bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A BRCA1deficient-like signature is enriched in breast cancer brain metastases and predicts DNA damage-induced poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor sensitivity
Authors: McMullin Ryan P , Wittner Ben S , Yang Chuanwei , Denton-Schneider Benjamin R , Hicks Daniel , Singavarapu Raj , Moulis Sharon , Lee Jeongeun , Akbari Mohammad R , Narod Steven A , Aldape Kenneth D , Steeg Patricia S , Ramaswamy Sridhar , Sgroi Dennis C
Published: March 2014

Introduction

There is an unmet clinical need for biomarkers to identify breast cancer patients at an increased risk of developing brain metastases. The objective is to identify gene signatures and biological pathways associated with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) brain metastasis.

Methods

We combined laser capture microdissection and gene expression microarrays to analyze malignant epithelium from HER2+ breast cancer brain metastases with that from HER2+ nonmetastatic primary tumors. Differential gene expression was performed including gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) using publicly available breast cancer gene expression data sets.

Results

In a cohort of HER2+ breast cancer brain metastases, we identified a gene expression signature that anti-correlates with overexpression of BRCA1. Sequence analysis of the HER2+ brain metastases revealed no pathogenic mutations of BRCA1, and therefore the aforementioned signature was designated BRCA1 Deficient-Like (BD-L). Evaluation of an independent cohort of breast cancer metastases demonstrated that BD-L values are significantly higher in brain metastases as compared to other metastatic sites. Although the BD-L signature is present in all subtypes of breast cancer, it is significantly higher in BRCA1 mutant primary tumors as compared with sporadic breast tumors. Additionally, BD-L signature values are significantly higher in HER2-/ER- primary tumors as compared with HER2+/ER + and HER2-/ER + tumors. The BD-L signature correlates with breast cancer cell line pharmacologic response to a combination of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor and temozolomide, and the signature outperformed four published gene signatures of BRCA1/2 deficiency.

Conclusions

A BD-L signature is enriched in HER2+ breast cancer brain metastases without pathogenic BRCA1 mutations. Unexpectedly, elevated BD-L values are found in a subset of primary tumors across all breast cancer subtypes. Evaluation of pharmacological sensitivity in breast cancer cell lines representing all breast cancer subtypes suggests the BD-L signature may serve as a biomarker to identify sporadic breast cancer patients who might benefit from a therapeutic combination of PARP inhibitor and temozolomide and may be indicative of a dysfunctional BRCA1-associated pathway.
Prolyl-4-hydroxylase domain 3 (PHD3) is a critical terminator for cell survival of macrophages under stress conditions
Authors: Swain Lija , Wottawa Marieke , Hillemann Annette , Beneke Angelika , Odagiri Haruki , Terada Kazutoyo , Endo Motoyoshi , Oike Yuichi , Farhat Katja , Katschinski Dörthe M
Published: March 2014

On a molecular level, cells sense changes in oxygen availability through the PHDs, which regulate the protein stability of the α-subunit of the transcription factor HIF. Especially, PHD3 has been additionally associated with apoptotic cell death. We hypothesized that PHD3 plays a role in cell-fate decisions in macrophages. Therefore, myeloid-specific PHD3−/− mice were created and analyzed. PHD3−/− BMDM showed no altered HIF-1α or HIF-2α stabilization or increased HIF target gene expression in normoxia or hypoxia. Macrophage M1 and M2 polarization was unchanged likewise. Compared with macrophages from WT littermates, PHD3−/− BMDM exhibited a significant reduction in TUNEL-positive cells after serum withdrawal or treatment with stauro and SNAP. Under the same conditions, PHD3−/− BMDM also showed less Annexin V staining, which is representative for membrane disruption, and indicated a reduced early apoptosis. In an unbiased transcriptome screen, we found that Angptl2 expression was reduced in PHD3−/− BMDM under stress conditions. Addition of rAngptl2 rescued the antiapoptotic phenotype, demonstrating that it is involved in the PHD3-mediated response toward apoptotic stimuli in macrophages.
A Ground Motion Prediction Model for Deep Earthquakes beneath the Island of Hawaii
Authors: Wong Ivan G. , Silva Walter J. , Darragh Robert , Gregor Nick , Dober Mark
Published: March 2014

Until recently, no ground motion prediction model was available for deep ( >20 km) Hawaiian earthquakes, including the 2006 M6.7 Kiholo Bay earthquake. We developed such a model based on the stochastic point-source model. Strong motion data from the 2006 event and 15 other deep Hawaiian earthquakes of M3.3 to M6.2 were inverted using a nonlinear least-squares inversion of Fourier amplitude spectra to estimate stress drops for input into the stochastic modeling and for the few larger events (M ≥ 5.0), to calibrate the ground motion prediction model. The ground motion model is valid for M3.5 to M7.5 over the Joyner-Boore ( RJB) distance range of 20 km to 400 km and are for 5%-damped horizontal spectral acceleration at 27 periods from PGA (0.01 s) to 10.0 s. The shallow site condition assumed for the model is soil and weathered basalt with a mean VS30 of 428 m/s.
Evaluation of Hybrid Broadband Ground Motion Simulations for Response History Analysis and Design
Authors: Burks Lynne S. , Zimmerman Reid B. , Baker Jack W.
Published: March 2014

