bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High Versatility of Niobium Alloyed AHSS
Authors: Kučerová L. , Opatová K. , Káňa J. , Jirková H.
Published: October 2017

The effect of processing parameters on the final microstructure and properties of advanced high strength CMnSiNb steel was investigated. Several processing strategies with various numbers of deformation steps and various cooling schedules were carried out, namely heat treatment without deformation, conventional quenching and TRIP steel processing with bainitic hold or continuous cooling. Obtained multiphase microstructures consisted of the mixture of ferrite, bainite, retained austenite and M-A constituent. They possessed ultimate tensile strength in the range of 780-970 MPa with high ductility A5mmabove 30%. Volume fraction of retained austenite was for all the samples around 13%. The only exception was reference quenched sample with the highest strength 1186 MPa, lowest ductility A5mm= 20% and only 4% of retained austenite.
Abrasive Wear Properties of Fe-Based Alloys Designed for Mining Applications
Authors: Wieczorek A. N. , Myszka D.
Published: October 2017

The purpose of this study was to determine experimentally the wear properties of 5 groups of iron-based alloys used in the mining and transport machines exposed to the action of a hard abrasive material. The groups of materials to be examined included austempered ductile irons (ADI), steels and cast steel designed for quenching and tempering and for surface hardening, hard-wearing hardened steels and structural steels. The wear tests were carried out on a disc-on-disc test rig. The test samples were examined under conditions of sliding mating, while the leading destructive process was microcutting of the surface with loose corundum grain. The loss of mass of the examined samples was measured as a parameter characterizing the wear. Base on it, other wear coefficients were determined, for example the volume loss, the intensity of wear and the wear rate. The volume loss values determined were presented as a function of the strength and the initial hardness. Based on the results obtained, it was found that the hardened steel and ADI had comparable wear properties, while the ADI surface was strengthened probably as a result of the transition of austenite into martensite and the impact of the deformation of the graphite contained in ADI on the abrasive wear of the surface.
The Heuristic Model Based on LPR in the Context of Material Conversion
Authors: Wilk-Kołodziejczyk D. , Kluska-Nawarecka S. , Nawarecki E. , Śnieżyński B. , Jaśkowiec K. , Legień G.
Published: October 2017

High complexity of the physical and chemical processes occurring in liquid metal is the reason why it is so difficult, impossible even sometimes, to make analytical models of these phenomena. In this situation, the use of heuristic models based on the experimental data and experience of technicians is fully justified since, in an approximate manner at least, they allow predicting the mechanical properties of the metal manufactured under given process conditions. The study presents a methodology applicable in the design of a heuristic model based on the formalism of the logic of plausible reasoning (LPR). The problem under consideration consists in finding a technological variant of the process that will give the desired product parameters while minimizing the cost of production. The conducted tests have shown the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Mechanical Properties of Composites with Titanium Diboride Fabricated by Spark Plasma Sintering
Authors: Sulima I. , Boczkal G. , Palka P.
Published: October 2017

Microstructure and mechanical properties of the 316L steel composite reinforced with TiB2phase were examined. The test materials were obtained by SPS technique from powders. From testing of the mechanical properties it follows that the optimum temperature for the fabrication of 316Lsteel-TiB2composites by SPS is 1100°C. Studies have also proved that the critical content of TiB2phase in steel matrix should not exceed 6vol%. Above this level, the plastic properties of the composite become unstable and strongly dependent on the time of sintering.
Investigation on Evolution of Microstructures and Characterization During FSW of Az80a Mg Alloy
Authors: Sevvel P. , Jaiganesh V.
Published: October 2017

Experimental investigation was conducted to find out microstructural characteristic changes arising in the weldments AZ80A Mg alloys obtained using the friction stir welding. Tools with three different pin profile geometries were employed during this investigation at constant tool rotational speed and feed rate. Tensile tests are performed and the tensile fracture surfaces are examined using the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and the obtained SEM images are used for microstructural investigations. From the experimental results, it was observed that the geometry of the tool pin plays a significant role in producing essential stirring action there by regulating the flow of the plasticized material and leading to the formation of small sized grains having equally distributed fine strengthening precipitates. These structured grains have a direct reflecting impact in increasing the hardness and mechanical properties of the fabricated joints at the nugget zone of the friction stir welded AZ80A Mg alloy joints.
Corrosion Fatigue Crack Growth Studies on Pressure Vessel and Piping Steels in Water Environment
Authors: Mathew N.M. , Vishnuvardhan S. , Raghava G. , Santhi A.S.
Published: October 2017

