bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ensuring a structured assessment of COPD
Authors: Rodman Anne
Published: October 2014

Anne Rodman explores the most recent evidence on the management of COPD, how to conduct a structured assessment, and how new inhaled therapies fit into the current treatment options
Contraception: advise safely and check UKMEC
Authors: Davie Lynda
Published: October 2014

Not all methods of contraception are equally safe for all patients. Lynda Davie explains how a woman's medical condition must be considered when advising her on contraception
Recognizing the value of learning: a pilot project
Authors: Johnson Kellie , Vaughan Paul , Lynall Anna
Published: October 2014

Kellie Johnson, Paul Vaughan and Anna Lynall explain how a pilot learning project for practice nurses in Stoke-on-Trent highlighted the importance of portfolio building, reflection and ongoing professional development
Marina Lupari: Working together
Authors: Lupari Marina
Published: October 2014

Meet the new primary care lead at the Royal College of Nursing who has a vision to help practice nurses achieve their potential
Redescription of Dicranocentrus heloisae Arlé & Mendonça, 1982 (Collembola: Entomobryidae)
Authors: Xisto Thiago , Mendonça Maria Cleide de
Published: October 2014

Dicranocentrus heloisae Arlé & Mendonça 1982 is redescribed based on specimens collected from its type locality, “Parque Nacional da Tijuca”, Rio de Janeiro municipality, State of Rio de Janeiro. The presence of 6+6 macrochaetae S, 1+1 macrochaeta P, and absence of macrochaetae A1 and Ps dorsally on head, puts Dicranocentrus heloisae in the gracilis-group sensu Mari-Mutt (1979). This species is easily indentified mainly due to general color pattern of pale yellow on body with bluish to blackish pigmentation on head. Taxonomic characteristics not illustrated in the original description are given (dorsal cephalic chaetotaxy, sensory organ of the third antennal segment, eyes, labrum, maxillary palp, outer labial papilla, labial triangle, trochanteral organ, femur, tibiotarsus, unguis, ventral tube and tenaculum). New records from other localities in Brazil are provided. A neotype for Dicranocentrus heloisae is designated.
The use of extracorporeally irradiated autografts in pelvic reconstruction following tumour resection
Authors: Wafa H. , Grimer R. J. , Jeys L. , Abudu A. T. , Carter S. R. , Tillman R. M.
Published: October 2014

The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional and oncological outcome of extracorporeally irradiated autografts used to reconstruct the pelvis after a P1/2 internal hemipelvectomy.

The study included 18 patients with a primary malignant bone tumour of the pelvis. There were 13 males and five females with a mean age of 24.8 years (8 to 62). Of these, seven had an osteogenic sarcoma, six a Ewing’s sarcoma, and five a chondrosarcoma. At a mean follow-up of 51.6 months (4 to 185), nine patients had died with metastatic disease while nine were free from disease. Local recurrence occurred in three patients all of whom eventually died of their disease. Deep infection occurred in three patients and required removal of their graft in two while the third underwent a hindquarter amputation for extensive flap necrosis.

The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society functional score of the 16 patients who could be followed-up for at least 12 months was 77% (50 to 90). Those 15 patients who completed the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score questionnaire had a mean score of 71% (53 to 85).

Extracorporeal irradiation and re-implantation of bone is a valid method of reconstruction after an internal hemipelvectomy. It has an acceptable morbidity and a functional outcome that compares favourably with other available reconstructive techniques.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:1404–10
Antibiotic cement-coated rods
Authors: Conway J. , Mansour J. , Kotze K. , Specht S. , Shabtai L.
Published: October 2014

The treatment of infected nonunions is difficult. Antibiotic cement-coated (ACC) rods provide stability as well as delivering antibiotics. We conducted a review of 110 infected nonunions treated with ACC rods. Patients were divided into two groups: group A (67 patients) with an infected arthrodesis, and group B (43 patients) with an infected nonunion in a long bone. In group A, infected arthrodesis, the success rate after the first procedure was 38/67 (57%), 29/67 (43%) required further surgery for either control of infection or non-union. At last follow-up, five patients required amputation, representing a limb salvage rate of 62/67 (93%) overall. In all, 29/67 (43%) presented with a bone defect with a mean size of 6.78 cm (2 to 25). Of those with a bone defect, 13/29 (45%) required further surgery and had a mean size of defect of 7.2 cm (3.5 to 25). The cultures were negative in 17/67 (26%) and the most common organism cultured was methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (23/67, (35%)). In group B, long bones nonunion, the success rate after the first procedure was 26/43 (60%), 17/43 (40%) required further surgery for either control of infection or nonunion. The limb salvage rate at last follow-up was 43/43 (100%). A total of 22/43 (51%) had bone defect with a mean size of 4.7 cm (1.5 to 11.5). Of those patients with a bone defect, 93% required further surgery with a mean size of defect of 5.4 cm (3 to 8.5). The cultures were negative in 10/43 (24%) and the most common organism cultured was MRSA, 15/43 (35%). ACC rods are an effective form of treatment for an infected nonunion, with an acceptable rate of complications.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014; 96-B:1349–54
Surgical correction of shoulder rotation deformity in brachial plexus birth palsy
Authors: Hultgren T. , Jönsson K. , Roos F. , Järnbert-Pettersson H. , Hammarberg H.
Published: October 2014

We present the long-term results of open surgery for internal shoulder rotational deformity in brachial plexus birth palsy (BPBP).

