bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Pulvinar Inactivation on Spatial Decision-making between Equal and Asymmetric Reward Options
Authors: Wilke Melanie , Kagan Igor , Andersen Richard A.
Published: April 2013

The ability to selectively process visual inputs and to decide between multiple movement options in an adaptive manner is critical for survival. Such decisions are known to be influenced by factors such as reward expectation and visual saliency. The dorsal pulvinar connects to a multitude of cortical areas that are involved in visuospatial memory and integrate information about upcoming eye movements with expected reward values. However, it is unclear whether the dorsal pulvinar is critically involved in spatial memory and reward-based oculomotor decision behavior. To examine this, we reversibly inactivated the dorsal portion of the pulvinar while monkeys performed a delayed memory saccade task that included choices between equally or unequally rewarded options. Pulvinar inactivation resulted in a delay of saccade initiation toward memorized contralesional targets but did not affect spatial memory. Furthermore, pulvinar inactivation caused a pronounced choice bias toward the ipsilesional hemifield when the reward value in the two hemifields was equal. However, this choice bias could be alleviated by placing a high reward target into the contralesional hemifield. The bias was less affected by the manipulation of relative visual saliency between the two competing targets. These results suggest that the dorsal pulvinar is involved in determining the behavioral desirability of movement goals while being less critical for spatial memory and reward processing.
Common Brain Regions with Distinct Patterns of Neural Responses during Mentalizing about Groups and Individuals
Authors: Contreras Juan Manuel , Schirmer Jessica , Banaji Mahzarin R. , Mitchell Jason P.
Published: April 2013

An individual has a mind; a group does not. Yet humans routinely endow groups with mental states irreducible to any of their members (e.g., “scientists hope to understand every aspect of nature”). But are these mental states categorically similar to those we attribute to individuals? In two fMRI experiments, we tested this question against a set of brain regions that are consistently associated with social cognition—medial pFC, anterior temporal lobe, TPJ, and medial parietal cortex. Participants alternately answered questions about the mental states and physical attributes of individual people and groups. Regions previously associated with mentalizing about individuals were also robustly responsive to judgments of groups, suggesting that perceivers deploy the same social-cognitive processes when thinking about the mind of an individual and the “mind” of a group. However, multivariate searchlight analysis revealed that several of these regions showed distinct multivoxel patterns of response to groups and individual people, suggesting that perceivers maintain distinct representations of groups and individuals during mental state inferences. These findings suggest that perceivers mentalize about groups in a manner qualitatively similar to mentalizing about individual people, but that the brain nevertheless maintains important distinctions between the representations of such entities.
VESSELS IN ZINGIBERACEAE: A LIGHT, SCANNING, AND TRANSMISSION MICROSCOPE STUDY
Authors: Thorsch Jennifer A.
Published: April 2013

The Zingiberales is a tropical group of monocotyledons that includes eight recognized families. The order is considered by most taxonomists and phylogenists to be a monophyletic lineage of plants, but the phylogenetic relationships among genera are not clearly understood. The tracheary elements in the family Zingiberaceae were examined to characterize the diversity of structure and to better understand the phylogenetic relationships among related taxa. The distribution and specialization of tracheary elements in roots, stems and leaves of 54 species representing 25 genera were studied. Vessel elements were present in roots of all but one of the species examined, Plagiostachys philippinensis. Stems and leaves had only tracheids except for Aulotandra kamerunensis, which had vessels with simple perforation plates. The perforation plates and lateral walls of vessel elements were examined for the presence of pit membranes or their remnants with both scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The presence and condition of pit membranes depended upon the developmental stage, but the perforation plates of mature vessel elements lacked pit membranes entirely.
THE DENDROCHRONOLOGICAL POTENTIAL OF TEN SPECIES IN THE THREE GORGES RESERVOIR REGION OF CHINA
Authors: Xiong Limin , Okada Naoki , Fujiwara Takeshi
Published: April 2013

About 250 trees, representing 10 species, were collected from the Chinese Three Gorges Reservoir region as part of a study to use tree rings as indicators of environmental change in this area. Five species do not show distinct ring boundaries or cannot be cross-dated with each other. The dendrochronological potential of the remaining five species, two conifers and three hardwoods, are assessed in this paper. These five species, Cathaya argyrophylla, Cinnamomum camphora, Gordonia acuminata, Pinus massoniana, and Schefflera delavayi, have distinct annual growth rings and little occurrence of double or missing rings. Treering width and maximum latewood density chronologies from the five species range in length from 38 to 138 years. These relatively short chronologies are just long enough to conduct a preliminary dendroclimatic evaluation. Preliminary climate modeling demonstrates some significant relationships between tree-ring data and temperature, precipitation, and river flow.
CALLITROID (CALLITRISOID) THICKENING IN CALLITRIS
Authors: Heady R.D. , Evans P.D.
Published: April 2013

