CD-ROM publication of the Mars digital cartographic data base

The recently completed Mars mosaicked digital image model (MDIM) and the soon-to-be-completed Mars digital terrain model (DTM) are being transcribed to optical disks to simplify distribution to planetary investigators. These models, completed in FY 1991, provide a cartographic base to which all existing Mars data can be registered. The digital image map of Mars is a cartographic extension of a set of compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) volumes containing individual Viking Orbiter images now being released. The data in these volumes are pristine in the sense that they were processed only to the extent required to view them as images. They contain the artifacts and the radiometric, geometric, and photometric characteristics of the raw data transmitted by the spacecraft. This new set of volumes, on the other hand, contains cartographic compilations made by processing the raw images to reduce radiometric and geometric distortions and to form geodetically controlled MDIM's. It also contains digitized versions of an airbrushed map of Mars as well as a listing of all feature names approved by the International Astronomical Union. In addition, special geodetic and photogrammetric processing has been performed to derive rasters of topographic data, or DTM's. The latter have a format similar to that of MDIM, except that elevation values are used in the array instead of image brightness values. The set consists of seven volumes: (1) Vastitas Borealis Region of Mars; (2) Xanthe Terra of Mars; (3) Amazonis Planitia Region of Mars; (4) Elysium Planitia Region of Mars; (5) Arabia Terra of Mars; (6) Planum Australe Region of Mars; and (7) a digital topographic map of Mars

YOU RECRUIT WHO YOU ARE: THE QUALITY RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MARINE RECRUITER AND ENLISTEE

In recruiting, the phrase “you recruit who you are” describes a presumed relationship—recruiters attract and enlist individuals who are similar to themselves or within their in-group. This research evaluates the correlation of high-quality recruiters on high-quality enlistees. For the 264,681 recruiter-enlistee pairs from 2011 to 2019, quality is defined and determined for both recruiters and enlistees with five metrics using DOD enlistment standards and Marine Corps promotion and retention standards. I use linear probability models with RSS fixed effects and year fixed effects to hold constant market conditions and variations across years. Based on the five metrics, I find that high-quality recruiters have a consistently positive estimated effect on high-quality enlistees across all metrics with several effects statistically significant. I surmise that, by determining which Marines are high-quality prior to their assignment to recruiting, the Marine Corps may affect the quality of the enlistees at accession. Because force design necessitates higher-quality accessions, this thesis therefore recommends that the Marine Corps consider sending more high-quality Marines to recruiting duty to potentially improve the quality of the warfighting organization. Conversely, if the Marine Corps does not prioritize and send high-quality Marines to recruiting duty, then the Marine Corps may pay the price with lower quality enlistees.Captain, United States Marine CorpsApproved for public release. distribution is unlimite

Multiple primary melanomas in a CDKN2A mutation carrier exposed to ionizing radiation

Background: Recent research has shown a possible causal relationship between ionizing radiation exposure and melanoma. Individuals with mutations in CDKN2A (cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A), the major melanoma predisposition gene, have an increased susceptibility to melanoma-promoting exposures, such as UV light. We describe a patient from a familial melanoma pedigree with 7 primary melanomas on the right side of her body, the first occurring 5 years after exposure to atmospheric nuclear bomb testing in the 1950s. Observations: Physical examination revealed phototype I skin, red hair, and 26 nevi (14 on the right and 12 on the left side of her body). One nevus was larger than 5 mm, and 2 were clinically atypical. Sequence analysis demonstrated a known deleterious mutation in CDKN2A (G-34T) and homozygosity for a red hair color variant in MC1R (melanocortin 1 receptor) (R151C). Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of blood, fibroblasts, and melanocytes from both upper extremities ruled out mosaicism. Conclusions: Individuals such as this patient, who has CDKN2A and MC1R mutations, are likely to be more susceptible to environmental insults. A careful review of environmental exposures in these vulnerable cases may reveal cancer-promoting agents, such as ionizing radiation, that go unnoticed in less susceptible populations

5-Methoxyl Participation in Solvolysis and Secondary Deuterium Isotope Effects

Specifically deuterated 4-methoxy-1-pentyl broij\u27ylates (IP- 1,1-d2, IP-2,2-d2) and 5-methoxy-2-pentyl brosylates (IS-2-d, 1S- -1 ,1,1 - d3, 1S-OCD3) were prepared, their solvolysis rates measured in 950/o ethanol and the corresponding kinetic secondary deuterium isotope effects calculated. It was found that the a-effects are strongly reduced in magnitude, which is in contrast with results obtained with several compounds solvolyzing via n- or CJ-participation. The effect found with IP-l,1-d2 (kHfkD = 0.96) is significantly different from the one measured with IS-2-d (kHfkD = 1.06). This difference in the magnitude of the effects must reflect a relatively small difference in the structures of the two transition states, since both IP and IS solvolyze via the same intermediate 2. It is concluded that the magnitude of the u- effP.ct is a sensitive measure of the amount of bridging only if the new bond is already quite strong in the transition state. B-Deuterated brosylates give small effects which differ in magnitude (kH/kD = 0.96 with IP-2,2-d2 and 1.08 with IS-1,1,1-da) corroborating the conclusion that the new C-0 bond is strong in the transition state of both reactions but stronger with IP than with IS. Results obtained in this work are in accord with the earlier conclusion that reduced B-effects in solvolysis of exo-2-norbornyl, 3-cholesteryl, cyclobutyl and 1-methylcyclobutyl derivatives are due to bridging. The inverse isotope effect obtained with IS-OCD3 (kH/kD=0.95) is »inductive« in origin and indicates that the methoxy oxygen bears a considerable amount of positive charge in the reaction transition state

