bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Brittle faulting in the ThorOdin culmination, Monashee complex, southern Canadian Cordillera: constraints on geometry and kinematics
Authors: Kruse Stefan , Williams Paul F
Published: April 2006

Regionally recognized dextral strike-slip faulting is present in the Monashee complex of the southern Canadian Cordillera but is overprinted and partially obscured by subsequent extension. Eocene brittle faults and fractures within the ThorOdin culmination of the Monashee complex are divisible into three distinct sets. Initial 340°010° trending strike-slip faults (set 1) were locally overprinted and reactivated by normal faults with a 325°020° trend (set 2). A third set of 255°275° trending fractures (set 3) are interpreted as conjugates to set 1, reactivated as transfer faults to the set 2 normal faults. Large regional faults weather recessively, forming topographic lineaments that transect the Monashee complex. The Victor Creek Fault defines one such lineament. Detailed mapping within the northern ThorOdin culmination reveals piercement points (fold hinges) on the east side of the fault that are not readily matched on the west side. The minimum displacement required on the Victor Creek Fault to down-drop the fold hinge below the level of exposure on the west side is 1370 m, assuming normal down-to-the-west displacement. The geometry of the fault is consistent with a set 1 dextral strike-slip fault, however. Matching the piercement points in the study area with possible equivalents to the north indicates 5560 km of dextral strike-slip displacement.
Snow avalanche activity after fire and logging disturbances, northern Gaspé Peninsula, Quebec, Canada
Authors: Germain Daniel , Filion Louise , Hétu Bernard
Published: April 2006

In mountainous areas, ecological disturbances causing forest fragmentation may influence the pattern and regime of snow avalanches. In the northern Gaspé Peninsula (Quebec), at two sites located on treed slopes of a southnorth oriented valley, tree removal by fire and logging operations was the precursor factor for avalanche activity. Years of high-magnitude snow avalanches were identified based on tree-ring techniques; these avalanches were different from those identified by Dubé et al. (2004) for three undisturbed scree-slope sites in the same area. The lack of synchronicity in avalanche occurrences between disturbed and undisturbed sites suggests a strong influence of local factors (e.g., disturbance, local topography, slope aspect, vegetation). The first avalanche years were recorded in 1941 and 1988, after a fire in 1938 and logging operations in 19861987, respectively. Both of these years had above average snowfalls; this indicates that climate (total annual snowfall) was also a contributing factor for avalanche activity. The avalanche window in the post-logging site was shorter (four years) than that of the post-fire site (1520 years). This is an indication that avalanche activity after tree removal largely depends on the capacity of woody vegetation to reach heights sufficient to control snow drifting and thus avalanche activity.
SantonianCampanian planktonic foraminifera in the New Jersey coastal plain and their distribution related to the relative sea-level changes
Authors: Georgescu Marius Dan
Published: April 2006

The Upper Cretaceous (SantonianCampanian) sediments of the New Jersey coastal plain subsurface yielded rich planktonic foraminiferal assemblages at certain stratigraphic levels in three wells: Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 174AX at Bass River and Ancora sites and a United States Geological Survey borehole in Freehold. Relative sea-level fluctuations can be recognized by following the presence or absence and amounts of two groups of planktonic foraminifers, the shallow water and deep water faunas. The former consists of globular-chambered species, while the complicated tests showing keels, heavy ornamentation and elaborated umbilical structures are confined to the latter. The Merchantville (late Santonian) and Marshalltown (early late Campanian) formations, which represent transgressive system tracts, show the richest and most diverse planktonic foraminiferal assemblages. In the highstand system tracts, represented by the Woodbury (early Campanian), lower Englishtown (middle Campanian), Wenonah (late Campanian), and Mount Laurel (late Campanian) respectively, a gradual decrease in the planktonic foraminiferal diversity and richness was observed. Planktonic foraminiferal peaks of lower amplitude are recorded in the proximity of the minor flooding surfaces. A five-fold planktonic foraminiferal zonal framework for the Santonian-Campanian stratigraphic interval is proposed. Paleobathymetry strongly influenced the planktonic foraminiferal distribution and biostratigraphic resolution.
New winter crane flies (Insecta: Diptera: Trichoceridae) from the Jurassic Daohugou Formation (Inner Mongolia, China) and their associated biota
Authors: Zhang Junfeng
Published: April 2006

Four extinct new species referable, respectively, to three extinct new genera within Trichoceridae have been recovered from the Jurassic Daohugou Formation in Ningcheng, Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, China: Archaeotrichocera ephemera gen. et sp. nov., Tanyochoreta integera gen. et sp. nov., Tanyochoreta chifengica sp. nov., and Sinotrichocera parva gen. et sp. nov. The specimen described earlier as trichocerids from China, Mesotrichocera laiyangensis Hong and Wang 1990, does not belong to this family. The Daohugou biota comprises a wide range of vertebrate and invertebrate organisms that inhabited, a small lake, luxurious everglade, streams, and forest with volcanoes nearby. The Daohugou Formation can be compared to the Karabastau and Haifanggou formations based on biostratigraphic correlation. The geological age for trichocerid-bearing nonmarine volcano-sedimentary rocks may be latest Middle Jurassic (Callovian) or earliest Late Jurassic (Oxfordian) rather than earlymiddle Middle Jurassic or Early Cretaceous.
Spectral and dynamical hints on the time scale of preparation of the 5 April 2003 explosion at Stromboli volcano
Authors: Carniel Roberto , Ortiz Ramon , Cecca Mauro Di
Published: April 2006

