Showing papers by "Oregon State University published in 1970"

Contribution of Shrubs to the Nitrogen Economy of a Desert-Wash Plant Community

Abstract: Total nitrogen incorporated in the shrubs of a low—fertility desert plant community (principally Acacia Gregii, Cassia armata, and Larrea divaricata) was estimated from the nitrogen content of plant parts, the total weight of plants and proportional weight of roots, stems, and leaves, and the number of plants per unit area. The average nitrogen content of shrub leaves, stems, and roots was 1.31%, .87%, and .80%, respectively. Shrub cover occupied 20% of the ground surface and contained an average of 29 kg nitrogen/ha. Legume shrubs were not significantly greater in nitrogen content than nonlegume shrubs. Soil nitrogen content decreased significantly as a function of radial distance from the center of the shrub canopy. Areas between shrubs averaged 0.19% nitrogen in the surface inch of soil. Soil nitrogen content decreased significantly from the surface to 90—cm depth and was closely related to shrub species and their root—distribution patterns. See full-text article at JSTOR

Inhibition of pseudomonas species by hydrogen peroxide producing lactobacilli1

Abstract: Eighty-one microbial species isolated from seafoods and other marine sources were examined to determine the extent of interactions among these species. Spot-plates, cross-plates, and concurrent growth experiments at 7, 15, 20, and 30 C indicated that Lactobacillus species were capable of inhibiting other microorganisms. Lactobacillus species isolated from oysters and identified as Lactobacillus plantarum produced a substance inhibitory to Pseudomonas, Bacillus, and Proteus species, the most sensitive being Pseudomonas. The inhibitory substance accumulated in Lactobacillus culture media, reaching maximum concentrations in 4 to 5 days at 30 C. The active substance was dialyzable, heat labile, and inactivated by catalase. Inhibitor production paralleled H2O2 formation in Lactobacillus cultures, further indicating that the observed inhibition resulted from H2O2 produced by lactobacilli. These findings may explain the abnormal shifts in microbial flora observed in foods where Lactobacillus species have overgro...

Mechanisms of Lactose Utilization by Lactic Acid Streptococci: Enzymatic and Genetic Analyses

Abstract: The apparent instability of beta-galactosidase in toluene-treated cells or cell-free extracts of lactic streptococci is explained by the fact that these organisms do not contain the expected enzyme. Instead, various strains of Streptococcus lactis, S. cremoris, and S. diacetilactis were shown to hydrolyze o-nitrophenyl-beta-d-galactoside-6-phosphate (ONPG-6-P), indicating the presence of a different enzyme. In addition, lactose metabolism in S. lactis C(2)F was found to involve enzyme I (EI), enzyme II (EII), factor III (FIII), and a heat-stable protein (HPr) of a phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP)-dependent phosphotransferase system analogous to that of Staphylococcus aureus. Mutants of S. lactis C(2)F, defective in lactose metabolism, possessed the phenotype lac(-) gal(-). These strains were unable to accumulate (14)C-thiomethyl-beta-d-galactoside, to hydrolyze ONPG, or to utilize lactose when grown in lactose or galactose broth. In addition, these mutants contained EI and HPr, but lacked EII, FIII, and the ability to hydrolyze ONPG-6-P. This suggested that the defect was in the phosphorylation step. Lactose-negative mutants of S. lactis 7962, a strain containing beta-galactosidase, could be separated into several classes, which indicated that this organism is not dependent upon the PEP-phosphotransferase system for lactose metabolism.

Taghanic Onlap and the End of North American Devonian Provinciality

Abstract: Marine onlap of major proportions generally has been attributed to the Late Devonian in the United States west of the Mississippi River, but this onlap ensued early during the Taghanic Stage and thus began as a late Middle Devonian event. Pre-Taghanic Givetian marine areas of eastern and western North America were not connected across the southern United States and were connected only briefly between western Canada and the north-central United States (Indiana and Michigan). Pre-Taghanic Middle Devonian brachiopod faunas of eastern and western North America belong to different faunal provinces, that is, to the Appalachian and Old World provinces respectively. The Taghanic onlap of the continental backbone in the southwestern United States provided shallow-water marine areas for dispersal of bethonic animals and the resulting intermigration brought an end to brachiopod provinciality that had prevailed since the Early Devonian. By analogy, provincial shifts in established faunal successions should provide dates for other sedimentary-tetonic events. Because Appalachian Province fossils are known to range as far as Colombia and Venezuela in Emsian-Eifelian time, but not at the same time to the American west, a large land barrier is postulated for times of provinciality, that is, during the intervals Ludlow-early Siegenian, and Emsian-mid-Givetian. Other intervals during the Silurian and Devonian were times of breaching of the land barrier by marine seas. Taghanic brachiopod faunas of Givetian age in western North America are represented by two faunas, a lower one with chonetids of the aurora type and Leiorhynchus of the mesacostale type, and an upper one with Leiorhynchus hippocastanea, Hadrorhynchia sandersoni, and Warrenella occidentalis. Elements of the latter fauna have been reported lower in the Givetian due to confusion with the fauna that includes Leiorhynchus castanea. The Leiorhynchus hippocastanea fauna occurs with hermanni-cristatus zone conodonts above the “C.” aurora fauna and marks the top of the Givetian, above the range of Stringocephalus in North America. The aurora group of chonetids is proposed as a new genus Rhyssochonetes, based on the new subspecies R. aurora solox.

