Biological performance of wood-based composites treated with a formulation of 3-iodo-2-propynyl butylcarbamate and silafluofen using supercritical carbon dioxide

Wood-based composites (medium density fiberboard, hardwood plywood, softwood plywood, particleboard, and oriented strand board) treated with a mixture formulation of 3-iodo-2-propynyl butylcarbamate (IPBC) and silafluofen using supercritical carbon dioxide as a carrier solvent were evaluated for their resistance to biological attack in a laboratory study. The formulation was pre-pared by mixing 10g of IPBC and 1g of silafluofen in ethanol solution (20ml). Treatments were conducted at 35°C/7.85MPa, 35°C/9.81MPa, and 55°C/11.77MPa with the direct introduction of 20ml of the formulation into the treatment vessel with a capacity of ca. 2000ml at a rate of 2ml/min. Laboratory tests indicated that the treatment conditions used significantly enhanced the resistance of the treated wood-based composites against fungal and termite attacks. Because no significant difference in efficacy against both biodegrading agents was noticed regardless of the treatment conditions, the treatment at 35°C/7.85MPa was thought to be the most economical in terms of energy consumption and performance of treated materials. However, the amount of biocides in a formulation must be carefully selected in accordance with the required treatment condition to ensure satisfactory performance of the treated wood-based composites against any biological agent.     

Feasibility of supercritical carbon dioxide as a carrier solvent for preservative treatment of wood-based composites

 Supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO₂) was tested for its potential as a carrier solvent for preservative treatment of solid wood and wood-based composites. A preliminary trial showed that the treatability of solid wood varied with its original permeability and that the SC-CO₂ treatment was not promising for refractory timber species such a Larix leptolepis Gordon. In contrast, 3-iodo-2-propynyl butylcarbamate (IPBC)/SC-CO₂ treatment resulted in enhanced decay resistance without any detrimental physical or cosmetic damage in all structural-use wood-based composites tested: medium density fiberboard, hardwood plywood, softwood plywood, particleboard, and oriented strand board (OSB). Further trials under various treatment conditions [25°C/7.85 MPa (80 kgf/cm²), 35°C/7.85 MPa, 45°C/7.85 MPa, 35°C/11.77 MPa (120 kgf/cm²), and 45°C/11.77 MPa] indicated that although small changes in the weight and thickness of the treated materials were noted the strength properties were not adversely affected, except for a few cases of softwood plywood and oriented strand board. The results of this study clearly indicated that the treatment condition allowed SC-CO₂ to transport IPBC into wood-based composites, and the optimum treatment condition seemed to vary with the type of wood-based composite. Received: October 24, 2001 / Accepted: February 15, 2002 Part of this work was presented at the 51st Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Tokyo, April 2001; and the 32nd Annual Meeting of the International Research Group on Wood Preservation, Nara, May 2001 Correspondence to:M. Muin     

Preservative treatment of wood-based composites with 3-iodo-2-propynyl butylcarbamate using supercritical carbon dioxide impregnation

Five structural-use wood-based composites [medium density fiberboard (MDF), hardwood plywood, softwood plywood, particleboard, oriented strand board (OSB)] were treated with 3-iodo-2-propynyl butylcarbamate (IPBC) using supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO₂) as a carrier solvent. Treatment was conducted at 35°C/7.85MPa (80kgf/cm²), 35°C/9.81MPa (100kgf/cm²), 35°C/11.77MPa (120kgf/cm²), 45°C/7.85MPa, 45°C/9.81MPa, 45°C/11.77MPa, 55°C/7.85MPa, 55°C/9.81MPa, and 55°C/11.77MPa. A decay test was carried out in the laboratory according to the modified Japanese standard method in which untreated and treated specimens were exposed for 12 weeks to a monoculture of the white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor (L.: Fr.) Pilat or the brown-rot fungus Fomitopsis palustris (Berk. et Curt.) Gilbn. and Ryv. IPBC/SC-CO₂ treatment protected the treated materials from decay by the two fungi, although the relative efficiency against decay varied with the treatment conditions and the type of wood-based composite. Better performance for MDF, hardwood plywood, and particleboard was generally obtained at high temperatures and pressures, whereas softwood plywood and OSB were most protected at low temperatures under any of the pressure levels tested.Part of this work was presented at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Gifu, April 2002     