Stromboli volcano is well known for its continuous strombolian activity. Moreover, the volcano occasionally shows effusive phases, the latest in 19851986. On 28 December 2002 Stromboli entered a new effusive phase, accompanied by different paroxysmal events that led to considerable hazards for inhabitants and tourists on the island of Stromboli. On 30 December 2002 a major sector collapse affected the Sciara del Fuoco slope and initiated a tsunami. On 5 April 2003 a powerful explosion, which can be compared in size with the most recent explosion in 1930, covered a large part of the normally tourist accessible summit area with bombs. As this explosion was not forecasted, although the island was by then effectively monitored by a dense deployment of instruments, in this paper, we tackle the problem of highlighting the time scale of preparation of this event and conduct a search for possible precursors. For this purpose, we analyze the seismic data preceding the paroxysm with spectral and dynamical methods, highlighting that this paroxysmal event can be seen as the final result of a dynamical phase that started at least 2.5 h before the event. Therefore, this is the time scale during which the search can and should be made for possible precursors. Moreover, the application of the "material failure forecast" method suggests that this final dynamical phase may be just the final acceleration of a process that was building up for at least several days prior to the event.
The record of Glacial Lake Champagne in Kusawa Lake, southwestern Yukon Territory
Authors: Gilbert Robert , Desloges Joseph R
Published: April 2006

Late Pleistocene glaciers dammed Glacial Lake Champagne in the valley of Dezadeash River between a westward-flowing glacier in the Takhini valley and eastward-flowing glaciers from the St. Elias complex. Modern Kusawa Lake lies in the southern extension of Lake Champagne. Geophysical and geomorphic evidence documents the deglaciation of the lake, the presence of Lake Champagne, and the postglacial sedimentary environment of the basin. During the main phase of Lake Champagne, the water level stood at 772 m in the northern part of Kusawa Lake and 756 m in northern Dezadeash valley, both probably controlled by a spillway floored at 756 m to the north into the Nordenskiold River. This indicates differential isostatic rebound of 0.2 m/km from south to north. At that time a trunk glacier occupied the southern portion of Kusawa Lake, depositing a thick sequence of sediment in the basin. A glacier in the Primrose valley and the Takhini trunk glacier built large deltas into Lake Champagne. Subsequently, the level fell to 744 m, controlled by a spillway around the sediment plug at the outlet of Kusawa Lake, and the trunk glacier retreated from Kusawa Lake. Lacustrine sediment washed from the now substantially exposed valley sides was deposited as a distinctive facies in the north-central portion of Kusawa Lake. Incision of the delta at the outlet of the lake lowered its level to a major strandline at 714 m and eventually to its present level of 671 m. In the southern portion of the lake, a single sedimentary facies documents continuous glacilacustrine deposition from sediment originating in tributary basins still containing 11%14% glacier cover.
Cloning and sequence analysis of 2 different acetylcholinesterase genes inRhopalosiphum padiandSitobion avenae
Authors: Chen Maohua , Han Zhaojun
Published: April 2006

Two genes encoding different acetylcholinesterases (AChE) were successfully cloned from 2 species of aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) and Sitobion avenae (F.). They were named Rp.AChE1 (GenBank accession No. AY707318), Rp.AChE2 (AY667435), Sa.AChE1 (AY707319), and Sa.AChE2 (AY819704), and were 2133, 2363, 2131, and 2362 bp in length and encoded 664, 676, 664, and 676 amino acids, respectively. All of them shared the characteristics of the AChE family: catalytic tiads, 3 intra-chain disulfide bridges, an acyl pocket, and the conservative aromatic residues for the active site of the gorge. Sequence analysis revealed that Rp.AChE1 and Sa.AChE1 showed higher identity to the reported orthologous genes of Drosophila AChE, and Rp.AChE2 and Sa.AChE2 to paralogous genes. However, in each of the aphids, the 2 genes from the same species shared only 29% identity between one another. It was therefore concluded that each of the aphids has 2 different AChE genes, which are either orthologous or paralogous to Drosophila AChE. The high conservation of AChE1 and AChE2 indicated that 2 acetylcholinesterases exist popularly and that both might function in aphids.Key words: Rhopalosiphum padi (L.), Sitobion avenae (F.), aphids, acetylcholinesterase.
Effect of glycerol-induced hyperhydration on thermoregulatory and cardiovascular functions and endurance performance during prolonged cycling in a 25°C environment
Authors: Goulet Eric D.B , Robergs Robert A , Labrecque Susan , Royer Donald , Dionne Isabelle J
Published: April 2006

