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Florpyrauxifen-benzyl is a new synthetic auxin herbicide labeled in rice with a broad spectrum of control, typically more potent on broadleaf weeds. It has garnered some interest as a potential broadleaf weed control option for use in corn at low rates. Field experiments were conducted in Fayetteville, Arkansas, from 2019 through 2021 to examine the response of corn to postemergence applications of florpyrauxifen-benzyl at three rates (7.5, 15, and 30 g ae ha-1), as well as mixtures of the herbicide with atrazine (at half or full rate), mesotrione, or a combination of atrazine (at half rate) and mesotrione. Injury and yield response varied among years, possibly attributed to temperature and solar radiation variations following treatment application. Three weeks after application (WAA), stand-alone florpyrauxifen-benzyl or mixtures caused incrementally greater injury with increasing rates (5% to 76% injury). The levels of early injury were largely sustained at 7 WAA, with a few instances of recovery, particularly with a mixture of florpyrauxifen-benzyl at 7.5 g ae ha-1 with the full rate of atrazine. Corn yield loss generally surpassed the respective injury levels. The yield loss was overall the least in 2020 (8 to 46%) and most severe in 2021 (26 to 93%), largely depending on florpyrauxifen-benzyl rates. Averaged across years, the full rate of atrazine mixed with florpyrauxifen-benzyl at 7.5 g ae ha-1 caused less yield loss (12%) compared to the stand-alone application (28% yield loss). These results suggest that using florpyrauxifen-benzyl in corn, even at low rates and/or in a mixture with atrazine/mesotrione, can cause immediate and sustained injury, often leading to greater than 10% yield reduction. Further research could explore in-crop, in-chemistry, or in-application technology opportunities for mitigating this inadequate safety to render this novel tool a viable option for use in corn.

Cover crops, including cereal rye, are generally known to suppress weeds in various cropping systems; however, research on their effective use is lacking. This study investigated the effects of different cereal rye termination timings on weed control and corn performance in a two-pass herbicide program across 5 site-years (2021–2023) in Arkansas, USA. The herbicide program consisted of one application at cereal rye (Secale cereale) termination (cereal rye environment) or at corn (Zea mays) planting (conventional system) and another at the V4 corn stage. Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) at V4 corn was better controlled in cereal rye environments regardless of its termination timing (>75%) than in the conventional corn system (

Drought and salinity are major environmental constraints that severely limit crop production, particularly in arid and semi-arid zones. We investigated the genetic diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi isolated from the rhizosphere of Vachellia seyal in three different soils from Senegal with varying levels of salinity. Soil and root samples were collected from under V. seyal and in the vicinity of the trees. After DNA extraction, nested PCR, and sequencing of the large subunit region of the rRNA gene, different phylotypes from rhizospheric soils, roots, and spores were compared by phylogeny in order to investigate the role of salinity in arbuscular fungal diversity. This study revealed several unidentified arbuscular fungi and a particularly high host specificity in V. seyal roots. The vast majority of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) isolated in this study had no homologous sequences in the databases.

Consulting foresters provide a wide range of services to forest landowners. These services play a crucial role in meeting the many goals of forest landowners and maintaining sustainable, healthy forests. There is limited information about the extent to which foresters engage in consulting work to fulfill the forest management objectives of family forest landowners (FFLs). Using the online survey tool Qualtrics, we sent survey questions to registered foresters from West Gulf Coastal Plain regions of the United States (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas). In this study, we described registered foresters' employment level of practicing consulting work (full-time vs part-time) and used a dichotomous logistic regression model to quantify the practice of consulting forestry by foresters (full-time vs. part-time), impacts of foresters' socio-demographic characteristics (e.g., age and income), landowners' forestland characteristics (e.g., forest types- pine and mixed), and services requested by landowners (e.g., site preparation, planting, thinning, and timber sale) on the choice of practicing consulting foresters. Results indicate about two-thirds (63 %) of the respondents were practicing as full-time consultants, and the remaining were considered part-time. Full-time foresters had a higher number of clients and clients with larger pine forestland (p < 0.05). In addition, consultant income was negatively significant with the level of employment (p < 0.05). Designing and developing outreach programs that facilitate awareness of and use of the benefits of technical services provided by consulting foresters could improve forest management returns among FFLs.