Na2O-SiO2 wood-inorganic composites prepared by the sol-gel process and their fire-resistant properties

For enhancing fire-resistant properties, a binary system to prepare wood-inorganic composites was studied by adding sodium methoxide (SM) or sodium acetate (SA) to a reaction system for SiO₂ composites. Compared with the SiO₂ composites, both the Na₂O-SiO₂ composites prepared could be greatly improved up to 600°C-700°C (glowing). From scanning electron microscopic observations, this enhanced fire resistance was assumed to be due to chemical and physicochemical effects, such as dehydration and carbonization of wood by Na₂O gel. The glassy layer and intumescent structure formed over the cell walls were thought to prevent oxidation and heat transfer from proceeding into the inner portion of the wood cell walls. However, the reaction medium with SM to prepare Na₂O-SiO₂ composites was basic, whereas that with SA was rather neutral. In addition, in the latter composites, most of the inorganic gel was formed within the cell wall, retaining the porous structure characteristic of wood. Therefore, the Na₂O-SiO₂ composites prepared with SA can be concluded to be preferable for practical purposes.Part of this report was presented at the 50th annual meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Kyoto, April 2000     

Photocatalytic activity of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> crystallite-activated carbon composites prepared in supercritical isopropanol for the decomposition of formaldehyde

 An effort was made to develop photocatalytic TiO₂ crystallite–activated carbon (TiO₂-AC) composites from tetraisopropyl titanate (TPT)-soaked activated carbon in supercritical isopropanol. It was subsequently found that TPT in supercritical isopropanol could be effectively converted to the anatase form of the TiO₂ crystallites. The prepared composites, composed of activated carbon as an adsorbent and the anatase form of TiO₂ as a photocatalyst, were evaluated for their adsorption capacity and subsequent photocatalytic activity against formaldehyde, one of the harmful air pollutants in the environment. As a result, the supercritically treated TiO₂–AC composites, particularly at 300°C and 350°C, had much higher formaldehyde-decomposing ability compared to a noncomposite comprising a simple mixture of activated carbon and TiO₂ granules. This indicates that the supercritical treatment can be effective for preparing the photocatalytic composites that have a high synergetic effect of adsorption and photocatalytic decomposition of formaldehyde for environmental cleaning. Received: May 18, 2001 / Accepted: March 8, 2002 On leave from Fujian Forestry College, Fujian 353001, P.R. China Acknowledgments The authors express their sincere thanks to Miss H. Tokoro and Mr. D. Kusdiana for their kind, valuable help and cooperation and to Dr. H. Miyafuji for SEM observations of samples, all at the Graduate School of Energy Science, Kyoto University. Correspondence to:S. Saka     

Extraction of betulin from bark of Betula platyphylla by supercritical carbon dioxide extraction

Betulin, which is a medicinal pentacyclic triterpene, is abundant in the bark of white birch (Betula platyphlly). The bark of birch was collected at Tayuan Forest Farm of Jiagedaqi, Heilongjiang Province in September 2000. Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) that is a new separation technology has been used for the processing pharmaceutical and natural products. In this paper, the extraction of betulin from the bark of birch by supercritical CO2 extraction was studied. The authors investigated and analyzed a few parameters such as modifier dosage, extraction pressure and extraction temperature. The optimal extraction conditions showed that the modifier dosage used for per gram bark powder was 1.5 mL, the extraction pressure was at 20 Mpa, and the extraction temperature was at 55 ℃. The velocity of flow of liquid CO2 was at 10 kg/h. The pressure and temperature in separation vessel were at 5.5 Mpa and 50 ℃, respectively.     

