bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Membership growth at a time of union decline
Authors: Parker Carl , Rees James
Published: October 2013

The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw) is a general (multi trade) union in the UK, predominately organizing in the retail and distribution sectors. Since 2006 Usdaw has increased its membership by 84 000 members – an increase of 26 per cent, making it in this respect the most successful TUC-affiliated union in the UK. This growth coincided with Usdaw’s decision to develop itself as an organizing union, which involved the establishment of an Usdaw Organising Academy, a paradigm shift in its approach to organizing, and the creative development of new systems and practices to manage the union. This article describes this process of change and so goes some way to providing an explanation for Usdaw’s success. The article also situates Usdaw’s approach within the broader academic and policy debates about implementing the Organizing Model, and draws out some general lessons from Usdaw’s experience.
Labour market adjustments during the crisis: the role of working time arrangements1
Authors: Boulin Jean-Yves , Cette Gilbert
Published: October 2013

Depending on the country in question, the crisis has had different impacts on employment. We will analyse the main reasons for these differences and scrutinize the main characteristics of the policies that have been implemented in reaction to the crisis. The analysis focuses mainly on a comparison between France and Germany. This leads us to stress the differences between these two countries in the ability of social partners to find ways to prevent redundancies through job protection agreements. It appears that the gap between job protection and employment protection can be overcome when certain conditions are met in dealing with employees working short time, with training as a paramount consideration. We highlight the role of new working time arrangements and regulations – among them working time accounts – for promoting flexibility and security for both employers and employees.
Glycemia (hemoglobin A1c) and incident venous thromboembolism in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities cohort study
Authors: Bell Elizabeth J , Selvin Elizabeth , Lutsey Pamela L , Nambi Vijay , Cushman Mary , Folsom Aaron R
Published: October 2013

Diabetes has been inconsistently associated with increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and there is little direct evidence on the associations of glycemia levels with VTE. We used data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study to test the hypothesis that glycemia, as measured by hemoglobin A1c (A1c), is positively associated with VTE. Participants aged 45–64 years ( n = 12,298) had A1c measured in 1990 and were followed for incident VTE ( n = 345) through 2005. Because A1c is affected by diabetes treatment, analyses were stratified by history of diagnosed diabetes. Owing to evidence of non-linearity, we categorized A1c according to clinical cut-points: <5.7, 5.7–6.4, and ≥6.5% in those with no diagnosed diabetes; <7.0 and ≥7.0% in those with diagnosed diabetes. After adjustment for potential confounders, the hazard ratios (95% CIs) for VTE across increasing A1c categories were 1 (referent), 1.02 (0.77, 1.35) and 0.72 (0.41, 1.29) for those without diagnosed diabetes, and 1.30 (0.77, 2.17) and 1.41 (0.95, 2.09) for those with diagnosed diabetes. To explore the relation, we employed various models to adjust for potential confounding variables and modeled A1c as tertiles. We consistently found elevated hazard ratios in those with diagnosed diabetes, though the association was not statistically significant in every model. Hazard ratios in those without diagnosed diabetes were close to 1. In conclusion, our results are mildly suggestive that diagnosed diabetes and high levels of glucose, per se, may increase the risk of VTE. Elevated glucose was not related to VTE in those without diagnosed diabetes.
The application of central tension plate with sharp hook in the treatment of intra-articular olecranon fracture
Authors: Chen Wei , Zhang Qi , Hou Zhiyong , Zhang Yingze
Published: October 2013

Background

Standard plate fixation can be used to treat intraarticular olecranon fractures with satisfactory functional recovery, but its use is accompanied by implant related complications. This retrospective study reports on the functional outcome of intraarticular olecranon fractures treated with a central tension plate with sharp hook.

Methods

A retrospective review of any patient with an olecranon fracture from August 2007 to December 2008 was conducted. Patients were considered for inclusion in the study if they were treated surgically with a central tension plate with sharp hook. Patients with pathological fractures or previous fractures of the proximal ulna were excluded. The quality of reduction was evaluated using postoperative imaging. The functional recoveries of the affected upper limbs were evaluated postoperatively at regular intervals using the Mayo Elbow Performance (MEP) score and Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (DASH).

Results

Twenty six patients met the study criteria and were included in analysis. There were ten Type IIA, nine Type IIB, four Type IIIA and three Type IIIB fractures according to the Mayo classification system. Thirteen patients exhibited other concomitant fractures at the time of surgery: one patient with a coronoid fracture, two with a fracture of the radial head, and ten with fractures in other bones. Postoperative radiographic assessment revealed an anatomical or nearly anatomical reduction of all olecranon fractures treated. All olecranon fractures healed at an average of 14 weeks (range, 9 to 32 weeks). The patients were followed up for 42 months (range, 32 to 54 months). The mean DASH score was 8.5 (range, 0 to 31.7). The mean MEP score was 93.6 (range, 75 to 100). Based on the MEP score, all patients achieved good or excellent outcomes. No symptomatic plate removal was performed at the time of last follow-up.

