Neptunyl(VI) centred visible LMCT emission directly observable in the presence of uranyl(VI)

Room temperature detection of neptunyl(VI) LMCT emission in a coordination compound and in the presence of uranyl(VI) is reported for the first time. Differences in the excitation profiles of the complexes enable spectral editing so either exclusively neptunyl(VI) or uranyl(VI) emission is observed or a sum of the two

Temporal Change in Fur Color in Museum Specimens of Mammals: Reddish-Brown Species Get Redder with Storage Time

Museum collections have great value for zoological research, but despite careful preservation, over time specimens can show subtle changes in color. We examined the effect of storage time on fur color of two reddish-brown species, golden mice (Ochrotomys nuttalli) and eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus). Using image analysis, we obtained color data (hue, saturation, and density) on 91 golden mice and 49 chipmunks from Georgia, USA. Analyses that considered body size, gender, and collection year showed significant effects of year on fur color of golden mice (hue and saturation) and of agouti color of chipmunks. Older specimens tended to be redder in color than newer specimens, consistent with a prior study of red bats (Lasiurus borealis). Hair samples showed reddening of fine body hairs, but not in thicker guard hairs. There was no temporal change in black or white stripe color in chipmunks, indicating that this temporal effect would be limited to species with reddish-brown fur. This effect may be caused by breakdown of eumelanin pigments (which make dark colors) over time, leaving a greater proportion of pheomelanin pigments (which make red colors). These results show that storage time needs to be considered in research projects where fur color is of importance

The fundamental links between climate change and marine plastic pollution

Plastic pollution and climate change have commonly been treated as two separate issues and sometimes are even seen as competing. Here we present an alternative view that these two issues are fundamentally linked. Primarily, we explore how plastic contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the beginning to the end of its life cycle. Secondly, we show that more extreme weather and floods associated with climate change, will exacerbate the spread of plastic in the natural environment. Finally, both issues occur throughout the marine environment, and we show that ecosystems and species can be particularly vulnerable to both, such as coral reefs that face disease spread through plastic pollution and climate-driven increased global bleaching events. A Web of Science search showed climate change and plastic pollution studies in the ocean are often siloed, with only 0.4% of the articles examining both stressors simultaneously. We also identified a lack of regional and industry-specific life cycle analysis data for comparisons in relative GHG contributions by materials and products. Overall, we suggest that rather than debate over the relative importance of climate change or marine plastic pollution, a more productive course would be to determine the linking factors between the two and identify solutions to combat both crises

A multidisciplinary approach for generating globally consistent data on mesophotic, deep-pelagic, and bathyal biological communities

Approaches to measuring marine biological parameters remain almost as diverse as the researchers who measure them. However, understanding the patterns of diversity in ocean life over different temporal and geographic scales requires consistent data and information on the potential environmental drivers. As a group of marine scientists from different disciplines, we suggest a formalized, consistent framework of 20 biological, chemical, physical, and socioeconomic parameters that we consider the most important for describing environmental and biological variability. We call our proposed framework the General Ocean Survey and Sampling Iterative Protocol (GOSSIP). We hope that this framework will establish a consistent approach to data collection, enabling further collaboration between marine scientists from different disciplines to advance knowledge of the ocean (deep-sea and mesophotic coral ecosystems)

Effects of Pre- and Post-Exercise Protein vs. Carbohydrate Ingestion on Training Adaptations in Collegiate Female Athletes

