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In recent years, subfossil oak has become increasingly popular, particularly in the manufacture of small wooden products. Due to the long period of its underground preservation, detailed knowledge of its properties is essential to properly use this material. In this study, subfossil oak samples dated to approximately 1000, 2000 and 3000 years BP and recent oak samples were chemically analyzed to determine the contents of extractives, the main wood components, and inorganic elements. The results were then evaluated in light of their natural durability. The mass loss of subfossil oak was 2–3 times lower than that of the recent sample, but the age of the subfossil oak itself had no influence on its durability. The long-term leaching process of water-soluble ellagitannins, together with their hydrolysis and bonding in ferric tannate complexes, were responsible for the decreased durability. The oldest subfossil oak had the lowest amount of phenolic compounds and the highest content of inorganic elements. Optical emission spectrometry proved an increase in inorganic elements 5–7 times higher than recent oak content, with the highest increase found for calcium and iron. Compared to recent oaks, subfossil oaks manifested decreased content of carbohydrates and correspondingly increased lignin content. Our results revealed that subfossil oak cannot be considered a suitable material for exterior use under aerobic conditions.

European beech (Fagus sylvatica) wood specimens were subjected to thermo-mechanical densification, and the influence of pressing parameters on dimensional stability, mean density and density profiles was evaluated. The specimens with two initial moisture contents, 18% and the fibre saturation point, were compressed by 20 and 40% at temperatures of 160, 180, 200, and 220 °C for several times, specified in the Methods, ranging from 6 to 12 min. Dimensional changes were observed immediately after the removal from the hot press and subsequent conditioning (20 °C, 65% relative humidity). The properties of the compressed beech wood were influenced by all the pressing parameters. This influence, however, varied based on the factor and property. The analysis showed as most appropriate: an initial moisture content ranging from 17 to 20%, a pressing temperature ≥ 180 °C and pressing time ≥ 10 min for the given thickness. As for the compression degree, it is necessary to consider the purpose of compression and the wood properties required.

A series of macrocyclic analogues were designed and synthesized based on the cocrystal structure of small molecule plasma kallikrein (pKal) inhibitor, 2, with the pKal protease domain. This led to the discovery of a potent macrocyclic pKal inhibitor 29, with an IC50 of 2 nM for one olefinic isomer and 42.3 nM for the other olefinic isomer.

In this study, the antifungal effects of copper and silver nanoparticles against two wood-rotting fungi were investigated. European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) sapwood specimens of dimensions 50 × 25 × 15 mm3 were vacuum impregnated using dispersions of copper and silver nanoparticles within two concentrations, i.e. 1 and 3 g/l. Beech wood specimens were tested against white-rot fungus (Trametes versicolor) and pine wood against brown-rot fungus (Poria placenta) according to EN113. Furthermore, leachability, retention and protection efficiency (mass loss due to decay) were analysed afterwards. The highest value of retention was observed for pine sapwood (~2 kg/m3) for both nanoparticle solutions. The amount of nanoparticles in the wood did not increase proportionally with an increasing concentration, but only 1.5–2 times increase was reached. An average leaching of 15–35% was observed for copper nanoparticles, depending on used wood species and concentration. Significantly, lower leaching (max. 15%) was observed for pine sapwood impregnated by silver nanoparticles with a concentration of 3 g/l. The highest antifungal effect [under 5% of mass loss (ML)] against both tested fungi was found for nano-copper treatment at the concentration of 3 g/l. However, this effect of treatment seems to be almost negligible after the leaching test. Therefore, this study aims to present fundamental material properties of wood treated with copper and silver nanoparticles, and provide groundwork for further research (e.g. fixation of substances in the wood structure, etc.).

