Spatial patterning and floral synchrony among trillium populations with contrasting histories of herbivory

We investigated the spatial patterning and floral synchrony within and among populations of a non-clonal, forest understory herb, Trillium catesbaei. Two populations of T. catesbaei within Great Smoky Mountains National Park were monitored for five years: Cades Cove (high deer abundance) and Whiteoak Sink (low deer abundance). All individuals within each population were mapped during year one and five. Only flowering and single-leaf juveniles were mapped during intervening years. Greater distances between flowering plants (plants currently in flower) and substantially lower population densities and smaller patch sizes were observed at Cades Cove versus Whiteoak Sink. However, with the exception of flowering plants, contrasting histories of herbivory did not appear to fundamentally alter the spatial patterning of the T. catesbaei population at Cades Cove, an area with a long and well-documented history of deer overabundance. Regardless of browse history, non-flowering life stages were significantly clustered at all spatial scales examined. Flowering plants were clustered in all years at Whiteoak Sink, but more often randomly distributed at Cades Cove, possibly as a result of their lower abundance. Between years, however, there was a positive spatial association between the locations of flowering plants at both sites. Flowering rate was synchronous between sites, but lagged a year behind favorable spring growing conditions, which likely allowed plants to allocate photosynthate from a favorable year towards flowering the subsequent year. Collectively, our results suggest that chronically high levels of herbivory may be associated with spatial patterning of flowering within populations of a non-clonal plant. They also highlight the persistence of underlying spatial patterns, as evidenced by high levels of spatial clustering among non-flowering individuals, and the pervasive, although muted in a population subjected to chronic herbivory, influence of precipitation and temperature on flowering in long-lived forest herbs

Texas Bio-Nuclear Radiocarbon Measurements II

This material was digitized as part of a cooperative project between Radiocarbon and the University of Arizona Libraries.The Radiocarbon archives are made available by Radiocarbon and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact [email protected] for further information.Migrated from OJS platform February 202

Thimerosal Induces Apoptosis in a Neuroblastoma Model via the cJun N-terminal Kinase Pathway

The cJun N-terminal kinase (JNK)-signaling pathway is activated in response to a variety of stimuli, including environmental insults, and has been implicated in neuronal apoptosis. In this study, we investigated the role that the JNK pathway plays in neurotoxicity caused by thimerosal, an ethylmercury-containing preservative. SK-N-SH cells treated with thimerosal (0-10 microM) showed an increase in the phosphorylated (active) form of JNK and cJun with 5 and 10 microM thimerosal treatment at 2 and 4 h. To examine activator protein-1 (AP-1) transcription, cells were transfected with a pGL2 vector containing four AP-1 consensus sequences and then treated with thimerosal (0-2.5 microM) for 24 h. Luciferase studies showed an increase in AP-1 transcriptional activity upon thimerosal administration. To determine the components of the AP-1 complex, cells were transfected with a dominant negative to either cFos (A-Fos) or cJun (TAM67). Reporter analysis showed that TAM67, but not A-Fos, decreased AP-1 transcriptional activity, indicating a role for cJun in this pathway. To assess which components are essential to apoptosis, cells were treated with a cell-permeable JNK inhibitor II (SP600125) or transfected with TAM67, and the downstream effectors of apoptosis were analyzed. Cells pretreated with SP600125 showed decreases in activation of caspases 9 and 3, decreases in degradation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), and decreased levels of proapoptotic Bim, in comparison to cells treated with thimerosal alone. However, cells transfected with TAM67 showed no changes in those same components. Taken together, these results indicate that thimerosal-induced neurotoxicity occurs through the JNK-signaling pathway, independent of cJun activation, leading ultimately to apoptotic cell death

The effects of fabric lamination angle and ply number on electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of weft knitted fabric-reinforced polypropylene composites

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of fabric lamination angle and fabric ply number on electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (EMSE) of weft knitted fabric-reinforced polypropylene composites. Knitted fabric-reinforced composites are composed of aramid yarn, polypropylene yarn, and copper wire. Polypropylene is the matrix phase and the aramid yarn and copper wires are the reinforcement phase of the composite materials. It was achieved to form 1.5 to 3 mm thickness composites. The composites have nearly 20-50 dB electromagnetic shielding values. To form the knitted fabrics, 7G semiautomatic flat knitting machine was used. The composites were formed by a laboratory-type hot press. EMSE of composites were tested by using ASTM D 4935 coaxial test fixture in 27-3000 MHz frequency band. Lamination angle and ply number parameters were examined related to EMSE of structures. For this study, three different structures were knitted and named as plain knit, 1 x 1 rib knit, and half cardigan knit. To determine the effect of lamination angle of composites on electromagnetic shielding performance, the composites were produced in two different lamination angles as 0 degrees/90 degrees/0 degrees/90 degrees and 0 degrees/45 degrees/0 degrees/45 degrees. To determine the effect of fabric ply number of composites on electromagnetic shielding performance, the composites were produced in two and four plies. It was observed that the fabric ply number and lamination angle does not affect the EMSE of composite materials very much. It was determined that weft knitted reinforced composite structures have appropriate and high EMSE values for electromagnetic applications. This knitted fabric-reinforced polypropylene composites are flexible and suitable for other industrial applications as civil engineering, aerospace, etc.Board of Project of Suleyman Demirel UniversitySuleyman Demirel University [1438-D-06]; Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [107-M-368]The authors would like to thank The Board of Project of Suleyman Demirel University (project number 1438-D-06) and The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK; project number 107-M-368) for the provision of a Ph.D. scholarship to one of us (D.S.). They also thank York EMC Services Ltd. for testing the shielding effectiveness tests

