Moisture movement and thickness swelling in oriented strandboard. Part 2: Analysis using a nuclear magnetic resonance imaging body scanner

The previous paper in this series demonstrates the use of a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) micro-imaging system to observe the movement of liquid water through small specimens (11 × 16 mm² cross-section) of oriented strandboard (OSB) and solid wood. In the present paper, a NMR body scanner is utilized to obtain images of moisture penetration into ASTM D 1037–99 standard sized (152 × 152 mm²) thickness swelling specimens at different intervals during water soaking. As with the micro-imaging study, silicone was applied to the surfaces and edges of some of the specimens in order to observe the directional characteristics of moisture movement through OSB. Specimens with commercially applied edge sealant were also included in the study in order to observe the effectiveness of the sealant of reducing moisture penetration and thickness swelling. The presence of voids and areas of low density were shown to contribute significantly to moisture penetration into the specimens.     

Technological properties and fire performance of medium density fibreboard (MDF) treated with selected polyphosphate-based fire retardants

ABSTRACT

The objective of the work was to evaluate the efficacy of two new polyphosphate-based fire retardants (FRs) and one commercial product named Siriono^® on the fire performance and physical–mechanical properties of medium density fibreboard (MDF) fabricated in the laboratory from Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) wood. The fibres were treated with aqueous solutions of fire retardants, at 12% loading (dry salt on dry wood), and bonded with a melamine urea formaldehyde (MUF) adhesive. The physical and mechanical properties of panels were assessed using the European standards, whereas their fire performance was evaluated using an in-house method and the Cone calorimeter. In overall, the chemicals added enhanced the fire and smoke properties of the panels to varying degrees. Critical FR parameters such as peak heat release rate (peak HRR), total heat release (THR) and total smoke production (TSP) were significantly improved in the FR-treated panels, as exhibited in cone calorimeter tests. However, the internal bond strength of treated panels largely decreased by the addition of fire retardants, while thickness swell and water absorption negatively affected to a significant extent. In contrast, the formaldehyde release of the panels was considerably decreased at the E1 class level, with the incorporation of the polyphosphate-based additives.     

Radiation-use efficiency of a forest exposed to elevated concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide

We compared radiation-use efficiency of growth (epsilon;), defined as rate of biomass accumulation per unit of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation, of forest plots exposed to ambient (approximately 360 micro l l-1) or elevated (approximately 560 micro l l-1) atmospheric CO2 concentration ([CO2]). Large plots (30-m diameter) in a loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantation, which contained several hardwood species in the understory, were fumigated with a free-air CO2 enrichment system. Biomass accumulation of the dominant loblolly pines was calculated from monthly measurements of tree growth and site-specific allometric equations. Depending on the species, leaf area index (L*) was estimated by three methods: optical, allometric and litterfall. Based on the relationship between tree height and diameter during the first 3 years of exposure, we conclude that elevated [CO2] did not alter the pattern of aboveground biomass allocation in loblolly pine. There was considerable variation in L* estimates by the different methods; total L* was 18-42% lower when estimated by the optical method compared with estimates from allometric calculations, and this discrepancy was reduced when optical measurements were corrected for the non-random distribution of loblolly pine foliage. The allometric + litterfall approach revealed a seasonal maximum total L* of 6.2-7.1 with about 1/3 of the total from hardwood foliage. Elevated [CO2] had only a slight effect on L* in the first 3 years of this study. Mean epsilon; (+/- SD), calculated for loblolly pine only, was 0.49 +/- 0.05 and 0.62 +/- 0.04 g MJ-1 for trees in the ambient and elevated [CO2] plots, respectively. The 27% increase in epsilon; in response to CO2 enrichment was caused primarily by the stimulation of biomass increment, as there was only a small effect of elevated [CO2] on L* during the initial years of fumigation. Long-term increases in atmospheric [CO2] can increase epsilon; in closed-canopy forests but the absolute magnitude and duration of this increase remain uncertain.     

Incorporating forage grasses in riparian buffers for bioremediation of atrazine, isoxaflutole and nitrate in Missouri

Multi-species tree-shrub-grass riparian buffer systems have been recognized as one of the most cost-effective bioremediation approaches to alleviate nonpoint source agricultural pollution in heavily fertilized systems. However, highly concentrated herbicides in surface and subsurface water and shade cast by trees along the stream bank usually compromise the effectiveness of these systems. Greenhouse trials and field lysimeter studies were conducted to evaluate the tolerance of orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata), smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), timothy (Phleum pratense), and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) ground covers to atrazine and Balance™ (isoxaflutole) plus their capacity to sequester and degrade these herbicides and their metabolites. Their ability to remove soil nitrate was also quantified. Concentrations of atrazine, Balance™ and their metabolites in the leachate, soil and plant samples were determined by solid phase extraction followed by high performance liquid or gas chromatographic analyses. Distribution of the herbicides and metabolites in the system was calculated using a mass balance approach. Herbicide bioremediation capacity of each lysimeter treatment was determined by the ratio of metabolites to parent herbicide plus metabolites. Bioremediation of nitrate was quantified by comparing nitrate reduction rates in grass treatments to the bare ground control. Based on this herbicide tolerance, bioremediation data and shade tolerance determined in a previous study, it was established that switch grass, tall fescue and smooth bromegrass are good candidates for incorporation into tree-shrub-grass riparian buffer systems designed for the bioremediation of atrazine, Balance™ and nitrate.     