We compared the effect of glycerol-induced hyperhydration (GIH) to that of water-induced hyperhydration (WIH) on cardiovascular and thermoregulatory functions and endurance performance (EP) during prolonged cycling in a temperate climate in subjects consuming fluid during exercise. At weekly intervals, 6 trained male subjects ingested, in a randomized, double-blind, counterbalanced fashion, either a glycerol (1.2 g glycerol/kg bodyweight (BW) with 26 mL/kg BW of water - aspartame-flavored fluid) or placebo solution (water - aspartame-flavored fluid only) over a 2 h period. Subjects then performed 2 h of cycling at 66% of the maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) and 25 °C while drinking 500 mL/h of sports drink, which was followed by a step-incremented cycling test to exhaustion. Levels of hyperhydration did not differ significantly between treatments before exercise. During exercise, GIH significantly reduced urine production by 246 mL. GIH did not increase sweat rate nor did it decrease heart rate, rectal temperature, or perceived exertion during exercise as compared with WIH. EP was not significantly different between treatments. Neither treatment induced undesirable side effects. It is concluded that, compared with WIH, GIH decreases urine production, but does not improve cardiovascular or thermoregulatory functions, nor does it improve EP during 2 h of cycling in a 25 °C environment in trained athletes consuming 500 mL/h of fluid during exercise.Key words: prolonged exercise, fluid balance, heart rate, rectal temperature, exercise capacity.
The effect of desmopressin, a vasopressin analog, on endurance performance during a prolonged run in simulated heat conditions
Authors: Ftaiti Foued , Dantin Marie Pière , Nicol Caroline , Brunet Christian , Grélot Laurent
Published: April 2006

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) release into the bloodstream is essential for water balance in the body and, thus, for core-temperature regulation. We investigated the effect of the AVP analog desmopressin (Des) on the performance of 6 endurance runners in a simulated heat condition. Four strenuous treadmill runs were performed at a 1-week interval. Over the 4 test sessions, room temperature and relative humidity were 22 ± 0.4 °C and 47% ± 7%, respectively. Each run included 40 min at 60% maximal aerobic velocity immediately followed by an incremental run until exhaustion. Dehydration and hyperthermia were induced by wearing an impermeable tracksuit. Two runs were performed with no hydration (NH; NH-Des) and two under false hydration (FH; FH-Des). Under FH conditions, the runner was given a set amount of water every 5 min of the run, which was kept in the mouth for 10 s and spat out. Under NH-Des and FH-Des conditions, the run was performed 60 min after a 30 µg intranasal administration of desmopressin. In the NH-Des trial, the total distance run was 5%-8% longer than in the other conditions (p < 0.05). This was associated with a lower heart rate after the 40 min run than occurred in the NH and FH trials (p < 0.01) and a lower tympanic temperature than in the FH trial (p < 0.05). Urine mass was also lower under NH-Des conditions than under NH and FH conditions (p < 0.05). It is suggested that desmopressin administration could improve dramatically prolonged running performances in a hot and humid environment.Key words: endurance running, hyperthermia, dehydration, body mass loss, heart rate, tympanic temperature.
Power training for older adults
Authors: Porter Michelle M
Published: April 2006

Resistance training is widely advocated for older adults to alleviate the muscle and strength loss that occurs with aging. While primary and secondary prevention of disability are often mentioned as benefits of strength training, the evidence for this is limited and inconclusive. Researchers have started to examine another form of resistance training that may prove to be more beneficial than strength training in terms of the reduction of age-related disability. Power training is being investigated because several studies have shown a stronger relationship between power and function than between strength and function. Early studies on power training suggest that neuromuscular power can be increased to a greater extent with high velocity or explosive training than strength training alone. In addition, there may be more positive effects on performance tasks measured in the laboratory, although evidence on disability reduction was very limited. Adverse events were reported in several studies, although the risk for injuries appears to be higher for testing than for training itself. Future well-designed studies on the risks and benefits of power training should provide more evidence on this promising form of resistance training for older adults of varying health and functional status.Key words: aging, resistance training, physical activity, physical function.
Expression of the F plasmidccdtoxin–antitoxin system inEscherichia colicells under nutritional stress
Authors: Aguirre-Ramírez Marisela , Ramírez-Santos Jesús , Van Melderen Laurence , Gómez-Eichelmann M Carmen
Published: April 2006

The ccd system of the F plasmid encodes CcdB, a protein toxic to DNA-gyrase, and CcdA, its antitoxin. The function attributed to this system is to contribute to plasmid stability by killing bacteria that lose the plasmid during cell division. However, the function of ccd in resting bacteria is not clear. Results presented show that ccd transcription increases as bacteria enter stationary phase and that the amount of the Ccd proteins is higher in bacteria under nutritional stress than in growing bacteria. Moreover, an increase in the frequency of Lac+"adaptive" mutations was observed in stationary-phase bacteria that over-express the Ccd proteins.Key words: ccd system, nutritional stress, adaptive mutation.
Bacterial endophytes of the wildflowerCrocus albiflorusanalyzed by characterization of isolates and by a cultivation-independent approach
Authors: Reiter Birgit , Sessitsch Angela
Published: April 2006

