Outline and examples for integrated evaluations of data from the intensive (Level II) monitoring of forest ecosystems in Germany

Data are collected at plots of the intensive forest monitoring programme (Level II monitoring) in Germany by the federal states and stored in a nation-wide database with the main task of contributing to a better understanding of the impacts of air pollutants and other environmental factors on forest ecosystems. Within this feasibility study these data were screened with the intention of outlining a conclusive concept for integrated evaluations. As a permanent challenge of complexly organised monitoring, the necessity of data control measures is underlined and a transparent documentation of univariate properties of key factors and basic relationships is advocated. Besides different statistical analyses, selected, aggregated, and derivative parameters have to undergo substantial check-ups of their information value with respect to risks associated with chemical or physical stress for trees and other biotic compartments of forest ecosystems. Examples of evaluations of different profundity are taken from the domains: crown condition, foliar element concentrations, increment of trees, ground floor vegetation, and chemical condition of the soil solution. Grounded on subject-specific sectoral considerations, concise sets of relevant (key) factors or composite factors should in future approaches—together with results from amending process-oriented modelling—be passed on to construct integrated models against the background of current hypotheses about stress in forest ecosystems, even on the national scale, and on reasonable sub-scales.     

Development and structure of the terminal layer in bamboo culms

In bamboo, the inner lining of the culm wall towards the lacuna is designated as a terminal layer. It develops during culm elongation by separation of pith cells. Subsequently, these cells collapse thus forming a skin-like structure to be attached to a transition layer of the culm wall. The transition layer between the skin-like structure and the ground tissue consists of a few cell rows of mostly radially and axially shortened cells with often thickened walls. Both the skin-like structure and the transition layer exhibit structural differences between species. These characteristics of the inner culm wall have significance for culm seasoning and especially for the diffusion treatment with preservatives.     

Enzymatic degradation of cellulose,cellulose derivatives and hemicelluloses in relation to the fungal decay of wood

Summary Cellulases and hemicellulases (mannanase and xylanase) from culture filtrates of various fungi, including a brown rot fungus, Polyporus schweinitzii and a soft rot fungus, Chaetomium globosum, have been isolated and characterized. Investigations of their molecular weights, pH- and temperature optima and stabilities indicate that hydrolases of the wood destroying fungi are very similar to one another and to hydrolases from various other plant organisms. Substrate specificities and the effect of substituents on the natural substrates have also been investigated. Routine tests for mannanase and xylanase were carried out with model substrates (mannan from Tubera salep, xylan from wheat straw), but preliminary tests with complex hemicelluloses isolated from wood showed that these too could be broken down to monoor oligosaccharides. The results presented are discussed in relation to possible roles of the various enzymes in vivo.Paper presented at the Int. Wood Chemistry Symposium, Seattle, 3. IX. 1969.With support of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Prüfung der Beständigkeit von Dichlor-diphenyl-trichloräthan und Hexachlor-cyclohexan mit Hilfe einer chemisch-analytischen Methode

Zusammenfassung 1. Bei sachgemäßer Schadinsekten-Bekämpfung dringt keines der bienengefährlichen Kontaktinsektizide nachweislich ins Innere der Blüten ein.2. Die Wirksamkeit der DDT- und Hexamittel (ebenfalls E-Mittel) ist unmittelbar nach der Anwendung am größ ten und nimmt unter den atmosphärischen Einflüssen an den folgenden Tagen laufend ab.3. Bei DDT- und Hexamitteln (ebenfalls E-Mitteln) ist die Giftwirkung auf Bienen unmittelbar nach der Verstäubung am größten. Sie nimmt dann stetig ab und hört bei Anwendung der vorgeschriebenen Mengen und bei normalen Witterungsverhältnissen nach 2–3 Tagen praktisch auf.     

