High PAR Research Articles

Possible lessons of a model experiment: To what extent can UV activate the production of leaf phenolics in indoor plant cultivation?

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) plants were grown outdoors (N°46.07, E°18.18) under either natural or UV-deprived sunlight for 25 days in the summer. High PAR resulted in high polyphenol content, which was selectively affected by solar UV-A and UV-B irradiation. Solar UV-A irradiation increased anthocyanins, but not flavonoids, in the epidermis, and this additional protection resulted in higher photochemical yields and lower NPQ. The simultaneous presence of UV-B overrode the effects of UV-A, increased epidermal flavonoids, and decreased anthocyanins. Leaves grown in full sunlight had the same photochemical yields of NPQ as those grown under a UV-excluding filter. A combination of these effects can falsely dismiss the effects of UV-B on outdoor photosynthesis. Phenolic acid content, corresponding to approximately 80% of phenolic compounds, did not depend on solar UV, and total flavonoids increased under full solar UV irradiation, but not under UV-A only. The polyphenol content in outdoor leaves also served as a reference point for an indoor experiment, which showed that even a short, 4-day exposure of low PAR grown plants to UV from an artificial source increased the amount of some, although not all, components close to or even above outdoor levels. In indoor leaves, a selective increase in quercetin glycosides (to 62–85% of outdoor levels) supports both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant functions, and the increase in crypto- and neochlorogenic acids (to 76% and 117% of outdoor levels, respectively) suggests a redistribution among biosynthesis pathways. These results demonstrate the potential and efficiency of cultivation systems without sunlight.

Metabolic changes of the red marine alga Gracilariopsis tenuifrons elicited by high PAR in laboratory

Metabolic changes of the red marine alga Gracilariopsis tenuifrons elicited by high PAR in laboratory

Predictive value of PAR and PNI for the acute complicated course of pediatric acute hematogenous osteomyelitis

ObjectivePlatelet to albumin ratio (PAR) and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) are potential indicators for evaluating nutritional and inflammatory status. This study aimed to examine the relationship between PAR and PNI and the acute complicated course of acute hematogenous osteomyelitis (AHO). MethodsAHO patients were divided into the simple course group and the acute complicated course group. The patient's gender, age, site of infection, body temperature, laboratory results, and pathogen culture results were collected and compared. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent risk factors of the acute complicated course group. The receiver operating characteristic curve was applied to determine the optimal cut-off value. ResultsIn total, 101 AHO patients with a median age of 7.58 years were included. There were 63 cases (62.4 %) in the simple course group and 38 cases (37.6 %) in the complicated course group. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that PAR and PNI were independent risk factors for predicting the acute complicated course of AHO (p = 0.004 and p < 0.001, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that the combination of PAR and PNI had an area under the curve of 0.777 (95 % CI: 0.680–0.873, p < 0.001) with a cut-off value of 0.51. ConclusionsThe incidence of acute complicated courses was significantly higher in patients with high PAR and low PNI. A combined factor greater than 0.51, derived from PAR and PNI measurements within 24 h of admission, may be useful for predicting AHO patients who are likely to develop severe disease.

Pulmonary artery diameter ratio as a prognostic indicator of congenital diaphragmatic hernia

BackgroundFollowing on from an earlier study published in 2008 about left pulmonary artery (LPA) flow measured on serial echocardiography being strongly prognostic in left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and the...

Impact of Assimilating C‐Band Phased‐Array Radar Data With EnKF on the Forecast of Convection Initiation: A Case Study in Beijing, China

AbstractThis study used a Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF)‐based Ensemble Kalman Filter (EnKF) system to assimilate reflectivity (Z) and radial velocity (Vr) data in precipitating and clear‐air regions from the Beijing Daxing International Airport C‐band phased‐array radar (C‐PAR) to improve the forecasts of a convective initiation (CI) case occurred on 18 June 2020. The results showed that high‐frequency assimilating the C‐PAR Vr in clear‐air region is conducive to increase the forecast lead time of CI by significantly improving the initial dynamic and thermodynamic fields, which creates a more accurate pre‐CI environment. After assimilating the C‐PAR clear‐air Vr, the CI case can be accurately predicted with a 20 min forecast lead time in the best‐case scenario. This is the first real‐case study to demonstrate the benefits of assimilating high spatiotemporal resolution PAR clear‐air radial velocity data for the CI process.

