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While emphasis with entomopathogens has often been on inundative releases, we describe here historic widespread inoculative releases of a fungal entomopathogen. Several U.S. states and municipalities conducted inoculative releases of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), pathogen Entomophaga maimaiga Humber, Shimazu et Soper (Entomophthorales: Entomophthoraceae) after 1993, as gypsy moth populations spread into the Midwest and North Carolina. This Japanese pathogen first caused epizootics in northeastern North America in 1989 and methods for its inoculative release were tested and proven to be effective from 1991 to 1993. After 1993, spores in soil or in late instar cadavers were collected during or after epizootics and were released inoculatively into newly established populations of this spreading invasive; the goal was that spores would overwinter and germinate the next spring to infect larvae, thus speeding pathogen spread and hastening the development of epizootics in newly established populations. The fungus was released in gypsy moth populations that were separated from areas where the fungus was already established. In particular, extensive releases by natural resource managers in Wisconsin and Michigan aided the spread of E. maimaiga throughout these states. Where it has become established, this acute pathogen has become the dominant natural enemy and has exerted considerable influence in reducing gypsy moth damage. While this pathogen most likely would have invaded these new regions eventually, releases accelerated the spread of E. maimaiga and helped to reduce impacts of initial outbreaks, while further outbreaks were reduced by the pathogen’s subsequent persistence and activity in those areas.

Quantifying changes in ash (Fraxinus spp.) demography and emerald ash borer (EAB; Agrilus planipennis) carrying capacity in forested ecosystems is essential for understanding impacts of this invader and projecting future species composition in aftermath forests in North America. We inventoried green ash (F. pennsylvanica) and black ash (F. nigra) trees in two ash-dominated Michigan forests invaded by EAB, estimated phloem area, and potential EAB adult production before tree mortality occurred in 2007 and 2008. We re-inventoried both areas approximately a decade later to assess post-invasion ash demographics and EAB carrying capacity. Ash distribution by size class initially followed a negative exponential function. In the Pre-EAB inventories, small trees (2.5–13 cm dbh) accounted for more than 70% of the stems but comprised less than 20% of the ash phloem. Mid-sized trees (26–42 cm dbh) represented 13 cm dbh were dead and EAB carrying capacity was reduced by 94% and 99% in the two areas. Live stump sprouts were present on 25–30% of EAB-killed green ash trees but were absent on dead black ash trees. Ash sapling and recruit density varied within and between forests, but newly germinated ash seedlings were absent. Whether green or black ash will function as overstory species in post-invasion forests in North America may be jeopardized by the near extirpation of seed sources and endemic EAB populations likely to limit recruitment of ash saplings and seedlings.

Information on the pattern and rate of spread for invasive wood- and phloem-feeding insects, including the emerald ash borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire), is relatively limited, largely because of the difficulty of detecting subcortical insects at low densities. From 2008 to 2011, grids of girdled and subsequently debarked ash (Fraxinus spp.) detection trees were established across a >390 km2 area encompassing two recently established EAB infestations in Michigan as part of the SLow Ash Mortality (SLAM) Pilot Project. Ash distribution and abundance were inventoried across the project area which included public and private forestland, a state park, and street trees in a small municipality. Spread rates of EAB from 2008 to 2011, based on larval presence in girdled detection trees, were estimated to be 1.2–1.7 km yr−1 in the larger, presumably older, infestation and 0.4–0.7 km yr−1 in the smaller infestation; suggesting a slower spread rate during the initial stages of population establishment. From 2009 to 2011, a total of 587 ash trees in the project area were trunk-injected with a highly effective, systemic emamectin benzoate insecticide. Potential effects of girdled ash trees and the systemic insecticide treatment on EAB spread were evaluated using a simulation model and a simple descriptive model of observed spread. Not surprisingly, density of trees treated with the insecticide was too low to exert a detectable effect on EAB spread. However, while the density of girdled trees was also relatively low, model results indicated a reduced spread of EAB out of areas containing girdled trees.