Chapter 16 of ASCE 7 governs the selection of ground motions for analysis of new buildings and requires recordings that meet specified criteria. If a sufficient number of recordings cannot be found, it allows the use of “appropriate simulated ground motions,” but does not provide further guidance. This paper outlines a procedure for generating and selecting a set of “appropriate” hybrid broadband simulations and a comparable set of recordings. Both ground motion sets are used to analyze a building in Berkeley, California, and the predicted structural performance is compared. The structural behavior resulting from recordings and simulations is similar, and most discrepancies are explained by differences in directional properties such as orientation of the maximum spectral response. These results suggest that when simulations meet the criteria outlined for recordings in ASCE 7 and properties such as directionality are realistically represented, simulations provide useful results for structural analysis and design.
Medical Oncology Consultation and Minimization of Overtreatment in Men With Low-Risk Prostate Cancer
Authors: Aizer Ayal A. , Paly Jonathan J. , Michaelson M. Dror , Rao Sandhya K. , Nguyen Paul L. , Kaplan Irving D. , Niemierko Andrzej , Olumi Aria F. , Efstathiou Jason A.
Published: March 2014

Consultation with a medical oncologist is associated with increased rates of active surveillance, adherence to National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines, and minimization of overtreatment in men with early prostate cancer and limited life expectancy.
Value of Information Analysis in Oncology: The Value of Evidence and Evidence of Value
Authors: Tuffaha Haitham W. , Gordon Louisa G. , Scuffham Paul A.
Published: March 2014

Benefits in oncology research and practice will potentially be optimized with increased application of VOI methods to inform decision making, optimal trial design, and research prioritization.
Michigan Oncology Medical Home Demonstration Project: First-Year Results
Authors: Kuntz Gordon , Tozer Jane , Snegosky Jeff , Fox John , Neumann Kurt
Published: March 2014

Purpose:

The Michigan Oncology Medical Home Demonstration Project (MOMHDP) is an innovative multipractice oncology medical home model, supported by payment reform. Sponsored by Priority Health, Physician Resource Management, and ION Solutions, MOMHDP includes four oncology practices and 29 physicians.

Methods:

Oncology practices used existing technologies, with MOMHDP providing evidence-based treatment guideline selection and compliance tracking, automated physician order entry, a patient portal, symptom management/standardized nurse triage, and advance care planning. To support changes in care and administrative models and to focus on quality, MOMHDP modifies provider payments. The program replaces the average sales price payment methodology with a drug acquisition reimbursement plus a care management fee, calculated to increase total drug reimbursement. Additionally, it reimburses for chemotherapy and treatment planning and advance care planning consultation. There is also a shared savings opportunity. MOMHDP will be enhanced in its second year to include a survivorship program, patient distress screening, imaging guidelines, and standardized patient satisfaction surveys. Priority Health patients receiving chemotherapy for a cancer diagnosis were recruited to the program. Results for this group were compared with a control group of patients from a prior period.

Results:

In addition to the financial results, the project also accomplished the following: (1) adherence to practice-selected guidelines, (2) institution of advance care planning, (3) effective and standardized symptom management; and (4) payment reform.

Conclusion:

We have identified a number of critical success factors: strong payer/provider collaboration built on trust through transparent use and cost data; timing of clinical standardization must come from the practices, so they can effectively absorb new approaches; having comprehensive, written program documentation and consistently applied training facilitate practice understanding; existing, off-the-shelf technologies help control costs; independent clinical, administrative, and technical coordination improves provider/payer collaboration; everything takes longer than anticipated, including practice commitment, contracting, and technology implementation. Practices are willing to take on clinical standardization with payment reform. Neither practice size nor technology platform variation was a barrier to participation or success in the project. These results represent preliminary reporting from the first multipractice oncology medical home in the United States, to our knowledge, with payer support that includes payment reform. The results are promising, and the concept warrants further study, review, and reporting. [Table: see text]
Cost Effectiveness of a Survivorship Care Plan for Breast Cancer Survivors
Authors: Coyle Doug , Grunfeld Eva , Coyle Kathryn , Pond Gregory , Julian Jim A. , Levine Mark N.
Published: March 2014

The authors conclude that this survivorship care plan would be costly to introduce and would not be a cost-effective use of scarce health care resources.
Documentation of Oral Versus Intravenous Chemotherapy Plans in Patients With Metastatic Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Greer Joseph A. , Lennes Inga T. , Gallagher Emily R. , Temel Jennifer S. , Pirl William F.
Published: March 2014

Documentation of discussions regarding the goals and course of chemotherapy administration for patients with metastatic NSCLC does not meet ASCO QOPI quality standards, especially for individuals prescribed oral agents.
Surveillance Instructions and Knowledge Among African American Colorectal Cancer Survivors
Authors: Pisu Maria , Holt Cheryl L. , Brown-Galvan Aquila , Fairley Temeika , Smith Judith Lee , White Arica , Hall Ingrid J. , Oster Robert A. , Martin Michelle Y.
Published: March 2014

