Synthesis of new betaine-type amphoteric surfactants from tall oil fatty acid

Two new betaine-type amphoteric surfactants — betaineN,N'-dihydroxyethyl-N-ethyl fatty acid ester and ammoniumN-(fatty acid ester) ethyl-N,N-bis (2-hydroxyethyl)-3-(2-hydroxypropyl) sulfonate — were synthesized using tall oil fatty acids as the raw materials. Processing conditions suitable for synthesizing the intermediates and final products were probed. In addition, the chemical structures of the intermediates and the final products were identified by infrared spectroscopy, hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and elemental analysis.     

Studies on the immunolabeling of heartwood extractives: characterization of anti-agatharesinol antiserum

The reactivity of previously prepared antiserum against agatharesinol, a norlignan, was determined by competitive inhibition–ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) using several natural compounds that are representative of plant extractives as competitive inhibitors. The antiserum strongly reacted with some norlignans (i.e., agatharesinol, hinokiresinol, and metasequirin C), each of which has a common chemical-structural unit. This result suggests that the antiserum recognizes the specific chemical-structural unit composing those norlignans. Moreover, differences in the reactivities of the antiserum with agatharesinol derivatives and synthetic chalcones propose the trans-3-p-hydroxyphenyl-1-phenylpropene structural unit as the major antigenic determinant for the antiserum.Part of this paper was presented at the 45th Lignin Symposium, Matsuyama, October 2000 and the 51th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Tokyo, April 2001     

Growth response ofMelaleuca cajuputi to flooding in a tropical peat swamp

We investigated the growth response ofMelaleuca cajuputi Powell to flooding at 3 sites in a tropical swamp in southern Thailand. The relative growth rate (RGR) in height tended to be higher where the water level was higher. The maximumRGR in height was achieved during the flood period at the 2 sites where water levels were higher than at the other site. The height growth ofM. cajuputi was not reduced by flooding, but enhanced. No decline in growth due to post-anoxic injury was observed after flooding.Melaleuca cajuputi may have mechanisms to tolerate rhizospheric oxygen deficiency and to avoid post-anoxic injury. This study was supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Basic Research (No. 09NP0901) from the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports, and Culture of Japan.     

间伐对黑松海岸林风害的影响——基于风害危险率评价的理论推导

本文在“海岸林风害危险率评价的理论推导”(Journal of Forestry Research, 2002, 13(4))一文的基础上,对1997年12月经四种间伐处理的黑松海岸林进行了连续四个生长季的风害调查,同时,对黑松海岸林内与林外风速廓线和林分透光分层疏透度的分布也分别进行了观测。应用在这些观测数据,依据“海岸林风害危险率评价的理论推导”文中获得的风害危险率评价方法,对单株树木及林分的风害风险率进行了评估,结果表明,单独依据平均直径与结合风速廓线和林分结构的风害风险率,构成了评价海岸森林风害的重要指标。不同间伐强度和风害发生率之间的关系表明,在间伐初期林分的稳定性有所下降,这可能是由于林冠粗糙度和风负载的增加及周围树木的保护效应的减少而引起的。然而,经过一段时间后,间伐处理能够促进林分生长,从而提高了林分的稳定性和对强风的抵抗力。在本试验观察过程中只发现了强风对林冠的损害,而即使是在间伐海岸林外风速达到30.2 m·s-1的条件下,也没有发现风倒或风折。本次研究中获得的结果表明,尽管在间伐之初风害的概率增加了,但是,间伐作为一种最为有效的林分管理方法,可以成为保持海岸林健康、稳定的一种长期经营管理策略。图3表4参19。     

Formaldehyde emission from wood products: relationship between the values by the Chamber method and those by the Desiccator test