Conclusion

The central tension plate with sharp hook closely contours to the osteology of the proximal ulna. Treating intra-articular olecranon fracture with this new plate can achieve good to excellent functional outcome with a high union rate and a low incidence of hardware related complications.
The identification of a novel splicing mutation in C1qB in a Japanese family with C1q deficiency: a case report
Authors: Higuchi Yousuke , Shimizu Junya , Hatanaka Michiyo , Kitano Etsuko , Kitamura Hajime , Takada Hidetoshi , Ishimura Masataka , Hara Toshiro , Ohara Osamu , Asagoe Kenji , Kubo Toshihide
Published: October 2013

C1q deficiency is a rare disease that is associated with a high probability of developing systemic lupus erythematosus. We report a 4-year-old Japanese girl who presented with fever, facial erythema, joint pain, and oral ulceration. Complement deficiencies were suspected because of her persistent hypocomplementemia and normal levels of the complement proteins C3 and C4. We identified a novel homozygous splicing mutation in theC1qBgene, c.187 + 1G > T, which is the first mutation to be confirmed in a Japanese individual. Because treatment with steroids and immunosuppressive drugs was not effective, we commenced use of fresh frozen plasma to provide C1q supplements. Currently, the patient remains almost asymptomatic, and we are attempting to control the drug dosage and administration intervals of fresh frozen plasma.
The surface condition effect of Cu2O flower/grass-like nanoarchitectures grown on Cu foil and Cu film
Authors: Hu Lijiao , Ju Yang , Hosoi Atsushi , Tang Yongpeng
Published: October 2013

Cu2O flower/grass-like nanoarchitectures (FGLNAs) were fabricated directly on two category specimens of Cu foils and Cu film using thermal oxidation method. The FGLNAs are approximately 3.5 to 12 μm in size, and their petals are approximately 50 to 950 nm in width. The high compressive stress caused by a large oxide volume in the Cu2O layer on the specimen surface played an important role in the growth of FGLNAs. The effects of surface conditions, such as the surface stresses, grain size, and surface roughness of Cu foil and Cu film specimens, on the FGLNA growth were discussed in detail.

PACS

81. Materials science; 81.07.-b Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; 81.16.Hc Catalytic methods
Cell membrane topology analysis by RICM enables marker-free adhesion strength quantification
Authors: Klein Katharina , Rommel Christina E , Hirschfeld-Warneken Vera C , Spatz Joachim P
Published: October 2013

Reflection interference contrast microscopy (RICM) allows the visualization of the cell’s adhesion topology on substrates. Here it is applied as a new label-free method to measure adhesion forces between tumor cells and their substrate without any external manipulation, i.e., the application of force or adjustments in the substrate elasticity. Malignant cancer transformation is closely associated with the down-regulation of adhesion proteins and the consequent reduction of adhesion forces. By analyzing the size and distribution of adhesion patches from a benign and a malignant human pancreatic tumor cell line, we established a model for calculating the adhesion strength based on RICM images. Further, we could show that the cell’s spread area does not necessarily scale with adhesion strength. Despite the larger projected cell area of the malignant cell line, adhesion strength was clearly reduced. This underscores the importance of adhesion patch analysis. The calculated force values were verified by microfluidic detachment assays. Static and dynamic RICM measurements produce numerous adhesion-related parameters from which characteristic cell signatures can be derived. Such a cellular fingerprint can refine the process of categorizing cell lines according to their grade of differentiation.
Posterior regeneration in Isodiametra pulchra (Acoela, Acoelomorpha)
Authors: Perea-Atienza Elena , Botta Maria , Salvenmoser Willi , Gschwentner Robert , Egger Bernhard , Kristof Alen , Martinez Pedro , Achatz Johannes Georg
Published: October 2013

Introduction

Regeneration is a widespread phenomenon in the animal kingdom, but the capacity to restore damaged or missing tissue varies greatly between different phyla and even within the same phylum. However, the distantly related Acoelomorpha and Platyhelminthes share a strikingly similar stem-cell system and regenerative capacity. Therefore, comparing the underlying mechanisms in these two phyla paves the way for an increased understanding of the evolution of this developmental process.

To date, Isodiametra pulchra is the most promising candidate as a model for the Acoelomorpha, as it reproduces steadily under laboratory conditions and is amenable to various techniques, including the silencing of gene expression by RNAi. In order to provide an essential framework for future studies, we report the succession of regeneration events via the use of cytochemical, histological and microscopy techniques, and specify the total number of cells in adult individuals.

Results

Isodiametra pulchra is not capable of regenerating a new head, but completely restores all posterior structures within 10 days. Following amputation, the wound closes via the contraction of local muscle fibres and an extension of the dorsal epidermis. Subsequently, stem cells and differentiating cells invade the wound area and form a loosely delimited blastema. After two days, the posterior end is re-patterned with the male (and occasionally the female) genital primordium being apparent. Successively, these primordia differentiate into complete copulatory organs. The size of the body and also of the male and female copulatory organs, as well as the distance between the copulatory organs, progressively increase and by nine days copulation is possible. Adult individuals with an average length of 670 μm consist of approximately 8100 cells.

