Cut Area Research Articles

Aspen-inhabiting Aphyllophoroid fungi in a managed forest landscape in Estonia

In northern Europe, the biologically rich European aspen (Populus tremula) tends to disappear both from intensively managed and strictly protected forests, thus representing a biodiversity conservation challenge. This study describes the distribution of Aphyllophoroid fungi inhabiting aspen in a hemiboreal mixed-forest landscape where clear-cutting was usually followed by natural regeneration. In a 4-km2 area in Estonia, 181 individual forest stands and cut areas were surveyed. Sixty-one percent of the 2831 live aspen trees found were concentrated in 11% of the area. Thirty-six polypore species were recorded on aspen, with old stands and naturally created deadwood hosting most species. Among the records of 14 pre-defined aspen-specific basidiomycetes, Phellinus tremulae comprised about 95%. Six species (Ceriporiopsis aneirina, Clavicorona pyxidata, Funalia trogii, Phellinus populicola, Rigidoporus corticola, Steccherinum pseudozilingianum) were infrequent to rare, but widely distributed, inhabiting various stand-age classes, and mostly occurring outside “key habitats”. All the seven species absent are of conservation concern and frequent in Estonian old-growth forests. Thus, rotational management with natural aspen regeneration only provided habitat for some aspen-specific species. For sustaining all species, such landscapes should probably be complemented with stands managed using modified thinning and partial harvesting techniques in aspen-containing mixed stands.

Dust in the wind – drift of dust containing insecticides – a risk for honey bees (Apis mellifera L.)?

In late April 2008, dust drift containing insecticide resulted in the largest bee poisoning in Germany for 30 years. The reason for these incidents was the contamination of flowering bee forage plants with dust particles abraded from maize seeds treated with Clothianidin recorded in the Upper Rhine Valley, Baden-Wuerttemberg and in parts of Bavaria during sowing of maize.Clothianidin, an insecticidal active substance from the group of neonicotinoids, works as agonist at the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors with broad spectrum of efficacy. Clothianidin is also used as a seed dressing of maize (agent for seed treatment “Poncho Pro®”; 1,.25 mg a.i. Clothianidin./kernel) for the control of the larval stage of the Western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LECONTE).Since early 2009, studies on the drift of seed treatment dust in off-crop areas, on residues in neighbouring crops, exposure and effects on honeybees are conducted as a part of the German Diabrotica research programme.In practical drift experiments in 2009 and 2010 the impacts of dust drift on individual bees in wind-permeable wooden cages (direct exposure to dust during sowing) and on bee colonies in semi-field and field trials (exposure to dust during sowing and contaminated pollen and nectar) were examined. In addition, samples of pollen and nectar from foragers and in the hives were taken for residue analysis.As blooming neighbouring crops mustard (2009) and winter oilseed rape (2010) were used, contaminated by seed treatment dust at the sowing of winter oilseed rape seed (Elado® treated seeds from 2008, medium dust abrasion values, 2009) and maize seeds respectively (Poncho Pro ® treated seeds from 2008, high dust abrasion values, 2010). For sowing of maize a pneumatic vacuum operated precision air planter with at least 90% drift reduction by re-equipping technology and for rape a pneumatic seed drill was used. Additional to the cages, petri dishes were set up at different levels and in specific distances from the field edge of the drill area (1, 3, 5, 10 and 20 m) at free cut areas of the neighbouring culture before application. Previously the dishes were prepared for an oral feeding test (once with sugar water smeared fresh mustard leaf and another time with honey layer). Behaviour and mortality of the bees were observed and documented in laboratory for 48 hours.Current results showed no adverse effect on bees and bee colonies at rape sowing in 2009. However, in the maize sowing field trials in 2010 bee mortality was clearly increased.More data on the impact of exposure of dust on colonies were obtained from experimental approaches in tents with selective manual application of practical amounts of insecticide-loaded dust (T1 = 0.5 g a.i. / ha and T2 = 2.0 g a.i. / ha Clothianidin) with particle size less than 300 µm in Phacelia. Both application experiments in 2009 and 2010 show a tendency for higher bee mortality at an application rate of 2.0 g a.i. / ha Clothianidin. A clear assessment of the results is not yet possible as their analytical reports are not fully completed.For 2011, further studies on the impact of seed treatment dust on the population development of bee colonies and potential sublethal effects will be conducted.

