Catching up with Harvard: results from regression analysis of world universities league tables

This paper uses regression analysis to test if the universities performing less well according to Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s world universities league tables are able to catch up with the top performers, and to identify national and institutional factors that could affect this catching up process. We have constructed a dataset of 461 universities across 41 countries. We found consistent evidence of a moderate degree of catching up, especially amongst non-US universities. Larger universities as well as universities located in English speaking countries not only perform better on average, but also catch up more over 2003–2009. Universities located in lower income countries are also catching up more. The performance of private universities, as compared to that of public universities, varies substantially between the US and the other countries.     

Serum lipids during pregnancy in relation to the risk of coronary heart disease

The serum lipid classes in 75 pregnant women (25 in each trimester) and 25 matched controls were investigated. The lipid classes studied were very low density lipoproteins (VLDLc), low density lipoproteins (LDLc), high density lipoproteins (HDLc), total triacylglycerols (Tg), phospholipids (PL) and total cholesterol (Tc). It was found that there is increase in HDLc during first trimester followed by decrease during second and third trimesters. All other lipid classed including Tc and PL showed a progressive increase. Analysis of data showed that Tc/HDLc ratio has an increasing trend with parity. LDLc/HDLc also showed similar correlation. The results of our study indicates that there is likely to be increased risk for CHD in multiparous women as predicted from serum lipid parameters.     

Nature watch

Fascinating and grand, with curious beaks and breeding habits, hornbills are a naturalist’s delight. In forest types ranging from open savannah to rainforest across Africa and Asia, they occupy the pride of place among birds and play a pivotal role as mutualistic frugivores and seed dispersers of various trees. Due to the impact of humans on hornbills and their habitats, most species are now endangered. Fortunately, there has been some success in recent conservation efforts to save these magnificent forest flagships.     

Time‐Limited Counseling Outcome in a Nationwide College Counseling Center Sample

This study examined the dose‐effect relationship between the number of sessions and therapeutic outcome in a large, nationwide counseling center research consortium. A positive relationship was found between the outcome of counseling and the number of sessions attended. The results of this study support the effectiveness of brief psychotherapy.     

Error correcting codes

Reed Solomon codes began as mathematical curiosities; today they are perhaps the most practical and widely used codes. This article describes the ingenious application of these codes to error correction in Compact Disc audio systems.     

An Infant with Milky Blood : An Unusual but Treatable Case of Familial Hyperlipidemia

Hyperlipidemia is increasing prevalent risk factor in children, concomitant with worldwide epidemic of obesity. Lipid disorder can occur either as primary event or secondary to an underlying disease. The primary dyslipidemia are associated with overproductions/or impaired removal of lipoprotein. The latter defect can be induced by an abnormality in either the lipoprotein itself or in the lipoprotein receptor. A 2 month old male baby was found to have highly viscous and milky serum. S. Cholesterol was 2,200 mg/dl and triglycerides 13,292 mg%. There was no dysmorphic feature. Child was anemic and had hepatosplenomegaly and xanthomas. There was positive history of hyperlipidemia in first maternal cousin. Parents of index case had normal lipid profile. The child was put on lipid lowering agents, Iron drops, medium chain fatty acid.