Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2009. / Title from first page of PDF file (viewed July 9, 2009). Available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 369-389).

På Kvarnsvedens Pappersbruk används gran som vedråvara för mekanisk massatillverkning. Bark är en biprodukt och används som bränsle vid ångproduktion. Innan barken eldas behöver den avvattnas för att öka det effektiva värmevärdet. Detta sker i roterande barkpressar från Saalasti. Torrhalten på barken efter pressarna varierar från ca 37–48 % beroende på många parametrar. Medeltorrhalten under perioden år 2018–2019 var 42 %. En tumregel säger att varje % ökad torrhalt på barken innebär en besparing på 1 MSEK per år eftersom mindre skogsbränsle och kol behöver köpas in. Då torrhalterna efter barkpressarna varierar mycket så var syftet i den här studien att ta fram ett underlag för lämplig körstrategi genom att undersöka och utvärdera i vilken grad parametrarna påverkar utfallet av barkpressningen. Detta gjordes genom omfattande mätningar före och efter barkpressningen på de parametrar som gick att mäta. Resultat från studien visar att olika torrhalter erhölls beroende på vilken barkpress som användes och kan kopplas till slitaget på utrustningen. Vidare är kaktjocklek den parameter som tydligast visar korrelation med torrhalten. Brist på mätdata gjorde att övriga resultat blev svårtolkade. För bästa torrhalter bör låg tjocklek på barkkaka och låg pressvalshastighet eftersträvas, samt att körning i den barkpressen med minst slitage bör prioriteras. För vidare analys och slutsatser krävs ytterligare undersökning. / At Kvarnsveden Paper Mill, spruce is used as a raw material for mechanical pulping. Bark is a by-product and is used as a fuel for steam production. Before the bark is burnt, it needs to be dewatered to increase the effective heating value. This is done in rotating bark presses from Saalasti. The dry content of the bark after the presses varies from around 37–48 % depending on many parameters. The average dry content during the period 2018–2019 was 42 %. A rule of thumb says that every % of increased dry content on the bark means a saving of 1 MSEK per year, since less hogged fuel and coal need to be purchased. Since the dry contents of the bark presses vary widely, the aim of this study was to develop a basis for a suitable operating strategy, by examining and evaluating how different specific parameters affect the outcome of the bark pressing. This was done through extensive measurements before and after the bark pressing, on the parameters that were measurable. Results from the study show that different dry contents were obtained depending on which bark press was used and can be linked to the wear of the equipment. Furthermore, the bark bed thickness is the parameter that most clearly shows correlation with the dry content. Lack of measurement data made other results difficult to interpret. For best dry contents, low thickness of bark and low rotational speed of the press roll should be sought and operating in that bark press with least wear should be prioritized. For additional analysis and conclusions, further research is required.

Nos recherches abordent, par une approche multidisciplinaire, l’écologie spatiale et la dynamique d’invasion du ravageur de l’épicéa Ips typographus (Coleoptera : Scolytinae) en Belgique. Bien que cette espèce ne puisse pas être considérée au sens strict comme invasive en Belgique où elle est implantée depuis le milieu du 19ème siècle, de très vraisemblables introductions de souches exotiques en provenance de Russie et des Pays baltes, en font un modèle exceptionnel pour l’étude de ces processus. Une analyse en milieu urbain, suivant des transects centre-périphérie, a d’une part suggéré l’introduction probable de ces souches exotiques et d’autre part permis d’étudier ce ravageur forestier dans un milieu qui lui est a priori défavorable. Il en résulte que, malgré un effet de la structure urbaine sur l’abondance du scolyte, sa présence a été observée partout, y compris dans les zones densément bâties du centre de Bruxelles. Cela suggère, en terme de dispersion, que cette espèce est capable d’atteindre des arbres isolés, et en terme d’infestation, que tout épicéa constitue un hôte potentiel tant en milieu forestier qu’en milieu ouvert ou urbain. Une étape préliminaire dans l’estimation des risques liés aux invasions biologiques est d’effectuer une analyse de filière, afin d’analyser les différentes voies d’introduction et les risques liés aux pays d’origine des marchandises importées. Sur base de l’analyse de l’ensemble des sources de données statistiques disponibles, nous avons déterminé l’ampleur du commerce de grumes d’épicéa entre l’est de l’Europe et la Belgique, les modes de transport utilisés, les origines et destinations des grumes, ainsi que la variabilité de la localisation et du nombre des différents points d’entrée de ces marchandises sur le territoire belge d’une année à l’autre, depuis le début des importations en 1996. Notre analyse illustre les difficultés inhérentes à ce genre d’étude, particulièrement au niveau de la disponibilité des données à une échelle appropriée. Par une approche de modélisation, nous avons envisagé différents scénarios de dispersion de souches introduites d’Ips typographus afin d’estimer l’expansion de celles-ci en Belgique. Notre modèle a permis de mettre en évidence l’importance de la bonne connaissance de certains paramètres biologiques caractétistiques de l’espèce étudiée (phénologie, capacité de dispersion, taux de croissance). Par ailleurs, les volumes d’importation et la localisation des points d’entrée des marchandises semblent jouer un rôle secondaire. Enfin, nous avons utilisé des marqueurs génétiques afin d’essayer de prouver l’introduction de souches russes et baltes du scolyte de l’épicéa en Belgique. Des échantillons ont été collectés dans neuf pays européens ainsi que sur l’ensemble du territoire wallon. La structure génétique observée n’a pas permis de mettre en évidence une différenciation entre les populations de l’est et de l’ouest de l’Europe. La présence d’haplotypes communs à l’est et à l’ouest rejoint l’hypothèse d’une homogénéisation des populations en relation avec le large pouvoir de dispersion du typographe. Cependant, un grand nombre de mutations a été observé entre 2 haplotypes. Des introductions d’origines lointaines telles que la Sibérie ne sont donc pas improbables. Les résultats détaillés de chacune de ces études sont développés dans les différents articles constituant cette thèse. La discussion générale met ceux-ci en relation et aborde les perspectives découlant de nos recherches.