The northeastern U.S. is projected to experience more frequent short-term (1−2 month) droughts interspersed among larger precipitation events. Agroforestry practices such as silvopasture may mitigate these impacts of climate change while maintaining economic benefits of both agricultural and forestry practices. This study evaluated the effects of forest-to-silvopasture (i.e., 50 % thinning) conversion on the components of evapotranspiration (transpiration, rainfall interception, and soil evaporation) during the growing season of 2016. The study coincided with a late-summer drought throughout the northeastern U.S., which allowed us to also evaluate the effects of forest-to-silvopasture conversion on drought responses of multiple tree species, including Pinus strobus, Tsuga canadensis, and Quercus rubra. In the reference forest and silvopasture, we observed declining soil moisture and tree water use during the drought for all three tree species. However, the decline in P. strobus water use in response to declining soil moisture in the silvopasture was not as steep as compared with the reference forest, resulting in greater water use in the silvopasture for this species. In contrast, we did not detect different water-use responses between forest and silvopasture in T. canadensis or Q. rubra. This suggests that forest-to-silvopasture conversion via thinning can alleviate drought stress for P. strobus and that this species may be more sensitive to moisture stress when competition for water is high in denser stands. Evapotranspiration was 35 % lower in the silvopasture compared with the reference forest, primarily a result of lower transpiration and rainfall interception. While soil evaporation was greater in the silvopasture, this was not enough to offset the considerably lower transpiration and interception. We observed greater radial tree growth 1–3 years following conversion in the silvopasture as compared with the reference forest for T. canadensis and Q. rubra, but not for P. strobus. Overall, our results suggest that forest conversion to silvopasture (in lieu of clearcutting for new pasture) may mitigate the impacts of agricultural land use intensification and climate change on ecosystem services, especially in terms of sustaining hydrologic regulation functions. Further study is required to determine the generality of these results and whether these benefits extend beyond the first few years post-conversion.

We assessed density of emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) larvae over a 6-yr period by felling and sampling a total of 315 green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh.) trees that were left untreated or treated with imidacloprid, dinotefuran, or emamectin benzoate products at 1-yr, 2-yr, or 3-yr intervals. Our study, conducted across a 32-ha forested area, began soon after emerald ash borer became established and continued through the peak and eventual decline of the emerald ash borer population. Less than half of the 96 trees in the pretreatment sample were infested and larval densities were very low. Densities of emerald ash borer remained low for 3 yr, then increased exponentially, eventually resulting in mortality of most untreated overstory ash. Trees treated with either low or moderate rates of emamectin benzoate applied via trunk injection had few or no emerald ash borer galleries, even 3 yr post-treatment. Basal trunk sprays of dinotefuran applied annually were also effective at preventing larval densities from reaching damaging levels. Average larval densities on trees treated with a trunk injection of imidacloprid were lower but did not differ from untreated trees, regardless of treatment frequency. Larval parasitism was rare, while woodpecker predation was common and accounted for nearly all natural larval mortality, even on trees with very low densities of larvae.

The emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), is a destructive invasive pest that threatens North American ash (Fraxinus (Oleaceae)) and inflicts substantial aesthetic, ecological, and economic damage in urban forests and rural woodlands. Understanding adult EAB dispersal and spread of infestations is critical to effectively manage and mitigate its potential impact in North America and elsewhere. Challenges of quantifying short-distance and long-distance movement of adult EAB in the field remain exceptionally difficult. Here we review our current understanding of EAB spread. Research to date suggests natural spread of EAB populations is variable and influenced by local environmental conditions, but limited to only a few km per year. In contrast, long-distance spread resulting from anthropogenic movement of infested ash material, such as nursery trees or firewood, can greatly increase local and regional rate of spread through the formation of satellite populations. Key areas in need of future research are highlighted.

Practical and effective strategies to manage emerald ash borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennisFairmaire; Coleoptera: Buprestidae) are increasingly important given economic and ecological impacts of this invader. While EAB detection remains challenging, tactics are available to protect individual ash (FraxinusLinnaeus; Oleaceae) trees and slow EAB population growth, thereby delaying ash mortality. Simulations with a coupled map lattice model, parameterised with data from numerous field studies, showed treating trees with a highly effective systemic insecticide (TREE-äge™; emamectin benzoate), would be more effective in slowing EAB population growth than girdling trees to attract ovipositing females then destroying trees before larvae develop, while harvesting ash to reduce available phloem would have the least effect. From 2008 to 2012, cooperators participated in a pilot project to implement an integrated strategy for an EAB infestation in Upper Michigan, United States of America. Ash was inventoried and EAB density monitored using girdled ash detection trees supplemented with baited artificial traps across the >750 km2project area. While only a tiny fraction of ash trees in the project area were girdled (444–855 trees annually) or injected with TREE-äge™ (