In softwood tracheids, callitroid thickening is the term given to raised bars located above and below individual bordered pit apertures. Although most well developed in the Australasian genus Callitris, callitroid thickening is reported to be absent from six Callitris species and to vary in its frequency and prominence. An SEM study of callitroid thickening was carried out on multiple wood samples of each Callitris species, taken from trees growing in the wild. The aims of the study were to determine the occurrence, frequency, visual prominence and morphology of callitroid thickening in all Callitris species and to determine whether it could be used taxonomically. Callitroid thickening was found in all (19) species of the genus, in contrast to previous reports of its absence in some species. In general, callitroid thickening occurred at higher frequencies and was more prominent in species from dry habitats than in those from wet habitats. The frequency of thickening varied between and within samples and, for example, it was always more frequent on pits in narrow rather than in wide tracheids. Callitroid thickening varied in its morphology, and types consisting of one to four bars, extending completely or only partially across the inner radial wall of the tracheid, were observed. Thickening on tracheid-ray pits within cross fields occurred in all species, and with similar frequency and morphology to thickening of bordered pits. Our findings suggest that frequency of callitroid thickening is useful taxonomically in separating four groups of Callitris species and in assisting in the identification of certain individual species.
THE LDPE RESIN-CASTING METHOD APPLIED TO VESSEL CHARACTERISATION
Authors: Fujii Tomoyuki , Hatano Yasunori
Published: April 2013

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) was used as a casting medium to study vessel attributes. The LDPE had a low crystallinity and melted around 102 °C. The glass transition point was very low (-20 °C) in comparison to polystyrene (105 °C). The viscosity decreased exponentially as the temperature was raised.

Dry sample blocks of selected hardwoods, fixed in tubes and previously heated, were impregnated with melted LDPE under vacuum or under compression. After the removal of cell-wall materials, the resin casts obtained almost entirely consisted of vessels clearly showing threedimensional arrangement. These casts were dissected with a thin steel knife for SEM observation. Vessel-casts were usually not accompanied by casts of vasicentric elements. Resin-casts of fibres, tracheids and parenchyma cells were observed only near the surface of the blocks. Cell wall sculpturing such as pits and helical thickenings were observed in detail. The depth of LDPE drawn into vessel lumina depended on the time of evacuation and diameter of vessels.
SECONDARY GROWTH IN THE STEM OF SOME SPECIES OF ALTERNANTHERA AND ACHYRANTHES ASPERA (AMARANTHACEAE)
Authors: Rajput Kishore S. , Rao K.S.
Published: April 2013

Secondary growth in Achyranthes aspera, Alternanthera polygamous, A. pungens, A. sessilis, and A. triandra was achieved by the development of a cambial variant resulting in successive rings of xylem and phloem. Each new cambium was developed at a distance about two to three cells external to the phloem produced by the previous cambium. The development of phloem was not synchronous in the species studied. Phloem development started either simultaneously with xylem or after the formation of a few xylem derivatives. In Achyranthes, xylem production started first followed by the development of phloem. Phloem mother cells differentiated into sieve tube elements, companion cells and axial parenchyma. Xylem was storied and exclusively composed of axial elements. Radial elements were absent in all the xylem rings of the stem. Vessels were angular and mostly solitary, but radial and tangential multiples were also observed occasionally. Xylem fibres were nonseptate and nucleated. Development of phloem and the rayless nature of the xylem is discussed.
MICROFIBRIL ANGLES IN THE ROOT WOOD OF PINUS RADIATA AND PINUS NIGRA
Authors: Matsumura Junji , Butterfield Brian G.
Published: April 2013

Microfibril angles of the S2 layer and tracheid lengths were measured in the root wood of Pinus nigra, and the root and stem wood of Pinus radiata. Within 10 mm (the first 2–3 growth rings) from the root centre, microfibril angles were large in the wood of both species, ranging from 25° to 40°. Beyond 10 mm (the fourth growth ring and beyond) from the root centre, microfibril angles were small. This pattern of microfibril angle change in root wood differs from those normally found in stems where angles are large until the 10–15th rings. Root wood tracheid length also showed a different pattern in radial direction from that normally observed in stem wood. Tracheids of Pinus radiata root wood were long in the first ring, decreasing to the third ring and then increased to the seventh ring. Beyond the seventh ring tracheid length was stable at around 3 to 3.5 mm. It was noted that microfibril angles were not influenced by tracheid length in root wood.
DEFINITIVE IDENTIFICATION OF LARIX (PINACEAE) WOOD BASED ON ANATOMY FROM THE MIDDLE EOCENE, AXEL HEIBERG ISLAND, CANADIAN HIGH ARCTIC
Authors: Jagels Richard , LePage Ben A. , Jiang Mei
Published: April 2013

This paper provides the first definitive identification of fossil Larix Miller wood using the characteristic features of ray-tracheid bordered pits. The wood was recovered from the middle Eocene (Lutetian/Uintan; 41.3– 47.5 Ma) Buchanan Lake Formation on eastern Axel Heiberg Island in the Canadian High Arctic and extends the fossil record of Larix wood further back in geologic time. A new and rapid embedding method is described which provides a firm and non-destructive matrix for thinsectioning and examining the well-preserved details of the wood. The wood is associated with Larix altoborealis LePage & Basinger, a shortbracted species, which was previously described from this locality as the earliest known species of Larix.
WOOD AND STEM ANATOMY OF RHABDODENDRACEAE IS CONSISTENT WITH PLACEMENT IN CARYOPHYLLALES SENSU LATO
Authors: Carlquist Sherwin
Published: April 2013