2 pp. / Pine Bark Beetles, Cypress Bark Beetles / Life cycle of the bark beetles and how to detect in firewood. Source of firewood is important. Dry wood is a poor host for bark beetles. Most bark beetles are host specific. Insecticides should not be applied to firewood to prevent bark beetle infestation.

Revised / 2 pp.

Faculty of Science School of Animal Plant and Enviromental Sciences 0404336v lmcnamara@gpf.co.za / Pine saw timber plantation forestry on the Eastern Escarpment of South Africa contributes significantly to the economy of the country. Losses to plantation value through fire, insects and disease, and particularly over the last decade, losses due to baboon damage are of serious concern. Anecdotal evidence indicated that baboons damage pine trees shortly following pruning operations and at certain times of the year. A perception existed that damage has increased dramatically, yet no documented evidence to this effect is available. As a result two physiological studies were undertaken to investigate whether changes in nutrient concentration of inner bark tissues of pine trees on the Eastern Escarpment of South Africa, act as triggers for baboon damage. A literature review was also undertaken to document the extent of baboon damage, tree volume and associated economic costs. A comparison was made with Zimbabwe, where baboon damage is quoted to be a severe threat to the continued viability of plantation forestry. The first study investigated changes in nutrient concentration of the soft, inner bark tissue of Pinus patula, in response to pruning measured in five year old plantations in the Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Samples of tissues were collected from pruned and unpruned trees at 2, 7, 14 and 28 days after 26% of the live crown had been removed in the pruning treatment. Results indicated that live pruning of Pinus patula did not influence nutrient concentration of inner bark tissues at set intervals post pruning. Treatment differences of aggregate data for sample interval showed that potassium concentration increased by 0.03% whereas magnesium concentration decreased by 0.02% following pruning. Aggregate data for treatment showed that phosphorus, carbohydrates (fructose, glucose, sucrose and starch), boron and nitrogen concentration, and moisture content of inner bark tissues varied during the short time period of the study. Variations are attributed to iv the commencement of growth, translocation of nutrients from needles and branches and possibly moisture stress. Results from the study do not support anecdotal evidence that baboon damage to pine plantations which increases shortly after pruning operations is as a direct physiological response to the pruning event. In this study it is much more likely that changes in nutrient concentrations coincided with a remobilization of resources in response to seasonal triggers. In the second study, nutrient concentrations of the inner bark of Pinus patula and Pinus taeda growing on the Eastern Escarpment of South Africa were studied over a seasonal cycle in order to investigate the allegations that baboon damage in the plantations was related to the degree of nutrient remobilization. Significant differences were found in phosphorus concentration and moisture content across seasons and between baboon damaged and undamaged trees. Undamaged Pinus taeda trees recorded the highest phosphorus levels in April 2003 (0.13%). Moisture content was lowest in damaged Pinus patula trees in August 2003 (57%). Anecdotal evidence that baboon damage to pine trees on the Eastern Escarpment of Mpumalanga increases prior to the growing season is supported by the significant changes in inner bark tissue concentration. Nutrient translocation prior to needle fall alters inner bark nutrient concentration, as does moisture stress and demand for nutrients prior to cambial activity. Pine bark is easier to peel during periods of peak cambial activity. These factors are discussed as they may trigger baboon damage. Significantly higher inner bark tissue concentrations of sucrose (4.25 versus 2.61%), starch (4.75 versus 2.84%) and nitrogen (0.61 versus 0.49%) in Pinus taeda compared with Pinus patula, supports anecdotal evidence that Pinus taeda is preferentially damaged by baboons. Baboon damaged trees contained higher concentrations of zinc (30.4 versus 22.3 ppm) and calcium (0.26 versus 0.20%), and lower concentrations of sucrose (2.95 versus 3.91%) and starch (3.21 versus v 4.39%) than undamaged trees, which was attributed to resource allocation to wound response and not that baboons selected trees with higher concentrations of zinc or calcium. The variability of inner bark tissue concentration due to a number of factors highlights that baboon damage in pine plantations is not readily answered, and remains a complex problem. A literature review was undertaken of reported baboon damage occurrence and intensity of damage, following statements that baboon damage to pine plantations is rapidly escalating in the Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. The extent and intensity of baboon damage from the first reported damage (1960’s) until current levels are documented. A comparison is made between Zimbabwe and South Africa where the baboon damage is viewed as a serious problem. The extent of baboon damage in Zimbabwe, expressed as the total percentage of area damaged by baboons as a function of the total area planted to pine for the period 2000-2004 has escalated from 10.8 to 13.3% despite harvesting activities removing damaged trees (Fergusson, 2004). The total area with reported baboon damage in Zimbabwe amounted to 5 317 hectares in 2004 (Fergusson, 2004). In South Africa baboon damage has increased markedly from the first reports of 300 hectares in 1980 (Bigalke, 1980) to 7 641 hectares in 2004. The average percentage of trees damaged in affected compartments is 20.4% with the percentage increasing from 17.2 to 23.6% from 2002-2004. Pinus taeda appears to be the most severely affected species with Pinus elliottii showing increasing levels of damage in many compartments in 2004. Quantifying the value lost by baboon damage to the industry requires reliable assessment methods that are cost effective to implement. Assessment methods need to take into account the position of the damage on the stem, and resultant saw log value that is lost. Assessment methods implemented in South Africa and Zimbabwe are described, and results given by method applied. A standard assessment method is required for comparisons to be made between areas vi with baboon damage. An investigation in Zimbabwe highlighted significant differences between standing tree volume estimations (4.98 – 7.59 m3/ha, with various methods), and actual volume losses (50.45 m3/ha) (Ngorima et. al., 2002). The associated Rand value loss determined by the South African assessment method in 2004 was in excess of 20 million Rand. This estimated loss in revenue does not include losses of incremental growth due to the damage, re-establishment costs, loss of thinning and clearfelling product revenue due to timber wastage, or losses experienced in down line processing at the saw mill. The extent of the baboon damage problem warrants proactive management, continued monitoring and investment into research in order to gain a better understanding of the problem. The increase in the extent of baboon damage from early documented figures is most alarming, showing that the baboon damage problem continues to grow.

