Fungi associated with associated with declined oak trees in in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiary province

Abstract. Slope aspect is an important topographic factor in the micro-ecosystem environment, but its effect on the microbial properties of grassland rhizospheric soil (RS) and non-rhizospheric soil (NRS) remain unclear. A field experiment was conducted at the Ansai Research Station on the Loess Plateau in China to test the influence of slope aspects (south-facing, north-facing, and northwest-facing slopes, all with Artemisia sacrorum as the dominant species) on RS and NRS microbial biomass carbon (MBC) contents, phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) contents, and the rhizospheric effect (RE) of various microbial indices. Soil samples were collected from the three slope aspects, including rhizospheric and non-rhizospheric region, and analyzed to determine the various related microbial indices. The results showed that MBC content differed significantly among the slope aspects in RS but not in NRS, and the RE for MBC content in the south-facing slope was larger than that in the north-facing slope. RS total, bacterial, and Gram-positive bacterial PLFA contents in the south-facing slope were significantly lower than those in the north- and northwest-facing slopes, and RS Gram-negative bacterial (G−) and actinomycete PLFA contents in the south-facing slope were significantly lower than those in the north-facing slope. In contrast, NRS total, bacterial, and G− PLFA contents in the north-facing slope were significantly higher than those in the south- and northwest-facing slopes, and NRS fungal and actinomycete PLFA contents in the north- and south-facing slopes were significantly higher than those in the northwest-facing slope. RE for all PLFA contents except fungal in the northwest-facing slope were higher than those in the south-facing slope. Slope aspect significantly but differentially affected the microbial properties in RS and NRS, and the variable influence was due to an evident RE for most microbial properties.

Slope aspect modifies microclimate and influences ecological processes and spatial distribution of species across forest landscapes, but the impact of slope aspect on community responses to disturbance is poorly understood. Such insight is necessary to understand landscape community dynamics and resilience. We compared bryophyte (liverworts and mosses) communities in matched 0.02-ha plots of four boreal stand types in central Sweden: recently clear-felled and mature stands dominated by Norway spruce in south-facing and north-facing slopes. Differences between forests and clear-cuts were interpreted as effects of clear-cutting, and differences between south- and north-facing slopes as effects of aspect. In response to clear-cutting, bryophyte cover and composition changed more in south-facing slopes. Only one out of ten significantly declining species in south-facing slopes also declined significantly in north-facing slopes. North-facing slopes lost fewer bryophyte species, and among those, fewer forest species and fewer species associated with wood and bark. In north-facing slopes, the average proportions of mosses and liverworts shared between the forest and the clear-cut plot were 88% and 74%, respectively. Corresponding numbers for south-facing slopes were 79% and 33%. In addition, more bryophyte species were added in north- than south-facing slopes after clear-cutting, somewhat reducing the difference in compositional change between aspects. South- and north-facing mature forests differed in species composition, mostly due to higher richness of mosses in south-facing slopes. The smaller changes in bryophyte communities on north-facing slopes in response to clear-cutting have implications for ecosystem dynamics and management as high local survival may enhance landscape-level resilience.

Leaf characteristics of two representative deciduous-tree species in Korean peninsula were compared to assess directional ridge effect on leaf traits of both species. Leaf mass per unit area (LMA) of Rhododendron schilippenbachii in south-facing ridge slope was significantly higher than that in north-facing ridge slope, while Quercus mongolica did not change LMA. Leaf mass of Q. mongolica was increased depending on leaf size irrespective of slope. However, leaf mass of R. schilippenbachii changed differently in responding to expansion of leaf area between both slopes resulting from retardation of leaf expansion in south-facing slope. R. schilippenbachii showed higher leaf nitrogen concentration per unit area (LNCA) in south-facing slope than that in north-facing slope, while Q. mongolica indicated no difference in LNCA between southand north-facing slopes. However, both species revealed no significant difference in leaf nitrogen concentration per unit mass (LNCM) between south- and north-facing slopes. LNCA of Q. mongolica was about two times higher than that of R. schilippenbachii. These results indicate that there is a difference in leaf characteristics including leaf thickness and nitrogen allocation between Q. mongolica and R. schilippenbachii, suggesting the difference of plasticity.