Aim Emerald ash borer Agrilus planipennis was identified in 2002 as the cause of extensive ash (Fraxinus spp.) decline and mortality in Detroit, Michigan, and has since killed millions of ash trees in the US and Canada. When discovered, it was not clear how long it had been present or at what location the invading colony started. We used dendrochronological methods to document the onset and progression of ash mortality and the spatio-temporal dynamics of the invasion. Reconstructing the progression of ash mortality serves as a proxy to draw inferences about the colonization and spread of emerald ash borer in North America. Location Southeastern Michigan, USA. Methods We collected increment cores from dead, declining or non-symptomatic ash trees on a systematic 4.8 × 4.8 or 2.4 × 2.4 km grid in 2004–2006. Geo-referenced samples were cross-dated to determine the earliest date emerald ash borer-killed trees in each location. Interpolated dates of ash mortality were analysed to determine rates and patterns of emerald ash borer spread across the 1.5 million ha study area. Results We identified a location in southeastern Michigan where ash trees were killed by emerald ash borer as early as 1997. Rates of ash mortality subsequently progressed at 3.84 km year−1 from 1998 to 2001 and then increased to 12.97 km year−1 from 2001 to 2003 as satellite colonies coalesced with the primary infestation. From 1998 to 2003, new satellites formed at a rate of 7.4 per year, with average jump distances of 24.5 km. Main conclusions Emerald ash borer was likely established in southeastern Michigan by at least the early to mid-1990s. Anthropogenic-aided stratified dispersal and the coalescence of satellite colonies with the primary population resulted in biphasic range expansion, rapidly expanding the footprint of the invasion. Our reconstruction of the emerald ash borer invasion demonstrates this invaders’ remarkable capacity for population growth and spread.

Black ash (Fraxinus nigra Marshall) trees are an important cultural resource and provide the wood used for traditional contemporary basketry by numerous Native American and First Nation tribes in the U.S.A. and Canada. The invasion and subsequent spread of emerald ash borer Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) threatens the ash resource in North America and the basketry tradition. Submersion of infested ash logs has been proposed as a potential tactic to control A. planipennis emergence, although the duration of submergence required to prevent adult beetle emergence is unknown. We assessed the survivorship of A. planipennis prepupae through adult beetle emergence in green ash (F. pennsylvanica Marshall) bolts submerged at weekly intervals for up to 6 weeks and in black ash bolts submerged at 4-week intervals for up to 24 weeks. The moisture content of sapwood at depths where prepupal chambers are commonly found was quantified in the black ash bolts after 0, 12 and 24 weeks of submergence. Mortality of A. planipennis from prepupa to adult was low (5.7 ± 2.3%) for the first 6 weeks of submersion but rapidly increased to 100% in green ash and black ash bolts submerged for 8 weeks or longer. In black ash, the outer 1.3 cm of wood became highly saturated after submersion for 12 weeks (81.0 ± 4.5%) and moisture increased only slightly after 24 weeks (83.9 ± 2.8%). The results obtained in the present study indicate that A. planipennis prepupae in green ash and black ash bolts can survive complete submersion for extended periods of time (i.e. at least 6 weeks) and successfully emerge as adults afterwards. Logs submerged for at least 8 weeks, however, produced no live A. planipennis beetles, indicating that submersion represents an efficacious control option.

Asian longhorned beetle (ALB), Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky), is an invasive insect that has successfully established multiple times in North America. To investigate host colonization and reproductive success (exit holes/eggs), two ALB infested forest stands were sampled in central Massachusetts, USA. Infested Acer platanoides L., Acer rubrum L., and Acer saccharum Marsh. were felled, bucked into 1 m sections and dissected to determine indications of ALB infestations, such as presence of life stages or signs of damage on trees. ALB damage was also aged on a subset of trees to determine the earliest attacks on the three Acer species. In one stand, ALB oviposition was significantly higher on the native A. rubrum and A. saccharum than the exotic A. platanoides. In the second stand, ALB oviposition was significantly higher and cumulative reproductive success was higher on A. rubrum than A. platanoides or A. saccharum. An A. saccharum had the earliest signs of attack that occurred in 2006. Acer rubrum (2007) and A. platanoides (2010) were colonized shortly thereafter. Overall, ALB was more successful in A. rubrum, where adults emerged from 53% and 64% of trees in each stand, compared to A. platanoides (11% and 18%) or A. saccharum (14% and 9%).