Thesis (MSc (Biochemistry))--University of Limpopo (Medunsa Campus), 2009. / Background and Purpose The stem bark, roots and leaves of Sclerocarya birrea (S. birrea), {(A. Rich) Hochst}, subspecies caffra (Sond) Kokwaro are widely used in South Africa and some African countries as folk medicine in the treatment and management of a variety of human ailments, including diabetes mellitus. Although the blood glucose lowering effect of the stem bark extract of S. birrea have been confirmed using experimental animal models of diabetes, there is no clear understanding of the mechanism(s) whereby S. birrea stem bark extracts and/or their components exert their blood glucose lowering effects. The primary aim of the current study was to study the in vitro inhibitory effects of S. birrea stem bark extracts on the activities of selected diabetic related carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes (α-amylase, α-glucosidase and glucose 6-phosphatase). The current study also investigated the acute in vivo effect of S. birrea stem bark acetone extract on postprandial blood glucose levels after oral sucrose loading as well as the effect of S. birrea stem bark aqueous extract on hepatic glucose 6-phosphatase activity. In addition, the long term (21 days) effects of S. birrea stem bark acetone extract on fasting blood glucose levels, plasma insulin levels, plasma triglyceride and body weight in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats were also investigated. Methods For in vitro studies: Crude hexane, acetone, methanolic and aqueous extracts of the stem bark extract of S. birrea were prepared by means of a sequential solvent extraction procedure and screened for inhibitory activities against human urinary α-amylase, rat pancreatic α-amylase, Bacillus stearothermophilus α-glucosidase and rabbit liver glucose 6-phosphatase using standard procedures for assaying the activities of these enzymes. IC50 values and mode of inhibition of extracts demonstrating appreciable inhibitory activity against α-amylase and α-glucosidase were determined and compared with those of acarbose, a known inhibitor of these two enzymes. The IC50 value and mode of inhibition of extracts demonstrating appreciable inhibitory activity against glucose 6-phosphatase were determined and compared with those of sodium orthovavadate and sodium tungstate, known inhibitors of glucose 6-phosphatase. In vivo studies: In vivo studies were conducted in normal and alloxan induced diabetic male WKY rats. Diabetes was induced in rats that had been fasted for 12 h by a single intraperitoneal injection of 140 mg/kg body weight of alloxan monohydrate freshly dissolved in sterile normal saline. The effect of S. birrea stem bark acetone extract on postprandial blood glucose level was determined in 18 h fasted diabetic and normal rats by administering orally, the plant extract (300 mg/kg) 30 minutes before an oral sucrose loading and measuring postprandial blood glucose levels after sucrose loading by means of a MediSense’s Optimum Xceed Glucometer (MOXG). In addition, rat intestinal dissacharidase (α-glucosidase/sucrase) activity was determined in homogenate of small intestine of rats sacrificed one hour after given orally either plant extract or acarbose. The in vivo effect of S. birrea stem bark extract on glucose 6-phosphatase was determined by measuring the activity of hepatic glucose 6-phosphatase at the end of the study. For the determination of the long term (chronic) effect of S. birrea stem bark crude acetone extract on blood glucose levels, body weight and water intake, alloxan induced diabetic and normal WKY rats were