From 1997 to 2005, 207 patients (107 females, 100 males, mean age 6.2 (0.6 to 34)) were operated on with subscapularis elongation and/or latissimus dorsi to infraspinatus transfer. Incongruent shoulder joints were relocated. The early results of these patients has been reported previously. We analysed 118 (64 females, 54 males, mean age 15.1 (7.6 to 34)) of the original patient cohort at a mean of 10.4 years (7.0 to 15.1) post-operatively. A third of patients with relocated joints had undergone secondary internal rotational osteotomy of the humerus.

A mixed effects models approach was used to evaluate the effects of surgery on shoulder rotation, abduction, and the Mallet score. Independent factors were time (pre-and post-surgery), gender, age, joint category (congruent, relocated, relocated plus osteotomy) and whether or not a transfer had been performed. Data from a previously published short-term evaluation were reworked in order to obtain pre-operative values.

The mean improvement in external rotation from pre-surgery to the long-term follow-up was 66.5° (95% confidence interval (CI) 61.5 to 71.6). The internal rotation had decreased by a mean of 22.6° (95% CI -18.7 to -26.5). The mean improvement in the three-grade aggregate Mallet score was 3.1 (95% CI 2.7 to 3.4), from 8.7 (95% CI 8.4 to 9.0) to 11.8 (11.5 to 12.1).

Our results show that open subscapularis elongation achieves good long-term results for patients with BPBP and an internal rotation contracture, providing lasting joint congruency and resolution of the trumpet sign, but with a moderate mean loss of internal rotation.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:1411–18
Medium-term clinical results of a linked total elbow replacement system
Authors: Large R. , Tambe A. , Cresswell T. , Espag M. , Clark D. I.
Published: October 2014

Medium-term results of the Discovery elbow replacement are presented. We reviewed 51 consecutive primary Discovery total elbow replacements (TERs) implanted in 48 patients. The mean age of the patients was 69.2 years (49 to 92), there were 19 males and 32 females (37%:63%) The mean follow-up was 40.6 months (24 to 69). A total of six patients were lost to follow-up. Statistically significant improvements in range movement and Oxford Elbow Score were found (p < 0.001). Radiolucent lines were much more common in, and aseptic loosening was exclusive to, the humeral component. Kaplan–Meier survivorship at five years was 92.2% (95% CI 74.5% to 96.4%) for aseptic loosening. In four TERs, periprosthetic infection occurred resulting in failure. A statistically significant association between infection and increased BMI was found (p = 0.0268). Triceps failure was more frequent after the Mayo surgical approach and TER performed after previous trauma surgery. No failures of the implant were noted.

Our comparison shows that the Discovery has early clinical results that are similar to other semi-constrained TERs. We found continued radiological surveillance with particular focus on humeral lucency is warranted and has not previously been reported. Despite advances in the design of total elbow replacement prostheses, rates of complication remain high.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:1359–65
GeneXpert polymerase chain reaction for spinal tuberculosis
Authors: Held M. , Laubscher M. , Zar H. J. , Dunn R. N.
Published: October 2014

The lack of an accurate, rapid diagnostic test for mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) is a major handicap in the management of spinal TB. GeneXpert, a new, rapid molecular diagnostic test is recommended as the first line investigation for suspected pulmonary TB in areas with a high prevalence of HIV or drug resistance, yet it has not been validated for the diagnosis of musculoskeletal TB.

The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of GeneXpert in diagnosing spinal TB.

A prospective clinical study of 69 consecutive adults with suspected spinal TB was conducted at a tertiary hospital in an area with the highest incidence and prevalence of TB in the world. GeneXpert was used on tissue samples of the enrolled patients and its diagnostic accuracy compared with a reference standard of tissue in liquid culture. A total of 71 spine samples from 69 patients (two re-biopsies) were included in the study.