A fjord with a land-terminating glacier: Meltwater, bio-optics, particulate matter, nutrients, phytoplankton species, and primary production in west Greenland

Land-terminating glaciers and submarine melting of marine-terminating glaciers are significant features in Arctic regions and are foreseen to become more frequent as marine-terminating glaciers ultimately develop into a land-terminated state. A transition driven by the continuous rise in Arctic air temperatures, and emphasizes the importance of studies of land-terminating glaciers their bio-optical properties and biogeochemistry. Kangerlussuaq in west Greenland with a land-terminating glaciers and was selected for this study. During a research cruise we measured spectral and PAR attenuation, particulate matter concentrations, salinity, nutrient concentrations, Chla, and phytoplankton species composition, along a transect from river outlet to open marine waters. Results showed that surface waters in Kangerlussuaq were strongly influenced by meltwater with low salinities, high particulate matter concentrations, high PAR and spectral light attenuation coefficients, and low nutrient concentrations. Spectral composition was also affected by the particulate matter. PAR photic depths varied between 4 and 9 m dependent on particulate matter concentrations. There was a decrease with distance from outlet in silicate concentrations, and opposite for phosphate, which increased significantly from river outlet to the marine. Phytoplankton species number (42) and diversity were high at the marine station but low (3) in turbid waters dominated by the diatom Skeletonema costatum in high numbers. A meltwater plume covered about 50 % of the Kangerlussuaq at average discharges in early August. Primary production was quantified with a simple model based on light attenuation coefficients, and showed a near exponential decrease in production with increase in attenuation.

Differential effect of water salinity levels on gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence and antioxidant compounds in ex vitro date palm plants

In this study, the response to salt stress was evaluated in ex vitro acclimated date palm plants, regenerated from in vitro culture multiplication. The plants, eighteen-month-old, were irrigated with 0 (control), 150, 300 or 450 mM NaCl solutions (high to very high-water salinity). Photosynthesis parameters and antioxidant compounds were determined at the end of the experiment in leaves. At 150 mM NaCl, net CO2 assimilation rate and internal CO2 concentration were not impaired; while transpiration and stomatal conductance decreased by 60 and 70%, respectively. By increasing salt concentrations, all gas exchanges parameters were decreased. Measurement of chlorophyll fluorescence and P700 redox state showed that PSII and PSI machineries were significantly enhanced under 150 mM NaCl, conditions. With the 300 mM NaCl, the PSI parameters remained unchanged compared to control, while some of the PSII parameters, such as NPQ and Y (NPQ), were increased. At 450 mM NaCl, photosystems functionality was light intensity (PAR) dependent. Only at low PAR, a significant increase of some PSI and PSII parameters was observed. At the contrary, with high PAR, most of the energy conversion functions were significantly reduced, especially those related to PSI, indicating that PSI was more susceptible for damage by salinity than PSII. To overcome high salinity stress, ex vitro date palm plants mobilized a cascade of physio-biochemical pathways including the antioxidant activity and proline biosynthesis. Overall, the salinity of irrigation water, and up to 150 mM, improves the physiological performance of ex vitro date palm plants, which manage to tolerate very high levels of this stress.