Effective methods for early detection of newly established, low density emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) infestations are critically needed in North America. We assessed adult A. planipennis captures on four types of traps in a 16-ha site in central Michigan. The site was divided into 16 blocks, each comprised of four 50- by 50-m cells. Green ash trees (Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marshall) were inventoried by diameter class and ash phloem area was estimated for each cell. One trap type was randomly assigned to each cell in each block. Because initial sampling showed that A. planipennis density was extremely low, infested ash logs were introduced into the center of the site. In total, 87 beetles were captured during the summer. Purple double-decker traps baited with a blend of ash leaf volatiles, Manuka oil, and ethanol captured 65% of all A. planipennis beetles. Similarly baited, green double-decker traps captured 18% of the beetles, whereas sticky bands on girdled trees captured 11% of the beetles. Purple traps baited with Manuka oil and suspended in the canopies of live ash trees captured only 5% of the beetles. At least one beetle was captured on 81% of the purple double-decker traps, 56% of the green double-decker traps, 42% of sticky bands, and 25% of the canopy traps. Abundance of ash phloem near traps had no effect on captures and trap location and sun exposure had only weak effects on captures. Twelve girdled and 29 nongirdled trees were felled and sampled in winter. Current-year larvae were present in 100% of the girdled trees and 72% of the nongirdled trees, but larval density was five times higher on girdled than nongirdled trees.

The invasion spread of the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) is characterized by the formation of satellite populations that expand and coalesce with the continuously invading population front. As of January 2010, satellite infestations have been detected in 13 states and two Canadian provinces. Understanding how newly established satellite populations may affect economic costs can help program managers to justify and design prevention and control strategies. We estimate the economic costs caused by EAB for the 10-yr period from 2010 to 2020 for scenarios of fewer EAB satellite populations than those found from 2005 to 2010 and slower expansion of satellite populations found in 2009. We measure the projected discounted cost of treatment, removal, and replacement of ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) growing in managed landscapes in U.S. communities. Estimated costs for the base scenario with the full complement of satellites in 2005-2010 and no program to mitigate spread is $12.5 billion. Fewer EAB satellites from 2005 to 2010 delay economic costs of $1.0 to 7.4 billion. Slower expansion of 2009 satellite populations delays economic costs of $0.1 to 0.7 billion. Satellite populations that are both distant from the core EAB infestation and close to large urban areas caused more economic costs in our simulations than did other satellites. Our estimates of delayed economic costs suggest that spending on activities that prevent establishment of new satellite EAB populations or slow expansion of existing populations can be cost-effective and that continued research on the cost and effectiveness of prevention and control activities is warranted.

The emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), is a devastating, invasive insect pest of ash trees, Fraxinus spp., in North America. Using a simulation model, we evaluated three potential management options to slow the spread of A. planipennis in discrete outlier sites: (i) removing ash trees to reduce available host phloem resource, (ii) girdling ash trees to attract ovipositing female beetles and destroying the trees before larvae complete devel- opment, and (iii) applying a highly effective systemic insecticide. Simulations indicate that systemic insecticide applica- tions provided the greatest reduction in the radial spread of A. planipennis. In simulations in which management options were applied only within a 300 m radius from the origin of the infestation, insecticide applications reduced the radial spread by 30% and larval consumption of ash phloem by 40% beyond the treated area. In contrast, girdling ash trees re- duced the radial spread by 15% and larval consumption of ash phloem by 20% beyond the treated area. Both of these management options significantly reduced the spread of A. planipennis when treatments were applied 1 to 4 years after in- festations were initiated. Reducing ash phloem by removing ash trees decreased population size within treated areas but did not reduce the radial spread, population size, or larval consumption of ash phloem beyond treated areas. Resume´ : L'agrile du frene, Agrilus plenipennis Fairmaire (coleoptere, buprestides), est un insecte nuisible envahissant qui est devastateur pour le frene, Fraxinus spp., en Amerique du Nord. Al'aide d'un modele de simulation, nous avons evalue ´

The preparation of complexes of the type (π-C5H5)2VR2 has been attempted by reaction of one mole of vanadocene dichloride with two moles of an organo-metallic reagent RM (RM = C6H5Na and C6F5Li); these reactions result in the formation of complexes of the type (π-C5H5)2VR. The reaction of vanadocene dichloride with 1,4-dilithio-1,2,3,4-tetraphenylbutadiene results in the formation of a tarrish polymer, whereas the corresponding reaction starting from titanocene dichloride yields the green complex (π-C5H5)2Ti[C4(C6H5)4]. The failure of the preparation of complexes of the type (π-C5H5)2VR2 is ascribed to steric reasons.