Ammonia treatment was used in order to change the colour of wood and also to plasticize the wood before bending or compressing. The mechanism and the process of gaseous ammonia treatment impact on wood are not very well known. The goal of this study was to quantify the effect of gaseous ammonia on mechanical properties, i.e., modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR) and deflection at maximal loading force (yFmax). When wood was treated by water and ammonia vapour together, significant changes in plasticity of wood were observed. The samples which were firstly exposed to water vapour and then to ammonia vapour exhibit the lowest values of MOE and MOR and an enhanced flexibility of the material. The results show that ammonia treatment increases wood plasticity. This process can be used for manufacturing of bent furniture.

A range of cellular functions have been attributed to caveolae, flask-like invaginations of the plasma membrane. Here, we have used RNA-seq to achieve quantitative transcriptional profiling of primary embryonic fibroblasts from caveolin 1 knockout mice (CAV1-/- MEFs), and thereby to gain hypothesis-free insight into how these cells respond to the absence of caveolae. Components of the extracellular matrix were decisively over-represented within the set of genes displaying altered expression in CAV1-/- MEFs when compared to congenic wild-type controls. This was confirmed biochemically and by imaging for selected examples. Up-regulation of components of the extracellular matrix was also observed in a second cell line, NIH-3T3 cells genome edited to delete CAV1. Up-regulation of components of the extracellular matrix was detected in vivo by assessing collagen deposition and compliance of CAV1-/- lungs. We discuss the implications of these findings in terms of the cellular function of caveolae.

This study aims at evaluating the antifungal activity of extractive compounds obtained with fexIKA accelerate extraction process. Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) and African padauk (Pterocarpus soyauxii Taub.) heartwood as well as black locust bark were used as the source material for investigation. After grinding, extraction, impregnation and rapid durability test, the efficiency of extractive compounds was assessed by the mass loss of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) samples used for impregnation and as reference samples. Results showed that the extractive compounds obtained from black locust heartwood were able to increase the native durability of European beech from class 5 (i.e. not durable with an average mass loss of 43.6 %) to class 3 (i.e. moderately durable with an average mass loss of 12.7 %), rendering this study’s finding encouraging for the future use of extractive compounds as protective agents for wood.

The dimensional stability of thermally modified wood exposed to several wetting-drying cycles was analyzed. Specimens of dimensions 15×15 ×15 mm were thermally modified at 180 and 200 °C. The mass loss and chemical composition of the wood were determined in order to evaluate the effect and degree of modification. Afterwards, the radial, tangential, and volumetric swelling, anti-swelling efficiency, water absorption, water repellence efficiency, and mass loss due to wetting-drying cycles were determined and compared. The specimen’s mass tended to decrease with each additional rewetting cycle. Additional extractives that were formed via thermal decomposition leached out during wetting cycles. Thermal modification positively affected the dimensional stability of all investigated species. The wood’s swelling was reduced, a result attributed to hemicellulose degradation. Dimensional stability was improved by 24 to 30% following mild treatment and by 26 to 54% following more severe treatment. When specimens were exposed to six consecutive rewetting cycles, the swelling of the modified wood increased, whereas it slightly decreased for the control (hornification). The effective dimensional stability of thermally modified wood was reduced by 34 and 28.4% for beech, 47 and 19.6% for poplar, and 19.3 and 24.5% for spruce compared to the initial anti-swelling efficiency following the first wetting cycle.

Conference abstract for8thHardwoodConference.

The influence of certain adjustable parameters (sample property, temperature, and solvent type) on the advanced fexIKA extraction outputs was determined. Extracts were obtained from black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) heartwood and analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC-HRMS). The amount of extract yield remained similar, regardless of the wood particle size, whereas the total amount of phenolic compounds gradually decreased when the particle size increased. The highest amounts of extractives were obtained at higher temperatures, and at 170 and 200 °C, a significant influence from the temperature on the chemical composition was noticed. Namely, the phenol and robinetin yields increased, while the rest of the main phenolic compounds were degraded. Additionally, at higher temperatures (170 and 200 °C), two newly formed furfural compounds were detected.