Patients' limited understanding about the importance of CRC surveillance and procedures may negatively affect compliance with recommendations in African American CRC survivors. Clear and enhanced communications about post-treatment recommendations in this population are warranted.
Rules for Recruiting
Authors: Johnson David H.
Published: March 2014

The author offers his rules for recruiting faculty.
LETM1 haploinsufficiency causes mitochondrial defects in Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome patient cells: implications for dissecting underlying pathomechanisms in this condition
Authors: Hart Lesley , Rauch Anita , Carr Antony M. , Vermeesch Joris R. , O'Driscoll Mark
Published: March 2014

Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome (WHS) represents an archetypical example of a contiguous gene deletion disorder; a condition comprising a complex set of developmental phenotypes with a multigenic origin. Epileptic seizures, intellectual disability, growth restriction, motor delay and hypotonia are significant co-morbidities in WHS. Haploinsufficiency of LETM1, which encodes an mitochondrial inner membrane protein functioning in ion transport, has been proposed as an underlying pathomechanism; principally for seizures but also for other core features of WHS including growth and motor delay. Growing evidence derived from several model organisms suggests that reduced LETM1 expression is associated with some element of mitochondrial dysfunction. Surprisingly, LETM1-dependent mitochondrial functional deficits have not previously been described in cells from WHS patients. Here, using a unique panel of WHS patient-derived cell lines with differing sized deletions incorporating LETM1 or not, we show for the first time, that LETM1 expression is reduced in mitochondria isolated from WHS patient cells. Further, we show that this is associated with distinct mitochondrial phenotypes including altered intracellular [Ca2+] levels, dysfunctional mitochondrial transition pore opening along with hyperpolarization and superoxide leakage from resting mitochondria. Interestingly, we find that these phenotypes segregate with seizures in our WHS cohort. Our findings identify novel cellular phenotypes in WHS attributable to a 50% reduction in LETM1 expression levels; phenotypes which may underlie and/or contribute to some of the core clinical features of this condition.
Mouse models of telomere dysfunction phenocopy skeletal changes found in human age-related osteoporosis
Authors: Brennan Tracy A. , Egan Kevin P. , Lindborg Carter M. , Chen Qijun , Sweetwyne Mariya T. , Hankenson Kurt D. , Xie Sharon X. , Johnson Frederick B. , Pignolo Robert J.
Published: March 2014

A major challenge in the elderly is osteoporosis and the high risk of fracture. Telomere dysfunction is a cause of cellular senescence and telomere shortening which occurs with age in cells from most human tissues, including bone. Telomere defects contribute to the pathogenesis of two progeroid disorders characterized by premature osteoporosis, Werner syndrome and dyskeratosis congenital. It is hypothesized that telomere shortening contributes to bone aging. Using mice with disrupted telomere maintenance mechanisms, including mutants in Werner helicase (Wrn-/-), telomerase (Terc-/-) and Wrn-/- Terc-/- double mutants, we evaluated their skeletal phenotypes as models for human bone aging. Compared to young wild-type (WT) mice, micro-computerized tomography analysis revealed that young Terc-/- and Wrn-/-Terc-/- mice have decreased trabecular bone volume, trabecular number and trabecular thickness, as well as increased trabecular spacing. In cortical bone, young Terc-/- and Wrn-/-Terc-/- mice have increased cortical thinning, and increased porosity relative to age-matched WT mice. These trabecular and cortical changes were accelerated with age in Terc-/- and Wrn-/-Terc-/- mice compared to older WT mice. Histological quantification of osteoblasts in aged mice showed a similar number of osteoblasts in all genotypes; however, significant decreases in osteoid, mineralization surface, mineral apposition rate and bone formation rate in older Terc-/- and Wrn-/-Terc-/- bone suggest that osteoblast dysfunction is a prominent feature of precocious aging in these mice. Except in the Wrn-/- single mutant, osteoclast number did not increase in any genotype. Significant alterations in mechanical parameters (structure model index, degree of anistrophy, and moment of inertia) of the Terc-/- and Wrn-/-Terc-/- femurs compared to WT mice were also observed. Young Wrn-/-Terc-/- mice had a statistically significant increase in bone marrow fat content compared to young WT mice, which remained elevated in aged double mutants. Taken together, our results suggest that Terc-/- and Wrn-/-Terc-/- mutants recapitulate the human bone aging phenotype and are useful models for studying age-related osteoporosis.
RUNX2 in subtype specific breast cancer and mammary gland differentiation
Authors: McDonald Laura , Ferrari Nicola , Terry Anne , Bell Margaret , Mohammed Zahra M. , Orange Clare , Jenkins Alma , Muller William J. , Gusterson Barry A. , Neil James C. , Edwards Joanne , Morris Joanna S. , Cameron Ewan R. , Blyth Karen
Published: March 2014