Dust in the wind – drift of dust containing insecticides – a risk for honey bees (Apis mellifera L.)?

AbstractIn late April 2008, dust drift containing insecticide resulted in the largest bee poisoning in Germany for 30 years. The reason for these incidents was the contamination of flowering bee forage plants with dust particles abraded from maize seeds treated with Clothianidin recorded in the Upper Rhine Valley, Baden-Wuerttemberg and in parts of Bavaria during sowing of maize.Clothianidin, an insecticidal active substance from the group of neonicotinoids, works as agonist at the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors with broad spectrum of efficacy. Clothianidin is also used as a seed dressing of maize (agent for seed treatment “Poncho Pro®”; 1,.25 mg a.i. Clothianidin./kernel) for the control of the larval stage of the Western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LECONTE).Since early 2009, studies on the drift of seed treatment dust in off-crop areas, on residues in neighbouring crops, exposure and effects on honeybees are conducted as a part of the German Diabrotica research programme.In practical drift experiments in 2009 and 2010 the impacts of dust drift on individual bees in wind-permeable wooden cages (direct exposure to dust during sowing) and on bee colonies in semi-field and field trials (exposure to dust during sowing and contaminated pollen and nectar) were examined. In addition, samples of pollen and nectar from foragers and in the hives were taken for residue analysis.As blooming neighbouring crops mustard (2009) and winter oilseed rape (2010) were used, contaminated by seed treatment dust at the sowing of winter oilseed rape seed (Elado® treated seeds from 2008, medium dust abrasion values, 2009) and maize seeds respectively (Poncho Pro ® treated seeds from 2008, high dust abrasion values, 2010). For sowing of maize a pneumatic vacuum operated precision air planter with at least 90% drift reduction by re-equipping technology and for rape a pneumatic seed drill was used. Additional to the cages, petri dishes were set up at different levels and in specific distances from the field edge of the drill area (1, 3, 5, 10 and 20 m) at free cut areas of the neighbouring culture before application. Previously the dishes were prepared for an oral feeding test (once with sugar water smeared fresh mustard leaf and another time with honey layer). Behaviour and mortality of the bees were observed and documented in laboratory for 48 hours.Current results showed no adverse effect on bees and bee colonies at rape sowing in 2009. However, in the maize sowing field trials in 2010 bee mortality was clearly increased.More data on the impact of exposure of dust on colonies were obtained from experimental approaches in tents with selective manual application of practical amounts of insecticide-loaded dust (T1 = 0.5 g a.i. / ha and T2 = 2.0 g a.i. / ha Clothianidin) with particle size less than 300 µm in Phacelia. Both application experiments in 2009 and 2010 show a tendency for higher bee mortality at an application rate of 2.0 g a.i. / ha Clothianidin. A clear assessment of the results is not yet possible as their analytical reports are not fully completed.For 2011, further studies on the impact of seed treatment dust on the population development of bee colonies and potential sublethal effects will be conducted.

Effect of Light Intensity Field on Wheat Yield in Agriculture Ecosystems

This paper based on the measured of light intensity and wheat production within the shelterbelt, with surfer graphics software, correlation analysis and regression analysis of classical statistical methods to analyze relation between wheat yield and light intensity within agro-forestry system. The results showed that the order of average light intensity was: south > west > east > north of the shelterbelt. Wheat yields can be divided into four regions: greater than 810 g/m2 for the high yield areas; between 740.51 and 809.35 g/m2 for the level-producing areas; 600-740.51 g/m2 were cut areas; less than 600 g/m2 were serious cut areas. Judged by wheat yield divided regions above, wheat yield reduction was not serious, but relatively large distributed of area on the east side of shelterbelt; seriously cut areas mainly distribute in the north of shelterbelt; east and south of shelterbelt almost did not have serious cut areas; The size of correlation between light intensity and yield per unit area was north of shelterbelt (0.850) > south of shelterbelt (0.564) > west of shelterbelt (0.554) > east of shelterbelt (0.474). The relationship between light and yield in north of shelterbelt was consistent with Compound model, the south of shelterbelt is consistent with Exponential model; the scale of shading was: north of shelterbelt was about 0-0.7H, south of shelterbelt was about 0-0.3H, east of shelterbelt was about 0-0.3H, west of shelterbelt was about 0-0.5H.