Cost, energy and carbon dioxide (CO2) effectiveness of a harvesting and transporting system for residual forest biomass

The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility of a system to harvest logging residues (or slashes) as a new resource for energy in Japan. A harvesting and transporting system for residual forest biomass was constructed with reference to some European countries where the utilization of bioenergy is making steady progress and examined on the basis of field experiments in Japanese forestry. The feasibility of the system is discussed from the standpoints of cost and energy, and the system is compared with those of the European countries. With respect to the system proposed in this study, it is desirable that the process of chipper comminuting is incorporated into the system as early as possible, considering the trends of harvesting cost and fuel consumption per unit weight of residual forest biomass. Such a system is not particularly feasible in Japan from the standpoint of the harvesting cost per MWh of bioenergy. However, no specific problems are found from the point of view of the energy input rate, and it is clarified that it is possible for Japan to reduce domestic carbon dioxide emissions by utilizing biomass as an energy resource. A comparison with the European countries and a preliminary sensitivity analysis of the system demonstrate that the technical development to reduce the harvesting cost,e.g., improving the forwarding and transporting efficiency, and support from the government are essential for realizing bioenergy utilization in Japan. A part of this paper was orally presented at the 111th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Forestry Society (2000). JSPS Research Fellow. This study was supported in part by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Japan Ministry of Education, Science and Culture (No. 10460061).     

TiO2/核桃壳炭复合材料的制备及光催化降解苯酚研究

为提高TiO2的回收性能,促进农林废弃物的资源化利用,以核桃壳为炭源,采用溶胶 凝胶法制备TiO2/核桃壳炭复合材料。通过傅里叶红外光谱、X射线衍射、比表面积和电镜扫描等手段对复合材料的化学和晶相结构、比表面积和微观形貌进行表征,并测试其对苯酚的吸附 光催化性能。物相表征结果显示,TiO2/核桃壳炭(400℃,2 h)中TiO2以锐钛矿相颗粒分散在核桃壳炭表面,炭的固载提高了TiO2的分散性能,使其晶粒尺寸由15.7 nm降低至11.6 nm,增强了可见光吸收能力。活性分析结果表明:当TiO2含量为80%,催化剂用量为2 g/L,苯酚初始质量浓度为10 mg/L,紫外光照射240 min时,TiO2/核桃壳炭(400℃,2 h)对苯酚的降解率为97.7%,化学需氧量降解率为92.36%,优于TiO2(分别为71.55%和63.34%)和商业购买的平均粒径为25 nm的锐钛矿晶和金红石晶混合相的TiO2(降解率88.56%),且几乎完全矿化,符合一级反应动力学方程。TiO2和TiO2/核桃壳炭光催化降解苯酚的主要活性中心分别为·OH和·O-2,核桃壳炭的负载提高了TiO2吸附 光催化苯酚性能和回收效率。     

Durability,reaction to fire properties,and environmental impact of treated and untreated wooden claddings

Abstract

This work summarizes the output of durability, reaction to fire properties, and environmental impact of wooden claddings subjected to treatments modified with TiO₂ and clay nanoparticles. The objective was to investigate the effects of 1 wt% of TiO₂ and clay nanoparticles in existing water-based and stain coatings and preservatives regarding the properties mentioned above. Water vapor resistance properties were used to assess the moisture transfer properties of the specimens by using the cup test. The reactions to fire properties of the specimens were analyzed using small-scale cone calorimeter test. Accelerated aging was used to study the weathering properties of specimens, where the performance of the specimens with aging was characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. The effect of increasing the percentage of nanoparticles from 1 wt% to 3 wt% on the weathering properties of the specimens was further analyzed. Moreover, comparison between the overall environmental impact between unmodified water-based paint and water-based paint modified with 1 wt% of TiO₂ nanoparticles was performed using available environmental data and weathering test results as analyzed by FTIR.     

