A Comparison of Fluorescence and ETR Between Malosma laurina and Rhus integrifolia

Malosma laurina and Rhus integrifolia are both native species to the Santa Monica Mountains and belong to the same family, Anacardiaceae. The two natives have lived alongside each other but in recent years M. laurina has been heavily affected by the prolonged drought. The Malosma laurina population in the Santa Monica Mountains has withstood wildfires and droughts, and has remained relatively stable and healthy up until recently. A recent Pepperdine graduate published her findings explaining the high levels of dieback in Malosma laurina and attributed it to the fungus, B. dothidea. We hypothesized that Rhus integrifolia would have higher fluorescence and ETR rates because there have been no recorded cases of Rhus integrifolia being infected by the fungus or that it would physiologically outperform M. laurina. We concluded that there was no significant difference in light and dark adapted fluorescence rates between both plants. However, Malosma laurina proved to have a significanty higher electron transport rate

A Comparison of Water Potential, Photosynthetic Rate, Electron Transport Rate, and Stomatal Conductance between Native Malosma laurina and Exotic Schinus molle

Schinus molle is a relatively new invasive species in chaparral shrub communities of the Santa Monica Mountains, and has only recently been observed to displace native species of shrubs, such as Malosma laurina. To investigate the probably cause of S. molle’s invasiveness and mechanisms of competitive displacement of M. laurina, we compared their water status, photosynthetic rates, electron transport rates, and stomatal conductance to water vapor diffusion during the unusually dry fall of 2016. We used a Scholander-Hammel pressure chamber to measure water status and a field portably gas-exchange system to measure light and dark reaction components of photosynthesis, concurrent with stomatal conductance (LI-6400XT). We hypothesized that S. molle would physiologically outperform M. laurina, under natural field conditions, indicated by higher photosynthetic rates, electron transport rates, and stomatal conductance rates as well as a less negative water potentials (higher water status). We found that there was no significant difference between dry S. molle and dry M. laurina regarding photosynthetic rates; however the stomatal conductance of S. molle was significantly lower than M. laurina, indicating higher water use efficiency (greater carbon gain for the amount of water lost). The electron transport rate (ETR) was significantly higher for S. molle than M. laurina, suggesting more efficient conversion of light energy to chemical energy in the light reaction of photosynthesis. These results suggest that S. molle has a physiological advantage over M. laurina in greater efficiency in water use as well as greater efficiency in radiant energy conversion. Both of these factors may contribute to S. molle’s ability to aggressively outcompete M. laurina, especially during periods of extreme drought. Invasiveness and competitive exclusion of native species by S. mollemay be enhanced by a gradual increase in a hotter and drier climate in California

Gestational weight gain and birth outcome in Mexican-American women

Factors associated with gestational weight gain in Hispanic women are not completely understood. In 2010, our research lab conducted a pilot study on a group of postpartum Mexican-American women (n= 30, 18-35 y; predominantly Mixtecan) who were recruited from a tertiary care clinic in Ventura County, California. Subjects completed a written questionnaire (translated into Spanish) and physical activity levels were evaluated using the Kaiser Physical Activity Survey (KPAS). Medical records were obtained for clinical data, including pregnancy anthropometrics and birth outcomes (gestational age, type of delivery, and birth weight). Since the time of the pilot study we sampled a larger cohort of women (n=90). This sample reported low levels of acculturation (1.14 ± 0.66; scale 1-5) and were predominantly overweight/obese (BMI of 25.64 ± 6.99kg/m2). When comparing subdomains of physical activity during pregnancy (scale 0-5), women were least involved in sport/exercise (1.94 ± 0.95) and reported slightly higher levels of activity in the categories of active living habits (2.89 ± 0.61) and household/caregiving (2.16 ± 0.94). We propose to evaluate gestational weight gain (GWG), weight gain above and below the recommended ranges by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), and the relationship of these variables to health behaviors (e.g., physical activity) and birth outcome (e.g., birth weight). We anticipate that our findings will contribute to recommendations for influencing key health behaviors at or before critical time periods in the reproductive years of Mexican-American women

Physical activity and psychosocial well-being during pregnancy in Mexican-American women.

