scholarly journals Survival of European Ash Seedlings Treated with Phosphite after Infection with the Hymenoscyphus fraxineus and Phytophthora Species

Forests ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nenad Keča ◽  
Milosz Tkaczyk ◽  
Anna Żółciak ◽  
Marcin Stocki ◽  
Hazem Kalaji ◽  
...  

The European Fraxinus species are threatened by the alien invasive pathogen Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, which was introduced into Poland in the 1990s and has spread throughout the European continent, causing a large-scale decline of ash. There are no effective treatments to protect ash trees against ash dieback, which is caused by this pathogen, showing high variations in susceptibility at the individual level. Earlier studies have shown that the application of phosphites could improve the health of treated seedlings after artificial inoculation with H. fraxineus. Three-year-old F. excelsior seedlings were inoculated with the following pathogens: a H. fraxineus, Phytophthora species mixture (P. plurivora, P. megasperma, and P. taxon hungarica), in combination with two pathogens and mock-inoculated as the control, and then either watered or treated with ammonium phosphite (Actifos). Results showed significant differences in the survival of seedlings and symptoms of disease development among the treatments. Chlorophyll-a fluorescence parameters indicated a decrease in photosynthetic efficiency in infected plants, suggesting that they were under strong biotic stress, but none of the parameters could be used as a reliable bioindicator for ash decline disease. The application of Actifos enhanced the production of triterpenes (ursolic and oleanolic acid), and decreased the production of phenols (tyrosol) and sterols (β-sitosterol) in seedlings infected with H. fraxineus. Treatment with Actifos caused seedlings to enhance their response to pathogen(s) attack and increase their survival probability.

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Agostinelli ◽  
Diem Nguyen ◽  
Johanna Witzell ◽  
Michelle Cleary

For the last two decades, large-scale population decline of European ash (Fraxinus excelsior) has occurred in Europe because of the introduction of the alien fungal pathogen, Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, from East Asia. Since European ash is a keystone species having critical importance for biodiversity, and only a small percentage of the ash population appears to show some tolerance against the pathogen, the loss of ash trees means that other associated organisms, especially those with high or obligate associations to ash, are at risk of further species declines. In this study, we used high throughput DNA sequencing and multivariate analysis to characterize: (i) the mycobiome in aerial tissues (i.e., leaf, bark, and xylem) of ash trees showing different phenotypic response to ash dieback, (ii) the temporal variation in fungal communities across the growing season, and (iii) the similarity in fungal community structure between ash and other common trees species that may serve as an ecological niche substitute for ash microfungi. Results showed that fungal communities differed among the three tissue types, susceptibility classes, in time and between sites. Trophic analysis of functional groups using the FUNGuild tool indicated a higher presence of pathotrophic fungi in leaves than in bark and xylem. The share of pathotrophic fungi increased along a gradient of low to high disease susceptibility in both bark and xylem tissue, while the proportion of symbiotrophic fungi correspondingly decreased in both tissue types. Neighboring, alternative host trees did not share all the fungal species found in ash, however, most microfungi uniquely associated to ash in this study are generalists and not strictly host specific. The progressive disappearance of ash trees on the landscape imposes a high risk for extinction of Red-listed macrofungal species, and breeding for resistance against ash dieback should help sustain important biodiversity associated to ash. Microfungal diversity though may be less prone to such demise since most ash-associated endophytes appear to occur on a broad range of host species.


2022 ◽  
pp. 250-279
Author(s):  
Ewilly Jie Ying Liew ◽  
Wei Li Peh ◽  
Zhuan Kee Leong

This chapter seeks to examine the influence of public perceptions of trust in people and confidence in institutions on cryptocurrency adoption, taking into account the individual-level demographic factors and the regional-level contextual factors. Data is obtained from three large-scale international surveys and national databases and analyzed using R software. The multivariate results demonstrate that individuals' public perceptions of trust and confidence significantly contribute to cryptocurrency adoption. Lower perceived trust in people and higher perceived confidence in civil service and international regulatory bodies increase cryptocurrency adoption, while perceived confidence in political and financial institutions discourages cryptocurrency adoption. Additionally, the univariate results find significant comparisons of gender and perceived trust differences on the predictors of cryptocurrency adoption. This chapter discusses and provides insights on the social impact and future of cryptocurrency adoption, particularly among the upper- and lower-middle-income countries.