Development of a CO2 gas analyzer for monitoring soil CO2 concentrations

Measurement of soil CO₂ concentrations is important for investigating the dynamics and diffusion of CO₂ in soil. In this study, we developed a small CO₂ analyzer for measuring in situ-soil CO₂ concentrations. The CO₂ analyzer consists of a module containing an infrared CO₂ gas sensor, a temperature sensor, and a relative humidity sensor. These sensors are installed in a protective box with an air vent, which is suitable for burying in the soil. The output response time of the CO₂ analyzer was 349 s, as evaluated from the phase lag after input of known CO₂ concentrations. This response time is short enough to measure soil CO₂ concentrations, because variations in concentration are slower than the response time of the analyzer. In a field test, we used the CO₂ analyzer to measure soil CO₂ concentrations at five depths (0–50 cm) over 2.5 months. While the CO₂ concentration generally increased with depth, the amplitude of the variation in CO₂ concentration decreased with depth. The phase lag of the variations in soil CO₂ concentration also increased with depth, as did soil temperature. The tests confirm that the CO₂ analyzer is applicable to continuous monitoring of soil CO₂ concentrations.     

Effect of Allelochemicals of Chinese—fir root extracted by supercritical CO2 extraction on Chinese fir

Allelochemicals of Chinese-fir root was extracted by technology of supercritical CO2 extraction under orthogonal experiment design, and it was used to analyze allelopathic activity of Chinese-fir through bioassay of seed germination, The results showed that as to the available rate of allelochemicals, the pressure and temperature of extraction were the most im-portant factors, The allelochemicals of Chinese-fir root extracted by pure CO2 and ethanol mixed with CO2 have different al-lelopathic activities to seed germination, and the allelochemicals extracted by ethanol mixed with CO2 had stronger inhibitory effects on seed Qermination than that extracted by pure CO2.     

Supercritical fluid extraction of sapogenins from tubers of Smilax china

Supercritical CO(2) fluid extraction (SFE-CO(2)) was used to extract the sapogenins after acid hydrolysis from Smilax china tubers. The influence of extraction variables, such as modifier, pressure, temperature and extraction time, were studied. SFE-CO(2) was found to produce higher yield than conventional solvent extraction. The highest yield (0.454%) of sapogenins, mostly containing diosgenin, was obtained using 35 MPa pressure, 65 degrees C and 95% EtOH as a modifier for 180 min, higher than that obtained with conventional extraction methods (0.385%).     

C2H2-reduction byErythrina poeppigiana in a Costa Rican coffee plantation

Acetylene reduction activity by root nodules of the legumeErythrina poeppigiana, growing as shade tree in a Costa Rican coffee plantation, was estimated. The mean activity found was 15.7 nmole C₂H₄ · mg (dry weight)^–1 · h^–1. Root nodules collected at different distances from theErythrina stem showed the same activity per dry weight unit. However, as the biomass of the nodules was highest near the stem, was the acetylene reduction activity (expressed per soil volume) maximal near theErythrina stem and declined with distance.     

Nitrogen transfer between N2-fixing plant and non-N2-fixing plant

The transfer mechanisms, calculating methods and ecological significance of nitrogen transfer between legumes and non-legumes are briefly reviewed. There are three pathways of nitrogen transfer from legumes to neighboring non-legumes: (1) the nitrogen pass in soluble form from the donor legume root into the soil solution, move by diffusion or/and mass flow to the receiver root and be taken up by the latter; (2) nitrogen pass into the soil solution as before, be taken up and transported by mycorrhizal hyphae attached to the receiver roots; (3) if mycorrhizal hyphae form connections (bridges) between the two root systems, the nitrogen could pass into the fungus within the donor root and be transported into the receiver root without ever being in the soil solution. The mechanisms of nitrogen transfer between N₂-fixing plants and non-N₂-fixing plants are reviewed in terms of indirect and direct pathways. The indirect N-transfer process is related to the release of nitrogen from legumes (donor plants), the possible interaction of this nitrogen with soil, the decomposition and mineralization of legumes and turnover of nitrogen, the nitrogen absorbing and competing abilities of the legume and the non-legume (receiver plant). The direct nitrogen transfer process is generally considered to be related to the nitrogen gradient and physiological imbalance between legumes and non-legumes, and when the donor legume lies in stressful stage (i.e. removal of shoots or attacked by insects), the nitrogen transfer can be improved significantly. The methods of determining nitrogen transfer (indirect¹⁵N-isotope dilution method and direct¹⁵N determination method) are evaluated, and their advantages and shortcomings are shown in this review. Foundation Item: This paper was funded by National Science Foundation and Doctor Foundation of China. Biography: J{upang} San-na (1970-), male. Ph. doctor, engineer in Collage of Resource and Environment. Beijing Forestry University Responsible editor: Chai Ruihai     

