聚乳酸与麦草纤维共混物的研究

以N-甲基吗啉-N-氧化物为溶剂,制备聚L-乳酸(PLLA)与麦草纤维(WSF)的共混溶液,并制备PLLA与WSF的共混物。采用傅里叶变换红外光谱、差示扫描量热法和X射线衍射等方法对PLLA/WSF共混物进行表征,探讨PLLA/WSF共混物中两组分的相容性和结晶性。结果表明,聚乳酸和麦草纤维的N-甲基吗啉-N-氧化物溶液可以均匀混合形成共混溶液。在PLLA/WSF共混物中,PLLA与WSF两组分之间的相互作用较强,具有较好的相容性。PLLA/WSF共混物的组成对其形态与性能具有显著影响。随着PLLA用量的增加,共混物的玻璃化温度逐步降低。当PLLA与WSF的质量比小于6∶4时,共混物为非晶态物质,而当PLLA与WSF的质量比大于6∶4时,共混物则具有结晶结构,且结晶熔点随着PLLA质量分数的增加而增加。因此,通过改变PLLA和WSF组分的配比,可以制备不同性能的可生物降解高分子材料。     

聚L-乳酸/丝素蛋白共聚物增容剂的结构表征及性能研究

以L-丙交酯和蚕丝蛋白(SF)为原料、异辛酸亚锡/萘二磺酸为催化剂体系,开环聚合制备聚L-乳酸/丝素蛋白共聚物(PSFLA),该共聚物可以作为聚L-乳酸与丝素蛋白共混体系的增容剂。以六氟异丙醇为溶剂,分别制备PSFLA、聚L-乳酸(PLLA)和丝素蛋白的六氟异丙醇溶液,并采用溶液混合法制备含PSFLA增容剂的聚L-乳酸/丝素蛋白共混物。采用红外光谱、差示扫描量热法、热重法、扫描电子显微镜、电子万能试验机等对所得共聚物与共混物体系进行结构表征与性能测试。结果表明,所得的共聚物PSFLA分子链中含有PLLA链段和SF链段,且PLLA链段可能形成结晶形态。PSFLA的热分解温度为220℃,且在300℃以上才大幅度分解。PSFLA改善了PLLA与SF共混体系的相容性,提高了其力学性能。共混体系在PSFLA用量为8%时,力学性能最好,其拉伸强度为5.24 MPa,断裂伸长率为117.45%。     

-乳酸-乙基纤维素可生物降解材料的研究

聚L-乳酸（PLLA）和乙基纤维素（EC）的三氯甲烷溶液以不同比例混合均匀后．浇膜制备PLLA-EC可降解材料，并采用红外光谱（FT-IR）、差示扫描量热法（DSC）和X射线衍射等方法表征所得共混物。共混物的PLLA组分可能形成结晶，且其熔点随着EC含量的增加而略微降低，结晶度和晶体完整度均显著下降。同时，共混物的亲水性随着EC含量的增加而增大。这些因素影响着PLLA-EC共混物的降解性能，当EC含量高于30％时，PLLA-EC共混物在磷酸缓冲液中的降解速率迅速增大，并在EC为80％时最大。     

壳聚糖对竹溶解浆溶液流变性能的影响

采用浓度为84.2%的N-甲基吗啉-N-氧化物(NMMO)水溶液为溶剂,设计竹溶解浆(BP)-壳聚糖(CS)不同质量分数,依次加入CS粉末和BP,BP充分溶解后制备BP与CS不同质量比的共混溶液。研究了CS对NMMO溶解BP溶液的稳态和动态流变性能。研究表明:在NMMO溶解体系中,BP-CS共混溶液为剪切稀化的假塑性流体,在持续摇振过程中,随着溶液温度(θ)升高,溶液的储能模量(G′)和损耗模量(G″)、复数黏度(η*)均下降,加入适量的CS(CS∶BP=1∶10)可有效阻碍BP大分子不同链间即时物理交联位点的形成,从而改善NMMO溶解BP溶液的流变性能,但是,随着CS添加量的增大,CS与BP大分子链间的相互作用增加又导致了溶液的流变性能降低。     