Conclusion

Isodiametra pulchra regenerates through a combination of morphallactic and epimorphic processes. Existing structures are “re-modelled” and provide a framework onto which newly differentiating cells are added. Growth proceeds through the intercalary addition of structures, mirroring the embryonic and post-embryonic development of various organ systems. The suitability of Isodiametra pulchra for laboratory techniques, the fact that its transcriptome and genome data will soon be available, as well as its small size and low number of cells, make it a prime candidate subject for research into the cellular mechanisms that underlie regeneration in acoelomorphs.
The effects of education based on extended health belief model in type 2 diabetic patients: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Bayat Fatemeh , Shojaeezadeh Davoud , Baikpour Masoud , Heshmat Ramin , Baikpour Maryam , Hosseini Mostafa
Published: October 2013

Background

Type II diabetes and its complications impose a large economic burden on health care systems. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of educational intervention based on extended health belief model on type 2 diabetic patients.

Methods

120 patients with type II diabetes referring to randomly selected hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences were enrolled in this educational intervention study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups (intervention and control). Data were collected using a questionnaire including demographic information and extended health belief model constructs. Two face to face educational sessions were conducted for each patient. Data were collected in two groups at three stages of the study; before the educational sessions and at 3 months and 6 months intervals. Analysis was performed by SPSS (17.0) and STATA (11.0) using independent T-test, Chi-square, Fisher’s exact test, analysis of covariance and Generalized Estimating Equation. A p value of less than 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant.

Results

The educational program had a positive and significant impact (p < 0.0001) on extended health model belief constructs (including perceived susceptibility, perceived intensity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers and self-efficacy) in experimental group, 3 and 6 months after the intervention.

Conclusions

The results of this study showed the importance of extended health belief model based education in improving the model constructs and increasing self-efficacy in patients with type-2 diabetes.
B lymphocytes and B-cell activating factor promote collagen and profibrotic markers expression by dermal fibroblasts in systemic sclerosis
Authors: François Antoine , Chatelus Emmanuel , Wachsmann Dominique , Sibilia Jean , Bahram Seiamak , Alsaleh Ghada , Gottenberg Jacques-Eric
Published: October 2013

Introduction

B lymphocytes might play a pathogenic role in dermal fibrosis in systemic sclerosis (SSc). B-cell activating factor (BAFF), a key cytokine for B-cell activation, is increased in the serum and the skin of patients with SSc. However, the ability of B cells directly to stimulate dermal fibroblasts and the role of BAFF are not fully understood. We therefore investigated the involvement of B cells and BAFF in the expression of collagen and profibrotic markers by dermal fibroblasts.

Methods

Cocultures of blood B cells from healthy blood donors and normal or SSc dermal fibroblasts stimulated with anti-IgM and BAFF were performed. Alpha-SMA, TIMP1, MMP9, COL1A1, COL1A2, and COL3A1 mRNA expression were determined by quantitative RT-PCR. Soluble collagen, BAFF, IL-6, IL-1β, TGF-β1, and CCL2 protein secretion were assessed.

Results

Coculture of blood B cells and dermal fibroblasts isolated from SSc patients induced IL-6, TGF-β1, CCL2, and collagen secretion, as well as Alpha-SMA, TIMP1, and MMP9 expression in dermal fibroblasts. Transwell assays demonstrated that this induction was dependent on cell-cell contact. Addition of anti-IgM and BAFF to the coculture increased IL-6, CCL2, TGF-β1, and collagen secretion. B cell- and BAFF-induced collagen secretion was highly reduced by anti-TGF-β1 antibodies.

Conclusions

Our results showed for the first time a direct role of B cells on the production of collagen by dermal fibroblasts, which is further enhanced by BAFF. Thus, these results demonstrate a new pathogenic role of B cells and BAFF in fibrosis and systemic sclerosis.
taxize: taxonomic search and retrieval in R
Authors: Chamberlain Scott A. , Szöcs Eduard
Published: October 2013

All species are hierarchically related to one another, and we use taxonomic names to label the nodes in this hierarchy. Taxonomic data is becoming increasingly available on the web, but scientists need a way to access it in a programmatic fashion that’s easy and reproducible. We have developed taxize, an open-source software package (freely available from http://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/taxize/index.html) for the R language. taxize provides simple, programmatic access to taxonomic data for 13 data sources around the web. We discuss the need for a taxonomic toolbelt in R, and outline a suite of use cases for which taxize is ideally suited (including a full workflow as an appendix). The taxize package facilitates open and reproducible science by allowing taxonomic data collection to be done in the open-source R platform.
Bispectral index detects intraoperative cerebral ischaemia during balloon assisted cerebral aneurysm coiling
Authors: Harclerode Zoe , Andrzejowski John , Coley Stuart , Dyde Richard
Published: October 2013