The goal of the study is to investigate the non-standard deformation behaviour of wood loaded by compression parallel to the grain. This is represented as a negative increment of strain in the range of plastic deformations when the load continues to increase. The objectives of this study are to point out this problem and to provide its description based on the deformation fields that have been analysed using three approaches: a) full-field optical technique based on digital image correlation (DIC); b) “clip on” extensometer and its virtual analogy, and c) crosshead displacement method. Further, the negative strain phenomenon was studied depending on the sample length. The samples were made from the European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.). Based on the strain analysis, it can be concluded that the deformation field consists of three sub-regions exhibiting different stiffness values (three-spring model). The failure of less stiff zones near the compression plates during the “non-standard” compression behaviour causes almost zero compression deformation of the stiffer middle zone or even leads to its expansion. The three-zone heterogeneity of deformation field induces a deviation of the displacement and strain measured by the proposed approaches. This phenomenon substantially influences the resulting longitudinal Young’s modulus and, therefore, should be of concern when measuring wood in such mode.

Gaseous ammonia treatment in combination with densification of wood has been known for several decades, but these days there is no industrial production of materials modified in this way; also, little has been published in this area of wood science. In this study, selected physical and mechanical properties, i.e. density profile, bending strength, hardness and moisture absorption were investigated for Lignamon (1), which was obtained from the Czech industrial production. Selected properties were also investigated using steam-densified beech (2) and native beech (3) and compared with each other. Densitometry of Lignamon showed a large variability in the density profile compared to that of only densified beech. It is affected by the degree of densification, temperature and moisture gradients, and their relationship to the glass transition of the wood cell wall. Modulus of elasticity, hardness, moisture exclusion and anti-swelling efficiency of Lignamon are enhanced compared to densified beech. The enhanced dimensional stability and lower hygroscopicity of Lignamon are probably caused by heat treatment during the process. Further investigation will be carried out with self-produced Lignamon samples.

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is characterized by hemolytic anemia, vaso-occlusion, and progressive end-organ damage. The underlying mechanism of SCD is the polymerization of sickle hemoglobin (HbS) that occurs when sickle erythrocytes (SS RBCs) are partially deoxygenated in microcirculation, leading to SCD pathophysiologic features. One of the most devastating complications of SCD occurs in the central nervous system (CNS), where overt stroke or repeated silent cerebral infarcts lead to significant physical and neurocognitive consequences. In SCD, the brain's response to insufficient oxygen (O2) delivery is balanced by increased blood flow to preserve O2 supply. However, the systemic endothelial dysfunction in SCD limits the capacity for vascular regulatory and compensatory changes to preserve appropriate tissue oxygenation, especially in tissues with high O2 demand like the brain. Low hemoglobin (Hb) levels and increased cerebral blood flow (CBF) are associated with increased stroke risk, suggesting that anemia-induced tissue hypoxia is an important factor contributing to subsequent morbidity in SCD patients. Voxelotor (GBT440) is a small molecule, HbS polymerization inhibitor being developed by Global Blood Therapeutics (GBT) for the treatment of SCD. By addressing the underlying mechanism of SCD, voxelotor has the potential to be disease-modifying and alleviate the clinical manifestations of SCD. Mechanistically, voxelotor increases Hb-O2 affinity and delays the transition from oxyHb to deoxyHb under hypoxic conditions. This study assessed the impact of a pharmacologically mediated increase in Hb-O2 affinity on brain tissue oxygenation under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions in Townes transgenic sickle mice (SCD mice). Two compounds that increase the Hb-O2 affinity with similar potency, voxelotor and an analog to voxelotor, GBT1118, were considered for the study. The target for Hb occupancy with test compounds was ≥30% based on the therapeutic target occupancies observed with voxelotor in clinical studies. The effects of increased Hb-O2 affinity on brain tissue oxygenation were assessed directly with O2-specific microelectrodes in a cranial window and indirectly with hypoxyprobe staining (pimonidazole) of brain tissue. Unique to this SCD model, the targeted Hb occupancy (≥30%) could not be consistently achieved by voxelotor. In contrast, repeat oral dosing of GBT1118 at 200 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks in SCD mice achieved steady state concentrations of 802 ± 81 µM (mean ± SD; n=5), corresponding to a Hb occupancy of 44 ± 5%. Consequently, GBT1118 decreased the p50 (partial pressure of O2 at which Hb is 50% saturated) values of SCD mouse blood from 39 ± 0.8 mmHg (Vehicle-dosed) to 21 ± 1.6 mmHg (GBT1118-dosed). While we could not achieve the desired Hb occupancy (≥30%) with voxelotor in this model, the Hb occupancy and change in p50 achieved with GBT1118 afforded us the opportunity to ask whether significantly increasing Hb-O2 affinity affects brain O2 tension. Measurements of cortical O2 tension (pO2) showed no difference in pO2 values under normoxia (21% O2) (Figure A), and slightly higher pO2 values under hypoxia (10% O2) (Figure B) for GBT1118-dosed SCD mice compared with vehicle-dosed SCD mice. Collectively across all brain tissues, the GBT1118-induced increase in Hb-O2 affinity reduced tissue hypoxia in SCD mice under hypoxia as measured by pimonidazole staining (Figure C). Together, these results indicate that a pharmacological increase of Hb-O2 affinity does not decrease cortical tissue pO2 in SCD mice and may reduce brain hypoxia under hypoxic conditions. Figure Disclosures Dufu: Global Blood Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Lucas:Global Blood Therapeutics: Research Funding. Muller:Global Blood Therapeutics: Research Funding. Williams:Global Blood Therapeutics: Research Funding. Zhang:Global Blood Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Rademacher:Global Blood Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Alt:Global Blood Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Oksenberg:Global Blood Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Cabrales:Global Blood Therapeutics: Research Funding.