Effect of Tropical Peat Swamp Forest Clearing on Soil Carbon Storage

: Problem Statement: Forest clearing in Tropical Peat Swamp Forest (TPSF) will affect forest soil carbon storage. Thus this study is essential to determine whether the effect of clearing of forest does to the nature of soil forest concentrating on soil carbon storage. The objectives of this study were to analyze carbon storage values in logged and clear cut TPSF and to compare these values to see whether clearing of forest will affect its soil in terms of carbon storage. Approach: Soil sampling was conducted in July 2009 on two different plots at Batang Igan, Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia. The plots are secondary TPSF where this area has been logged but not been cleared while another plot is the clear cut area where the forest has been cut down and cleared for other land use. Soil samples were taken in each plot in the depth of 0-15 cm. Every sample was taken randomly by peat auger using bulking method. The soils were air dried, pounded using mortar and sieved. The bulk densities were determined by coring method. Total Carbon (TC), total Organic Matter (OM), Total Nitrogen (TN) and stable C estimation per hectare were determined from bulk density. The soil pH was determined using pH meter by using water and KCl. SOM, TC and stable C in Humic Acid (HA) were determined by loss-on ignition method. TN was determined using Micro-Kjeldahl method followed by steam distillation and titration. HA was extracted and purified using distilled water. Then, the HA were oven dried in 40oC. The E4/E6 ratio by using spectrometer was used. Total acidity of HA which consists of carboxylic (-COOH) and phenolic (-OH) functional group were analyzed. The statistical analysis and comparison was using t-test to compare between two means. Results: The variables that showing the significant differences between two plots were pH water and KCl, soil OM, total C and HA yield. The insignificant differences were bulk density, total N, C/N ratio, E4/E6, phenol, carboxyl, total acidity and stable C. Conclusions: There is no significant difference between clear cut and TPSF in terms of carbon storage although TPSF had higher HA.

Impacts of moose (Alces alces) browsing on paper birch (Betula papyrifera) morphology and potential timber quality

Although moose browsing effects on the growth and morphology of birch are well studied, effects of moose browsing on potential timber quality of birch have received little attention. Here, an assessment was made of the impacts of moose (Alces alces L.) damage to Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.) trees from a 20-year old clear cut area in a sub-boreal spruce forest within the Aleza Lake Research Forest, near Prince George, British Columbia, Canada. Specifically, differences in overall tree architecture and in the internal characteristics of trees that had been severely damaged and suppressed by moose winter browsing were compared to birch trees that had not been damaged by moose in this way and were considered free-to-grow. The average stem diameter, number of annular growth rings, and height of stem breaks made by moose on suppressed birches at the point of breakage was 17.9 ± 6.6 mm, 4.6 ± 1.2, and 141.8 ± 32.0 cm, respectively. Stem diameters and the heights above-the-ground of stem breaks made by moose during sequential breakage events were not significantly different (all p ≥ 0.05) from one another. Decay was significantly (all p ≤ 0.001) more extensive in trees where branches had been broken off by moose than in trees with no breaks or where breaks were from unknown agents. Suppressed birches were significantly (p = 0.048) more exposed (farther from their nearest tree neighbor) when compared to birches that were free-to-grow. The distance from birch trees to species-specific neighbors (of any species) did not differ (all p ≥ 0.05) between suppressed and free-to-grow birches. Suppressed birches damaged from intense browsing and stem breakage were significantly (≤ 0.001) farther away from other birches showing signs of slight to moderate browsing than free-to-grow birches were from similar conspecifics. Because moose appear to impact the potential wood quality of birch, forest managers should consider the impacts that browsing and stem breakage can have on birch timber where these trees co-occur with and are eaten by moose.

Effects of Postharvest Onion Curing Parameters on Enterobacter Bulb Decay in Storage.

