A fossil-calibrated phylogenetic framework based on exemplars from each of the four taxonomic sections within Pinus was created using multiple nuclear and chloroplast loci. Calibration at the well-defined subgeneric split within Pinus with either fossil leaves and cones (ca. 45 million years ago) or fossil wood (ca. 85 million years...
Semantic image segmentation is a relatively difficult task in computer vision. With the advent of deep learning, semantic image segmentation is increasingly of interest for researchers because of the excellent predictions from Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). However, CNNs have proven to struggle with obtaining global context of image due to...
A significant body of research demonstrates that phytochemical intake favorably influences hepatic metabolism via a number of different biological mechanisms. Other research has shown a positive effect of certain phytochemicals on kidney health, specifically in ameliorating symptoms of kidney disease. The current research used three separate studies that tested the...
Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx) is a species with high phenotypic plasticity and a broad distribution that, in the last decade, has experienced climate stress-induced mortality called Sudden Aspen Decline (SAD). In order to help mitigate the effects of SAD in the future, we need a better understanding of aspen’s...
The relative role of cospeciation and host switching in the phylogenetic history of
ascomycete foliar symbionts is addressed in the orders Leotiales and Rhytismatales, fungi
associated predominantly with Pinaceae (Coniferales). Emphasis is placed on comparing
the evolution of the sister genera Pseudotsuga and Larix (Pinaceae) with that of the
pathogenic...
Managers of forest and plantation ecosystems are encountering growing problems involving plant pathogens and the expanding geographic ranges of these pathogens. Historically unexposed stands are exceptionally vulnerable when a non-native pathogen is introduced because these pathogens can cause devastating disease in a host population that lacks co-evolved resistance mechanisms. One...
Mutation of repetitive DNA by repeat-induced point mutation (RIP) is a process that occurs in many filamentous fungi of the Ascomycota during the sexual cycle. Concurrently, direct DNA repeats are often deleted by homologous recombination at high frequency during the sexual cycle. Thus, the processes of RIP and deletion compete...
The objectives of the experiment were to: 1) determine the relationship
between overstory canopy cover and ungulate herbivory on understory production
composition and diversity and 2) determine the effects of timber harvest, ungulate
herbivory and season of use on botanical composition and nutritional quality of
beef cattle diets. Three randomly...