The heat distribution during thermal modification of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and spruce (Picea abies L. Karst) wood with dimensions of 80 × 80 × 200 mm3 has been investigated. Heat distribution was continuously measured by thermocouples in longitudinal and transverse directions. Significant temperature gradients occur in the initial phase of the process as well as during the modification phase (set temperature 200 °C for 3 h), where ongoing chemical reactions in wood were taking place. Thus, the temperature in the investigated positions increased to 240 °C (beech) and 215 °C (spruce). The mentioned properties should be taken into account when optimizing the heat treatment process (quality control, energy savings, etc.).

The temperature and moisture profiles during thermal modification of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.) wood have been investigated. Specimens with dimensions of 80×80×200 mm3 were heat treated based on ThermoWood technology. Heat transfer was continuously measured by several thermocouples placed into various positions of the samples. In the course of the treatment, samples were removed from the chamber at different times, and their moisture content (MC) was measured by the so-called slicing technique. The complete data of heat and moisture movement during the heat treatment process are presented. Significant temperature gradients occur in the initial and modification stages of the process. In the latter, the chamber temperature was 200°C for 3 h, but exothermic reaction increased the sample temperatures to 240°C (beech) and 215°C (spruce). Thermodiffusion (Soret effect) at the beginning of the process was observed. Therefore, the MC under surfaces (in transverse and in longitudinal direction) was increasing ∼0.5%–3% for 5 h. The results provide a better insight into details of thermal modification of wood.

Microwave and conventional acetylation of wood was carried out to determine its efficacy on the material properties. Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and poplar (Populus hybrids) samples with dimensions 14 mm × 14 mm × 14 mm were impregnated using acetic anhydride, and chemical reactions were initiated by microwave and conventional heating. The microwave acetylation process was carried out using laboratory equipment at a frequency of 2.45 GHz in several testing modes to reduce time of the reaction. The uptake of substance, equilibrium moisture content, wood swelling, and dimensional stability were determined in order to evaluate the efficacy and degree of acetylation. Both microwave and conventional heating positively affected the selected material properties. The results showed that no significant differences were found between microwave and conventional heating; therefore, microwave heating can be used as a valid replacement in the acetylation process. Microwave power of 2 kW and 0.1 m∙min-1 conveyor speed were the optimum conditions for microwave acetylation. These process parameters resulted in 39.4% ASE T and 35.2% ASE R for beech and 38.0% ASE T and 16.3% ASE R for poplar samples. This work provides insight into the details of wood acetylation using microwave heating.

