Nitrogenous changes during ensilage

Gamma-irradiation was used to delineate the effects of plant and microbial enzymes on the nitrogenous changes occurring during ensilage, particularly in the amino acid fraction. The effect of inoculating irradiated grass with lactic acid bacteria was also studied. Results showed that proteolysis is brought about mainly by plant proteases whereas further amino acid metabolism is the result of microbial activity. The effects on individual amino acids are reported. L. plantavum and S. faeoal-is were shown to be non-proteolytic and to have a limited ability to catabolise amino acids.The effect of pH on plant protease activity was investigated using gamma-irradiated aqueous grass extract. Protein breakdown appears to be largely completed within a few days. It was found that, although the overall optimum pH for ryegrass proteases is 5.5 to 6.5, activity still occurred at the pH levels found in silage.The effect of several different types of silage additive on fermentation was studied, particularly with respect to the nitrogenous components.A commercial inoculant ("Clampdown") was applied to grass at three levels (10⁴, 10⁶ and 10⁸ organisms g⁻¹) before ensiling. Silages were also made after mincing both inoculated and uninoculated grass and after addition of glucose (20 gkg⁻¹), to inoculated and uninoculated grass. The homofermentative inoculant stimulated a more efficient fermentation, leading to rapid acidification and silages with high water-soluble carbohydrate and lactic acid contents. There was some reduction in proteolysis and a considerable decrease in deamination. Mincing alone did not encourage acidification nor reduce deamination, but did reduce proteolysis. Mincing the inoculated material did not enhance the effects of inoculation. Glucose treatment was found to be ineffeetive.Formalin (40% w/v formaldehyde) at 1.8 It⁻¹ and "Add-F" (85% w/w formic acid) at three levels (2.3, 4.6 and 6.9 It⁻¹) were applied to grass before ensiling either alone or in combination. Formic acid was found to be a very effective inhibitor of fermentation. When used on its own, it had a limited effect only, in preventing proteolysis, but did reduce deamination substantially. Formaldehyde alone had little effect on fermentation, proteolysis or deamination. Combining the two additives produced a synergistic effect with respect to protein protection. The most satisfactory treatment was a combination of formic acid at 2.3 It⁻¹ with formalin

Digit ratio and autism spectrum disorders in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children:a birth cohort study

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D), a measure commonly used as a proxy for fetal testosterone exposure, is associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), as predicted by the extreme male brain theory of autism. DESIGN: A birth cohort study. SETTING: The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). PARTICIPANTS: 6015 ALSPAC children with data on digit ratio, at least 1 outcome measure and information on potential confounding variables (parental occupational class, maternal education and age at digit ratio measurement). Digit ratio was measured by the photocopy and calliper method. OUTCOMES: ASD diagnosis (cases were identified previously by record linkage or maternal report) and 4 measures that combine optimally within ALSPAC to predict ASD: the Children's Communication Checklist (coherence subscale), the Social and Communication Disorders Checklist, a repetitive behaviour measure, and the Emotionality, Activity and Sociability scale (sociability subscale). These measures were dichotomised, with approximately 10% defined as the ‘risk’ group. RESULTS: Using logistic regression, we examined the association of 2D:4D with ASDs and 4 dichotomised ASD traits. Covariates were occupational class, maternal education and age at 2D:4D measurement. 2D:4D was not associated with ASDs in males (adjusted OR per 1 SD increase in mean 2D:4D, 0.88 (95% CI 0.65 to 1.21), p=0.435) or females (adjusted OR=1.36 (95% CI 0.81 to 2.28), p=0.245). Similar results were observed after adjustment for IQ. There was 1 weak association between reduced coherence and increased left 2D:4D in males, in the opposite direction to that predicted by the extreme male brain theory (adjusted OR=1.15 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.29), p=0.023). Given multiple comparisons, this is consistent with chance. CONCLUSIONS: In this population-based study, there was no strong evidence of an association between 2D:4D and ASD diagnosis or traits, although the CIs were wide. These results are not consistent with the extreme male brain theory