Enterobacter bulb decay is a recently described storage disease of onion (Allium cepa) bulbs caused by Enterobacter cloacae. The disease is generally considered minor but, on occasion, can cause significant losses for onion producers. The impact of postharvest curing temperature and duration on Enterobacter bulb decay of onion was evaluated by inoculating bulbs of the cultivars Redwing and Vaquero with E. cloacae after harvest, curing the bulbs at 25, 30, 35, or 40°C for 2 or 14 days, and storing the bulbs at 5°C for 1, 2, or 3 months. Noninoculated bulbs and bulbs injected with sterile water served as control treatments. The trial was completed using bulbs harvested from commercial onion crops grown in the semi-arid Columbia Basin of central Washington in each of 2008-09 (center-pivot irrigated crop) and 2009-10 (drip irrigated crop). Severity of bulb rot was assessed by cutting each bulb down the center from the neck to the basal plate, and rating the percentage of cut surface area with bacterial rot symptoms. Bulb rot severity was negligible for noninoculated bulbs (mean of 0.3% in the 2008-09 storage trial and 1.0% in the 2009-10 storage trial) and bulbs injected with water (0.8% in the 2008-09 trial and 1.3% in the 2009-10 trial) compared to bulbs inoculated with E. cloacae (15.3% in 2008-09 and 23.3% in 2009-10). Severity of Enterobacter bulb decay was affected significantly (P < 0.05) by season (trial), cultivar, curing temperature, curing duration, and storage duration, with significant interactions among these factors. Enterobacter bulb decay was significantly more severe for bulbs cured at 40°C than for bulbs cured at 25, 30, or 35°C. This effect was even greater when bulbs were cured for 14 days versus 2 days prior to cold storage, and in bulbs stored for 2 or 3 months after curing compared to bulbs stored for 1 month. The increase in bulb rot severity caused by curing bulbs at 40°C for 14 days compared to lower temperatures and shorter durations was greater for Vaquero than Redwing, particularly in the 2008-09 trial. The results suggest that curing temperatures ≤35°C should significantly reduce the risk of Enterobacter bulb decay in storage for these cultivars. If higher curing temperatures are used in order to dry onion necks for long-term storage and reduce the risk of fungal diseases such as neck rot (caused by Botrytis spp.), a shorter curing duration may be necessary to minimize the risk of Enterobacter bulb decay in storage.

Corn stalk orientation effect on mechanical cutting

Research efforts that increase the efficiency of size reduction of biomass can lead to a significant energy saving. This paper deals with the determination of the effect of sample orientation with respect to cutting element and quantify the possible cutting energy reduction, utilising dry corn stalks as the test material (15%–20% wet basis). To evaluate the mechanical cutting characteristics of corn stalks, a Warner–Bratzler device was modified by replacing its blunt edged cutting element with one having a 30° single bevel sharp knife edge. Cutting force-deformation characteristics obtained with a universal testing machine were analysed to evaluate the orientation effects at perpendicular (90°), inclined (45°), and parallel (0°) orientations on internodes and nodes for cutting force, energy, ultimate stress, and specific energy of corn stalks. The corn stalks cutting force-displacement characteristics were found to differ with orientation, and internode and node material difference. Overall, the peak failure force, and the total cutting energy of internodes and nodes varied significantly (P < 0.05) with stalk cross-sectional area. The specific energy values (total energy per unit cut area) of dry corn stalk internodes ranged from 11.3 to 23.5 kN m−1, and nodes from 8.6 to 14.0 kN m−1. The parallel orientation (along grain) compared to perpendicular (across grain) produced a significant reduction of the cutting stress and the specific energy to one-tenth or better for internodes, and to about one-fifth for nodes.

Contributions of harvest slash to maintaining downed woody debris in selection-managed forests

Harvest slash can represent a major source of downed woody debris (DWD) in selection-managed forests. In this study, we analyze the volume, cover, size distribution, and decay-class distribution of DWD input by selection harvesting in central Ontario, Canada. Selection harvesting input 23.9 m3 DWD·ha–1 (0.013 m2 DWD·m–2), with cut basal area explaining 46% and 30% of the respective within-stand variation in cover and volume, respectively. The size distribution of the slash was similar to that of DWD in permanent sample plots (including old-growth stands and stands that have not been recently harvested), countering a common assumption that harvesting inputs only small-sized material. Harvest-origin DWD was bimodally distributed across decay classes, with the first peak (decay class 1) associated with fresh harvest slash and a second smaller peak (decay class 3) likely representing dead trees and branches that were felled or broken during harvest operations. A matrix projection model showed that slash can maintain DWD levels in managed, uneven-aged stands comparable with those in unmanaged stands, but the mean decay class increases steadily over a 20-year period after harvest. Our results underline the importance of harvest inputs for maintaining DWD pools in selection-managed forests and provide baseline information against which to compare forests managed with higher utilization standards.