The presence and taxonomy of endophytic bacteria of the entire aerial parts of crocus (Crocus albiflorus), a wildflower native in the Alps, were investigated. A combination of plating of plant macerates, isolation and sequence identification of isolates, and direct 16S rDNA PCR amplification followed by whole-community fingerprinting (T-RFLP) and by construction of a bacterial clone library was used. The results clearly indicated that a wide range of bacteria from diverse phylogenetic affiliation, mainly γ-Proteobacteria and Firmicutes, live in association with plants of C. albiflorus. The community composition of the culturable component of the microflora was remarkably different from that of the clone library. Only three bacterial divisions were found in the culture collection, which represented 17 phylotypes, whereas six divisions were identified in the clonal analysis comprising 38 phylotypes. The predominant group in the culture collection was the low G + C Gram-positive group, whereas in the clone library, the γ-Proteobacteria predominated. Interestingly, the most prominent bacterium within the uncultured bacterial community was a pseudo monad closely related to a cold-tolerant Pseudomonas marginalis strain. The results suggest that Crocus supports a diverse bacterial microflora resembling the microbial communities that have been described for other plants and containing species that have not been described in association with plants.Key words: crocus, endophytes, 16S rRNA, 16S rDNA clone library, T-RFLP analysis, community analysis.
Occurrence and expression ofcrdAandcprA5encoding chloroaromatic reductive dehalogenases inDesulfitobacteriumstrains
Authors: Gauthier Annie , Beaudet Réjean , Lépine François , Juteau Pierre , Villemur Richard
Published: April 2006

Desulfitobacterium hafniense PCP-1 (formerly frappieri PCP-1) has two reductive dehalogenases (RDases) that have been characterized. One is a membrane-associated 2,4,6-trichlorophenol RDase, which is encoded by crdA, and the other is a 3,5-dichlorophenol RDase encoded by cprA5. In this report, we determined the occurrence of these two RDase genes in seven other Desulfitobacterium strains. The presence or absence of these two RDases may explain the differences in the spectrum of halogenated compounds by these Desulfitobacterium strains. crdA gene sequences were found in all of the tested strains. It was expressed in strain PCP-1 regardless of the absence or presence of chlorophenols in the culture medium. crdA was also expressed in D. hafniense strains DCB-2 and TCE-1. cprA5 was detected only in D. hafniense strains PCP-1, TCP-A, and DCB-2. In these strains, cprA5 transcripts were detected only in the presence of chlorophenols. We also examined the expression of putative cprA RDases (cprA2, cprA3, and cprA4) that were shown to exist in the D. hafniense DCB-2 genome. RT-PCR experiments showed that cprA2, cprA3, and cprA4 were expressed in D. hafniense strains PCP-1, DCB-2, and TCP-A in the presence of chlorophenols. However, contrary to cprA5, these three genes were also expressed in the absence of halogenated compounds in the culture medium.Key words: reductive dehalogenase, Desulfitobacterium, gene family, gene expression.
Identification of sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol as a major polar lipid inMarinococcus halophilusandSalinicoccus hispanicusand substitution with phosphatidylglycerol
Authors: Sprott G Dennis , Bakouche Laurène , Rajagopal Kammara
Published: April 2006

The sulfonolipid sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol normally associated with photosynthetic membranes was identified as a major lipid in Marinococcus halophilus, Salinicoccus hispanicus ("Marinococcus hispanicus"), and Marinococcus sp. H8 (Planococcus sp. H8). Phosphatidylglycerol and 0%–10% cardiolipin accounted for the remaining polar lipids in these moderately halophilic, Gram-positive bacteria. Negative-ion fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry was used to quantify these three polar lipids from cells grown in media containing 0.03 to 4 mol NaCl/L. All strains revealed dramatic shifts in the ratio of sulfonolipid to phospholipid dependent on the salinity of the growth media, when grown in media with low phosphate content. Highest sulfonolipid content occurred during best growth in 0.5–2 mol NaCl/L, approaching 80%–90% of the total polar lipids. It was demonstrated that growth of M. halophilus in the presence of elevated phosphate and low sulfate blocked the shift to decreased phospholipids most notably during growth in 0.5–2 mol NaCl/L, without significant influence on growth. The data suggest that in low-phosphate media the influence of NaCl concentration on growth rate (and resulting demand for phosphate by competing pathways) is the primary factor responsible for exchange between phospholipid and sulfonolipid. We conclude that sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol, by substitution with phospholipids, contributes to the ability of these Gram-positive cocci to adapt to changing ionic environments. A comparison of 16S rRNA established a close similarity between Planococcus sp. H8 and M. halophilus.Key words: sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol, salinity, Marinococcus halophilus, Salinicoccus hispanicus, Marinococcus sp. H8 (Planococcus sp. H8).
The measurement of aerosolized endotoxin from land application of Class B biosolids in Southeast Arizona
Authors: Brooks J P , Tanner B D , Gerba C P , Pepper I L
Published: April 2006