While urban trees provides significant ecosystem services, the impact of increasing urbanization and population on their carbon sequestration potential remains relatively underexplored in interior sprawling cities, highlighting a critical research gap amid growing urban environmental challenges. Although existing studies suggest a strongly correlation between urban forest cover and carbon sequestration, this study aims to investigate how the urban demography factors influence land cover and carbon sequestration across cities with low, medium, and high population densities. Using the i-Tree Canopy tool, we sampled 18,814 random points to estimate city land cover and carbon sequestration in Arkansas, interior state of the US. Results from the principal component analysis revealed that 74% of the variation in a city's land cover among population density classes is attributed to tree and soil cover percentages. The mean annual (1.40 ± 0.08 T ha-1) and total carbon sequestration rates (35.30 ± 5.57 T ha-1) were significantly higher in the areas with low population density due to a higher average tree cover percentage (46%). Carbon sequestration rate was negatively associated with land cover types such as impervious surfaces like buildings (r = -0.44), roads (r = -0.28), grass cover (r = -0.46), and impervious other (r = -0.53). The log-linear model with scaled variables suggested that factors such as city's size and tree cover has positive influence urban trees' annual and total carbon sequestration, while spatial distribution and per capita income negatively affect these ecosystem befits in growing cities, regardless of population density. Travel time within city may have negative impact, while decadal population change may positively impact on carbon sequestration alongside management effort. Valuing this potential urban forest carbon sequestration for emerging carbon market could provide monetary benefits to the urban communities, city managers, and policymakers, enabling the development of effective urban forest management strategies in the context of urban climate change.

Key Clinical Message For diagnosis of osteoporosis, a T‐score of ≤−2.5 is recommended for all transgender and gender‐diverse patients aged 50 years or older, regardless of hormonal status. This case series presents 3 transgender individuals younger than 50 years undergoing gender‐affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) who had DXA scores suggestive of osteoporosis. We highlight possible discrepancies in DXA scan interpretations, especially in forearm bone mineral density measurements. We present the baseline (prior to beginning GAHT), 6‐month, and 1‐year follow‐up DXA data along with pertinent labs to include 25‐OH vitamin D, calcium, and alkaline phosphatase, for 2 transgender males (assigned female at birth) and 1 transgender female (assigned male at birth) undergoing GAHT who had low Z‐scores and T‐scores suggestive of osteoporosis. Multiple studies have analyzed the BMD data of individuals taking GAHT over time, which identify possible causes for low baseline Z‐scores for transgender females, but less so for transgender males. Other than positional statements, guidelines remain unclear regarding diagnostic approaches to osteoporosis and low Z‐scores in transgender individuals who are premenopausal or under 50 years of age. This case series addresses discrepancies in interpretation that may be encountered by clinicians with baseline and follow‐up DXAs, especially involving the forearm, during the course of GAHT. This highlights the importance of establishing clearer guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and low BMD for chronological age in the transgender population.

Of relevance to the off-target movement of herbicides in Arkansas is the drift of rice herbicides in the state’s agricultural landscape, where aerial application of herbicides is common, raising the prima facie question of the risk of damage to other sensitive crops. The aim of this study was to evaluate the response of corn to postemergence applications of florpyrauxifen-benzyl or quinclorac, which were applied directly to the crop at low rates (0.78 or 1.56 to 12.5% of the normal use rate for labeled crops). This was investigated through three site-year field experiments conducted in Fayetteville (2020 and 2021) and Tillar (2020), Arkansas. Injury and yield response varied among site-years. No corn injury was visible at the Tillar site. At the Fayetteville site in 2020, florpyrauxifen-benzyl rates caused an average injury of 5% and 6% 2 and 4 wk after application (WAA), respectively. The 12.5% rate in 2021 caused a greater injury (7% injury) compared to other lower rates 2 WAA and such a response departed from linearity to stochasticity 4 WAA. Compared to the nontreated control, the 6.25% rate caused nearly 20% yield reduction at the Fayetteville site in 2020, and the 12.5% rate caused a 10% yield reduction at the Tillar site. The quinclorac rate of 12.5% at the Fayetteville site in 2020 caused an average of 7% injury-2 WAA and 20% injury) from the average injury of 5% with the other lower rates 2 WAA; the injury remained similar or slightly recovered 4 WAA. Compared to the nontreated control, quinclorac rates caused an average yield reduction of