Qualitative and quantitative data are given for two species of Rhabdodendron. Newly reported for wood of the family are vestured pits in vessels and tracheids, nonbordered perforation plates, abaxial axial parenchyma, and presence of sphaerocrystals. Although treated variously in phylogenetic schemes, Rhabdodendron is placed in an expanded Caryophyllales in recent cladograms based on molecular data. This placement is consistent with features characteristic of most families of the order, such as nonbordered perforation plates and successive cambia. Primitive character states in Rhabdodendron (tracheids, diffuse axial parenchyma, ray type) are shared with Caryophyllales s.l. that branch near the base of the clade: Agdestis, Barbeuia, Simmondsia, and Stegnosperma. Presence of vestured pits in vessels and silica bodies in wood, features not reported elsewhere in Caryophyllales s.l., are shared by Rhabdodendron and Polygonaceae. Wood of Rhabdodendron has no features not found in other Caryophyllales, and is especially similar to genera regarded as closely related to it in recent phylogenetic hypotheses. Successive cambia that are presumably primitive in the clade that includes Rhabdodendron are discussed. Distinctions between sphaerocrystals and druses are offered.
SEM STUDIES ON VESSEL ELEMENTS OF SAURURACEAE
Authors: Schneider Edward L. , Carlquist Sherwin
Published: April 2013

Vessel elements in Anemopsis have simple perforation plates and alternate (sometimes scalariform) lateral wall pitting; Anemopsis has tracheids with large, densely placed pits. These conditions are in contrast with tracheary element features of Gymnotheca, Houttuynia, and Saururus, in which perforation plates are scalariform (many with notably slender bars) and with scalariform lateral wall pitting. Porose pit membrane remnants, which cannot be seen with light microscopy, are newly reported in Houttuynia and Saururus. These porose pit membranes underline the primitive nature of vessels in Gymnotheca, Houttuynia, and Saururus. The highly specialized vessels of Anemopsis may relate to entry into seasonally dry habitats, whereas Gymnotheca, Houttuynia, and Saururus may have experienced unbroken occupancy of mesic habitats.
A THREE-DIMENSIONAL COMPUTER MODEL OF THE TRACHEID CELL WALL AS A TOOL FOR INTERPRETATION OF WOOD CELL WALL ULTRASTRUCTURE
Authors: Donaldson L.A.
Published: April 2013

Three-dimensional computer models were used to simulate transmission electron micrographs in order to determine the effects of changes in microfibril orientation and arrangement on the appearance of ultrastructural images based on thin sections. It is shown that the tangential fibrillar texture commonly associated with wood cell walls results not from individual microfibrils arranged in tangential lamellae but from overlapping of adjacent microfibrils irrespective of their arrangement. The tangential lamellae observed in transmission electron micrographs of wood cell walls do not necessarily reflect the underlying nanostructure of the wall. Tangential textures can occur irrespective of the arrangement of microfibrils in tangential, radial or random patterns as a direct result of the helical organisation of the cell wall. Comparison between model images and high resolution micrographs suggests that microfibrils are arranged randomly in weakly defined clusters, with perhaps varying amounts of tangential or radial organisation.
WITHIN AND BETWEEN-TREE VARIATION OF BARK CONTENT AND WOOD DENSITY OF EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS IN COMMERCIAL PLANTATIONS
Authors: Quilhó Teresa , Pereira Helena
Published: April 2013

Eucalyptus globulus trees, 15 years old, were sampled at different heights from commercial pulpwood plantations in two sites in Portugal. Bark thickness was higher in the site with better growth and always decreased from the tree base to the top. Bark content was site independent and on average 11% of stem dry weight, higher at the base and top, and lower at 35% height level.

Tree mean wood basic density averaged 600 kg /m3 and 568 kg /m3 for best and worst site, respectively, and was not correlated with tree growth. Wood density increased from base to top of the tree. Between-tree variation was low with coefficients of variation of site mean below 10%. Bark density (374 kg /m3 and 454 kg /m3 for best and worst site, respectively) did not show significant within tree variation. Average tree wood density could not be predicted with reasonable accuracy using a breast height sampling and better results were obtained using a sampling as a percentage of total height (e.g. 15%).
FORMATION OF INCREMENT ZONES AND INTRAANNUAL GROWTH DYNAMICS IN THE XYLEM OF SWIETENIA MACROPHYLLA, CARAPA GUIANENSIS, AND CEDRELA ODORATA (MELIACEAE)
Authors: Dünisch Oliver , Bauch Josef , Gasparotto Luadir
Published: April 2013

The pattern of growth increment zones, the cambial growth dynamics and the structural variation in wood formation of Swietenia macrophylla King, Carapa guianensis Aubl., and Cedrela odorata L. (Meliaceae) were investigated in order to understand the relationship of site conditions and sustainable growth in Central Amazonian plantations. Trees were available from 8-, 17-, 23-, and 57-year-old plantations, and from primary forests in Manaus (Amazônia), Santarem (Pará), and Aripuanã (Mato Grosso). The wood anatomical structure and the annual increments of 61 Swietenia, 94 Carapa, and 89 Cedrela trees were studied for different tree heights. The curves of annual increments were cross-dated and tested for synchronisation. The cambial growth dynamics of up to 52 trees per species were dated by means of dendrometer measurements, monthly labelling by pinmarkers, and extracted cambium samples investigated using a microscope. The intraannual course of the growth and structural variation was compared with the water supply of the soil and insect attacks (Hypsipyla grandella (Zeller) Lep.).

In Swietenia and Carapa parenchyma and vessel bands as well as bands of resin canals were observed. Within the xylem of Cedrela, alternating bands of fibres and vessels surrounded by paratracheal parenchyma were found; bands of resin canals were only occasional. In the juvenile wood of Swietenia and Carapa no synchronization of the increment curves was possible, whereas the increment curves obtained in the juvenile wood of Cedrela showed parallel run in growth. The increment curves obtained in adult wood of Swietenia and Cedrela indicate an annual formation of increment zones, whereas the number of increment zones in the xylem of Carapa was approximately 50% higher than the tree age (years) indicating that the growth increments of Carapa also were not annual during the adult phase of growth.