含葡萄糖基聚乳酸立构复合物的制备及其性能研究

为了改善聚乳酸材料的结晶性能、耐热性能和亲水性,以乳酸和葡萄糖为原料,熔融聚合制备了聚L-乳酸-葡萄糖共聚物(PLLAG)和聚D-乳酸-葡萄糖共聚物(PDLAG),并将PLLAG和PDLAG溶液共混,制备含葡萄糖基的聚乳酸立构复合物(sc-PLAG)材料。采用傅里叶变换红外光谱(FT-IR)、差示扫描量热(DSC)法、X射线衍射(XRD)法、偏光显微镜(POM)法和接触角法等对sc-PLAG进行表征,结果表明:sc-PLAG的立构复合结晶(SC)结构由PLLAG的L-乳酸链段与PDLAG的D-乳酸链段相互作用而形成的,结晶速度快、球晶形貌规整。当PLLAG用量为40%~60%时,sc-PLAG只生成立构复合结晶;当PLLAG用量小于40%或大于60%时,sc-PLAG则同时含有SC和同质结晶(HC)。当葡萄糖基质量分数均为5%时,所有sc-PLAG的SC熔点(T_m)均为197.5℃,与PLLAG用量无关。sc-PLAG的玻璃化转变温度(T_g)、T_m和接触角均随着葡萄糖基质量分数的增加而降低,但其结晶度则随着葡萄糖基质量分数的增加而增大,当葡萄糖基质量分数为5.0%时结晶度最大,为53.84%。含葡萄糖基的聚乳酸立构复合物改善了聚乳酸材料的结晶性能、耐热性能和亲水性。     

麦草水溶性和碱溶性半纤维素的分离与表征

采用水溶解和碱溶解法分离麦草半纤维素,并利用傅立叶红外光谱(FT-IR)、凝胶渗透色谱(GPC)、离子色谱、热重分析(TG/DTG)和核磁共振(NMR)研究了两种麦草半纤维素制备物的分子结构特征。结果表明:两种半纤维素制备物主要由阿拉伯糖木聚糖组成,此外还含有葡萄糖、半乳糖及葡萄糖醛酸和半乳糖醛酸,具有草类原料中典型的半纤维素结构。两种半纤维素制备物在20℃/min的升温速率下主要热失重区间都为200~330℃,其最大的热失重速率分别发生在282和313℃,碱溶性制备物的热稳定性比水溶性制备物略高。水溶性半纤维素是半纤维素中侧链取代度高、相对分子质量低与纤维素结合不紧密的部分,碱溶性半纤维素则刚好相反。     

丝素蛋白/聚D,L-乳酸共聚物的研究

以D,L-丙交酯和蚕丝丝素蛋白(SF)为原料,在氯化亚锡/对甲苯磺酸体系的催化作用下聚合得到丝素蛋白改性聚D,L-乳酸的共聚物(PSFLA)。该共聚物的结构与性能采用红外光谱法、1H NMR、热重分析、差示扫描量热法、粘度法、旋光度法和扫描电镜等方法进行研究。所得的PSFLA均不具有光学活性,但原料配比对共聚物的微结构与结晶性能有重要的影响。当D,L-丙交酯与丝素蛋白的质量比为6∶1时,共聚物中可能形成了络合结晶,结晶的熔点为128℃,且随着D,L-丙交酯用量的增加,结晶的熔点略微增加。PSFLA的热分解温度大于220℃。PSFLA中的SF与聚乳酸(PLA)链段间可能存在着氢键相互作用,SF与乳酸链段可自组装形成片层结构。     

生物可降解聚L-乳酸

聚L-乳酸材料属脂肪族聚酯类,具有很好的生物相容性、生物降解性和生物可吸收性,用在人体内可以被降解吸收。由于高分子量的聚L-乳酸具有良好的机械强     

丝素蛋白/聚D,L-乳酸共聚物的研究

以D,L-丙交酯和蚕丝丝素蛋白(SF)为原料,在氯化亚锡/对甲苯磺酸体系的催化作用下聚合得到丝素蛋白改性聚D,L-乳酸的共聚物(PSFLA).该共聚物的结构与性能采用红外光谱法、1H NMR、热重分析、差示扫描量热法、粘度法、旋光度法和扫描电镜等方法进行研究.所得的PSFLA均不具有光学活性,但原料配比对共聚物的微结构...     