The GeneXpert test showed a sensitivity of 95.6% and specificity of 96.2% for spinal TB. The results of the GeneXpert test were available within 48 hours compared with a median of 35 days (IQR 15 to 43) for cultures. All cases of multi-drug resistant TB (MDR TB) were diagnosed accurately with the GeneXpert test. The MDR TB rate was 5.8%.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:1366–9.
The relationship between operative and radiographic acetabular component orientation
Authors: Grammatopoulos G. , Pandit H. G. , da Assunção R. , McLardy-Smith P. , De Smet K. A. , Gill H. S. , Murray D. W.
Published: October 2014

There is great variability in acetabular component orientation following hip replacement. The aims of this study were to compare the component orientation at impaction with the orientation measured on post-operative radiographs and identify factors that influence the difference between the two. A total of 67 hip replacements (52 total hip replacements and 15 hip resurfacings) were prospectively studied. Intra-operatively, the orientation of the acetabular component after impaction relative to the operating table was measured using a validated stereo-photogrammetry protocol. Post-operatively, the radiographic orientation was measured; the mean inclination/anteversion was 43° (sd 6°)/ 19° (sd 7°). A simulated radiographic orientation was calculated based on how the orientation would have appeared had an on-table radiograph been taken intra-operatively. The mean difference between radiographic and intra-operative inclination/anteversion was 5° (sd 5°)/ -8° (sd 8°). The mean difference between simulated radiographic and intra-operative inclination/anteversion, which quantifies the effect of the different way acetabular orientation is measured, was 3°/-6° (sd 2°). The mean difference between radiographic and simulated radiographic orientation inclination/anteversion, which is a manifestation of the change in pelvic position between component impaction and radiograph, was 1°/-2° (sd 7°).

This study demonstrated that in order to achieve a specific radiographic orientation target, surgeons should implant the acetabular component 5° less inclined and 8° more anteverted than their target. Great variability (2 sd about ± 15°) in the post-operative radiographic cup orientation was seen. The two equally contributing causes for this are variability in the orientation at which the cup is implanted, and the change in pelvic position between impaction and post-operative radiograph.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:1290–7
Can social work education meet the neoliberal challenge head on?
Authors: Fenton Jane
Published: October 2014

This article considers a specific finding from a wider study examining factors that contribute to ethical stress, generated by value–behaviour conflict, in a sample of 100 criminal justice social workers in Scotland. Variables were demonstrably congruent with neoliberal ideology, and were therefore expected to cause social workers considerable ethical stress. This article focuses on the finding that younger, less experienced workers object significantly less to the neoliberal-informed changes in criminal justice social work and suffer significantly less ethical stress as a result. This finding has implications for social work more widely and the article considers reasons for the difference between younger, less experienced and older, more experienced workers, including the influence of three decades of neoliberalism and the difficulty that social work programme providers might have in promoting or ensuring a social justice alignment in students’ practice.
Towards a ‘welfare + rights’ model in youth justice
Authors: Smith Roger
Published: October 2014

There have been a number of attempts to elaborate models and typologies of youth justice, which are, in turn, associated with particular jurisdictions and youth justice systems. While analyses of this type represent attempts to differentiate according to specific criteria, such as their implicit understanding of the causes of young people’s behaviour, it is also a matter of debate as to whether these tend to overstate differences at the expense of commonalities and pressures towards convergence. Despite the unresolved nature of these arguments, the article nonetheless utilises the framework offered by the notion of a model of youth justice to develop an alternative conceptualisation, bringing together, rather than opposing, principles of welfare and rights, in order to argue for a progressive and clearly distinctive approach to intervention with young people whose behaviour is seen as problematic, and who are potentially criminalised.
Effect of early thinning on the diameter growth distribution along the stem of Scots pine
Authors: Peltola Heli , Miina Jari , Rouvinen Ismo , Kellomäki Seppo
Published: October 2014

The absolute and relative effects of the first thinning on the diameter growth distribution along the stems were studied in 98 Scots pines (Pinus sylvestris L.) at heights of 1.3, 4, 6 and 8 m. The data cover one 3-year pre-thinning period and four 3-year post-thinning periods in plots with densities varying from 575 to 3400 stems haâ1. A shift in the point of maximum diameter growth down the bole was found during the first 3 years after thinning, with a shift back up the stem later. The thinning response over the whole 12-year post-thinning period was strongest the nearer the stem base and the heavier the thinning. The largest trees had the highest diameter growth after thinning in absolute terms, and the growth was greater the heavier the thinning. The absolute thinning response over the 12-year post-thinning period was highest in the medium tree size and in the largest trees, especially on the heavily thinned and lightly thinned plots. Whereas in the moderately thinned stand the smaller and larger trees responded more than did those of medium size on average. In relative sense, however, the small trees on heavily or moderately thinned plots responded more rapidly and more strongly than the medium-sized or large trees over the whole stem. The small trees on the lightly thinned plots responded only slightly to thinning. The results suggest that it is possible to affect the uniformity of wood properties (such as ring width) both within and between trees by thinning.
A model for optimal mycorrhizal colonization along altitudinal gradients
Authors: Ruotsalainen Anna , Tuomi Juha , Väre Henry
Published: October 2014

