Soil water storage appears to compensate for climatic aridity at the xeric margin of European tree species distribution

Based on macroecological data, we test the hypothesis whether European tree species of temperate and boreal distribution maintain their water and nutrient supply in the more arid southern margin of their distribution range by shifting to more fertile soils with higher water storage than in their humid core distribution range (cf. soil compensatory effects). To answer this question, we gathered a large dataset with more than 200,000 plots that we related to summer aridity (SA), derived from WorldClim data, as well as soil available water capacity (AWC) and soil nutrient status, derived from the European soil database. The soil compensatory effects on tree species distribution were tested through generalized additive models. The hypothesis of soil compensatory effects on tree species distribution under limiting aridity was supported in terms of statistical significance and plausibility. Compared to a bioclimatic baseline model, inclusion of soil variables systematically improved the models’ goodness of fit. However, the relevance measured as the gain in predictive performance was small, with largest improvements for P. sylvestris, Q. petraea and A. alba. All studied species, except P. sylvestris, preferred high AWC under high SA. For F. sylvatica, P. abies and Q. petraea, the compensatory effect of soil AWC under high SA was even more pronounced on acidic soils. Soil compensatory effects might have decisive implications for tree species redistribution and forest management strategies under anthropogenic climate change. Therefore, soil compensatory effects deserve more intensive investigation, ideally, in studies combining different spatial scales to reduce the uncertainty associated with the precision of soil information.     

Long-term amendment of four different compost types on a loamy silt Cambisol: impact on soil organic matter,nutrients and yields

This study investigated the long-term effects of different composts (urban organic waste compost (OWC), green waste compost (GWC), cattle manure compost (MC) and sewage sludge compost (SSC)) compared to mineral fertilisation on a loamy silt Cambisol, after a 7-year start-up period. The compost application rate was 175 kg N ha^?1, with 80 kg mineral N ha^?1 and without. Soil characteristics (soil organic carbon (SOC), carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio and soil pH), nutrients (nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K)) and crop yields were investigated between 1998 and 2012. SOC concentrations were increased by compost applications, being highest in the SSC treatments, as for soil pH. N contents were significantly higher with compost amendments compared to mineral fertilisation. The highest calcium-acetate-lactate (CAL)-extractable P concentrations were measured in the SSC treatments, and the highest CAL-extractable K concentrations in the MC treatments. Yields after compost amendment for winter barley and spring wheat were similar to 40 kg mineral N ha^?1 alone, whereas maize had comparable yields to 80 kg mineral N ha^?1 alone. We conclude that compost amendment improves soil quality, but that the overall carbon (C) and N cycling merits more detailed investigation.     

Agriculture,livelihoods, and globalization: The analysis of new trajectories (and avoidance of just-so stories) of human-environment change and conservation

Globalization offers a mix of new trajectories for agriculture, livelihoods, resource use, and environmental conservation. The papers in this issue share elements that advance our understanding of these new trajectories. The shared elements suggest an approach that places stress on: (i) the common ground of theoretical concepts (local-global interactions), methodologies (case study design), and analytical frameworks (spatio-temporal emphasis); (ii) farm-level economic diversification and the dynamics of agricultural intensification-disintensification; (iii) the pervasive role of agricultural as well as environmental institutions, organizations, and governance issues; (iv) the ‹agency of nature’ that blends the roles of non-human organisms and the cultural and social practices of people both at the local scale and beyond; (v) the framing of sustainability initiatives and outcomes through the perspective of historical change; (vi)␣spatial environmental dynamics of the ‹new geographics of environmental conservation’ that impact agriculture, food production, and resource management; and (vii) successful and promising policies, projects, and developments mapping out possible spaces of hope for agricultural sustainability, aquitable development, and food security. The adoption and application of these elements is successful also in avoiding the tendency toward just-so accounts or overly simplified stories of agrarian and environment successes amid the often grim realities of globalization and its impacts. Karl Zimmerer is a geographer and environmental scientist researching and teaching on the topics of globalization and human-environment change (with emphasis on agriculture, conservation and rural livelihoods); the dynamics of agrobiodiversity in tropical mountains (currently focused on irrigation and the relations of new water resource management to agrobiodiversity change); and the development and experience of spatial-environmental models, environmental science, and conservation planning. Karl is the author of numerous articles and his books and monographs include four publications, most recently Globalization and New Geographies of Conservation (2006, University of Chicago). He is active in various organizations involved with agricultural, environmental, conservation, and globalization policies and also edits the Nature-Society section of the Annals of the Association of American Geographers.     

