Competitive neutrality in forestry

„h States and Territories have agreed to apply competitive neutrality (CN) requirements to their commercial forestry activities. The implementation of CN varies between jurisdictions and encompasses some differences in approach. „h Several studies have pointed to underpricing of logs by State forest agencies in past years. Underpricing can affect the balance between public and private sector wood production. It can also affect the return the community achieves on its forest assets and may adversely influence agency investment and harvesting decisions. „h CN requires forest agencies to act more commercially, including covering all costs and earning a commercially acceptable rate of return on assets. This should reduce the likelihood of agencies underpricing logs, although difficulties in interpreting rates of return and related information can make it difficult to judge if logs have been sold at their full market value. „h To help assess compliance with CN, the market value of logs can be estimated by calculating their residual value ¡X a value derived by subtracting harvesting, transport and processing costs from prevailing international prices of processed wood products.competitive neutrality - forestry - log pricing

Trichoderma aureoviride: phylogenetic position and characterization

The identity of strains identified as Trichoderma aureoviride/Hypocrea aureoviridis was reconsidered. Trichoderma aureoviride was isolated originally from a specimen identified as H. aureoviridis and thus is H. aureoviridis. The morphological and molecular characters of most strains identified as T. aureoviride differ from those of the ex-type but are more typical of T. harzianum, a member of sect. Pachybasium. Molecular data do not support inclusion of T. aureoviride in sect. Trichoderma, nor was there strong phenotypic similarity between H. aureoviridis and H. rufa. In the ITS phylogeny the T. aureoviride ex-type and other collections of H. aureoviridis form a strongly supported clade that is separate from any other recognized section of Trichoderma. Hypocrea vinosa, which was originally included in the T. aureoviride aggregate species concept, is distinct from T. aureoviride, but closely allied with H. rufa/T. viride. Trichoderma aureoviride/H. aureoviridis is a rare species, restricted to the UK and the Netherlands. We redefine T. aureoviride, limiting it to strains with very slow growth rate, effuse conidiation, and the ITS-1 and 2 sequence type D.Peer Reviewe

SBcoyote: An Extensible Python-Based Reaction Editor and Viewer

SBcoyote is an open-source cross-platform biochemical reaction viewer and editor released under the liberal MIT license. It is written in Python and uses wxPython to implement the GUI and the drawing canvas. It supports the visualization and editing of compartments, species, and reactions. It includes many options to stylize each of these components. For instance, species can be in different colors and shapes. Other core features include the ability to create alias nodes, alignment of groups of nodes, network zooming, as well as an interactive bird-eye view of the network to allow easy navigation on large networks. A unique feature of the tool is the extensive Python plugin API, where third-party developers can include new functionality. To assist third-party plugin developers, we provide a variety of sample plugins, including, random network generation, a simple auto layout tool, export to Antimony, export SBML, import SBML, etc. Of particular interest are the export and import SBML plugins since these support the SBML level 3 layout and render standard, which is exchangeable with other software packages. Plugins are stored in a GitHub repository, and an included plugin manager can retrieve and install new plugins from the repository on demand. Plugins have version metadata associated with them to make it install plugin updates. Availability: https://github.com/sys-bio/SBcoyote

Hypocrea rufa/Trichoderma viride: a reassessment, and description of five closely related species with and without warted conidia

The type species of the genus Hypocrea (Hypocreaceae, Hypocreales, Ascomycota, Fungi), H. rufa, is re-defined and epitypified using a combination of phenotype (morphology of teleomorphs and anamorphs, and characteristics in culture) and phylogenetic analyses of the translation-elongation factor 1α gene. Its anamorph, T. viride, the type species of Trichoderma, is re-described and epitypified. Eidamia viridescens is combined as Trichoderma viridescens and is recognised as one of the most morphologically and phylogenetically similar relatives of T. viride. Its teleomorph is newly described as Hypocrea viridescens. Contrary to frequent citations of H. rufa and T. viride in the literature, this species is relatively rare. Although both T. viride and T. viridescens have a wide geographic distribution, their greatest genetic diversity appears to be in Europe and North America. Hypocrea vinosa is characterised and its anamorph, T. vinosum sp. nov., is described. Conidia of T. vinosum are subglobose and warted. The new species T. gamsii is proposed. It shares eidamia-like morphology of conidiophores with T. viridescens, but it has smooth, ellipsoidal conidia that have the longest L/W ratio that we have seen in Trichoderma. Trichoderma scalesiae, an endophyte of trunks of Scalesia pedunculata in the Galapagos Islands, is described as new. It only produces conidia on a low-nutrient agar to which filter paper has been added. Additional phylogenetically distinct clades are recognised and provisionally delimited from the species here described. Trichoderma neokoningii, a T. koningii-like species, is described from a collection made in Peru on a fruit of Theobroma cacao infected with Moniliophthora roreri