The Ursinus Weekly, March 13, 1950

Seniors plan show, Back in civvies, as novel enterprise • Two profs to debate economic aid policy • Twenty fall victim to rushing tactics in spring campaign • Compton wins first at inter-collegiates; remains unbeaten • Y prexy to open Fun nite agenda with camping slides • Committee finishes proposed revisions of soph rules plan • Greeks to entertain at party for frosh • Senator emphasizes new fiscal system • Pink and black set suave \u27Velvet mood\u27 • Faculty honors Morrison at anniversary celebration • Drives elicit small student response • Hilarious atmosphere pervades old T-G with Muench and minstrel high jinks • Dunc totes hockey stick from Devon to Dutchland • Dinelli\u27s The Man • Lecturing prof studies grass roots • Library constantly increases reserves of fiction and non-fiction volumes • May pageants show changes in custom since debut in 1919 • Compton tallies only win as swimmers bow 37-20 • Statistics point out leaders in current bruin court season • Coach makes ready for busy schedule in links campaign • Belles take Beaver in court tilt 31-27 for third triumph • Gurzynski predicts good cinder season as eight vets return • Matmen lose three due to graduation leaving huge gaps • Diamond club whips into playing shape for southern trip • Reversals highlight intramural contests as standings shift • Seniors terminate basketball careers with coach Seeders • Dr. Sturgis makes hobby of model railway system • Lee strums ballads to English students at surprise recitalhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1587/thumbnail.jp

Thermodynamics of small systems by nanocalorimetry: from physical to biological nano-objects

Membrane based nanocalorimeters have been developed for ac calorimetry experiments. It has allowed highly sensitive measurements of heat capacity from solid state physics to complex systems like polymers and proteins. In this article we review what has been developed in ac calorimetry toward the measurement of very small systems. Firstly, at low temperature ac calorimetry using silicon membrane permits the measurement of superconducting sample having geometry down to the nanometer scale. New phase transitions have been found in these nanosystems illustrated by heat capacity jumps versus the applied magnetic field. Secondly, a sensor based on ultra-thin polymer membrane will be presented. It has been devoted to thermal measurements of nanomagnetic systems at intermediate temperature (20K to 300K). Thirdly, three specific polyimide membrane based sensors have been designed for room temperature measurements. One is devoted to phase transitions detection in polymer, the second one to protein folding/unfolding studies and the third one will be used for the study of heat release in living cells. The possibility of measuring systems out of equilibrium will be emphasized

The Ursinus Weekly, February 13, 1950

Balladeer Lee to appear for return engagement • Dr. White to return for colors ceremony • Geiger to manage Weekly business for spring season • Greek men launch rushing campaigns via party schedule • Rosicrucians honor thirty-seven coeds at after dinner tea • Dramateurs repeat stellar production of play Pygmalion • \u27Ruby editors meet first of deadlines after hard-fought battle against time • Yearbook to resort to threats, horror for financial push • Eleven join classes for spring session • Cabinet to finish Y roster Saturday • Dr. Philip accepts position as church choir director • Nelson Wenner wins first prize in lengthy Chesterfield contest • Critical British elections effect us as people face socialistic decision • Local lads acquire southern exposure between semesters • Should we have national frats? • Attention, athletes • Uh, don\u27t look now, but your habits are showing • PMC dumps bruins 90-61 in free scoring court tilt • Sports led Bailey from streetcar to high Ursinus post • Coeds succumb 5-0 in badminton fray • Bailey announces schedule for coming track season • Drexel tops bruins 71-60 as late rally falls short • Baseballers will go south for pre-season practice • Tank squad edges Dragon coeds 29-28 in initial encounter • Sextet loses 31-22 in first hoop battle of current season • Jayvees fall twice in narrow contests with Cadets, Drexel • Intramurals resume as squads competehttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1583/thumbnail.jp