The study of the intraannual growth dynamics of the trees showed that the formation of parenchyma bands in Swietenia is induced by dry periods before a cambial dormancy. The formation of parenchyma bands of Carapa was induced by extremely dry and extremely wet periods before a cambial dormancy, whereas fibre bands in Cedrela were induced by dry periods before a cambial dormancy and the formation of vessel bands embedded in paratracheal parenchyma was induced by wet periods after a cambial dormancy. In addition, insect attack (Hypsipyla grandella) induced locally restricted formation of parenchyma bands and bands of resin canals in Swietenia, Carapa and Cedrela.
ABNORMAL LIGNIN DISTRIBUTION IN WOOD FROM SEVERELY DROUGHT STRESSED PINUS RADIATA TREES
Authors: Donaldson Lloyd A.
Published: April 2013

Radiata pine logs exhibiting concentric shelling were examined for abnormal wood anatomy and cell wall characteristics. The trees from which the logs originated were growing on coastal sand dunes with a shallow impermeable iron pan subsoil, and the abnormal wood properties are assumed to be the result of frequent water stress and possible associated nutritional stress. The wood showed numerous false growth rings alternating with bands of poorly lignified tracheids. Examination of lignin distribution by confocal fluorescence microscopy and transmission electron microscopy revealed abnormal cell wall development associated with a poorly lignified middle lamella and outer secondary cell wall. Affected tracheids showed poor adhesion with development of intercellular checking, particularly on radial cell walls. Some tracheids showed concentric lamellation associated with areas of high and low lignification within the secondary wall. In many cases, the S3 layer was thicker and more heavily lignified than normal. Tracheids with the greatest reduction in lignification of the secondary wall showed evidence of collapse. The shelling behaviour of the wood was thus explained by poor or negligible adhesion between tracheids due to reduced lignification of middle lamellae. This investigation provides some insight into the effect of growth environment on lignification.
SOME PROPERTIES OF THE BACTERIAL WETWOOD (WATERMARK) IN SALIX SACHALINENSIS CAUSED BY ERWINIA SALICIS
Authors: Sakamoto Yasuaki , Kato Atsushi
Published: April 2013

Some properties of bacterial wetwood (watermark) in Salix sachalinensis caused by Erwinia salicis were investigated. Vessel-ray parenchyma and interfibre pit membranes were often damaged or absent. Hence, they could serve as effective pathways for water transport resulting in water accumulation. Osmotic potentials (φπ) were substantially lower than those in healthy sapwood. 13C-NMR spectroscopy revealed that E. salicis produced levan in the watermark, which is suspected to be a causal agent of low φπ. These data support the concept that levan production decreases φπ, leading to water accumulation.
ESTIMATION OF WOOD STIFFNESS OF INCREMENT CORES BY NEAR INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY: THE DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF CALIBRATIONS BASED ON SELECTED CORES
Authors: Schimleck Laurence R. , Evans Robert
Published: April 2013

Eight Pinus radiata D. Don (Radiata pine) increment core samples representative of a total of thirty-two increment cores were selected for the development of an EL(SS) (longitudinal modulus of elasticity calculated from SilviScan-2 data) calibration based on NIR spectra obtained from the radial–longitudinal face of each sample in 10-mm increments. The primary aim of the work was to investigate if an EL(SS) calibration developed using a subsample of cores representative of a larger set provided better predictions of EL(SS) than those reported in Schimleck et al. (2002a). The EL(SS) calibration was developed using eight factors giving an excellent relationship between SilviScan-2 determined EL(SS) and NIR fitted EL(SS) (coefficient of determination (R2) = 0.97) and a low standard error of calibration (SEC) (0.91 GPa).

To test the EL(SS) calibration, NIR spectra were obtained in 10-mm sections from the radial–longitudinal face of two intact P. radiata increment cores and EL(SS) of each section predicted. NIR estimates of EL(SS) were in excellent agreement with EL(SS) determined using SilviScan-2 data, with R2 of 0.99 (core A) and 0.98 (core B). Standard error of predictions (SEP) of 1.6 GPa (core A) and 1.2 GPa (core B) were obtained. Both sets of predictions closely followed the patterns of EL(SS) radial variation determined experimentally. EL(SS) calibration based on NIR spectra obtained from a set of representative cores can provide excellent predictions of EL(SS). The predictions were superior to those reported in Schimleck et al. (2002a).
ESTIMATION OF MICROFIBRIL ANGLE OF INCREMENT CORES BY NEAR INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY
Authors: Schimleck Laurence R. , Evans Robert
Published: April 2013

Eight Pinus radiata D. Don (Radiata pine) increment core samples representative of a total of thirty-two increment cores were selected. NIR spectra were obtained from the radial–longitudinal face of each core in 10-mm increments and used to develop a microfibril angle (MFA) calibration. The MFA calibration was developed using seven factors giving an excellent relationship between SilviScan-2 determined MFA and NIR fitted MFA (coefficient of determination (R2) = 0.95) and a standard error of calibration (SEC) of 1.8 degrees.