Acute non-ambulatory tetraparesis attributable to cranial cervical intervertebral disc disease in a cat

A 10-year-old domestic longhair cat was presented for acute non-ambulatory tetraparesis. Clinicopathologic diagnostics revealed no abnormalities. Cervical myelogram revealed an extradural compressive lesion consistent with intervertebral disc disease of the C2-C3 intervertebral disc space. Ventral slot decompression confirmed the presence of extruded intervertebral disc material into the vertebral canal of the C2-C3 intervertebral space. The patient succumbed to cardiorespiratory arrest 3 days postoperatively.     

BF, HP, DQB and DRB are associated with haemolytic complement activity, acute phase protein reaction and antibody response in the pig

In order to examine the loci factor B (BF), C3, corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), DQB, DRB, haptoglobin (HP) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFB1) for association with traits of humoral, specific and unspecific defence F2-animals of a porcine resource family were genotyped at single nucleotide polymorphisms within these loci. Haemolytic complement activity in the alternative and classical pathway, C3c and haptoglobin serum concentration and antibody titres were determined immediately prior and at days 4 and 10 after vaccinations against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mh), Aujeszky's disease virus, and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus at 6, 14 and 16 weeks of age, respectively. Analysis of variance revealed association of BF, HP and DRB with C3c serum concentration. The trend of haemolytic complement activity and C3c serum concentration during the experiment was affected by the interaction of DQB genotype and time of measurement. Association with antibody titres were found for BF, DQB and DRB. Results of the mixed model analyses were confirmed by quantitative transmission disequilibrium test that showed linkage and association with antibody titres, complement activity and acute phase reaction at certain times of measurement. The findings promote the importance of the candidate genes for humoral mechanisms of unspecific and specific defence that provide natural resistance against many pathogens.     

Efficacy of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry3Aa protoxin and protease inhibitors against coleopteran storage pests

BACKGROUND: Environmental impacts and resistance to insecticides pose serious challenges to stored‐product insect and other types of pest control. Insect‐resistant transgenic grain is a potential alternative to fumigants, but candidate control proteins are needed, especially for coleopterans. Therefore, we evaluated the efficacy of a coleopteran‐active toxin, Bacillus thuringiensis Cry3Aa, with or without protease inhibitors, in laboratory feeding assays against coleopteran storage pests. RESULTS: In a comparison of the toxicity of Cry3Aa protoxin towards three species of coleopteran storage pests, Tenebrio molitor L. was found to be most sensitive, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst.) was most refractory and Rhyzopertha dominica F. displayed an intermediate response. For R. dominica, Cry3Aa combined with 3500 mg potato carboxypeptidase inhibitor or 5000 mg aprotinin kg^?1 diet resulted in both delayed development and increased mortality. Potato carboxypeptidase inhibitor and bovine aprotinin reduced the LC₅₀ of Cry3Aa for R. dominica two‐ and threefold respectively. Cry3Aa treatment resulted in fewer progeny from R. dominica, and progeny was further reduced when the protoxin was combined with potato carboxypeptidase inhibitor. CONCLUSIONS: These data support the hypothesis that a combination of Cry3Aa protoxin and protease inhibitors, particularly a potato carboxypeptidase inhibitor, may have applications in control strategies for preventing damage to stored products and grains by coleopteran pests. Published 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Use of a four pin and methylmethacrylate fixation in L7 and the iliac body to stabilize lumbosacral fracture-luxations: a clinical and anatomic study