Diagnóstico do estado nutricional dos atletas da Equipe Olímpica Permanente de Levantamento de Peso do Comitê Olímpico Brasileiro (COB) Diagnostico del estado nutricional de los deportistas del equipo olímpico nacional de levantamiento de pesas del Comité Olímpico Brasileño (COB) Diagnosis of the nutritional status of the Weight Lifting Permanent Olympic Team athletes of the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB)

Objetivou-se neste estudo diagnosticar o estado nutricional da Equipe Olímpica Permanente de Levantamento de Peso do Comitê Olímpico Brasileiro (COB). A amostra foi composta por 24 atletas, na faixa etária entre 16 e 23 anos, sendo 12 do sexo masculino (19,7 ± 2,4 anos) e 12 do feminino (19,2 ± 1,8 ano). Realizou-se o seguinte procedimento para o diagnóstico do estado nutricional: análise da adequação da ingestão de energia e dos macronutrientes - carboidratos (CHO), lipídios (LIP) e proteínas (PRO) -, por meio dos métodos Recordatório de 24 horas e Questionário de Freqüência de Consumo Alimentar, além da caracterização do perfil antropométrico. Os resultados da avaliação dietética indicaram que a distribuição energética entre os macronutrientes encontra-se adequada sendo de 54 ± 6,8% (CHO); 28,5 ± 5,9% (LIP); e 14,5 ± 3,4% (PRO) para os homens e 56,3 ± 4,7% (CHO); 28,6 ± 4,6% (LIP); e 13,7 ± 2,4% (PRO) para a equipe feminina. Entretanto, quanto ao consumo energético total, 83% dos atletas estavam com ingestão energética abaixo dos valores recomendados, considerando o alto nível de atividade física, promovendo deficiência calórica diária. O percentual de gordura corporal dos atletas do sexo masculino (3,6 ± 0,7%) indicou que todos estavam abaixo do padrão de referência, enquanto 58% dos esportistas do sexo feminino apresentavam excesso de gordura (17,9 ± 5,8%). Tem-se, como conclusão, que, apesar de os desportistas avaliados terem realizado distribuição energética adequada entre os macronutrientes, esta ainda não foi suficiente para suprir as exigências energéticas da modalidade, necessitando assim de orientação nutricional.<br>El objetivo de este estudio fue diagnosticar el estado nutricional de los deportistas del equipo olímpico nacional de levantamiento de pesas del Comité Olímpico Brasileño (COB). La muestra estuvo compuesta por 24 deportistas, con edades entre 16 y 23 años, siendo 12 hombres (19,7 ± 2,4 años) y 12 mujeres (19,2 ± 1,8 años). Para diagnosticar el estado nutricional se empleó: análisis de la adecuación del consumo energético de macronutrientes, carbohidratos (CHO), lípidos (LIP) y proteínas (PRO), por medio de los métodos recordatorio de 24 horas y encuesta de frecuencia de consumo alimentar, además de establecer el perfil antropométrico. Los resultados indican que la distribución energética entre los macronutrientes esta adecuada, al registrarse 54 ± 6,8% (CHO); 28,5 ± 5,9% (LIP); 14,5 ± 3,4% (PRO) en los hombres y 56,3 ± 4,7% (CHO); 28,6 ± 4,6% (LIP); 13,7 ± 2,4% (PRO) en las mujeres. Sin embargo, el consumo energético total indica que 83% de los deportistas estaban con un consumo por debajo de los valores recomendados, considerando el alto nivel de actividad física, produciendo así una deficiencia energética diaria. El porcentaje de grasa corporal en los hombres (3,6 ± 0,7%) indica que todos estaban debajo de los valores de referencia; por otra parte, 58% de las mujeres presentaron exceso de grasa (17,9 ± 5,8%). Se puede concluir que los deportistas evaluados, mismo realizando la distribución energética entre los macronutrientes adecuada, no esta siendo suficiente para atender las necesidades de los deportistas, necesitando así, de una orientación nutricional.<br>This study aimed to diagnose the nutritional status of the Weight Lifting Permanent Olympic Team Athletes of the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB). The sample was composed of 24 athletes, aged 16-23 yr, 12 males (19.7 ± 2.4 yr) and 12 females (19.2 ± 1.8 yr). The following procedure was applied to diagnose the nutritional status: analysis of the adequability of energy and macronutrient intake - carbohydrates (CHO), lipids (LIP) and proteins (PRO) -, through the methods 24-hr diet records and the Food Consumption Frequency Questionnaire, besides anthropometrical profile characterization. The results obtained from the dietary evaluation showed that the energy distribution among the macronutrients was adequate, 54 ± 6.8% (CHO); 28,5 ± 5.9% (LIP); and 14.5 ± 3.4% (PRO) for the male team, and 56.3 ± 4.7% (CHO); 28.6 ± 4.6% (LIP); and 13.7 ± 2.4% (PRO) for the female team. However, regarding total energy intake, 83% of the athletes presented energy intake below the recommended values, considering the high level of physical activity, resulting in daily caloric deficiency. Body fat percentage of the male athletes (3.6 ± 0.7%) indicated that all of them were below the reference standard, while 58% of the female athletes had excess fat (17.9 ± 5.8%). It was concluded that although the athletes showed an adequate caloric distribution of macronutrients, it was still not sufficient to meet the energy requirements of their modality, thus these athletes should seek nutritional orientation