The MFA calibration was used to predict the MFA of NIR spectra obtained in 10-mm sections from the radial–longitudinal face of two intact P. radiata increment cores. NIR predicted MFA was found to be in excellent agreement with MFA determined by SilviScan-2, with R2 of 0.98 (core A) and 0.96 (core B). The standard error of prediction (SEP) for core A (1.0 degree) was much lower than for core B (2.5 degrees). Both sets of predictions closely followed the patterns of MFA radial variation determined by SilviScan-2. NIR spectroscopy provides a rapid method for determining MFA variation in increment cores and is suitable for the routine analysis of large numbers of samples.
SAPWOOD AND INNER BARK QUANTITIES IN RELATION TO LEAF AREA AND WOOD DENSITY IN DOUGLAS-FIR
Authors: Gartner Barbara L.
Published: April 2013

The relationships between leaf area and sapwood and inner bark quantities (widths, areas, and volumes) were studied in an attempt to understand the design criteria for sapwood quantity in eighteen 34-year-old Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) trees with a wide range of leaf areas, sapwood areas, and dry masses of leaf, xylem, bark, and branch. Cumulative leaf area increased from the tip to the base of the crown, and then was constant; none of the other variables had the same distribution, and so whereas there were many significant correlations, none of the factors can be related to leaf area in a simple, causal manner. Leaf area /sapwood area was extremely variable from tree to tree at a given height, and within a tree from height to height. Sapwood width was relatively constant from the tip down the stem, supporting the hypothesis that sapwood quantity in this species is related to radial gas diffusion causing either a lethal buildup of CO2 or a lethal depletion of O2 at the sap/heart boundary. However, there was no significant correlation between leaf area and either total sapwood density (dry weight/green volume) or the average latewood density in the sapwood which were used as proxies for radial diffusion rate; further research on actual radial gas diffusion in green wood may be informative.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RING SHAKE INCIDENCE AND EARLYWOOD VESSEL CHARACTERISTICS IN CHESTNUT WOOD
Authors: Fonti Patrick , Bräker Otto-Ulrich , Giudici Fulvio
Published: April 2013

This paper investigates whether in Chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) a relationship exists between anatomical features of earlywood vessels, which may contribute to weakening the wood, and the incidence of ring shake. The study compared two groups of 30 wood discs with and without ring shake, collected in three coppice stands in Southern Switzerland. Shake-prone stems are not characterised by more numerous and wider earlywood vessel lumina than the shake-free ones. Hence the hypothesis that ring shake is favoured by the weakening effect of earlywood cell lumina is rejected.
REAPPRAISAL OF FIVE FOSSIL CONIFEROUS WOOD GENERA PROPOSED BY EARLY AMERICAN WOOD ANATOMISTS
Authors: Philippe Marc
Published: April 2013

At the beginning of the 20th century R. Holden and E.W. Sinnott described five new genera of fossil coniferous woods, Metacedroxylon Holden, Paracedroxylon Holden, Paracupressinoxylon Sinnott, Paraphyllocladoxylon Holden and Protobrachyoxylon Holden. Since 1933 these five generic names have been consistently overlooked, and junior synonyms regularly used, including the relatively well-known genera Protocupressinoxylon Eckhold 1921 and Protophyllocladoxylon Kräusel 1939. The surviving type material of these five genera has been reexamined. According to this reappraisal: Metacedroxylon is an illegitimate nomenclatural synonym of Protocedroxylon Gothan, and its type material is heterogeneous; Paracedroxylon Sinnott and Paracupressinoxylon Holden are both junior taxonomical synonyms of Brachyoxylon Hollick et Jeffrey; the lectotype of Paraphyllocladoxylon is unfortunately lost, as is the one of Protobrachyoxylon Holden, the legitimate name for Protocupressinoxylon.
THE MECHANISM OF FAILURE OF CLEAR COATED WOODEN BOARDS AS REVEALED BY MICROSCOPY
Authors: Singh Adya P. , Dawson Bernard S.W.
Published: April 2013

Regions of wood-coating interface from clear coated Pinus radiata boards were examined by a combination of light and transmission electron microscopy techniques after six months exposure outdoors in order to understand the mechanism of clear coating failure. The primary cause of coating failure was the separation of cells in the surface layers of wood underlying the coating that was caused mainly by the photodegradation of the middle lamella. These results are discussed in the light of known effects of solar radiation on lignin and other components of wood cell walls.
A STUDY ON THE ROLE OF CALCIUM IN XYLEM DEVELOPMENT AND COMPRESSION WOOD FORMATION IN TAXODIUM DISTICHUM SEEDLINGS
Authors: Du Sheng , Yamamoto Fukuju
Published: April 2013

One-year-old Taxodium distichum seedlings were decapitated and attached to plastic tubing for ‘force feeding’ of liquid media containing different levels of calcium regulating chemicals. The decapitated stems were either vertically placed or tilted at an angle of 45° to be gravitationally stressed. After an eight-week period of culture, diameter growth occurred at 1–3 cm below the cut ends and a large quantity of compression wood cells had differentiated on the lower side of tilted stems that were fed with a modified WPM control medium. However, the application of EGTA, a calcium chelating agent, and LaCl3, a calcium channel blocker, at concentrations of 20 or 50 mM and 1.0 mM, respectively, inhibited the formation of compression wood and the wall thickness of tracheid cells. The results suggested an involvement of calcium in the gravi-stimulated compression wood formation of conifers.
STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN PRIMARY LENTICELS OF NORWAY SPRUCE OVER THE SEASONS
Authors: Rosner Sabine , Kartusch Birgit
Published: April 2013

Seasonal production of lenticel tissues was compared between Norway spruce trees (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) from a mountain site (1200 m), where they are autochthonous, and seven allochthonous lowland sites (250–600 m).