Corrosion fatigue crack growth studies were conducted on eccentrically-loaded single edge notch tension specimens made of SA 333 Gr. 6 and SA 516 Gr. 70 carbon steels in water environment. The experiments were conducted using a ±250 kN capacity Universal Testing Machine under constant amplitude sinusoidal loading at a test frequency of 0.50 Hz and stress ratio of 0.1. The fabrication of test specimens and the experiments were carried out based on ASTM E 647 and ASTM E 1820. The crack initiation and growth were monitored and images were captured by using a digital camera at regular intervals of fatigue cycles. By using these images, the length of crack was measured. The tests were terminated when the uncracked portion of the specimens was insufficient to take further load. Crack growth rate and stress intensity factor range values were evaluated at incremental values of loading cycles and crack length. Using the crack growth rate vs. stress intensity factor range plots, best fit curves following power law in the form of Paris’ equation were obtained.
Two properties of Müntz spaces
Authors: Abrahamsen Trond A. , Leraand Aleksander , Martiny André , Nygaard Olav
Published: October 2017

We show that Müntz spaces, as subspaces of C[0, 1], contain asymptotically isometric copies of c0 and that their dual spaces are octahedral.
Prerequisites for the modelling of empty container supply chains
Authors: Kuźmicz Katarzyna Anna , Pesch Erwin
Published: October 2017

Containerisation of freight transport significantly facilitates the flow of traded goods between remote destinations. The most important container transport routes link Asia with North America and Europe. The seasonality and imbalance of trade are the main factors giving rise to problems related to empty container repositioning. The aim of this paper is to develop a concept of empty container supply chains and formulate prerequisites for its modelling in the search for the optimal solution with the help of linear programming and mixed integer programming methods. This paper indicates causes of the empty container relocation problem based on the literature analysis with a special focus on the Eurasian transportation route. Also, it provides a concept of empty container supply chain, prerequisites for its modelling and examples of container supply chains modelling presented in the literature. The main results of the paper include conceptualisation of an empty container supply chain and suggested modelling prerequisites. The paper contributes to research in the field of supply chain management and optimisation of transportation.
Multilingualism across the lifespan and its impact on brain health in the elderly
Authors: Leca Irina
Published: October 2017

The highest percentage of population aged 60 or over is currently to be found in Europe. Over the coming decades, Europe is estimated to remain the continent with the oldest people. By 2050, the European population aged 60 or over will exceed 30 %, and those aged 80 or above will be approximately 12 % of the total EU population. Due to this demographic change, the prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases associated with ageing is also expected to increase. Ensuring a smoother transition to an older population by preserving the cognitive health of European seniors may therefore be one of the most important challenges of the following decades.

This paper critically examines the latest studies investigating the putative role of multilingualism in delaying cognitive decline by contributing to the cognitive health preservation.

“Cognitive reserve” AND “multilingualism”, “cognitive reserve” AND “bilingualism”, “cognitive decline” AND “bilingualism” were used as keywords for study retrieval in searching the Web of Science, Pubmed, and PsychInfo databases for English-language research articles.

Despite some controversies, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting multilingualism may play a significant role in preserving cognitive health in the elderly by enhancing cognitive reserve. The roles of language proficiency and the age of acquisition, as well as the number of languages spoken, are also considered in maximizing the positive effects in the elderly.

The significance of these results, in the European context of population ageing, in bringing together cognitive psychologists, neuroscientists, linguists and educationists in a constructive dialogue, with the aim of promoting lifespan multilingual education with a role in preserving cognitive health in the elderly, are also discussed.
People as property: Representations of slaves in early American newspaper advertisements
Authors: Mäkinen Susanna
Published: October 2017

Using van Leeuwen’s (1996) categories of social actor representations, this paper investigates the ways in which slaves were represented in four types of slavery-related advertisements (for sale, want to buy, runaways and captured runaways). The materials consist of 860 notices in total, and they are collected from eighteenth and nineteenth -century newspapers in Massachusetts, New York, Virginia and South Carolina. Of particular interest are the two aspects simultaneously present in slavery: how the advertisements can represent their subjects, on the one hand, as human individuals and, on the other hand, as someone’s property. The study examines, for example, the use of nomination and various kinds of categorization strategies used to represent the slaves, as well as the ways in which they are explicitly referred to as “property”. Examination of the advertisements shows that the representational strategies differ somewhat depending on the type of advertisement as well as the geographical area. Furthermore, the various representational possibilities also indicate that the advertisers could, by their word choices, choose either to highlight the slaves’ status as property or to leave it more implicit in the texts.
Single versus concurrent systems: Nominal classification in Mian
Authors: Corbett Greville G. , Fedden Sebastian , Finkel Raphael
Published: October 2017

The Papuan language Mian allows us to refine the typology of nominal classification. Mian has two candidate classification systems, differing completely in their formal realization but overlapping considerably in their semantics. To determine whether to analyse Mian as a single system or concurrent systems we adopt a canonical approach. Our criteria – orthogonality of the systems (we give a precise measure), semantic compositionality, morphosyntactic alignment, distribution across parts of speech, exponence, and interaction with other features – point mainly to an analysis as concurrent systems. We thus improve our analysis of Mian and make progress with the typology of nominal classification.
Market Maker: The Role of China Development Bank in Incubating Market
Authors: Xu Jiajun
Published: October 2017