Wirkungsvergleich der Varietät israelensis mit anderen Varietäten des Bacillus thuringiensis an Nicht-Zielorganismen der Ordnung Hymenoptera: Trichogramma cacoeclae und Apis mellifera

Zusammenfassung BeiBacillus thuringiensis var.israelensis (Serotyp H₁₄) stellte sich nach peroraler Applikation von 5×10⁷ Sporen+Kristalle/ml über 7 Tage bei Imagines vonTrichogramma cacoeciae keine signifikante Reduktion der Parasitierungsleistung gegenüber Eiern des WirtesSitotroga cerealella ein. Das Verfüttern des gleichen Präparates in einer Konzentration von 1×10⁸ Sporen+Kristalle/ml über 7 Tage führte auch bei Flugbienen (Apis mellifera) zu keinem toxischen oder pathogenen Effekt. Bei der vergleichenden Prüfung anderer Varietäten (Serotyp H₁ bzw. H_{3 a, b}) konnte ebenfalls keine nachteilige Wirkung an unseren Testinsekten festgestellt werden.

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Comparison of the effect of the variety israelensis with other varieties of B. thuringiensis on non-target organisms of the order Hymenoptera: Trichogramma cacoeciae and Apis mellifera

Oral application ofBacillus thuringiensis var.israelensis (serotype H₁₄) in a concentration of 5×10⁷ spores+crystals/ml to adults ofTrichogramma cacoeciae over a period of 7 days did not significantly reduce their capability to parasitizeSitotroga cerealella host eggs. Feeding of the same preparation in a concentration of 1×10⁸ spores+crystals/ml to honey bees (Apis mellifera) over 7 days did not induce any toxic or pathogenic effects. Parallel testing of other varieties (serotype H₁ resp. H_3a,b) ofB. t. also showed no deleterious effects on the test insects.

     

On the theory of elasticity of the orthotropic material wood

Summary Aim of this study is to determine the basic equations concerning the second boundary value problem of the theory of elasticity in particular for construction wood. For rhombic orthotropic materials, as represented for example by straight grained wooden constructions, the equations are calculated in Cartesian co-ordinates. For cylindrical orthotropic materials, as represented for example by curved laminated beams, the equations are calculated in cylindrical co-ordinates. In both cases the equations are determined for space stress problems. Assuming the plain stress condition the basic equations of plain stress problems can then be derived from the spatial equations.     

Red Blood Cell Phosphate Concentration and Osmotic Resistance During Dietary Phosphate Depletion in Dairy Cows

Background

Hypophosphatemia in early lactating dairy cows has been implicated as primary cause for postparturient hemoglobinuria in cattle. Decreased availability of phosphorus has been proposed to reduce adenosine triphosphate synthesis of erythrocytes and thereby reduce osmotic resistance of these cells.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To study the effect of phosphorus depletion on the phosphate concentration ([Pi]) in plasma and erythrocytes and the osmotic resistance of erythrocytes and to determine the association between plasma [Pi] and erythrocyte [Pi].

Animals

Ten healthy midlactating dairy cows in their 3rd to 5th lactation.

Methods

Prospective study. Dietary phosphorus depletion for 5 weeks followed by phosphorus supplementation. Plasma and erythrocyte [Pi] and erythrocyte osmotic resistance were measured. Four cows underwent continuous dextrose infusion at the end of phosphate depletion to exacerbate hypophosphatemia.

Results

Dietary P depletion resulted in a marked decline of the plasma [Pi] from 4.1 ± 1.0 mg/dL to a nadir of 1.7 ± 0,5 mg/dL, but did not alter erythrocyte [Pi] or osmotic resistance. Similarly, dextrose infusion induced a decline of the plasma [Pi] from 2.4 ± 0.5 mg/dL to 1.5 ± 0.5 mg/dL, but had no effect on erythrocyte [Pi] or osmotic resistance.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

In cattle, marked hypophosphatemia induced by dietary P depletion was neither associated with a decline in erythrocyte [Pi] nor with decreased osmotic resistance of erythrocytes. Phosphorus depletion alone is therefore unlikely to cause intravascular hemolysis and the plasma [Pi] is an unreliable index for the intracellular [Pi] of erythrocytes.