Comparative wood anatomy of root and stem in Styrax camporum (Styracaceae)

Styrax camporum Pohl is a shrub common in the cerrado vegetation of south-eastern Brazil. Root and stem wood in Styrax camporum differ quantitatively and qualitatively. Quantitative differences follow normal expectations: roots have wider and longer vessel elements, a lower vessel frequency, a lower ray frequency, and wider rays. Qualitative features of the roots are: simple perforation plates, vestured pits, and septate libriform fibres; qualitative features of the stems are: multiple perforation plates, non-vestured pits, and non-septate fibre-tracheids. Based on generally accepted evolutionary trends, root wood of Styrax camporum has more specialized features than stem wood. Additional comparative studies of stem and root anatomy are needed to determine if such differences between root and stem anatomy are widespread, and consistent with the lines of specialization observed in monocotyledons.

Influence of moisture absorption on mechanical behaviour of composites

Because of their application that normally demands high mechanical strength combined with low weight, the fibre/matrix interface became an important parameter concerning structural life. The problem of moisture absorption in materials has received attention in experimental studies on a composite systems as well as from a theorical point of view. The fibre/matrix interface plays an important role in the structural behaviour of composites due to the fact that load transfer from matrix to reinforce occurs at the interface. In this case the study of compatibility of fibre/matrix/environmental is essential to ensure a product that attend structural objectives, many times without failure possibilities. The composite used in this investigation is the carbon fibre/matrix epoxy composite, which was immersed in sea water standard during 94 days at 60 degrees C, submitted to tensile and compressive tests to study the influence of moisture absorption on mechanical behaviour. The interface was investigated through fracture surface analysis by SEM and a strong interface and a good adhesion fibre/matrix was observed.

The effect of soil moisture and cabbage amendment on the thermoinactivation of Phytophthora nicotianae

The analysis of the effect of soil water matric potential and temperature regimes on the inactivation of chlamydospores of Phytophthora nicotianae in cabbage amended soils was evaluated using three matric potentials (0, -10, and -30 kPa), temperature regimes of 1.5 h at 44 degreesC, 5 h at 41 degreesC and 8 h at 35 degreesC, or 3 h at 47 degreesC, 5 h at 44 degreesC and 8 h at 35 degreesC, with a baseline temperature of 25 degreesC during the rest of the day. The results indicated that survival of P. nicotianae was lowest in saturated soil; and as temperature increased, survival of the pathogen decreased at all soil water matric potentials evaluated. Cabbage amendments can enhance the effect of the heat treatment, further decreasing the pathogen population. The soil water matric potentials evaluated represent optimum levels for the study of thermal inactivation. However, under field conditions lower potentials may be found. Extending the range of soil water matric potentials and the treatment time would allow better comparisons with the field data. There is a clear indication that one irrigation period prior to solarization would provide enough moisture to inactivate the primary inoculum of P. nicotianae in the top soil under field conditions; however, other factors may affect the effectiveness of solarization, reducing or enhancing its potential.

Effect of ammoniation and moisture-content on the quality of signal grass (Brachiaria-decumbens stapf) hay

The experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of two moisture levels (18-20% and 13-15%) and three anhydrous ammonia levels (0.0; 1.5; 3.0% of NH3) on the quality of Brachiaria decumbens Stapf hay. The hay was bailed in April and weighed and treated under plastic cover during 30 days. The hay presented a similar chemical composition when bailed with high or low moisture. The percentages of NDF (80.59; 77.61; 76.10%); hemicellulose (32.56; 29.48; 28.76%) and lignin (9.53; 8.21; 7.54% decreased and the percentages of crude protein (4.04; 11.35; 13.22%) and IVDMD (36.78; 49.72; 54.33%) increased as the NH3 level increased. The fractions ADF, cellulose, and ADIN did not change due to the ammoniation. The incidence of fungi decreased with application of NH3 being the better results obtained with the 1.5% treatments.