RUNX2, a master regulator of osteogenesis, is oncogenic in the lymphoid lineage however little is known about its role in epithelial cancers. Upregulation of RUNX2 in cell lines correlates with increased invasiveness and the capacity to form osteolytic disease in models of breast and prostate cancer. However, most studies have analysed the effects of this gene in a limited number of cell lines and its role in primary breast cancer has not been resolved. Using a human tumour tissue microarray, we show that high RUNX2 expression is significantly associated with ER/PR/HER2-negative breast cancers and that patients with high RUNX2 expression have a poorer survival rate than those with negative/low expression. We confirm RUNX2 as a gene which has a potentially important functional role in triple negative breast cancer. To investigate the role of this gene in breast cancer, we made a transgenic model where Runx2 is specifically expressed in murine mammary epithelium under the control of the MMTV-promoter. We show that ectopic Runx2 perturbs normal development in pubertal and lactating animals, delaying ductal elongation and inhibiting lobular alveolar differentiation. We also show that the Runx2 transgene elicits age-related, pre-neoplastic changes in the mammary epithelium of older transgenic animals, suggesting that elevated RUNX2 expression renders such tissue more susceptible to oncogenic changes and providing further evidence that this gene may have an important, context-dependent role in breast cancer.
Evolutionary capacity of upper thermal limits: beyond single trait assessments
Authors: Blackburn Shaun , Kellmermann Vanessa , van Heerwaarden Belinda , Sgrò Carla M.
Published: March 2014

Thermal tolerance is an important factor influencing the distribution of ectotherms, but we still have limited understanding of the ability of species to evolve different thermal limits. Recent studies suggest that species may have limited capaity to evolve higher themal limits in response to slower, more ecologically relevant rates of warming. However these conclusions are based on univarite estimates of adaptive capacity. To test these findings within an explicitly multivariate context, we used a paternal half-sibling breeding design to estimate the multivariate evolutionary potential for upper thermal limits in Drosophila melanogaster. We assessed heat tolerance using static (basal and hardened) and ramping assays. Additive genetic variances were significantly different from zero only for the static measures of heat tolerance. Our G matrix analysis revealed that any response to selection for increased heat tolerance will largely be driven by static basal and hardened heat tolerance, with minimal contribution from ramping heat tolerance. These results suggest that the capacity to evolve upper thermal limits in nature may depend on the type of thermal stress experienced.
The cost of muscle power production: muscle oxygen consumption per unit work increases at low temperatures inXenopus laevisDaudin
Authors: Seebacher Frank , Tallis Jason A. , James Rob S.
Published: March 2014

Metabolic energy (ATP) supply to muscle is essential to support activity and behaviour. It is expected therefore that there is strong selection to maximise muscle power output for a given rate of ATP use. However, the viscosity and stiffness of muscle increases with a decrease in temperature, which means that more ATP may be required to achieve a given work output. Here we test the hypothesis that ATP use increases at lower temperatures for a given power output in Xenopus laevis. To account for temperature variation at different time scales, we considered the interaction between acclimation for four weeks (to 15°C or 25°C) and acute exposure to these temperatures. Cold acclimated frogs had greater sprint speed at 15°C than warm acclimated animals. However, acclimation temperature did not affect isolated gastrocnemius muscle biomechanics. Isolated muscle produced greater tetanus force, faster isometric force generation and relaxation, and generated more work loop power at 25°C than at 15°C acute test temperature. Oxygen consumption of isolated muscle at rest did not change with test temperature, but oxygen consumption while muscle was performing work was significantly higher at 15oC than at 25°C, regardless of acclimation conditions. Muscle therefore consumed significantly more oxygen at 15°C for a given work output than at 25°C, and plastic responses did not modify this thermodynamic effect. The metabolic cost of muscle performance and activity therefore increased with a decrease in temperature. To maintain activity across a range of temperature, animals must increase ATP production or face an allocation trade-off at lower temperatures. Our data demonstrate the potential energetic benefits of warming up muscle before activity, which is seen in diverse groups of animals such as bees that warm flight muscle before take-off, and humans performing warm ups before exercise.
Computational Study on the Mechanism of the Electron-Transfer-Induced Repair of the (6–4) T–T Photoproduct of DNA by Photolyase: Possibility of a Radical Cation Pathway
Authors: Matsubara Toshiaki , Araida Nozomi , Hayashi Daichi , Yamada Hatsumi
Published: March 2014

The oxetane and the non-oxetane mechanisms of the electron-transfer-driven repair of the (6–4) T–T photolesion of DNA by photolyase are examined by density functional theory (B3LYP). We calculated the radical cation pathway in addition to the radical anion and the neutral pathways for both mechanisms in order to assess the possibility of the radical cation pathway, because relatively large energy barriers have been found for the radical anion pathway. As a result, the radical anion pathway showed a large energy barrier in both the oxetane and the non-oxetane mechanisms in agreement with previous calculations. However, it was found that the radical cation pathway of the oxetane mechanism has a realistic low energy barrier. This advantage of the radical cation pathway was ascribed to the position of the radical before the formation of the oxetane and the stability of the oxetane in energy.
Research Note—The Influences of Online Service Technologies and Task Complexity on Efficiency and Personalization
Authors: Xu Jingjun (David) , Benbasat Izak , Cenfetelli Ronald T.
Published: March 2014

