Sedimentation rates and metal retention in an urban Louisiana swamp

Naturally vegetated areas converted to urban uses increases impervious surfaces in a watershed with corresponding increases in nutrient, sediment, and metal loadings to downstream ecosystems. Wetlands mitigate detrimental impacts by transforming or retaining pollutants. Current and historic sedimentation and metal retention rates were measured in an urban, depressional wetland in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to evaluate landscape position and watershed development on these processes. Sedimentation disks, feldspar marker horizons, and Cs137 analyses were used in three distinct landscape positions. Inflow channels had the highest elevation and water velocity while the interior was located in the lowest elevations with the longest hydroperiod. An intermediate elevation between the channel and interior was designated as the transitional landscape position. Sedimentation disks yielded significant differences (p = 0.009) in sedimentation rates between the channel (23.8 ± 5.43 g/m2/d) and transitional (37.1 ± 5.09 g/m2/d) landscapes. The interior (27.9 ± 4.65 g/m2/d) position was not significantly different. Feldspar data yielded comparable values for the transitional (29.6 ± 2.57 g/m2/d) and interior (27.2 ± 3.64 g/m2/d) locations, which were not significantly different (p = 0.35). A historic sedimentation rate of 0.49 cm/yr ± 0.11 cm/yr, calculated from Cs137 analysis, was significantly lower than the current rate of 2.95 ± 1.10 (p = 0.010). Lead, Cd, Cu, Zn, Ni, and P sediment concentrations were significantly greater (p \u3c 0.05) in the interior than the transition based on sedimentation disks. Sediment metal concentrations were normalized with Al to compensate for increases in metal concentration with increasing clay content. Significantly higher Al content in the interior resulted in either no differences between the interior and transitional locations or significantly lower concentrations in the interior after Al-normalization. Historic metal retention rates (background concentrations) were calculated for depths below the 1963 Cs137 peak. Metal/Al ratios from soil cores yielded significantly higher Cd, Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni, and P concentrations in sediments deposited since 1963. These higher concentrations correspond with a seven percent increase in developed area surrounding Bluebonnet Swamp from 1963 to 2000. This urban wetland functions as an important sediment and pollutant sink, and protects downstream aquatic ecosystems

Getting Ready for a New Life: Saudi Bride-To-Be Shopping Experiences

In Saudi Arabia, a wedding is a significant occasion requiring extension preparation. Researchers have not yet explored how bride-to-be\u27s consumption patterns might be shaped in a tradition-oriented culture like Saudi Arabia. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore the Saudi woman\u27s bridal shopping experience during her transition into marriage and the meanings reflected in the purchases made. Qualitative data were collected via in-depth interviews with 14 Saudi women who were engaged to be married. Data were analyzed using constant comparison processes. Analysis revealed three themes, including: (a) Facilitating the liminal transition to new life, (b) Resisting complete change, and (c) Complication and ambiguity of the bride-to-be\u27s transition experience. Saudi brides-to-be engaged in complex identity construction processes to construct an appropriate new identity and appearance to embrace and project the symbolic difference between single and married life

Studies on the Role of the Spleen in the Radiation Response of the Mouse

The cyclic behavior toward a second exposure of ionizing radiation during the early stages of recovery from radiation damage is an established response for mammalian systems. A lack of information, however, has prevented a correlation between the state of cell populations in the animal at the time of the second irradiation and the acute mortality response of the animal. In the present study, deoxyribonucleic acid behavior in the spleens of irradiated mice was investigated, and the results compared with the acute mortality response for animals of the same strain. Following a whole-body exposure of 400 r cobalt-60 gamma radiation, there was an early and pronounced inhibition of DNA synthesis in the spleen. This inhibition persisted until 12-13 hours postirradiation, at which time recovery of DNA snythesis began. An examination of the literature and results presented in the current study showed 12 hours post-irradiation to be a time of maximal sensitivity to a second irradiation for the mice employed. The finding of resumption of DNA synthesis in the spleen at the time of maximal sensitivity of the animal population supports the notion that late G1 - early S is a period of high radiosensitivity for cells, an effect which has been previously proposed for in vitro cellular systems. Investigation of prelabeled DNA in the spleen following irradiation revealed a rapid loss of label as compared to a gradual decrease for unirradiated control spleens, but the specific activity of the DNA for the irradiated spleens remained unchanged from the unirradiated control specific activity. The findings of the present study show a close correlation between the potential for survival of the DNA synthesizing cells in the spleens of mice and the survival of the animals

Inequalities around fashioned bodies, style, and beauty: A seminar examining social injustices related to the apparel industry, discipline, and/or personal aesthetics

The seminar was centered around scholarship related to or addressing social justice or social justice issues in the apparel industry, our discipline, or personal and/or community aesthetics and styles. We focused on work examining underrepresented populations such as: (a) people of color, (b) the LGBTQ+ community, (c) people of a variety of abilities, and/or (d) other groups that have a history of oppression, discrimination, or power and privilege inequalities. The seminar had a non-traditional “arrangement” in the room with “exhibits” of scholarly work and “mini talks” from each presenter. Our goal was to initiate and encourage these discussions to go beyond the seminar session and for the participants to engage in dialogue at their home institutions and programs while building a network of people in the seminar to dialogue about in the future