The purpose of this study was to determine aerosolized endotoxin concentrations downwind of a biosolids land application site. Aerosol samples were collected from biosolids land application sites, tractor operation, and an aeration basin located within an open-air wastewater treatment plant. Aerosolized endotoxin above background concentrations was detected from all sites, at levels ranging from below detection up to 1800 EU m–3 of air. Biosolids loading operations resulted in the greatest concentrations of endotoxin (mean 344 EU m–3). As downwind (perpendicular to wind vector) distance increased from sources (2–200 m), levels of endotoxin decreased to near background (without biosolids application) concentrations. Overall, the detected levels of aerosolized endotoxin were within past proposed aerosolized endotoxin limits (250–2000 EU m–3) by other occupational exposure studies. Occasionally, peak concentrations were found to be above these limits. Sites in which soil was being aerosolized resulted in greater concentrations of endotoxin with or without biosolids, which suggested that the majority of endotoxin may in fact be of soil origin. This study evaluated the presence of aerosolized endotoxin from the land application of biosolids and showed that these levels were within ranges for concern suggested by other studies and that this area of research needs further investigation. Key words: biosolids, endotoxin, aerosol, bioaerosol, lipopolysaccharide.
Assessment of real-time PCR for diagnosis ofMycoplasma pneumoniaepneumonia in pediatric patients
Authors: Morozumi Miyuki , Ito Akira , Murayama Somay Y , Hasegawa Keiko , Kobayashi Reiko , Iwata Satoshi , Kawamura Naohisa , Kuroki Haruo , Nakayama Eiichi , Tajima Takeshi , Ubukata Kimiko
Published: April 2006

We developed a real-time PCR to detect Mycoplasma pneumoniae with a primer set designed for the 16S rRNA gene. Clinical samples (n = 937) were collected from children with community-acquired pneumonia between April 2002 and March 2004 at 12 Japanese medical institutions. Sensitivity of real-time PCR was calculated as 10 colony-forming units per reaction tube using a pMP01 plasmid carrying a 225-bp target DNA fragment of the 16S rRNA gene in M. pneumoniae M129, a standard strain. Results, obtained within 2 h, were compared with those of conventional culture and serologic methods. Of all cases tested, 151 (16.4%) and 129 (13.8%) were positive for M. pneumoniae by real-time PCR and by culture, respectively. Among the 151 cases, almost all of those tested serologically by passive agglutination showed a rise in M. pneumoniae antibody titre between acute and convalescent sera. We conclude that this real-time PCR can identify M. pneumoniae rapidly and fulfills the need for rapid identification, high sensitivity, and high specificity.Key words: real-time PCR, Mycoplasma pneumoniae identification, pediatrics, community-acquired pneumonia, Mycoplasma pneumoniae culture.
Bioreactor studies on the endophytic fungusEntrophospora infrequensfor the production of an anticancer alkaloid camptothecin
Authors: Amna Touseef , Puri Satish C , Verma V , Sharma Jai P , Khajuria Rajinder K , Musarrat Javed , Spiteller Michael , Qazi G N
Published: April 2006

Twigs (young and old) from Nothapodytes foetida growing in the Jammu and Mahabaleshwar regions in India were used for the isolation of 52 strains of endophytic fungi and were tested for their ability to produce the anticancer alkaloid camptothecin. One of the isolates from the inner bark tissue of the N. foetida plant growing in the Jammu region of J&K state, India, was found to produce detectable quantities of camptothecin and its derivatives when grown in a semi-synthetic liquid medium. Camptothecin was identified by physicochemical analysis and further confirmed by spectroscopic studies. No camptothecin was detected in zero time cultures or in uninoculated culture broth. The maximum yield of camptothecin was 0.575 ± 0.031 mg/100 g of dry cell mass in 96 h in shake flasks, whereas 4.96 ± 0.73 mg/100 g of dry mass was recorded in 48 h in a bioreactor.Key words: endophytes, camptothecin, anticancer drug, Nothapodytes foetida, Entrophospora infrequens, bioreactor, scale-up.
Heterologous expression of two trichothecene P450 genes inFusarium verticillioides
Authors: McCormick Susan P , Alexander Nancy J , Proctor Robert H
Published: April 2006