The formaldehyde off-gassing properties of various wood products were evaluated under environment conditions that simulate conditions of mobile home. The formaldehyde concentrations observed in the chamber were correlated to the 24-h desiccator formaldehyde potentials. It was found that 24-h desiccator values did correlate to formaldehyde levels in the chamber at a given temperature, relative humidity, air change rate, and sample loading. The 24-h desiccator method correlated to each other for a given wood product. Formaldehyde levels of wood products tested in combination reflected the levels of the highest single emitter. Formaldehyde concentrations from combinations of particleboards and plywood panels may be predicted from their single chamber K factor using the modified Hoetjer equation. Double loading of a single wood product did not double the chamber concentration at the low air change rate and sample loading. Finally, the formaldehyde concentrations observed in the chamber under conditions that simulated mobile loadings of wood product, air change rate, temperature, and humidity relate to real wood formaldehyde levels.     

Structure, allometry, and biomass of plantation Metasequoia glyptostroboides in Japan

We quantified structural features and the aboveground biomass of the deciduous conifer, Metasequoia glyptostroboides (Hu and Cheng) in six plantations in central Japan. In order to derive biomass estimates we dissected 14 M. glyptostroboides trees into three structural components (stem wood, branch wood and foliage) to develop allometric equations relating the mass of these components and of the whole tree to diameter at breast height (DBH). We found robust relationships at the branch and whole tree level that allow accurate prediction of component and whole tree biomass. Dominant tree height was similar within five older (>40 years) plantations (27–33 m) and shorter in a 20-year-old plantation (18 m). Average stem diameter varied from 12.8 cm in the youngest stand to greater than 35 cm in the oldest stand.

Metasequoia have relatively compact crowns distributed over the top 30% of the tree although the youngest stand had the deepest crown relative to tree height (up to 38%). At the individual tree level in older stands, 87% of the aboveground biomass was allocated to the stem, 9% to branch wood and 4% to foliage. We found little difference in the relative distribution of above ground biomass among the stands with the exception of lower foliage biomass in larger diameter trees. Total aboveground biomass of the older stands varied twofold, ranging from a maximum of 450 Mg ha⁻¹ in a 42-year-old stand to a minimum of 196 Mg ha⁻¹ in a 48-year-old stand. Total above ground biomass of the 20-year-old stand was 176 Mg ha⁻¹.     

Biosynthesis of (+)-syringaresinol inLiriodendron tulipifera I: feeding experiments withl-[U-14C]phenylalanine and [8-14C]sinapyl alcohol

To clarify the biosynthesis of syringyl lignans and lignan formation by stereoselective coupling of monolignols, formation of (+)-syringaresinol and (+)-pinoresinol inLiriodendron tulipifera were investigated by means of feeding experiments. Following individual administration ofl-[U-¹⁴C]phenylalanine and [8-¹⁴C]sinapyl alcohol to excised shoots ofL. tulipifera and their subsequent metabolism for 3h, free [¹⁴C] lignans and [¹⁴C] lignan glucosides were extracted from both of the stems and leaves with methanol and divided into an ether fraction and an aqueous one, respectively. The glucosides were hydrolyzed by a combination of cellulase and-glucosidase to liberate [¹⁴C]lignans as aglycones.l-[U-¹⁴C]Phenylalanine was incorporated into free (+)-[¹⁴C]syringaresinol and its glucosides; the (+)-[¹⁴C]syringaresinols in the stems and leaves had 52% enantiomeric excess (% e.e.) and 42% e.e., respectively; and the (+)-[¹⁴C]syringaresinol aglycones from the glucosides in the stems and leaves had 20% e.e. and 22% e.e., respectively. Furthermore, [8-¹⁴C]sinapyl alcohol was incorporated into (+)-[¹⁴C]syringaresinol and its glucosides in the stems. These results suggest that the (+)-enantiomer of syringaresinol was enantioselectively formed from two molecules of sinapyl alcohol inL. tulipifera followed by transformation into the (+)-syringaresinol glucosides, accompanying the formation of racemic syringaresinol by nonselective coupling and the subsequent transformation of the racemate into their glucosides.l-[U-¹⁴C]Phenylalanine was incorporated also into free (+)-[¹⁴C]pinoresinol and its glucosides with 12%–42% e.e.Part of this paper was presented at the 47th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Kochi, April 1997     