The present paper aims to use the case of China Development Bank (CDB) to tackle the fundamental question of why development banks in an effort to shed light on the broader debate about the role of state in economic development. By delving deeper into the role of CDB in incubating the market for long-term urban infrastructure investments, it argues that development banks can play an indispensable role in incubating markets especially in developing and transition economies where capital markets are underdeveloped and market institutions are flawed. This perspective goes beyond the conventional approach to justifying why development banks, i. e., fixing market failures. It further argues that realizing the role of market incubation requires at least two conditions: building “firewalls” within development banks to resist undue political influence; and designing incentives for development banks to exit when markets are mature in order to avoid suppressing financial development and crowding out private capital. It concludes that well-managed development banks can help to create synergies between state and market by incubating markets.
The crystal structure of (E)-N′-(quinolin-2-ylmethylene)furan-2-carbohydrazide monohydrate, C15H13N3O3
Authors: Li-Hua Wang , Xi-Shi Tai
Published: October 2017

C15H13N3O3, triclinic, P1̅, a = 6.4662(13) Å, b = 7.1213(14) Å, c = 15.373(3) Å, α = 80.09(3)°, β = 88.40(3)°, γ = 74.81(3)°, V = 672.9(3) Å3, Z = 2, R
gt(F) = 0.0503, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1572, T = 293(2) K.
Shared vs. Primary Epistemic Authority in Jaminjung/Ngaliwurru
Authors: Schultze-Berndt Eva
Published: October 2017

This paper contributes to the typology of complex perspective markers by presenting an in-depth analysis of a system of epistemic authority marking which functionally overlaps with, but has no exact parallels in, similar systems attested cross-linguistically; it is also the first analysis of grammaticalised marking of epistemic authority in a language of Australia. Jaminjung/Ngaliwurru, a language of the Mirndi family, distinguishes between primary and shared epistemic authority by means of two non-obligatory clitics. By employing the first clitic, speakers claim privileged (asymmetrical) access to evidence informing their utterance; the holder of epistemic primacy shifts to addressees in questions. The second marker, which is transparently related to a 1
Identification of PCR-RFLP Haplotypes For Assessing Genetic Variation in the Green Oak Leaf Roller Tortrix viridana L. (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae)
Authors: Schroeder H. , Scholz F.
Published: October 2017

PCR-RFLPs were performed to assess intraspecific variation in the green oak leaf roller, Tortrix viridana. The cytochrome oxidase I and II genes were amplified with universal and self designed primers, respectively, resulting in three PCR-fragments of 802 bp, 729 bp and 680 bp. 29 restrictions endonucleases were tested for variation in these PCR-patterns. Seven of these enzymes were chosen for further research. We found 13 haplotypes in four populations across a total of 436 individuals. In addition all haplotypes were sequenced. More single nucleotide substitutions were detected in the sequences, particularly in the middle of the cytochrome oxidase I gene, missed by the used restriction enzymes. For these markers intraspecific variation in T. viridana is high compared to other insect species. Furthermore we found differences in frequency of haplotypes among the investigated populations which induce that the markers developed so far are suitable for population genetic studies in T. viridana.
Short Note: Cleistogamy in Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm. and its Genetic Implications
Authors: Sharma V. K. , Ginwal H. S. , Mandal A. K.
Published: October 2017

In a provenance cum progeny trial comprising 13 provenances and 91 families of Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm. of Australian and Papua New Guinean (PNG) origin, laid out in India in 2002, cleistogamy was found in a family emanating from CSIRO seed lot no. 13418, (tree no. DS000141) Sirinumu Sogeri Plat, PNG. This trait appears to be under genetic control, and presumably results in obligate selfing. This may lead to inbreeding depression in this family.
Polyploidy in Gymnosperms: Revisited
Authors: Ahuja M. Raj
Published: October 2017

There are only a few natural polyploids in gymnosperms. These have been reported in Ephera spp. (Gnetales), and Juniperus chinensis ‘Pfitzeriana’ (2n = 4x = 44), Fitzroya cupressoides (2n = 4x = 44), and the only hexaploid conifer Sequoia sempervirens (2n = 6x = 66) (Coniferales). Sporadic polyploids and aneuploids occur at a very low frequency in nurseries in conifers, but most of them show growth abnormalities, remain dwarf, and may not reach maturity. One exception is an autotetraploid tree of Larix decidua (2n = 4x = 48) that has survived in a private estate in Denmark. Colchicine-induced polyploids (colchiploids) have been produced in a several genera of conifers, including, Pinus, Picea, and Larix. These colchiploids (Co) were hybridized to untreated diploids to produce C1 and C2 generations to investigate their chromosome behavior. The colchiploids showed a wide range of chromosome variability, ranging from diploids, triploids, and tetraploids, and many were mixoploids. The colchiploids also show growth retardation, remain dwarf, and their future potential applications in forestry remains uncertain. However, genetic variability in the colchiploids still offers prospects for isolating genetically stable new genotypes. Even though polyploidy is rare in extant conifers, is it possible that ancient polyploidy or paleopolyploidy, that is prevalent in angiosperms, has also played a role in the evolution of conifers. In this paper we shall review the current status of polyploidy in gymnosperms.
Genetic Variation and Realized Genetic Gain From Black Pine Tree Improvement
Authors: Matziris D.
Published: October 2017