Objective: Right Direction (RD) was a component of a universal employee wellness program implemented in 2014 at Kent State University (KSU) to increase employees awareness of depression, reduce mental health stigma, and encourage help-seeking behaviors to promote mental health. We explored changes in mental health care utilization before and after implementation of RD. Methods: KSU Human Resources census and service use data were used to identify the study cohort and examine the study objectives. A pre-post design was used to explore changes in mental health utilization among KSU employees before and after RD. Three post-intervention periods were examined. A generalized linear mixed model approach was used for logistic regression analysis between each outcome of interest and intervention period, adjusted by age and sex. Logit differences were calculated for post-intervention periods compared to the pre-intervention period. Results: Compared to the pre-intervention period, the predicted proportion of employees seeking treatment for depression and anxiety increased in the first post-intervention period (OR = 2.14, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 1.37-3.34), then declined. Outpatient psychiatric treatment utilization increased significantly in the first two post-intervention periods (OR =1.89, 95% CI = 1.23-2.89; OR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.11-2.76). No difference was noted in inpatient psychiatric treatment utilization across post-intervention periods. Unlike prescription for anxiolytic prescriptions, receipt of antidepressant prescriptions increased in the second (OR = 2.25, 95% CI = 1.56-3.27) and third (OR = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.46-3.20) post-intervention periods. Conclusions: Effects of RD may be realized over the long-term with follow-up enhancements such as workshops/informational sessions on mindfulness, stress management, resiliency training, and self-acceptance.

Florpyrauxifen-benzyl is a new synthetic auxin herbicide labeled in rice with a broad spectrum of control, typically more potent on broadleaf weeds. It has garnered some interest as a potential broadleaf weed control option for use in corn at low rates. Field experiments were conducted in Fayetteville, Arkansas, from 2019 through 2021 to examine the response of corn to postemergence applications of florpyrauxifen-benzyl at three rates (7.5, 15, and 30 g ae ha-1), as well as mixtures of the herbicide with atrazine (at half or full rate), mesotrione, or a combination of atrazine (at half rate) and mesotrione. Injury and yield response varied among years, possibly attributed to temperature and solar radiation variations following treatment application. Three weeks after application (WAA), stand-alone florpyrauxifen-benzyl or mixtures caused incrementally greater injury with increasing rates (5% to 76% injury). The levels of early injury were largely sustained at 7 WAA, with a few instances of recovery, particularly with a mixture of florpyrauxifen-benzyl at 7.5 g ae ha-1 with the full rate of atrazine. Corn yield loss generally surpassed the respective injury levels. The yield loss was overall the least in 2020 (8 to 46%) and most severe in 2021 (26 to 93%), largely depending on florpyrauxifen-benzyl rates. Averaged across years, the full rate of atrazine mixed with florpyrauxifen-benzyl at 7.5 g ae ha-1 caused less yield loss (12%) compared to the stand-alone application (28% yield loss). These results suggest that using florpyrauxifen-benzyl in corn, even at low rates and/or in a mixture with atrazine/mesotrione, can cause immediate and sustained injury, often leading to greater than 10% yield reduction. Further research could explore in-crop, in-chemistry, or in-application technology opportunities for mitigating this inadequate safety to render this novel tool a viable option for use in corn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought and salinity are major environmental constraints that severely limit crop production, particularly in arid and semi-arid zones. We investigated the genetic diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi isolated from the rhizosphere of Vachellia seyal in three different soils from Senegal with varying levels of salinity. Soil and root samples were collected from under V. seyal and in the vicinity of the trees. After DNA extraction, nested PCR, and sequencing of the large subunit region of the rRNA gene, different phylotypes from rhizospheric soils, roots, and spores were compared by phylogeny in order to investigate the role of salinity in arbuscular fungal diversity. This study revealed several unidentified arbuscular fungi and a particularly high host specificity in V. seyal roots. The vast majority of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) isolated in this study had no homologous sequences in the databases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil properties and microbial activities are indicators that shape plant communities and evolution. We aimed to determine the interdependency between trees, belowground herbaceous plants, soil characteristics, and arbuscular mycorrhizal communities. Vachellia seyal and Prosopis chilensis and their associated herb layers were targeted. Soils sampled beneath the trees and outside the canopies were subjected to physicochemical and microbial characterization. Randomly collected living roots of trees and dominant herbs were checked for arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization. A tree seedlings nursery was conducted using black bags filled with the following substrates: natural soil 100%, soil mixed with leaf tree plants (LTPs) as organic matter at 10%, soil mixed with LTP at 20%, soil mixed with LTP at 30%, and soil mixed with LTP at 50%. As a result, the presence of trees improves both herb richness and diversity. Soil mycorrhizal inoculum potentials are higher beneath V. seyal than P. chilensis and decreased significantly with increasing distance from trees. The soil MIP decreased with increasing organic matter content for both tree species but was more pronounced for P. chilensis. Soil salinity is lower beneath V. seyal and higher under P. chilensis and outside the canopies. Soil fertility parameters such as carbon, nitrogen, and available phosphorus are higher beneath the trees and then decreased as the distance to the trees increases. We conclude that microbial communities, soil properties, and herb richness and diversity increased beneath the trees but decreased with increasing distance from the trees. This effect is tree species-dependent as P. chilensis increased soil salinity and decreased the belowground density of herbs.

Introduction: Ocular trauma is an important worldwide preventable public health problem which may lead to permanent visual impairment. This study aims to determine the demographics, clinical profile and visual outcome of severe eye injuries. Methods: This study was conducted at a tertiary centre from January 2013 to August 2014. Cases of severe eye injuries hospitalized at or presenting to emergency/OPD were included in the study. All cases underwent detailed examination and necessary intervention. Cases were followed upto 3 months and final visual outcome was evaluated. Results: The study comprised of 60 individuals (65 eyes); 76.7% males and 23.3% females. Out of 60 cases, the age group 1-9 years had the highest occurrence with 23.33% followed by 20-29 years with 20% and majority were students 45%. Impact with stone was the commonest cause of injury reported on 21.7% followed by road traffic accident (RTA) 20%. Closed-globe injuries accounted for 36.6% and open-globe injuries for 33.3%. At the time of presentation, visual acuity of less than 6/18 was seen in 71.6% and at follow up was seen in 45%. Among total cases, 63.3% eyes were managed conservatively, 30% eyes underwent surgery and 6.7% were referred to higher centre for vitreoretinal surgeries. Conclusions: Severe eye injuries were seen in 0.13% of total eye injuries. Paediatric and young adult males formed the majority of victims. Stone and road traffic accidents were the common causes. One fourth of the eyes were blind. Primary prevention and management of the affected cases is the clear need.

Cover crops, including cereal rye, are generally known to suppress weeds in various cropping systems; however, research on their effective use is lacking. This study investigated the effects of different cereal rye termination timings on weed control and corn performance in a two-pass herbicide program across 5 site-years (2021–2023) in Arkansas, USA. The herbicide program consisted of one application at cereal rye (Secale cereale) termination (cereal rye environment) or at corn (Zea mays) planting (conventional system) and another at the V4 corn stage. Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) at V4 corn was better controlled in cereal rye environments regardless of its termination timing (>75%) than in the conventional corn system (<50%), and the control was generally excellent in both systems 4 weeks later, with subtly greater control in the cereal rye environments. In contrast, yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) control, in general, was slightly less in the cereal rye environments than in the conventional system. Barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus–galli) and broadleaf signalgrass (Urochloa platyphylla) control was similar to that of Palmer amaranth, especially at the V4 corn stage, with clear benefits in its control with the later termination timings. Corn height was greater (by 8% to 10%) in cereal rye environments terminated at 1 or 2 weeks after corn planting compared to the conventional system or other cereal rye environments. Corn yield was similar between the conventional system and the cereal rye environments terminated before corn planting; however, the yield was 16% to 22% less with those terminated at or after corn planting. These findings indicate the constrained use of cereal rye in corn, with its termination time optimized for 2 weeks before corn planting. Further research could identify factors that mitigate the yield loss from delayed cereal rye termination and improve its use as a cover crop in corn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flagellar motility is essential for the cell morphology, viability, and virulence of pathogenic kinetoplastids. Trypanosoma brucei flagella beat with a bending wave that propagates from the flagellum's tip to its base, rather than base-to-tip as in other eukaryotes. Thousands of dynein motor proteins coordinate their activity to drive ciliary bending wave propagation. Dynein-associated light and intermediate chains regulate the biophysical mechanisms of axonemal dynein. Tctex-type outer arm dynein light chain 2 (LC2) regulates flagellar bending wave propagation direction, amplitude, and frequency in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. However, the role of Tctex-type light chains in regulating T. brucei motility is unknown. Here, we used a combination of bioinformatics, in-situ molecular tagging, and immunofluorescence microscopy to identify a Tctex-type light chain in the procyclic form of T. brucei (TbLC2). We knocked down TbLC2 expression using RNAi in both wild-type and FLAM3, a flagellar attachment zone protein, knockdown cells and quantified TbLC2's effects on trypanosome cell biology and biophysics. We found that TbLC2 knockdown reduced the directional persistence of trypanosome cell swimming, induced an asymmetric ciliary bending waveform, modulated the bias between the base-to-tip and tip-to-base beating modes, and increased the beating frequency. Together, our findings are consistent with a model of TbLC2 as a down-regulator of axonemal dynein activity that stabilizes the forward tip-to-base beating ciliary waveform characteristic of trypanosome cells. Our work sheds light on axonemal dynein regulation mechanisms that contribute to pathogenic kinetoplastids' unique tip-to-base ciliary beating nature and how those mechanisms underlie dynein-driven ciliary motility more generally.