Bispectral index (BIS) is a monitoring modality designed and used for monitoring depth of anaesthesia. We wish to report a case where BIS monitoring may have alerted us to a potential adverse neurological event during angiographic coiling of a cerebral aneurysm.
ANGDelMut – a web-based tool for predicting and analyzing functional loss mechanisms of deleterious angiogenin mutations causing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Padhi Aditya K , Vasaikar Suhas V , Jayaram Bhyravabhotla , Gomes James
Published: October 2013

ANGDelMut is a web-based tool for predicting the functional consequences of missense mutations in the angiogenin (ANG) protein, which is associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Missense mutations in ANG result in loss of either ribonucleolytic activity or nuclear translocation activity or both of these functions, and in turn cause ALS. However, there are no web-based tools available to predict whether a newly identified ANG mutation will be ALS causative. More importantly, no web-implemented method is currently available to elucidate the mechanisms of loss-of-function(s) of ANG mutants. In light of this observation, we developed the ANGDelMut web-based tool, which predicts whether an ANG mutation is deleterious or benign. The user selects certain attributes from the input panel, which serves as a query to infer whether a mutant will exhibit loss of ribonucleolytic activity or nuclear translocation activity or whether the overall stability will be affected. The output states whether the mutation is deleterious or benign, and if it is deleterious, gives the mechanism(s) of loss-of-function. This web-based tool, freely available at http://bioschool.iitd.ernet.in/DelMut/, is the first of its kind to provide a platform for researchers and clinicians, to infer the functional consequences of ANG mutations and their association with ALS ahead of experimental findings.
How Do Firms Become Different? A Dynamic Model
Authors: Selove Matthew
Published: October 2013

This paper presents a dynamic investment game in which firms that are initially identical develop assets that are specialized to different market segments. The model assumes that there are increasing returns to investment in a segment, for example, as a result of word-of-mouth or learning curve effects. I derive three key results: (1) Under certain conditions there is a unique equilibrium in which firms that are only slightly different focus all of their investment in different segments, causing small random differences to expand into large permanent differences. (2) If, on the other hand, sufficiently large random shocks are possible, firms over time repeatedly change their strategies, switching focus from one segment to another. (3) A firm might want to reduce its own assets in the smaller segment in order to entice its competitor to shift focus to this segment.

This paper was accepted by J. Miguel Villas-Boas, marketing.
Effect of Copper to Quat Ratio on Fixation and Leaching of Preservative Components in Alkaline Copper Quat–Treated Wood
Authors: Pankras Sedric , Cooper Paul , Ung Tony , Awoyemi Lawrence
Published: October 2013

This study investigates the effect of the relative proportion of copper oxide (CuO) to didecyl dimethyl ammonium carbonate (DDACb) in an alkaline copper quat (ACQ) formulation on the rate of copper fixation or stabilization and the resistance of treated wood to leaching of copper and quat (DDACb) for different ACQ retentions in wood. Red pine, jack pine, and black spruce samples were treated with ACQ at concentrations of 0.6, 1, and 1.5 percent with CuO to DDACb ratios of 2:1 (the usual ratio for ACQ-D), 1:1, and 1:2. Red pine samples posttreated at 50°C were evaluated for rate of fixation by the expressate method. Conditioned samples of the three species were evaluated for the leaching of copper, and DDACb (red pine). At similar ACQ retentions, a decrease in proportion of copper in the formulation resulted in a substantial reduction in the time required for copper fixation. There was a significant decrease in the amount of copper leached for all three species studied with reduction of proportion of copper in the ACQ formulation. Improved fixation time and reduced copper leaching resulted from the lower copper retentions in the samples with lower relative proportions of copper in the formulations. The reduction in leaching was higher for samples treated with concentrations of 1 and 1.5 percent ACQ. The formulation having a 1:1 CuO to DDACb ratio appears to be the most promising, considering the positive effects of reduced copper ratio on copper leaching and fixation time and the minimal effect on DDAC leaching.
The Transverse Thermal Conductivity Coefficients of Some Hardwood Species Grown in Turkey
Authors: Kol Hamiyet Şahin
Published: October 2013

Thermal conductivity values for ash, oak, silver wattle, poplar, and beech were measured. Thermal conductivity coefficients of the wood species were determined for radial and tangential directions at four different moisture conditions, ranging from 0 to 22 percent moisture content (MC). Equations predicting thermal conductivities of the wood species according to the MC are proposed in the tangential and radial directions. The thermal conductivity test was performed with a quick thermal conductivity meter based on the ASTM C1113-99 hot-wire method, and measurements were carried out at a room temperature of 20°C to 24°C. The effect of density and porosity on thermal conductivity was also investigated. Results showed the behavior of all wood species studied is quantitatively similar. Thermal conductivity increased with increasing MC. Tangential thermal conductivity values within the MC range of 0 to 22 percent changed from 0.089 to 0.147 W/m-K for poplar, 0.127 to 0.222 W/m-K for beech, 0.113 to 0.202 W/m-K for ash, 0.142 to 0.290 W/m-K for silver wattle, and 0.130 to 0.219 W/m-K for oak. Tangential thermal conductivity was similar to radial thermal conductivity. Radial thermal conductivity was 1.08 times tangential thermal conductivity for poplar, 1.01 times for beech, 1.06 times for ash, 0.95 times for silver wattle, and 1.03 times for oak, respectively. The data are useful when calculating the energy required to kiln-dry lumber and predicting the thermal insulating qualities of log homes made from the species.
Mechanical Properties of Wood from the Relict Abies pinsapo Forests
Authors: Esteban Luis García , de Palacios Paloma , Fernández Francisco García , Ovies Julia
Published: October 2013