Management programs for invasive species are often developed at a regional or national level, but physical intervention generally takes place over relatively small areas occupied by newly founded, isolated populations. The ability to predict how local habitat variation affects the expansion of such newly founded populations is essential for efficiently targeting resources to slow the spread of an invasive species. We assembled a coupled map lattice model that simulates the local spread of newly founded colonies of the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire), a devastating forest insect pest of ash (Fraxinus spp.) trees. Using this model, we investigated the spread of A. planipennis in environments with different Fraxinus spp. distributions, and explored the consequences of ovipositional foraging behavior on the local spread of A. planipennis. Simulations indicate that increased larval density, resulting from lower host tree density or higher initial population sizes, can increase the spread rate during the first few years after colonization by increasing a density-dependent developmental rate and via host resource depletion. Both the radial spread rate and population size were greatly influenced by ovipositional foraging behavior. Two known behaviors of ovipositing A. planipennis females, attraction towards areas with high ash tree density and attraction to stressed trees, had opposing effects on spread. Results from this model illustrate the significant influence of resource distribution and foraging behavior on localized spread, and the importance of these factors when formulating strategies to monitor and manage invasive pests.

Emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire), a phloem-feeding beetle native to Asia, was discovered near Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario in 2002. As of March 2009, isolated populations of emerald ash borer (EAB) have been detected in nine additional states and Quebec. EAB is a highly invasive forest pest that has the potential to spread and kill native ash trees (Fraxinus sp.) throughout the United States. We estimate the discounted cost of ash treatment, removal, and replacement on developed land within communities in a 25-state study area centered on Detroit using simulations of EAB spread and infestation over the next decade (2009-2019). An estimated 38 million ash trees occur on this land base. The simulations predict an expanding EAB infestation that will likely encompass most of the 25 states and warrant treatment, removal, and replacement of more than 17 million ash trees with mean discounted cost of $10.7 billion. Expanding the land base to include developed land outside, as well as inside, communities nearly double the estimates of the number of ash trees treated or removed and replaced, and the associated cost. The estimates of discounted cost suggest that a substantial investment might be efficiently spent to slow the expansion of isolated EAB infestations and postpone the ultimate costs of ash treatment, removal, and replacement.

Emerald ash borer Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) is an invasive forest insect pest threatening more than 8 billion ash (Fraxinus spp.) trees in North America. Development of effective survey methods and strategies to slow the spread of A. planipennis requires an understanding of dispersal, particularly in recently established satellite populations. 2 We assessed the dispersal of A. planipennis beetles over a single generation at two sites by intensively sampling ash trees at known distances from infested ash logs, the point source of the infestations. Larval density was recorded from more than 100 trees at each site. 3 Density of A. planipennis larvae by distance for one site was fit to the Ricker function, inverse power function, and the negative exponential function using a maximum likelihood approach. The prediction of the best model, a negative exponential function, was compared with the results from both sites. 4 The present study demonstrates that larval densities rapidly declined with distance, and that most larvae (88.9 and 90.3%) were on trees within 100 m of the emergence point of the adults at each site. The larval distribution pattern observed at both sites was adequately described by the negative exponential function.

The fungal pathogen Entomophaga maimaiga Humber, Shimazu et Soper has become an important biocontrol for gypsy moth ( Lymantria dispar (L.)) in the northeastern United States and is commonly introduced into new areas with established gypsy moth populations. Germination of the fungus is dependent on spring temperature and moisture, but specific conditions associated with epizootics have not been determined. Whether E. maimaiga will be as effective in other regions that experience different weather conditions is not yet known. We examined similarity of weather conditions associated with 16 documented E. maimaiga epizootics with conditions at 1351 North American locations using the climate-matching software CLIMEX. Based on CLIMEX’s overall index of climatic similarity, long-term annual climatic patterns across much of the eastern United States were 60%–80% similar to the conditions associated with epizootics. Monthly weather records from 1971 to 2000 in nine North Central states were examined to compare precipitation and temperature with conditions observed during epizootics. Based on climatic averages identified with the documented epizootics, temperature and precipitation conditions in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, and Ohio were more conducive for epizootics than conditions in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, which were likely to support E. maimaiga epizootics in fewer than 6 of the 30 years considered.