In 1978 a 10 ha clonal seed orchard of black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold) was established in the area of Koumani in the western part of Peleponnesos, Greece. The orchard comprises 52 clones derived from intensively selected plus trees in the natural forest of black pine of Peloponnesos. In 1991 three open pollinated progeny tests were established in Peloponnesos, proximal to the villages of Raches, Vlachokerasia and Vamvakou. Seedlings from 52 families including a commercial check (CC) were planted in each one of the three locations. Assessments were made when the trees were 4, 7 and 9 years respectively, with the following results. The variation among families for growth characteristics were highly significant in all locations examined. In the combined analyses of variance over the three locations, significant differences among families were also detected, while the family x location interaction effect was not significant. This indicates that the seed produced from the seed orchard can be freely used over the environments of the three experimental plantings, which are representative of the broad area of Peloponnesos. Narrow sense heritability estimates on individual tree basis (h2) were variable depending on the characteristic, age of assessment and the location of the experimental plantings. The estimates of h2 in Vlachokerasia for height (HT) were 0.21, 0.40 and 0.43 at the ages of 4, 7 and 9 years respectively. In Raches the corresponding h2 values for HT were nearly the same in all ages (0.29, 0.28 and 0.31 at 4, 7 and 9 years respectively) and stable but little higher (0.31, 0.28 and 0.31) at the Vamvakou experimental planting. The heritability values for HT estimated over the three location, were relatively low (0.25, 0.23 and 0.19) at the ages 4, 7 and 9 years respectively. Realized genetic gains were calculated for growth characteristics at the age of 9 years, by comparing the performance of the improved (selected) materials to unimproved materials (CC). For the first stage of selection (selection made in natural stands) gain of 6.0% for HT, 8.0% for diameter breast height (DBH) and 24% for volume were estimated. When 20% of the clones, with the lower breeding values are removed from the seed orchard (genetic thinning), an additional gain of 2% for HT, 3% for DBH and 8% for volume over the unrogued seed orchard is resulted. Thus, the total genetic gain from the genetically tested, first generation seed orchard of black pine at Koumani is estimated as 8% for HT, 11% for DBH and 32% for volume. These results indicate that improvement of black pine by selection, establishment of seed orchard and progeny testing the clones, is a very promising profitable operation.
Impact of Clones in a Clonal Seed Orchard on the Variation of Seed Traits, Germination and Seedling Growth in Santalum album L.
Authors: Annapurna D. , Rathore T. S , Somashekhar P. V.
Published: October 2017

Clonal Seed Orchard (CSO) of Santalum album L. at Nallal, India consisting of 25 clones originated from different agro-climatic conditions of four southern states (Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh) was source of seeds for variability studies. There was vast variation in seed size, weight, germination, vigour and seedling growth of different clones over the years. Seed length, width and weight were positively correlated to each other but seed size had no effect on germination, Germination Value (GV), days taken for germination and early seedling growth. Effects of Clones were dominant and accounted for variation in germination rather than seed size. There was no consistency in the parameters studied in the two years. The impact of these genetic differences in handling of seed lots during bulking, grading and storage for mass propagation of nursery planting stock of S. album is also discussed.
Early Assessment of First Year Height Data from Five Acacia mearnsii (black wattle) Sub-populations in South Africa using REML/BLUP
Authors: Dunlop R. W. , Resende M. D. V. , Beck S. L.
Published: October 2017

Recent research has shown, Acacia mearnsii (black wattle) to be a source of high quality pulp. This led to a change in the emphasis in the breeding programme at the Institute for Commercial Forestry Research, from improving bark yield and quality, to improving timber yield and quality while maintaining an acceptable bark quality. A Multiple Population Breeding Strategy was implemented to cater for these changes. Five sub-populations were established across different sites in KwaZulu- Natal and were determined by origin of seed. Each sub-population was established as a progeny trial with a seedling seed orchard adjacent to it. The management of the seed orchards will be determined according to the performance of the families within the progeny trials. This paper reports on the first year height measurements taken from the five sub-populations. The intention of this paper is not to base any selections from this data but rather to establish a set of analyses using REML/BLUP which will be used for future data analysis. This will also allow for future assessment of age-age correlations for the various traits being assessed and provide an appropriate decision-making tool, for selecting individuals for future generations.
Cone Yield Characterization of a Stone Pine (Pinus pinea L.) Clone Bank
Authors: Mutke S. , Gordo J. , Gil Luis
Published: October 2017