The Ursinus Weekly, October 9, 1950

Thespians pick Angel Street as Fall play • French Club sees slides of France • Alpha Phi Omega frat opens second year of campus activity • UN delegate from India to speak Friday at Philadelphia forum • McConnell to speak at Founders\u27 Day in Bomberger Hall • Sigma Rho formulates plans for 1950-51 terms • Y to conduct weekend retreat; Rally held Wednesday • Relax customs for frosh girls after stunt day • IRC hears speech on Chinese colleges • Four conferences held this Summer on Ursinus campus • Varsity Club to sponsor Old Timers\u27 Day dance • Czech to speak at first Forum on October 17 • Curtain Club adopts use of group system • Pre-legal society head issues call for people to join the group • WAA to sell Christmas supplies in girls\u27 dorms in near future • Editorial: Confusion or coordination?; From proposal to project • Letters to the editor • Doc Philip keeps Ursinus campus musical • Freshman is native of Spain • Stagg\u27s granddaughter enrolls in Junior class • Senior quartet wins appearance on TV; 51\u27ers celebrate triumph by singing • James Herbsleb chosen Pi Gamma Mu advisor • Millers\u27 Summer mixes work and play; Enjoy scenery and local peculiarities • New preceptress • Booters to open with Muhlenberg • Hockey team has seven returnees • Garrison\u27s arm carries Fords to 20-12 triumph • English professors to take to the stage in presentation of a series of readings • McKee plays part of invisible rabbit during Summer with Barnstormershttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1547/thumbnail.jp

The Ursinus Weekly, March 20, 1950

Moore Karavan to set mood of April showers • Councils co-operate on detailed inquiry of food situation • Board names Wetzel to top \u27Weekly\u27 post • ICG parley revises state\u27s constitution; makes voting age 18 • Three to undertake department honors in papers, projects • Thespians to offer drama and comedy tomorrow evening • Y chats to feature parleys on purpose of frats, sororities • Engineers improve facilities of WURS to increase range • Freshmen to meet sororities\u27 members • Frederick to direct cast of spring play • Original Ruby musical scores hit • Professors discuss European recovery • Debating fraternity names Edwards as new president • Operetta group prepares for post-Easter production • Bridge enthusiasts laud duplicate tourney variety • A senior confesses famous last words • Bomberger product sees failure hall of science • Fields\u27 Gentlemen Prefer Blondes • Coeds spill Chestnut Hill with good passing attack • Pancoast shoulders diversified tasks; busy with baseball • Chestnut Hill trips belles in badminton • Ursinus belles beat Bryn Mawr College for fifth triumph • Boxers, matmen compete for intramural distinction • Belles down Beaver in tank contest 37-20 • Hoop squad selects all-opponent team; Garnet places two • Bruin players elect mat, court captains to head 1951 teams • Advertiser to meet with business clubhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1588/thumbnail.jp

The Ursinus Weekly, February 14, 1949

Enrollment hits 1009 as 28 new students begin college life • Richardson Dilworth to speak tonight: former mayoralty nominee to expose corruption in Philadelphia government • Floy Lewis named queen • Frats begin rushing week • Lauterbach outlines proposed US policy in mid-week forum • Frosh girls slated to receive colors at annual program • Local NSA leaders choose Philadelphia for convention site • How could your college life be improved? • B-listers take lead by tripping imbeciles • Retreat held by Y; letters to Congress sent by commission • Student life of faculty members uncovered in old yearbooks • Popular couple wins laurels in print for countless services to student body • Ingber paces Cadets as bears yield 59-40 • Coeds score second win as Rosemont bows 34-23 • Beaver meet looms as local mermaids improve technique • Unbeaten record slashed as bruinettes lose 32-24 • Initial match fatal as Ford grapplers wallop bruins 23-11 • Bears drop fifth tilt as Drexel wins 75-61 • Jay Vees drop two; one point decides as PMC wins 45-44 • Pettit tops offense as junior varsity captures two wins • Three tilts listed for opening night of inter-dorm loophttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1607/thumbnail.jp