The impact of micro-topography on the interplay of critical zone architecture and hydrological processes at the hillslope scale: Integrated geophysical and hydrological experiments on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Altogether, 4,008 sand flies belonging to seven species were collected over a period of one year in the micro-habitats of a single canyon in the Carmel Mountain ridge. The three most abundant were P. arabicus, P. tobbi, and P. simici. Our results suggest that none of the seven sand fly species was indifferent to the heterogeneity of the microenvironment inside the canyon. Apart from the rare P. perfiliewi, which was only collected on the upper part of the south-facing slope, and P. tobbi, which clustered on the north-facing slope, the bulk of the other sand flies were caught on the bottom of the canyon. During the summer, the catches of all sand fly species increased to reach their maximum number in August and September. In April and May, there was lush vegetation and humidity, so species were distributed evenly throughout their habitats. With the onset of summer dryness, the sand flies concentrated in the humid habitats. The rate of concentration was essentially higher for males than for females, and this variation may result from differences in the behavior of the two sexes. During our study, none of the 2,318 dissected female sand flies were positive for Leishmania promastigotes.

North- and south-facing slopes were studied to determine differences in vegetation and microclimate. Vegetation was analyzed by line transects. The study on microclimate included soil and air temperatures, evaporation, light intensities, and wind velocities. Appropriate instruments were used for each microclimatic factor, and were identical on both slopes. The microclimate on north- facing slopes was less intense and severe than on south-facing slopes, resulting in a difference in vegetation. The protected position of the north-facing slope has provided a habitat which is favorable to more mesophytic plants. In contrast, the exposed position of the south-facing slope has limited the vegetation to more xerophytic species. Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardi) and little bluestem (A. scoparius) were the dominant grasses on the north- facing slope, whereas, buffalo grass (Buchloe dactyloides), blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), and side-oats grama (B. curtipendula) were dominant on the south-facing slope. Several species of forbs were restricted to, or were much more abundant on one slope or the other. Woody species were common on north-facing slopes, but were seldom found on south-facing slopes. Seasonal averages of microclimatic conditions are as follows: Evaporation rates were 88.51 mI. per week more on the south-facing slope. Wind velocities were 3.33 MPH faster on south exposures and were closely correlated with evaporation. Soil temperatures on the north-facing slope averaged 11.23 deg. F. cooler at 1-inch depth, and 10.20 deg. F. cooler at 6-inch depth. Maximum air temperatures were 88.25 deg. F. for the south-facing slope and 85.77 deg. F. for the north-facing slope. Minimum air temperatures were 61.65 deg. F. for south exposures, and 60.04 deg. F. for north exposures. Light intensities averaged 4068.86 foot candles at ground level, and 4693.15 foot candles above the vegetation on the south-facing slope, compared to 2927.60 foot candles at ground level and 3632.2 foot candles above the vegetation on the north-facing slope. Yields of forage on the north-facing slope were 1,727.7 pounds per acre, compared to 838.1 pounds per acre on the south-facing slope. Mid grasses contributed most to yields on the north-facing slope, whereas, short grasses provided the largest part of the yield on the south-facing slope.

This study was aimed to reveal the possible cryptic diversity of the Aphanius vladykovi populations in the Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari Province, Iran using mitochondrial cytochrome-c oxidase subunit I (COI). A total of 30 specimens from the Beheshtabad River, Choghakhor and Gandoman Wetlands, and Brovi, Shalamzar, and Balagholi springs from the Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari Province were collected. The maximum within-population genetic distance based on K2P was 0.28% and this distance was 0.22% between populations of Gandoman and Brovi with Shalmazar, whereas the least genetic distance was observed between Choghakhor and Beheshtabad (0.09%). A total of six haplotypes were observed between the studied specimens. Maximum Likelihood (ML) and Neighbor-Joining (NJ) trees reconstructed and all haplotypes from A. vladykovi specimens collected from non-type localities nested in one group with A. vladykovi from Choghakhor wetland i.e. type locality. The results of this study detected no cryptic diversity in A. vladykovi inhabiting different habitats in the studied region. Hence, it is proposed to consider all the studied populations in conservation measures related to A. vladycovi .