Deep multi-omic analyses to identify targetable pathways in desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) with opportunities for clinical intervention.

e22006 Background: DSRCT is an extremely rare and highly aggressive soft-tissue sarcoma affecting adolescents and young adults with male predominance. The 5-year overall survival is &lt; 25% despite intensive multi-modality treatment including aggressive surgical resection, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. Therefore, more effective and innovative therapeutic options are urgently needed. Recent advances in genomic, epigenomic, proteomic, and immune profiling have uncovered a large number of therapeutic targets that are transforming the field of cancer medicine. This study aimed to identify novel targetable pathways in DSRCT using a deep multi-omics-based platform. Methods: Three patients with biopsy proven metastatic DSRCT were enrolled under an IRB-approved observational study within the “Serial Measurements of Molecular and Architectural Responses to Therapy” (SMMART) program at OHSU. Biopsies taken at enrollment were analyzed with targeted DNA sequencing, whole transcriptome sequencing, immunohistochemistry (IHC), NanoString GeoMx digital spatial profiling (DSP) multiplexed proteomics, single cell cyclic immunofluorescence (Cyc-IF), and reverse phase protein array (RPPA). Results: Multiple clinically relevant targets were identified, including HER2, androgen receptor (AR), elevated DNA damage response, and MAPK and mTOR signaling pathways. All three DSRCTs expressed HER2: clinical IHC identified HER2 low (1+) to HER2 equivocal (2+) expression; DSP analysis showed high HER2 and phospho-HER2 expression; and HER2 RNA expression was elevated compared to the TCGA sarcoma cohort. Two of the three patients displayed high AR protein expression, assessed by clinical IHC (90-100% positive cells) and DSP (top quartile compared to a 20 mixed-subtype breast cancer cohort). Strong evidence of DNA damage response was demonstrated at both RNA and protein levels, and RPPA revealed high PARP1, PAR, p-ATM, p-RPA32, and RAD51. Within cell signaling pathways, one DSRCT exhibited high total and phospho-ERK1/2 protein across all clinical and exploratory assays, while another patient displayed evidence of elevated mTOR pathway signaling by RPPA. Conclusions: Overall, this multi-omic analysis provided new insights into possible therapeutic targets for this rare and difficult to treat sarcoma subtype. Results from this study will be further validated in vivo using patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, providing support for development of multiple early phase trials.

Nepantleras-in-training: Using testimonios to unravel the tensions and transformative moments of YPAR.

Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) classrooms can work to shift the dialog and structure of schools to better fit the needs of students and disrupt dominant narratives that have marginalized students of Color. As scholars have shown, this work is not devoid of tensions. This paper examines the tensions that arose during the first 2 years of a high school PAR class. Written from the perspective of the 23 students in Soy Yo, the students use testimonios to narrate their collective experience as they analyze three tensions that could have ended Soy Yo and their YPAR project before it began. As a decolonial method, testimonios allow students to reclaim their stories by shedding light on their struggles, tensions, and transformative moments that adult collaborators might overlook. These testimonios illustrate the potential for YPAR classrooms to becoming a third space that allows for campus change and personal transformation. The paper concludes with lessons learned for future scholars and educators to explore.

Integration and Comparison of Multiple Two-Leaf Light Use Efficiency Models Across Global Flux Sites

Accurate estimation of gross primary productivity (GPP) from the regional to global scale is essential in modeling carbon cycle processes. The recently-developed two-leaf light use efficiency (TL-LUE) model and its revised versions based on different concepts have significantly improved the underlying mechanisms between model assumptions and photosynthetic processing. Yet few studies have compared the advantages of the various two-leaf LUE models for their practical applications. Here, an integrated model referred to as a three-parameter radiation-constrained mountain TL-LUE (RMTL3-LUE), is proposed by combining the radiation scalar of the [radiation-constrained TL-LUE model] and the topographic parameters of the [mountainous TL-LUE model]. In this way, the importance of light intensity and topography on vegetation photosynthesis is integrated. Our calibration and validation of RMTL3-LUE were carried out for 11 ecosystems with <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">in situ</i> eddy covariance measurements around the globe. This indicates that the model can effectively improve the GPP estimates compared to its predecessors. At the landscape scale, RMTL3-LUE can also realistically quantify topographic effects on photosynthesis, with topographic sensitivities of decreasing (increasing) with the slope on the unshaded (shaded) terrain. Furthermore, RMTL3-LUE displays an asymmetric sensitivity to PAR variability, with a low sensitivity to PAR compared to other models under high PAR conditions and a similar sensitivity to PAR in low PARs. Altogether, it is clear that the integration of the merits of multiple TL-LUE models can further improve the photosynthetic processes for various conditions amid more challenges in constructing more complex models.