Online retailers are increasingly providing service technologies, such as technology-based and human-based services, to assist customers with their shopping. Despite the prevalence of these service technologies and the scholarly recognition of their importance, surprisingly little empirical research has examined the fundamental differences among them. Consequently, little is known about the factors that may favor the use of one type of service technology over another. In this paper, we propose the Model of Online Service Technologies (MOST) to theorize that the capacity of a service provider to accommodate the variability of customer inputs into the service process is the key difference among various types of service technologies. We posit two types of input variability: Service Provider-Elicited Variability (SPEV), where variability is determined in advance by the service provider; and User-Initiated Variability (UIV), where customers determine variability in the service process. We also theorize about the role of task complexity in changing the effectiveness of service technologies. We then empirically investigate the impact of service technologies that possess different capacities to accommodate input variability on efficiency and personalization, the two competing goals of service adoption. Our empirical approach attempts to capture both the perspective of the vendor who may deploy such technologies, as well as the perspective of customers who might choose among service technology alternatives. Our findings reveal that SPEV technologies (i.e., technologies that can accommodate SPEV) are more efficient, but less personalized, than SPEUIV technologies (i.e., technologies that can accommodate both SPEV and UIV). However, when task complexity is high (vs. low), the superior efficiency of SPEV technologies is less prominent, while both SPEV and SPEUIV technologies have higher personalization. We also find that when given a choice, a majority of customers tend to choose to use both types of technologies. The results of this study further our understanding of the differences in efficiency and personalization experienced by customers when using various types of online service technologies. The results also inform practitioners when and how to implement these technologies in the online shopping environment to improve efficiency and personalization for customers.
De “ciudadanos” a “sujetos”: los inmigrantes en el campo del sur de Italia
Authors: Colloca Carlo
Published: March 2014

Las siguientes páginas ofrecen observaciones sobre la vulnerabilidad social y económica de los inmigrantes temporeros, en concreto los asentados en las zonas rurales del sur de Italia. A continuación, se expone un análisis sobre los fuertes conflictos entre los lugareños y los inmigrantes, prestando especial atención a las zonas rurales de Gioia Tauro y Rosarno. Esta última (con poco más de 15.000 habitantes) cuenta con la presencia de inmigrantes desde principios de la década de los noventa, para la cosecha de cítricos. La mayoría de los inmigrantes provienen del África Subsahariana. Al principio, el presente artículo pretende realizar un análisis crítico de lo que arrojan los datos, centrado en la transformación de la mano de obra agrícola, el estilo de vida de los inmigrantes y algunos aspectos socioculturales típicos del medio social. Por último, examinaremos la cuestión del papel de la inmigración desde el punto de vista de un proceso-concepto a través del cual se puede analizar la relación entre la ciudad y el campo y el cambio socioterritorial en clave cosmopolita.
Pinus contorta growth in boreal Sweden as affected by combined lupin treatment and soil scarification
Authors: Mattson Stefan , Bergsten Urban , Mörling Tommy
Published: March 2014

Effects of combining lupin (Lupinus nootkatensis L.) establishment and soil scarification on stem volume and stem biomass yield of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. var. latifolia Engelm.) were studied on a poor boreal site in Sweden 18 years after plantation. A field randomized block experiment was established with three different scarification techniques (disc trenching, moulding and ploughing) followed by establishment of lupins by either seeds or roots. There were three blocks without and two blocks with lupins. Overall, on average for the three soil scarification techniques, the lupin treatment significantly increased the volume per hectare by 102%.The lupin treatment significantly increased the stem volume per hectare by 236% for mounding and 139% for disc trenching, whereas the 55% increase for ploughing was not significant. The increase in the total stem biomass yield per tree was more pronounced for larger trees; 46% for average trees and 106% for dominant trees. However, there were no significant differences between scarification techniques for the lupin treatment in total stem biomass yield. Over the 18-year period, the increased growth rate following the lupin treatment resulted in a significantly decreased average stem basic wood density (on average 6%) for the sample trees. Because lupin is a nitrogen-fixing plant species, the large increase in tree growth following the lupin treatment was probably an effect of increased amount of nitrogen in the soil. The results indicate that use of lupin is a possible alternative to increase site productivity of lodgepole pine on poor boreal sites.
Some aspects of the sampling distribution of the Apportionment Index and related inference
Authors: Koskela Laura , Sinha Bikas , Nummi Tapio
Published: March 2014

As customer-oriented production strategies have gained ground in the sawmill industry, proper measurement of the fit between the log demand and log output distributions has become of crucial importance. The prevailing means of measuring the outcome is the so-called Apportionment Index (AI), which is calculated from the relative proportions of the observed and required distributions. Although some statistical properties of the AI have recently been examined and alternative means of measuring the bucking outcome have been suggested, properties of the sampling distribution of the AI have not yet been widely studied. In this article we examine the asymptotic sampling distribution for the AI by assuming a multinomial distribution for the outcome. Our results are based mainly on large-sample normal approximations. Also some studies of the determination of the number of logs needed to obtain a specified level of accuracy of the AI have been carried out.
Characteristics and challenges of forest sector communication in the EU
Authors: Janse Gerben
Published: March 2014

