Different landscape features within a simplified agroecosystem support diverse pollinators and their service to crop plants

Landscape Ecology - Landscape simplification is a main driver of insect decline, threatening crop pollination services. Changes in functional features in simplified agroecosystems may impact the...     

Identifying resistance in wild and ornamental cherry towards bacterial canker caused by Pseudomonas syringae

Bacterial canker is a major disease of stone fruits and is a critical limiting factor to sweet cherry (Prunus avium) production worldwide. One important strategy for disease control is the development of resistant varieties. Partial varietal resistance in sweet cherry is discernible using shoot or whole tree inoculations; however, these quantitative differences in resistance are not evident in detached leaf assays. To identify novel sources of resistance to canker, we used a rapid leaf pathogenicity test to screen a range of wild cherry, ornamental Prunus species and sweet cherry × ornamental cherry hybrids with the canker pathogens, Pseudomonas syringae pvs syringae, morsprunorum races 1 and 2, and avii. Several Prunus accessions exhibited limited symptom development following inoculation with each of the pathogens, and this resistance extended to 16 P. syringae strains pathogenic on sweet cherry and plum. Resistance was associated with reduced bacterial multiplication after inoculation, a phenotype similar to that of commercial sweet cherry towards nonhost strains of P. syringae. Progeny resulting from a cross of a resistant ornamental species Prunus incisa with susceptible sweet cherry (P. avium) exhibited resistance indicating it is an inherited trait. Identification of accessions with resistance to the major bacterial canker pathogens is the first step towards characterizing the underlying genetic mechanisms of resistance and introducing these traits into commercial germplasm.     

Comparison of Methods for Gluten Strength Assessment

Five methods that employed very different testing principles and procedures for assessing gluten quality were compared for 33 North American soft red and white wheats. The three methods analyzed flour (alveograph work, lactic acid solvent retention capacity, and mixograph peak time) and two methods employed ground wheat meal (Glutomatic gluten index and SDS sedimentation volume). Compared against the normalized mean of all five assessments, the ability of the assessment methods to evaluate gluten quality decreased in the order: alveograph work, lactic acid solvent retention capacity, mixograph peak time, Glutomatic gluten index, and SDS sedimentation volume. The methods utilizing flour were substantially superior predictive methods; however, the two meal‐based methods could be sufficient for early generation screening when flour is not available.     

Postparturient pelvic entrapment of the bladder in two cows

Postparturient pelvic entrapment of the bladder was associated with postpartum complications in 2 cows. The bladder was returned to its normal position by exploratory laparotomy or direct pressure applied to the bladder through the vaginal wall.     

Survey of academic veterinarians' clinical practice in cardiopulmonary–cerebral resuscitation

Objective: To document the clinical practice of cardiopulmonary–cerebral resuscitation (CPCR) among academic veterinarians. Design: Survey. Setting: Eight colleges of veterinary medicine in the United States. Subjects: Two hundred and one academic veterinarians. Interventions: The survey was distributed by hand by the authors into the mailboxes of small animal faculty, residents, and interns. Demographic variables, questions regarding number of cardiopulmonary arrests (CPA) supervised and number successful, do not attempt resuscitation discussions, and Likert‐style questions about client presence during CPCR, appropriateness of CPCR, and CPCR decision‐making were included. Multiple linear regression models were constructed to determine the effect of multiple questions on different target variables of interest. Measurements and main results: Numerous differences were noted based on institution, gender, specialty, and position. Most institutions did not have a standard resuscitation consent form. Most respondents believed the client, house officer, and senior clinician should determine whether to perform resuscitation or not. Quality of life was the most significant determinant of whether to resuscitate or not, followed by long‐term prognosis, then short‐term prognosis. Conclusions: Veterinarians differ in many aspects of their approach to CPA and resuscitation. Creating consensus within the veterinary profession would benefit client service and patient care.