In spite of the use of the edible kernels of Stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) gathered from Mediterranean pine forests, the species remains a genuine forest tree that has never been domesticated as an orchard crop. In the last decades, some efforts have been made to select valuable genotypes for exploring the possibilities of Stone pine as an orchard crop. The present paper characterizes the cone yield of a grafted clone bank in order to elucidate the relevance of genetic and environment factors for seed-yield quantity and quality and for sequential transition rates of the development from pollinated conelets to ripe cones. Individual tree size and cone yield were separated in their genetic and environmental components, in order to estimate phenotypic, genetic and environmental correlations. A statistical model for logtransformed individual cone yield was adjusted, ranking the tested genotypes by their estimated clonal value after adjustment for tree size covariables. The degree of genetic determination for adjusted cone yield was estimated in 15%, the expected genetic gain by selection of the top 10% of tested genotypes would be 12%. Genetic correlation between genetic values for cone yield and cone and seed size were weak but significantly positive (r = 0.27 and 0.17), hence the lack of trade-offs between crop quantity and quality will allow a combined selection.
Variation in Reproductive Phenology in a Pinus radiata D. Don Seed Orchard in Northern Spain
Authors: Codesido V. , Merlo E. , Fernández-López J.
Published: October 2017

Reproductive phenology was studied in a Pinus radiata seed orchard, located in northern Spain. Timing of flowering was determined on the basis of data recorded by visual observations made in 2000, 2001 and 2002. The genetic and environmental factors affecting female and male phenology, as well as reproductive synchronization, were studied. The dates of beginning of the receptive phase and pollen shedding varied greatly from year to year but the variation on the sum of degree-days was low. In general, the flowering periods of the different clones overlapped. The clonal differences in the phenology of receptivity and pollen shedding were in most cases statistically significant. The time needed to reach flowering stages was under strong genetic control. Genetic control was stronger for the female than the male flowering process. However, correlations between years were stronger for male than for female flowering phenology. The male flowering clones that best synchronized with the females appeared to be those that started flowering earlier. The phenological overlap index varied greatly among clones, whether male or female, and also among years.
Contrasting Quantitative Traits and Neutral Genetic Markers for Genetic Resource Assessment of Mesoamerican Cedrela Odorata
Authors: Navarro C. , Cavers S. , Pappinen A. , Tigerstedt P. , Lowe A. , Merilä J.
Published: October 2017

We compared within-population variability and degree of population differentiation for neutral genetic markers (RAPDS) and eight quantitative traits in Central American populations of the endangered tree, Cedrela odorata. Whilst population genetic diversity for neutral markers (Shannon index) and quantitative traits (heritability, coefficient of additive genetic variation) were uncorrelated, both marker types revealed strong differentiation between populations from the Atlantic coast of Costa Rica and the rest of the species’ distribution. The degree of interpopulation differentiation was higher for RAPD markers (FST = 0.67 for the sampled Mesoamerican range) than for quantitative traits (QST = 0.30). Hence, the divergence in quantitative traits was lower than could have been achieved by genetic drift alone, suggesting that balancing selection for similar phenotypes in different populations of this species. Nevertheless, a comparison of pair-wise estimates of population differentiation in neutral genetic markers and quantitative traits revealed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.66) suggesting that, for C. odorata, neutral marker divergence could be used as a surrogate for adaptive gene divergence for conservation planning. The utility of this finding and suggested further work are discussed.
Comparison of Phenotype and Combined Index Selection at Optimal Breeding Population Size Considering Gain and Gene Diversity
Authors: Li H. , Lindgren D.
Published: October 2017

A breeding program was simulated in this study. Two alternative ways of selecting the breeding population for the following generation was compared. Phenotypic selection, which means to select just on the individual performance, and combined index selection, which means selection on predicted breeding value for each individual obtained by weighting family average and individual phenotype, were compared. The plant number (testing resource) and gene diversity (status number, Ns) were kept constant, but the breeding population size was variable and chosen for maximizing gain for the particular breeding scenario. At low and medium heritability phenotypic selection was inferior to combined index selection. Only when heritability was high phenotypic selection was as efficient (generation 1) as or more efficient (generation 5) than combined index selection. This contrasts to earlier studies done under constant breeding population size, where selection methods appeared similar. The advantage in gain of combined index selection is usually at a larger breeding population size. At limited heritability and breeding population size the difference is considerable. When breeding population size was kept rather small (<100), and the heritability limited, combined index selection can result in slightly higher gain than phenotypic selection at the same gene diversity, but this was at the cost of a much larger breeding population. Phenotypic selection and combined index selection appears as rather similar for many cases in this simple model used in this study. Considering other advantages with phenotypic selection, it may often be regarded as a competitive alternative.
Phylogenetic Relationship Within Genus Araucaria (Araucariaceae) Assessed by Means of AFLP Fingerprints
Authors: Stefenon V. M. , Gailing O. , Finkeldey R.
Published: October 2017