Season and genotype effect on whole plant water use efficiency of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) seedlings grown in a hydroponic system

• Significantly high water use in summer than monsoon, biomass change non-significant. • WUE of dwarfs was low during summer compared to talls. • Stomata was insensitive to high VPDL in dwarfs while sensitive in talls. • High PAR during summer might be limiting biomass gain in dwarfs. A study was conducted to understand the influence of climatic factors on nutrient use, and whole plant water use efficiency (WUE) of hydroponically grown coconut seedlings. Two dwarf (Chowghat green dwarf, CGD and Malayan yellow dwarf, MYD) and two tall (Kalpa Pratibha, KP and Kalpatharu, KT) coconut genotypes were grown in triplicates and their water use, and biomass production were measured and WUE was analyzed across summer, monsoon and winter seasons, characterized with distinct climatic variability. In comparison to monsoon, during summer the morning temperature was (6 ℃) high, and relative humidity (RH) was low during summer resulting in two folds increase in vapour pressure deficit on leaf surface (VPDL). Increasing VPDL had direct influence on water consumption of the plant per day which was significantly high during summer (3.14 L) compared to monsoon (1.83 L), but the difference in biomass gain was not significant. This had led to a weakly negative [R 2 (144) =0.12, p < .0001] relation between water use and WUE, the WUE was only 3.35 g L −1 during summer as against 6.6 g L −1 of monsoon. The response of genotypes to increasing VPDL was also significantly different. The sensitive stomata of talls could conserve water and maintain significantly high WUE while insensitive stomata of dwarfs allowed greater water loss without a concomitant increase in biomass resulted in low WUE. The early photosynthetic light saturation at 1400 μ mole photon m −2 s −1 might have also contributed to low biomass production in dwarfs. This study divulges that, at high temperature and low humidity in general, coconut WUE is low and especially dwarfs are not suitable for those regions with dry weather or regions expected to become dry under future climate scenario.

The effect of platelet-albumin ratio on mortality and morbidity in peptic ulcer perforation.

Background:The aim of our study was to investigate the prognostic role of platelet/albumin ratio in patients treated under emergency conditions for peptic ulcer perforation (PUP).Methods:A retrospective study involving emergency patients who were operated for PUP was carried out. The patients were divided into 2 groups: PUP patients who died after surgical treatment (PUP-M) and PUP patients who survived after surgical treatment (PUP-S). The laboratory values of the patients were compared statistically. A P value of <.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:This cohort study consisted of 171 patients treated between June 2013 and December 2019. The mean age of the patients was 46.3 ± 20.5 years; and 33 (19.3%) patients were women. The age (P ≤ .001), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (P = .02), lactic dehydrogenase to albumin ratio (P ≤ .001), and platelet/albumin ratio (PAR; P ≤ .001) values were high and lymphocyte count was low (P = .006) in the PUP-M group. A positive correlation was determined between length of stay in hospital and age (P ≤ .001), lactic dehydrogenase/albumin ratio (P ≤ .001), platelet count (P = .044), and PAR (P ≤ .001). A substantial negative correlation was determined between length of stay in hospital and albumin count (P ≤ .001).Conclusions:We determined a high preoperative PAR level in PUP patients who had undergone surgery as a negative prognostic parameter. PAR is a candidate biomarker for clinical practice.