This paper investigates the effects of spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana) on balsam fir (Abies balsamea) and white spruce (Picea glauca) at Itasca State Park in northwestern Minnesota. We studied the species composition, age structure, and radial growth patterns in tree rings along five belt transects at sites infested with spruce budworm. Our objectives were to: (1) discover when the latest spruce budworm outbreak started; (2) determine whether tree growth was similarly reduced in earlier decades, suggesting earlier spruce budworm outbreaks; and (3) test whether radial tree growth and the start of the outbreak(s) were correlated with climate. We used the computer program OUTBREAK to determine that the current spruce budworm infestation began to reduce tree growth in the 1990s, before it was detected by park officials in 2001. The tree-ring record indicated that growth of the host-species trees was periodically reduced at all sites prior to the 1990s. We found no consistent relationship between tem...

The aim of this study was assess the activity of thalidomide in patients with progressive relapsed or platinum-refractory germ-cell tumours (GCT). Between April 2002 and January 2003, 15 patients with inoperable progressive GCT were treated with escalated daily doses of 200-600 mg thalidomide. All patients had failed first-line and salvage chemotherapy with a median of 6 (range 4-12) cisplatin-based treatment cycles, 13/15 (87%) patients had received high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) and 8/15 (53%) patients were considered platinum-refractory or absolute refractory; 8/15 (53%) patients had previously received other palliative chemotherapy regimens. No patient achieved a complete remission (CR) or partial remission (PR). However, 5/15 (33%) patients achieved serological PR and 1 additional patient had stable disease for 3 months. The median duration of remissions was 3 months (range 2-12 months) including 2 patients with a progression-free survival of 9 and 12 months. Responses occurred mainly in patients with a low tumour burden, slow disease progression and alpha-foetoprotein (AFP) elevations. Responses to thalidomide were independent from platinum-sensitivity. Toxicity was mild, with lethargy and constipation in the majority of patients. Skin rash grade II developed in 2 patients and peripheral neurotoxicity grade II/III developed in 4 patients. One responding patient died suddenly from an unknown cause. It is concluded that thalidomide shows single-agent activity in patients with heavily pre-treated GCT, AFP elevations and slowly progressive disease.

The saga of the emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmare (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), in North America began on 25 June 2002, when five entomologists representing Michigan State University (MSU), the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) visited Detroit to examine declining ash (Fraxinus spp.) trees.

Germ cell tumour is the most frequent malignant tumour type in young men with a 100% rise in the incidence every 20 years. Despite this, the high sensitivity of germ cell tumours to platinum-based chemotherapy, together with radiation and surgical measures, leads to the high cure rate of > or = 99% in early stages and 90%, 75-80% and 50% in advanced disease with 'good', 'intermediate' and 'poor' prognostic criteria (IGCCCG classification), respectively. The high cure rate in patients with limited metastatic disease allows the reduction of overall treatment load, and therefore less acute and long-term toxicity, e.g. organ sparing surgery for specific cases, reduced dose and treatment volume of irradiation or substitution of node dissection by surveillance or adjuvant chemotherapy according to the presence or absence of vascular invasion. Thus, different treatment options according to prognostic factors including histology, stage and patient factors and possibilities of the treating centre as well may be used to define the treatment strategy which is definitively chosen for an individual patient. However, this strategy of reduction of treatment load as well as the treatment itself require very high expertise of the treating physician with careful management and follow-up and thorough cooperation by the patient as well to maintain the high rate for cure. Treatment decisions must be based on the available evidence which has been the basis for this consensus guideline delivering a clear proposal for diagnostic and treatment measures in each stage of gonadal and extragonadal germ cell tumour and individual clinical situations. Since this guideline is based on the highest evidence level available today, a deviation from these proposals should be a rare and justified exception

Off-stoichiometric NiTi sputtering targets were manufactured by cast melting in order to sputter Ni-rich NiTi thin films. Crystalline samples, which reveal a martensitic transformation, were fabricated by magnetron sputtering and subsequent thermal treatment. A systematic investigation to determine the deviation between target and substrate composition was carried out by means of microprobe analysis. Typical loss rates in sputtering targets with Ti content higher than 49.5 at.% were in the order of 4.3 at.%, whereas more Ni-rich targets revealed a Ti loss rate of only 0.5–1.5 at.%. Sacrificial layer technique was applied to obtain free-standing NiTi films. Transformation temperatures and hysteresis properties of the martensitic transformation were characterised by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) but showed only minor differences concerning composition. Free-standing films obtained from the Ti–53.1 Ni–46.9 at.% sputtering target revealed superelastic properties at 40 °C as demonstrated by tensile testing.