Highly polymorphic AFLP markers were applied to analyse the phylogenetic relationships of seven species from three sections within genus Araucaria (Araucariaceae) with cladistic and phenetic approaches. The objectives of the study were to compare the intrageneric relationships within Araucaria assessed by AFLP markers with the classification according to chloroplast DNA sequences and morphological characters. The AMOVA revealed 48% of the variation among species. The results of the principal coordinate analysis revealed three distinct groups: (1) A. angustifolia and A. araucana (= section Araucaria), (2) A. bidwillii (= section Bunya) and (3) A. cunninghamii, A. heterophylla, A. rulei and A. scopulorum (= section Eutacta). In the cladistic and phenetic analyses, phylogenetic trees were subdivided into two sister clades, one comprising the samples from section Eutacta, the other one was divided again into two sister clades corresponding to sections Araucaria and Bunya. These results are congruent with a previous phylogenetic study of the family Araucariaceae based on rbcL sequences and with the classification of genus Araucaria based on morphological characters. Both rbcL sequence data and AFLP analyses do not support section Bunya as one of the oldest sections within genus Araucaria, as suggested by the fossil record. The utility of AFLP markers for phylogenetic analyses is discussed.
Estimating Genetic Parameters for Wood Density of Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.)
Authors: Fries Anders , Ericsson Tore
Published: October 2017

Wood density was analysed and annual ring width was measured on increment cores from 1400 trees in a 30-year-old full-sib progeny test of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in north Sweden. Genetic parameters for wood density were analysed separately for ten outer annual rings, and for simple averages of the five most recent years. The evaluation included genetic correlations with height and stem diameter. Heritabilities of density estimated separately for each annual ring was 0.14-0.26 without any age trend, and jointly for the ten or five latest rings 0.30-0.33; for height growth it was 0.30-0.42 and for stem diameter 0.11-0.13. Additive genetic correlations with height and stem diameter were negative with the simplest statistical model (ȓA = -0.425 and 0.511, respectively) but vanished or diminished when ring width was added as covariate. Density breeding values calculated for the parent trees for each of ten annual rings separately varied considerably between parent trees and between years, tending to increase with increasing age, with a substantial increase between the ages 14 to 16 years from the pith. This age fits well with literature data on the change from juvenile to mature wood. The genetic correlation for wood density between rings from different years was high: ȓA = 0.8 ten years apart, increasing to 1.0 for neighbouring rings. The high genetic correlations for wood density between the innermost and outermost annual rings indicate possible strong covariation between juvenile and/or transition wood and mature wood. The annual variation in wood density in relation to genetic regulation, phenology, environmental conditions, and development from juvenile to mature age is discussed.
Cytogenetic Effect of Radiation in Seed of Oak (Quercus robur L.) Trees Growing on Sites Contaminated by Chernobyl Fallout
Authors: Kalaev V. N. , Butorina A. K.
Published: October 2017

The Chernobyl accident was one of the largest man made environmental disasters and had significant consequences for people, animal and plants, particularly on land contaminated by radionuclides. Common oak (Quercus robur L.) is the main forest species on land contaminated by Chernobyl fallout areas in the Voronezh region. Therefore it is very important to know how irradiation of oak trees will affect the quality of oak progeny in future consequently. Cytogenetic characteristics such as mitotic activity, level and spectrum of mitotic disturbances, frequency of the cells with persistent nucleoli in the stages of metaphase, anaphase, telophase and multinuclei in interphase cells were investigated in progeny of common oak (Quercus robur L.) trees subjected to different degrees of radioactive contamination. In progeny growing under the influence of this radioactive contamination we observed variability of such cytogenetic characteristics as mitotic activity. However, the variability of this trait was also connected to fluctuations in the weather. The duration of mitotic stages (which may be connected with disturbance of spindle division formation and absence of cytotomy) also varied. An increase in chromosomal bridges among other types of mitotic abnormalities may be considered a result of increases in the meristematic cells repair activities. Activity of some dormant nucleolus organizer regions was also observed. The level of pathological mitoses increased in particular years and was decreased in others. Thus irradiation induces instability of cytogenetic characteristics in oak progeny that produces a type of “wave kinetics” in the mutation rate. This makes them more sensitive to environmental conditions. Therefore we do not recommend to use the oak seeds collected from irradiated areas for reforestation because undesirable genetic changes may have occurred in them.
Genetic Diversity and Gene Flow of Quercus crispula in a Semi-Fragmented Forest Together With Neighboring Forests
Authors: Ohsawa Takafumi , Tsuda Y. , Saito Y. , Sawada H. , Ide Y.
Published: October 2017