Fusarium graminearum Z-3639 and F. sporotrichioides NRRL3299 produce the trichothecene mycotoxins 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol and T-2 toxin, respectively. These toxins differ in oxygenation at C-4, C-7, and C-8. In F. sporotrichioides, Tri1 (FsTri1) controls C-8 hydroxylation. To determine the function of an apparent F. graminearum Tri1 (FgTri1) homolog, both FsTri1 and FgTri1 genes were heterologously expressed in the trichothecene-nonproducing species F. verticillioides by fusing the Tri1 coding regions to the promoter of the fumonisin biosynthetic gene FUM8. FsTri1 and FgTri1 have been partially characterized by disruption analysis, and the results from these analyses suggest that FsTri1 most likely has a single function but that FgTri1 may have two functions. Transgenic F. verticillioides carrying the FsTri1 (FvF8FsTri1) converted exogenous isotrichodermin and calonectrin to 8-hydroxyisotrichodermin and 8-hydroxycalonectrin, respectively. Transgenic F. verticillioides carrying FgTri1 (FvF8FgTri1) converted isotrichodermin to a mixture of 7-hydroxyisotrichodermin and 8-hydroxyisotrichodermin but converted calonectrin to a mixture of 7-hydroxycalonectrin, 8-hydroxycalonectrin, and 3,15-diacetyldeoxynivalenol. A fourth compound, 7,8-dihydroxycalonectrin, was identified in large-scale F. verticillioides FvF8FgTri1 cultures fed isotrichodermin. Our results indicate that FgTri1 controls both C-7 and C-8 hydroxylation but that FsTri1 controls only C-8 hydroxylation. Our studies also demonstrate that F. verticillioides can metabolize some trichothecenes by adding an acetyl group to C-3 or by removing acetyl groups from C-4 or C-15. In addition, wild-type F. verticillioides can convert 7,8-dihydroxycalonectrin to 3,15-diacetyldeoxynivalenol.Key words: trichothecene, P450 oxygenase, 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol, heterologous expression.
Pheromone-based disruption ofEucosma sonomanaandRhyacionia zozana(Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) using aerially applied microencapsulated pheromone
Authors: Gillette Nancy E , Stein John D , Owen Donald R , Webster Jeffrey N , Mori Sylvia R
Published: April 2006

Two aerial applications of microencapsulated pheromone were conducted on five 20.2 ha plots to disrupt western pine shoot borer (Eucosma sonomana Kearfott) and ponderosa pine tip moth (Rhyacionia zozana (Kearfott); Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) orientation to pheromones and oviposition in ponderosa pine plantations in 2002 and 2004. The first application was made at 29.6 g active ingredient (AI)/ha, and the second at 59.3 g AI/ha. Baited sentinel traps were used to assess disruption of orientation by both moth species toward pheromones, and E. sonomana infestation levels were tallied from 2001 to 2004. Treatments disrupted orientation by both species for several weeks, with the first lasting 35 days and the second for 75 days. Both applications reduced infestation by E. sonomana, but the lower application rate provided greater absolute reduction, perhaps because prior infestation levels were higher in 2002 than in 2004. Infestations in treated plots were reduced by two-thirds in both years, suggesting that while increasing the application rate may prolong disruption, it may not provide greater proportional efficacy in terms of tree protection. The incidence of infestations even in plots with complete disruption suggests that treatments missed some early emerging females or that mated females immigrated into treated plots; thus operational testing should be timed earlier in the season and should comprise much larger plots. In both years, moths emerged earlier than reported previously, indicating that disruption programs should account for warmer climates in timing of applications. The AIs we tested are behaviorally active for 13 other species of Rhyacionia and six other species of Eucosma, so the approach may have wide application.
Does formative pruning improve the form of broadleaved trees?
Authors: Kerr Gary , Morgan Geoff
Published: April 2006

Formative pruning is the pruning of young trees before canopy closure to encourage the development of a single straight stem at least 6 m in height. The use of formative pruning has been widely recommended; however, this guidance lacks a scientific basis. The experiments described here examined the effects of four levels of formative pruning on precanopy closure stands of European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.), cherry (Prunus avium L.), European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), and English oak (Quercus robur L.). For the faster growing ash and cherry, two prunings were applied over a 3-year period; for the slower growing oak and beech, there were four prunings over 4–6 years. Form and growth were assessed for up to 9 years after the last pruning treatment. A moderate intensity of formative pruning that removed forks and large branches showed some potential to improve the form of oak and beech. However, there were no form improvements for any level of formative pruning applied to ash or cherry. Attempting to produce the quality of timber required by management objectives by minimizing the number of trees planted and applying formative pruning is risky and likely to fail. A more secure way of obtaining quality improvement is to use traditional pruning after a period of canopy closure.
Point process modelling of root distribution in pure stands of Fagus sylvatica and Picea abies
Authors: Fleischer F , Eckel S , Schmid I , Schmidt V , Kazda M
Published: April 2006

A previous study by Schmid and Kazda (I. Schmid and M. Kazda. 2001. Can. J. For. Res. 31: 539548) evaluated the vertical distribution and radial growth of coarse roots greater than 2 mm diameter in pure and mixed stands of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.). The vertical distribution of roots of Norway spruce was fitted by an exponential function, while the root distribution of European beech was approximated by a gamma distribution. Now, in the present paper, planar point process models have been applied to investigate the spatial (two-dimensional) distribution of data for roots between 2 and 5 mm diameter. After a homogenization with respect to the vertical axis, the pair correlation function and the L function were estimated to fit Matérn-cluster point process models to the given root data. The models were finally vertically retransformed to provide information on the inhomogeneous spatial patterns of small roots as well as on the original shape and size of the root clusters. All models based on vertically transformed data confirmed that the root distribution patterns are not completely random, as they indicated root clustering for both species, with different degrees of exploitation intensity (clustering) between the two species. According to the Matérn-cluster models, Norway spruce had stronger clustering in smaller cluster regions, while roots of European beech formed weaker clusters in larger cluster regions. Furthermore, beech root clusters seemed to avoid overlapping. Together with previous studies on the root system of both species, the present study indicates more intensive belowground intraspecific competition for spruce than for beech. On the other hand, the clustering characteristics described indicate that European beech has a more sophisticated rooting system than Norway spruce. The spatial distribution of the inhomogeneous raw data is characterized by the clustering properties analysed in the present paper and by the vertical distribution previously studied.
Soil resources and the growth and nutrition of tree seedlings near harvest gap – forest edges in interior cedar–hemlock forests of British Columbia
Authors: Walters Michael B , Lajzerowicz Cleo C , Coates K David
Published: April 2006