The role of nutrient timing both before and after daily training sessions is now a major part of the nutritional recommendations for athletes to maximize training adaptations. However, there still exists some questions on the ideal macronutrient selection for these pre- and post-workout meals. PURPOSE: To investigate the potential effects of protein vs. carbohydrate ingestion in collegiate female basketball players. METHODS: 14 (20.2 ± 1.4 years, 169.4 ± 5.8 cm, 67.5 ± 6.1 kg, 27.1 ± 4.4 %BF) NCAA Division III female basketball players were matched by weight and randomly assigned in a double-blind manner to consume 24 grms whey protein (WP) or 24 grms maltodextrin (MD) pre- and post-exercise for eight weeks. Subjects participated in a supervised 4-day per week undulating periodized resistance and anaerobic training program. At 0 and 8-weeks, subjects underwent DEXA body composition analysis and upper- and lower-body 1RM strength, vertical jump, 5-10-5, and broad jump testing. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA (p≤0.05) and are presented as mean ± SD changes. RESULTS: Significant group x time interaction effects were observed among groups for bench press 1RM (p = 0.043) and DEXA lean mass (p = 0.026) indicating that the WP group resulted in a more substantial training adaptations over the MD group. A significant time effect (p \u3c 0.05) was observed for DEXA %BF (%change: -4.87 ± 4%), DEXA fat mass (%change: -4.33 ± 5%), leg press 1RM (%change: 13.57 ± 7%), vertical jump (%change: 9.95 ± 6%), 5-10-5 (%change: -3.1 ± 2%), and broad jump (%change: 3.9 ± 4%) suggesting that the stimulus of the training protocol was adequate to promote anaerobic physiological adaptations. CONCLUSION: In regards to nutrient timing, our results suggest that whey protein ingestion both pre- and post-training is a greater stimulus for increases in lean mass in female collegiate anaerobic athletes as compared to the ingestion of carbohydrates. This translated into a significant difference in upper body 1RM strength, however, despite significant training adaptations occurring over the 8 week trial, no significant differences occurred in lower body strength, vertical and broad jump, and 5-10-5 time between WP and MD groups

Twelve months of voluntary heavy alcohol consumption in male rhesus macaques suppresses intracortical bone remodeling

Chronic heavy alcohol consumption is a risk factor for cortical bone fractures in males. The increase in fracture risk may be due, in part, to reduced bone quality. Intracortical (osteonal) bone remodeling is the principle mechanism for maintaining cortical bone quality. However, it is not clear how alcohol abuse impacts intracortical bone remodeling. This study investigated the effects of long-duration heavy alcohol consumption on intracortical bone remodeling in a non-human primate model. Following a 4-month induction period, male rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta, n = 21) were allowed to voluntarily self-administer water or alcohol (4% ethanol w/v) for 22 h/d, 7 d/wk for 12 months. Control monkeys (n = 13) received water and an isocaloric maltose-dextrin solution. Tetracycline hydrochloride was administered orally 17 and 3 days prior to sacrifice for determination of active mineralization sites. Animals in the alcohol group consumed 2.7 ± 0.2 g alcohol/kg/d (mean ± SE) during the 12 months of self-administration, resulting in a mean daily blood alcohol concentration of 77 ± 9 mg/dl from samples taken at 7 h after the start of a daily session. However, blood alcohol concentration varied widely from day to day, with peak levels exceeding 250 mg/dl, modeling a binge-drinking pattern of alcohol consumption. The skeletal response to alcohol was determined by densitometry, microcomputed tomography and histomorphometry. Significant differences in tibial bone mineral content, bone mineral density, and cortical bone architecture (cross-sectional volume, cortical volume, marrow volume, cortical thickness, and polar moment of inertia) in the tibial diaphysis were not detected with treatment. However, cortical porosity was lower (1.8 ± 0.5 % versus 0.6 ± 0.1 %, p = 0.021) and labeled osteon density was lower (0.41 ± 0.2/mm² versus 0.04 ± 0.01/mm², p < 0.003) in alcohol-consuming monkeys compared to controls, indicating a reduced rate of intracortical bone remodeling. In concordance, plasma CTx was lower (2.5 ± 0.3 ng/ml versus 1.7 ± 0.1 ng/ml, p = 0.028) in the alcohol group. These results suggest that chronic heavy alcohol consumption may negatively impact bone health, in part, by suppressing intracortical bone remodeling.Keywords: Ethanol, Histomorphometry, Non-human primate, Haversian remodeling, Microcomputed tomograph