Influence of argon pressure on sputter-deposited molybdenum back contacts for flexible Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells on polyimide films

In this study, polyimide films with various thicknesses and coefficients of thermal expansion were used as candidates of lightweight and flexible substrates for Cu(In, Ga)Se2 (CIGS) solar cells. The influence of the Ar background pressure (PAr) during deposition on the properties of the Mo back contact on the polyimide films was investigated. It was found that the stress condition of the Mo contact was the sum of thermal and intrinsic stresses. The thermal stress depended on the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of polyimide films and induced compressive stresses. The intrinsic stress was largely influenced by the PAr. High PAr caused large tensile intrinsic stress and the subsequent formation of cracks in the Mo layer deposited on the polyimide films, whereas no apparent formation of cracks was observed on the reference rigid-glass substrates. The crack formation in Mo deposited on the polyimide films subsequently caused remarkable increase in sheet resistance, which deteriorated the fill factor of the CIGS solar cells. The decreasing PAr reduced the tensile intrinsic stress in the Mo layer, preventing the detrimental crack formation and improving the fill factor of the CIGS solar cells on the flexible polyimide substrates. The stress condition of the Mo was also found to influence thermal diffusion of alkali metal through the contact. The impact of the Mo stress on alkali metal diffusion was adjustable by varying the thickness of alkali silicate thin layers and/or alkali-metal postdeposition treatment conditions, improving conversion efficiency.

Dyslipidemia and Vitamin D Status in Diabetic Patients

Background: Dyslipidemia is one of the most common metabolic syndrome among diabetic patients due to several factors include insulin insufficiency, resistance, and central obesity. Furthermore both vitamin D deficiency and diabetes are most public health worldwide problems. Therefore the aim of the present work to study the dyslipidemia and vitamin D status in diabetes patients and also to study the relation between vitamin D status and lipid profile in diabetic patients. Methods: A Cross sectional study conducted on randomly selected diabetic patients whether have vitamin D deficiency with dyslipidemia, vitamin D deficiency with no dyslipidemia or dyslipidemia with no vitamin D deficiency. A total sample 165 patients enrolled in the study with serum lipid profile, vitamin D and glycemic control measured at beginning and end of the study. The data analysis was done through Chi-square or T test at α&lt; 0.05. Result: The data collected on 165 patients revealed that, patients aged 41-60 years were most common, and female gender was twice as male. This study include both types of diabetes with vitamin D deficiency and dyslipidemia or vitamin D deficiency with no dyslipidemia or dyslipidemia with not vitamin D deficiency as control. Therefore, the result of this work confirmed that vitamin D deficiency significant implicated in elevated serum levels of TG, TC, LDL, VLDL, FPG and HbA1C (P&lt; 0.05). However, vitamin D deficiency has linked to slight increased serum HDL levels. In compared to man, vitamin D deficiency linked significantly to dyslipidemia and abnormal high levels blood glucose and HbA1C par in women. Conclusion: The present study revealed that, vitamin D deficiency associated negatively with serum levels of TC, TG, VLDL, LDL, FPG and HbA1C whereas the deficiency of vitamin D linked to elevated HDL levels. In gender distribution lower vitamin D values associated with elevated serum FPG, HbA1C, lipid profile with exception HDL in women. The data of this study suggested that, diabetic patients with dyslipidemia may improve their lipid profile and glucose hemostasis through vitamin D supplementation

Nitrogen-limitation exacerbates the impact of ultraviolet radiation on the coccolithophore Gephyrocapsa oceanica.

To investigate effects of UV radiation (UVR, 280-400 nm) on coccolithophorids under nutrient-limited conditions, we grew Gephyrocapsa oceanica to determine its resilience to consecutive daily short-term exposures to +UVR (irradiances >295 nm) under a range of nitrate availabilities (100, 24, 12, 6 and 3 μM). +UVR alone significantly hampered the growth of G. oceanica, with the synergistic negative effects of +UVR and N-limitation being about 58% and 22% greater than under UVR or N-limitation alone, respectively. Most 3 μM nitrate cultures died, but those exposed to UVR succumbed sooner. This was due to a failure of photoprotection and repair mechanisms under low N-availability with exposures to UVR. Additionally, the UVR-induced inhibition of the effective quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII) was significantly higher and was further aggravated by N limitation. The algal cells increased photoprotective pigments and UV-absorbing compounds as a priority rather than using calcification for defense against UVR, indicating a trade-off in energy and resource allocation. Our results indicate the negative effects of UVR on coccolithophorid growth and photosynthesis, and highlight the important role of N availability in defense against UVR as well as high PAR. We predict that enhanced N-limitation in future surface oceans due to warming-induced stratification will exacerbate the sensitivity of G. oceanica to UVR, while coccolithophores can be potentially more susceptible to other environmental stresses due to increased levels of nutrient limitation.