Objectives— To describe the clinical outcome of a 4 pin lumbosacral fixation technique for lumbosacral fracture–luxations, and to refine placement technique for iliac pins based on canine cadaver studies.
Study Design— Retrospective and anatomic study.
Sample Population— Dogs (n=5) with lumbosacral fracture-luxations and 8 cadaveric canine pelvi.
Methods— Lumbosacral fracture–luxations were stabilized with a 4 pin (positive-profile threaded) and bone cement fixation. Caudal pins were inserted in the iliac body and cranial pins were inserted into the L7 or L6 pedicle and body. Follow-up examinations and radiographs were performed to assess patient outcome. Intramedullary pins were inserted into the iliac bodies of 8 cadaver pelvi. Radiographs were taken to measure pin insertion angles and define ideal insertion angles that would maximize pin purchase in the ilium.
Results— Follow-up neurologic examination was normal in 4 dogs. Radiographic healing of the fracture was evident in 5 dogs. One implant failure occurred but did not require re-operation. For cadaver iliac pins, mean craniocaudal insertion angle was 29° and mean lateromedial insertion angle was 20°.
Conclusions— Four pin and bone cement fixation effectively stabilizes lumbosacral fracture luxations. The iliac body provides ample bone stock, which can be maximized using an average craniocaudal pin trajectory of 29° and an average lateromedial pin trajectory of 20°.
Clinical Relevance— Lumbosacral fracture–luxations can be stabilized with 4 pin and bone cement fixation in the lumbar vertebrae and iliac body, using 29 and 20° as guidelines for the craniocaudal and lateromedial pin insertion angles in the ilium.     

A Strategy for Rangeland Management Based on Best Available Knowledge and Information

Adapting what we currently know about ecosystems to a future where rangelands are changing is a new frontier in rangeland management. Current tools for knowledge discovery and application are limited because they cannot adequately judge ecological relevance of knowledge to specific situations. We propose development of integrated knowledge systems (KSs)—collections of resources (e.g., data, analytical tools, literature) drawn from disparate domains and organized around topics by process-based conceptual models. An integrated KS would define relevance by ecological attributes (e.g., soils, climate, vegetation) and location as a flexible mechanism for organizing, finding, and applying knowledge to rangeland management. A KS provides knowledge sources within a decision-making framework that defines what knowledge is needed and how it will be used to make decisions. Knowledge from a KS can identify appropriate spatial and temporal scales to address specific resource questions or objectives. Several factors currently limit KS development and implementation. These include limited interoperability of disparate information and knowledge systems; lack of consistent geographic referencing of knowledge; incomplete and inconsistent documentation of the origin, history and meaning of data and information; underexploited application of remote sensing products; limited ability to extrapolate and share local knowledge and unstructured information; and lack of training and education of professionals that can link ecological and technical fields of study. The proposed KS concept and recommendations present an opportunity to take advantage of emerging technologies and the collective knowledge of rangeland professionals to address changing ecosystems and evolving threats. If we keep on with a “business as usual” approach to finding and using information, we will struggle to meet our responsibilities as rangeland professionals.     

Concentrations of clindamycin in the mandibular bone of companion animals

Concentrations of clindamycin in the mandible were determined in 17 dogs and 13 cats with severe plaque, gingivitis/periodontitis, and calculus that were treated orally with clindamycin (11 mg/kg) once daily for 5 days prior to professional teeth cleaning and extractions. The animals were patients at the Dental Department of the Clinic for Surgery and Ophthalmology of the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, Austria. Clindamycin levels were determined during postextractional alveoloplasty. Approximately 1 to 3 mm3 of mandible was removed from the intraradicular septum in multirooted teeth and from the protruding labial/buccal alveolar rim with a small rongeur. The mean concentration of clindamycin was 8.18 microg/g in dogs (range=3.16 to 24.08 microg/g) and 17.43 microg/g in cats (range=2.45 to 51.60 microg/g). The concentration of clindamycin in the mandibles of dogs and cats may be useful to combat infections after periodontal procedures, tooth extractions, or injuries to the mandible.