Lack Of Branching Research Articles

Predation pressure by arthropods, birds, and rodents is interactively shaped by tree species richness, vegetation structure, and season

Tree species richness, forest structure, and seasonal fluctuations between rainy and dry seasons can strongly affect trophic interactions in forest ecosystems, but the inter- and scale dependence of these variables remains unclear. Using artificial caterpillars (~18,000 replicates), we analyzed predation pressure by arthropods, birds, and rodents along a tree species richness gradient across seasons in a subtropical tree diversity experiment (BEF-China). The aim of the study was to test if forest structure, in addition to tree species richness, has an effect on predation pressure and to further specify which structural variables are important in driving predation. We assessed the effects of tree species richness and forest structure at the plot and local neighborhood levels. We also included fine-scale placement covariates, plot size, and topographical covariates of the study site. Forest structure and tree species richness independently and interactively affected predation pressure. The spatial scale was an important determinant for tree species richness and structural effects, extending from within plot scales to the overall heterogeneity of the plots’ surrounding environment. For example, the effect of branch density in the local neighborhood depended on both surrounding tree species richness and plot-level vegetation density. Similarly, visibility-enhancing factors increased attacks by arthropods (lack of branches in close surroundings) and by birds (open area), depending on the surrounding vegetation. A comparison of structural measures showed that predation pressure can be addressed in much greater detail with multiple specific structural features than with overall forest complexity. Seasonal change also affected predation pressure, with foliage being a stronger attractant in spring, but also by presumable topography-driven study plot differences in sun exposure and humidity between rainy and dry seasons. Our study demonstrates that predation pressure is not simply a function of tree species richness or structure but is shaped by the interplay of structural elements, spatial scale, and seasonal dynamics along gradients of tree species richness and forest structure. The structural and seasonal effects are important to take into account when addressing how current and future biodiversity loss may change top‐down control of herbivory and overall ecosystem functioning.

Creating Value for Clients using a Holistic Approach in Banking Marketing

This paper investigates how marketing mix strategies' design affects customer value creation. The paper presents the results of empirical research conducted through a questionnaire that aims to show and determine which elements are key in choosing a bank, the extent to which branches and digital services are used, which affects customer satisfaction, loyalty, and customer experience for quality assessment and what are the reasons why clients would leave the current bank and choose a competing bank. The research results indicate that the availability of products and services is important to clients with support that increases the user experience, the application of innovative technologies in creating new offers, and friendly, educated, and friendly staff and channels. Respondents state the reasons for changing the bank: lack of branches, unfriendly or unprofessional staff, unsatisfactory quality of service, excessive fees, and more.

Morpho-agronomic and AFLP characterization to explore guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) genotypes for the Mediterranean environment

Morpho-productive evaluation in combination with molecular studies has received great attention for their synergetic action in the characterization of plant species. Guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.) is an annual legume crop that in the last century gained great interest as an industrial crop due to the galactomannan content of its grain. Guar genotypes adapted to India and the United States have been selected, while genotypes suitable for the Mediterranean environment able to maximize seed production, are missing. In the present study valuable morpho-agronomic traits such as growth habit, pods per plant and seeds per pod were assessed and genetic traits were investigated as selection criterion for breeding purposes. Pods per plant resulted negatively associated with seeds per pod and with 1000 seed weight. Present data underline that morpho-agronomic evaluation together with molecular analysis through AFLP markers could be an appropriate approach to individuate elite lines for future breeding programs of the species. Among studied genotypes, Monument seems to show the best morpho-productive traits for cultivation in the Mediterranean environment such as a short crop cycle, an elevated height of the first fertile node, a lack of branches and a good seed production. Lewis also seems interesting, even though a little less early and with a greater number of branches, but also with a higher seed production.

Hematite‐coated microfossils: primary ecological fingerprint or taphonomic oddity of the Paleoproterozoic?

