Variable-density thinning promotes differential recruitment and development of shade tolerant conifer species after 17 years

Promoting patchy recruitment of shade tolerant tree species into the midstory is an important step in developing structural diversity in second-growth stands. Variable-density thinning (VDT) has been proposed as a strategy for accelerating structural diversity, as its combination of within-stand treatments (harvest gaps, thinning, and non-harvested skips) should create variable overstory and understory conditions. Here we report on western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) seedling and sapling densities in five mixed-conifer stands and Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) seedling and sapling densities in two stands in western Washington at 3,7, 10, and 16–17 years after VDT. Additionally, we report on western hemlock advance regeneration growth and survival in two stands over 14 years. Western hemlock seedling density was highest in the thinned treatment but only significantly so in Year 10. In contrast, the gaps contained significantly more western hemlock saplings in Years 7 and 10 and significantly greater growth of western hemlock advance regeneration through Year 10. Skips embedded within the VDT did not differ significantly from unharvested reserves in terms of seedling or sapling densities of either species. Sitka spruce seedling density was highest in the gap and thinned treatments, but saplings were uncommon in all treatments. Collectively, these results indicate that our variant of VDT promoted patchy, midstory recruitment of western hemlock but failed to recruit Sitka spruce saplings in either stand where it established. Consequently, more intensive variants of VDT may be required to promote midstory recruitment of species less tolerant of shade than western hemlock.

     

Extraparticulate chain interaction between different electron transport particles

Interaction or cross-linking between the respiratory chains of the electron transport particles of bacterial origin occurs with a mixture of active and inactive particles. Interaction between bacterial particles and liver sub-mitochondrial particles also occurs. Irradiation of the bacterial particles at 360 nanometers resulted in the destruction of quinone and consequent loss of ability of reduced nicotinamide adenine, dinucleotides to reduce cytochromes b, c(1), c, and a plus a(3). A mixture of both irradiated and untreated particles in the presence of the reduced dinucleotide resulted in the reduction of cytochromes c and a plus a(3), in an amount equivalent to the total concentration of these cytochromes in both types of particles. In contrast, the amount of cytochrome b reduced was equivalent to half the particle concentration or to that observed with the active particles alone. The rate of reduction of cytochromes c and a plus a(3) with the mixture of particles was similar to that with the active particles alone. The interaction or cross-linking between the particulate respiratory chains of bacteria or of bacterial and mammalian systems occurs after cytochrome b and before or at cytochrome c.     

Compulsive sexual activity induced by p-chlorophenylalanine in normal and pinealectomized male rats

p-Chlorophenylalanine depletes brain serotonin and induces longlasting sexual excitation in male rats. The effect of p-chlorophenylalanine is potentiated by pargyline. Administration of 5-hydroxytryptophan to rats treated with p-chlorophenylalanine plus pargyline blocks the sexual excitation. p-Chlorophenylalanine also elicits sexual excitation in pinealectomized rats; this effect is not mediated by the lack of indole hormones in the pineal but may be the consequence of depletion of 5-hydroxytryptophan in the brain and the resulting imbalance between 5-hydroxytryptophan and catecholamine activity in the central nervous system.     

Andover: An early to midseason golden nematode resistant variety for use as chipstock or tablestock

Andover may be used as an early to midseason tablestock and chipstock variety. It has a very rapid emergence and early tuber set. The vine maturity is similar to Superior in the absence of severe stress. In New York trials harvested 90 days after planting, the yields of Andover and Superior are nearly equal, 274 cwt/A. At 120 days, over eight seasons at two Ithaca locations, Andover yielded 87% Atlantic. Andover appears to be susceptible to drought and heat stress which can cause early senescence and reduce late season yields. It has few external and internal defectS. Specific gravity is high for an early variety, being .009 less than Atlantic. Andover has excellent chip color from the field from a range of environments and from 7 C storage. It has good boiling and baking properties. The mealiness of the baked potatoes is especially good. Tuber dormancy is two weeks longer than Atlantic. The reaction to common scab is like that of Monona, which is considered to be resistant. It is also resistant to powdery scab and the golden nematode.     