Migration Intentions of Ghanaian Medical Students: The Influence of existing Funding Mechanisms of Medical Education("The Fee Factor")

Background: To explore the effects of fee paying status on migration intentions of Ghanaian medical students.Design: Cross sectional questionnaire based survey Setting: All established Ghanaian medical schools with students in their clinical years Participants: Fee-paying and non-fee-paying Ghanaian medical students in their clinical yearsInterventions: NoneMain outcome measures: Migration intentions of Ghanaian medical students after graduation, Allegiance to Government of GhanaResults: Approximately half (49%) of the medical students surveyed had intentions of migrating after school. Over 48% of those with migration intentions plan on doing so immediately after completing their house job, while 44% plan to migrate at least one year after their house job. The most popular destination chosen by the potential migrant doctors was North America (38%). Fee-paying students were significantly more likely (OR=2.11, CI=1.32, 3.38) than non-fee-paying students to have intentions of migrating after their training. Secondly, fee-paying students were more likely (OR=9.66, CI=4.42, 21.12) than non-fee paying students to feel they owe no allegiance to the Government of Ghana because of their fee-paying status.Conclusions: Medical Students’ fee-paying status affects their intentions to migrate and their allegiance to the country after completion of their training.Keywords: Migration intention, fee paying, medical students, allegianc

Does strabismus surgery improve quality and mood, and what factors influence this?

Aims To establish the impact of adult strabismus surgery on clinical and psychosocial well-being and determine who experiences the greatest benefit from surgery and how one could intervene to improve quality of life post-surgery. Methods A longitudinal study, with measurements taken pre-surgery and at 3 and 6 months post-surgery. All participants completed the AS-20 a disease specific quality of life scale, along with measures of mood, strabismus and appearance-related beliefs and cognitions and perceived social support. Participants also underwent a full orthoptic assessment at their preoperative visit and again 3 months postoperatively. Clinical outcomes of surgery were classified as success, partial success or failure, using the largest angle of deviation, diplopia and requirement for further therapy. Results 210 participants took part in the study. Strabismus surgery led to statistically significant improvements in psychosocial and functional quality of life. Those whose surgery was deemed a partial success did however experience a deterioration in quality of life. A combination of clinical variables, high expectations, and negative beliefs about the illness and appearance pre-surgery were significant predictors of change in quality of life from pre- to post-surgery. Conclusions Strabismus surgery leads to significant improvements in quality of life up to 6 months postoperatively. There are however a group of patients who do not experience these benefits. A series of clinical and psychosocial factors have now been identified, which will enable clinicians to identify patients who may be vulnerable to poorer outcomes post-surgery and allow for the development of interventions to improve quality of life after surgery

Fertility and economic instability: the role of unemployment and job displacement

In this paper, we study the separate effects of unemployment and job displacement on fertility in a sample of white collar women in Austria. Using an instrumental variable approach, we show that unemployment incidence as such has no negative effect on fertility decisions, but the very fact of being displaced from a career-oriented job has. Fertility rates for women affected by a firm closure are significantly below those of a control group, even after 6 years, and this is so irrespective of the incidence or the duration of the associated unemployment spell

How to survey displaced workers in Switzerland ? Sources of bias and ways around them

Studying career outcomes after job loss is challenging because individually displaced worker form a self-selected group. Indeed, the same factors causing the workers to lose their jobs, such as lack of motivation, may also reduce their re-employment prospects. Using data from plant closures where all workers were displaced irrespective of their individual characteristics offers a way around this selection bias. There is no systematic data collection on workers displaced by plant closure in Switzerland. Accordingly, we conducted our own survey on 1200 manufacturing workers who had lost their job 2 years earlier. The analysis of observational data gives rise to a set of methodological challenges, in particular nonresponse bias. Our survey addressed this issue by mixing data collection modes and repeating contact attempts. In addition, we combined the survey data with data from the public unemployment register to examine the extent of nonresponse bias. Our analysis suggests that some of our adjustments helped to reduce bias. Repeated contact attempts increased the response rate, but did not reduce nonresponse bias. In contrast, using telephone interviews in addition to paper questionnaires helped to substantially improve the participation of typically underrepresented subgroups. However, the survey respondents still differ from nonrespondents in terms of age, education and occupation. Interestingly, these differences have no significant impact on the substantial conclusion about displaced workers' re-employment prospects