Factors Associated with Grassland Bird Species Richness: The Relative Roles of Grassland Area, Landscape Structure, and Prey

The factors responsible for widespread declines of grassland birds in the United States are not well understood. This study, conducted in the short-grass prairie of eastern Wyoming, was designed to investigate the relationship between variation in habitat amount, landscape heterogeneity, prey resources, and spatial variation in grassland bird species richness. We estimated bird richness over a 5-year period (1994–1998) from 29 Breeding Bird Survey locations. Estimated bird richness was modeled as a function of landscape structure surrounding survey routes using satellite-based imagery (1996) and grasshopper density and richness, a potentially important prey of grassland birds. Model specification progressed from simple to complex explanations for spatial variation in bird richness. An information-theoretic approach was used to rank and select candidate models. Our best model included measurements of habitat amount, habitat arrangement, landscape matrix, and prey diversity. Grassland bird richness was positively associated with grassland habitat; was negatively associated with habitat dispersion; positively associated with edge habitats; negatively associated with landscape matrix attributes that may restrict movement of grassland bird; and positively related to grasshopper richness. Collectively, 62% of the spatial variation in grassland bird richness was accounted for by the model (adj-R² = 0.514). These results suggest that the distribution of grassland bird species is influenced by a complex mixture of factors that include habitat area affects, landscape pattern and composition, and the availability of prey.     

Molecular characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phoma tracheiphila</Emphasis>, causal agent of Mal secco disease of citrus,in Israel

Mal secco disease of citrus caused by Phoma tracheiphila is a devastating disease in the Mediterranean basin. Susceptible citrus species include lemon, citron, lime and others. Trees attacked by the fungus show characteristic symptoms; the smallest twigs die first, followed by the larger branches. Eventually, the whole tree is killed. The symptoms are clear in the orchards but by the time they are visible the disease is already well established. The need for a sensitive, reliable and rapid diagnostic method for the early identification of the fungus in trees and fruit exists. We have developed a PCR-based method for the identification of P. tracheiphila from plant tissues including fruit. Any such method must take into account the genetic variability in the pathogen population. Molecular methods were used to compare different isolates of P. tracheiphila. This study found no significant differences between different isolates from different citrus species from different parts of Israel.     

Anaerobic microbial degradation of selected 3,4-dihalogenated aromatic compounds

Anaerobic microbial degradation of selected 3,4-dihalogenated aromatic compounds was studied in medium inoculated with pond sediment. Sediment samples were collected from a diuron-treated pond. Diuron was dehalogenated at the para position, forming CPDMU as the sole degradation product. DCPU was similarly dehalogenated at the para position, forming MCPU as the only degradation product. Linuron degradation resulted in four products: one, CPMMU, was the result of biological dehalogenation at the para position; another, DCPMU, was the result of chemical degradation; and the other two products were unidentified. Chlorbromuron degradation formed three unidentified products. Stam, an acylanilide, was degraded, forming two products, one of which was possibly 3-chloropropioanilide. CIPC and an unidentified compound were formed from DCIP. No degradation of parent compounds or appearance of degradation products were detected in mixtures of each test compound and sterile sediment except linuron.     

Hereditary changes in Capsicum annuum L. I. Induced by ordinary grafting

Summary Hereditary changes of certain Mendelian traits in red pepper after grafting are described. It is suggested that these changes are induced by a mechanism similar to that of transformation in higher organisms.The abstracts of this paper and the parts to follow have been presented at the XIII International Congress of Genetics held in August 1973 at Berkeley, California, USA as both a contributed paper and an exhibit including real herbarial specimen and color pictures of the variants genetically analyzed.     

Main Characteristics of Statistical Data and the Statistical System for Wood and Wood-processing Products in Vietnam

This paper describes the characteristics of data about wood and wood-processing products published in Vietnam. The characteristics include inconsistency of data published by major data sources, lack of necessary data, and irregular publication frequency. Reasons are identified for the existence of the above characteristics of data for the wood and wood-processing industries, including recent changes in the functions of state statistical organizations and unclear concepts of data published. These characteristics create difficulties for researchers and policy-makers working at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for analysing policies and establishing supply targets for the wood and wood-processing industries in 5-year economic plans. To improve the statistical system, co-operation between state organisations and the information network (e.g. computers and internet connection) requires strengthening.     

Immune-mediated keratitis in horses: 19 cases (1998-2004)

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to describe clinical and histologic findings, treatment, and outcome of horses with suspected immune-mediated keratitis (IMMK). DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: Nineteen horses that presented to NCSU-VTH from 1998 to 2004 with IMMK. Procedures Information retrieved from the medical records included signalment, duration of clinical signs, therapy prior to initial examination, ophthalmic abnormalities, diagnostics performed, therapy instituted, and long-term vision. RESULTS: Nineteen horses (22 eyes) were diagnosed with IMMK. Three distinct clinical groups were identified based on the depth of the lesion in the cornea: superficial stromal (n = 11 eyes), midstromal (n = 6 eyes), or endothelial (n = 5 eyes). Horses ranged from 5 to 19 years of age, with a mean age +/- SD of 11.9 +/- 3.6 years. Eleven horses had 12 months or greater duration of clinical signs of corneal disease prior to referral. Overall there was a mean duration of 11.8 +/- SD 8.3 months. Superficial stromal keratitis appeared as a superficial stromal cellular infiltrate with diffuse vascularization. Midstromal keratitis appeared as midstromal cellular infiltrate with mild, surrounding corneal edema and vascularization. Endothelial disease appeared as endothelial cellular infiltrate with diffuse corneal edema. In all types of IMMK, signs of uveitis or severe discomfort were not observed. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Horses with superficial IMMK responded to topical medical therapy, but responded best to surgical removal of the lesion. Horses with midstromal keratitis responded to topical cyclosporine therapy. Endothelial disease was the least amenable to therapy.     

Prevalence of Salmonella spp. in pigs, chickens and ducks in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

In order to determine the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in domestic animals in 6 provinces of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, 1,098 fecal or intestinal content samples from pigs, chickens, and ducks were examined in the period from July to October, 2000. Salmonella spp. were isolated from 78 (7.1%) of the total samples, which included 23 (5.2%) of 439 pigs, 24 (7.9%) of 302 chickens, and 31 (8.7%) of 357 ducks. From those samples, 80 Salmonella strains were isolated and 25 serovars were identified. The predominant serovars were S. Javiana, S. Derby, and S. Weltevreden. S. Javiana and S. Weltevreden were detected together in pigs, chickens, and ducks. These results indicate that the serovars of Salmonella are widely distributed in domestic animals in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam.