bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fibroblast growth factor receptor splice variants are stable markers of oncogenic transforming growth factor β1 signaling in metastatic breast cancers
Authors: Wendt Michael K , Taylor Molly A , Schiemann Barbara J , Sossey-Alaoui Khalid , Schiemann William P
Published: March 2014

Introduction

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mesenchymal–epithelial transition (MET) facilitate breast cancer (BC) metastasis; however, stable molecular changes that result as a consequence of these processes remain poorly defined. Therefore, with the hope of targeting unique aspects of metastatic tumor outgrowth, we sought to identify molecular markers that could identify tumor cells that had completed the EMT:MET cycle.

Methods

An in vivo reporter system for epithelial cadherin (E-cad) expression was used to quantify its regulation in metastatic BC cells during primary and metastatic tumor growth. Exogenous addition of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) was used to induce EMT in an in situ model of BC. Microarray analysis was employed to examine gene expression changes in cells chronically treated with and withdrawn from TGF-β1, thus completing one full EMT:MET cycle. Changes in fibroblast growth factor receptor type 1 (FGFR1) isoform expression were validated using PCR analyses of patient-derived tumor tissues versus matched normal tissues. FGFR1 gene expression was manipulated using short hairpin RNA depletion and cDNA rescue. Preclinical pharmacological inhibition of FGFR kinase was employed using the orally available compound BGJ-398.

Results

Metastatic BC cells undergo spontaneous downregulation of E-cad during primary tumor growth, and its expression subsequently returns following initiation of metastatic outgrowth. Exogenous exposure to TGF-β1 was sufficient to drive the metastasis of an otherwise in situ model of BC and was similarly associated with a depletion and return of E-cad expression during metastatic progression. BC cells treated and withdrawn from TGF-β stably upregulate a truncated FGFR1-β splice variant that lacks the outermost extracellular immunoglobulin domain. Identification of this FGFR1 splice variant was verified in metastatic human BC cell lines and patient-derived tumor samples. Expression of FGFR1-β was also dominant in a model of metastatic outgrowth where depletion of FGFR1 and pharmacologic inhibition of FGFR kinase activity both inhibited pulmonary tumor outgrowth. Highlighting the dichotomous nature of FGFR splice variants and recombinant expression of full-length FGFR1-α also blocked pulmonary tumor outgrowth.

Conclusion

The results of our study strongly suggest that FGFR1-β is required for the pulmonary outgrowth of metastatic BC. Moreover, FGFR1 isoform expression can be used as a predictive biomarker for therapeutic application of its kinase inhibitors.
Should we breathe quiet or noisy?
Authors: Putensen Christian , Muders Thomas
Published: March 2014

External noise is introduced by computer-generated random levels of pressure assistance during noisy pressure support ventilation (PSV). In patients, noisy PSV was associated with higher tidal volume variability but not improved cardio-pulmonary function compared with conventional PSV. The potential role of noisy PSV in the management of critically ill patients requiring ventilatory support has to be explored further.
Highly enhanced optical properties of indocyanine green/perfluorocarbon nanoemulsions for efficient lymph node mapping using near-infrared and magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Bae Pan Kee , Jung Juyeon , Chung Bong Hyun
Published: March 2014

The near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence probe has better tissue penetration and lower autofluorescence. Indocyanine green (ICG) is an NIR organic dye for extensive biological application, and it has been clinically approved for human medical imaging and diagnosis. However, application of this dye is limited by its numerous disadvantageous properties in aqueous solution, including its concentration-dependent aggregation, poor aqueous stability in vitro, and low quantum yield. Its use in molecular imaging probes is limited because it loses fluorescence after binding to nonspecific plasma proteins, leading to rapid elimination from the body with a half-life of 2 – 4 min. In this study, the multifunctional perfluorocarbon (PFC)/ICG nanoemulsions were investigated with the aim of overcoming these limitations. The PFC/ICG nanoemulsions as a new type of delivery vehicle for contrast agents have both NIR optical imaging and19 F-MR imaging moieties. These nanoemulsions exhibited less aggregation, increased fluorescence intensity, long-term stability, and physicochemical stability against external light and temperature compared to free aqueous ICG. Also, the PFC/ICG bimodal nanoemulsions allow excellent detection of lymph nodes in vivo through NIR optical imaging and19 F-MR imaging. This result showed the suitability of the proposed nanoemulsions for non-invasive lymph node mapping as they enable long-time detection of lymph nodes.
Seismic reflector imaging using internal multiples with Marchenko-type equations
Authors: Slob Evert , Wapenaar Kees , Broggini Filippo , Snieder Roel
Published: March 2014

We present an imaging method that creates a map of reflection coefficients in correct one-way time with no contamination from internal multiples using purely a filtering approach. The filter is computed from the measured reflection response and does not require a background model. We demonstrate that the filter is a focusing wavefield that focuses inside a layered medium and removes all internal multiples between the surface and the focus depth. The reflection response and the focusing wavefield can then be used for retrieving virtual vertical seismic profile data, thereby redatuming the source to the focus depth. Deconvolving the upgoing by the downgoing vertical seismic profile data redatums the receiver to the focus depth and gives the desired image. We then show that, for oblique angles of incidence in horizontally layered media, the image of the same quality as for 1D waves can be constructed. This step can be followed by a linear operation to determine velocity and density as a function of depth. Numerical simulations show the method can handle finite frequency bandwidth data and the effect of tunneling through thin layers.
Modeling acoustic wave propagation in heterogeneous attenuating media using decoupled fractional Laplacians
Authors: Zhu Tieyuan , Harris Jerry M.
Published: March 2014

We evaluated a time-domain wave equation for modeling acoustic wave propagation in attenuating media. The wave equation was derived from Kjartansson’s constant-[Formula: see text] constitutive stress-strain relation in combination with the mass and momentum conservation equations. Our wave equation, expressed by a second-order temporal derivative and two fractional Laplacian operators, described very nearly constant-[Formula: see text] attenuation and dispersion effects. The advantage of using our formulation of two fractional Laplacians over the traditional fractional time derivative approach was the avoidance of time history memory variables and thus it offered more economic computations. In numerical simulations, we formulated the first-order constitutive equations with the perfectly matched layer absorbing boundaries. The temporal derivative was calculated with a staggered-grid finite-difference approach. The fractional Laplacians are calculated in the spatial frequency domain using a Fourier pseudospectral implementation. We validated our numerical results through comparisons with theoretical constant-[Formula: see text] attenuation and dispersion solutions, field measurements from the Pierre Shale, and results from 2D viscoacoustic analytical modeling for the homogeneous Pierre Shale. We also evaluated different formulations to show separated amplitude loss and dispersion effects on wavefields. Furthermore, we generalized our rigorous formulation for homogeneous media to an approximate equation for viscoacoustic waves in heterogeneous media. We then investigated the accuracy of numerical modeling in attenuating media with different [Formula: see text]-values and its stability in large-contrast heterogeneous media. Finally, we tested the applicability of our time-domain formulation in a heterogeneous medium with high attenuation.
Circulating Tumor Cell Counts Are Prognostic of Overall Survival in SWOG S0421: A Phase III Trial of Docetaxel With or Without Atrasentan for Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Goldkorn Amir , Ely Benjamin , Quinn David I. , Tangen Catherine M. , Fink Louis M. , Xu Tong , Twardowski Przemyslaw , Van Veldhuizen Peter J. , Agarwal Neeraj , Carducci Michael A. , Monk J. Paul , Datar Ram H. , Garzotto Mark , Mack Philip C. , Lara Primo , Higano Celestia S. , Hussain Maha , Thompson Ian Murchie , Cote Richard J. , Vogelzang Nicholas J.
Published: March 2014

Purpose

Circulating tumor cell (CTC) enumeration has not been prospectively validated in standard first-line docetaxel treatment for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. We assessed the prognostic value of CTCs for overall survival (OS) and disease response in S0421, a phase III trial of docetaxel plus prednisone with or without atrasentan.

Patients and Methods

CTCs were enumerated at baseline (day 0) and before cycle two (day 21) using CellSearch. Baseline counts and changes in counts from day 0 to 21 were evaluated for association with OS, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and RECIST response using Cox regression as well as receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves, integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) analysis, and regression trees.

Results

Median day-0 CTC count was five cells per 7.5 mL, and CTCs < versus ≥ five per 7.5 mL were significantly associated with baseline PSA, bone pain, liver disease, hemoglobin, alkaline phosphatase, and subsequent PSA and RECIST response. Median OS was 26 months for < five versus 13 months for ≥ five CTCs per 7.5 mL at day 0 (hazard ratio [HR], 2.74 [adjusting for covariates]). ROC curves had higher areas under the curve for day-0 CTCs than for PSA, and IDI analysis showed that adding day-0 CTCs to baseline PSA and other covariates increased predictive accuracy for survival by 8% to 10%. Regression trees yielded new prognostic subgroups, and rising CTC count from day 0 to 21 was associated with shorter OS (HR, 2.55).

Conclusion

These data validate the prognostic utility of CTC enumeration in a large docetaxel-based prospective cohort. Baseline CTC counts were prognostic, and rising CTCs at 3 weeks heralded significantly worse OS, potentially serving as an early metric to help redirect and optimize therapy in this clinical setting.
Multicenter Phase II Study of Mogamulizumab (KW-0761), a Defucosylated Anti-CC Chemokine Receptor 4 Antibody, in Patients With Relapsed Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma and Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Ogura Michinori , Ishida Takashi , Hatake Kiyohiko , Taniwaki Masafumi , Ando Kiyoshi , Tobinai Kensei , Fujimoto Katsuya , Yamamoto Kazuhito , Miyamoto Toshihiro , Uike Naokuni , Tanimoto Mitsune , Tsukasaki Kunihiro , Ishizawa Kenichi , Suzumiya Junji , Inagaki Hiroshi , Tamura Kazuo , Akinaga Shiro , Tomonaga Masao , Ueda Ryuzo
Published: March 2014

Purpose

CC chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4) is expressed by peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) and is associated with poor outcomes. Mogamulizumab (KW-0761) is a defucosylated humanized anti-CCR4 antibody engineered to exert potent antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. This multicenter phase II study evaluated the efficacy and safety of mogamulizumab in patients with relapsed PTCL and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL).

Patients and Methods

Mogamulizumab (1.0 mg/kg) was administered intravenously once per week for 8 weeks to patients with relapsed CCR4-positive PTCL or CTCL. The primary end point was the overall response rate, and the secondary end points included safety, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS).

Results

A total of 38 patients were enrolled, and 37 patients received mogamulizumab. Objective responses were noted for 13 of 37 patients (35%; 95% CI, 20% to 53%), including five patients (14%) with complete response. The median PFS was 3.0 months (95% CI, 1.6 to 4.9 months), and the median OS was not calculated. The mean maximum and trough mogamulizumab concentrations (± standard deviation) after the eighth infusion were 45.9 ± 9.3 and 29.0 ± 13.3 μg/mL, respectively. The most common adverse events were hematologic events, pyrexia, and skin disorders, all of which were reversible and manageable.

Conclusion

Mogamulizumab exhibited clinically meaningful antitumor activity in patients with relapsed PTCL and CTCL, with an acceptable toxicity profile. Further investigation of mogamulizumab for treatment of T-cell lymphoma is warranted.
A Community-Based Study on the Association Between Insomnia and Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis: Sex and Pubertal Influences
Authors: Zhang Jihui , Lam Siu-Ping , Li Shirley Xin , Ma Ronald C. W. , Kong Alice P. S. , Chan Michael H. M. , Ho Chung-Shun , Li Albert M. , Wing Yun-Kwok
Published: March 2014

Context:

The association between insomnia disorder and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis needs to be explored in both adults and adolescents.

Objectives:

Our objective was to investigate the associations of the HPA axis (via serial salivary cortisol) with insomnia disorder and subjective and objective sleep quality in a community-based study.

Design and Setting:

This was a community-based case-control family study.

Participants:

Participants included 205 adolescents (14.2 ± 2.8 years old, 51.7% females, and 57 with insomnia) and 244 adults (46.4 ± 4.1 years old, 52.8% females, and 69 with insomnia).

Main Outcome Measures:

Outcome measures included a diagnostic interview for assessment of insomnia disorder, 3-day actigraphy and sleep diary, and serial salivary cortisol measurement.

Results:

Adults with insomnia had a significantly greater cortisol awakening response (CAR) reference to increase (CARi) but a comparable CAR reference to ground and a comparable cortisol level during afternoon and evening when compared with noninsomniac adults. The association between insomnia disorder and larger CARi was also found in adolescents at late/post puberty but not in pre/early pubertal adolescents. There was an interaction effect between sex and insomnia disorder on CARi level with adult females having larger CARi than adult males. Among subjects with insomnia disorder, those with lower subjective sleep efficiency had higher cortisol levels in the late evening (10:00 pm) in both adults and adolescents.

Conclusions:

Our study suggests that a series of insomniac indices at both syndromal and symptomatic levels including clinical diagnosis and poor sleep quality are associated with dysfunction of the HPA axis. The association between insomnia and increased CARi emerges at late puberty, and the sex difference in this association occurs in adulthood but not in adolescence.
Forging a Modern Democratic Imaginary: Police Sovereignty, Neoliberalism, and the Boundaries of Neo-Korea
Authors: Kwon Jong Bum
Published: March 2014

This article examines the formation of “Neo-Korea” —the constitution of the social and political imaginary of the present as a radical break from the dark past. Democracy and neoliberalism, dominant imaginaries of contemporary Korea, required forgetting. This article shows how new tactics of policing protest initiated in 2000, in the still-churning wake of the financial crisis, actively reprogrammed social memory, dramatizing a Korea of democracy and free markets. The analysis reveals the complex entanglement of biopolitics and sovereignty: the administration of neoliberal subjects and the banishment of those unfit for the new Korea. Their combined deployment constituted a politics of the new — the threshold of normative inclusion into the new Korea and the dramatic refashioning of the guise of the state. Contrary to the Foucauldian telos of the transition from a premodern theater of state power to the biopolitical technologies of modern liberal governmentality, the article demonstrates the continued salience of theatrical sovereignty in the formation of modern democratic imaginaries.
Radiologist's perspective for the Meckel's diverticulum and its complications
Authors: Kotha V K , Khandelwal A , Saboo S S , Shanbhogue A K P , Virmani V , Marginean E C , Menias C O
Published: March 2014

The Meckel's diverticulum is the commonest congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract, often presenting with complications such as gastrointestinal bleeding, intussusception, bowel obstruction and diverticulitis, which are often misdiagnosed. Imaging plays an important role in the early diagnosis and characterization of these conditions and is very helpful in decision making. The Meckel's diverticulum and its complications have myriad presentations and appearances on various imaging modalities. Thus, sound knowledge of the anatomy, embryology, clinical presentation, imaging characteristics and complications is crucial to the practice of abdominal imaging. We present a review of the literature and current radiological practices in the diagnosis and management of the Meckel's diverticulum and its various complications with special emphasis on the imaging of various complications, mimickers and pathological correlation.
Loss of CDC14B Expression in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Kim Younghye , Choi Jung-Woo , Lee Ju-Han , Kim Young-Sik
Published: March 2014

Objectives:

To discover significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) that might be unidentified by single microarray analysis.

Methods:

The effect sizes of five ccRCC microarray data sets were combined using a random-effects model. The most downregulated gene was validated in paired 80 ccRCC tissues by immunohistochemistry.

Results:

CDC14B was the most downregulated gene among 1,761 DEGs. CDC14B was strongly expressed in the apical proximal tubules in the nonneoplastic tissues, while it was completely absent in 10 (12.5%) of 80 or downregulated in 70 (87.5%) of 80 ccRCC cases. The complete loss of CDC14B correlated with high T stage (P = .038), advanced TNM stage (P = .027), tumor recurrence (P = .038), and shorter recurrence-free survival (P = .046) compared with the partial loss of CDC14B.

Conclusions:

Microarray meta-analysis is a useful tool for pathologists. CDC14B expression is downregulated in ccRCC, suggesting its role in renal carcinogenesis.
Trends in RBC Ordering and Use After Implementing Adaptive Alerts in the Electronic Computerized Physician Order Entry System
Authors: McWilliams Brian , Triulzi Darrell J. , Waters Jonathan H. , Alarcon Louis H. , Reddy Vivek , Yazer Mark H.
Published: March 2014

Objectives:

To reduce unnecessary RBC transfusions, the computerized physician order entry (CPOE) system was programmed to require prescribers to select an indication for transfusion. An alert appeared if the patient’s hemoglobin (Hb) level was above the threshold determined by the selected indication (adaptive alerts).

Methods:

Data on RBC orders from the 4 months before the adaptive alerts were implemented were compared with the 10 months after implementation.

Results:

Significantly fewer alerts were generated after the implementation, and the rate at which the alerts were heeded also increased. There was a trend toward fewer RBC units transfused after adaptive alert implementation. A large number of RBCs were ordered using a nonspecific transfusion indication, although many of these patients had antecedent Hb values close to the threshold.

Conclusions:

Electronically generated alerts can reduce but are insufficient to eliminate non–evidence-based transfusions. Analysis of the alerts suggests areas for CPOE improvement.
CSF-1R Expression in Tumor-Associated Macrophages Is Associated With Worse Prognosis in Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
Authors: Koh Young Wha , Park Chansik , Yoon Dok Hyun , Suh Cheolwon , Huh Jooryung
Published: March 2014

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic relevance of colony-stimulating 1 receptor (CSF-1R) expression in both Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells and the surrounding cells (non-HRS cells) in patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) .

Methods:

Diagnostic tissues from 112 patients with CHL treated with doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine were evaluated retrospectively by immunohistochemical analysis for CSF-1R and CD68 and CD163 for tissue-associated macrophages.

Results:

High numbers (≥30%) of non-HRS cells expressing CSF-1R conferred inferior event-free survival and overall survival in univariate and multivariate analysis. High numbers of non-HRS cells expressing CSF-1R were significantly associated with a high number of tumor-associated macrophages as detected by CD163 expression (P < .001). In particular, coexpression of CSF-1R and CD163 was associated with a worse survival outcome than either CSF-1R or CD163 expression alone or no expression.

Conclusions:

Our data demonstrate that a high number of non-HRS cells expressing CSF-1R are correlated with an increased tumor macrophage content and worse survival.
Confianza y construcción europea: el caso del divorcio de terciopelo checoslovaco
Authors: Perea Crespo Ignacia
Published: March 2014

El estudio empírico de la sociedad checa y eslovaca de los tiempos posteriores a la caída del telón de acero, en relación a la confianza de éstas hacia otras sociedades, y en especial a su confianza recíproca, descubre el valor de lo social en el cambio de las estructuras político-económicas. Siendo momentos de grandes transformaciones, el análisis de la confianza hacia los otros, puede constituirse en indicador útil de las estructuras cristalizadas en la subjetividad social que intervienen en los acontecimientos futuros. Así es como en este estudio han aparecido hipótesis que hacen replantearse alguno de los acontecimientos más relevantes de aquellos días como el divorcio de terciopelo checoslovaco.
The effect of latitude, season and needle-age on the mycota of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) in Finland
Authors: Terhonen Eeva , Marco Teresa , Sun Hui , Jalkanen Risto , Kasanen Risto , Vuorinen Martti , Asiegbu Fred
Published: March 2014

The seasonal and latitudinal influences on the diversity and abundance of mycota of Pinus sylvestris needles were investigated. A sample of 1620 needles resulted in a total of 3868 fungal isolates, which were assigned to 68 operational taxonomic units (OTUs). The majority of these OTUs (65%) belong to Ascomycota and only 0.03% was grouped as Basidiomycota. The dominant and most frequently isolated OTU was Hormonema dematioides. Other well-known species with a saprotrophic nutritional mode such as Lophodermium spp. were also observed. The abundance of fungi increased from fall to spring. Frequencies varied significantly in Northern and Southern Finland suggesting that factors associated with latitudinal differences have an impact on the abundance of fungi.
Nutrient loading of Norway spruce seedlings hastens bud burst and enhances root growth after outplanting
Authors: Luoranen Jaana , Rikala Risto
Published: March 2014

We studied the effects of late season nutrient loading (NLOAD) on the timing of bud burst, growth and changes in nitrogen (N) concentrations in the first growing season after seedlings were outplanted. Two-year-old Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) seedlings with three foliar nitrogen concentration levels (NLOAD levels 11.3, 22.5 and 27.5 g N kg for L, M- and H-seedlings, respectively) were examined in the following three experiments: root growth capacity test (RGC), rooting experiment in the field and soil fertility experiment (ârichâ or âpoorâ soil) in the field. Bud burst in RGC was monitored daily and foliar N concentration (field experiments), height and root growth (rooting experiment) at monthly intervals. With respect to the RGC test, no differences in root growth were observed among the three NLOAD levels, but buds of H-seedlings burst 2â6 days earlier than others. In the rooting experiment, nutrient loading increased height and root growth but did not affect the timing of height growth. In the soil fertility experiment, foliar N of H- and M-seedlings decreased rapidly, but the decline was slower in rich soil. Current-year needles had more N in seedlings growing in rich soil and the N concentration declined until height growth ceased whereafter it increased until autumn. Improved growth from nutrient loading seems to last only for the first season after planting and the greatest benefits are enjoyed by seedlings planted in poor soils.-1
Machine planting of Norway spruce by Bracke and Ecoplanter: an evaluation of soil preparation, planting method and seedling performance
Authors: Luoranen Jaana , Rikala Risto , Smolander Heikki
Published: March 2014

We evaluated the effects of planting date and planting machine (Bracke: three machines, 69 regeneration areas in three years; Ecoplanter: six areas, two years) on the quality and field performance one and three years after planting of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) seedlings in central Finland. Both machine types planted on average 1800 seedlings per hectare, and after three years approximately 1600 (Bracke) and 1200 (Ecoplanter) were still alive. This study suggests that planting with a Bracke machine can achieve better regeneration rates than those observed in privately-owned Finnish forests. We characterized the quality of mounding and planting with the Bracke machine as excellent and that of the Ecoplanter as good. The soil preparation method of the Ecoplanter produced humus-rich mounds where seedlings were susceptible to pine weevils and consequently suffered higher mortality. Different machines were used in different regional areas and each machine was operated by different driver/s which may have influenced the results. No negative effects of planting date were observed. Seedling growth decreased if they were tall in relation to their root plug volume, grown too densely in the nursery, and if stored in the field for several months prior to planting. We conclude that mechanized planting is successful when the soil preparation method produces mounds covered by purely mineral soil. Planting from May to the end of September is suitable for seedlings intended for use during this period.
Nutrient concentration of down woody debris in mixedwood forests in central Maine, USA
Authors: Saunders Mike , Fraver Shawn , Wagner Robert
Published: March 2014

Both nutrient concentrations and pre- and post-harvest pool sizes were determined across down woody debris decay classes of several hardwood and softwood species in a long-term, natural disturbance based, silvicultural experiment in central Maine. Concentrations of N, P, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, and Zn generally increased 2- to 5-fold with increasing decay class. Concentrations of Mn, Al and B did not differ among decay classes, while K decreased by 20â44% from decay class 1 to class 4. C:N-ratios declined with increasing decay class, while N:P-ratios increased from decay class 1 to 2 and then plateaued with further decay. Within decay classes, softwoods generally had lower nutrient concentrations and higher C:N-ratios than hardwoods; N:P-ratios did not differ between hardwoods and softwoods. Although gap harvesting increased the size of the overall down woody debris nutrient pools, mostly through a large pulse of decay class 1 material, harvesting generally reduced the nutrients held in advanced decay classes. Pre-harvest down woody debris pools for N, P, K and Ca were 11.0, 0.6, 2.1 and 21.1 kg ha, respectively, while postharvest were 20.0, 1.3, 6.2 and 46.2 kgÂ ha, respectively. While the gap-based silvicultural systems sampled in this study doubled the size of the pre-harvest, downed woody debris nutrient pools, the post-harvest pools were estimated to be only 3.2â9.1% of aboveground nutrients.â1â1
Contrasting effects of season and method of harvest on soil properties and the growth of black spruce regeneration in the boreal forested peatlands of eastern Canada
Authors: Lafleur Benoit , Fenton Nicole , Paré David , Simard Martin , Bergeron Yves
Published: March 2014

It has been suggested that without sufficient soil disturbance, harvest in boreal forested peatlands may accelerate paludification and reduce forest productivity. The objectives of this study were to compare the effects of harvest methods (clearcutting vs. careful logging) and season (summer vs. winter harvest) on black spruce regeneration and growth in boreal forested peatlands of eastern Canada, and to identify the soil variables that favour tree growth following harvest. Moreover, we sought to determine how stand growth following harvest compared with that observed following fire. The average tree height of summer clearcuts was greater than that of summer carefully logged stands and that of all winter harvested sites. Summer clearcutting also resulted in a higher density of trees > 3 m and > 4 m tall and in a 50% reduction in Rhododendron groenlandicum cover, a species associated with reduced black spruce growth. Height growth of sample trees was related to foliar N and P concentrations, and to soil total N, pH and available Ca and Mg but not to harvest method or season. Our results also indicate that summer clearcutting could produce stand productivity levels comparable to those observed after high-severity soil burns. These results suggest that summer clearcutting could be used to restore forest productivity following harvest in forested peatlands, and offer further support to the idea that sufficient levels of soil disturbance may be required to restore productivity in ecosystems undergoing paludification.
The influence of architects and structural engineers on timber in construction – perceptions and roles
Authors: Roos Anders , Woxblom Lotta , McCluskey Denise
Published: March 2014

This study considers structural engineersâ and architectsâ perceptions of structural timber in multi-story construction contexts. Qualitative approaches â interviews and focus groups â were used to investigate attitudes, perceived norms, and perceived factors that hamper or facilitate the prescription of wood use in construction. Wood was perceived as an appropriate building material. Architectsâ, and even more so engineersâ, perceptions of negative aspects of wood focused on decay, instability and sound transmission. Although wood-based construction was seen as a required professional skill, it was not expected to improve oneâs professional status. Positive aspects of wood in construction included its strength, environmental friendliness, simple handling and appropriateness for use in conjunction with industrial methods, whereas knowledge gaps and weak support from the wood industry have reduced the use of wood among structural engineers and architects. Both professions perceived their influence on material selection to be weak. They sensed that most of the influence over material selection rested with developers and contractors. The paper contains suggestions on how to make these two professions more influential advocates for wood in construction.
Combining GIS and forest modelling in estimating regional supply of harvest residues in Norway
Authors: Rørstad Per , Trømborg Erik , Bergseng Even , Solberg Birger
Published: March 2014

New and ambitious targets for renewable energy production put attention to increased supply of biomass. Harvest residues are only to a limited extent demanded by the traditional forest industries and represent an unutilized resource for increased production of renewable energy in Norway. The overall objective of this paper is to study how GIS and forest modelling can be combined to improve estimates of the supply of harvest residues, taking different environmental and economic constraints into consideration. The analyses are based on a case study of a forest area of more than 40 000 ha in Southern Norway divided into about 500 private forest properties. The study was carried out by computations of timber harvest using the forestry scenario model SGIS based on extensive forest inventory data at stand level. In the studied area energy utilization of harvest residues is not profitable below an energy price of about EUR 3.2/GJ (NOK 0.10 /kWh) when the distance from roadside to industry is 20 km. Above this level supply increases rapidly over a rather narrow price range and is nearly inelastic above EUR 4.1/GJ (NOK 0.12/kWh). We did not find significant negative shifts in the residues supply caused by changes in location of roundwood harvest over time. Exclusion of collection from stands with a site index (H) below 14 reduced the potential supply of residues by 16â27%. The optimisation method combined selection of exogenous variables in order to map observed harvesting level and is probably the best approach to map future harvest.40
Harvesting alternatives, accumulation and procurement cost of small-diameter thinning wood for fuel in Central Finland
Authors: Laitila Juha , Heikkilä Jani , Anttila Perttu
Published: March 2014

This study compared harvesting alternatives, accumulation and procurement costs of small-diameter thinning wood chips for fuel, when trees were harvested either as delimbed stemwood or whole trees. The calculation was made for a hypothetical plant located in Central Finland and the radius of the procurement area was 100 km via the existing road network. Cutting was done with conventional harvester head equipped with multi-tree-handling (MTH) accessories, with the logged trees being chipped at the roadside storage. The cost of delimbed stemwood chips at heating plant was 24% higher compared to the cost of whole tree chips. The availability analysis attested that delimbing lowered the regional cutting removal by 42% compared to the whole tree harvesting, when the minimum accumulation for the fuel fraction at the stand was set at 25 m/ha. Delimbing diminishes the recovery rate at the site, resulting in a diminishing number of potential recovery sites meeting the threshold volume. However, the study showed that the forest energy potential is increased and procurement costs are reduced, if delimbed stemwood is harvested from stands where the whole tree harvesting is not acceptable due to nutrient loss or for other ecological reasons. Intelligent selection of cutting methods for different stands enables minimization of transport distance and control of procurement cost.3
The volume and composition of dead wood on traditional and forest fuel harvested clear-cuts
Authors: Eräjää Sini , Halme Panu , Kotiaho Janne , Markkanen Anni , Toivanen Tero
Published: March 2014

Logging residue and cut stumps are increasingly used as a renewable energy source known as forest fuel. Forest fuel harvesting obviously reduces the volume of dead wood and is likely to alter the dead wood composition, but the magnitude of the change is not known. Such information is important for the evaluation of the effects of forest fuel harvesting on biodiversity because a large proportion of forest dwelling species are directly dependent on dead wood. We measured the volume and characteristics of all dead wood units with a minimum diameter of 2 cm and a minimum length of 20 cm on 10 forest-fuel harvested and 10 traditional (control) clear-cuts. The total volume of dead wood at forest fuel harvested and control clear-cuts was 26.0 and 42.3 m/ha, respectively. The volumes were much greater than expected suggesting that the volume of dead wood on clear-cuts has been underestimated in previous studies. Forest fuel harvested clear-cuts had 42% less branches and 81% less cut stumps than control clear-cuts but there were no differences in the volume of logs and pieces of logs, snags or roots. The volume of fine woody debris was negatively affected by forest fuel harvesting. We conclude that fine woody debris and cut stumps form a considerable resource on clear-cuts that is reduced by forest fuel harvesting. These components of dead wood have potential to be of importance in managed forests and thus deserve more attention in future biodiversity studies.3
Assessing the integrated climatic impacts of forestry and wood products
Authors: Pingoud Kim , Pohjola Johanna , Valsta Lauri
Published: March 2014

Managed forests serve as a store of carbon (C) and a renewable source of energy and materials. By using forest products as substitutes for fossil fuels or non-renewable materials, emissions from fossil C sources can be displaced. The efficiency of emissions displacement depends on the product, its lifecycle and the fossil-fuel based reference system that is substituted. Forest management practices have an impact on C stocks in biomass and on the annual supply of products and their mix. There are trade-offs between sequestering C stocks in forests and the climatic benefits obtained by sustainable forest harvesting and using wood products to displace fossil C emissions. This article presents an integrated, steady-state analysis comparing various equilibrium states of managed forests and wood product pools that represent sustainable long-term forestry and wood-use strategies. Two climatic indicators are used: the combined C stock in forests and wood products and the fossil C emissions displaced annually by harvested wood products. The study indicates that long-term strategies could be available that are better according to both indicators than forestry practices based on the existing silvicultural guidelines in Finland. These strategies would involve increasing the basal area and prolonging rotations to produce more sawlogs. Further, the climate benefits appear to be highest in case the sawlog supply is directed to production of long-lived materials substituting for fossil-emission and energy intensive materials and recycled after their useful life to bioenergy.
Combined occurrence of wind, snow loading and soil frost with implications for risks to forestry in Finland under the current and changing climatic conditions
Authors: Gregow Hilppa , Peltola Heli , Laapas Mikko , Saku Seppo , Venäläinen Ari
Published: March 2014

This work focuses on the combined occurrence of wind, snow loading and soil frost with implications for risks to forestry in Finland under the current and changing climatic conditions. For this purpose, we employ meteorological datasets, available for the period of 1971â2009 and global climate model (GCM) simulations for the current climate 1971â2000, and periods 2046â65 and 2081â2100 applying the A1B-climate change scenario. Based on our results, the wind and snow induced risks to Finnish forests are projected to increase in the future although the change in the occurrence of strong winds is small. This is because soil frost depths that support tree anchorage from late autumn to early spring in Finland are projected to nearly disappear in the southern and central parts of the country. Heavy snow loads > 30 kg m are becoming more common in southern and eastern Finland despite that the average cumulative 5-day snow loads decrease in these areas by 18 to 50%, respectively. As a result of the changes in the combined occurrence of wind, snow loading and soil frost, the risk of climatic conditions making conifers liable to uprooting are projected to increase in southern, central and eastern Finland. In the north, the risk of stem breakage is becoming more pronounced under snow loading > 20 kg m. Despite some uncertainties related to this work, we assume that the findings can serve as valuable support for the risk assessment of wind and snow induced damages to Finnish forests and for forestry, in general.â2â2
Determining the impact of some wood characteristics on the performance of a mobile chipper
Authors: Spinelli Raffaele , Magagnotti Natascia , Paletto Giuseppe , Preti Christian
Published: March 2014

A study was conducted to determine the effect of some wood characteristics such as species, moisture content and tree part on the performance and product quality offered by a mobile industrial chipper, of the type commonly used for roadside chipping. Two main species, two tree parts and two moisture content levels were combined in a factorial design yielding 8 treatments, each replicated 5 or 6 times. A flow meter was installed on the chipper engine, and all chips produced were weighed and sampled for moisture content and particle size distribution. The results indicated that some wood characteristics such as species and moisture content have a secondary effect on chipper productivity and fuel consumption, which are primarily controlled by piece size. In particular, fuel consumption per unit dry mass seem to be rather constant and in the range of 3.2 l per oven dry ton. Moisture content and tree part may have a significant effect on the particle size distribution of chips. Of course, these results were only verified for the species used in the test and for industrial chippers, and may change if substantially different species or machines are used.
Host tree and insect genetic diversity on the borderline of natural distribution: a case study of Picea abies and Pityogenes chalcographus (Coleoptera, Scolytinae) in Greece
Authors: Avtzis D. , Aravanopoulos F.
Published: March 2014

Picea abies (L.) Karst. and Pityogenes chalcographus constitute a commonly observed host treeâinsect association in Eurasia, with the natural distribution of the bark beetle overlapping that of Norway spruce. The southernmost borderline of their distributions occurs in the Elatia forest (Mt. Rodopi, Greece), where these interacting organisms may experience severe conditions due to the effects of climate change. In order to assess the dynamics of this host treeâinsect association, the genetic diversity of both organisms was studied. In contrast to previous studies, the assessment of molecular diversity was based on the same mitochondrial gene (Cytochrome Oxidase One) sequence for both host and pest. This analysis revealed a remarkably higher genetic diversity of P. chalcographus compared to that of P. abies, something that renders the insect capable not only of adapting to novel environmental conditions, but even of shifting to other host species. On the contrary, P. abies presented a narrow genetic base, a potential drawback at the southern-most region of the species natural distribution. Synthesizing the preliminary outcome for both organisms, it appears that P. chalcographus exhibits an evolutionary advantage over P. abies, something that should be considered when planning conservation strategies for the relict forest of Elatia.
Forest naturalness in northern Europe: perspectives on processes, structures and species diversity
Authors: Brumelis Guntis , Jonsson Bengt , Kouki Jari , Kuuluvainen Timo , Shorohova Ekaterina
Published: March 2014

Saving the remaining natural forests in northern Europe has been one of the main goals to halt the ongoing decline of forest biodiversity. To facilitate the recognition, mapping and efficient conservation of natural forests, there is an urgent need for a general formulation, based on ecological patterns and processes, of the concept of âforest naturalnessâ. However, complexity, structural idiosyncracy and dynamical features of unmanaged forest ecosystems at various spatio-temporal scales pose major challenges for such a formulation. The definitions hitherto used for the concept of forest naturalness can be fruitfully grouped into three dimensions: 1) structure-based concepts of natural forest, 2) species-based concepts of natural forest and 3) process-based concepts of natural forest. We propose that explicit and simultaneous consideration of all these three dimensions of naturalness can better cope with the natural variability of forest states and also aid in developing strategies for forest conservation and management in different situations. To become operational, criteria and indicators of forest naturalness need to integrate the three dimensions by combining species (e.g. red-listed-, indicator- and umbrella species) with stand and landscape level structural features that are indicative of disturbance and succession processes.
Application of the functional-structural tree model LIGNUM to growth simulation of short-rotation eastern cottonwood
Authors: Lu Miaoer , Nygren Pekka , Perttunen Jari , Pallardy Stephen , Larsen David
Published: March 2014

The functional-structural tree growth model LIGNUM was developed as a general research tool that can be applied to several tree species. The growth simulation of short-rotation eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh.) inherits the basic LIGNUM modeling concepts including modular tree structure, L-system-based description of structural development, and carbon budget. New developments of LIGNUM model in this study were the incorporation of a biochemically-derived photosynthesis submodel; nested time steps for simulating physiological processes, structural development, and annual biomass production; incorporation of field-measured weather data for modeling the response of physiological processes to environmental variation; and application of a Monte-Carlo voxel space submodel for simulating the stochasticity of tree growth and improving computational efficiency. A specific parameter system was applied for modeling P. deltoides growth in the central Missouri, USA, environment. This adaptation of LIGNUM was applied on modeling growth of P. deltoides in a short-rotation agroforestry practice. The simulated height and biomass growth were close to field observations. Visualization of simulation results closely resembled the trees growing in an open site. The simulated response of tree growth to variations in photon flux input was reasonable. The LIGNUM model may be used as a complement to field studies on P. deltoides in short-rotation forestry and agroforestry.
Sub-montane Norway spruce as alternative seed source for a changing climate? A genetic and growth analysis at the fringe of its natural range in Austria
Authors: Schiessl Eduard , Grabner Michael , Golesch Gerald , Geburek Thomas , Schueler Silvio
Published: March 2014

Insights into the intraspecific variation in climate response of forest trees and the utilization of suitable seed sources are required to maintain forest ecoystems under expected climate change. Individuals of Norway spruce with an anomalous spherical-shaped crown were characterized by genetic (using a mtDNA marker) and dendroclimatic analysis. Such trees occur frequently at the fringe of the spruce distribution in east/south-east Austria. We employed pair-wise comparisons between trees with spherical and âregularâ conical crowns on 47 sites. No evidence was found for a different phylogeographic history of spherical and conical spruces, but the high allelic diversity at the nad1 locus highlighted the importance of east/south-east Austria as refugium and migration corridor for Norway spruce. Analysis of mean annual increment revealed a larger amount of earlywood within the sapwood area and fewer negative pointer years for spherical spruces than for conical ones, pointing at a higher vitality and smaller interactions between climate and growth for spherical spruces. Although the results cannot explain the anomalous crown form, they suggest spherical trees to have a higher ability to cope the warm and dry climate of the region than âregularâ conical spruces. We discuss the origin of spherical crowns in terms of population history and phenotypic plasticity and speculate on possible effects of crown architecture on canopy-atmosphere exchange.