The periodic changes of lenticel structure were grouped into four stages, based on the degree of their opening: phase 1 - winter dormancy; phase 2 - beginning of meristem activity in spring; phase 3 - production of non-suberised filling tissue in early summer, which causes the disruption of the closing layer formed in the previous growing season; and phase 4 - differentiation of a new closing layer in late summer. Structural changes in lenticels of P. abies may be interpreted as a long-term reaction to climatic conditions, balancing transpiration and respiration. During the most active period of wood production, lenticels were found in their most permeable phase, phase 3. The production of a new closing layer takes place when summer temperatures reach maximum values, and when demand for effective regulation of transpiration is high. During phase 4 transpiration is successfully controlled because differentiating cells of the new closing layer are already suberised, although not in their final rounded shape, and therefore have small intercellular spaces. High annual variability in stratification of lenticel tissues, such as the proportion between closing layer and filling tissue, wall thickening and size of intercellular spaces, also indicates possible long-term regulation mechanisms for transpiration.
PETRIFIED WOOD FROM THE FARAFRA OASIS, EGYPT
Authors: Kamal El-Din Marwah M.
Published: April 2013

Two fossil wood species Celastrinoxylon celastroides and Ficoxylon cretaceum are reported and described for the first time from the Farafra Oasis in Egypt. They are compared to earlier descriptions of these species from Egypt and other parts of Africa.
BASIC DENSITY AND FIBRE LENGTH AT BREAST HEIGHT OF EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS SSP. GLOBULUS FOR PARAMETER PREDICTION OF THE WHOLE TREE
Authors: Igartúa D.V. , Monteoliva S.E. , Monterubbianesi M.G. , Villegas M.S.
Published: April 2013

The aim of the present work was to analyze the associations between basic density and fibre length at breast height (BH) and of the whole tree. This study focused on the need to find a sampling point representative for the whole tree, using 35-year-old Eucalyptus globulus ssp. globulus plantations established under two different growing conditions in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The relationship between whole-tree and BH values was quantified using linear regression analysis. Relationships were obtained for each growing site and wood features.
CAMBIAL VARIANT AND XYLEM STRUCTURE IN THE STEM OF COCCULUS HIRSUTUS (MENISPERMACEAE)
Authors: Rajput Kishore S. , Rao K.S.
Published: April 2013

Development of cambial variant and xylem structure were studied in the stem of Cocculus hirsutus (Menispermaceae). In the early stages of stem development several collateral vascular bundles are joined by interfascicular cambium resulting in the formation of a complete cambial cylinder. After functioning for two to three years the cambial ring ceases its activity. Subsequently a second ring of cambium is formed from the innermost cortical parenchyma cells. These parenchyma cells undergo periclinal divisions to give rise to cells that become lignified, abaxially, and cambial cells, adaxially. The cambial cells divide periclinally giving rise to individual vascular bundles with xylem and phloem. Later the cambium in each bundle is joined by interfascicular cambium. Subsequent cambia develop similarly resulting in the formation of successive rings of xylem and phloem. During the leafless condition, all the cambial rings are dormant, and flanked by mature xylem and phloem elements. With the sprouting of new leaves, either the existing outermost cambium reactivates or an entire new ring of cambium develops. The xylem is diffuseporous with indistinct growth rings. It is composed of fibre-tracheids, tracheids, vessel elements, libriform fibres, and parenchyma cells. Xylem rays are multiseriate, compound and heterocellular. Deformed libriform fibres and vessel elements commonly occur among the ray cells in all the successive rings of xylem. The length of fibres and the height and width of xylem rays increase gradually from the centre towards the periphery of the stem.
SEPARATION OF METASEQUOIA AND GLYPTOSTROBUS (CUPRESSACEAE) BASED ON WOOD ANATOMY
Authors: Visscher George E. , Jagels Richard
Published: April 2013

The wood anatomy of Metasequoia is similar to that of Glyptostrobus. Past descriptions of these woods have reported conflicting separation features. Using an increased sample size we have provided updated descriptions of these woods. We also review previously published criteria and discuss their validity. We introduce new characters (presence of ray cell separation and number of cells per square millimeter in transverse section of earlywood) and discuss the relative merit of these compared to previously described characters: arrangement of cross-field pits, features of the horizontal end walls of longitudinal parenchyma, transition from earlywood to latewood, abundance/distribution of longitudinal parenchyma, and aroma.
INTERVASCULAR PITTING ACROSS THE ANNUAL RING BOUNDARY IN BETULA PLATYPHYLLA VAR. JAPONICA AND FRAXINUS MANDSHURICA VAR. JAPONICA
Authors: Sano Yuzou
Published: April 2013