Can the nitrogenous composition of xylem sap be used to assess salinity stress in Casuarina glauca?

It is predicted that dryland salinity will affect up to 17 Mha of the Australian landscape by 2050, and therefore, monitoring the health of tree plantings and remnant native vegetation in saline areas is increasingly important. Casuarina glauca Sieber ex Spreng. has considerable salinity tolerance and is commonly planted in areas with a shallow, saline water table. To evaluate the potential of using the nitrogenous composition of xylem sap to assess salinity stress in C. glauca, the responses of trees grown with various soil salinities in a greenhouse were compared with those of trees growing in field plots with different water table depths and groundwater salinities. In the greenhouse, increasing soil salinity led to increased allocation of nitrogen (N) to proline and arginine in both stem and root xylem sap, with coincident decreases in citrulline and asparagine. Although the field plots were ranked as increasingly saline-based on ground water salinity and depth-only the allocation of N to citrulline differed significantly between the field plots. Within each plot, temporal variation in the composition of the xylem sap was related to rainfall, rainfall infiltration and soil salinity. Periods of low rainfall and infiltration and higher soil salinity corresponded with increased allocation of N to proline and arginine in the xylem sap. The allocation of N to citrulline and asparagine increased following rainfall events where rain was calculated to have infiltrated sufficiently to decrease soil salinity. The relationship between nitrogenous composition of the xylem sap of C. glauca and soil salinity indicates that the analysis of xylem sap is an effective method for assessing changes in salinity stress in trees at a particular site over time. However, the composition of the xylem sap proved less useful as a comparative index of salinity stress in trees growing at different sites.     

Development of a murine ocular posterior segment explant culture for the study of intravitreous vector delivery

The objective of this study was to develop a murine retinal/choroidal/scleral explant culture system to facilitate the intravitreous delivery of vectors. Posterior segment explants from adult mice of 2 different age groups (4 wk and 15 wk) were cultured in serum-free medium for variable time periods. Tissue viability was assessed by gross morphology, cell survival quantification, activated caspase-3 expression, and immunohistochemistry. To model ocular gene therapy, explants were exposed to varying transducing units of a lentiviral vector expressing the gene for green fluorescent protein for 48 h. Explant retinal cells remained viable for approximately 1 wk, although the ganglion cell layer developed apoptosis between 4 and 7 d. Following vector infusion into the posterior segment cups, viral transduction was noted in multiple retinal layers in both age groups. An age of donor mouse influence was noted and older mice did not transduce as well as younger mice. This explant offers an easily managed posterior segment ocular culture with minimum disturbance of the tissue, and may be useful for investigating methods of enhancing retinal gene therapy under controlled conditions.     

Baicalein induction of hydroxyl radical formation via 12-lipoxygenase in human platelets: an ESR study

The pro-oxidant activities of baicalein, morin, myricetin, quercetin, and rutin were examined in various cell-containing systems including human platelets, rat vascular smooth muscle cells, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), human THP-1 cells, and fibroblast cells. Electron spin resonance (ESR) results showed that only baicalein generated hydroxyl radicals in a resting human platelet suspension, whereas the other flavonoids showed no effects on any of the resting cell systems. A low concentration of arachidonic acid (AA) increased the intensity of hydroxyl radicals, but a high concentration inhibited it. Collagen and thrombin, platelet aggregatory agents that can cause the release of AA by platelets, enhanced baicalein-induced hydroxyl radical formation, whereas ADP and U44619 showed no significant effects. Quinacrine and 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic trifluoromethyl ketone, both PLA2 inhibitors, significantly attenuated baicalein-induced hydroxyl radical formation. These results suggest that baicalein-induced hydroxyl radical formation is associated with AA metabolite enzymes in human platelets. The formation of hydroxyl radicals was significantly inhibited by lipoxygenase inhibitors including nordihydroguaiaretic acid, (-)-epicatechin, (-)-epicatechin gallate, and hinokitiol, but was not affected by desferroxamine or the heme protein inhibitors KCN and NaN3. On the other hand, semiquinone free radicals were generated when baicalein was incubated with horseradish peroxidase/H2O2 or platelets/AA. The semiquinone radicals formed in the platelets/AA system could be extensively inhibited by desferroxamine, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, KCN, and NaN3, indicating that prostaglandin H synthase (PGHS)-peroxidase may be involved. The results of this study led to the proposal that baicalein induces hydroxyl radical formation via 12-lipoxygenase and induces semiquinone radical formation via PGHS-peroxidase in human platelets.     