Microfossils belonging to the 1.88-billion-year-old 'Gunflint-biota' are preserved as carbonaceous and hematitic filaments and spheres that are believed to represent ancient chemolithoautotrophic Fe(II) oxidizing bacteria that grew above a chemocline where ferruginous seawater upwelled into shallow, oxygenated waters. This 'biological' model posits that hematite formed during burial from dewatering of the precursor ferric oxyhydroxides that encrusted Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria. Here, we present an alternate 'taphonomic' model in which iron-rich groundwaters discharged into buried stromatolites; thus, the mineralization reactions are more informative of diagenetic processes than they are for primary marine conditions. We sampled centimeter-scale columnar stromatolites from both the lower and upper stromatolite horizons of the Biwabik and Gunflint formations, across a range of metamorphic gradients including unaltered to prehnite-pumpellyite taconite, supergene altered ore, and amphibolite-pyroxene grade contact-metamorphic zones. Fossils are rare to very rare and comprise curved filaments that exist in clusters with similar orientations. The filaments from throughout the Biwabik are similar to well-preserved carbonaceous Gunflintia from Ontario. Spheres of Huroniospora are also found in both formations. Microfossils from the least altered sections are preserved as carbon. Prehnite-pumpellyite samples are composed of either carbon or hematite (Fe2 O3 ). Within the contact aureole, filaments are densely coated by magnetite (Fe3 O4 ); the highest grade samples are secondarily oxidized to martite. The consistency in stromatolite microstructure and lithofacies throughout the metamorphic grades suggests they formed under similar environmental conditions. Post-depositional alteration led to replacement of the carbon by iron oxide. The facies association, filament distribution, and lack of branching and attached spherical cells argue against Gunflintia being a direct analogue to common marine, chemolithoautotrophic Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria. Instead, we propose that the presence of hematite-coated microfossils is a reflection of taphonomic processes and does not necessarily reflect the byproduct of an original microbial ecosystem.

Donbass railway crisis during the years of First World War: representative organizations of employers' view

Representative organizations of employers massively occur in Russian Empire in the post-reform period as a form of protection of the interests of industrialists and businessmen in terms of development of capitalist relations. One of the issues related to the common interests of entrepreneurs in the First World War were rail transportation. Transport problems during the war was most acute for business associations, and became for them some kind a test of the efficiency. Analysis of periodicals and record keeping documentation of representative organizations, Bulletin departments of railways show in article representative organizations of employers understanding the causes of the crisis in the Donbass railway during the First World War and shows what is needed and the government measures to overcome the negative effects of transport system. The article shows problems of Donbass rail transport during war years: low capacity and carrying capacity of the network, its lack of branching, shortage of rolling stock, the inefficiency of freight traffic and as a consequence of the rapid deterioration of equipment downtime and freight. Solving these problems entrepreneurs have seen in the additional construction of railways and roads, increasing the capacity of transport engineering factories and repair shops, using captured locomotives and wagons, technical upgrading of the railway network and station management. The paper emphasizes that the inefficiency of transport created a vicious circle of problems in the region - untimely delivery of goods to industrial enterprises of Donbass, deprived railways revenues from transport and fuel, metallurgical and engineering products, without which the operation of highways could not be successful. The article concludes that the war uncovered the underlying socio-economic problems in the country only grew, conflicts between different groups of businessman became deeper, Donbass railway crisis has become one of the most destructive processes in whole economy.

Geochemistry and nano-structure of a putative ∼3240 million-year-old black smoker biota, Sulphur Springs Group, Western Australia

Filaments of pyrite found within a volcanic hosted massive sulphide (VHMS) deposit from the ∼3270–3230Ma Sulphur Springs Group of Western Australia have previously been interpreted as remnants of some of Earth's oldest thermophilic microbial communities. We here re-examine these pyrite filaments using a suite of in situ high spatial resolution techniques and provide new observations on their geochemistry, morphology, texture, distribution and habitat.A number of the Sulphur Springs filaments retain geochemical evidence for remnants of organic material. This takes the form of patches of carbon and nitrogen enrichment seemingly enclosed within a completely pyritised filament. The distribution of this organic material closely resembles that observed in younger bona fide pyritised filamentous microbes. Most filaments also possess a distinctive sponge-like nano-porous pyrite texture, which is replicated in younger pyritised microfossils and bio-mediated pyrite framboids, and is consistent with pyrite nucleation in an organic matrix. New 3D analyses confirm previous observations of approximately uniform filament diameters, lack of branching, clustering of filaments, plus zones of filaments with preferred orientations. Multiple sulphur isotope analyses indicate that the sulphur for pyritisation likely came from a mixture of seawater and magmatic sources, consistent with a black smoker type habitat and permissive of the presence of life in this setting.While these data are consistent with a biological interpretation for the Sulphur Springs filaments, perhaps as pyritised filamentous microorganisms or bundles of pyritised extra-cellular polymeric substances (EPS), the evidence is not compelling. Solid filament cross-sections and straight lengthwise morphology of most filaments resemble abiotic crystal needles or whiskers, while the parallel and radial alignments of filaments could be replicated by crystal growth patterns. Carbon and nitrogen enrichment could have occurred when organic material entrained within hydrothermal fluids was adsorbed onto these mineral crystals. Further work to obtain larger databases of nano-scale textures and morphologies from both biological and abiotic pyrite is needed before an abiotic formation mechanism can be confidently rejected.