2010 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jörg Baten ◽  
Andreas Böhm

Abstract The average height of children is an indicator of the quality of nutrition and healthcare. In this study, we assess the effect of unemployment and other factors on this variable. In the Eastern German Land of Brandenburg, a dataset of 253,050 preschool height measurements was compiled and complemented with information on parents’ schooling and employment status. Unemployment might have negative psychological effects, with an impact on parental care. Both a panel analysis of districts and an assessment at the individual level yield the result that increasing unemployment, net out-migration and fertility were in fact reducing height.


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-58
Author(s):  
Kuo-Tai Cheng ◽  
Yuan-Chieh Chang ◽  
Changyen Lee

This study conceptualizes and empirically investigates how dimensions of public service motivation affect perceived citizenship behaviour in the context of government-owned utilities. This study used a large-scale questionnaire survey from four utility sectors in Taiwan (N = 1,087). The emergent model suggests that compassion (COM) and self-sacrifice (SS) affect the perceived effectiveness of individual-level Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB). Commitment to the Public Interest (CPI) and Attraction to Public Policy making (APP) affect perceived effectiveness of OCB at the group and organisational levels, respectively. The results support the expected contribution of OCB, from the individual to the group levels, and from the group level to the organisational level. Public utility managers should strive to improve employee attitudes and motivation towards greater levels of OCB.


Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 617 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariella Marzano ◽  
Clare Hall ◽  
Norman Dandy ◽  
Cherie LeBlanc Fisher ◽  
Andrea Diss-Torrance ◽  
...  

The emerald ash borer (EAB) has caused extensive damage and high mortality to native ash trees (Fraxinus; sp.) in North America. As European countries battle with the deadly pathogen Hymenoscyphus fraxineus (ash dieback) affecting European ash (Fraxinus excelsior), there is concern that the arrival of EAB will signal the demise of this much-loved tree. While Europe prepares for EAB it is vital that we understand the social dimensions that will likely influence the social acceptability of potential management measures, and experiences from the USA can potentially guide this. We draw on differing sources including a literature review, documentary analysis, and consultation with key informants from Chicago and the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. In this paper, we focus on EAB management responses that involve chemical applications, tree felling and replanting, and biological control, and assess their likely social acceptability to stakeholders based on the perceived risks and benefits. Benefits involve protecting specific ash trees and slowing the spread of EAB across the landscape. Risks include collateral harm from insecticide use on human and environmental health, financial costs and liabilities, and the effectiveness of each approach. Biological control and replacing ash with other species are likely to be largely acceptable across contexts and stakeholder groups but pre-emptive felling and insecticide application could be more problematic if seeking widespread social acceptance. Based on our observations from the evidence collected we offer suggestions for approaching EAB management in Europe with a focus on improving prospects of social acceptability. Strong engagement will be necessary to establish the relevance and reason for using different management approaches and to build awareness and trust.


1999 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 1013-1020 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. S. BRUGHA ◽  
P. E. BEBBINGTON ◽  
R. JENKINS

Psychiatric case-identification in general populations allows us to study both individuals with functional psychiatric disorders and the populations from which they come. The individual level of analysis permits disorders to be related to factors of potential aetiological significance and the study of attributes of the disorders that need to be assessed in non-referred populations (an initially scientific endeavour). At the population level valid case identification can be used to evaluate needs for treatment and the utilization of service resources (a public health project). Thus, prevalence is of interest both to scientists and to those responsible for commissioning and planning services (Brugha et al. 1997; Regier et al. 1998). The quality of case identification techniques and of estimates of prevalence is thus of general concern (Bartlett & Coles, 1998).Structured diagnostic interviews were introduced into general population surveys in the 1970s as a method ‘to enable interviewers to obtain psychiatric diagnoses comparable to those a psychiatrist would obtain’ (Robins et al. 1981). The need to develop reliable standardized measures was partly driven by an earlier generation of prevalence surveys showing rates ranging widely from 10·9% (Pasamanick et al. 1956) to 55% (Leighton et al. 1963) in urban and rural North American communities respectively. If the success of large scale psychiatric epidemiological enquiries using structured diagnostic interviews and standardized classifications is measured in terms of citation rates it would seem difficult to question. But the development of standardized interviews of functional psychiatric disorders has not solved this problem of variability: the current generation of large scale surveys, using structured diagnostic interviews and serving strictly defined classification rules, have generated, for example, 12-month prevalence rates of major depression in the US of 4·2% (Robins & Regier, 1991) and 10·1% (Kessler et al. 1994). This calls into question the validity of the assessments, such that we must reopen the question of what they should be measuring and how they should do it.