Estimating the aboveground biomass and wood volume of savanna woodlands in Brazil's Pantanal wetlands based on allometric correlations

The quantity and distribution of vegetal biomass are important aspects to consider in ecosystem studies. However, little information is available about Brazil's Pantanal woodland savannas. This work involved the development of regression equations of the aerial biomass and wood volume of native tree species in a region of woodland savanna on Rio Negro farm in the Pantanal of Nhecolandia, Brazil. Samples were taken from 10 trees of each of five species: Protium heptaphyllum (Aub1.) Marchand, Magonia pubescens A. St.-Hil., Diptychandra aurantiaca Tul., Terminalia argentea Mart. and Zucc. and Licania minutiflora (Sagot) Fritsch and from a miscellaneous group of I I different species. Linear and nonlinear regression analyses were developed relating the diameter at breast height to the dry weight of wood, branches and leaves, wood volume and total aerial biomass. All the regressions showed a significance of P < 0.05 and an R-2 close to or above 0.8. The biomass curve predicted by linear regression analysis of the studied species was similar to the nonlinear regression, with the exception of L. minutiflora and the miscellaneous group. The breast height diameter proved a good choice for estimating biomass and wood volume. The estimated wood volume and biomass of the Pantanal woodland savanna is crucial information for understanding the carbon cycle and for ensuring the region's conservation and sustainable use. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Development of successive cambia and structure of wood in Gallesia integrifolia (Spreng.) Harms (Phytolaccaceae)

Stem diameter in Gallesia integrifolia (Spreng.) Harms (Phytolaccaceae) increases by forming concentric rings of xylem alternating with phloem, which show frequent anastomoses. After a period of primary growth and the formation of first (normal) ring of vascular cambium, further successive rings are initiated outside this cambium. The second ring of cambium originates from the pericycle parenchyma located between the proto-phloem, and the pericycle fibres. Each cambium produces centripetally secondary xylem and centrifugally secondary phloem. Differentiation of xylem precedes that of phloem and the first elements formed are always xylem fibres. Structurally, the vascular cylinder is composed by successive rings of secondary xylem and phloem. These rings are separated by wide bands of conjunctive parenchyma tissue. Presence of collateral vascular bundles with irregular orientation is observed in the region of anastomoses of two or more bands of conjunctive tissue. These bundles are surrounded by isodiametric, lignified and thick-walled cells. In some of the cambial rings, occurrence of polycentric rays was also noticed; these rays are tall, and characterized by the presence of meristematic regions that differentiated into thick-walled elements of secondary xylem. Origin and development of the successive cambia and the structure of xylem are discussed.

Evaluation by Free Vibration Method of Moisture Absorption Effects in Polyamide/Carbon Fiber Laminates

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effect of soil moisture content and the irrigation frequency on the sugarcane germination

The aim of this work was to observe the interaction between soil moisture and irrigation time intervals on the germination of sugarcane cv. RB785148 sets in semi-controlled conditions. One-bud sets of the variety RB785148 were germinated in ceramic pots filled with soil under a transparent PVC cover using soil humidity levels of 22, 25 and 30%, that were restored at intervals of 7, 14 and 21 days. The experiment was carried out at three different periods of the year: May-June/94; Oct.-Nov./94; and Mar.-Apr./95. The results indicate that the germination decreased mainly in function of the decrease in soil humidity, whereas irrigation interval have no statistical effect on germination. An interaction between humidity level and irrigation interval was observed. A variation of the timecourse of the germination could be observed when the results of the experiments installed at different dates were compared.