Detection of windthrown trees using airborne laser scanning

In this study, a method has been developed for the detection of windthrown trees under a forest canopy, using the difference between two elevation models created from the same high density (65points/m2) airborne laser scanning data. The difference image showing objects near the ground was created by subtracting a standard digital elevation model (DEM) from a more detailed DEM created using an active surface algorithm. Template matching was used to automatically detect windthrown trees in the difference image. The 54ha study area is located in hemi-boreal forest in southern Sweden (Lat. 58°29′ N, Long. 13°38′ E) and is dominated by Norway spruce (Picea abies) with 3.5% deciduous species (mostly birch) and 1.7% Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris). The result was evaluated using 651 field measured windthrown trees. At individual tree level, the detection rate was 38% with a commission error of 36%. Much higher detection rates were obtained for taller trees; 89% of the trees taller than 27m were detected. For pine the individual tree detection rate was 82%, most likely due to the more easily visible stem and lack of branches. When aggregating the results to 40m square grid cells, at least one tree was detected in 77% of the grid cells which according to the field measurements contained one or more windthrown trees.

Right pulmonary agenesis of one fetus in a monochorionic twin pregnancy: A case report

Unilateral pulmonary agenesis is uncommon congenital malformation which refers to total absence of pulmonary parenchyma and blood vessels as well as bronchia beyond the tracheal bifurcation. And, it is rarely to make prenatal diagnosis. Indirect prenatal sonographic fi ndings in this malformation include mediastinal shift of the heart together with lack of evidence of diaphragmatic hernia. And more reliable diagnosis is obtained by Doppler sonographic fi nding with lack of branching of the pulmonary artery. Its prognosis depends largely on the presence of associated other congenital anomalies. But unilateral pulmonary agenesis does not result in the death of the infant and is compatible with long-term survival. So, selective termination is not recommended. In the case herein, right pulmonary agenesis of one fetus in a monochorionic twin pregnancy was diagnosed by prenatal sonography. We describe this case with a brief review of the literature.

The ‘string of beads’ fossil ( Horodyskia) in the mid-Proterozoic of Tasmania

Horodyskia has been found at a single Tasmanian locality, in the Cassiterite Creek Quartzite (ca. 1300–800 Ma), part of a thick Proterozoic, mildly deformed, low greenschist facies, marine shelfal siliciclastic succession known as the Rocky Cape Group. The rock hosting the fossils is thinly interbedded and interlaminated dark grey slaty shale and quartzose siltstone. The sharp-based, graded siltstone layers are interpreted as distal storm surge deposits on an outer marine shelf. The ‘strings of beads’ are mostly preserved at the base of the siltstone layers, in concave hyporelief (external moulds) on the soles of the event beds, and as convex epirelief (casts) on the tops of the underlying shale beds. The casts comprise shale identical to the underlying bed. The beads average 1.7 mm in diameter, and the gap between the borders of adjacent beads tends to be approximately equal to the bead diameter. Occasionally, the fossils are preserved within shale, as wholly flattened beads delineated by a subtle darkened halo. The Tasmanian ‘strings of beads’ have most of the morphological attributes of previously described Horodyskia, including regularity of size and spacing of beads in any one string, lack of branching, and in some instances, ‘haloes’ and casts with apical depressions. The strings on at least one bedding plane have a strong N–S preferred orientation of unknown origin. Tectonic deformation has resulted in 30% shortening in a SW–NE direction. The morphologic similarity, but differing mode of preservation of the Tasmanian Horodyskia to the two previously described Mesoproterozoic species is strong evidence for a biologic origin for the string of beads phenomenon. After morphological and morphometric comparisons with other species of Horodyskia, the Tasmanian specimens are assigned to Horodyskia williamsii.

Spartan defense in the Thermopylae pass: Strategic defense by aggregations of Pseudomyrmex spinicola (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) on the trunk of Acacia collinsii (Mimosaceae)

Acacia ants (Pseudomyrmex spinicola) usually prune all of the vegetation growing in the vicinity of their host plant (Acacia collinsii). This lack of branches in contact with the host tree makes the main stem of the acacia the only point of access for ants invading the resident colony. The present study assessed whether the intrusion site affects the probability of the intruder being detected. It also investigated whether ants that remain inactive on the main trunk base (a) are involved in defensive duties and (b) are morphologically different from other colony members (e.g. foraging ants). In the field, intruder ants were placed on the trunk and leaves of acacias inhabited by P. spinicola; colony members on the trunk base and the leaves were marked and monitored; and head length, head width, and thorax length of ants that were either foraging on the leaves or immobile on the trunk were measured. P. spinicola ants found intruder ants entering their host acacia via the trunk more rapidly than those entering by means of the leaves. Ants on the base of the trunk do not exchange tasks with foragers: between 5 and 47% of the 1063 ants originally marked on the trunk were re-observed there, whereas only two of the 804 ants marked on the leaves were seen on the trunk. However, ants on the trunk were similar to foragers in morphology, suggesting that defensive ants may be part of a behavioral caste.