Local variations of the phase transition temperatures are important for the functionality of actuators based on NiTi shape memory alloys. Mechanical distortions induced by process treatment can suppress the phase transition from the austenitic to the martensitic structure. In this work, local changes of the phase transition have been investigated by time-dependent IR thermography. For the quantitative interpretation of the thermographical measurements, information about the IR emissivity is important. In this work a new thermal wave method based on two detection techniques is presented, which can be used to measure both the IR emissivity and the thermal transport properties.

Local changes of the phase transition on a SM one-way actuator have been investigated by time-dependent IR thermography and compared with the local behavior of thermal properties studied by means of scanning thermal microscopy and modulated IR radiometry at room temperature and at 120 °C. The results point towards large spatial inhomogeneities of the shape memory properties developing with increasing temperature and which are the reason that only parts of the material transform into the austenite phase.

We investigated host preference of the pine shoot beetle, Tomicus piniperda (L.) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), in a large-scale field study in 1997 and 1998. This Eurasian pest, first discovered in North America in 1992, is capable of developing and shoot-feeding in many North American pines. We hypothesized, however, that T. piniperda would preferentially colonize Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), a Eurasian species, more frequently than North American red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) and jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.). We placed freshly cut Scots, red, and jack pine logs in Scots, red, and jack pine forest stands each year in southwestern Michigan, where T. piniperda populations have been established for several years, and in central and northern Michigan, where T. piniperda populations were low to rare. Following T. piniperda progeny emergence, logs were retrieved and debarked and T. piniperda attack density was determined for each log. Tomicus piniperda colonized 80%–90% of the pine logs in the southwestern Michigan stands compared with 2%–19% of logs in the central Michigan stands. No logs in the northern Michigan stands were colonized by T. piniperda in either year. In the southwestern pine stands, T. piniperda attack densities were significantly greater on Scots pine logs than on jack and red pine logs, regardless of stand species.

The usage of shape memory alloys (SMAs) in coupling devices depend considerably on the phase transformation temperatures (PTTs) of the material. It is important that SMAs in such devices feature austenite start temperatures (A s -temperatures) above room temperature for storage purposes as well as low martensite start temperatures (M s -temperatures) in order to guarantee a high level of mechanical resistance service. It is well known that the addition of Niobium to the NiTi-System results in an increase in the width of the PTT-hysteresis, in particularly for the first phase transformation cycle. The present work studies the influence of different amounts of Nb both as a comparison between binary and ternary alloys and as a comparison of diferent levels of Nb [9 and 21 at.%) on. the first cycle shape memory effect. The constrained shape memory effect is simulated using a tensile test machine and the dependence of the recovery stress on the predeformation is determined. The dependence of this functional property on cold working and subsequent annealing is considered; special emphasis is placed on the recovery stress and how it is affected by the thermomechanical treatments. In the present work, solutionannealed material and thermo-mechanically treated material is characterized on the basis of calorimetric (differential scanning calorimetry - DSC) and mechanical experiments.

We studied 128 patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) relapsing after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). Disease at the time of treatment with Imatinib was in chronic phase (CP) in 51 patients, accelerated phase (AP) in 31 and blastic crisis (BC) in 46. Of the 51 patients in CP, 14 were in cytogenetic and two in molecular relapses. The median interval between relapse and Imatinib therapy was 5 months (0–65). A total of 50 patients had failed treatment with donor lymphocyte infusions prior to Imatinib. The overall hemato-logical response rate was 84% (98% for patients relapsing in CP). The complete cytogenetic response (CCR) was 58% for patients in CP, 48% for AP and 22% for patients in BC. Complete molecular responses were obtained in 25 patients (26%), of whom 21 were in CP or AP. With a median follow-up of 9 months, the estimated 2-year survival for CP, AP and BC patients was 100, 86 and 12%, respectively. Out of 79 evaluable patients, 45 (57%) achieved full donor and 11 (14%) mixed chimerism after Imatinib. We conclude that Imatinib has significant activity against CML in relapse after allogeneic SCT. Durable cytogenetic and molecular remissions are obtainable in patients in CP.