Physical activity during pregnancy is associated with improved physical health and emotional well-being. National data indicate that levels of physical activity are lower in Mexican-American women compared to non-Hispanic white women, who have largely been the focus of previous research. We examined physical activity and psychosocial well-being in a group of postpartum Mexican-American women (n=100, 18-35 y) who received prenatal care from a tertiary care clinic in Ventura, CA. Subjects completed a written questionnaire (translated into Spanish) in order to assess physical activity (Kaiser Physical Activity Survey) and level of acculturation. Medical records were obtained for clinical data including gestational anthropometrics and psychosocial well-being as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). This sample of women (n=73) were predominantly of Mixtecan origin with low levels of acculturation (1.14 ± 0.66; scale 1-5). When comparing subdomains of physical activity during pregnancy (scale 0-5), women were least involved in sport/exercise (1.94 ± 0.95) and reported slightly higher levels of activity in the categories of active living habits (2.89 ± 0.61) and household/caregiving (2.16 ± 0.94). Depression scores (scale 0-29) increased from the 2nd trimester (3.1 ± 3.6) to the 3rd trimester (3.4 ± 4.4). We propose to do perform additional analyses to examine the a) relationship between physical activity during pregnancy and physical activity during postpartum, b) relationship between physical activity (pregnancy and postpartum) and depression scores, and c) influence of acculturation on health behaviors (e.g., physical activity and breastfeeding) and health outcomes (e.g., depression)

A Comparison of Water Potential, Photosynthetic Rate, Electron Transport Rate, and Stomatal Conductance Between Native Malosma laurina and Exotic Schinus molle

Schinus molle is a relatively new invasive chaparral shrub in the Santa Monica Mountains and has only recently been observed to displace native shrubs like Malosma laurina. To investigate the probable cause of S. molle’s competitive displacement of M. laurina, we compared their water status, photosynthetic rates, electron transport rates, and stomatal conductance to water vapor diffusion during the fall months of 2016. We hypothesized that S. molle would physiologically outperform M. laurina indicated by higher photosynthetic rates, electron transport rates, stomatal conductance rates, and less negative water potential. We found that there was no significant difference between dry S. molle and dry M. laurina’s photosynthetic rates; however, the stomatal conductance of S. molle was significantly lower than M. laurina. This indicated higher water use efficiency meaning a greater amount of carbon gained for the amount of water lost. Additionally, the electron transport rate (ETR) was significantly higher for S. molle than M. laurina, suggesting efficient conversion of light to chemical energy in the light reaction of photosynthesis thus, enhancing S. molle’s performance through the hotter and drier climate in California

Efecto de la fertilización nitrogenada y del genotipo sobre el rendimiento y el contenido de nitrógeno y β-glucanos en el grano de la avena (Avena sativa L.)

La avena contiene cantidades relativamente elevadas de fibra dietética, particularmente de β-glucanos. Esto le confiere un potencial significativo en la producción de alimentos prebióticos, funcionales y nutracéuticos para el hombre. El propósito de este trabajo fue evaluar el efecto del genotipo y de la dosis de nitrógeno (N) aplicada durante el cultivo, sobre el rendimiento y la concentración de β-glucanos y nitrógeno en el grano. Para tal efecto, se sembraron, en la Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, al norte de la ciudad de Toluca (19°15’33’’N, 99°39’38’’ W, 2640 m s. n. m.) en México, siete variedades comerciales: Turquesa, Obsidiana, Karma, Avemex, Chihuahua, Paramo y Menonita y los tratamientos de fertilización consistieron en 60 y 120 kg Nha-1. Al grano cosechado se le cuantificaron los β-glucanos, además del rendimiento y sus principales componentes. Los resultados mostraron que en los genotipos Turquesa, Paramo y Menonita la fertilización nitrogenada incrementó el contenido de β-glucanos y en los otros cuatro, por el contrario los disminuyó. El rendimiento de grano aumentó con la dosis de N, aunque cada genotipo respondió de manera diferente a este factor. Este parámetro del cultivo se explicó mejor por el número de granos obtenido por superficie que por el peso individual de estos. La capacidad de macollaje de la avena permite que los macollos generen la mayor parte del rendimiento y son los macollos los órganos donde se concentra el efecto de la fertilización nitrogenada

Efecto de la fertilización nitrogenada y del genotipo sobre el rendimiento y el contenido de nitrógeno y ?-glucanos en el grano de la avena (Avena sativa L.)