Tracheobronchial consequences of the use of heat and moisture exchangers in dogs

Purpose: To determine the effect of heat and moisture exchange (HME) on the tracheobronchial tree (TBT) using a unidirectional anesthesic circuit with or without CO2 absorber and high or low fresh gas flow (FGF), in dogs. Methods: Thirty-two dogs were randomly allocated to four groups: G1 (n = 8) valvular circuit without CO2 absorber and high FGF (5 L·min-1); G2 (n = 8) as G1 with HME; G3 (n = 8) circuit with CO2 absorber with a low FGF (1 L·min-1); G4 (n = 8) as G3 with HME. Anesthesia was induced and maintained with pentobarbital. Tympanic temperature (TT), inhaled gas temperature (IGT), relative (RH) and absolute humidity (AH) of inhaled gas were measured at 15 (control), 60, 120 and 180 min of controlled ventilation. Dogs were euthanized and biopsies in the areas of TBT were performed by scanning electron microscopy. Results: The G2 and G4 groups showed the highest AH (>20 mgH2O·L-1) and G1 the lowest (< 10 mgH2O·L-1) and G3 was intermediate (<20 mgH2O·L-1) (P < 0.01). There was no difference of TT and IGT among groups. Alterations of the mucociliary system were greatest in G1, least in G2 and G4, and intermediate in G3. Conclusion: In dogs, introduction of HME to a unidirectional anesthetic circuit with/without CO2 absorber and high or low FGF preserved humidity of inspired gases. HME attenuated but did not prevent alterations of the mucociliary system of the TBT.

Retratibilidade da madeira de Pinus caribæa var. hondurensis e de Eucalyptus grandis e suas relações com a umidade e densidade

It had been studied the dimensional variations Pinus caribæa var. hondurensis and Eucalyptus grandiswood, emphasizing the axial, radial, tangential and volumetric shrinkage. The results had shown that the volumetric shrinkage of Pinus and Eucalyptus varied according to an exponential curve, R V=R Vmaxe -ku. The total or maximum volumetric shrinkage showed a linear behavior with the specific gravity on basis of ovendry mass and volume and the same behavior as respect of the specific gravity, where the adjusted equations were, respectively: R vmax = 3,01 + 19,15,oo e R vmax = 1,96 + 24,28,ob. It was also verified that the tangential shrinkage was 1,3 times greater than the radial one and 9,0 times greater than the axial one.

Screening for pectinolytic activity of wood-rotting basidiomycetes and characterization of the enzymes

Seventy-five fungal strains from different groups of basidiomycetes, newly isolated from rotten wood, were screened for pectinolytic activity. Despite the fact that basidiomycetes are scarcely referred to as pectinase producers, the polygalacturonase (PG) activity was detected in 76 % of the strains; 16 % with activity higher than 40 nkat/g, 40 % between 13.3 and 40 nkat/g, and 44 % with activity lower than 13.3 nkat/g. The highest productions were obtained among the fungi from order Aphyllophorales, family Polyporaceae. The characterization of the enzymes from the highest PG producers (Lentinus sp., Gloeophyllum striatum, Pycnoporus sanguineus, Schizophyllum commune) showed optimum temperature for catalytic activity at 60-70°C and two peaks of pH optimum (3.5-4.5 and 8.5-9.5). The enzymes exhibited high pH stability (3.0-11.0) but after incubation at 40°C for 1 h their activity dropped by 18-73 %.

Remarks on orthotropic elastic models applied to wood

Wood is generally considered an anisotropic material. In terms of engineering elastic models, wood is usually treated as an orthotropic material. This paper presents an analysis of two principal anisotropic elastic models that are usually applied to wood. The first one, the linear orthotropic model, where the material axes L (Longitudinal), R(radial) and T(tangential) are coincident with the Cartesian axes (x, y, z), is more accepted as wood elastic model. The other one, the cylindrical orthotropic model is more adequate of the growth caracteristics of wood but more mathematically complex to be adopted in practical terms. Specifically due to its importance in wood elastic parameters, this paper deals with the fiber orientation influence in these models through adequate transformation of coordinates. As a final result, some examples of the linear model, which show the variation of elastic moduli, i.e., Young's modulus and shear modulus, with fiber orientation are presented.