A silvicultural approach to increase drought resistance and resilience in longleaf pine

Droughts are a common disturbance experienced by forest systems across the southeastern United States and are expected to increase in frequency in the near future. Few empirical studies have evaluated the response of individual tree resistance and resilience following silvicultural treatment in longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.). This study evaluates the differences in drought responses between two forests during three different periods. The first period evaluated pretreatment (2000) conditions, while the second (2006), and third (2011) compared conditions after the implementation of five silvicultural treatments. The main findings are that, as additional basal area is removed, both individual tree resistance and resilience to drought increase. Moreover, as drought intensity decreases, both resistance and resilience metrics increase. Finally, higher competitive status of individual trees warranted higher resistance to drought compared to trees of a lower competitive status

Detection of a conformational change in Gγ upon binding Gβ in living cells

AbstractInteraction induced changes in the conformation of proteins are frequently the molecular basis for the modulation of their activities. Although proteins perform their functions in cells, surrounded by many potential interaction partners, the studies of their conformational changes have been mainly restricted to in vitro studies. Ste4p (Gβ) and Ste18p (Gγ) are the subunits of a heterotrimeric G-protein in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A split-ubiquitin based conformational sensor was used to detect a major structural rearrangement in Ste18p upon binding to Ste4p. Based on these in vivo results and the solved structure of the mammalian Gβγ, we propose that Gγ of yeast adopts an equally extended structure, which is only induced upon association with Gβ

Interpersonal Discrimination and Older Latinx Adults in the United States

Discrimination is a chronic source of stress among Latinx adults in the United States (Lopez et al. 2017; Williams 2012). Limited research, however, considers differences within ethnicity-nativity, the influence of important psychosocial mechanisms such as sense of control, and the ways interpersonal discrimination may extend beyond the individual, known as vicarious effects (Wofford et al. 2019). For my chapters, public data comes from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a nationally representative longitudinal study of Americans aged 50 and older. My three dissertation chapters proceed in the following manner: Chapter 1 provides information to better understand Latinx adults beyond the monolithic categorization by examining experiences of interpersonal discrimination for US-born Mexican adults, US-born Latinx adults of other ethnicities, foreign-born Mexican adults, and foreign-born Latinx adults of other ethnicities. This fills a research gap by providing more detailed information on how racialized stress, via interpersonal discrimination measures, vary by ethnicity and nativity for older Latinx adults. For Chapter 2, I contribute to a better understanding of psychosocial resources, specifically sense of control (i.e., perceived constraints and mastery), which may explain the impact of discrimination on mental health (mediation) and/or protect against the adverse effects of interpersonal discrimination on depressive symptoms (moderation). I also stratify by ethnicity to better assess how these measures of sense of control might work differently across groups. This contributes to a broader understanding of mechanisms that might buffer the adverse consequences of discrimination on mental health, beyond previously researched social support measures. Finally, Chapter 3 contributes to the family literature by examining Latinx marriages. Specifically, I considered the way spouse’s experiences of interpersonal discrimination influences the depressive symptoms of their partner. Understanding dyadic relationships for older Latinx marriages is especially important as limited information considers older Latinx adults and their families. Using the stress process and linked lives theory, actor effects were found, but no partner effects were found—this may be explained by the familioso framework. Future research within discrimination, health, and family literature should continue to consider the specific processes influencing the wellbeing of Latinx individuals

Influence of Perceived Stress on Dressing and Eating Behaviors of Chinese Female University Students Residing in the United States