"La avena contiene cantidades relativamente elevadas de fibra dietética, particularmente de β-glucanos. Esto le confiere un potencial significativo en la producción de alimentos prebióticos, funcionales y nutracéuticos para el hombre. El propósito de est

Studying the interaction between charm and light-flavor mesons

International audienceThe two-particle momentum correlation functions between charm mesons ($\mathrm{D^{*\pm}}$ and $\mathrm{D}^\pm$) and charged light-flavor mesons ($\pi^{\pm}$ and K$^{\pm}$) in all charge-combinations are measured for the first time by the ALICE Collaboration in high-multiplicity proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s} =13$ TeV. For $\mathrm{DK}$ and $\mathrm{D^*K}$ pairs, the experimental results are in agreement with theoretical predictions of the residual strong interaction based on quantum chromodynamics calculations on the lattice and chiral effective field theory. In the case of $\mathrm{D}\pi$ and $\mathrm{D^*}\pi$ pairs, tension between the calculations including strong interactions and the measurement is observed. For all particle pairs, the data can be adequately described by Coulomb interaction only, indicating a shallow interaction between charm and light-flavor mesons. Finally, the scattering lengths governing the residual strong interaction of the $\mathrm{D}\pi$ and $\mathrm{D^*}\pi$ systems are determined by fitting the experimental correlation functions with a model that employs a Gaussian potential. The extracted values are small and compatible with zero

Measurement of Ωc0\Omega^0_{\rm c} baryon production and branching-fraction ratio BR(Ωc0→Ω−e+νe)/BR(Ωc0→Ω−π+){\rm BR(\Omega^0_c \rightarrow \Omega^- e^+\nu_e)} / {\rm BR(\Omega^0_c \rightarrow \Omega^- \pi^+)} in pp collisions at s\sqrt{s} = 13 TeV

International audienceThe inclusive production of the charm-strange baryon $\Omega^{0}_{\rm c}$ is measured for the first time via its semileptonic decay into $\Omega^{-}\rm e^{+}\nu_{e}$ at midrapidity ($|y|<0.8$) in proton$-$proton (pp) collisions at the centre-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The transverse momentum ($p_{\rm T}$) differential cross section multiplied by the branching ratio is presented in the interval $2<p_{\rm T}<12~{\rm GeV}/c$. The branching-fraction ratio ${\rm BR}(\Omega^0_{\rm c} \rightarrow \Omega^{-}{\rm e}^{+}\nu_{\rm e})/ {\rm BR}(\Omega^0_{\rm c} \rightarrow \Omega^{-}{\pi}^{+})$ is measured to be 1.12 $\pm$ 0.22 (stat.) $\pm$ 0.27 (syst.). Comparisons with other experimental measurements, as well as with theoretical calculations, are presented

Investigating the nature of the K0∗(700)^*_0(700) state with π±\pi^\pmKS0^0_{\rm S} correlations at the LHC

International audienceThe first measurements of femtoscopic correlations with the particle pair combinations $\pi^\pm$K$^0_{\rm S}$ in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) are reported by the ALICE experiment. Using the femtoscopic approach, it is shown that it is possible to study the elusive K$^*_0(700)$ particle that has been considered a tetraquark candidate for over forty years. Boson source parameters and final-state interaction parameters are extracted by fitting a model assuming a Gaussian source to the experimentally measured two-particle correlation functions. The final-state interaction is modeled through a resonant scattering amplitude, defined in terms of a mass and a coupling parameter, decaying into a $\pi^\pm$K$^0_{\rm S}$ pair. The extracted mass and Breit-Wigner width, derived from the coupling parameter, of the final-state interaction are found to be consistent with previous measurements of the K$^*_0(700)$. The small value and increasing behavior of the correlation strength with increasing source size support the hypothesis that the K$^*_0(700)$ is a four-quark state, i.e. a tetraquark state. This latter trend is also confirmed via a simple geometric model that assumes a tetraquark structure of the K$^*_0(700)$ resonance