大气SO2和NO2污染及植物的抗性和净化能力研究进展

SO2和NO2为我国大气污染主要污染物,城市森林对SO2和NO2具有一定的抵抗能力和吸收净化能力,利用城市森林对大气污染进行修复具有良好的应用前景.文章概述了我国SO2和NO2气体污染的状况,总结了污染物进入植物体的过程及其损伤机理,并从植物抗性和吸附净化能力两方面总结了城市景观树种与SO2和NO2气体污染的关系研究,并基于研究结论提出今后研究可能发展方向,如SO2、NO2与悬浮颗粒物等复合污染对城市树种生长的影响、树种抗性和吸附能力综合研究等.     

Ecophysiological responses and carbon distribution ofPinus koraiensis seedlings to elevated carbon dioxide

The net CO₂ assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, RuBPcase (ribulose 1,5-biphosphate carboxylose) activity, dry weight of aboveground and belowgroud part, plant height, the length and diameter of taproot ofPinus koraiensis seedlings were measured and analyzed after six-week exposure to elevated CO₂ in an open-top chamber in Changbai Mountain of China from May to Oct. 1999. Seedlings were planted in four different conditions: on an open site, control chamber, 500 μL·L⁻¹ and 700 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂ chambers. The results showed that the total biomass of the seedlings increased whereas stomatal conductance decreased. The physiological responses and growth to 500 μL·L⁻¹ and 700 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂ varied greatly. The acclimation of photosynthesis was downward to 700 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂ but upward to 500 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂. The RuBPcase activity, chlorophyll and soluble sugar contents of the seedlings grown at 500 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂ were higher than that at 700 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂. The concentration 500 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂ enhanced the growth of aboveground part whereas 700 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂ allocated more carbon to belowground part. Elevated CO₂ changed the carbon distribution pattern. The ecophysiological responses were significantly different between plants grown under 500 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂ and 700 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂. Foundation Item: This paper was supported by Chinese Academy of Sciences. Biography: HAN Shi-jie (1956-), male, Ph. Doctor, Professor in Laboratory of Ecological Process of Trace Substance in Terrestrial Ecosystem, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Responsible editor: Chai Ruihai     

Relationships between soil CO2 concentration and CO2 production, temperature, water content, and gas diffusivity: implications for field studies through sensitivity analyses

Soil CO₂ levels reflect CO₂ production and transport in soil and provide valuable information about soil CO₂ dynamics. However, extracting information from soil CO₂ profiles is often difficult because of the complexity of these profiles. In this study, we constructed a simple numerical model that simulated soil CO₂ dynamics and performed sensitivity analyses for CO₂ production rates, soil water content and temperature, and gas diffusivity at the soil surface to clarify the relationships among these parameters. Increased soil surface CO₂ flux did not always coincide with higher soil CO₂ concentrations; increased CO₂ production at shallow depths had little effect on soil CO₂ concentrations, while the opposite may be true for high levels of soil water content. Higher soil CO₂ concentration did not always coincide with greater soil surface CO₂ flux; under high soil water conditions, soil surface CO₂ flux sometimes decreased despite increased soil CO₂ concentration. Increases in soil water content did not always enhance both soil surface CO₂ flux and soil CO₂ concentration. Under high soil water conditions, increases in soil water content could lower soil surface CO₂ flux and increase soil CO₂ concentration. Increases in soil temperature resulted in greater soil surface CO₂ flux and higher soil CO₂ concentration in our simulation (extremely high temperatures were not assumed in this study). Gas diffusivity in very shallow layers did affect, albeit weakly, soil CO₂ concentration. The findings of this study may help direct future observations and aid in the interpretation of their results.     