treated daily with S. birrea stem bark crude acetone extract (300 mg/kg) for 21 days. Fasting blood glucose levels and changes in body weight were determined on day 0, 7, 14 and 21 after initiation of treatment by means of a MOXG and gravimetrically respectively. Water intake was determined on the same days that blood glucose levels were determined by measuring the amount of water left overnight by each rat and subtracting this amount from the initial amount water given to each rat. Blood was also collected at the end of the study for the measurement of plasma glucose, triglyceride and insulin levels. Plasma glucose and plasma triglyceride levels were measured using commercially available kits based respectively on the glucose oxidase and the glycerol blanked methods (Beckman Coulter®’s UniCell DXC 800 Synchron® Clinical System). Plasma insulin levels were determined by means of an enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) adapted to the Beckman Coulter® Ireland Inc’s UniCell DXI 800 Access® Immunoassay System. Results In vitro studies: The crude methanolic and acetone S. birrea stem bark extracts strongly inhibited both human urinary α-amylase and rat pancreatic α-amylase in a competitive manner. The inhibitory effect of the crude methanolic extract on both enzymes was significantly stronger than acarbose. Hexane and acetone crude extracts of the stem-bark of S. birrea demonstrated the highest percentage inhibition against B. stearothermophilus α-glucosidase. The mode of inhibition of the crude hexane extract on B. stearothermophilus α-glucosidase appeared to be a noncompetitive one. However, the this plant extract appeared to be a less potent inhibitor of α-glucosidase enzyme than acarbose. Rabbit liver glucose 6-phophatase was strongly inhibited by the crude aqueous S, birrea stem bark extract in a competitive manner. In vivo studies: Administration of S birrea stem bark acetone extract 30 min before oral sucrose loading significantly suppressed (P < 0.01) the rise in postprandial blood glucose levels in treated rats compared to control rats. The crude extract also decreased significantly the intestinal disaccharidase activity of experimental rats compared to control rats. These observations suggest that the in vitro inhibitory effects of the crude hexane extract on α-glucosidase enzymes are applicable in vivo Daily, continuous oral treatment of alloxan–induced diabetic and normal WKY rats with S. birrea stem bark extract for 3 weeks resulted in significant reductions in fasting blood glucose levels and water intake of treated diabetic rats compared with diabetic controls. The extract, however, failed to bring about any significant change in the body weight, plasma insulin levels, plasma triglyceride levels and hepatic glucose 6-phosphatase of treated diabetic rats compared to diabetic control rats Conclusions The results of the current study suggest that the observed in vitro inhibitory effect of S. birrea stem bark acetone extract on alpha glucosidase enzymes are applicable in vivo whereas the observed in vitro inhibitory effect of S. birrea stem bark aqueous extract on glucose 6-phosphatase are not applicable in vivo. Furthermore, in the current study S. birrea stem bark acetone extract appears to lower blood glucose levels of alloxan induced diabetic rats without increasing their plasma insulin levels. Thus, it can be concluded on the basis of the current study that S. birrea stem bark acetone and hexane extracts exert their blood glucose lowering effect in alloxan induced diabetic rats in part, through inhibition of intestinal brush border α-glucosidase enzymes.