Properties of gypsum particleboard reinforced with polypropylene fibers

This paper details the influence of the length and content of polypropylene (PP) fibers on the physical and mechanical properties of gypsum particleboard (GPB). The length and amount of PP fibers added had a significant effect on the internal bond strength (IB) and the modulus of rupture (MOR) of GPB. The highest IB value was shown at 9 mm length and 9% content of PP fibers. The MOR was highest when the board was made with PP of 12 mm fiber length and 12% content. Suitable contents of PP fibers were advantageous in that they reinforced the properties of GPB so it achieved high performance. In contrast, a high content of PP fibers reduced the IB, MOR, and modulus of elasticity (MOE) of GPB. The thickness swelling was reduced with an increase in PP length and content. It was concluded that the combination of 12 mm length and 12% content or 3mm length and 9% content was optimum for producing good performance of GPB.Part of this paper was presented at the 50th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Kyoto, April 2000     

Comparison of stand structure and growth between artificial and natural forests of Pinus sylvestiris var, mongolica on sandy land

Mongolian pine (Pinus sylvestiris Linnaeus var. mongolica Litvinov) as a valuable conifer tree species has been broadly introduced to the sandy land areas in “Three North” regions (North, northwest and northeast of China), but many prob-lems occurred in the earliest Mongolian pine plantations in 7hanggutai, 7hangwu County, Liaoning Province (ZZL). In order to clarify the reason, comprehensive investigations were carried out on differences in structure characteristics, growth processes and ecological factors between artificial stands (the first plantation established in ZZL in 1950s) and natural stands (the origin forests of the tree species in Honghuaerji, Inner Mongolia) on sandy land. The results showed that variation of diameter-class distributions in artificial stands and natural stands could be described by Weibull and Normal distribution models, respectively.Chapman-Richards growth model was employed to reconstruct the growth process of Mongolian pine based on the data from field investigation and stem analysis. The ages of maximum of relative growth rate and average growth rate of DBH, height, and volume of planted trees were 11,22 years, 8, 15 years and 35, 59 years earlier than those of natural stand trees, respectively. In respect of the incremental acceleration of volume, the artificial and natural stands reached their maximum values at 14 years and 33 years respectively. The quantitative maturity ages of artificial stands and natural stands were 43 years and 102 years respectively. It was concluded that the life span of the Mongolian pine trees in natural stands was about 60 years longer than those in artificial stands. The differences mentioned above between artificial and natural Mongolian pine forests on sandy land were partially attributed to the drastic variations of ecological conditions such as latitude, temperature, precipitation, evaporation and height above sea level. Human beings‘‘ disturbances and higher density in plantation forest may be ascribed as additional reasons. Those results may be potentially useful for the management and afforestation of Mongolian pine plantations on sandy land in arid and semi-arid areas.     

海岸林风害危险率评价的理论推导

本文在对间伐和风害之间关系的讨论和以往有关研究结果的基础上,确定了一种林木风害危险率的估计方法,用于评价间伐对林木风害的影响。这种对单株黑松及整个黑松林分的风害危险率估计,是根据风速廓线、枝条分布和透光分层疏透度(OSP)系数推导出来的。结果表明:如果枝条分布模型中的参数β等于单株树冠中风速廓线模型的衰减系数αs,参数H/D1.33可用于比较和评价对单株树木的风害危险率。这一原理也同样适用于整个林分,即用林分内风速廓线衰减系数α和透光分层疏透度(OSP)的分布中的衰减系数ν,结合D1.33估计和比较林分风害危险率。文中对间伐与非间伐单株黑松风害危险率进行了估计,得出了间伐两年后可以降低单株黑松风害危险率的结论;同时给出了确定林分风害危险率估计的过程图。图3参45。