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Anthropologist uncovers secret to relaxation Anchored out on Virginia's Chesapeake Bay, there is only the soothing sound of waves breaking softly against the sailboat's hull and the cool caress of [...]

Ceramides are known to be a key component of the stratum corneum, the outermost protective layer of the skin that controls barrier function. In this work, molecular dynamics simulations are used to examine the behavior of ceramide bilayers, focusing on nonhydroxy sphingosine (NS) and nonhydroxy phytosphingosine (NP) ceramides. Here, we propose a modified version of the CHARMM force field for ceramide simulation, which is directly compared to the more commonly used GROMOS-based force field of Berger (Biophys. J.1997, 72, 2002–2013); while both force fields are shown to closely match experiment from a structural standpoint at the physiological temperature of skin, the modified CHARMM force field is better able to capture the thermotropic phase transitions observed in experiment. The role of ceramide chemistry and its impact on structural ordering is examined by comparing ceramide NS to NP, using the validated CHARMM-based force field. These simulations demonstrate that changing from ceramide NS to NP results in changes to the orientation of the OH groups in the lipid headgroups. The arrangement of OH groups perpendicular to the bilayer normal for ceramide NP, versus parallel for NS, results in the formation of a distinct hydrogen bonding network, which is ultimately responsible for shifting the gel-to-liquid phase transition to higher temperature, in direct agreement with experiment.

In 2003, the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT®) conducted a practice analysis study of entry-level occupational therapy practice in the United States. Domains and tasks performed by the OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST REGISTERED (OTR®) or CERTIFIED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT (COTA®) practitioner and the knowledge required to perform them were identified and validated via a large-scale survey of practice. Professional background and demographics of OTR and COTA respondents were reviewed and determined to be representative of practice, providing a basis for generalizability of results from the sample to the population of entry-level certified occupational therapy practitioners in the United States. The main findings were summarized to reflect what is happening in current practice for individuals who have recently obtained the OTR and COTA certification. Critical and frequently performed tasks were identified, as was critical and frequently used knowledge. The validated tasks and knowledge statements serve as the basis for item classification activities related to the OTR and COTA examinations. The revised blueprint specifications were used to guide examination construction for the NBCOT OTR or COTA examinations beginning in 2005.

Bush wants admissions policies to look like his home state's. But in Texas, his plan gets middling marks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Practice models which depict the interactions of Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants and Registered Occupational Therapists are described. These models portray career ladder development for the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. Job enrichment for the assistant facilitates the provision of qualitative and cost effective occupational therapy sessions.

For a first in the United States, a 900-ft (275-m) deep, 6-ft (2-m) thick, swelling, eastern bituminous coal has been gasified successfully in situ. Under the direction of Morgantown Energy Technology Center, the relatively small-scale field test, Pricetown I, affected the equivalent of approximately 735 tons (665 t) of a high-sulfur, high-ash section of the Pittsburgh coal seam near Pricetown, Wetzel County, West Virginia, during the 4-mo burn. A methane rich gas with an average heating value greater than 200 Btu/cf (7450 KJ/m3) was produced at low flow rates during operations to enhance the coal seam permeability by reverse combustion. During the high-flow gasification phase, a gas with an average heating value of 124 Btu/cf (4260 KJ/m3) was produced resulting in an average energy production of 510.9 MMBtu/day (539.1 GJ/d). Initial test results and plans for continued development of this alternative energy source are discussed.

Two Native Alaskan populations were sampled and DNA profiles were generated for 201 individuals. Ninety two blood samples were collected from the North Slope Borough region of Alaska and the remaining 109 blood samples came from Native Alaskans in the Bethel and Wade Hampton areas. Allele and genotype frequencies were established for the HLA-DQA1, LDLR, GYPA, HBGG, D7S8, Gc, and D1S80 loci. Native Alaskans are slightly less polymorphic than Caucasians at the HLA-DQA1 locus. In contrast, the PM loci appear to be nearly as informative in the Native Alaskan populations as in Caucasians for identity testing. The data clearly demonstrate that all the loci tested are highly informative for the Alaskan populations and fall well within Hardy-Weinberg expectations. There is little evidence for departure from expectation of independence of alleles across loci. The data demonstrate that estimates of multiple locus profile frequencies can be obtained from Native Alaskan populations using the product rule under the assumption of independence of loci. In addition, Native Alaskan databases were more similar to each other and to other Native American databases than they were to U.S. Caucasians and African Americans.

Excitable cattle exhibit greater concentrations of cortisol than calm cattle, which can negatively impact an animal's reproductive performance. The aim of this study was to examine the relationships among temperament, endocrinology, and reproductive soundness of Angus bulls consigned to an 84-d post-weaning performance test. Bulls (n= 60; 263 ± 36 d of age) arrived at the University of Tennessee Bull Testing Station on d -14 and were housed in 6 pens based on age and weight. Pen scores (PS; 1 (calm) to 5 (excitable)) were assigned on d -1, 27, 55, and 83. Exit velocity (EV; m/s) was evaluated on d 0, 28, 56, and 84 and serum and hair samples were collected on the same days. All hair samples were collected from the same region on the bull. Breeding soundness exams were performed on d 84. Hair and serum samples were analyzed for testosterone and cortisol concentrations via ELISA and RIA, respectively. Bulls were categorized as PScalm (PS = 1 or 2) or PSexcitable (PS = 3 or 4) based on initial PS. Bulls were also categorized as EVcalm or EVexcitable based on the fastest 20 and slowest 20 initial EV. A mixed model ANOVA with repeated measures was performed (SAS 9.3). Scrotal circumference did not differ (P>0.10) between PScalm and PSexcitable or EVcalm and EVexcitable bulls. Cortisol and testosterone concentrations in serum and hair did not differ (P>0.05) between temperament categories, but day differences occurred. Hair testosterone concentrations were the greatest (P<0.01) on d 0, but remained constant from d 28 to 84. Hair cortisol concentrations were the greatest (P<0.01) on d 0, decreased from d 28 to 56, but remained constant between d 56 and 84. Serum testosterone increased (P<0.01) from d 0 to 28, decreased from d 28 to 56, while d 84 did not differ from d 0, 28, or 56. Serum cortisol concentration did not differ (P>0.10) over the testing period. In summary, after the initial hair clipping, hair testosterone accumulation was consistent throughout the testing period and hair cortisol accumulation leveled over time as bulls acclimated to the testing center.

A letter to the editor is presented related to a man who put his grandson on his Street Bob, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Irradiation of the unsaturated cyclic keto esters (II) in the presence of the cyclopentene (I) yields the diastereomeric adducts (III) and (IV).