Mycorrhizal associations are generally favourable for vascular plants in nutrient-poor conditions. Still, non-mycorrhizal plants are common in high arctic and alpine areas, which are often poor in nitrogen and phosphorus. The relative proportion of mycorrhizal plants has been found to decrease along with increasing altitude, suggesting that the advantage of the mycorrhizal symbiosis may change along an altitudinal gradient. This may be related to the environmental factors that possibly constrain the amount of photosynthesized carbon to be shared with mycorrhizal fungi. We propose a simple optimization model for root colonization by fungal symbionts and analyze the advantages of mycorrhizas in relation to the nutrient use efficiency of photosynthesis (PNUE), the kinetics of nutrient uptake and the soil nutrient levels. Our model suggests that mycorrhizas are not usually favoured at low PNUE values. At low nutrient levels, mycorrhizas may be advantageous if they have a lower threshold concentration of nutrient uptake (xmin) compared to non-mycorrhizal roots. If mycorrhizal roots have a higher maximum capacity of nutrient uptake (Vmax), mycorrhizas can be favourable for the host plant even at relatively low nutrient concentrations and at relatively low PNUE. Consequently, the possible patterns along altitudinal gradients essentially depend on PNUE. If the soil nutrient concentration is constant and PNUE decreases, the advantage of mycorrhizal symbiosis declines independently of the nutrient uptake kinetics. If PNUE remains constant and the soil nutrient concentration decreases along with increasing altitude, the emerging colonization pattern (either increasing, decreasing or intermediate) depends on the nutrient uptake kinetics. Additionally, if both PNUE and the soil nutrient concentration decrease, several patterns may emerge, depending on the nutrient uptake kinetics.
The development and validation of pre-harvest inventory methodologies for timber procurement in Ireland
Authors: Nieuwenhuis Maarten
Published: October 2014

This article describes the development and validation of a decision-support system for sawmill wood procurement, dealing specifically with the integration of the pre-harvest inventory procedures, site-specific dbh/height models and a generic taper equation, with a crosscutting simulator. The crosscutting simulation program faithfully mimics the process of cut-to-length harvesting and provides detailed information on the potential volume, logs count and diameter distributions for different log assortment specifications. Four data sets, consisting of a total of 4153 diameter and height measurements, were used in the validation process. The sites included two Sitka spruce clearfells, a Sitka spruce thinning and a Norway spruce clearfell. The evaluation process has shown that the developed decision-support system produced accurate results for a wide range of stand types, as long as sufficient large data sets were used, and that it provides the wood procurement manager of a sawmill with an efficient means of gaining a comprehensive insight into the yield potential of standing timber lots and, as such, represents a valuable aid to timber procurement and production planning.
Updating stand level inventory data applying growth models and visual interpretation of aerial photographs
Authors: Anttila Perttu
Published: October 2014

In this study two procedures for updating stand level inventory data were developed and tested. The development of the growing stock of 62 stands over 12 years was simulated in the MELA stand simulator with no prior information of rapid changes, such as clear-cuttings. The acceptability of the simulation was decided standwise with visual interpretation of aerial false-colour photographs. If the simulated data were not accepted, new stand attributes were assessed with photo interpretation in procedure 1. In procedure 2, on the other hand, it was possible to utilise old management proposals. In case a cutting or other operation had been proposed and it looked like the operation had been realised, the interpreters accepted the proposal. Otherwise the last implemented operation and implementation year were interpreted. In case no operation had been carried out during the updating period but the growth model updated data were not acceptable, the same stand characteristics were estimated as in procedure 1. Stands where a proposal had been accepted or an operation interpreted were later updated again in MELA so that the program simulated the operations. The Root Mean Squared Errors of stem volume were 62 and 57 m3 per ha (34 and 30%) with procedures 1 and 2. With procedure 2 the accuracy of updating was comparable with a stand level field inventory carried out in the study area. The productivity of the photo interpretation procedures was 57 and 84 ha per h, respectively, whereas the productivity of a field inventory has been 3.3â5 ha per h.
GroupWare and group decision support systems for wood procurement organisation. A review
Authors: Palander Teijo , Toivonen Mari , Laukkanen Sanna
Published: October 2014

Many kinds of decision support systems (DSSs) have been suggested for use of wood procurement organisations, but few meet the real needs of team managers in group decision-making process. Therefore, it has been concluded that the important features of group decision support systems (GDSSs) should be developed for teamwork-based organisations. Electronic meeting systems (EMSs), Computer-aided Visualisations (CAVs) and heuristics as well as other numerical approaches as combined with optimisation seem to be some of the most promising elements of GroupWare, because decisions are made in distributed groups and they deal with human behaviour. Relations between GDSSs and spontaneous decision conferencing (SDC) for modern organisations are also discussed, and suggestions for future research of management approaches are also given.
Effects of fire on ectomycorrhizal fungi in Fennoscandian boreal forests
Authors: Dahlberg Anders
Published: October 2014