The genetic diversity and differentiation in Quercus crispula populations in the Chichibu Mountains, central Japan, were evaluated using six microsatellite markers. Gene flow into a 2500-m2semi-fragment of a natural forest from the neighboring natural forest at a distance of more than 50m was also evaluated using parentage analysis. All five populations in the mountains had similar levels of genetic diversity (He= 0.752-0.792), and the level of population differentiation was low (FST= 0.016). The semi-fragmented stand showed similar genetic diversity with the neighboring unfragmented forests, and Hardy-Weinberg disequilibrium was not found (FIS= 0.083 in adults, 0.025 in seedlings). In the semifragment, 70 seedlings were examined; according to the parentage analysis, eight of the 70 seedlings (ca. 11%) had neither of the parent trees in this fragment. These seeds must have been transported from a distance of more than 50 m; therefore, there could be a possibility that the seeds were dispersed by birds. A similar trend of seed flow into the fragment was also confirmed by genotyping endocarps of hypogeal cotyledons, while more frequent seed flow was found in the neighboring unfragmented forest. Of the remaining 62 seedlings, the maternal trees (but not the paternal trees) of 29 seedlings and both parent trees of 33 seedlings were detected in the semi-fragment. These results indicate that the gene flow among the populations occurs frequently via pollen dispersal and occasionally via seed dispersal and that, at least the current levels of genetic diversity have been maintained in such fragmented forests.
Comparison Between Open Pollinated Progenies and Hybrids Performance in Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus urophylla
Authors: Bison O. , Ramalho M. A. P. , Rezende G. D. S. P. , Aguiar A. M. , Resende M. D. V. De
Published: October 2017

The cellulose industry in Brazil uses, mainly, hybrids between Eucalyptus grandis × E. urophylla. Not only the volume but also the wood density has great influence in the cellulose productivity, therefore a selection for both characteristics should be done as an alternative to increase the improvement program efficiency. The present work has been carried out with the objective of comparison between Open Pollinated progenies (OP) and hybrids performance in E. grandis and E. urophylla. To do so, 15 OP progenies of E. grandis, 15 OP progenies of E. urophylla, and 15 hybrids between E. grandis × E. urophylla, plus four controls were evaluated. The experiment was carried out from October to November 2001, in three sites, Aracruz and São Mateus, in the Espírito Santo State, and Caravelas, Bahia State, Brazil, in a 14 × 14 lattice design, involving the 49 treatments mentioned plus other progenies not considered in this article, with single tree plots and 40 replicates. Two years later the circumference at breast height (CBH) and the basic wood density (BWD) were evaluated. The hybrids performance for CBH was higher, an average, 38,7% than the OP progenies for both species. Part of the heterosis in relation to parental means could be attributed to the inbreeding depression due to selfing that occurred in the OP progenies and the dominance controlling this character. For the BWD the hybrids performance was the same of the OP progenies. Since there was divergence between the parents, it can be inferred that dominance has no importance for this trait. The negative correlation between the CBH and the BWD could impair the simultaneous selection for both traits, depending on the wood basic density range used by the industry.
GMO Trees: Substantial promise but serious obstacles to commercialization
Authors: Sedjo R. A.
Published: October 2017

This paper assesses the potential of transgenic trees to generate substantial financial returns in an environmental where there are substantial investment costs in research and development, deregulation and deployment. The formidable obstacles and in addition to the usual research and development costs, include the costs of obtaining requisite intellectual property rights. Also, there are substantial costs to achieve deregulation, and some evidence of deregulatory slowdown in the U.S., and cost of product deployment. The product deployment costs are likely to be higher than for other products, e.g., traditionally improved seedlings, due to substantial and widespread opposition (stigma) to GE in general and transgenic trees particular. As with all trees, the payoff time (harvest) is delayed longer than most other investments and the financial returns adversely affected by the delay. Additionally, the financial costs and benefits may vary substantially by country and region. Some evidence suggests that deregulation costs may vary substantially by country. Additionally, the perceived “stigma” costs are likely to vary greatly among regions thereby providing better opportunities in some markets than others. If deployment depends upon the financial and economic returns, one might expect widespread adoption among some countries, e.g., China and Brazil, where the net benefits are large, and little or no adoption among countries where the net benefits are small, e.g., countries of the EU. However, at this time the final success of GE trees remains to be witnessed. Although some firms have withdrawn entirely from the area of tree GE research, other firms continue to invest substantial sums in tree GE development presumably anticipating eventual payoffs. It remains to be determined whether the technology ultimately is broadly accepted, accepted only regionally or fails globally.
Genetic Engineering in Conifer Plantation Forestry
Authors: Henderson Anna R. , Walter C.
Published: October 2017