Persistent Frenulum of the Epiglottis in Four Foals

OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical signs and management of 4 foals with persistent frenulum of the epiglottis. STUDY DESIGN: Case report. ANIMALS: Four newborn foals. METHODS: Foals were admitted with a complaint of oronasal reflux after nursing. Variable systemic signs of aspiration pneumonia were evident. Nasal endoscopy confirmed persistent dorsal displacement of the soft palate. Persistent frenulum of the epiglottis, confirmed by oral endoscopic examination, was transected. RESULTS: After surgery, all foals had the epiglottis positioned normally, dorsal to the soft palate. Clinical signs of oronasal reflux resolved by the second nursing attempt in 3 foals, whereas this was difficult to assess in one foal that was nursed intermittently because of the mares behavior. This foal died 2 days later. The other 3 foals have had normal epiglottic function for 2-4 years. CONCLUSIONS: Persistent frenulum of the epiglottis should be considered in foals with oronasal reflux from birth. With appropriate medical and surgical management the prognosis for resolution should be good.     

Evaluation of Greenwaste Mulch to Control Runoff Quality from Landfill Sites During Frequent Storms

This paper describes a preliminary evaluation of two types of greenwaste (fresh and aged) used as a mulch layer to control runoff from disturbed landfill areas. Fresh greenwaste refers to woody and herbaceous garden waste that has been recently collected, chopped and shredded. Aged greenwaste is greenwaste which has been stockpiled for 18 months. We used rainfall simulator tests to investigate two aspects: (1) the performance of greenwaste mulch in reducing runoff during designed storm events with a high frequency of occurrence and (2) the release of pollutants via runoff as total suspended solids (TSS) and total organic carbon (TOC) during rain. Rainfall of <5-year average recurrence interval (ARI) was generally applied, consistent with stormwater compliance requirements for many Australian landfills. TOC released from fresh greenwaste material was higher in concentration than from aged greenwaste. However, when used as a 10-cm-deep mulch layer, fresh greenwaste was able to completely prevent runoff, even when tested under rainfalls of up to 50-year ARI duration. An equivalent mulch layer of aged greenwaste was also effective in reducing runoff volume and TSS concentration compared with the bare soil during a 3.5-year ARI rainfall, but mean TOC concentration was higher. Based on these preliminary results, fresh greenwaste mulching of bare soils is an attractive option to control runoff and erosion from areas subject to intermittent landfill operations and worthy of further investigations.     

Vaginal Neurofibroma in a Hysterectomized Poodle Dog

A 15‐year‐old, spayed, female poodle dog was presented for evaluation of a mass of tissue prolapsed from the vulva. The dog had been hysterectomized when it was 5 years old. A vaginal mass had been removed approximately 10 months before presentation. Haematological and serum biochemistry analyses demonstrated mild leucocytosis and glycaemia. A vaginal smear was predominantly made up of parabasal cells and intermediate cells with no neoplastic cells. Thoracal and abdominal radiographic findings were unremarkable. The ovaries could not be identified using abdominal ultrasonography. A midline exploratory laparotomy identified both ovaries that were surgically excised. The vaginal mass was also removed following an episiotomy procedure. Histopathological examination of the mass demonstrated that it was a neurofibroma. Both ovaries had cystic changes. Four months after the surgery, the owner reported that the dog was clinically normal. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case of a vaginal neurofibroma after an incomplete ovariohysterectomy in the dog.     

Poultry Residual Composts: Materials Balance and Crop Response

This paper discusses compost production yields as a percent of raw product mix using poultry litter, poultry processing plant dissolved air flotation skimmings, sawdust, wood chips and ground yard debris. Three different mixes were used and identified as Mixes 1, 2 and 3. Mixes 1 and 2 were produced using windrows and a windrow turner and Mix 3 was made using a covered in-channel compost turner. Mixes 1 and 2 were poultry litter compost with a screened mass yield of 80 and 77 percent, respectively. Mix 3 was a dissolved air flotation compost with a screened mass yield of 40 percent. Results from plant experiments show poultry litter compost can be used successfully in potting mixes for poinsettia and chrysanthemum production. A compost produced from dissolved air flotation skimmings, a poultry processing waste, can be used in field corn production but had little influence in the production of soybeans.