Fire, the primary natural disturbance factor in Fennoscandian boreal forests, is considered to have exerted major selection pressure on most boreal forest organisms. However, recent studies show that few ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi appear to have evolved post-fire adaptations, no succession of EM fungi following fire is apparent after low intensity fires, and only two EM fungal taxa exclusively fruit at post-fire conditions. In this paper I review the present knowledge of effects of forest fire on EM fungal communities in Fennscandian boreal forests, put into perspective by a comparison from other parts of the world. Characteristically, these boreal forests consist of less than a handful of tree species, e.g. Scots pine and Norway spruce, while the below ground communities of EM fungi is impressively species rich with presently more than 700 known taxa. Commonly, forest fires in Fennoscandia have been of low intensity, with a considerable portion of the trees surviving and the organic humus layer partly escaping combustion. Hence, EM fungi appear to largely have evolved under conditions characterised by a more or less continuous presence of their hosts. In fact, the composition of EM fungi within a forest appear be more variable due to spatial variation than due to wildfire. However, in areas with high intensity burns and high tree mortality, most EM fungi may locally be killed. Thus, the legacy of EM fungi following wildfire depends on the survival of trees, which determine the potential for mycorrhizal growth, and the combustion and heating of the organic soil, which directly correlate to mortality of mycorrhizas. The questions if and to what degree fires may be of significance for yet unidentified spatiotemporal dynamics of EM fungal populations and communities are discussed. Recent experiments indicate a few EM fungi are favoured by high intensity burn conditions whereas others disappear. The consequences of wildfires in temperate conifer forests differ considerably from those in boreal forests. Wildfires in temperate conifer forests are typically high intensity stand-replacing fires that cause a total combustion of organic layers. Subsequently, pre-fire EM fungal communities are largely eradicated and a succession of post-fire EM fungi is initiated.
An approach to predicting the potential forest composition and disturbance regime for a highly modified landscape: a pilot study of Strathdon in the Scottish Highlands
Authors: Quine Christopher , Humphrey Jonathan , Purdy Karen , Ray Duncan
Published: October 2014

The existing native forests of Scotland are fragmented and highly modified and none are ânaturalâ. There is considerable interest in expanding the area of this oceanic boreal forest and restoring forest habitat networks to benefit biodiversity. However, unlike regions with substantial remaining natural forest, it is difficult to provide reference values for forest composition and structure using methods related to historical variability. An alternative approach is to combine models that predict woodland type from knowledge of site conditions, and disturbance regime from knowledge of the disturbance agents (particularly abiotic agents). The applicability of this approach was examined as part of a public participatory planning exercise in a highly managed landscape in Eastern Scotland. Models of site suitability (Ecological Site Classification) and wind disturbance (ForestGALES) were combined to determine potential woodland composition and structure, and derive options for native woodland expansion. The land use of the upper Strathdon catchment is currently dominated by agriculture and planted forests of non-native species, and only small fragments of semi-natural woodland remain (< 0.5% of the land area). Model results indicated that a very substantial proportion of the land area could support woodland (> 90%) but of a restricted range of native woodland types, with Scots pine communities predominant. Structural types likely to be present included wind-induced krummholz (treeline) forest, forest with frequent stand replacement by wind, and also a large area where gap phase (or some other disturbance) would predominate. The merits of the approach are discussed, together with the difficulties of validation, and the implications for the management of existing forests.
The regeneration niche of white spruce following fire in the mixedwood boreal forest
Authors: Purdy Brett , Macdonald S. , Dale Mark
Published: October 2014

Early establishment of white spruce (Picea glauca) in mixedwood boreal forest stands following fire was examined at several times-since-fire (1-, 2-, 4-, 6-, 14-years). Abiotic and biotic conditions in the stands were assessed at two scales, tree plot (5 m x 5 m) and microsite (1 m x 1 m), along with presence, density and height of white spruce seedlings. Germination and survival of seed sown 1- and 4-years post fire were quantified. Survival and growth of nursery-grown seedlings, and mycorrhizal colonization, survival and growth of sterile seedlings, planted 1-year post-fire were assessed. At the tree plot scale, presence of white spruce seedlings 1-year post-fire could be reliably predicted by organic layer depth and distance to and strength of seed source. In contrast, none of the biotic or abiotic factors measured was strongly correlated with occurrence or density of white spruce seedlings 6- and 14- years post-fire. At the microsite scale, seedling recruitment immediately post-fire was limited to a distinct subset of available microsites (greater % cover of downed wood and moss, lower % cover of litter and herbaceous vegetation). Likewise, seedling occurrence in older burns was associated with distinct microsite conditions; although this was more likely an effect of white spruce presence, rather than the cause. Less than 3% of seed sown 1 yr post-fire survived to become 1yr old germinants, survival was 41% over the next three years. Availability of suitable regeneration microsites declines rapidly with time-since-fire; less than 0.3% of seed sown 4 yrs post-fire survived one year. High rates of mycorrhizal colonization were found on white spruce seedlings planted 1-year post-fire, including early and late stage fungal species. Microsite characteristics were only weakly correlated with mycorrhizal fungal communities. We propose that immediate post-fire recruitment of white spruce is a key process in mixedwood boreal succession.
Occurrence of fires in the eastern Saariselkä area, north-west Russia
Authors: Kauhanen Heikki
Published: October 2014