The objective of this research was to evaluate how perceived stressful conditions (PSC) and perceived non-stressful conditions (PNSC) influence eating and dressing behaviors of Chinese females. Chinese female university students (18–30 years) residing in the United States, completed a validated and reliable 45-itemized Chinese Stress Eating and Dressing Survey (CSEDS). The CSEDS included: (i) effort to control making healthy eating choices and dressing, (ii) foods eaten and dress items selected during PSC, (iii) foods eaten and dress items selected during PNSC, and (iv) demographics. Seven comfort food categories and eight appearance categories were used. The CSEDS included multiple choice, yes/no, and Likert scale questions. Statistical analyses were performed using t tests. A total of 129 females completed the CSEDS. Mean body mass index (BMI) calculated from reported heights and weights was 20.86 ± 3.86. From PNSC to PSC, there were significant decreases in all dressing patterns (p \u3c .028), and the majority of the participants reported dressing casually during PSC (78.3%). Overall, there was a decrease in the types of foods eaten during PNSC to PSC, but significance was noted for common foods (e.g., Chinese, Other Asian, Italian, American, and Mexican; p = .033), mixed dishes (e.g., casseroles, soy and vegetable based dishes, meat entrees, and salads; p = .018), and soft foods (e.g., rice, noodles, bread, dumplings, and eggs; p = .003). During PSC, Chinese females tended to select a limited variety of foods, forgo appearance enhancement items, and dress casually suggesting that ethnic groups vary in eating and dressing behaviors. Findings from this research contribute to the body of knowledge related to stress and its influence on appearance (eating and dressing) behaviors specifically of Chinese female university students when transitioning from one country to anothe

NWSA News and Views

You are cordially invited to participate in the Third Annual NWSA Convention— Women Respond to Racism —to be held May 31-June 4, 1981, at the University of Connecticut at Storrs. At this Convention we will examine the conjunction of racism and sexism from an interdisciplinary, multicultural perspective as well as in the context of, for example, community organtzmg, curriculum development, the media, and public policy. The Convention schedule includes a broad selection of workshops and panel discussions on subjects as diverse as nonracist and nonsexist curricular materials, race and sex desegregation, nineteenth-century Black women activists, organizing against sterilization abuse nationally and internationally, art by women of color, women and development in the Third World, literature, pornography, and demography. There will, of course, be sessions addressing the interests of all the NWSA caucuses: Lesbian, Third World, Student, Staff, PreK-12, and Community College

Seeding-free inlet flow distortion measurements using filtered Rayleigh scattering: integration in a complex intake test facility

Highly integrated propulsion systems to achieve fuel savings and reduction of emissions in future aircrafts call for new measurement methods to assess inlet conditions at the engine fan face. Propulsion systems are expected to operate at higher levels of total pressure, total temperature, and swirl distortion due to flow interaction with aerodynamic surfaces and inherent flow distortion within convoluted intakes. Filtered Rayleigh Scattering (FRS) offers capability to assess all these quantities at once, and without the need of seeding particles which cannot be used for in-flight measurements. This paper aims at increasing the technology readiness level of this measurement technique through the application on a lab-scale S-duct diffuser tests and benchmark against Stereo-Particle Image Velocimetry (S-PIV) measurements. Methods to improve the optical integration and mitigate the effect of varying background conditions are hereby explored. Overall, this represents a step forward in the use of FRS as a turnkey solution for the testing and development phase of future propulsion systems

Industry Supplied CAD Curriculum Case Study on Passing Certification Exams

Students who successfully pass professional certification exams while in school are often targeted first by industry for internships and entry level positions. Over the last decade, leading industry suppliers of computer-aided design (CAD) software have developed and launched certification exams for many of their product offerings. Some have also created educational curriculum and resources for educators, such as sample exams and training guides. This case study investigates students’ passing rates of two SOLIDWORKS certification exams after utilizing free and openly available educator instructional material in the classroom. The engineering technology students were from Mechanical Engineering Technology and Electrical Engineering Technology degree programs. The Certified SOLIDWORKS Associate (CSWA) exam was administered at the end of a freshman level introduction to graphics course. The Certified SOLIDWORKS Professional Academic (CSWP-Academic) exam was administered at the end of a junior level advanced CAD course. This paper presents a brief description of the curriculum for both courses, including the instructional material and exams. Quantitative and observational outcomes from both courses will also be presented.Keywords: CAD, SOLIDWORKS, certification, engineering technolog