The mechanical properties of Abies pinsapo Boiss., a relict species from the south of Spain, have been studied very little due to its scarcity and the high level of protection of this species. Forest fire prevention measures involving felling of mature trees have enabled the species to be characterized for the first time. A comparison of its three regions of provenance, (1) Sierra de Grazalema, (2) Sierra Bermeja, (3) Sierra de las Nieves, was included in this evaluation. Tests were conducted using small dimension defect-free test pieces in accordance with the corresponding Spanish mechanical property test standard. In order to relate the findings to the wood anatomy, measurements were taken of tracheid length and diameter, tracheid wall thickness, and growth rate.

The mean values per region of provenance (1, 2, 3) were Charpy impact strength, 16.9, 12.4, 14.3 (J); modulus of rupture (MOR), 74.9, 68.8, 71.1 (N/mm2); tensile strength perpendicular to the grain (tangential), 1.9, 2.0, 1.8 (N/mm2); tensile strength perpendicular to the grain (radial), 2.0, 2.0, 1.9 (N/mm2); splitting strength, 2.4, 2.3, 2.3 (N/mm); and compressive strength parallel to the grain, 40.0, 39.9, 39.9 (N/mm2). The findings showed that the values of most of the properties studied in the three regions of provenance did not present statistically significant differences.
Estimating Upper Percentiles of Strand Thickness for Oriented Strand Board
Authors: Young Timothy M. , Guess Frank M. , Chastain Jennifer S. , León Ramón V.
Published: October 2013

Statistical reliability methods are applied to estimate the upper percentiles of strand thickness for the face layers of oriented strand board (OSB) panels manufactured from six mills in the Eastern United States. The influence of thick strands on OSB properties (thickness swell, TS; internal bond, IB; and modulus of rupture, MOR) has been well documented. However, there is an absence in the literature of characterizing wood strand thickness for OSB mills in the context of statistical reliability methods. With induced percentile left censoring for improved model fitting, bootstrapping methods are employed for better estimating the upper percentiles and confidence intervals for strand thickness. The upper percentiles of flakes may be costly, damage equipment, or cause dimensional instability in OSB.

The distributions of wood strands were nonnormal, and best-fit distributions varied from the log-logistic, largest extreme value, lognormal, and Weibull. The mean and median strand thicknesses for all mills were 0.0322 inches (0.8179 mm) and 0.0310 inches (0.7874 mm), respectively. The coefficient of variation for all mills was 39.1 percent. Parametric bootstrap confidence intervals for the 95th percentile with no censoring varied in length from 0.0009 inches (0.0229 mm) to 0.0145 inches (0.3683 mm). Nonparametric bootstrap confidence intervals for the 95th percentile with no censoring varied in length from 0.0005 inches (0.0127 mm) to 0.0225 inches (0.5175 mm). Study results were strengthened from the validation study in that the training intervals were either contained within, or overlapped, the validation intervals.
The Wood Products Industry in the Western Balkan Region
Authors: Glavonjić Branko , Vlosky Richard P. , Borlea Gheorghe Florian , Petrović Slavica , Sretenović Predrag
Published: October 2013

Primary wood processing and secondary furniture production are strategic sectors in most western Balkan countries with regard to contribution to gross domestic product, exports, and employment. After abandoning a socialist business system in the post-Yugoslavia era, all countries in the region have developed transitional reforms to become free-market economies. Some of these reforms include changes in ownership structure, recapitalization and modernization, adapting to meet import standards of developed countries, and developing strategic linkages with supply-chain counterparts in developed countries. This article contains the results of research conducted on the current situation in primary wood processing and furniture industries in seven western Balkan countries. A common characteristic of these sectors across all countries is the century-long tradition of forestry and forest utilization. The development of these sectors will require sustainable management of the region's rich forest resources, political and economic systems that are transparent and market driven, as well as investments in production technology and employee training.
Land Cover, Land Use, and Mill Characteristics as Predictors of Wood Procurement Range
Authors: Anderson Nate , Germain René
Published: October 2013

Urbanization of forestland has the potential to reduce the timberland base indefinitely. Wood-using industry located in areas with declining timberlands may be forced to expand the range of procurement operations to meet production requirements. This article examines 11 different land use and land cover variables as predictors of woodshed area for sawmills in the northeastern United States. Based on woodshed maps provided by 175 sawmills in seven states, geospatial analysis and multiple regression are used to test the hypothesis that mills in areas with higher proportions of nontimber land have larger woodsheds. Results indicate that mill characteristics, not landscape variables, are the strongest predictors of woodshed area. Although some cover types, including farmland and open water, are associated with larger woodsheds, none of the measures of urbanization used in this study are significant predictors of woodshed area. If urbanization is leading to a reduced flow of sawlogs, the explanation for the lack of observed effects of urban cover on woodshed area may be tied to the flow of sawlogs from terminal harvests, prior relocation of sawmills out of urbanizing areas, or the implementation of alternative procurement and production strategies that help sawmills remain competitive as local wood supplies tighten.
Digital Technology Use by Companies in the Furniture, Cabinet, Architectural Millwork, and Related Industries
Authors: Wiedenbeck Jan , Parsons Jeff
Published: October 2013

Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), in which computer-aided design (CAD) and computer numerically controlled (CNC) machining are integrated for the production of parts, became a viable option for the woodworking industry in the 1980s. To determine if using computer-based technologies in wood products design and manufacturing can streamline the many phases of production, a survey was conducted in 2006. Sixty-three percent of survey respondents indicated they use CAD. Even in the very small woodworking companies, CAD use was not uncommon, with 46 percent of them using CAD technology. Web sites and Web-based sales were being used by 41 percent of the survey respondents. Forty-one percent also used CNC machining. A much higher percentage of the large companies used CNC, considering that of all companies with 50 or more employees, 93 percent used CNC machining. CAM was the only other computer technology utilized by more than 20 percent of the respondents.
Resin Suppliers' Perspectives on the “Greening” of the North American Interior Wood Composite Panel Market
Authors: Ruffing Thomas C. , Smith Paul M. , Brown Nicole R.
Published: October 2013

Eight North American resin suppliers, representing 100 percent of the polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate (pMDI) market and >95 percent of the urea-formaldehyde (UF) market for interior wood composite panels (IWCPs), participated in an exploratory phone survey conducted in July and August 2008 that was designed to better understand their product positioning and “green” resin strategies. These eight firms were identified as the largest suppliers to the IWCP industry, which includes particleboard, medium density fiberboard, hardwood plywood, and hardboard. In 2007, the IWCP resin industry was highly concentrated and dominated by UF resins. Resin suppliers rated research and development work and technical support as the most important competitive advantage factors they used. Moreover, resin suppliers perceived the following product and service attributes to have the greatest importance to their IWCP customers: low formaldehyde emissions from finished panels (4.8 of 5), fast resolution of customer complaints (4.5), reduced volatile organic carbon emissions during panel pressing (4.3), support during resin trials (4.3), and on-time delivery (4.2). The regulatory environment (i.e., California Air Resources Board [CARB]) was the most important driver of IWCP resin manufacturers' green resin programs. Results showed a trend of increasing importance for green IWCP resin market development for the time periods defined as today, next 2 years, next 5 years, and next 10 years for pMDI suppliers, whereas UF suppliers rated green IWCP resin market development highly important over all four time periods.
Trends in Lumber Processing in the Western United States. Part II: Overrun and Lumber Recovery Factors
Authors: Keegan Charles E. , Morgan Todd A. , Blatner Keith A. , Daniels Jean M.
Published: October 2013

This article describes trends in three measures of lumber recovery for sawmills in the western United States: lumber overrun (LO), lumber recovery factor (LRF), and cubic lumber recovery (CLR). All states and regions showed increased LO during the last three decades. Oregon and Montana had the highest LO at 107 and 100 percent, respectively. Alaska had the lowest LO at 31 percent, followed by the Four Corners Region (i.e., Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah). Because sawmills in the western United States use the Scribner Log Rule (SLR) as the unit of log input, higher LO is not a clear indication that mills are using improved sawing technology and techniques. At best, LO is an imprecise measure of production efficiency.

Better measures of lumber output per unit input include LRF and CLR. These measures are substantially better than LO because they are based on the cubic volume of solid wood fiber in a log, thus eliminating a number of the problems associated with the SLR. Oregon, followed by Washington, had the highest LRF (8.67 and 8.43 board feet lumber tally per cubic foot of logs, respectively) and the highest CLR (52% and 50%, respectively). Alaska had the lowest LRF and CLR. Changes in LRF and CLR suggest that sawmills in the western United States have used improved sawing technology and techniques to increase the volume of lumber recovered even as log sizes have decreased.
Effect of Copper on Long-Term Performance of Dazomet as an Internal Remedial Treatment in Douglas-Fir Poles
Authors: Love Connie S. , Freitag Camille , Morrell Jeffrey J.
Published: October 2013

A solid, crystalline fumigant (dazomet) with and without a supplemental copper compound was evaluated as an internal decay control treatment on Douglas-fir poles in two long-term field tests. Methylisothiocyanate (MITC), the decomposition product of dazomet, was used as a measure of effectiveness. MITC levels in the wood were above the threshold near the groundline application zone within 1 year after treatment. MITC levels above the groundline were much lower, suggesting that the treatment zone would need to be extended to produce protection in these higher zones. The addition of copper sulfate markedly increased MITC levels. Copper naphthenate was slightly less effective as a dazomet accelerant, but slightly better than dazomet alone. The results indicate that dazomet treatment remains at protective levels for 10 to 12 years. This range is well within the typical inspection cycle used by most North American utilities.
A Simulation Model to Analyze the Impact of Outsourcing on Furniture Supply Chain Performance
Authors: Eksioglu Burak , Eksioglu Sandra , Zhang Jilei , Jin Mingzhou
Published: October 2013