The occurrence of fires was studied in the eastern SaariselkÃ¤ area, North-West Russia, by using satellite images and topographical maps. In total, more than 330 burned areas were pinpointed in the study area of 4770 km2. Old burns were concentrated in the eastern part of the study area, but young burns were more common in the west. Sites affected by fires in the more recent past were much smaller than those burnt over earlier. The abundance of burns along rivers and the border surveillance road provided evidence of human impact. The most significant changes in the landscape were found in the eastern part of the study area, where spruce forests had been replaced by birch woodlands.
Needle chronologies on Pinus sylvestris in northern Estonia and southern Finland
Authors: Pensa Margus , Jalkanen Risto
Published: October 2014

A needle trace method was used to reveal the chronology of needle retention on Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in southern Finland (two stands) and northern Estonia (two stands). The average annual summer needle retention along the main stem varied from 2.2 to 3.1 in Estonian stands and between 3.4 and 4.2 in Finnish stands during the period 1966â1990. The 23-year-mean needle age was 3.0 and 2.1 years in Finland and Estonia, respectively. In all stands, the mean needle age decreased sharply in 1980s.
Growth phase of bare-root Scots pine seedlings and their susceptibility to Gremmeniella abietina
Authors: Petäistö Raija-Liisa
Published: October 2014

Bare-root row-sown seedlings of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in a forest nursery were inoculated with Gremmeniella abietina conidia at different times during their first and second growing seasons. The following spring, the proportion of diseased seedlings was different in various inoculation time treatments according to the age of the seedlings. The first year seedlings were susceptible to infection until late summer, whereas the second year seedlings were not. It is thought that this difference is due to the different growth rhythms of the first and second year seedlings. The difference in the susceptibility of bare-root seedlings to the disease in various growth corresponded to that reported earlier for container seedlings.
Multiple solution harvest scheduling
Authors: Van Deusen Paul
Published: October 2014

Application of the Metropolis algorithm for forest harvest scheduling is extended by automating the relative weighting of objective function components. Previous applications of the Metropolis algorithm require the user to specify these weights, which demands substantial trial and error in practice. This modification allows for general incorporation of objective function components that are either periodic or spatial in nature. A generic set of objective function components is developed to facilitate harvest scheduling for a wide range of problems. The resulting algorithm generates multiple feasible solutions rather than a single optimal solution.
Outcomes of forest improvement work in Finland
Authors: Juurola Muru , Ollonqvist Pekka , Pajuoja Heikki , Toropainen Mikko
Published: October 2014

This paper discusses public subsidies aimed at intensifying timber production as an initial part of an evaluation of the profitability of forest investment subsidies in Finland. In many countries there are very few proper ex post evaluations of the forest policy instruments in economic terms. The scarcity of timber among users and their attempts to construct new forest policy are discussed first. The increments in annual growth and growing stock as well as its valuation are then evaluated. The final gross utility increments due to forestry investments are measured through their importance in the forest industry products. The direct and indirect changes in GDP are calculated by using the input-output method.
Growth and stem quality of mature birches in a combined species and progeny trial
Authors: Viherä-Aarnio Anneli , Velling Pirkko
Published: October 2014

The growth and stem quality of silver birch (Betula pendula), downy birch (B. pubescens) and paper birch (B. papyrifera) were compared in a 32-year-old field trial in southern Finland. The material consisted of different unselected stand origins and progenies of phenotypically selected plus trees of silver and downy birch from southern Finland and differing stand origins of paper birch from the North-West Territories, Canada. Growth, yield and a number of stem quality traits, including taper, sweep, stem defects, heights of different crown limits and length of the veneer timber part of the stem were measured or observed. The native Finnish silver and downy birches were superior to paper birch in terms of both yield and stem quality, silver birch being the best. Progenies of silver birch plus trees were better than the stand origin, indicating that the former are able to reach high quality veneer log size in a shorter time than unselected material. The cultivation of paper birch can not be considered viable in Finland.
Susceptibility of defoliated Scots pine to spontaneous and induced attack by Tomicus piniperda and Tomicus minor
Authors: Annila Erkki , Långström Bo , Varama Martti , Hiukka Risto , Niemelä Pekka
Published: October 2014