Fragmentation of forest policy at the EU level and image problems of the forest industry have increased forest sector actorsâ interest for cooperation on and coordination of communication activities. Although internal communication in the forest sector at the European level is generally well developed both formally and informally, the desired strengthening of communication with other sectors and the public at large is perceived as difficult. In this pre-study 39 interviews were conducted with EU and UNECE/FAO officials, EU level Forest-based Industries and forestry sector federation representatives, and forest scientists working at the European level. The results indicate that EU level forest sector core actorsâ ideas on communication differ. Ideas range from strictly image improvement; being more successful at lobbying with other sectors and high-level policy-makers; up to building long-lasting relations and two-way communication processes with other sectors. This makes it difficult to come to coordinated action among forest sector actors. A more active exchange of information on best practices in forest communication between national as well as European level actors, and increased coordination of communication efforts is desired by industry, forest owners as well as policy-makers. However, clear ideas on how to improve, especially inter-sectoral, communication are largely lacking.
Characteristics and time consumption of timber trucking in Finland
Authors: Nurminen Tuomo , Heinonen Jaakko
Published: March 2014

Cost efficiency and flexibility have become increasingly important in the logistics of cut-to-length harvesting operations. At the same time, the operating conditions for long-distance transportation have become more demanding and variable. Since the number of log products has increased and the size of harvesting sites has decreased, loads of timber must increasingly be collected from several log decks, increasing the time consumption and costs of the trucking operation. The objectives of this study were to formulate time-consumption models for typical timber transportation activities in Finland and introduce a statistical procedure for examining the variation in time consumption during the trucking phases. The study used a combination of time studies and follow-up studies based on empirical data for 368 loads (a total volume of nearly 18â000 m) collected from one wood procurement district in central Finland. The model included the following explanatory factors: driving distance, number of log decks, log product and load volume. Since transportation includes several phases and since many factors affect the work performance, significant variation in the total transportation time was observed. This makes planning and cost accounting more difficult. The models developed in this study are a promising initial tool to support route planning and optimization, and cost and profitability calculations for trucking entrepreneurs and the forest industry.3
Interactions between morphological and physiological drought responses in Eucalyptus microtheca
Authors: Susiluoto Sanna , Berninger Frank
Published: March 2014

We studied the response of Eucalyptus microtheca to drought in a greenhouse experiment. As a result of the drought the growth of the seedlings decreased and allocation patterns changed so that allocation to the roots increased. However, changes in photosynthesis and stomatal conductance under drought were rather modest. We showed, using chlorophyll fluorescence and measurements of photosynthesis under high CO that the biochemical capacity of photosynthesis increased under drought. The results suggest that changes in root/shoot ratio are the primary reactions that initiate a series of compensatory reactions that mitigate the effects of drought in Eucalyptus microtheca.2
Operational standards and guidelines for biodiversity management in tropical and subtropical forest plantations – How widely do they cover an ecological framework?
Authors: Marjokorpi Antti , Salo Jukka
Published: March 2014

The development of standards and guidelines to secure sustainable forest management at different geographical scales has expanded greatly during the past fifteen years. Most of these efforts, however, have been formulated for natural forests only; those designed specifically for forest plantations are relatively few. The global forest plantation area is expanding rapidly, with obvious positive and negative impacts on biodiversity. We characterize the key concepts of biodiversity in tropical and subtropical forest plantations and present an analysis of how these elements are covered in the eight principal operational standards and guidelines for sustainable plantation forestry. We also examine the applicability of standards and guidelines in plantations established and managed under different initial settings. The results indicate that the standards and guidelines address certain key elements of biodiversity comprehensively, meanwhile others are ignored or receive only slight attention. There is also substantial variation between the sets in their nature (performance- vs. process-based), scope, congruity in concepts and hierarchy, and specificity. The standards and guidelines seldom take into account the varying initial settings for plantation establishment and the consequent variation in critical factors in biodiversity conservation and management. We recommend that standards and guidelines should be developed so as to pay more attention to the type and operating environment of plantations, to cover all key factors of biodiversity, and to consider building closer relationships between the social and ecological aspects of biodiversity.
Comparing regression estimation techniques when predicting diameter distributions of Scots pine on drained peatlands
Authors: Siipilehto Jouni , Sarkkola Sakari , Mehtätalo Lauri
Published: March 2014