Endomelanconiopsis, a new anamorph genus in the Botryosphaeriaceae

A new lineage is discovered within the Botryosphaeriaceae (Ascomycetes, Dothideomycetes, incertae sedis). Consistent with current practice of providing generic names for independent lineages, this lineage is described as Endomelanconiopsis gen. nov., with the anamorphic species E. endophytica sp. nov. and E. microspora comb. nov. (5 Endomelanconium microsporum). Endomelanconiopsis is characterized by eustromatic conidiomata and holoblastically produced, brown, nonapiculate, unicellular conidia, each with a longitudinal germ slit. Phylogenetic analysis of partial sequences of LSU, ITS and translation elongation factor 1 alpha (tef1) indicate that E. endophytica is sister of E. microspora and that they are nested within the Botryosphaeriaceae. However because there is no support for the ‘‘backbone’’ of the Botryosphaeriacae we are not able to see the interrelationships among the many genera in the family. Neither species is known to have a teleomorph. Endomelanconiopsis differs from Endomelanconium because conidia of the type species of Endomelanconium, E. pini, are papillate at the base, conidiogenous cells proliferate sympodially and the pycnidial wall is thinner; we postulate that the teleomorph of E. pini as yet unknown is an inoperculate discomycete. Endomelanconiopsis endophytica was isolated as an endophyte from healthy leaves of Theobroma cacao (cacao, Malvaceae) and Heisteria concinna (Erythroplaceae) in Panama. Endomelanconiopsis microspora was isolated from soil in EuropeA new lineage is discovered within the Botryosphaeriaceae (Ascomycetes, Dothideomycetes, incertae sedis). Consistent with current practice of providing generic names for independent lineages, this lineage is described as Endomelanconiopsis gen. nov., with the anamorphic species E. endophytica sp. nov. and E. microspora comb. nov. (5 Endomelanconium microsporum). Endomelanconiopsis is characterized by eustromatic conidiomata and holoblastically produced, brown, nonapiculate, unicellular conidia, each with a longitudinal germ slit. Phylogenetic analysis of partial sequences of LSU, ITS and translation elongation factor 1 alpha (tef1) indicate that E. endophytica is sister of E. microspora and that they are nested within the Botryosphaeriaceae. However because there is no support for the ‘‘backbone’’ of the Botryosphaeriacae we are not able to see the interrelationships among the many genera in the family. Neither species is known to have a teleomorph. Endomelanconiopsis differs from Endomelanconium because conidia of the type species of Endomelanconium, E. pini, are papillate at the base, conidiogenous cells proliferate sympodially and the pycnidial wall is thinner; we postulate that the teleomorph of E. pini as yet unknown is an inoperculate discomycete. Endomelanconiopsis endophytica was isolated as an endophyte from healthy leaves of Theobroma cacao (cacao, Malvaceae) and Heisteria concinna (Erythroplaceae) in Panama. Endomelanconiopsis microspora was isolated from soil in Europ

One Year Out: An Assessment of DADT Repeal’s Impact on Military Readiness

Prior to the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell” (DADT) on September 20, 2011, many observers predicted that allowing lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) troops to serve openly would harm the military. This study is the first scholarly effort to assess the accuracy of such predictions about the impact of DADT repeal on military readiness. Our conclusions are based on a consideration of all of the evidence that was available to us at the time our research was conducted, the half- year period starting six months after repeal and concluding at the one-year mark. We sought to maximize the likelihood of identifying evidence of damage caused by repeal by pursuing ten separate research strategies, each of which was designed to uncover data indicating that repeal has undermined the military. Our research strategies included outreach to 553 generals and admirals who predicted that repeal would undermine the military, to all major activists and expert opponents of DADT repeal and to 18 watchdog organizations, including opponents and advocates of repeal, who are known for their ability to monitor Pentagon operations. In addition, we conducted in-depth interviews with 18 scholars and practitioners and 62 active-duty heterosexual, lesbian, gay and bisexual troops from every service branch, as well as on-site field observations of four military units. We analyzed relevant media articles published during the research period, administered two surveys and conducted secondary source analysis of surveys independently administered by outside organizations. Our vigorous effort to collect data from opponents of DADT repeal, including anti-repeal generals and admirals, activists, academic experts, service members and watchdog organizations, should sustain confidence in the validity and impartiality of our findings. Our study team includes distinguished scholars from the US Military Academy, US Air Force Academy, US Naval Academy and US Marine Corps War College, as well as scholars with internationally recognized expertise on the issue of gays in the military. Several members advised the Pentagon’s 2010 DADT working group, and one member led the team that drafted the Defense Department’s plan for implementing DADT repeal