SEN virus (SEN-V) is a blood-borne, circular, nonenveloped and single-stranded DNA virus. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated 9 different genotypes for this virus. SEN-V could be related to post-transfusion hepatitis and infections with this virus in blood donors and hepatitis patients differ markedly by geographic region. The purpose of present study was to determine the prevalence of H and D genotypes of SEN-V (SENV-H and SENV-D) infection in blood donors and patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) for the first time in Chaharmahal Va Bakhtiari province located in southwest Iran. SEN-V DNA was analyzed in 240 serum samples of the patients with chronic HBV and HCV (172 HBV and 68 HCV) and 60 non-professional blood donors from the blood transfusion organization, hospital and clinical and pathological laboratories in Chaharmahal Va Bakhtiari province. SEN-V DNA was amplified by specific primers for SENV-H and SENV-D genotypes using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method after extraction of DNA from sera and PCR products were visualized in a 1% agarose gel electrophoresis. SENV-H genotype was found to be positive in 54/172 (31.39%), 23/68 (33.82%), and 8/60 (13.33%) and SENV-D genotype was detected in 48/172 (27.91%), 27/68 (39.7%), and 6/60 (10%) of patients with chronic HBV, HCV and healthy blood donors, respectively. These results showed that high prevalence of SEN-V infection in patients with chronic HBV and HCV compared healthy blood donors in Chaharmahal Va Bakhtiari province using T test statistical analysis (P<0.05). According to these findings examination of serum samples for control and prevention of SEN-V infection in hepatitis patients and healthy blood donors seems to be necessary .

Modeling transpiration patterns of vegetation along south and north facing slopes during the subtropical dry season

Ekspozycja stoków wydm w Kotlinie Toruńskiej a wybrane elementy ekosystemu boru sosnowego - wstępne wyniki badań

An analysis was performed on the climatic responses of the radial growth of Larix gmelinii (Rupr.) Rupr. on contrasting north-facing and south-facing slopes in Tura, central Siberia. We developed chronologies of tree-ring width for four plots, designated as north-upper, northlower, south-upper, and south-lower. Both residual and standard chronologies of tree-ring widths exhibited a significant positive correlation with temperature from the end of May until early June in all four plots. The chronologies of ring width did not reveal any major difference in the response to temperature among the four plots. The standard chronologies of ring widths on the north-facing slope were negatively correlated with precipitation during the winter (October–April) and in early and mid-May, whereas the residual chronologies did not reveal clear relationships with precipitation during the winter and May. The significant correlation between ring width and temperature from the end of May until early June indicates that temperatures in springtime play a significant role in the radial growth of L. gmelinii. The negative correlations between standard chronologies of tree-ring width and precipitation in the winter and in May on the north-facing slope indicate that lowfrequency fluctuations in snowfall have negative effects on the radial growth. However, these effects vary and depend on the microscale topography.

Background: Osteoporosis is a multifactorial disease. Mutation in cystein-rich domain2 (CRD2) and cystein-rich domain3 (CRD3) of osteoprotegrin protein can prevent its interaction with receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa beta (RANKL) ligand and lead to osteoporosis. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the possible alteration in exon2 of the osteoprotegrin gene encoding CRD2 and CRD3 domains in osteoporotic women in Chahar Mahal va Bakhtiari Province of Iran. Methods: The N-terminal region of human osteoprotegerin (OPG) protein was aligned with mice osteoprotegrin proteins using Clustal Omega multiple alignment tool. The genomic DNA of 72 osteoporotic women was extracted by commercial kit. The region of exon2 of the OPG gene encoding CRD2 and CRD3 was amplified by PCR and sequenced by DNA sequencing. Results: The result of multiple protein alignment showed dissimilarities among three species in terms of CRD2 and CRD3 domains. The results of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and DNA sequencing indicated that CRD2 and CRD3 sequence were intact in osteoporotic women. Conclusion: Due to the binding possibility of OPG protein with RANKL ligand, it was concluded that the expression of OPG gene may have been different in osteoporotic women. However, it was recommended that further studies should be conducted in order to confirm this finding.