Sedimentation in Cascadia Deep-Sea Channel

Abstract: Cascadia Channel is the most extensive deep-sea channel known in the Pacific Ocean and extends across Cascadia Basin, through Blanco Fracture Zone, and onto Tufts Abyssal Plain. The channel is believed to be more than 2200 km in length and has a gradually decreasing gradient averaging 1:1000. Maximum channel relief reaches 300 m on the abyssal plain and 1100 m in the mountains of the fracture zone. The right (north and west) bank is consistently about 30 m higher than the left (south and east). Turbidity currents have deposited thick, olive-green silt sequences throughout upper and lower Cascadia Channel during Holocene time. The sediment is derived primarily from the Columbia River and is transported to the channel through Willapa Canyon. A cyclic alternation of the silt sequences and thin layers of hemipelagic gray clay extends at least 650 km along the channel axis. Similar Holocene sequences which are thinner and finer grained, occur on the walls and levees of the upper channel and indicate that turbidity currents have risen high above the channel floor to deposit their characteristic sediments. A thin surficial covering of Holocene sediment along the middle channel demonstrates the erosional or non-depositional nature of the turbidity currents in this area. The Holocene turbidity current deposits are graded texturally and compositionally, and contain Foraminifera from neritic, bathyal, and abyssal depths which have been size-sorted. A sequence of sedimentary structures occurs in the deposits similar to that found by Bouma in turbidites exposed on the continent. There is a sharp break in the textural and compositional properties of each graded bed. The coarser grained, basal zone of each bed represents deposition from the traction load; the finer grained, organic-rich, upper portion of each graded bed represents deposition from the suspension load. Individual turbidity current sequences are thinnest in the upper and thickest in the lower channel. Recurrence intervals between flows range from 400 years in the upper to 1500 years along portions of the lower channel. Evidently each flow recorded near shore did not extend its entire length. Turbidity currents have reached heights of at least 117 m and spread laterally 17 km from the channel axis. Calculated flow velocities range from 5.8 m/sec along the upper channel to 3.3 m/sec along the lower portion. Pleistocene turbidity currents within Cascadia Basin were much more extensive areally than the Holocene flows, and they deposited sediment which was coarser and cleaner. Pronounced levees which border the upper channel are due chiefly to Pleistocene overflow. Coarse gravels and ice-rafted pebbly clays were also deposited along Cascadia Channel during Pleistocene time.

COLOR QUALITY OF FROZEN STRAWBERRIES: EFFECT OF ANTHOCYANIN, pH, TOTAL ACIDITY AND ASCORBIC ACID VARIABILITY

Abstract: SUMMARY— 40 lots of strawberries, consisting of 13 different selections and 5 varieties, were packed as frozen, sliced, sugared (4:1) fruit. Total anthocyanin content, the relative amounts of pelargonidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-glucoside, ascorbic acid, pH, total acidity, soluble solids and Gardner L, a, b. determinations were made. After 9 months of storage, panel evaluation of the color quality and Gardner L, a and b determinations were taken. Results of correlation analyses indicated that pH was the only objective measurement having a high correlation with color quality. Neither ascorbic acid, total acidity nor soluble solids had significant correlations with color quality. From regression equation values, it was calculated that berries should have a pH of 3.51 or lower to have acceptable color after freezing. Anthocyanin content should be in the approximate range 450–700 μg/g to have acceptable color quality.