As increasingly more companies outsource to Asia, US furniture companies' supply chains are becoming longer. To make their logistics networks more efficient, companies need to choose the right supply chain model, promote cooperation with their partners in the supply chain, and adopt new technologies to make better decisions and to manage better. Discrete-event simulation models are powerful tools that can be used by furniture manufacturers to perform what-if types of analyses to estimate the impact of their decisions on the overall performance prior to making any real changes to their system. We developed such a simulation model for a typical furniture manufacturer in northeastern Mississippi. By simulating the supply chain of the manufacturer under various scenarios, we show that outsourcing all of the business is not necessarily the best option because it may lead to a local reduction of capacity. This capacity reduction impacts the flexibility and profitability of the manufacturer. Outsourcing decisions may also be affected by product type. In general, outsourcing labor-intensive, slow-moving, and easy-to-transport items makes sense.
Heat Modification of Wood: Chemical Properties and Resistance to Mold and Decay Fungi
Authors: Yinodotlgör Nural , Kartal S. Nami
Published: October 2013

The resistance of heat-modified sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D.) sapwood against mold and decay fungi was evaluated under laboratory conditions. Wood specimens were subjected to heat treatment at 180°C for 2 and 4 hours and at 220°C for 2 hours. Changes in lignin and polysaccharide weight percent composition, solubility, and pH of heat-modified specimens were determined. Treatment at 220°C for 2 hours decreased wood polysaccharide content. Heat treatment slightly increased resistance against Rhizopus javanicus and Gliocladium (Trichoderma) virens, but not against Aspergillus niger. The highest temperature used increased resistance to decay by the white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor, but mass losses with the brown-rot fungus Fomitopsis palustris were higher than those with T. versicolor.
Synergistic Effect of Strand Angle and Panel Density on Bending Properties of Strand-Based Wood Composites
Authors: Liu Xiaohong , Chen Siguo , Wellwood Robert
Published: October 2013

The impacts of panel density and strand alignment, and their synergistic effect, on bending strength and stiffness of strand-based wood composites were investigated experimentally. Fifteen unidirectional strand panels with a range of densities were manufactured. Bending specimens were cut at an angle with respect to the alignment direction at 15-degree increments from 0 to 90 degrees. Bending strength and stiffness with extended ranges of density (480 to 672 kg/m3) and strand alignment (0 to 90 degrees) enabled these production factors to be simultaneously investigated. The response of the bending properties to changes in density greatly depended on strand angle. A smaller strand angle exhibited a greater rate of bending property change with density. This synergistic effect provided a supplementary basis for focusing efforts in improving strand alignment on the thin layers near the high-density surfaces to enhance bending properties. The data presented in this article should be especially useful when dealing with unidirectional wood strand/veneer products, such as oriented strand lumber, where strand alignment and density are crucial for the intended application.
The Effects of Copper in Large-Scale Single-Fungus and Dual-Fungi Wood Systems
Authors: Robinson Sara C. , Laks Peter E.
Published: October 2013

Copper sulfate can be utilized to stimulate fungal pigment production for commercial spalting applications. This research explored two larger-scale uses for fungus stimulation by copper: “drawing” exclusion areas on sugar maple by surface application of copper sulfate and the use of copper sulfate in dual-fungi inoculation systems to increase the number of colors and types of spalting produced. Sugar maple boards treated with 2 mL of 0.13 percent copper sulfate in an S pattern and inoculated with Xylaria polymorpha showed a distinct area of clear wood, followed by thick dark zone lines and then by a general black pigmentation expanding outward from the S. Sugar maple blocks treated with 0.06 kg/m3 copper sulfate and inoculated with X. polymorpha/Arthrographis cuboidea had fewer black zone lines than the control blocks but more pink zone lines and internal pink stain.
Preparation of Silicon Carbide Ceramics from Bamboo Charcoal by High-Temperature Silicon Infiltration
Authors: Chen Zhilin , Zhang Jian , Fu Feng
Published: October 2013

Bamboo charcoal, silica, and phenol-formaldehyde resin were mixed powders that were heated at temperatures from 1,500°C to 1,800°C in an argon atmosphere to produce a silicon carbide (SiC) ceramic. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA) were used to monitor heat flow and physical, chemical, and structural changes during the formation of the ceramic. The DSC results indicated that during firing, endothermic reactions occurred below 800°C, after which exothermic reactions dominated. FTIR study suggested conversion of Si-O bonds to Si-C bonds at temperatures above 1,500°C. SEM and EDXA showed that the microstructure of the bamboo charcoal was observable in the ceramic structure and that the surface of the ceramic material contained a high proportion of Si. X-ray diffractometry analysis indicated that the ceramics obtained by firing above 1,650°C mainly consisted of SiC with trace amounts of elemental carbon and silicon.
Strand Movement During Oriented Strand Composite Mat Formation
Authors: Perry Spencer , Pugel Anton , Halteman William , Shaler Stephen
Published: October 2013

The properties of strand-based wood composites are known to be strongly influenced by strand orientation and horizontal density variation. While the influence of these geometrical factors on performance has been extensively investigated for more than 20 years, little research has been reported on how the strands move during the forming process to become oriented and located. Better knowledge of strand movement will allow for understanding of and improvement in mat formation through rational modification of equipment settings and ultimately design concepts.