We compared different statistical methods for fitting linear regression models to a longitudinal data of breast height diameter (dbh) distributions of Scots pine dominated stands on drained peatlands. The parameter prediction methods for two parameters of Johnsonâs S distribution, fitted to basal-area dbh distributions, were: 1) a linear model estimated by ordinary least squares (OLS), 2) a multivariate linear model estimated using the seemingly unrelated regression approach (SUR), 3) a linear mixed-effects model with random intercept (MIX), and 4) a multivariate mixed-effects model (MSUR). The aim was to clarify the effect of taking into account the hierarchy of the data, as well as simultaneous estimation of the correlated dependent variables on the model fit and predictions. Instead of the reliability of the predicted parameters, we focused on the reliability of the models in predicting stand conditions. Predicted distributions were validated in terms of bias, RMSE, and error deviation in the generated quantities of the growing stock. The study material consisted of 112 successively measured stands from 12 experimental areas covering the whole of Finland (total of 608 observations). Two independent test data sets were used for model validation. All the advanced regression techniques were superior to OLS, when exactly the same independent stand variables were included. SUR and MSUR were ranked the overall best and second best, respectively. Their ranking was the same in the modeling data, whereas MSUR was superior in the peatland test data and SUR in the mineral soil test data. The ranking of the models was logical, but may not be widely generalized. The SUR and MSUR models were considered to be relevant tools for practical forest management planning purposes over a variety of site types and stand structures.B
FTIR spectroscopic prediction of Klason and acid soluble lignin variation in Norway spruce cutting clones
Authors: Raiskila Sanni , Pulkkinen Minna , Laakso Tapio , Fagerstedt Kurt , Löija Mia , Mahlberg Riitta , Paajanen Leena , Ritschkoff Anne-Christine , Saranpää Pekka
Published: March 2014

Our purpose was to develop a FTIR spectroscopic method to be used to determine the lignin content in a large number of samples and to apply this method studying variation in sapwood and heartwood lignin content between three fast-growing cutting clones grown in three sites. Models were estimated with 18 samples and tested with 6 samples for which the Klason ligninÂ +Â acid soluble lignin content had been determined. Altogether 272 candidate models were built with all-subset regressions from the principal components estimated from differently treated transmission spectra of the samples; the spectra were recorded on KBr pellets of sieved and unsieved unextracted wood powder and subjected to four different preprocessings and two different wavenumber selection schemes. The final model showed an adequate fit in the estimation data (R =â0.74) as well as a good prediction performance in the test data (R =â0.90). This model was based on the wavenumber range of 1850â500 cm of the line-subtraction-normalised spectra recorded from sieved samples. The model was used to predict lignin content in 64 samples of the same material. One of the clones had a slightly lower sapwood lignin content than the two other clones. The fertile growing site with fast growing trees showed slightly higher sapwood lignin content compared with the other two sites. The model was also used to predict the lignin content in the earlywood of 45 individual annual rings. Variation between individual stems and between annual rings was found to be large. No correlation was found between the lignin content and density of earlywood.22Pâ1
Industrial timberland ownership in the USA: arguments based on case studies
Authors: Lönnstedt Lars
Published: March 2014

The forest product companiesâ ownership of timberland is decreasing in the United States as in many other countries. In aggregate the forest product industry owned 26.5 million hectares (11.6% of the U.S. timberland) in 2002 compared with 28.5 million hectares in 1987 (FIA 2006). Reasons for this decrease of timberland ownership are several and complex. This article presents four case studies of U.S.-based forest product companies. The vertical integration theory and empirical studies about timberland ownership give a base for the study. Four hypotheses are formulated on the basis of the literature. The results give support to two of them. An important reason for timberland ownership is a wish to secure deliveries. Market conditions are important for the need of owning timberland. Two of the companies did not own timberland, the main reason being more profitable alternative uses of capital. The ownership structure of the company, tradition, and culture are other important explanations for timberland ownership. This study did not show the advantage of timberland ownership for information and coordination.
Genetic variability of Scots pine maternal populations and their progenies
Authors: Kosinska Joanna , Lewandowski Andrzej , Chalupka Wladyslaw
Published: March 2014

The genetic variability of Scots pine was investigated in six populations from Poland representing two maternal populations and their natural and artificial progenies. Thirteen enzyme systems controlled by 25 allozyme loci were analyzed using starch gel electrophoresis. Progeny populations maintained a high and similar level of genetic variation to that observed in the maternal populations. As expected, much closer genetic relationships were observed between maternal populations and their respective progeny than between the two maternal populations themselves. Progeny populations had the same major alleles, but differed in the number of rare alleles. Therefore, probably not all rare alleles were transferred from the maternal stands to the progenies. In addition, new rare alleles appeared in the progeny populations, possibly as a result of external pollen flow into the maternal populations.
Spatial distribution of fine roots at ploughed Norway spruce forest sites
Authors: Tanskanen Niina , Ilvesniemi Hannu
Published: March 2014