In this review we examine the history and progression of conifer genetic engineering. The review includes the methods used, the conifer species transformed, the genes inserted and the regeneration of genetically engineered conifer trees. We cover both Biolistic®and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, and we detail transformation events with and without plant regeneration. We show that almost all conifer transformation work uses nptII as a selective marker, and very often uidA is included as a reporter gene. Further, we show that a range of genes that are of commercial interest for forest tree plantations have been introduced, such as herbicide resistance, insect resistance and those related to wood properties. We briefly discuss the future for biotechnology in the context of socially acceptable enhanced plantation forestry and under consideration of benefits and risks.
Performance of Maritime Pine Spanish Mediterranean Provenances at Young Ages in a Transitional Region Between Atlantic and Mediterranean Climates in NW Spain
Authors: Mata R. De La , Zas R.
Published: October 2017

Maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.) occurs naturally in a wide variety of sites around SW Europe, from typical Mediterranean climates to areas in Northern Spain and France with a strong oceanic influence. Within its distribution range populations are strongly differentiated, showing local adaptations to environmental conditions that have been widely documented in different provenance trials both in the Atlantic region and in the Mediterranean area. In the present paper, we analyzed the performance of six Mediterranean provenances in three sites in the interior of Galicia (NW Spain), a transitional region between Atlantic and Mediterranean climates where few catalogued materials are available for reforestation. Seven year after planting, provenances coming from the mildest climates grew faster but showed inferior stem form. The provenance x site interaction was weak, although some significant provenance rank changes were observed in the driest site. Among the tested provenances, Serranía de Cuenca showed good early growth in all sites and acceptable stem form, being thus a potential recommended material for using in the area. The Albarracín origin showed also good results, with excellent stem form and acceptable growth, especially in the driest site. A combined spatial analysis allowed us to compare the tested provenances with improved materials from Coastal Galicia (NW Spain) and Western Australia planted in adjacent progeny trials. Although the differences were small, the Atlantic material of both breeding programs performed slightly better than the Mediterranean provenances, and represents another alternative material for use in reforestation in this transitional climate region.
Genetic Variation in Cold Hardiness and Phenology Between and Within Turkish Red Pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) Populations: Implications for Seed Transfer
Authors: Kandemir G. E. , Kaya Zeki , Temel F. , Önde S.
Published: October 2017

Wind-pollinated seeds from 40 trees (half-sib families) were collected from each of six Turkish red pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) populations in southern Turkey. Two-year old seedlings were evaluated for growth, phenology and cold resistance in a common garden experiment established in Ankara, located outside the species’ natural range. Each family was represented with a six-tree row plot within each of the three replications. The below freezing temperatures (-15.2°C) observed in January and February of 2000 were sufficient to observe visually- assessable-cold damage to the seedlings. The populations significantly differed in all traits under investigation except for second flushing in 1999. Populations originating from more inland and higher elevation areas were more resistant to cold than coastal low elevation populations. Families within populations were significantly different as regards all traits except HT00. Family heritability for bud burst was 0.40, and ranged from 0.12 to 0.37 for height, and from 0.20 to 0.23 for bud set. Final height of cold damage prone seedlings was shorter than cold tolerant seedlings. Families with early bud-set, later bud-burst and shorter second flush shoots suffered less from cold damage. Considering the expected climate change in the eastern Mediterranean, there is a potential for using this species outside its natural range, especially in sites experiencing more continental climate since it will be possible to move the species 200-300 m in altitude and 2-3 degrees in latitude.
Use of Microsatellite Markers in an American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) Population and Paternity Testing
Authors: Koch Jennifer L. , Carey D. W. , Mason M. E.
Published: October 2017

Cross-species amplification of six microsatellite markers from European beech (Fagus sylvatica Linn) and nine markers from Japanese beech (Fagus crenata Blume) was tested in American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.). Three microsatellites from each species were successfully adapted for use in American beech and were found to be highly polymorphic, with 4-22 alleles at each locus and an expected heterozygosity value of 0.291 to 0.913. Twenty-five trees (including two clonal clusters) from a mature stand were sampled and genotyped to compute population statistics. No linkage disequilibrium between pairs of loci was detected, and the marker loci indicated that the population is at Hardy- Weinberg equilibrium. The markers were also used to genotype two full-sibling families consisting of a combined total of 99 individuals and were found to contain sufficient genetic information to assign paternity using a maximum likelihood method.
Bio-economic Modelling as a Method for Determining Economic Weights for Optimal Multiple-Trait Tree Selection
Authors: Ivković M. , Wu H. , Kumar S.
Published: October 2017

A bio-economic model provides a framework for simultaneously considering breeding, management, and production decisions. Such a model should result in optimal breeding (and silvicultural) objectives if main goals of a production system are well defined. Historically estimation of economic weights for breeding-objective traits has been based on partial regressions and profit functions relating only to certain parts of the production system. A bio-economic model includes effects of growth rate, branching, form, and wood quality on all production system components and on overall profitability of an integrated production system. However, long rotation cycles in forestry make determination of relative economic values for the breeding-objective traits particularly difficult. When modelling complex systems under uncertainty about future production goals, there are necessary trade offs between the complexity of the model and the use of simplifying assumptions.