Epidemiology of perinatal mortality: Birthweight, crown -heel length, gestational age, and weight -for -height

Studies suggest that slim infants (low weight-for-height) experienced higher mortality rates than average or high weight-for-height infants (Miller and Hassanein, 1973; Hoffman, Meirik, and Bakketeig, 1984). In this study, the 1980 National Natality Survey and the National Fetal Mortality Survey were used to examine the association of weight, height and perinatal mortality. All singleton births to white married mothers, between 18 and 34 years of age and of parity less than 4, for whom both mother's and hospital questionnaires were completed in those two surveys (3796 live births and 2043 fetal deaths) were selected for analysis. Overall, low weight and height infants had excess mortality rates. However, after adjustment for low birthweight and preterm birth status, low weight and height infants had only slightly higher mortality rates than their medium or high weight and height counterparts. The current study consists of relatively well-educated white married mothers of optimal reproductive age and low parity. Therefore, lower than expected mortality rates for slim infants may be attributed to these favorable demographic factors in this sample as compared with previous studies, or because of advances in perinatal medicine, slim infants may be prevented from achieving the high mortality seen in earlier studies. ^

The cDNA cloning of murine HIP /L29 and the functional analysis of HIP/L29 domains

Human heparin/heparan sulfate interacting protein/L29 (HIP/L29) is a heparin/heparan sulfate (Hp/HS) binding protein found in many adult human tissues. Potential functions of this protein are promotion of embryo adhesion, modulation of blood coagulation, and control of cell growth. While these activities are diverse, the ability of human HIP/L29 to interact with Hp/HS at the cell surface may be a unifying mechanism of action since Hp/HS influences all of these processes. A murine ortholog has been identified that has 78.8% homology over the entire sequence and identity over the N-terminal 64 amino acids when compared to human HIP/L29. Northern, Western, and immunohistochemical analysis shows that murine HIP/L29 mRNA and protein are expressed in a tissue specific manner. Murine HIP/L29 is enriched in the membrane fraction of NmuMG cells where it is eluted with high salt, suggesting that it is a peripheral membrane protein. The ability of murine HIP/L29 to bind Hp is verified by studies using native and recombinant forms of murine HIP/L29. A synthetic peptide (HIP peptide-2) derived from the identical N-terminal region of HIP/L29 proteins was tested for the ability to bind Hp and support cell adhesion. This peptide was chosen because it conforms to a proposed consensus sequence for Hp/HS binding peptides. HIP peptide-2 binds Hp in a dose-dependent, saturable, and selective manner and supports Hp-dependent cell adhesion. However, a scrambled form of this peptide displayed similar activities indicating a lack of peptide sequence specificity required for activity. Lastly, an unbiased approach was used to identify sequences within human and mouse HIP/L29 proteins necessary for Hp/HS binding. A panel of recombinant proteins was made that collectively are deficient in every human HIP/L29 domain. The activities of these deletion mutants and recombinant murine HIP/L29 were compared to the activity of recombinant human HIP/L29 in a number of assays designed to look at differences in the ability to bind Hp/HS. These studies suggest that each domain within human HIP/L29 is important for binding to Hp/HS and divergences in the C-terminus of human and mouse HIP/L29 account for a decrease in murine HIP/L29 affinity for Hp/HS. It is apparent that multiple domains within human and mouse HIP/L29 contribute to the function of Hp/HS binding. The interaction of multiple HIP/L29 domains with Hp/HS will influence the biological activity of HIP/L29 proteins. ^

Collection of data on plant height along the plant diversity gradient in the Jena Experiment (Main Experiment, time series since 2002)

This data set contains a time series of plant height measurements (vegetative and reproductive) from the main experiment plots of a large grassland biodiversity experiment (the Jena Experiment; see further details below). In addition, data on species specific plant heights for the main experiment are available from 2002. In the main experiment, 82 grassland plots of 20 x 20 m were established from a pool of 60 species belonging to four functional groups (grasses, legumes, tall and small herbs). In May 2002, varying numbers of plant species from this species pool were sown into the plots to create a gradient of plant species richness (1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 60 species) and functional richness (1, 2, 3, 4 functional groups). Plots were maintained by bi-annual weeding and mowing. 1. Plant height was recorded, generally, twice a year just before biomass harvest (during peak standing biomass in late May and in late August). Methodologies of measuring height have varied somewhat over the years. In earlier year the streched plant height was measured, while in later years the standing height without streching the plant was measured. Vegetative height was measured either as the height of the highest leaf or as the length of the main axis of non-flowering plants. Regenerating height was measured either as the height of the highest flower on a plant or as the height of the main axis of flowering. Sampled plants were either randomly selected in the core area of plots or along transects in defined distances. For details refer to the description of individual years. Starting in 2006, also the plots of the management experiment, that altered mowing frequency and fertilized subplots (see further details in the general description of the Jena Experiment) were sampled. 2. Species specific plant height was recorded two times in 2002: in late July (vegetative height) and just before biomass harvest during peak standing biomass in late August (vegetative and regenerative height). For each plot and each sown species in the species pool, 3 plant individuals (if present) from the central area of the plots were randomly selected and used to measure vegetative height (non-flowering indviduals) and regenerative height (flowering individuals) as stretched height. Provided are the means over the three measuremnts per plant species per plot.