Modelling the clonal growth of the rhizomatous macrophyte Potamogeton perfoliatus

Macrophytes play a crucial role in the functioning of lake ecosystems. Until now most macrophyte models neglected the fact that the majority of macrophyte species expand clonally during the growing season. Inclusion of a detailed description of clonal growth in models can facilitate our understanding of space occupation and patch expansion and predict future macrophyte development. “CLOMO” is an individual-based model which includes a detailed, spatially explicit description of rhizome formation and clone expansion as well as a realistic description of photosynthesis including light limitation and temperature. The model also accounts for transfers of energy or resources between different parts of the clone (“clonal integration”). Although the clonal growth of macrophytes is complex and poorly known, the first model results for the macrophyte species Potamogeton perfoliatus were promising and compared well with the field data. The model can produce growth networks very similar to those found in the field. A Monte Carlo sensitivity analysis showed systematically which parameters have the largest effect on the architecture and expansion of the clones. The application of the model provided new insights into growth dynamics and patch development: (1) the model showed that a lack of branching will lead to the extinction of the clone after a certain number of years. This is due to the fact that the reproductive organs (turions) are formed at the end of a branch and even a small turion mortality will cause a reduction in surviving plant numbers; (2) the growth of rhizome axes relative to those in the previous year determines the patch density and patch expansion rate. Reversing rhizomes lead to compact patch growth whereas continuing rhizomes lead to loose aggregates.

Peripheral Bile Duct Paucity and Cholestasis in the Liver of a Patient With Alagille Syndrome

Alagille syndrome (AGS) is a developmental, multiorgan disease caused by mutations of the Jagged1 gene. The liver is one of the major organs affected in AGS, and the hallmark of liver pathology in AGS is an age-related increase in the proportion of portal tracts that have no bile duct, but without evidence of prominent bile duct damage. The pathogenesis of this bile duct paucity is currently not well understood. (Immuno)histochemical and molecular analyses were performed on several liver biopsies that were taken during macroscopic examination of the explant liver of a 17-year-old AGS patient. The liver periphery was macroscopically pale and was microscopically characterized by complete absence of bile ducts and presence of severe cholestasis, but there was no ductular reaction. Conversely, the central, hilar portion contained normally developed bile ducts showing no or minimal damage and cholestasis. A missense mutation in the Jagged1 gene was present in both parts of the liver, indicating that mosaicism did not cause this peculiar picture. There was also a hypertrophy of the hepatic arterial branches in the liver periphery. Together with previous indirect findings, the current study of the explant liver of an AGS patient strongly suggests that a lack of branching and elongation of bile ducts during postnatal liver growth is the mechanism by which peripheral bile duct paucity and cholestasis develops in AGS. Our findings also suggest that anomalies of the intrahepatic arterial branches may be part of AGS in some patients.

Embedment Cavities in Lacustrine Stromatolites: Evidence of Animal Interactions from Cenozoic Carbonates in U.S.A. and Kenya

Abstract Embedment structures are formed by the growth of a skeleton-producing host organism around a cavity maintained by an infesting organism. Through the process of embedding, the infesting animal passively produces a secure dwelling structure. This embedment ethology is common in modern and ancient marine settings. Previously unrecognized embedment cavities from ancient lacustrine stromatolites are identified and described here for the first time. Cenozoic lake deposits from the Washakie Basin in Wyoming and Turkana Basin in Kenya contain stromatolites with regularly pitted surfaces, which represent openings to embedment cavities. Stromatolitic laminae deflect downwards adjacent to the cavities. These cavities are circular to oval in cross-section and terminate with a blind base. A lack of branching, basal rootstock, and encrustation by stromatolitic laminae suggest that the cavities were not formed by the overgrowth of plant material, as has been suggested previously. Moreover, the rounded and evenl...

External indicators of living branches with missing rings within a tree crown of Corsican pine

Summary The development and the number of rings of first-order branches on the stem of 17-year-old Corsican pine (Pinus nigra Arnold ssp. laricio Poiret Maire var. corsicana) were studied in order to characterize living branches with missing rings. For the thickest living branch of each tier, the difference between the number of growth units and the number of rings indicated that missing rings at the base of the branch are common in Corsican pine. Such branches can be externally characterized by a decrease in growth unit length associated with a lack of branching. These two architectural features may help to identify non-ring-producing branches, with implications for physiological studies on stem‐branch relationships and research into wood quality, as well as for management decisions concerning pruning.