Physical and geometrical properties of thermal plumes in turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard convection

We present a systematic experimental study of geometric and physical properties of thermal plumes in turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard convection using the thermochromic-liquid-crystal (TLC) technique. The experiments were performed in three water-filled cylindrical convection cells with aspect ratios 2, 1 and 0.5 and over the Rayleigh number range 5×107⩽Ra⩽1011. TLC thermal images of horizontal plane cuts at various depths below the top plate were acquired. Three-dimensional (3D) images of thermal plumes were then reconstructed from the 2D slices of the temperature field. The results show that the often-called sheetlike plumes are really 1D structures and may be called rodlike plumes. We find that the number densities for both sheetlike/rodlike and mushroomlike plumes have power-law dependence on Ra with scaling exponents of ∼0.3, which is close to that between the Nusselt number Nu and Ra. This result suggests that it is the plume number that primarily determines the scaling exponent of the Nu–Ra scaling relation. The evolution of the aspect ratio of sheetlike/rodlike plumes reveals that, as Ra increases, the plume geometry changes from more-elongated to less-elongated. Our study of the plume area fraction (fraction of coverage over the surface of the plate) further reveals that the increase in plume numbers with Ra mainly comes from an increase in plume emission, rather than fragmentation of plumes. In addition, the area, perimeter and shape complexity of the 2D horizontal cuts of sheetlike/rodlike plumes were studied and all are found to obey log-normal distributions.

Corner cutting and augmentation: An area-preserving method for smoothing polygons and polylines

A new subdivision method is presented for smoothing polygons and polylines while preserving the enclosed area. The new technique, called “corner cutting and augmentation” (CCA), operates by cutting corners with line segments and adding the cut area of each corner to two augmenting structures constructed on the two incident edges; this operation can be iterated as needed. Area is preserved in a local sense, meaning that when a corner is cut, the cut area is added to the other side of the line in immediate proximity to the cut corner. Thus, CCA is also applicable to self-intersecting polygons and polylines, and it enables local control. The concept of a “bounding hull” of a convex polygon is defined and used to show that certain implementation restrictions guarantee the existence and the G 1 -continuity of the limit curve, and also the preservation of convexity when the original polygon is convex. CCA allows the definition of various profiles which determine how closely each iteration follows its previous polygon. Potential applications include computer aided geometric design, an alternative to spline approximation, as an aid to artistic design, and for some applications, as a potential alternative to multiresolution curves.

힘센서를 이용한 나노구조체의 인장물성 측정

It is important to measure the mechanical properties of nanostructures because they are required to determine the lifetime and reliability of nanodevices developed for various fields. In this study, tensile tests for a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and a ZnO nanorod were performed in a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The force sensor was a cantilever type and was mounted in front of a nanomanipulator placed in the chamber. The nanomanipulator was controlled using a joystick and personal computer. The nanostructures dispersed on the cut area of a transmission electron microscope (TEM) grid were gripped with the force sensor by exposing an electron beam in the SEM; the tensile tests were the performed. The in situ tensile loads of the nanostructure were obtained. After the tensile test, the cross-sectional areas of the nanostructures were observed by TEM and SEM. Based on the TEM and SEM results, the elastic modulus of the MWCNT and ZnO nanorod were calculated to be 0.98 TPa and 55.85 GPa, respectively.