At seven forest site classes with pine, spruce, oak or beech stands the heavy metal contents of the trees were determined. The element contents differed substantially among tree species, tree compartments and forest sites. The amount of heavy metal content depended very little on tree species but mostly on the degree of pollutant inputs. For example, all tree components had high levels of heavy metals when grown on mine sits (open pits) and on close to ore treated areas. Biomass from some of these areas may exceed the limit of allowed values by several folds and thereby may not be allowed to be used for specific purposes. Heavy metal contents of biomass components from unpolluted areas may be low providing no constrain to their use.

Die an 7 forstlich genutzten Standortsgruppen mit Kiefern-, Fichten-, Eichen- oder Buchenbestockung ermittelten Nahrelementgehalte unterscheiden sich je nach Baumart, Baumkompartiment und Standort erheblich. Dabei ist fur die meisten Nahrelemente eine Reihung der Gehalte in Richtung Kiefer < Fichte < Eiche < Buche festzustellen. In den einzelnen Baumkompartimenten verlauft diese Reihung der Elementgehalte meist in Richtung Derbholz < Kronenmaterial < Grobwurzeln < Rinden < Nadeln/ Blatter

Fine root distribution and turnover were investigated in ca. 40-year-old pure Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst.) stands in Germany, growing on four sites that differed in soil acidity (Ebergotzen < Barbis < Fichtelgebirge = Harz). The density of fine root biomass and necromass in different soil horizons differed among the sites. At one of the most acidic sites (Harz), fine root density in the humus layer was more than twice that at the least acidic site (Ebergotzen). At the two most acidic sites, Fichtelgebirge and Harz, the ratio of biomass to necromass was significantly lower than at Ebergotzen and Barbis, particularly in the subsoil layer. In each stand, clear vertical gradients in fine root length density and root tip density were observed. Most of the roots and the root tips were in the humus layer and in the first mineral soil horizon (0-10 cm). There was a significantly different decrease in specific root length (cm gDM (-1)) and specific root tip density (root tips gDM (-1)) in the more acidified stands Fichtelgebirge and Harz compared with Ebergotzen and Barbis. Fine root production estimated by ingrowth cores and a net method was approximately twice as high in the more acidic stands Fichtelgebirge and Harz compared with Ebergotzen and Barbis. Rates of living fine root biomass turnover were higher at the Fichtelgebirge and Harz sites than at the Ebergotzen site. Rates of necromass turnover were similar at all sites. The results suggest that the accumulation of necromass was not due to a slower disappearance at the more acid sites, but to earlier root death. Roots contributed 46% to root + needle litter and 32% to root + total aboveground litter at the Harz site in 1997.

This paper discusses the differences between colour parameters of dried and conditioned wood surfaces irradiated by light. Samples of two wood species – Hevea (Hevea brasiliensis Müll. Arg.) and Jatoba (Hymenaea courbaril L.) – were exposed to artificial sunlight. During this process, sample moisture content decreased by 6 %. The colour parameters were measured immediately after irradiation and after conditioning on former moisture content level. Statistically significant differences were found between colour parameter values. Nevertheless these differences were too low for practical importance., U radu se analiziraju razlike parametara boje površine suhoga i kondicioniranog drva nakon izlaganja umjetnoj svjetlosti. Uzorci dviju vrsta drva – Hevea brasiliensis Mull Arg. i Hymenaea courbaril L. – bili su izloženi umjetnoj Sunčevoj svjetlosti. Tijekom tog procesa sadržaj vode u uzorcima smanjen je za 6 %. Parametri boje izmjereni su odmah nakon izlaganja svjetlosti i nakon kondicioniranja uzoraka na početni sadržaj vode. Utvrđene su statistički značajne razlike između vrijednosti parametara boja. Ipak te su razlike premalene da bi imale praktičnu važnost.