Rural ICT offices (Centers) are one of the initiatives of ICT department in Iran for fulfillment of the rural development process via ICT. Success and effectiveness of these offices depend on the customers' satisfaction regarding the received services. This paper as the one of the first studies in the field of "customers' satisfaction of rural ICT offices" in Iran and the first one in Chahar Mahal va Bakhtiari Province attempts to identify the factors affecting customer satisfaction of ICT offices services in Lordegan Township as a part of Chahar Mahal va Bakhtiari Province. The sample included 39 rural ICT offices (As sample unit) and 272 individuals (As observational unit), who were selected by proportional cluster random sampling method. Survey method was used, and the data was analyzed by correlation and multiple regression techniques. Based on the regression models related to the young and middle-aged groups, 3 variables showed to have significant impact on customers' satisfaction of rural ICT offices in Lordegan Township (Complexity, relative advantage, and educational level) and about the old group, it is deduced that the variable of compatibility has a significant impact on the dependent variable. According to the results, through removing the weaknesses of ICT offices the rural satisfaction of ICT offices can be reinforced.

Language documentation has been carried out in Iran since the late 1800s but in a sporadic way, and even now, the scholarly picture of the country’s linguistic landscape is fragmentary. The present article responds to this state of affairs in a modest way by working toward a systematic overview of the language situation in one area of the country: Chahar Mahal va Bakhtiari Province of western Iran, where the high Zagros Mountains open onto the Iranian Plateau. In this study, conducted in the context of theAtlas of the Languages of Iran(ALI) research programme, we chronicle our research process for this region, beginning with an inventory of languages spoken here—varieties of Bakhtiari, Charmahali, and Turkic—and an overview of their geographical distribution. This initial step enabled us to select 30 varieties from 26 locations across the province for in-depth research, including implementation of the ALI language data questionnaire. Data generated by the study have resulted in two language distribution maps as well as a series of linguistic structure maps. Initial analysis of lexical and phonological data provides insight into defining features of each language as well as structures shared between them as a result of language contact in the region.

This paper investigates effects of language contact on a previously undocumented variety of Turkic (Southern West Oghuz) spoken by sedentarized nomads in the city of Boldaji, Chahar Mahal va Bakhtiari Province, south-west Iran. Located in an area of high linguistic diversity including the Iranic language Bakhtiari and the Charmahali variety of Persian, Boldaji Turkic exhibits numerous contact-induced features. Here, drawing on data collected using the Atlas of the Languages of Iran (ALI) questionnaire, we focus on variation in five primarily morphosyntactic features, several of which have not figured prominently in the literature on contact-induced change in Turkic: (i) restructuring of vowel harmony; (ii) the postposed emphatic definiteness marker ǰoġɑz; (iii) an additional oblique pronominal stem based on bela- + possessive suffix; (iv) ‘can/be able’ expressions; and (v) a reduplicated progressive verbal form. In line with well-established criteria from contact linguistics, we assess the probability of contact-induced change for these five features by considering differences with other West Oghuz languages outside the area, namely Turkish and Azeri, to rule out an internal explanation. Unlike previous studies, which use standard-type Persian as the contact language, we show the importance of considering model structures in geographically contiguous languages, with a focus on Bakhtiari and the local Persian variety, to account for areal convergence. Finally, we consider the plausibility of various contact-based explanations in the light of our knowledge of related Turkic varieties in the area. Our data bring into question the common view that contactinduced change is preferentially associated with simplification; rather, we find a mix of structural changes involving both loss and gain of morphological matter, and patterns.