Senegalia senegal (L.) Britton (Fabaceae) is a widespread, multipurpose tree capable of colonizing disturbed Sub-Saharan mining sites given its adaptations to arid lands. The purpose of this study was to determine the potential of the association of microbial and/or manure amendments with S. senegal seedlings for the effective rehabilitation of the environment post mining. A multi-year factorial experiment involving this species was conducted in a nursery and on waste rock dumps (Essakane gold mine, NE Burkina Faso). Inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (native isolate Rhizophagus aggregatus DAOM2277128; commercial isolate Rhizophagus irregularis DAOM197198) and Mesorhizobium plurifarium strain ORS3588 was conducted on S. senegal seedlings. These were planted in black polythene bags filled with three substrate types: 100% sandy soil (substrate A); 75% sandy soil, 25% manure (substrate B); and 50% sandy soil, 50% manure (substrate C). Seedlings were then out-planted on waste rock to determine whether microbial inoculation improves their growth and survival rates. Under nursery conditions, manure-enriched substrates harboured less nodulation and AM colonization, but substantially increased plant height, and dry mass compared to un-amended substrate. Inoculation on manure-enrich substrates did not consistently increase root AM colonization and plant growth parameters among treatments. Plants that were inoculated with R. aggregatus alone or with R. irregularis or Mesorhizobium plurifarium ORS3588 showed the greatest increase in growth variables. On un-amended substrates, inoculation with R. aggregatus in combination with M. plurifarium or R. irregularis significantly enhanced root colonization rates, without altering plant growth parameters. Yet, inoculation with R. irregularis or M. plurifarium alone did not elicit increases in these parameters, although nodulation was greatly improved by the latter treatment. In field conditions, plant growth and survival were reduced under high rate manure amendments, likely due to less AM colonization and root nodulation that was observed for these treatments in nursery before out-planting. Strongly colonized plants on the un-amended substrate and moderately amended substrate showed greater survival after out-planting. Our results support the general conclusion that microbial inoculation and manure-enriched substrates are a viable option for mining site rehabilitation using S. senegal. They also suggest that manure amendments in forest nurseries should be cautiously applied given that high rates may impede establishment of plant symbioses, thereby affecting their performance on waste rock dumps following out-planting.

Ecotourism contributes to conserving natural resources and promoting natural and cultural resources stewardship. However, without the strong support and involvement of local people, it is not easy to achieve the stated goals. This study aimed to understand the local people's perception of the impacts and importance of ecotourism. We conducted a semi-structured interview of 167 respondents from Chitwan National Park (CNP), Nepal's prime center for ecotourism. The result revealed that more than 70% of respondents are interested in ecotourism activities, and their interests are significantly affected by their age, academic qualification, and occupation. Local people from the study area perceived that infrastructure development and increase in the knowledge base are significant impacts of ecotourism. The study showed that local people's socioeconomic and demographic characteristics significantly influenced their perceived impacts of ecotourism. Detailed understanding and consideration of socioeconomic and demographic characteristics can contribute to effective outreach and planning process, potentially resulting in the higher promotion of ecotourism.