Observations of tree seedlings with chlorotic foliage and stunted growth near harvest gap – forest edges in interior cedar–hemlock forests inspired a study addressing the following questions: (1) Do seedling foliar chemistry, foliar nitrogen (N) versus growth relationships, and fertilizer responses suggest N-limited seedling growth? (2) Are patterns in soil characteristics consistent with N limitation, and can interrelationships among these characteristics infer causality? Our results suggest that seedling growth near gap–forest edges was colimited by N and light availability. Soil mineral N and dissolved organic N (DON) concentrations, in situ net N mineralization, and water generally increased from forest to gap, whereas N mineralization from a laboratory incubation and total N and carbon did not vary with gap–forest position. Interrelations among variables and path analysis suggest that soil water and total soil N positively affect DON concentration and N mineralization, and proximity to mature gap–forest edge trees negatively impacts mineral N concentration and water. Collectively, our results suggest that soil N levels which limit seedling growth near gap edges can be partially explained by the direct negative impacts of gap–forest edge trees on mineral N concentrations and their indirect impacts on N cycling via soil water, and not via effects on substrate chemistry.
Biomass and dynamics of attached dead branches in the canopy of 450-year-old Douglas-fir trees
Authors: Ishii Hiroaki , Kadotani Tomoko
Published: April 2006

The amount, physical characteristics, and spatial distribution of attached dead branches in the canopy of 450-year-old Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco var. menziesii) trees were studied over a 5-year period (19982003) to quantify their contribution to the canopy woody detritus pool of an old-growth Douglas-fir  western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) forest in the western Washington Cascades. We developed a five-class decay rating for attached dead branches. From the size distribution and relative amounts and vertical distribution of attached dead branches in the five decay classes, we inferred that death of large original branches had occurred in the recent past, followed by the production and death of epicormic branches. Tree height was an important variable for predicting branchwood dry mass per tree. We estimated that attached dead branches of Douglas-fir contributed 63.8% of the total canopy woody detritus pool of the stand. During the study period, 0.24%·year1 of live branchwood mass died attached, and 0.37%·year1 and 4.34%·year1, respectively, of live- and dead-branch mass were lost due to branchfall and fragmentation. Because branch death and branchfall are stochastic processes, long-term monitoring in the canopy and on the ground is needed to understand the dynamics of canopy woody detritus.
Interception frequency of exotic bark and ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytinae) and relationship with establishment in New Zealand and worldwide
Authors: Brockerhoff Eckehard G , Bain John , Kimberley Mark , Knížek Milos
Published: April 2006

Scolytinae species are among the most damaging forest pests, and many of them are invasive. Over 1500 Scolytinae interceptions were recorded at New Zealand's borders between 1950 and 2000. Among the 103 species were Dendroctonus ponderosae, Ips typographus, and other high-risk species, but actual arrivals probably included many more species. Interceptions were primarily associated with dunnage, casewood (crating), and sawn timber, and originated from 59 countries, mainly from Europe, Australasia, northern Asia, and North America. New Zealand and United States interception data were highly correlated, and 7 of the 10 most intercepted species were shared. Interception frequency and establishment in New Zealand were not clearly related. By combining New Zealand and United States interceptions of true bark beetles we obtained data on species found in shipments from around the world. Logistic regression analysis showed that frequently intercepted species were about four times as likely as rarely intercepted species to be established somewhere. Interception records of wood and bark borers are valuable for the prediction of invaders and for our general understanding of invasions. The use of alternatives to solid wood packaging, such as processed wood, should be encouraged to reduce the spread of invasive wood and bark borers.
Tree species diversity reduces the invasibility of maritime pine stands by the bast scale,Matsucoccus feytaudi(Homoptera: Margarodidae)
Authors: Jactel H , Menassieu P , Vetillard F , Gaulier A , Samalens J C , Brockerhoff E G
Published: April 2006

Species-rich plant communities may be more resistant to invasive herbivores because of reduced host-plant accessibility and increased natural enemy diversity and abundance. We tested these hypotheses in Corsica, a Mediterranean island recently invaded by the maritime pine bast scale, Matsucoccus feytaudi Duc., which causes widespread tree mortality in Pinus pinaster Ait. The endemic Matsucoccus pini Green infests Corsican pine, Pinus nigra laricio Poiret, where it is controlled by the native predatory bug Elatophilus nigricornis Zetterstedt. As revealed by kairomone trapping, E. nigricornis was most abundant in pure Corsican pine in areas not yet colonized by M. feytaudi, and in pure maritime pine its density decreased with the distance from the nearest Corsican pine forest. The abundance of M. feytaudi was compared in five pairs of pure maritime pine and mixed maritime and Corsican pine stands. It was consistently higher in pure than in mixed maritime pine stands, whereas E. nigricornis showed the opposite pattern, and relative differences were correlated with the proportion of Corsican pine in the mixture. The predation by E. nigricornis was manipulated in pure maritime pine stands using synthetic attractants of the predator. Matsucoccus feytaudi density was significantly reduced in maritime pines baited with kairomone dispensers.
Effects of organic matter removal and soil compaction on fifth-year mineral soil carbon and nitrogen contents for sites across the United States and Canada
Authors: Sanchez Felipe G , Tiarks Allan E , Kranabetter J Marty , Page-Dumroese Deborah S , Powers Robert F , Sanborn Paul T , Chapman William K
Published: April 2006