The exotic pine shoot beetle, Tomicus piniperda [L.] (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) is a Eurasian pest of pines that was first discovered in North America in 1992 near Cleveland, Ohio. It has since been found in at least 72 counties in Michigan, 285 additional counties in 11 other north central and eastern states, and the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. We counted injured shoots along linear transects in ten stands of Scotch (Pinus sylvestris L.), red (Pinus resinosa Aiton), and jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lambert) in lower Michigan (30 stands total) to estimate the frequency of shoot damage attributable to pine shoot beetle, other shoot-feeding insects, weather, and other damaging agents from 1997 to 1999. Fifteen of the stands were located in southwestern counties where pine shoot beetle has been established for at least 8 to 10 yr. The other 15 stands were in northern counties where pine shoot beetle establishment is more recent. In the southwestern stands, pine shoot beetle killed significantly more shoots in Scotch pine stands than in red or jack pine stands, and injured more shoots in Scotch pine stands than all other insects combined. Two of these Scotch pine stands were near an area with an abundance of Scotch pine brood material available to parent beetles. Damage in these two stands averaged roughly 10 to 12 shoots per m2 in 1998 and 1999, compared with 0.6 to 1.6 shoots per m2 in other Scotch pine stands, and less than 0.2 shoots per m2 in nearby red or jack pine stands. Pine shoot beetle was at very low or undetectable levels in northern stands in all years. Shoots injured by three other shoot-feeding insects were occasionally encountered, most often in red pine stands, but caused an insignificant amount of damage. With the exception of the southwestern Scotch pine stands, most of the shoot damage, particularly in northern jack pine stands, was attributable to squirrels or abiotic factors such as wind, ice or snow. North. J. Appl. For. 18(4):101–109.

The present paper summarizes the results of the second German consensus meeting on immunogenetic donor search for allotransplantation of hematopoietic stem cells held in Essen in November 1999 under the auspices of the German Society for Immunogenetics (DGI) and the German Working Party for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (DAG-KBT). Immunogeneticists and transplant physicians from all over the country agreed to update the national standards for: (1) search strategy including the role of unrelated and extended family donor search after unsuccessful core family donor search, (2) histocompatibility loci to be typed, (3) histocompatibility typing techniques to be used (HLA serology vs DNA-based HLA typing, cellular tests, serum cross-match), and (4) acceptable HLA mismatches in the context of a defined underlying disease, donor type, and conditioning regimen.

Host preference of the pine shoot beetle, Tomicus piniperda (L.), was investigated in two laboratory choice test studies using red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) (Pinaceae), jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.), and Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). Host preference of parent adult beetles was evaluated using freshly cut, similarly sized logs in a wind tunnel. Parent beetles colonized Scotch pine logs significantly more often when given a choice of Scotch pine and either red pine or jack pine logs, but did not show a preference when presented with red pine and jack pine logs. Host preference of progeny adults was tested in a laboratory bioassay using current-year pine shoots. Shoot-feeding progeny adults initiated tunnels in jack pine shoots significantly more often than in Scotch pine and red pine shoots, and preferred Scotch pine over red pine shoots. Shoots with diameters of 0.4–0.5 cm were attacked most frequently, regardless of species. Results suggest that the two North American pines are suitable hosts, but T. piniperda may be most likely to colonize Scotch pine, a European species. Efforts to detect or monitor T. piniperda populations in the Great Lakes and northeastern regions should focus on areas with abundant Scotch pine brood material. Progeny that emerge from brood material, however, may be as likely to shoot-feed in jack pine as in Scotch pine.

Objective: To analyze the distribution and clonality of TCR Vβsubfamily T cells in hairy cell leukemia (HCL) and common-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (c-ALL). Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples from 3 cases of HCL and 1 case of c-ALL were investigated for analysis of complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3) size of T cell receptor Vβ repertoire using reverse transcriptasepolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The products were further analyzed by genescan to identify T cell clonality. Results: Some Vβ subfamily PCR products from 4 patients contained monopeak (monoclone) or a dominant peak (oligoclone). In contrast, multipeak (polyclone) distributions were found in all Vβ subfamily PCR products from normal control cases. Conclusion: T cell clonal expansion may be found in HCL and c-ALL cases that may indicate a host response directed against leukemia related antigen. In addition, it may be useful to detect the minimal residual disease.

The recently described species Candida dubliniensis has been recovered primarily from superficial oral candidiasis in HIV-infected patients. No clinically documented invasive infections were reported until now in this patient group or in other immunocompromised patients. We report three cases of candidemia due to this newly emerging Candida species in HIV-negative patients with chemotherapy-induced immunosuppression and bone marrow transplantation.