The Trichoderma koningii aggregate species

The morphological concept of Trichoderma koningii is found to include several species that differ from each other in details of phenotype (including conidium morphology, growth rate) and biogeography. Phylogenetic analysis utilizing partial sequences of the translation-elongation factor 1 alpha (tef1), as well as fragments of actin and calmodulin genes, indicate that phenotypic characters typical of T. koningii evolved independently in three well-separated main lineages. Combined molecular and phenotype data lead to the development of a taxonomy with the recognition of twelve taxonomic species and one variety within the three lineages. These lineages include: (1) T. koningii and T. ovalisporum and the new species T. caribbaeum var. caribbaeum, T. caribbaeum var. aequatoriale, T. dorotheae, T. dingleyae, T. intricatum, T. koningiopsis, T. petersenii and T. taiwanense; (2) the new species T. rogersonii and T. austrokoningii, and (3) the new anamorph T. stilbohypoxyli

Radiographic severity of knee osteoarthritis is conditional on interleukin 1 receptor antagonist gene variations

BACKGROUND: A lack of biomarkers that identify patients at risk for severe osteoarthritis (OA) complicates development of disease-modifying OA drugs. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether inflammatory genetic markers could stratify patients with knee OA into high and low risk for destructive disease. METHODS: Genotype associations with knee OA severity were assessed in two Caucasian populations. Fifteen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in six inflammatory genes were evaluated for association with radiographic severity and with synovial fluid mediators in a subset of the patients. RESULTS: Interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL1RN) SNPs (rs419598, rs315952 and rs9005) predicted Kellgren-Lawrence scores independently in each population. One IL1RN haplotype was associated with lower odds of radiographic severity (OR=0.15; 95% CI 0.065 to 0.349; p<0.0001), greater joint space width and lower synovial fluid cytokine levels. Carriage of the IL1RN haplotype influenced the age relationship with severity. CONCLUSION: IL1RN polymorphisms reproducibly contribute to disease severity in knee OA and may be useful biomarkers for patient selection in disease-modifying OA drug trials

Trichoderma asperellum: A Dominant Endophyte Species in Cacao Grown in Sulawesi with Potential for Controlling Vascular Streak Dieback Disease

Abstract Endophytic strains of Trichoderma species can be used as an alternative to chemicals to control vascular streak dieback (VSD) disease of cacao. Of 21 Trichoderma\ud isolated from Theobroma cacao (cacao) in Indonesia, 19 were identified as Trichoderma asperellum. Four isolates of this species (ART-4, ART-5, ART-6 and ART-8) were reintroduced into young cocoa seedlings by root inoculation and after 4 weeks all were recovered from roots and stems, while ART-4 and ART-5 were recovered from leaves as well. Spraying seedlings pre-inoculated with T. asperellum ART-4, ART-5 and ART-6 with mycelium of the VSD pathogen Ceratobasidium theobromae resulted in no apparent VSD symptoms on the leaves. Those seedlings pre-inoculated with ART-8 showed 8.9 % incidence of VSD symptoms on the leaves when compared to a 20.4 % incidence of VSD on positive control leaves, 12 weeks after inoculation. The same\ud isolates were also reintroduced into 3-month-old cocoa seedlings via the connecting site following shoot grafting, and after 12 weeks all isolates were recovered from stem and leaves. Seedlings grafted with buds infected by VSD and treated by ART-4 showed no VSD symptoms on their leaves 12 weeks after grafting and inoculation. However, those treated with ART-5, ART-6 and ART-8 showed 33.3 %, 50.0 % and 56.0 % incidence of VSD symptoms on their leaves, respectively, compared to an 88.9 % incidence of VSD on positive control leaves. Therefore, the study results demonstrates\ud for the first time the potential of T. asperellum isolates to control VSD disease on cacao