外源ABA对短期H_2O_2胁迫下侧柏幼苗活性氧代谢及相关基因的影响

[目的]研究外源ABA处理对H_2O_2胁迫下侧柏幼苗活性氧代谢系统的影响,探讨ABA调控侧柏氧化胁迫的可能作用机制。[方法]以侧柏幼苗为试验材料,采用水培方式,研究外施低浓度(0.5μmol·L~(-1))和高浓度(200μmol·L~(-1))ABA对100 mmol·L~(-1)H_2O_2胁迫下侧柏幼苗活性氧代谢的影响。[结果](1)100 mmol·L~(-1)H_2O_2胁迫48 h显著增加了侧柏幼苗叶片过氧化氢(H_2O_2)、丙二醛(MDA)、谷胱甘肽(GSH)和脯氨酸含量、抗氧化物酶(SOD和CAT)活性,而可溶性蛋白含量降低。(2)相较于高浓度200μmol·L~(-1)ABA,施加0.5μmol·L~(-1)ABA显著减少了H_2O_2胁迫下侧柏幼苗H_2O_2和MDA的积累,进一步提高了侧柏幼苗叶片SOD、POD和CAT活性,同时促进GSH、脯氨酸和可溶性蛋白的合成。(3)100 mmol·L~(-1)H_2O_2胁迫处理48 h,侧柏幼苗叶片活性氧代谢相关基因Cu/Zn-SOD、CAT、GR、APX、MDAR和GST表达水平较对照CK均有显著性提高;正常和H_2O_2胁迫下侧柏幼苗外施0.5μmol·L~(-1)ABA相较于200μmol·L~(-1)更有利于提高侧柏叶片活性氧代谢相关基因Cu/Zn-SOD、CAT、GR、APX、MDAR和GST的表达量。[结论]低浓度0.5μmol·L~(-1)ABA有效地增强抗氧化系统的防御能力,减弱幼苗的氧化胁迫和膜脂过氧化水平,从而降低活性氧对侧柏的伤害。     

Impregnated wooden claddings and the influence of nanoparticles on the weathering performance

Abstract

This work was an investigation of the effect of nanoparticles on the durability of wood specimens exposed to artificial weathering. TiO₂ and clay nanoparticles were mixed with preservative (Wolmanit CX-8) for improving the durability of Norway spruce (Picea abies). Impregnated and untreated specimens were subjected to Atlas Solar Simulator accelerated ageing test chamber for solar radiation and water spray exposure. The effectiveness of the treatment against colour and chemical changes was investigated using CIEL*a*b* colour measurements system and Fourier transform infrared analysis. The present study showed that the wood specimens that had been treated with preservatives containing nanoparticles were slightly more stable against artificial ageing than both untreated specimens and specimens treated with preservative alone.     

Functional involvement of Ca(2+) and Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels in anethol-induced changes in Ca(2+) dependent excitability of F1 neurons in Helix aspersa

The effects of anethol, the major component of anise oil, on the Ca²⁺-dependent excitability and afterhyperpolarization (AHP) in snail neurons were examined using intracellular recording. Anethol (0.5%) significantly broadened the spike, reduced the firing frequency and enhanced the AHP amplitude. In contrast, anethol (2%) significantly increased the firing frequency and decreased the AHP. Blockade of Ca²⁺ channels after anethol application depolarized the membrane potential and significantly reduced the firing rate. Furthermore, in the presence of anethol (0.5%) a significant decrease in the AHP was observed by Ca²⁺ channels blockage. Here, anethol-induced functional modification of Ca²⁺ and Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channels is suggested.