Valsalva-derived Measures and Phenylephrine Test in Patients With Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction Receiving Comprehensive Neurohormonal Blockade Drug Therapy: A 5-year Event-free Survival Analysis

BackgroundTo assess the relationships between Valsalva- and phenylephrine test-derived measures and outcome in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) receiving comprehensive neurohormonal blockade pharmacotherapy. Methods and ResultsData from 56 patients with HFrEF (mean left ventricle ejection fraction of 32 ± 6%) subjected to Valsalva and phenylephrine tests were analyzed retrospectively. Baroreflex-related (Valsalva-ratio and blood pressure–RR interval slope from phase IV) and non–baroreflex-related measures (systolic blood pressure rise in phase IV [ΔSBPPHASE_IV], and pulse amplitude ratio [PAR]) were calculated from Valsalva. Short-term outcomes (HF-related hospitalization, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shock or all-cause death within 24 months from examination) and long-term outcomes (implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shock or all-cause death within 60 months) were analyzed. The end point occurred in 16 and 18 patients, for the short- and long-term outcomes, respectively. A low ΔSBPPHASE_IV identified patients at risk in the long term, as evidenced by a low vs high ΔSBPPHASE_IV comparison (square-wave response patients assigned to low ΔSBPPHASE_IV group, P = .002), and Cox model (hazard ratio 0.91, 95% confidence interval 0.86–0.96, P < .001), and tended to identify patients at risk in the short term outcome (hazard ratio 0.95, 95% confidence interval 0.91–1.00, P = .055). There was a tendency toward a higher event-free survival in the low PAR group (low vs high PAR; hazard ratio 0.44, 95% CI 0.17–1.18, P = .104). ConclusionsNon–baroreflex-related measures obtained from Valsalva—namely, ΔSBPPHASE_IV and PAR—might carry prognostic value in patients with HFrEF receiving neurohormonal blockade pharmacotherapy.

Light-dependent impact of salinity on the ecophysiology of Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942: Genetic and comparative protein structure analyses of UV-absorbing mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) biosynthesis

Cyanobacteria are subjected to a dynamic light environment in their natural habitat or artificial cultivation system. The fluctuating light environment is associated with increased salinity stress due to the evaporation of the growth medium. Therefore, it is important to understand the physiology of the organisms under a dynamic environment of light and salinity which together affect the fitness and overall performance of the organism. We studied the growth behavior and other physiological parameters of Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 in the presence of different NaCl concentrations (0, 50, 100 and 200 mM) and light conditions such as low PAR (LPAR), high PAR (HPAR) and PAR + UVR using diurnal and continuous photoperiods. We also investigated the ability of S. elongatus PCC 7942 to biosynthesize UV-absorbing mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) and conducted genetic and comparative protein structure analyses to better understand its biosynthesis. Results obtained suggest that the impact of salinity stress caused by NaCl on growth behavior and physiological parameters such as photosynthetic pigments, the effective quantum yield of PSII and oxidative stress is dependent on the light environment. These parameters were affected differently by the quality and quantity of light and photoperiods, and the negative effect of salinity was alleviated by a high light environment. S. elongatus PCC 7942 does not biosynthesize MAAs due to the absence of MAAs biosynthesizing genes cluster in its genome. Results from genomic and comparative protein structure analyses suggested that DDGS and DHQS enzymes are different and DDGS but not DHQS is required for MAAs biosynthesis. Understanding the light-dependent impact of salinity stress may help in developing strategies for outdoor cultivation of cyanobacteria for bioenergy and valuable chemicals production by balancing absorbed and utilized radiant energy.