The structure of intervascular pits, located at the boundary between the outermost and the second youngest annual rings in Betula platyphylla var. japonica and Fraxinus mandshurica var. japonica was examined by field-emission scanning electron microscopy. Unilaterally compound pits were present in the intervascular common wall at the annual ring boundary in both species. On the outer annual ring side of the unilaterally compound pits, outlines of pit membranes were curved or trifoliate, and each pit aperture was often elongated and curved. The porosity of the intervascular pit membranes differed between the two species. In B. platyphylla var. japonica, microfibrils were loosely packed in the peripheral region of each pit membrane, and openings of up to 300 nm in width were observed. By contrast, microfibrils were densely packed throughout the entire pit membranes in F. mandshurica var. japonica, and no openings perforating the pit membranes entirely were found. In addition, each species exhibited some unique features. In B. platyphylla var. japonica, extensive ethanol-soluble material was detected not only in the intervascular pits but also on scalariform perforation plates. In F. mandshurica var. japonica, we observed fine curly fibrils of unkown chemical composition in the intervascular pit membranes.
RADIAL GROWTH DYNAMICS OF TABEBUIA UMBELLATA (BIGNONIACEAE), A FLOOD-TOLERANT TREE FROM THE ATLANTIC FOREST SWAMPS IN BRAZIL
Authors: Callado Cátia Henriques , da Silva Neto Sebastião José , Scarano Fábio Rubio , Costa Cecília Gonçalves
Published: April 2013

We studied the annual radial growth of Tabebuia umbellata (Sond.) Sandwith (Bignoniaceae) and its relationship to rainfall, temperature, photoperiod, flooding and phenology. This species showed cyclic annual growth. Growth was the greatest during the rainy season and flooding. Growth was associated with the presence of mature leaves on the trees. No increase in girth was observed during the dry season or during defoliation or flowering. The mean rate of radial growth was c. 6 mm/year. This flood-tolerant species maintained and increased radial growth during flooding.
EFFECTS OF A SEVERE DROUGHT ON GROWTH AND WOOD ANATOMICAL PROPERTIES OF QUERCUS FAGINEA
Authors: Corcuera Leyre , Camarero Jesús Julio , Gil-Pelegrín Eustaquio
Published: April 2013

We studied the growth response to drought of a Quercus faginea Lam. stand in a xeric site in NE Spain, that experienced an intense defoliation in 1993–94. This event coincided with very low precipitation from November to February, the period when total monthly precipitation exceeds evapotranspiration. We evaluated the effects of November–February precipitation (recharge precipitation, RP) on internode length, radial growth, and wood anatomy. Quercus faginea showed reduced longitudinal and radial growth during the years with low RP, and most sampled trees did not produce latewood in 1993–94 but showed wide earlywood vessels. We observed the reverse for years with a high RP. Radial growth was enhanced by increased precipitation during January and May of the growth year. If severe droughts become more frequent, due to a greater climatic variability, extensive dieback of marginal Q. faginea populations may be expected.
WITHIN-TREE VARIATION IN ANATOMICAL PROPERTIES OF COMPRESSION WOOD IN RADIATA PINE
Authors: Donaldson Lloyd A. , Grace Jenny , Downes Geoff M.
Published: April 2013

Two trees of radiata pine, one showing severe lean, the other growing almost vertically, were assessed for the presence and anatomical properties of compression wood, including anatomy, lignin distribution, microfibril angle, basic density, radial and tangential lumen diameter and cell wall thickness. Both trees contained significant amounts of compression wood although the severity and amount of compression wood was greater in the leaning tree. Changes in lignin distribution seem to be characteristic of the mildest forms of compression wood with reduced lignification of the middle lamella representing the earliest change observed from normal wood. An increase in microfibril angle was associated with both mild and severe compression wood although examples of severe compression wood with the same or smaller microfibril angles than opposite wood, or with very small microfibril angles, were found. When segregated into mild and severe compression wood the average difference in microfibril angle was 4° and 8° respectively compared with opposite wood. Within-ring distribution of microfibril angle was different in severe compression wood compared to opposite wood with higher angles in the latewood.

Severe compression wood showed a 22% increase in basic density compared to mild compression wood and opposite wood. The increased density was accounted for in terms of a 26% increase in tracheid wall thickness throughout the growth ring, offset by a 9% increase in radial lumen diameter, slightly greater in the latewood. There were no significant changes in density or cell dimensions in mild compression wood compared with opposite wood.
FOURIER TRANSFORM METHODS IN IMAGE ANALYSIS OF COMPRESSION WOOD AT THE CELLULAR LEVEL
Authors: Moëll Mattias K. , Fujita Minoru
Published: April 2013

Compression wood affects the overall quality of construction timber and paper quality. We have investigated the microscopic features of lumen shape and tracheid shape for compression wood studies and detection in softwoods. In this paper, we describe a method for directly analyzing tracheid and lumen shape over an entire image. The method uses the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and reduces the two-dimensional image data to one-dimensional data, from which lumen and tracheid shape can be evaluated. We illustrate the method by comparison of compression wood images to normal wood images. The results of detecting severe compression wood were successful, while the detection of weak compression wood was not satisfactory.
OLIGOCENE ANGIOSPERM WOODS FROM NORTHWESTERN BOHEMIA, CZECH REPUBLIC
Authors: Sakala Jakub , Privé-Gill Catherine
Published: April 2013

Two species of fossil angiosperm wood are described from the Oligocene of northwestern Bohemia in the Czech Republic. One specimen from Kadan–Zadní vrch Hill is identified as Cercidiphylloxylon kadanense Prakash et al. Because of its superior preservation, the specimen is designated as an epitype to the original holotype specimen of the species and genus. Cercidiphylloxylon kadanense is known only from the locality of Kadan–Zadní vrch Hill, and it represents the oldest fossil wood of true Cercidiphyllum Sieb. & Zucc. Three other wood specimens from Zichov are attributed to Liquidambaroxylon speciosum Felix. Modern wood of some species of Cercidiphyllum Sieb. & Zucc., Liquidambar L., Altingia Noronha, Corylopsis Sieb. & Zucc., Distylium Sieb. & Zucc., and Hamamelis L. was examined to determine how to distinguish the wood of Cercidiphyllum (Cercidiphyllaceae) from similar woods of Hamamelidaceae. The number of bars in the scalariform perforation plates of the vessels is about 40 in Cercidiphyllum, and about 20 in the Hamamelidaceae. Rays are variable, even at intra-specific level, and are not suitable for distinguishing these woods. These criteria were found to be useful in evaluating affinities of the fossil woods.
VARIABILITY OF VESSEL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE XYLEM OF ILEX PARAGUARIENSIS (MATÉ-TREE) FROM SOUTH BRAZIL
Authors: Dünisch Oliver , Reissmann Carlos Bruno , Oliszeski Afonso
Published: April 2013

