There are pronounced differences in prevalence intensity, kind, cessation of smoking related to type of employment. Occupations tend to be more of a factor in white males, where occupational choice is least encumbered, than in black males or in females. While blacks uniformly smoke with greater prevalence, they are much lighter smokers than whites. Employed women tend to smoke with prevalence approaching males for many occupations. Prevalence of smoking almost uniformly is highest among blue collar occupations and lowest among professionals, managers, and proprietors.     

In utilizing a technetium 99m perfusion agent, are most laboratories imaging rest first and stress later, or the reverse?

We report a diagnostic sign of ulnar neuropathy. Function of the interossei is tested by asking the patient to hold a sheet of paper between the middle and ring fingers, by adducting the fingers while the examiner pulls it firmly away. The metacarpophalangeal joints will flex more on the affected side as the flexor tendons are recruited. This test can easily detect muscle weakness in the early stage of ulnar neuropathy, and is produced by a similar mechanism to that of Froment's sign.