In 1990â1991, Diprion pini extensively defoliated Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trees in Lauhanvuori National Park in southwestern Finland. Many trees lost all their foliage, while others had ca. 10% foliage left after the second year of defoliation. Outside the national park, many nearby stands were also heavily defoliated in 1990, but were sprayed with diflubenzuron (DimilinÂ®) in 1991. This protected the current year needles, corresponding to ca 30% of full foliage. In spring 1992, pine trees with 0, 10, 30 and 100% foliage remaining (10 small and 10 large trees in each category) were baited with pine bolts to induce stem attacks by pine shoot beetles. All baited trees were attacked by Tomicus piniperda and some by T. minor. The attacks failed in all these trees except those that were totally defoliated and some of the small trees with 10% foliage left. Many unbaited trees escaped attack entirely, but only totally defoliated trees were successfully colonized (i.e. produced brood). Attack densities and brood production figures peaked in baited, large and totally defoliated trees. None of the measures (cambial electrical resistance, resin flow, induced lesion length by fungal inoculation, amount of hydrocarbons or phenolic compounds) used to describe tree vigour at the time of attack gave better information than the estimated remaining foliage. We conclude that the risk for beetle-induced mortality following defoliation is a function of remaining needle biomass and beetle pressure. Even at high beetle densities (as was simulated by baiting of trees), trees with 10% of the foliage remaining were able to defend themselves against attacking pine shoot beetles.
Identifying heartwood-rich stands or stems of Pinus sylvestris by using inventory data
Authors: Björklund Lars
Published: October 2014

Variations in heartwood percentage, heartwood radius and sapwood width, within and between stands of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), were analysed using a database of 198 CT-scanned (computer tomography) stems from 33 research plots (stands) throughout Sweden. Heartwood percentage varied greatly both between individual trees and between stands, and correlated poorly to site, stand and tree variables. This implies that it seems unfeasible to identify heartwood-rich stands or stems, e.g., for production of heartwood products, by using inventory data. Heartwood formation expressed as the number of new heartwood rings formed each year was found to increase with increasing cambial age, from about 0.5 rings per year at a cambial age of 45 years, to about 0.8 rings per year at a cambial age of 115 years.
Trade of main wild berries in Finland
Authors: Kangas Kari
Published: October 2014

The price trends and markets of the main wild berries, bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) and lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.), were analysed in this study, which covered both domestic use of berries, imports and exports. The periods considered were for bilberries from 1988 to 1997 and for lingonberries from 1979 to 1994. The results indicated that both exports and imports have increased and domestic berries have lost their market share to imports in domestic use. One possible explanation for this trend was found in price development. Both export and import prices have decreased, but export price has still been higher than the import price. Simultaneously the domestic price has decreased the fastest. The formation of the price of lingonberries paid to the pickers in the organised domestic markets was studied with a regression model. The results indicated that domestic price was negatively dependent on the amounts of lingonberries demanded in the domestic markets and positively dependent on the export price. Correlation analysis gave evidence on the same kind of relations concerning bilberries.
Modelling the dynamics of wood productivity on drained peatland sites in Finland
Authors: Hökkä Hannu , Penttilä Timo
Published: October 2014

The dynamics of wood productivity on drained peatland sites was analyzed from the covariance structure generated by stand yield data of repeatedly measured permanent sample plots in 81 Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) or Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst. (L.)) stands with admixtures of birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.). The site production potential, considered a latent variable, was assumed to follow an autoregressive process over time elapsed since drainage. As a measure of the latent variable, a relative growth rate (RGR) index was determined for all stands at the time of drainage and at four successive measurement time points following drainage (on average 16, 23, 30, and 41 years). The index was calculated as the site index of an upland conifer stand with the ratio of periodic volume growth and standing volume and adjusted by changes in stand stocking and thinning. The observed covariance structure was described by fitting a structural equation model to the data of RGR indices. When only the post-drainage measurement times were included, a quasi-simplex model with equal error variances and equal structural parameters at different measurement times fit the data well indicating a permanent covariance structure among the different measurements. Including the measurement at the time of drainage resulted in a non-permanent structure. The stand parameters at the time of drainage were poorly correlated with post-drainage growth. A considerable increase in the wood productivity of the sites was observed, being greatest during twenty years after drainage and continuing up to 40 years since drainage. This was concluded to be due to changes in site properties rather than stand structure although the effects of the single factors could not be analytically separated from one another. Our modelling approach appeared to improve long-term site productivity estimates based merely on botanical site indices.
Analysing uncertainties of interval judgment data in multiple-criteria evaluation of forest plans
Authors: Leskinen Pekka , Kangas Jyrki
Published: October 2014