This study describes the main treatment effects of organic matter removal and compaction and a split-plot effect of competition control on mineral soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) pools. Treatment effects on soil C and N pools are discussed for 19 sites across five locations (British Columbia, Northern Rocky Mountains, Pacific Southwest, and Atlantic and Gulf coasts) that are part of the Long-Term Soil Productivity (LTSP) network and were established over 5 years ago. The sites cover a broad range of soil types, climatic conditions, and tree species. Most sites showed increased soil C and N levels 5 years after study establishment; however, the rate and magnitude of the changes varied between sites. Organic matter removal, compaction, or competition control did not significantly affect soil C and N contents at any site, except for the Northern Rocky Mountain site, where competition control significantly affected soil C and N contents. The observation that, after 5 years, the soil C and N contents were not negatively affected by even the extreme treatments demonstrates the high resiliency of the soil, at least in the short term, to forest management perturbations.
Regional relationships between climate and wildfire-burned area in the Interior West, USA
Authors: Collins Brandon M , Omi Philip N , Chapman Phillip L
Published: April 2006

Recent studies have linked the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) with drought occurrence in the interior United States. This study evaluates the influence of AMO and PDO phases on interannual relationships between climate and wildfire-burned area during the 20th century. Palmer's Drought Severity Index (PDSI) is strongly related to burned area at both regional and subregional scales. In the southern Interior West, PDSI is most strongly related to yearly burned area during warm-phase AMO, while for the same period no significant relationships exist between PDSI and burned area in the central Interior West. During cool-phase PDO, interannual climate has little influence on burned area in either the northern or the central Interior West. The opposite is true for the southern Interior West and the eastern slope of the Colorado Rockies using the Southern Oscillation Index and PDSI, respectively. The western slope of the Colorado Rockies is the only climate division or region in which burned area is not related to preceding PDSI. During warm-phase PDO, current PDSI explains 67% of the interannual variance in burned area on the western slope. These regional and temporal differences are most likely governed by variations in fuel dynamics associated with dominant regional and subregional vegetation types.
True versus perturbed forest inventory plot locations for modeling: a simulation study
Authors: Coulston John W , Riitters Kurt H , McRoberts Ronald E , Reams Greg A , Smith William D
Published: April 2006

USDA Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis plot information is widely used for timber inventories, forest health assessments, and environmental risk analyses. With few exceptions, true plot locations are not revealed; the plot coordinates are manipulated to obscure the location of field plots and thereby preserve plot integrity. The influence of perturbed plot locations on the development and accuracy of statistical models is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that the influence is related to the spatial structure of the data used in the models. For ordinary kriging we examined the difference in mean square error based on true and perturbed plot locations across a range of spatial autocorrelations. We also examined the difference in mean square error for regression models developed with true and perturbed plot locations across a range of spatial autocorrelations and spatial resolutions. Perturbing plot locations did not significantly influence the accuracy of kriging estimates, but in some situations linear regression model development and accuracy were significantly influenced. Unless the independent variable has high spatial autocorrelation, only coarse spatial resolution data should be used to develop linear regression models.
Policies and practices to sustain soil productivity: perspectives from the public and private sectors
Authors: Cline Richard G , Ragus Jerry , Hogan Gary D , Maynard Doug G , Foster Neil W , Terry Thomas A , Heninger Ronald L , Campbell Robert G , Carter Mason C
Published: April 2006

The USDA Forest Service, the Canadian Forest Service, and US and Canadian forest products industries are committed to the principles of sustainable forestry with a major focus on protecting soil productivity. The USDA Forest Service has developed and adopted soil quality standards to evaluate the effects of forest use and management activities on forest soils and, if necessary, prescribe remedial or preventive actions to avoid adverse impacts on soil productivity. Similarly, the Canadian Forest Service has adopted a series of criteria and indicators with which to monitor the impacts of management on soil resources. The policies of both public agencies reflect the recommendations of the Montréal Process Working Group (1999). Many forest industries have adopted the Sustainable Forestry Initiative developed by the American Forest and Paper Association (2000). Standards of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative clearly state the vision and direction for achieving sustainable forest management, goals, and objectives to be attained and performance measures for judging whether a goal or objective has been achieved. However, both public and private entities recognize that current standards, criteria, and indicators represent first approximations. Continuing revision and adjustment based on information from long-term research studies are vital to protecting soil productivity while deriving optimum public benefits from our forest-based resources.