Assessment of beef production from Brahman×Thai native and Charolais×Thai native crossbred bulls slaughtered at different weights. I: Growth performance and carcass quality

Effects of genotype and slaughter weight on growth performance and carcass quality of Brahman x Thai native (BRA) and Charolais x Thai native (CHA) crossbred bulls were studied. Thirty-four BRA and 34 CHA bulls raised under practical fattening beef farm conditions were randomly selected and slaughtered at 500, 550 and 600 kg live weight, respectively. Parameters of growth performance, carcass quality and commercial prime cuts were determined. Results showed that growth performance and carcass quality of CHA was better, since they showed higher weight gain, better body muscle score, higher carcass weight high dressing percentage, higher carcass muscle, less carcass fat and bone plus connective tissue proportions, better carcass classifications, greater loin eye area and higher commercial prime cut percentage. Slaughter weights up to 600 kg resulted in increased carcass weight, loin eye area and percentage of commercial prime cuts and can therefore be recommended.

Factors Controlling Gully Advancement and Models Evaluation (Hableh Rood Basin, Iran)

Gully erosion is one of the most complicated and destructive forms of water erosion. In order to prevent this erosion, the important factors controlling gully heads must be understood. This paper examines gully head advancement in the Hableh Rood Basin, Iran by (1) observing gully head advance between 1957 and 2005 using field studies, aerial photography and GIS analysis and: (2) applying and evaluating widely used experimental models including the, Thompson (Trans ASAE 7(1):54–55, 1964), SCS (I) and SCS (II) models, for estimating migrating headcuts over the study period. The results showed that the highest mean gully advancement (0.26 m year − 1) took place during the 1956–1967 period, with most gullies having lower and steady headcut retreat rates between 1967–2000 (0.21 m year − 1) and 2000–2005 (0.15 m year − 1). This suggests that the majority of gullies in the study area were still in the early stages of formation in the first study period and their formation may be linked to land use or climatic changes pre 1956. Analysis of the correlation between environmental characteristics of the study area and gully advancement indicated that the upslope area of head cuts and soluble mineral content of the soil were the two most important factors influencing the spatial and temporal variation of gully longitudinal development. Results of multiple regression revealed that the simple relation including upslope area and soluble minerals can explain 93% of total variance and relatively reflects the effects of runoff and waterfall process for headcut retreat. Application of statistical error analysis to evaluate the four gully advancement models showed that in comparison to other models, the second model of SCS has more reliable results for predicting longitudinal gully advancement in this study area and other similar regions. However, this study indicates that future modelling in the region should consider the role of soil soluble mineral content in predicting gully advancement.

Natural volatiles impair the response of Hylobius abietis adults to synthetic attractants in Norway spruce clear cut areas.

For over 20 years it has been known that mature adults of Hylobius abietis are attracted by the combination of alpha-pinene and ethanol. However, it is not clear to what extent weevil response to these stimuli is influenced when large quantities of similar volatile substances are present in the environment, and how the response depends on the release rate of volatile substances from traps. Nothing that, in fresh Norway spruce clear-cuttings, the mature weevils were equally attracted to the traps baited with dispencers having different release rates, we assumed that the experiment results were affected by the abundance of natural volatile substances issued from the fresh slash, which masked the differences between olfactory signals released from traps. To verify this hypothesis, the experiment conducted in fresh clear-cuttings was repeated in exactly the same place after almost a year, when the overground slash were old. For seven weeks, at the beginning of growing season 2008, in two experimental areas, 6 different combinations of alpha-pinen and ethanol were tested using the traps buried in the soil. In both experimental area was captured about the same number of weevils and catch dynamics were similar. In the first two weeks of experimentation, when there were the highest captures, but also for the entire period of experimentation, there were significant differences between the tested variants in what concerns the average number of captures, the traps baited with dispenser providing higher release rate of ethanol and alpha-pinene having higher catches. This shows that in the first season of vegetation the weevil response to the attractants was affected by the profusion of similar volatile substances issued from natural sources (fresh cutt stumps, branches, foliage, bark etc.).