An industrial forming line was used to quantify the effect of strand length on strand movement from the bunker through the picker rolls, dissolving rolls, and orienting heads. Initial locations of dyed strands in the forming bin bunker were predetermined. After processing through the forming head, the location and orientation of individual strands were optically measured before and after the orienting deck.

Nine-inch strands were found to have a more variable flow rate through the picker rolls relative to 4-inch strands. Substantial strand mixing and horizontal travel across the width of the forming head occurs prior to the orientation deck. This indicates that modifications in the strand chute will influence the cross-direction movement uniformity and final product density variation more than orienting deck modifications. As expected, longer strands were shown to project significantly farther along the orienting deck as well as to provide better alignment. A particle screen analysis showed that the doffing and dissolving rolls generated 70 percent of the unders (smallest screen fraction) in the forming process.
In-Plane Moisture Content and Specific Gravity Evaluation of Oriented Strandboard Using a Radio Frequency Technique
Authors: Liu Xiaojian , Zhang Jilei , Donohoe J. Patrick , Steele Philip H.
Published: October 2013

Oriented strandboard (OSB) is a wood-based composite product with the largest market share for residential and commercial construction. Reliable in-line nondestructive evaluation devices are needed to rapidly determine OSB panel moisture content (MC) and specific gravity (SG) after hot pressing. In this report a radio frequency (RF) scanning technique was used to evaluate the MC and SG of OSB. RF scanning apparatuses were built to test OSB specimens at various MC and SG levels. Statistical models of the results were generated with the multiple linear regression method for estimating OSB MC and SG. The results indicated that the MC and SG of OSB can be estimated using RF responses in using voltage attenuation and signal phase shift.
Progress in Research on Fire Retardant–Treated Wood and Wood-Based Composites: A Chinese Perspective
Authors: Wang Fengqiang , Wang Qingwen , Wang Xiangming
Published: October 2013

Research on fire retardant–treated wood and wood-based composites has been conducted in China for over two decades. Although many kinds of fire retardants for wood and wood-based composites have been studied, the focus is still mainly on compounds or mixtures containing phosphorus, nitrogen, and boron, which can be used in a water solution for solid wood impregnation. Fire-retardant treatment methods for wood-based panels are either pretreatment of veneers, fibers, particles, or strands before hot pressing or impregnation of waterproof panels with fire-retardant solutions. Though attempts have been made in laboratories and factories to mix the fire retardants with glues, it has proven very difficult to spray the glue smoothly and to deliver effective amounts of fire retardants during the manufacture of panels. The mechanisms of phosphorus–nitrogen–boron fire retardants have been investigated systematically. The results indicate that the phosphorus–nitrogen compounds and the boron compounds are highly synergistic in effective fire-retardant formulations. The catalytic charring effect of a fire retardant on wood is a key factor in its efficacy. A chemical fire-retardant mechanism for boric acid is also proposed.

Research on fire retardants for wood–plastic composites has been attracting more attention in recent years; however, most results are preliminary because of the difficulty in identifying or formulating a fire-retardant system that is effective for both wood and plastics.

Only preliminary research has been conducted on smoke suppression for wood; innovative efforts will be needed to conduct further research.
Cost and Productivity of Harvesting High-Value Hybrid Poplar Plantations in Italy
Authors: Spinelli Raffaele , Magagnotti Natascia , Sperandio Giulio , Cielo Paolo , Verani Stefano , Zanuttini Roberto
Published: October 2013

As the importance of hybrid poplar plantations continues to increase, these stands may soon represent a strategic source of wood products for many temperate-region countries. Financial success from growing these plantations depends on obtaining the highest value recovery at the lowest harvest cost, which has motivated a gradual shift toward mechanized harvesting. This study compared the harvesting efficiency and cost of different harvesting procedures based on manual, semimechanized, and mechanized system configurations. Overall, 25 sites were sampled with time studies. Average site size varied between 0.3 and 2.5 hectares. Total observation time amounted to 787 hours, during which 6,449 trees were harvested. Mechanized harvesting proved significantly faster and cheaper than traditional manual harvesting, allowing an average saving of about 3 €/m3 for the same tree size. Hence, mechanization may help maintain profitability when harvesting smaller trees, allowing companies to cope with current trends toward shorter rotations for increased cash flow. Semimechanized harvesting did not involve fewer work steps, nor was it less expensive than traditional manual harvesting; its only benefit was a substantial reduction of labor requirements. The concern about reduced value recovery is still the main obstacle to the extensive application of mechanized poplar harvesting.