Seasonality in algal assemblages on upwelling-influenced coral reefs in the colombian caribbean

Seasonal changes of benthic algal assemblages have been Studied mainly in temperate and sub-tropical areas. It is not clear how natural processes contribute to the seasonal dynamics of algal assemblages on coral reefs, particularly in areas influenced by relatively cold upwelling waters. To investigate the seasonality in algal assemblages we monitored the percent cover of species and algal groups over one year (1994-1995) at two rocky-coral reefs at depths of 9-12 m on the Colombian Caribbean coast (Bahia Chengue,Tayrona National Natural Park, TNNP). The presence of relatively cold waters with temperatures of 25 degreesC and salinities of 36 ppt is indicative of upwelling events, while warm waters of 28-29 degreesC and salinities of 33 ppt indicate the rainy seasons in the area. The algal assemblage changed in composition and abundance throughout the year with a bimodal cover pattern observed for macroalgae and turf algae. During the rainy seasons (May to June and October to December) the assemblage was dominated by algal turfs (up to 43 % cover) and showed low macroalgal cover (< 20 %). In contrast, during the two upwelling periods (February and July to August) it was dominated by macroalgae (up to 44 % cover). Cover of brown macroalgae Dictyota spp. (mainly D. bartayresiana) declined from &AP; 34 % during the upwelling to only 5 % in the non-upwelling rainy seasons. Environmental data revealed a significant inverse correlation between water temperature and macroalgal cover, suggesting that increases in macroalgae are favoured by the presence of cold, upwelling events. It is likely that upwelling events bring nutrient rich waters that stimulate macroalgal growth, however, the role of nutrients regulating the abundance of macroalgae in the TNNP is yet to be investigated. The results of this study support the argument that benthic algal assemblages of coral reefs are a highly dynamic component of these ecosystems

The development of a public bathroom perception scale

Public bathrooms are sensible locations in which individuals confront an intimate environment outside the comfort of their own home. The assessment of public bathrooms is especially problematic for people whose illnesses make them more prone to needing this service. Unfortunately, there is a lack in the evaluation of the elements that are relevant to the user’s perspective. For that reason, we propose a new scale to assess these elements of evaluation of public bathrooms. We developed a scale of 14 items and three domains: privacy, ease of use and cleanliness. We tested the factor validity of this three-factor solution (n = 654) on a sample of healthy individuals and 155 respondents with a bowel illness or other affection that reported to be bathroom-dependent. We found that bathroom-dependent people value more privacy and cleanliness more than their healthy counterparts. We additionally found a gender effect on the scale: female participants scored higher in every domain. This study provides the first scale to assess value concerning public bathrooms and to highlight the relevance of different bathrooms’ aspects to users

Dinámica y sedimentología de los depósitos de la avenida del río Júcar en octubre de 1982 en su tramo bajo

Se estudian los sedimentos depositados durante la avenida de 19, 20 y 21 de octubre de 1982 del río Júcar. Tanto por su morfología como por sus características sedimentológicas se han separado dos tramos del cauce: en el alto, confinado, se depositaron arenas antes de la rotura de la presa de Tous y gravas después de la misma. En el tramo bajo, no confinado y  sobreelevado, se depositaron limos y arenas finas

The stability of pelargonidin-based anthocyanins in natural and model systems

Pelargonidin 3-glucoside (pgd 3-glu), pelargonidin 3-sophoroside (pgd 3-soph), and pelargonidin 3-sophoroside 5-glucoside acylated with cinnamic and malonic acids (acyl-pgd 3-soph 5-glu) were extracted from strawberries (Fragaria anannassa cv, Totem), nasturtium flowers (Tropaeolum majus), and radish peel (Raphanus sativus L. cv, fuego), respectively. Their stability was studied in natural and model systems. Natural systems consisted of strawberry juice at 8 °brix and strawberry concentrate at 65 °brix that were spiked with the anthocyanins (ACNS) to double the initial pigment concentration. Model systems at low, intermediate, and high water activity levels consisted of pH 3.4 citrate buffer, glycerol, and pigment. Changes in pigment, degradation index, color, and relative peak area were monitored during storage in the dark at 25°C. Ascorbic acid degradation was also monitored in the natural systems. Anthocyanin (ACN) degradation followed first order kinetics. No difference in stability of the samples was found with fortified pgd derivatives; however, there was significant difference in the degradation of ACNS between natural and model systems. The half life (t [subscript 1/2]) of the ACNS ranged from 3.5 to 5 days in the concentrate, from 8 to 12 days in juice, and from 58 to 934 days in model systems. In general, high Aw increased ACN degradation. Ascorbic acid degradation followed first order kinetics and was accompanied by ACN degradation

Strategies for an accurate determination of the X(3872) energy from QCD lattice simulations

We develop a method to determine accurately the binding energy of the X( 3872) from lattice data for the D (D) over bar* interaction. We show that, because of the small difference between the neutral and charged components of the X( 3872), it is necessary to differentiate them in the energy levels of the lattice spectrum if one wishes to have a precise determination of the the binding energy of the X( 3872). The analysis of the data requires the use of coupled channels. Depending on the number of levels available and the size of the box, we determine the precision needed in the lattice energies to finally obtain a desired accuracy in the binding energy

Phototesting and photoprotection in LE

Photosensitivity and induction of skin lesions following UV radiation is a common problem of patients with cutaneous and systemic forms of lupus erythematosus. The detrimental effect of UV radiation to patients with lupus erythematosus was already recognized in the last century. Skin lesions can now be provoked under standardized conditions allowing the diagnosis and classification of patients with photosensitive disorders. The aim of this review is to give an overview on the history, test procedure and test results in patients with lupus erythematosus