Lichen acclimatization on retention trees: a conservation physiology lesson

Summary 1. Green‐tree retention (GTR) has been suggested as a means to effectively support epiphytic lichen species in managed forests, given the low lichen mortality on retention trees in the short term. However, a long‐term perspective requires a physiological understanding of lichen responses to logging. This study compares anatomical, morphological and physiological traits of lichens on retention trees and on intact forest trees. 2. Thalli of nine taxa (Buellia griseovirens, Cladonia digitata, Hypogymnia physodes, Lecanora allophana, Lecanora pulicaris, Lepraria spp., Peltigera praetextata, Pertusaria amara and Phlyctis argena) were sampled from birch Betula spp. and aspen Populus tremula in GTR cuts, where they had previously been reported to survive well, and in adjacent managed forests. In the laboratory, chlorophyll fluorescence parameter Fv/Fm, thickness of the upper cortex, photobiont to mycobiont ratio and (in Lecanora species) the relative area of the apothecia were measured. 3. All the lichen samples collected from GTR cuts appeared alive, but their Fv/Fm was significantly lower, relative areas of the apothecia were larger and the upper cortices of thalli were thicker compared with the samples from adjacent forests. No difference in photobiont to mycobiont ratio was found. These patterns were broadly consistent among species, indicating a common mechanism: while suffering from photoinhibition, the lichens had acclimatized to the open conditions and increased their investment to sexual reproduction in a few years. 4. Synthesis and applications. The study highlights the value of a morpho‐physiological framework for conservation management by pointing out that, in GTR areas, lichen survival is high‐irradiation limited and heavily dependent on phenotypic plasticity. A thin upper cortex may be a common feature of the most sensitive species. To sustain epiphyte populations in managed forests, precautionary harvesting strategies (gradual felling; group‐retention; extended rotations) should be preferred and large‐enough populations should be preserved, even though short‐term studies suggest a high survival of lichens in cut areas.

Development of a quantitative optical biochip based on a double integrating sphere system that determines absolute photon number in bioluminescent solution: application to quantum yield scale realization

We report a new design of an optical biochip based on a double integrating sphere system to quantify the absolute number of the emitted photons or the total photon flux by a whole cell bioluminescent biosensor, for water toxicity detection, based on genetically engineered Escherichia coli bacteria carrying a recA::luxCDABE promoter-reporter fusion. The new design of the double integrating sphere system does not require any external standard light source for calibration of the tested bioluminescent solution and allows a direct determination of the total photon flux of the bioluminescent solution. In our design, we required that the two spheres are symmetric (have the same radius and reflectance) with a surface area larger than the cut cap area between the spheres.

Role of cut size area on the performance of diamond wire saw machine in quarrying of marble

For bench cutting in marble quarries in India, diamond wire saw (DWS) machines are mainly used. The cutting performance of the DWS machine depends on non-controllable parameters related to rock characteristics and controllable parameters related to machine and other operational aspects. Cut size area of a bench is one of the operational controllable parameters and it has an important role in the cutting performance of the machine. Dolomitic marble deposits are available in large quantities in India. Thus, this study was undertaken to investigate the effects of bench cut size area on the cutting performance of DWS machines in soft, medium-hard and hard dolomitic marble. The study revealed that cut size of the bench plays a significant role in the performance of the DWS machine. The optimum bench cut size also varies with the nature of marble to be cut. It also depends on the types of cuts to be made in the marble such as vertical, vertical strand and horizontal. The results of this study can also be applied to other types of marble and they will also be of use to the operators of wire saw cutting machines.

Carnivore-livestock conflicts: determinants of wolf (Canis lupus) depredation on sheep farms in Finland

Wolves (Canis lupus) have recently expanded their distribution range into western and southern Finland, which has not hosted breeding wolves for over 100 years. This has raised concerns and public debate over wolf-livestock conflicts. Between 1998 and 2004 there were 45 wolf attacks on sheep on 34 farms. To assess the risk wolves may pose to sheep husbandry, we used data on depredation, sheep management, landscape structure and moose and wolf populations from continental Finland outside the area of reindeer husbandry to build models of the factors that may predispose sheep farms to wolf depredation. Our results provided evidence that sheep farms with the highest risk of wolf depredation were those located in regions where wolves were abundant. These farms were usually located close to the Russian border where the landscape is a mosaic of forest, wetlands and clear cut areas. These regions are sparsely populated by humans and farms are located far from each other. Finally, we generated probability maps based on generalised additive modelling to predict the risk of wolf predation on livestock in farms of southern Finland.

Cutting force behavior during a cutting tool entering and exiting a workpiece in turning silumins using tools with round polycrystalline diamond inserts

The pattern of variation of the cutting force components, resultant cutting force, and cut layer area at the stages of a tool entering and exiting a workpiece during the turning of silumins using round poly-crystalline diamond cutting inserts.