3,4,5-三甲氧基苯甲醛标准样品的研制

研究了3,4,5-三甲氧基苯甲醛标准样品的制备、均匀性和稳定性及其定值试验。用3,4,5-三甲氧基苯甲醛工业品与亚硫酸氢钠溶液加成反应,经H2SO4酸化,结晶;再用乙醇溶解,纯水稀释重结晶,得到高纯度的3,4,5-三甲氧基苯甲醛标准样品。标准样品含量测定采用气相色谱面积归一化法,并通过了均匀性检验和稳定性检验(9个月)。经定值检测,3,4,5-三甲氧基苯甲醛标准样品的质量分数为99.42%±0.07%。     

Growth of Phlebiopsis gigantea in wood of seven conifer species

Heterobasidion parviporum and Heterobasidion annosum are widely distributed root‐rot fungi that infect conifers throughout Europe. Infection of conifer stumps by spores of these pathogens can be controlled by treating fresh stumps with a competing non‐pathogenic fungus, Phlebiopsis gigantea. In this study, growth of three Latvian strains of P. gigantea and the biological control agent ‘Rotstop’ strain was evaluated in stem pieces of Norway spruce, Scots pine, lodgepole pine, Douglas‐fir, Weymouth pine, Siberian larch and Sitka spruce. The growth rates of one H. parviporum and one H. annosum isolate were also measured in the same stem pieces. The growth rate of P. gigantea varied greatly in wood of different conifer species. It was higher in the three pine species, lower in Norway spruce and lowest in Sitka spruce and Siberian larch, and in Douglas‐fir, this fungus did not grow. The largest area of wood occupied by P. gigantea was in lodgepole pine. Growth of Latvian isolates of P. gigantea in the wood of Pinus and Picea species was comparable to that of the Rotstop isolate. Consequently, stump treatment with local P. gigantea isolates should be recommended. However, our results suggest that Douglas‐fir stump treatment against Heterobasidion by P. gigantea may be ineffective and other stump treatment methods should be considered.     

Growth of Mixed Birch-Coniferous Stands in Relation to Pure Coniferous Stands at Similar Sites in South-eastern Norway

Mean age, mean and top heights and yield were studied in 20 mixed stands of birch ( Betula pubescens Ehrh. and B. pendula Roth) and Picea abies (L.) Karst. and nine mixed stands of birch and Pinus sylvestris L. in south-eastern Norway. Each mixed stand and the adjacent pure coniferous stand (control) were growing under the same site conditions and had not been commercially thinned. There were no significant differences in mean age at breast height or in top heights between birch and conifers in the mixed stands, while mean height was significantly higher for birch than for spruce. A growth index was calculated based on total volume and age at breast height. For the spruce sites the growth in young mixed stands (birch < 17 m) was superior to that of pure spruce, while the difference was insignificant in older stands. The growth index correlated positively with the ratio between generatively and vegetatively regenerated birch trees, and negatively with the age of the oldest species in the mixture and with site quality. For the pine sites there was no significant difference in the growth index between mixed birch-pine and pure pine stands. A mixture effect of birch on the volume yield of spruce or pine could not be demonstrated.     

Defoliation by the Needle-shortening Pine Gall Midge,Thecodiplosis brachyntera,on Pines in Central Sweden

An outbreak of the needle-shortening pine gall midge, Thecodiplosis brachyntera , occurred on Scots pine, Pinus sylvestris (L.) and lodgepole pine, P. contorta (Dougl.) in central Sweden during 1995-1998. The larval feeding of T. brachyntera kills current-year needles and heavy infestation causes severe defoliation. A pattern of fluctuating defoliation among years and sites was found on both pine species. Defoliation was evenly distributed in the crown of P. sylvestris during years of high as well as low infestation; apical whorls had as much defoliation as basal whorls. In P. contorta , however, there was a tendency for defoliation to be concentrated on branches in the most apical whorls. Growth ring increments on P. sylvestris with high levels of defoliation (71%) did not differ from trees with moderate levels (26%) of defoliation. Shoot lengths were significantly shorter, however, on heavily infested trees the year after defoliation.     