We examined the spatial distribution of fine roots at two forest sites that were ploughed 20 (site K1) and 33 years (site K2) before sampling and planted with Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) seedlings. Soil core samples were taken from the tilt and beneath the tilt, the furrow and the intermediate undisturbed soil to a depth of 0.4 m for fine root biomass, length and necromass determinations. Norway spruce fine roots were found throughout the ploughed forest sites. The fine roots were, however, unevenly distributed: the fine root biomass was highest in the tilt (624 and 452 gâm at sites K1 and K2, respectively) and lowest in the undisturbed soil at site K1 (79 gâm) and in the furrow at site K2 (145 gâm). The estimated average fine root biomass at the ploughed forest sites (268 and 248 gâm at sites K1 and K2, respectively) was, however, similar to those presented in other studies concerning sites that had not been ploughed. In the tilt, a substantial proportion of the fine roots was in the inverted mineral soil horizons and in the new organic horizon above the tilt. Consistent with the fine root biomass findings, the Norway spruce necromass was highest in the tilt but the vertical distribution of the dead roots was different: the necromass was highest in the buried O horizon. The results of this study suggest that at the ploughed forest sites, a substantial part of Norway spruce nutrient and water uptake occured in the tilt during the first 20 or 33 years after plantation.â2â2â2â2BT
Neural networks for predicting fracture toughness of individual wood samples
Authors: Samarasinghe Sandhya , Kulasiri Don , Jamieson Tristan
Published: March 2014

Strain energy release rate (G) of Pinus radiata in the TL opening mode was determined using the compliance crack length relationship. A total of 123 specimens consisting of four sizes of specimen with each size having four different crack lengths were tested. For each specimen, grain and ring angles, density and moisture content were measured. Video imaging, was used to measure crack length during propagation. Since cracks extended in stages, full compliance-crack length relationship was developed for each specimen based on their initial and subsequent crack lengths. No significant differences in G, between initial and subsequent crack lengths were found for the smaller specimens by paired sample t-tests, but differences were significant for the largest specimen size. The Average fracture toughness was calculated from G and it was 215 kPa.m. Three artificial neural networks were developed to predict the: 1) force required to propagate a crack, 2) crack extension, and 3) fracture toughness of an individual specimen. Each was successful, producing respective R of 0.870, 0.865, and 0.621 on validation data. A sensitivity analysis of the networks revealed that the crack length was the most influential with 21% contribution followed by grain angle with 14% contribution for predicting the applied force. This was followed by volume and physical properties. For predicting the crack extension, density had the greatest contribution (20%) followed by previous crack length and force contributing 16% equally. Fracture toughness was dominated by the dimensional parameters of the specimen contributing (42%) followed by anisotropy and physical properties.IcIcIc0.52
Climate change and range shifts in two insect defoliators: gypsy moth and nun moth – a model study
Authors: Vanhanen Henri , Veteli Timo , Päivinen Sonja , Kellomäki Seppo , Niemelä Pekka
Published: March 2014

Environmental factors influenced by global climate change determine the distribution ranges of organisms. Especially ectothermic animals are expected to shift their distribution ranges northwards in the next hundred years or so. In this study simulations made with CLIMEX-modelling software were used to predict the future distribution ranges of two Central European serious forest pest species: the nun moth (Lymantria monacha L. (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae)) and the gypsy moth (L. dispar L). The software calculates an ecoclimatic index based on the life cycle requirements of a species and thus represents the probability of a viable population to exist at a certain location. Three different climate warming scenarios were considered: temperature increase of 1.4, 3.6 and 5.8Â°C. Simulations generated with the current climate conditions corresponded well to the current distributions of the species. The climate warming scenarios shifted the northern boundary of the distribution for both of these species north by c. a. 500â700 km. Also the southern edge of the ranges retracted northwards by 100â900 km. The results of this study are in agreement with the results of empirical studies on other species. Being serious pest species, these species pose a potential threat to silviculture and therefore, have to be considered in the planning of forest management practices.
Remote sensing techniques for forest parameter assessment: multispectral classification and linear spectral mixture analysis
Authors: Vohland Michael , Stoffels Johannes , Hau Christina , Schüler Gebhard
Published: March 2014

One of the most common applications of remote sensing in forestry is the production of thematic maps, depicting e.g. tree species or stand age, by means of image classification. Nevertheless, the absolute quantification of stand variables is even more essential for forest inventories. For both issues, satellite data are attractive for their large-area and up-to-date mapping capacities. This study followed two steps, and at first a supervised parametric classification was performed for a German test site based on a radiometrically corrected Landsat-5 TM scene. There, eight forest classes were identified with an overall accuracy of 87.5%. In the following, the study focused on the estimation of one key stand variable, the stem number per hectare (SN), which was carried out for a number of Norway spruce stands that had been clearly identified in the multispectral classification. For the estimation of SN, the approach of Linear Spectral Mixture Analysis (LSMA) was found to be clearly more effective than spectral indices. LSMA is based on the premise that measured reflectances can be linearly modelled from a set of so-called endmember spectra. In this study, the endmember sets were held variable to decompose pixel values to abundances of a vegetation, a background (soil, litter, bark) and a shade fraction. Forest structure determines the visible portions of these fractions, and therefore, a multiple regression using them as predictor variables provided the best SN estimates. LSMA allows a pixel-by-pixel quantification of SN for complete satellite images. This opens the view to exploit these data for an improved calibration of large-scale multi-parameter assessment strategies (e.g. statistical modelling or the kNN method for satellite data interpretation).