Calcite: Degree of Saturation, Rate of Dissolution, and the Compensation Depth in the Deep Oceans

Abstract: The hydrographic features that appear to control the distribution of calcite in deep-sea sediments are the level at which the water passes from super- to undersaturation, and the level at which the rate of dissolution increases abruptly (the lysocline). The compensation depth results from a roughly linear increase in the rate of solution of calcite with depth below the lysocline. It does not correspond to a unique physico-chemical change within the water column.

Metronome Timing in Behavioral Ecology Studies

Abstract: An inexpensive, portable, electronic metronome emits tone pulses through an earphone at intervals which can be varied from 1 to 20 sec, and may be used in a variety of ways to provide a time base for studies in behavioral ecology. Several suggestions for the conduct of field studies in behavioral ecology are made.

Higher visual perception as prolongation of the basic lie transformation group

Abstract: A Basic Lie group was derived in an earlier article that described the mathematical form of the visual constancies and primitive form memory. In the present article the group is extended via prolongation of its Lie derivatives to the complicated orbits characteristic of the contours recognizable in higher form vision. Arguments are given that the results of Hubel and Wiesel on areas 18 and 19 constitute electrohistological correlates of these prolongations. It is further argued that perception consists of an exact sequence of prolonged Lie derivatives acting on the corresponding differential form. Physiological arguments are juxtaposed with mathematical results to demonstrate that form memory resides in the proliferation of the neuronal arborescence, to which RNA generation during protein synthesis is incidental.

Characteristics of Ekman boundary layer instabilities

Abstract: In a laboratory study, the class of instabilities of the laminar Ekman layer called type II (or class A) are found to have the spectral characteristics of narrow-band noise (Q ∼ 5). The unperturbed laminar profile resembles very closely the ideal Ekman solution. The frequency of the spectral peak varies with the Reynolds number as predicted theoretically by Lilly (1966), but the measured frequencies are only 60% of the predicted value. The critical Reynolds number for this instability is found to be 56·7, in good agreement with Lilly's analysis. The measured boundary layer profile of the magnitude of the spectral peak has the behaviour predicted by Lilly. A sudden onset of turbulence is found at a Reynolds number of 148.

Oxygen Isotope Exchange between Volcanic Materials and Ocean Water

Abstract: The Δ0 18 values of siliceous volcanic glass shards in deep-sea sediments increase with age, from +9 per mil in the Pleistocene to +20 per mil in the upper Eocene. Basaltic rocks also undergo isotopic alteration in the marine environment and exhibit a correlation between 0 18 /0 16 ratios and water contents.

Evaluation of effectiveness in mutant strains of Rhizobium by acetylene reduction relative to other criteria of N2 fixation.

Abstract: The feasibility of the acetylene reduction technique for evaluation of comparative effectiveness inRhizobium was tested inR. leguminosarum, R. trifolii, andR. meliloti with strains which were closely related but differed widely in effectiveness. Several variables in sampling and handling of nodules were found to introduce significant error into this sensitive assay. Freezing of nodules destroyed all reducing activity. Removal of nodules from the roots, storage of detached nodules for several hours before assay, and the dry-wet condition of nodules during assay contributed to lowered ethylene production. The time pattern of appearance, increase, and decline of acetylene reducing activity paralleled that of leghemoglobin content in effective pea nodules assayed at different stages of development. In a comparison of strains from all 3 species, there was generally good agreement between the rate of acetylene reduction (assayed at a stage of peak activity for effective nodules only) and plant dry weight, plant nitrogen, or visual ratings of effectiveness. Several exceptional mutants which were rated as partly effective on the basis of nodule type or leghemoglobin content showed little acetylene reduction or N2 fixation. Suitability of the acetylene assay for strain comparison and the question of units of comparison with other criteria of N2 fixation are considered.

Drop‐size distributions produced by turbulen pipe flow of immiscible liquids

Abstract: Drop-size distributions in turbulently flowing dispersion of immiscible liquids were investigated. The observed drop-size distributions were actually a composite of two superimposed distributions. One is the distribution produced by the injection nozzle and the other is that produced by breakup in the turbulent flow field. A mathematical model was developed which predicted both the shape of the observed distributions and kinetics of the droplet breakup process for the distribution produced by the turbulent flow field. The flowing dispersion composed of water and insoluble organic phase was photographed at 27, 209, 421, and 576 pipe diameters below the mixing jet and at distances of 0.05, 0.1, and 0.4 diam. from the wall. Average flow rates varied from 14 to 20 ft./sec. in the 0.750-in. I.D. tube. Three organic phases were studied at concentrations ranging from 0.6 to 10% by volume. Dispersed phase viscosity and interfacial tension varied from 1 to 18 cp. and 13 to 40 dynes/cm. No distribution law with any theoretical basis could be found which correlated experimental distributions. The stochastic model describing the breakup process postulates that each breakup event leads to two daughter drops with uniformly distributed volume ratios and a very small satellite droplet. An empirical correlation exists to predict only one of the three parameters of the model.