Thirty-two engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii) ranging in d.b.h. from 9.4 to 84.6 em, twenty subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) with d.b.h. 's from 8.1 to 58.8 em, and twenty aspen (Populus tremuloides) ranging in d.b . h. from 4.5 to 48.2 em. were destructively sampled in Northern Utah to construct wood and bark biomass and production prediction equations for above and below ground parts. These prediction equations were then applied to stand table data from 20 x 25 meter plots representing a sere that changes from subalpine meadow to aspen to fir to a 'climax' stand of spruce. The biomass production data along the successional stages were then used to test some of Odum's hypotheses regarding ecosystem development (Science 1969). In all biomass and production predictive equations diameter at breast height (1.38 meters) and its transformations was found to be the single best independent variable. Spruce bole bark biomass was best correlated linearly with d. b.h. Spruce bole wood, branch wood and branch bark were best predicted with a d.b.h. 2 relationship. All fir above ground biomass components as well as all aspen above ground components except aspen branch wood were best correlated with d. b.h. 2 Aspen branch wood biomass was best predicted by a d.b.h. 3 equation. Seedling sized fir, spruce, and aspen (trees less than 1.38 meters in height) had their total above ground wood and bark biomass best predicted using basal diameter3 as the independent variable. Seven spruce and fir stump and root systems, from trees ranginq from 2.5 to 66 .0 em . in d.b.h., were excavated by hand. All roots down to one centimeter in diameter were cut weighed and oven-dried. Biomass data from the fir and spruce stumps and roots were combined because of their similarity. The resulting combined biomass data was described accurately by using d.b.h. 4 as the independent variable. Aspen root biomass was obtained through the use of three randomly located excavated cubic meter pits in each of four different clones. The aspen pit root biomass was best described by employing a sixth degree polynomial using the diameter (em) of the four nearest trees to pit center divided by their average distance (meters) to pit center. Two production methods were used : l) mean annual increment (MAl) and 2) periodic annual increment (PAl). No production estimates for roots were made. Spruce bole wood and bark MAl's were best predicted by d.b.h. and log-log d.b.h. equations respectively. Spruce branch wood and branch bark MAl's were both best described by d.b.h. (li near) relationships. All fir MAl branch and bole components used d.b.h.2 in their predictive equations. All aspen MAl equations used sixth degree polynomials with d.b.h. as the independent variable. Polynomials were employed when downward or leveling trends could not be adequately represented using standard statistical techniques. Spruce and aspen PAI equations were constructed using polynomials. Fir PAl, because of the data, could be best predicted using standard regression techniques. Fir bole wood and bark PAl equations were 'linear and thus best described by d.b. h. untransformed. Fir branch and wood PAl showed some leveling which was gradual enough to best be fitted by a d.b.h."3 equation. Using the biomass and production predictive equations and stand tables from plots representing a succession, plot biomass and productions were generated. The plot biomasses and productions were plotted against estimated age (time from the initial meadow invasion by aspen). Above and below ground total wood and bark plot biomass was found to increase with time through all stages being low in early aspen dominated stages (1.5 x 10 5 kg/ha@ 7.5 years) to high in late spruce dominated stands (5.25 .x 10 5 kg/ha@ 258 years). This finding supports Odum's hypothesis that biomass is low in early stages and higher in later stages of ecosystem development. Both estimates (MAl and PAI) of total above-ground plot production show that production is high in early aspen stages (PAl is 4.7 x 103 kg/ha/yr@ 65 years), low in mid-successional fir dominated stands (PAl is 3.0 x 10 3 kg/ha/yr@ 130 years), and high again in the late spruce stages (4.6 x 10 3 kg/ha/yr @ 258 years). This tends to contradict Odum's hypothesis that production tends to keep decreasing after the initial stages of succession. While these tests of Odum's hypotheses are only on the basis of tree wood and bark, these values will probably be found to be the largest single biomass and possibly production community contributors .

Thesis (M.A.)--Oregon State University, 1984. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 98-103). Also available on the World Wide Web.

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