This paper analyzes the usability of different dynamic moduli of elasticity and wood density for the prediction of mechanical properties – static modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture – in samples with grain deflection from the longitudinal direction. Five tropical hardwoods (Afzelia bipindensis, Intsia bijuga, Millettia laurentii, Astronium graveolens and Microberlinia brazzavillensis) with different grain characteristics were used for this purpose. The fiber deflection was caused by the presence of interlocked grain or the working process. The three nondestructive techniques used in this study – longitudinal and flexural resonance method and ultrasound method – provided higher values of modulus of elasticity than the static bending test, but close correlation was observed between these variables. The weakest correlation was found for the ultrasound method which is probably caused by its measuring mechanism. The prediction of the modulus of rupture is less accurate when the dynamic modulus of elasticity is compared with the static modulus of elasticity; on the other hand, it was still good in comparison with the density model, which is inapplicable when grain deflection occurs in wood. In the wood of Zebrano where the interlocked grain was strongly developed, almost all of the correlation coefficients showed the lowest values and the prediction of modulus of rupture by nondestructive techniques was unsatisfactory.

Background: SCD is caused by a point mutation in the β-globin gene producing hemoglobin S (HbS) that polymerizes upon deoxygenation with subsequent formation of sickled red blood cells (RBCs). GBT440 is a novel, orally bioavailable small molecule that inhibits HbS polymerization by increasing the affinity of O2 to hemoglobin (Hb). Methods: The pharmacokinetics, mass balance, and metabolite profile of [14C]-GBT440 were evaluated in 7 healthy male subjects in this open-label study. In order to evaluate the disposition kinetics of GBT440 at steady-state concentrations, a loading/maintenance dose schema was employed. Each subject received an oral loading dose of 2000 mg GBT440 on Day 1 followed by oral maintenance doses of 400 mg once daily on Day 2 to Day 4. Once the target steady-state was achieved, a single [14C]-GBT440 400 mg dose (approximately 100 μCi) was administered orally on Day 5. Blood, plasma, urine and feces were collected serially up to 26 days postdose. Results: There were no serious adverse events or discontinuations due to adverse events for any of the healthy subjects participating in this study. GBT440 reached Cmax in plasma and whole blood with median time to maximum concentration (Tmax) values of 2.00 hours in plasma and whole blood and in 6.00 hours in RBCs. After reaching Cmax, GBT440 concentrations appeared to decline in a monophasic manner, with the terminal elimination phase for GBT440 in plasma, whole blood, and RBCs appearing to decline in a parallel manner, with geometric mean T1/2 values of 98.0 hours in plasma, 66.3 hours in whole blood, and 65.8 hours in RBCs. This study achieved 98.0% average recovery of total radioactivity in urine and feces over the course of the study. Most of the administered radioactivity (88.2%) was recovered by 144 hours postdose (Day 7). GBT440 was eliminated primarily in feces (62.6% of the total radioactive dose) with urinary excretion accounting for 35.4% of the total radioactive dose. In whole blood, the majority of the total radioactivity (TRA) was unchanged GBT440 (97.5%) while three metabolites accounted for the remaining TRA (2.5%). In plasma, unchanged GBT440 was the prominent circulating radioactive component, accounting for 48.8% of the TRA. Eleven circulating metabolites with corresponding radioactive peaks were identified. There was one major Phase II metabolite (GBT440 O-dealkylation-sulfation), accounting for 16.8% of the TRA. Two potential active metabolites were identified but only accounted for 2.5% of the dose in whole blood. GBT440 was eliminated predominately in feces. Unchanged GBT440 was the most abundant radioactive component, accounting for 33.3% of the administered dose. Four metabolites were identified, each accounting for 5.62%, 2.66%, 1.66% and less than 6% of the dose in the 0-216-hr human feces. Urine was a relatively minor excretion route for GBT440 in humans. An average of 34.3% of the dose was recovered in the urine samples. Unchanged GBT440 accounted for 0.08% of the administered dose and the rest were metabolites. GBT440 glucuronidation and reduction-glucuronidation products, which are Phase II metabolites, were the most abundant metabolites in urine, accounting for a combined 9.22% of dose. Because GBT440 does not undergo renal elimination, patients with renal disorders should not experience changes in pharmacokinetics of GBT440. Conclusions: Although GBT440 has high specific binding to hemoglobin, it was completely excreted from the body with a half-life of approximately three days in healthy subjects. Since the half-life of GBT440 was much shorter than RBC lifespan (~ 120 days), this supports the hypothesis that the binding between GBT440 to hemoglobin is a reversible process. Following an oral administration, approximately one-third of the dose was excreted as the unchanged drug into the feces (unabsorbed and/or via biliary excretion). Two-thirds of the administered dose was metabolized and excreted into urine and feces. The major metabolic pathway was via Phase I and Phase II metabolism. Because GBT440 was not excreted directly into the urine, the pharmacokinetics are unlikely to be affected in patients with renal disorders. Disclosures Rademacher: Global Blood Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Hutchaleelaha:Global Blood Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Washington:Global Blood Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Lehrer:Global Blood Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership. Ramos:Global Blood Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership.