The use of interval judgments instead of accurate pairwise comparisons has been proposed as a solution to facilitate the analysis of uncertainties in the widely applied pairwise comparisons technique. A method is presented for deriving probability distributions for the pairwise comparisons and for utilizing the distributions in the analysis of uncertainties in the evaluation process. The first step is that the expert or the decision-maker is queried as to the best guess of the priority ratio of the attributes compared. This is followed by an adjusting query concerning the uncertainty in the comparison: what is the probability of the priority ratio being between the best guess Â± 1 unit of the pairwise comparison scale? An application of the method is presented in the form of multiple-criteria evaluation of alternative management plans for a forest area.
Afforestation of marginal agricultural land in the Lower Mississippi River Alluvial Valley, U.S.A.
Authors: Stanturf John , Schweitzer Callie , Gardiner Emile
Published: October 2014

Afforestation of marginal agricultural land in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley (LMAV) relies on native species, planted mostly in single-species plantations. Hard mast species such as oak and pecan are favored for their value to wildlife, especially on public land. Successful afforestation requires an understanding of site variation within floodplains and matching species preferences and tolerances to site characteristics, in particular to inundation regimes. Soil physical conditions, root aeration, nutrient availability, and moisture availability during the growing season also must be considered in matching species to site. Afforestation methods include planting seedlings or cuttings, and direct-seeding. Both methods can be done by hand or by machine. If good quality seedlings are planted properly and well cared for before planting, the chances for successful establishment are high but complete failures do occur. Mortality and poor growth are caused by many factors: extended post-planting drought or flooding; poor planting or seeding practices; poor quality seed or seedlings; animal depredation; or herbicide drift from aerial application to nearby cropland. More species can be planted, even on continuously flooded sites. Direct-seeding, while limited to heavy-seeded species (oaks and hickories), costs less than 50% of planting seedlings. Growth varies considerably by soil type; most bottomland hardwoods grow best on silt loam and less well on clay soils. Up to 200Â 000 ha of land in the LMAV subject to spring and early summer backwater flooding could be afforested over the next decade.
Adaptation to changing environment in Scots pine populations across a latitudinal gradient
Authors: Oleksyn Jacek , Tjoelker Mark , Reich Peter
Published: October 2014

In several growth chamber and field experiments we examined the growth response of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) populations from a wide latitudinal range to temperature and photoperiod. The duration of the shoot elongation period of one-year-old seedlings was affected by temperature and photoperiod. In contrasting temperatures, 23/20 Â°C, 20/17 Â°C, and 17/14 Â°C (day/night), shoot elongation period for all populations was shortest in the high and longest in the low temperature treatments. The northern populations from 61â57Â°N ceased height growth earlier than the other populations in the southern 50Â°N photoperiod. The order of growth cessation among populations at 50Â°N in the chamber experiment and at 52Â°N in the field experiment was similar and related to observed population differences in terminal leader growth and total tree height. Since the length of growing season is under strong environmentally-mediated genetic control in Scots pine, potential climatic changes such as increasing temperature will probably alter the length and timing of growth in aboveground tree parts, but likely in the opposite direction (a shorter growing season) than has been often hypothesized (a longer growing season). Tree-ring analyses of a provenance experiment established in 1912 indicate that the main climatic factors that limited ring-width growth in Scots pine were air temperatures in the winter months of December through March. Low winter temperatures were followed by the formation of narrow rings over the next summer. Based on responses to temperature, Scots pine populations from the continuous European range can be divided in several geographic groups along a latitudinal gradient. Our results suggest that in developing new models to predict the response of Scots pine to changing environmental conditions, it is necessary to include intraspecific differentiation in acclimation and adaptation to environmental factors.
Use of satellite and field information in a forest damage survey of eastern Finnish Lapland in 1993
Authors: Mattila Eero
Published: October 2014

The study area consists of the Finnish part of a Landsat 5 TM image from 1990. Three independent field samples were measured during 1991â93 in the study area. The first sample was used to compile training areas for supervised maximum likelihood classification of the image. Classification accuracy was studied in the second sample. The spectral separability of the forest strata usable in practical forestry was poor. The extent of the damage area was estimated by the principle of stratified sampling. The estimate included considerable bias because the field sample had not been objectively selected from the image classes. The third field sample was measured as part of the National Forest Inventory of Finland. It is wholly objective, and about ten times larger than the two earlier field samples. The poor spectral separability of the forest strata was confirmed by the NFI sample. However, this sample could be used in stratified sampling with little or no bias in the estimation of the damage area estimate. 14 different damage types were separated according to specific damaging agent. A thematic map was produced which presents the spatial distribution of two damage-rich image classes. The study area comprises 18Â 300 sq.km, of which 38% were damaged. At first sight it would appear that the proportion of damaged forest has tripled in ten years. However, this is not the case because now special attention was paid to forest health in the field work. Despite this, it is possible that some damage caused by unfavourable climatic phenomena in the â80s was still perceptible in 1993. No damage caused directly by air pollution has yet been verified in the study area.