UV radiation and temperature effects on functional traits in Helianthemum nummularium subsp. grandiflorum at the alpine and montane site in the Slovenian Alps

Alpine plants have evolved strategies to survive harsh conditions, which include high UV and visible radiation, extreme temperatures, dryness and lack of nutrients. Survival strategies include biochemical, physiological and morphological responses, which are scarcely studied because of the time-demanding and complex experimental conditions. We researched functional traits in the alpine plant common rockrose Helianthemum nummularium subsp. grandiflorum growing under ambient UV-B and reduced UV-B radiation at different altitudes (1600 and 2000 m a.s.l.) of mount Vogel in the Slovenian Alps. Leaf anatomy, pigments and optical properties were investigated at the beginning and at the end of the growing season. Plants showed high constitutive UV-absorbing compounds content (UV-AC) throughout the season. Most leaf thickness parameters were not altered according to UV and altitude conditions. Leaves did not transmit any UV spectrum, in agreement with high UV-AC. High photosynthetic spectrum transmittance at alpine altitudes was due to complex biochemical and anatomical responses to these conditions, rather than to UV radiation. Unchanged chlorophyll content of H. nummularium could be related to shrub life form, where leaves shade out high UV and PAR irradiance as well as contribute to lower leaf temperature. This study shows the complexity of alpine plant response, wherespecific characteristics of plant species should not be overlooked.

The association of energy poverty with health, health care utilisation and medication use in southern Europe.

Energy poverty (EP) is defined as the inability of a household to secure a socially and materially required level of energy services in the home. The main objective of this study was to analyse the association between EP and distinct indicators of health status, health services utilisation and medication use in southern Europe, using the city of Barcelona as a case study.We conducted a cross-sectional study using the data of the Barcelona Health Survey for 2016 (n = 3519, 53.3% women). We calculated EP percentages according to age, country of birth and social class. We analysed the association between EP and 26 health-related indicators through prevalence ratios (PR), and quantified the impact of EP on health at the population level by calculating the percentage of population attributable risk (PAR%).In Barcelona, 13.3% of women and 11.3% of men experienced EP. The most frequently affected groups were people born in low- and middle-income countries, those from more disadvantaged social classes, and women aged 65 years and older. We found a strong association between EP and worse health status, as well as higher use of health services and medication. For example, compared with women without EP, those with EP reported poor mental health 1.9 (95% CI: 1.6–2.4) times more frequently. Compared with men without EP, those with EP reported poor mental health 2.1 (95% CI: 1.6–2.8) times more frequently. The combination of high EP prevalence and the strong association between EP and negative health outcomes resulted in high PAR%, indicating the striking impact of EP on health and health services at the population level.EP is an important public health problem in southern European urban contexts that should be included in policy priorities in order to address its structural causes and minimise its unfair and avoidable health effects.

Factors limiting the success of invasive glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnus) in New Hampshire’s eastern white pine – hardwood forests

Glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnus) is an invasive exotic shrub in forests of eastern North America, where it can alter the structure and function of ecosystems. Buckthorn is often abundant in eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) stands, though the specific factors that that allow invasion into these stands are not known. In an observational study, we examined the roles of tree species composition, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR, i.e., sunlight), and soil characteristics in limiting buckthorn success. Data on buckthorn biomass and forest characteristics were collected from 60 locations in closed-canopy pine and hardwood stands in southeastern New Hampshire. Using logistic regression, buckthorn presence was associated with low soil inorganic-N, high PAR, and a deep humus layer. Using generalized linear modeling, buckthorn biomass was positively associated with high PAR and negatively associated with both the basal area of trees other than white pine (non-WP BA) and sand content. The presence of reproductive buckthorn, analyzed with logistic regression, was associated with high PAR and low non-WP BA. Using discriminant analysis, locations with the oldest buckthorn were best predicted by PAR, non-WP BA, sand content, soil inorganic-N concentrations, and humus depth. White pine BA was not a predictor in any chosen model of buckthorn success. Overall, areas with high PAR and low non-WP BA were the strongest predictors of buckthorn success, and thus sites with these characteristics appear most susceptible to invasion.