Biology of Nanophyetus salmincola and "salmon poisoning" disease.

Abstract: Publisher Summary The digenetic trematode Nanophyetus salmincola (Chapin) is the vector for Neorickettsia helminthoeca, a rickettsia-like organism that causes “salmon poisoning” disease (SPD). The disease is usually fatal for dogs, foxes, and coyotes. Nanophyetus s. salmincola ( N.s. salmincola ) requires multiple hosts for completion of its life cycle. The first intermediate host is the pleurocerid stream snail, Oxytrema silicula. The second intermediate hosts are salmonid and some non-salmonid fishes and the Pacific giant salamander in which the cercariae encyst. The definitive hosts are fish-eating birds and mammals. The chapter reviews several aspects of SPD. Some of them are (1) geographical distribution, (2) etiology, (3) transmission, (4) symptoms, and (5) pathogenesis and pathology. The treatment of SPD is also reviewed. Various sulfanilamides given orally or parenterally have been successful in the treatment. Dosage at therapeutic blood levels should be maintained for at least 3 days. Effective results have also been obtained with penicillin, chlortetracycline, chloramphenicol, and oxytetracycline. The best results follow administration of large divided doses. If the animal is dehydrated, intravenous fluid therapy is essential to avoid nephrotoxic effects. Treatment in the late stages of the disease may not be successful.

A Middle Pennsylvanian Basidiomycete Mycelium with Clamp Connections

Abstract: A fungal mycelium having clamp-connections and chlamydospores has been discovered within the wood of a Middle Pennsylvanian fern. At present the clamp-connection is a structure that occurs only in ...

Development of an Objective Measure of Identity Achievement Status

Abstract: Summary A 24-item, objectively scorable scale for assessing identity achievement status (the IAS Scale) was developed through a modification of Marcia's Ego Identity Incomplete Sentence Blank. The IAS Scale revealed a one week test-retest reliability coefficient of .76, was significantly related to interview based rating of identity crisis-plus-identity commitment, correlates positively with the n Endurance scale and negatively with the n Succorance scale of the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule, and is significantly related to 7 of 12 scales in Shostrom's Personal Orientation Inventory. Discussion touches on future research use as well as the relationship of the identity construct to self-actualization.

