High elevation watersheds in the southern Appalachians: Indicators of sensitivity to acidic deposition and the potential for restoration through liming

Southern Appalachian high elevation watersheds have deep rocky soils with high organic matter content, different vegetation communities, and receive greater inputs of acidic deposition compared to low elevation sites within the region. Since the implementation of the Clean Air Act Amendment in the 1990s, concentrations of acidic anions in rainfall have declined. However, some high elevation streams continue to show signs of chronic to episodic acidity, where acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) ranges from 0 to 20 µeq L-1. We studied three 3rd order watersheds (North River in Cherokee National Forest, Santeetlah Creek in Nantahala National Forest, and North Fork of the French Broad in Pisgah National Forest) and selected four to six 1st order catchments within each watershed to represent a gradient in elevation (849–1526 m) and a range in acidic stream ANC values (11–50 leq L-1). Our objectives were to (1) identify biotic, physical and chemical catchment parameters that could be used as indices of stream ANC, pH and Ca:Al molar ratios and (2) estimate the lime required to restore catchments from the effects of excess acidity and increase base cation availability. We quantified each catchment’s biotic, physical, and chemical characteristics and collected stream, O-horizon, and mineral soil samples for chemical analysis seasonally for one year. Using repeated measures analysis, we examined variability in stream chemistry and catchment characteristics; we used a nested split-plot design to identify catchment characteristics that were correlated with stream chemistry. Watersheds differed significantly and the catchments sampled provided a wide range of stream chemical, biotic, physical and chemical characteristics. Variability in stream ANC, pH, and Ca:Al molar ratio were significantly correlated with catchment vegetation characteristics (basal area, tree height, and tree diameter) as well as O-horizon nitrogen and aluminum concentrations. Total soil carbon and calcium (an indicator of parent material), were significant covariates for stream ANC, pH and Ca:Al molar ratios. Lime requirement estimates did not differ among watersheds but this data will help select catchments for future restoration and lime application studies. Not surprisingly, this work found many vegetation and chemical characteristics that were useful indicators of stream acidity. However, some expected relationships such as concentrations of mineral soil extractable Ca and SO4 were not significant. This suggests that an extensive test of these indicators across the southern Appalachians will be required to identify high elevation forested catchments that would benefit from restoration activities

Genetic and Epigenetic Fine-Mapping of Causal Autoimmune Disease Variants

Summary Genome-wide association studies have identified loci underlying human diseases, but the causal nucleotide changes and mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here we developed a fine-mapping algorithm to identify candidate causal variants for 21 autoimmune diseases from genotyping data. We integrated these predictions with transcription and cis-regulatory element annotations, derived by mapping RNA and chromatin in primary immune cells, including resting and stimulated CD4+ T-cell subsets, regulatory T-cells, CD8+ T-cells, B-cells, and monocytes. We find that ~90% of causal variants are noncoding, with ~60% mapping to immune-cell enhancers, many of which gain histone acetylation and transcribe enhancer-associated RNA upon immune stimulation. Causal variants tend to occur near binding sites for master regulators of immune differentiation and stimulus-dependent gene activation, but only 10–20% directly alter recognizable transcription factor binding motifs. Rather, most noncoding risk variants, including those that alter gene expression, affect non-canonical sequence determinants not well-explained by current gene regulatory models

Words of Remembrance Congressman John Joseph Moakley 1927-2001: Saint Brigid\u27s Church June 1, 2001

The author talks about Joe Moakley and focuses on the bright spots in his life while saying goodbye

Oral history interview with William Bulger (OH-014)

William M. Bulger, former Massachusetts State Senate President, discusses the career of Congressman John Joseph Moakley. President Bulger discusses his friendship with Congressman Moakley; running for political office in South Boston; the evolution of politics during his career; Congressman Moakley’s 1970 and 1972 congressional campaigns; his thoughts regarding Boston busing in the 1970s; the Saint Patrick’s Day breakfast in South Boston; the development of the city of Boston over the years; and Congressman Moakley’s constituent service and political leadership.https://dc.suffolk.edu/moh/1014/thumbnail.jp

Teacher Perceptions of FITNESSGRAM® and Application of Results

International Journal of Exercise Science 9(2): 187-204, 2016. The purpose of this study was to examine perceptions of physical educators toward state-mandated use of FITNESSGRAM®. Two validated instruments were employed to collect data regarding teacher (n=174) perceptions and use. Mean (M) and standard deviations (SD) were calculated for all scale scores with t-tests and ANOVAs testing for differences by selected demographics. Overall attitudes toward FITNESSGRAM® were slightly positive (M = 4.52, SD = 1.06) on a 7-point Likert scale. The demographic variable gender (p = 0.017) was found to be statistically significant. In regards to the application of FITNESSGRAM® results, teachers more than frequently used the results (M = 5.51, SD = 1.12) on a 7-point Likert Scale. Class size (p = 0.015) was found to influence their use. Teachers reported a positive attitude toward FITNESSGRAM® and indicated that the test administration was enjoyable. Most recommendations for use of results were adhered to except parental reporting

Determination of Abraham model solute descriptors for the monomeric and dimeric forms of trans-cinnamic acid using measured solubilities from the Open Notebook Science Challenge

Article on the determination of Abraham model solute descriptors for the monomeric and dimeric forms of trans-cinnamic acid using measured solubilities from the Open Notebook Science Challenge