Improved HPLC-MS/MS method for determination of isoxaflutole (balance) and its metabolites in soils and forage plants

A robust multi-residue procedure is needed for the analysis of the pro-herbicide isoxaflutole and its degradates in soil and plant materials at environmentally relevant (<1 microg kg-1) levels. An analytical method using turbo-spray and heat-nebulizer high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) was developed for the analysis of isoxaflutole (IXF) and its two metabolites, diketonitrile (DKN) and the benzoic acid metabolite (BA), at sub-microgram per kilogram levels in soil and plant samples. The average recoveries of the three compounds in spiked soil and plant samples ranged from 84 to 110% and 94 to 105%, respectively. The limits of quantification were validated at 0.06 microg kg-1 for soil and 0.3 microg kg-1 for plant samples. The limits of detection (LOD) for soil analysis were 0.01, 0.002, and 0.01 microg kg-1 for IXF, DKN, and BA, respectively. Corresponding LOD for the plant analysis method were 0.05, 0.01, and 0.05 microg kg-1. The developed method was validated using forage grass and soil samples collected from a field lysimeter study in which IXF was applied to each of four forage treatments. Forage plants and soils were sampled for analyses 25 days after IXF application to the soil. In soils, IXF was not detected in any treatment, and DKN was the predominant metabolite found. In forage plants, the concentrations of DKN and BA were 10-100-fold higher than that in soil samples, but IXF was not detected in any forage plants. The much higher proportion of BA to DKN in plant tissues (23-53%), as compared to soils (0-5%), suggested that these forages were capable of detoxifying DKN. The developed methods provided LODs at sub-microgram per kilogram levels to determine the fate of IXF and its metabolites in soils and forage plants, and they also represent considerable improvements in extraction recovery rates and detection sensitivity as compared to previous analytical methods for these compounds.     

Effect of dips in a 1-methylcyclopropene-generating solution on 'Harrow Sun' plums stored under different temperature regimes

The effect of postharvest dips in a 1-methylcyclopropene-generating solution of the formulation AFxRD-038 (Rohm & Haas) on plum fruit (Prunus salicina Lindell cv. 'Harrow Sun') quality and ripening during storage was determined. Fruit weight loss, tissue firmness, soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), ethylene production, respiration, and the activities of the cell wall modifying enzymes polygalacturonase (PG), 1,4-beta-D-glucanase/glucosidase (EGase), beta-galactosidase (beta-gal), and pectin methylesterase (PME) were measured. Fruit reddening, anthocyanin content, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity were also analyzed. The 1-MCP-treated fruit showed reduced ethylene production and respiration rate and delayed softening, which was associated with the reduction in the activity of PG, EGase, and beta-gal. The immersion in 1-MCP-generating solutions also decreased weight and acidity loss without modifying the fruit SSC. The immersion treatment was particularly effective in the fruit stored at 5 degrees C, keeping higher overall quality, maintaining lower levels of anthocyanins and PAL activity, and preventing flesh reddening. The present data show that beneficial effects in delaying plum fruit ripening and controlling chilling injury can be obtained by dipping the fruits in a solution of this novel 1-MCP-generating formulation.     

Determination of anabolic steroids in muscle tissue by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A specific and sensitive method based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (LC-APCI-MS/MS) has been developed for the determination of four anabolic steroids [trenbolone, methylboldenone, methyltestosterone, and norethandrolone] in bovine muscle. Methyltestosterone- d 3 was used as internal standard. The procedure involved enzymatic hydrolysis, extraction with tert-butyl methyl ether, defattening, and final cleanup with solid-phase extraction with Oasis HLB cartridges. The analytes were analyzed by reversed-phase LC-MS/MS, acquiring two diagnostic product ions from the chosen precursor [M + H] (+) for the unambiguous confirmation of hormones. The method was validated according to the European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC for the detection and confirmation of residues in products of animal origin. The limits of detection (LOD) and limits of quantitation (LOQ) were found to be 0.3 ng/g and 1.0 ng/g, respectively. The accuracy and precision have been determined, with recoveries ranging from 83% to 104% and the CV factor not exceeding the value of 7%. The decision limits CCalpha were calculated and ranged from 0.05 to 0.15 ng/g while the detection capabilities CCbeta ranged from 0.09 to 0.25 ng/g. The method proved to be sensitive and reliable and thus renders an appropriate means for residue analysis studies.