The degradation of triazine and uracil herbicides in soil

Abstract: Summary. The rates of degradation of three triazine and two uracil herbicides were followed at 13·2 and 31·2°C in one soil. Soil was treated with 8 ppm of 2-chloro-4-ethyl-amino-6-isopropylamino-1,3,5-triazine (atrazine), 2-chloro-4,6-bisethylamino-1,3,5-triazine (simazine), 2-mcthylthio-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-1,3,5-triazine (ametryne), 3-sec-butyl-5-bromo-6-methyluracil (bromacil) and 3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-6-methyluracil (terbacil) and monthly samples analysed chemically to determine the amounts remaining. Evaluation of the rate constant at two temperatures permitted calculation of the energy of activation from the Arrhenius equation. It was determined to a first approximation that soil degradation followed a first order rate law with no lag period and that the rate could be related to molecular structure. The energies of activation in kcals/mole were: atrazine 10-8, simazine 9-2, ametryne 6-1, bromacil 3-0, and terbacil 6-1. These values suggest breakage of the common carbon-chlorine bond in atrazine and simazine but breakage of a different bond in ametryne. Examination of bond energies and known mechanisms of breakdown for triazines supported the hypothesis of breakage of the bond at the two position. The data on decomposition of the uracils indicate that the carbon-halogen bond was broken in each molecule. Degradation des triazines et des uraciles herbicides dans le sol Resume. Les taux de degradation de trois triazines et de deux uraciles herbicides ont ete observes α 13,2 et 31,2° C dans un sol. Ce sol a ete traitea la concentration de 8 ppm avec la 2-chloro-4-ethyIainino-6-isopropylamino-1,3,5-triazine (atrazine), la 2-chloro-4,6-bisethylamino-l,3,5-triazine (simazine), la 2 methylthio-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-1,3,5-triazine (ametryne), le 3-sec-butyl-5-bromo-6-methyluracile (bromacil) et le 3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-6-methyluracile (terbacil). Des echunlillons ont ete analyses chimiquement tous les mois pour determiner les residus. L'evaluation du taux constant a deux temperatures a permis le calcul de l'energie d'activation d'apres l'equation d'Arrhenius. Selon une premiere approximation, la degradation a suivi une loi de taux de premier ordre sans periode de retard et le taux peut etre reliea la structure moleculaire. Les energies d'activation en kcals/mole furent: atrazine 10,8, simazine 9,2, ametryne 6,1, bromacil 3,0 et terbacil 6,1. Ces valeurs suggerent une rupture d'une liaison carbone-chlore dans I'atrazine et la simazine mais la rupture d'une liaison differente dans l'ametryne. L'examen des energies de liaison et des mecanismes connus de degradation pour les triazines amene a formuler l'hypothese de la rupture d'une liaison en position deux. Les resultats relatifs aux uraciles indiquent tjue la liaison carbone-halogene a ete rompue dans chaque molecule. Der Abbau von Triazin- und Uracilherbiziden im Boden Zusammenfassung. Die Abbaurate von 3 Triazin- und 2 Uracilherbiziden im Boden wurde bei 13,2 und 3l,2°C untersucht. Aus dem mit 8 ppm 2-Chlor-4-athylamino-6-isopropylamino-1,3,5-triazin (Atrazin),2-Chlor-4,6-bisathylamino-[3,5-lriazin (Simazin), 2-Methyllhio-4-athylamino-6-isopropylamino-1,3,5-triazin (Ametryn), 3-scc-Butyl-5-brom-6-methyluracil (Bromacil) und 3-tert-Butyl-5-chlor-6-methyluracil (Terbacil) behandelten Bodenruckstanden wurden monatlich Proben entnommen und chemisch die Ruckstande erniittelt. Die Bestimmung der Geschwindigkeitskonslantcn bei zwei Temperaturen eriaubte die Borechnung der Aktivicrungscnergic nach der Arrhenischen Gleichung. In erster Annaierung verlief der Abbau als Prozcss erster Ordnung ohne Latenzphase und die Abbaurate stand in Beziehung zur Struktur des Molekuls. Die Aktivierungsenergie betrug fur Atrazin 10,8, Simazin 9,2, Ametryn 6,1, Bromacit 3,0 und Terbacil 6,1 kcal/Mol. Diese Werte lassen fur Simazin und Atrazin einen Bruchder der bcide Herbizide gemeinsamen Kohlensloff-Chlorbindung vermuten, wahrend im Falle des Ametryn eine andere Bindung hiervon betroffen war. Die Prufung der Bindungsenergien und der bekannten Abbau me chanismen bei Triazinen unterstCitzcn die Hypothcse, dass der Bruch in der 2-Position erfolgte. Die Ergebnisse fur die Uracile deuten darauf hin, dass bei beiden Molekuien der Abbau an der Kohlenstoff-Halogenbindung ansetzte.

Glyoxysomes in Megagamethophyte of Germinating Ponderosa Pine Seeds

Abstract: Decoated ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Laws) seeds contained 40% lipids, which were mainly stored in megagametophytic tissue and were utilized or converted to sugars via the glyoxylate cycle during germination. Mitochondria and glyoxysomes were isolated from the tissue by sucrose density gradient centrifugation at different stages of germination. It was found that isocitrate lyase, malate synthase, and catalase were mainly bound in glyoxysomes. Aconitase and fumarase were chiefly localized in mitochondria, whereas citrate synthase was common for both. Both organelles increased in quantity and specific activity of their respective marker enzymes with the advancement of germination. When the megagametophyte was exhausted at the end of germination, the quantity of these organelles and the activity of their marker enzymes decreased abruptly. At the stage of highest lipolysis, the isolated mitochondria and glyoxysomes were able to synthesize protein from labeled amino acids. Both organellar fractions contained RNA and DNA. Some degree of autonomy in glyoxysomes is indicated.

The Effect of Sublethal Doses of Parathion on Honeybee Behaviour. I. Oral Administration and the Communication Dance

Abstract: SummaryThe oral sublethal dose of parathion in honeybees was determined as less than 0–03 μg per bee. Sublethal doses of parathion prevented bees from communicating the direction of a food source to other bees by dancing. The basic form of the dance of poisoned and nonpoisoned bees was similar, except that the angles at which the poisoned bees danced changed in a disjunct step-wise fashion (instead of linearly) with time. No evidence of changes in other behavioural patterns of foraging bees was observed in these tests, but there are suggestions that parathion at this level caused a temporary interference at an integrating centre outside the brain.