The effect of branching and unsaturation upon some properties of polyoxyethylene glycol diesters

AbstractFatty acid diesters based upon polyoxyethylene glycol (PEG diesters) find applications in many diverse segments of thechemical industry. PEG diesters contain both a water‐soluble and an oil‐soluble portion, resulting in a surface‐active product. These surfactants exhibit emulsification properties. A study of PEG diesters was undertaken to determine the effect of the following variables in the fatty portion of the molecule: (i) number of carbon atoms present, (ii) branching or lack of branching, and (iii) presence of unsaturation. The objective was to compare titer point, solubilities and emulsification properties of various PEG‐600 based diesters that were synthesized using high‐purity linear saturated, Guerbet‐branched, and unsaturated acids. Included in the test was a series of esters based upon meadowfoam oil, a high‐molecular‐weight unsaturated oil.

Retinal GlcNAc-transferases and the Glycosylation of Rhodopsin

The major oligosaccharide chains of bovine, frog and human rhodopsins are identical in structure. These molecules are unique in terms of their abridged size as compared to other asparagine-linked glycoproteins, a property which must be reflected in the activities and properties of the glycosyltransferases of the retina that are concerned with their biosynthesis. One of the unusual characteristics of the major oligosaccharide chain is its lack of branching. A key enzymatic step required for branching to occur would be the transfer of a residue of N-acetylglucosamine to the terminal unsubstituted mannose residue of the major rhodopsin oligosaccharide. We have investigated the kinetic properties of enzymes that would catalyse this process. The N-acetylglucosaminyl-transferases (GlcNAc-transferases) of Golgi-enriched fractions of bovine retina, human retina, rat liver Golgi and a partially purified GlcNAc-transferase II from rat liver were examined using as acceptors rhodopsin, opsin and the oligosaccharide isolated from rhodopsin. The identification of the substrates and products of the reactions was carried out by chromatographic means. From an evaluation of the Vmax /Km ratios it was observed that bovine and human retinas have very limited abilities compared to the rat liver enzymes to carry out the transfer of GlcNAc to these acceptors, showing from 100- to about 800-fold lower efficiency in this regard. A comparison of the activities obtained with intact rhodopsin or opsin and the rhodopsin oligosaccharide indicated that the activity of GlcNAc-transferase II was not appreciably influenced by the polypeptide portion of the molecule. It was also observed that prior galactosylation of rhodopsin blocked the addition of GlcNAc to rhodopsin. It is suggested that these properties contribute to the assembly of the abridged structures that have been observed in the oligosaccharides of rhodopsins of all species thus far examined.

Tropical Forest Bird Counts and the Effect of Sound Attenuation

Tropical Forest Bird Counts and the Effect of Sound Attenuation

Isolated Liver Nodules

Thirteen examples of isolated liver nodules were examined in 7 persons, 4 with single nodules and 3 with multiple nodules. Pathologically they present a spectrum from a solid structure that resembles liver parenchyma with varying degrees of disorganization and fibrosis to soft and fatty enough to superficially resemble a lipoma. Abnormal blood vessels were commonly found in and around the nodules, and the nodules were all ischemic compared to surrounding normal liver. The association of abnormal blood vessels and ischemia may be a cause and effect relationship. Studies by angiography might prove two things: (1) that the presence of abnormal blood vessels is constant in the lesions; (2) that the vessels, although relatively large, fail to provide adequate blood supply to the area, either by lack of branches or by some type of shunting mechanism. Review of cases of "lipoma of the liver" reported in the literature suggest that the lesions described are, in fact, the fatty type of isolated liver nodules.

A comparison of two methods of recording stem densities in the potato crop

Two series of experiments are reported which determined the origins of above-ground stems in potato crops in Cambridge and elsewhere in East Anglia. Very little secondary branching was found so that counts of above-ground stems and main stems were very similar. The implications of this lack of branching are discussed and the above-ground stem count suggested as a suitable method of recording densities in the potato.

Congenital external carotid-vertebral anastomosis. A case report.

A case is reported with a single large external carotid-vertebral anastomosis which was demonstrated by carotid angiography.The various reasons for development of such a channel are discussed.The presence of a large single channel, the direct course and lack of branching, and the lack of previous neurologic symptoms indicate that this particular vessel represents a congenital maldevelopment of the vascular supply to the brain.