SIMULATION ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 95 (9) ◽  
pp. 823-843
Author(s):  
Ahmed Abdelghany ◽  
Hani Mahmassani ◽  
Khaled Abdelghany ◽  
Hasan Al-Ahmadi ◽  
Wael Alhalabi

This paper presents the main findings of a simulation-based study to evaluate incidents in pedestrian/crowd tunnels and similar elongated confined facilities, with high-volume heterogeneous traffic. These incidents, when occur, imposes hazardous conditions that always result in significant number of fatalities. The aim of this study is to understand how these facilities perform under different irregular scenarios and possibly identify potential causes of accidents. The problem of studying incidents in large-scale high-volume pedestrian facilities is that these incidents are difficult to expect or replicate. Thus, studying these facilities through real-life scenarios is almost impossible. Accordingly, a micro-simulation assignment model for multidirectional pedestrian movement is used for this purpose. The model adopts a Cellular Automata (CA) discrete system, which allows detailed representation of the pedestrians’ walkways in the tunnel. The modeling approach captures crowd dynamics through representation of behavioral decisions of heterogeneous pedestrians at the individual level. Several experiments are conducted to study the pedestrian flow in the proposed tunnel considering different operational scenarios including demand levels, heterogeneous traffic, evacuation scenario, and tunnel blockage. Results show that flow of large pedestrian volumes through a long confined linear structure, such as a tunnel, are subject to the same flow dynamics as we observe with vehicular traffic. In particular, they are subject to the formation of “clumps” and shock waves that can rapidly propagate and lead to inefficient operation, including flow breakdown with stop-and-go waves.


2011 ◽  
Vol 39 (8) ◽  
pp. 1087-1127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Ann Hoffman ◽  
Theresa Kruczek

Biopsychosocial consequences of catastrophic events create an ongoing need for research that examines the effects of mass traumas, developing psychosocial interventions, and advocacy to address the needs of affected individuals, systems, and communities. Because it is neither possible nor necessarily desirable to intervene with all touched by disasters at an individual level, a systems approach that allows conceptualization and response at the individual, family, community, and societal levels seems optimal. Many of the models commonly used in counseling psychology to explain coping with difficult events focus on individual effects and do not adequately capture the complex, multisystemic effects of large-scale catastrophic events and disasters. A bioecological model of mass trauma, which provides a conceptual framework for understanding the effects, intervening in the aftermath, addressing prevention, and researching aspects of large-scale disasters, catastrophes, and mass traumas, is presented. Relevant literature and illustrative examples from three categories of mass traumas or catastrophic events (disasters, war, and terrorism or violence) that currently contribute to a persistent atmosphere of stress for many are reviewed using the bioecological model. Recommendations for future research are provided.


2019 ◽  
Vol 92 (5) ◽  
pp. 554-567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariella Marzano ◽  
Paul Woodcock ◽  
Christopher P Quine

Abstract European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) is a highly valued native species in the UK and elsewhere. The rapid spread and predicted impact of ash dieback (caused by Hymenoscyphus fraxineus), has led researchers to explore a range of responses from introducing non-native ash to use of Genetic Modification (GM) technologies to develop disease resistance. To support decisions over which approaches should receive further investment to encourage adoption, it is necessary to understand what is acceptable to forest practitioners. Interviews with 22 forest advisors and managers revealed ash is highly valued for the multiple benefits it provides but past experiences with pest and diseases have encouraged a more cautious (‘wait and see’) attitude to approaches for dealing with ash dieback. These practitioners showed a strong interest in the concept of resistant ash but emphasized that any ‘new’ varieties should have similar characteristics, retain genetic diversity and be able to withstand future pests. There was limited support for planting non-native ash and use of GM methods and greater support for traditional breeding, though views varied dependent upon objectives and could evolve with experience countering the disease. There were concerns about the time required to produce resistant varieties and more information was needed about the costs, benefits and impacts of the different approaches. These findings point to the need for continued communication and engagement with stakeholders in the refinement of responses to dieback and any development of resistant ash.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raffaella Zanuttini ◽  
Jim Wood ◽  
Jason Zentz ◽  
Laurence Horn

AbstractThe Yale Grammatical Diversity Project approaches the empirical domain of North American English from the perspective of generative microcomparative syntax. In addition to eliciting judgments from speakers of particular varieties, we also conduct large-scale surveys, map the results of those surveys geographically, conduct statistical tests taking geography and other social variables into account, and look for theoretically significant linguistic correlations. In all cases, we do this with the primary goal of understanding variation between speakers at the individual level. While our goals and methodologies are informed by our theoretical perspective, we expect that our work and results will be of interest to linguists working in other frameworks and even to the public more generally. This article outlines the goals and methodologies of the project and describes in broad strokes some of the results obtained so far, as well as some of the ways we have shared our findings with others, inside and outside academia.


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