In this study the wood anatomy of two leaf-morphotypes (“Yellow” and “Grey”) of Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil. (Aquifoliaceae) from South Brazil was compared with special attention to vessel attributes and a possible relationship of leaf morphology and wood structure. Sampling was carried out in a 15-year-old plantation in the state of Paraná, South Brazil. The anatomy of the juvenile and mature wood of five male and five female plants of each morphotype was investigated by light microscopy. In all plants the increment and the proportion of vessels decreased from pith to cambium, while vessel element length increased. Plants of the morphotype “Grey” had shorter vessel members (157–382 μm) and a lower number of bars per perforation plate (14–15) compared to the plants of the morphotype “Yellow” (vessel member length: 304–567 μm, bars: 22–24). No significant differences were found between the wood of male and female plants.
TWO LEGUMINOSAE WOODS FROM THE MIOCENE OF GEBEL RUZZA, EGYPT
Authors: Kamal El-Din Marwah M. , El-Saadawi Wagieh S.
Published: April 2013

Early Miocene fossil woods of Gebel Ruzza, Egypt, were examined and two new records (Cynometroxylon schlagintweitii and Afzelioxylon welkitii) for Egypt are reported. A hot wet palaeoclimate is suggested for the Early Miocene collection site. The literature on fossil dicot woods from Egypt is summarised.
MICRO- AND ULTRASTRUCTURAL ASPECTS OF NORWAY SPRUCE TRACHEIDS: A REVIEW
Authors: Brändström Jonas
Published: April 2013

Norway spruce, Picea abies (L.) Karsten, is one of the most commercially important wood species in northern Europe. Wood from Norway spruce consists mainly (> 90%) of tracheids and the micro- and ultrastructure of these tracheids have a considerable effect on the wood and its manufactured products. This literature review presents current knowledge on some important aspects of the micro- and ultrastructural morphology of Norway spruce tracheids. At the microstructural level, variation and general trends within the tree are given for tracheid length, tracheid diameter and cell wall thickness. At the ultrastructural level, the architecture of the secondary cell wall, and particularly its lamellation and microfibril orientation are considered. Where information on Norway spruce tracheids was lacking, tracheids of other conifers are reviewed. Thus, this review also gives an insight on the structure of other conifer tracheids since there are many similarities in structure between different conifer species.
REEXAMINATION OF WOOD ANATOMICAL FEATURES IN PINUS KREMPFII (PINACEAE)
Authors: Ickert-Bond Stefanie M.
Published: April 2013

Wood anatomy of Pinus krempfii Lecomte, a pine endemic to Vietnam, is described using twig and mature wood collections made in 1995. Characteristics of Pinus krempfii wood include axial and radial resin canals with 6–8 thin-walled epithelial cells; latewood tracheids with tangential wall pitting; lignified ray parenchyma with 2–5 pinoid pits per cross-field; and few to no ray tracheids. Longitudinal tracheid diameter and ray height are smaller in the twig wood than in the mature wood. These features, especially the near absence of ray tracheids, suggest a relationship with Pinus subgenus Strobus section Parrya subsection Balfourianae, which includes P. aristata Engelm. and P. longaeva D. Bailey.
Descriptions of two new Brazilian Subrasaca species and redescriptions of S. flavolineata (Signoret, 1855) and S. curvovittata (Stål, 1862) comb. nov. (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellini)
Authors: DA SILVA ROBERTA DOS SANTOS , CAVICHIOLI RODNEY RAMIRO , MEJDALANI GABRIEL
Published: April 2013

The species of Subrasaca Young, 1977 with longitudinal dark brown to black stripes on the forewings are reviewed. Two new taxa are described and illustrated: S. constricta sp. nov. (from the State of Bahia, NE. Brazil, new record for the genus) and S. bimaculata sp. nov. (from the states of Minas Gerais and São Paulo, SE. Brazil and the State of Paraná, S. Brazil). Two other species from SE. Brazil are treated: S. flavolineata (Signoret, 1855) is redescribed and Tettigonia curvovittata Stål, 1862, previously considered a junior synonym of S. flavolineata, is recognized as a valid Subrasaca species (new combination) and also redescribed. In addition to the external morphology, color pattern, and male genitalia, this paper includes the first detailed description and illustrations of the female genitalia of a Subrasaca species.
Three new species of Gnaptorina Reitter (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae: Blaptini) from Tibet, China
Authors: SHI AI-MIN
Published: April 2013

Three new species of Gnaptorina Reitter, 1887, G. (Hesperoptorina) medvedevi, sp. nov., G. (H.) dongdashanensis, sp. nov. and G. (H.) cuonaensis, sp. nov. are described from Tibet, China. A key to the known species of the subgenus Hes-peroptorina is given.