Decomposition and nutrient loss from prunings of different contour hedgerow species in tea plantations in the sloping highlands of Sri Lanka

Contour hedgerows of multipurpose tree species in the sloping tea lands of Sri Lanka are expected to reduce soil erosion and also add significant amounts of plant nutrients to the soil via periodic prunings. The objective of this experiment was to characterize the biomass decomposition pattern and quantify the amount of nutrients added through prunings of six tree species (Calliandra calothyrsus, Senna spectabilis, Euphatorium innulifolium, Flemingia congesta, Gliricidia sepium and Tithonia diversifolia) currently being used in hedgerows associated with tea. Withered leaf and stem prunings (50 g) were enclosed in 2-mm litter bags, placed at 5-cm depth and retrieved after one, three, six, nine and 12 weeks. Loss of initial dry weight, N, P and K was measured. Single exponential decay function adequately described both dry weight and nutrient loss. Tree species differed significantly in their rate of breakdown with decomposition constants (k) varying from 0.0299 to 0.2006 week⁻¹ for leaves and from 0.0225 to 0.0633 week⁻¹ for stems. Gliricidia showed the highest k for leaves with the rest in the following descending order: Senna > Tithonia ≥ Euphatorium > Calliandra > Flemingia. A similar pattern was observed for loss of all nutrients with Calliandra and Flemingia always having lower k values than the rest. Although N immobilization was not observed, immobilization of P and K was observed during the first week of incubation in some species, particularly in stem prunings. Annual biomass of prunings differed significantly between tree species in the following descending order: Calliandra > Senna > Flemingia > Tithonia > Gliricidia > Euphatorium. Calliandra added the greatest amount of nutrients annually to the soil with Euphatorium adding the least. Calliandra prunings provided the annual total K requirement and 49% of the N requirement of mature tea. However, none of the species provided more than 5% of the P requirement. It is concluded that among the tree species tested, Calliandra and Flemingia are the most suitable for contour hedgerows in tea plantations of this agroclimatic region because of their higher soil nutrient enrichment capacity and slower decomposition rates which would minimize leaching losses. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of Seed Weight and Seed Type on Early Seedling Growth of Pinus sylvestris under Harsh and Optimal Conditions

The effects of seed weight and seed type on seedling growth of Pinus sylvestris (L.) were studied by seeding individually weighed orchard and stand seed in different mixtures under harsh (direct seeding in field) and optimal (seeding in nursery) conditions. In the nursery experiment an increase in the seed weight from 3 to 7 mg increased the seedling height by 10-27% and total weight by 27-113%, and decreased the height/diameter ratio by 5-6% after 2 yrs. With elimination of seed weight effects, orchard seedlings were 2% taller than stand seedlings in year 2. Without elimination of seed weight effects, orchard seedlings were 7-13% taller. In the field experiment an increase in the seed weight from 3 to 7 mg increased seedling height by 18-65%, stem volume by 81-274% and the number of top-buds by 23-34% in year 5. After elimination of seed weight effects, orchard seedlings were 7-13% taller than stand seedlings and without elimination of seed weight effects 20-21% taller after 5 yrs. Even after elimination of both seed weight and genetic effects orchard seedlings were 3-9% larger than stand seedlings in the field experiment. In conclusion, the influence of seed weight and seed type on growth traits and slenderness is highly significant and the influence seems to be greater in harsh conditions.     

Modelling of adequate pretwist for obtaining straight timber

Abstract

Wood in general and wooden studs in particular are often distorted owing to uneven shrinkage during the drying process in the sawmill. Twist is often the most detrimental of all types of distortion, and it is caused by spiral grain in combination with variations in moisture content. For sawmills, the objective is to produce dried, straight boards, and one method of dealing with boards with excessive spiral grain is to sort them out and then dry them in a pretwisted position to obtain straight boards after drying. A model using the finite element (FE) method for the simulation of drying twist distortions was first calibrated against laboratory experiments in which boards were dried with and without restraints and pretwists. After the calibration, the FE results were compared with industrial test results for boards that were dried without restraints or with restraints with zero pretwist, i.e. straight restraints. The FE model used an elastic–ideally plastic material model to obtain permanent deformations. The calibration was to set the yield stresses so that there was a good match between FE results and results from the laboratory experiments. The comparison between the industrial test results and the FE results showed that the FE model is capable of realistic simulations of drying boards with and without restraints and presumably also pretwists.     