Long term trends of element fluxes in atmospheric deposition and of concentrations in seepage output of seven coniferous and deciduous forest stands in northwestern Germany have been evaluated for the period 1981 – 1994. Decreasing deposition rates of SO4 (50 – 70%) and H+ (60 – 80%) occured at all sites concomitant with the decline of SO2 emission rates in the former Federal Republic of Germany. Deposition of Ca, Mg, and K decreased at the Soiling and Gottinger Wald stands. During this period no consistent trends in the flux rates of NH4 and NO3 were apparent. Sulfate concentrations in soil solution decreased at the Soiling and Gottinger Wald stands, whereas an increase occured at Lange Bramke south slope. As a consequence of reduced deposition and mobile anion concentrations a decrease of Ca, Mg, K, Al, and Mn in soil solution has been observed at the Soiling stands. At the other stands trends of cations in soil solution are not consistent. Nitrate concentrations in soil solution decreased at the Gottinger Wald. A rising tendency with great fluctuations of NO3 concentrations occured at the Soiling spruce stand.

The biomass production and the nutrient accumulation in trees was measured and calculated in northwest German pine and oak stands for tree compartments and whole stands. Biomass and the nutrient export were modelled for different harvesting procedures. Ca and Mg budgets calculated from fluxes with atmospheric deposition, silicate weathering and seepage output were negative. Ca and Mg export by harvesting is increasing this deficit. For the oak stand the effect of two harvesting intensities are compared with respect to Ca export. The necessity of recompensing measures such as Ca fertilisation is discussed.

In the furniture and construction industries, there is increased demand for lightweight, high-performance, and low-maintenance materials with specific properties. Increased demand necessitates testing of new and composite materials to find a viable alternatives to classical materials. In this study, two different types of cork layered plywood composites (plywood board with a cork core (PLYW-K1), and plywood board with a cork core and cork face layers (PLYW-K2)) were prepared and tested for their basic mechanical properties as well as screw withdrawal resistance. The measured properties were compared with standard particleboard (PB) and plywood board (PLYW1) to determine the difference in properties and potential applications. The results presented include preparation parameters, mechanical properties, maximum withdrawal force, and withdrawal resistance. In addition, the effect of screw diameter and material density on withdrawal resistance was observed. Results indicate that cork-layered plywood possessed superior mechanical properties and withdrawal strength at a much lower density than particleboard. In comparison to classical plywood, the improved factors were a reduction in density and production cost.