Culturas juveniles : Prácticas de hip hop en la ciudad de la Plata

El hip hop es un género musical que agrupa diferentes actividades artísticas como el grafiti, el rap, el baile y el disk jockey. A partir de los años 80, el hip hop se expandió en Argentina sumando a muchos jóvenes que comenzaron a desarrollarse dentro de los diferentes "elementos" como denominan los "hiphoperos" a las diversas prácticas. En la ciudad de La Plata, en el transcurso de 2002, comenzaron a observarse diferentes grupos que se reunían en espacios públicos para poder compartir, enseñar y desplegar los conocimientos que poseían sobre este género. Fue a partir de 2003 que empezamos a acercarnos a los jóvenes que practican hip hop en la ciudad con el objetivo de conocer cómo viven, qué piensan y por qué se vinculan a este tipo de grupos juveniles. En el desarrollo de la investigación "Comunicación e identidad en las prácticas culturales juveniles de Hip Hop", realizada para la tesis de grado de la Licenciatura en Comunicación Social, se fueron reconociendo los códigos, las competencias que surgen entre los diversos "elementos", la particularidad de la vestimenta, la importancia de los medios de comunicación para el desarrollo de las prácticas y el porqué de la apropiación de determinados espacios públicos. El fin del estudio es comprender qué procesos identitarios atraviesan a estos jóvenes, agrupados con el fin de conocer más sobre un género musical y sus prácticas

Plant height along the plant diversity gradient in the Jena Experiment (Main Experiment, year 2002)

This data set contains measurements of plant height: vegetative height (non-flowering indviduals) and regenerative height (flowering individuals) in 2002 from the Main Experiment plots of a large grassland biodiversity experiment (the Jena Experiment; see further details below). In the Main Experiment, 82 grassland plots of 20 x 20 m were established from a pool of 60 species belonging to four functional groups (grasses, legumes, tall and small herbs). In May 2002, varying numbers of plant species from this species pool were sown into the plots to create a gradient of plant species richness (1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 60 species) and functional richness (1, 2, 3, 4 functional groups). Plots were maintained by bi-annual weeding and mowing. In 2002, plant height was recorded twice a year: in late June and just before biomass harvest during peak standing biomass in late August. For 3 target plant individuals (if present) per sown species from the central area of the plots, vegetative height (non-flowering indviduals) and regenerative height (flowering individuals) were measured as stretched height. Provided are the indivdiual measurements and the mean over the measured plants per plot (in June) and the mean over the measured plants per plot (in August).

Culturas juveniles : Prácticas de hip hop en la ciudad de la Plata

El hip hop es un género musical que agrupa diferentes actividades artísticas como el grafiti, el rap, el baile y el disk jockey. A partir de los años 80, el hip hop se expandió en Argentina sumando a muchos jóvenes que comenzaron a desarrollarse dentro de los diferentes "elementos" como denominan los "hiphoperos" a las diversas prácticas. En la ciudad de La Plata, en el transcurso de 2002, comenzaron a observarse diferentes grupos que se reunían en espacios públicos para poder compartir, enseñar y desplegar los conocimientos que poseían sobre este género. Fue a partir de 2003 que empezamos a acercarnos a los jóvenes que practican hip hop en la ciudad con el objetivo de conocer cómo viven, qué piensan y por qué se vinculan a este tipo de grupos juveniles. En el desarrollo de la investigación "Comunicación e identidad en las prácticas culturales juveniles de Hip Hop", realizada para la tesis de grado de la Licenciatura en Comunicación Social, se fueron reconociendo los códigos, las competencias que surgen entre los diversos "elementos", la particularidad de la vestimenta, la importancia de los medios de comunicación para el desarrollo de las prácticas y el porqué de la apropiación de determinados espacios públicos. El fin del estudio es comprender qué procesos identitarios atraviesan a estos jóvenes, agrupados con el fin de conocer más sobre un género musical y sus prácticas

Culturas juveniles : Prácticas de hip hop en la ciudad de la Plata

El hip hop es un género musical que agrupa diferentes actividades artísticas como el grafiti, el rap, el baile y el disk jockey. A partir de los años 80, el hip hop se expandió en Argentina sumando a muchos jóvenes que comenzaron a desarrollarse dentro de los diferentes "elementos" como denominan los "hiphoperos" a las diversas prácticas. En la ciudad de La Plata, en el transcurso de 2002, comenzaron a observarse diferentes grupos que se reunían en espacios públicos para poder compartir, enseñar y desplegar los conocimientos que poseían sobre este género. Fue a partir de 2003 que empezamos a acercarnos a los jóvenes que practican hip hop en la ciudad con el objetivo de conocer cómo viven, qué piensan y por qué se vinculan a este tipo de grupos juveniles. En el desarrollo de la investigación "Comunicación e identidad en las prácticas culturales juveniles de Hip Hop", realizada para la tesis de grado de la Licenciatura en Comunicación Social, se fueron reconociendo los códigos, las competencias que surgen entre los diversos "elementos", la particularidad de la vestimenta, la importancia de los medios de comunicación para el desarrollo de las prácticas y el porqué de la apropiación de determinados espacios públicos. El fin del estudio es comprender qué procesos identitarios atraviesan a estos jóvenes, agrupados con el fin de conocer más sobre un género musical y sus prácticas