Potential to harness superior nutritional qualities of exotic baobabs if local adaptation can be conferred through grafting

Baobab leaves form an important part of the local diet in Sahel countries and elsewhere in Africa. Existing leaf nutritional data and agroforestry performance information are based solely on Adansonia digitata L., the baobab of continental Africa. The introduction potential of Adansonia species from the center of diversity in Madagascar and from Australia remains untapped. To assess this potential, the mineral contents and B₁ and B₂ vitamin levels of dried baobab leaves were determined for five-year old trees of A. digitata, A. gibbosa (A. Cunn.) Guymer ex D. Baum, A. rubrostipa Jum. & H. Perrier (syn. A. fony Baill.), A. perrieri Capuron and A. za Baill. grown in an introduction trial in Mali. Nutritional data were evaluated against survival and vigor to identify promising germplasm. Leaf vitamin and crude protein contents were highest in the Madagascar species, especially A. rubrostipa (B₁ 88 mg 100 g⁻¹, B₂ 187 mg 100 g⁻¹, protein 20.7% dry weight). However, the local species far outperformed the introductions in survival, tree height, basal diameter and resistance to termites. We suggest grafting as a way of harnessing the vigor of well-adapted local baobab varieties to the superior nutritional profiles of A. rubrostipa and others. Cross-species grafting tests in Adansonia were successful, thus creating new agroforestry possibilities with different scion/rootstock combinations.     

Biogeochemical impacts of clearfelling and reforestation on blanket-peatland streams: II. major ions and dissolved organic carbon

Streams and drains in blanket-peatland forest in western Ireland were sampled weekly over 5 years, 1996–2000, using continuous, depth-proportional passive sampling. Analysis was for pH, alkalinity by Gran titration, anions by IC, metals by ICP, aluminium speciation by loaded-resin exchange, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) by absorbance at 320 nm.

Effects of felling are identified graphically from two forest drains whose catchments (both about 1 ha) were clearfelled, and partial clearfelling of one larger catchment (somewhat over 1 km²), in summer 1999. Calcium concentrations and alkalinity were increased in the drain- and streamwater from the felled areas. The pH was increased in drains, while in the larger stream, pH range decreased while the mean increased. Phosphorus increased markedly with clearfell, in the absence of recent fertilising, and also increased with fertilising; these results are reported in an accompanying paper. Ammonium-nitrogen concentrations were increased in the two drains with felling, and temporarily decreased in the larger stream. Nitrate increased in some cases. Potassium and manganese concentrations also increased. Concentrations of DOC and organic monomeric aluminium increased gradually, subject to a continuing strong annual cycle. There were no clearfelling effects on concentrations of solphate, suspended solids or inorganic monomeric aluminium. In the two drains (fully clearfelled), concentrations of sodium, chloride and magnesium, and conductivity, were all reduced after felling. Fertilising effects other than for phosphorus were indistinct.

Effects of the combined clearfell–reforestation treatment were testable statistically, using randomised intervention analysis, between two larger streams (1 km²) as a treatment–control comparison. There were statistically significant positive responses in streamwater concentrations of nitrate, potassium, calcium, DOC and aluminium fractions. The implications for management practice depend on whether the loss of nutrients is sustainable for future crop productivity, and whether critical limits and loads of receiving ecosystems are exceeded.     

Effect of Drought on Growth and Mortality of Actively Growing Norway Spruce Container Seedlings Planted in Summer

Survival, root egress and height growth of 13-month-old actively growing Norway spruce ( Picea abies (L.) Karst.) container seedlings exposed to preplanting drying treatments (0, 4, and 8 days) and postplanting drought periods (1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks) were studied in the field between 5 July and 18 August 1999. The mortality of seedlings increased and the height growth and root egress decreased throughout the postplanting drought period. Postplanting performance was also affected by preplanting drying treatments. The results indicate that no risk of excessive mortality and growth restrictions occurs when actively growing seedlings are planted in summer, provided that seedlings are well watered before planting and the drought period does not exceed 3 weeks.     

Rehabilitation of diseased cacao fields in Peru through shade regulation and timing of biocontrol measures

The objective of this case study was to test the effectiveness of biocontrol for the rehabilitation of abandoned, diseased (moniliasis, witches' broom and black pod) cocoa and to develop testable hypotheses regarding the effect of shade and biocontrol timing. Three trial fields differed in their shade regimes. Biocontrol was administered starting either at flowering or pod filling. Disease incidence and yield were compared with cultural control alone. Biocontrol reduced moniliasis from 49% to 25%, independent of the shading regime and application time. Witches' broom was most severe without shade and unaffected by biocontrol. No significant effects on black pod were observed. Although biocontrol increased percentage healthy fruit independent of shading and timing, only the shaded plot with biocontrol from flowering onwards responded with increased yield. Our hypothesis is: 'In the rehabilitation of abandoned cacao, only fields under sustainable shade management and early onset of biocontrol can realise their production potential.' This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.