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Purpose: Alpine wetland ecosystems can contribute large amounts of methane (CH 4) to the atmosphere; however, their emissions vary with environmental conditions. Microbial activity is known to drive CH 4 emissions, but how environmental conditions determine microbial activity is still uncertain. Here, we seek to quantify the variability of the CH 4 flux, to detect the effects of CH 4-related microbes on CH 4 emissions, and to study the dependency of these effects on environmental conditions. Materials and methods: We measured the CH 4 flux, environmental conditions, and CH 4-related microbial communities (mcrA and pmoA gene abundances for methanogens and methanotrophs, respectively) under three hydrological conditions (submerged, soil–water interface, and emerged) from seven sampling sites in the Zoige alpine wetland, China. Results and discussion: The CH 4 flux varied greatly from 0 to 41 mg m −2 h −1 in the Zoige alpine wetland. The methanogenic and methanotrophic abundances both showed positive correlations with CH 4 flux, while CH 4 flux increased linearly with the increase of soil water content (SWC) when SWC was above 60%. CH 4 flux and methanogenic and methanotrophic abundances maintained the high levels when soil C:N ratio was in the range of 11–24 and decreased exponentially with the increase of soil DOC:TN ratio in Zoige alpine wetland, which might result from its influence on nutrient supply for microbial decomposition process. Conclusion: The results provided new insight into the effects of CH 4-related microbes on CH 4 emission and its response to different environmental conditions and helped us to comprehend the risks of high CH 4 emissions from alpine wetlands under climatic change and anthropogenic disturbance.

We designed and validated a test system that simulates a growth environment for Zea mays L. maize seedlings under conditions of low moisture gradient in darkness. This system allowed us to simultaneously measure mesocotyl elongation and the primary root hydrotropic response in seedlings before the emergence phase in a collection of maize hybrids. We found great variation in these two traits with statistically significant reduction of their elongations under the low moisture gradient condition that indicate the richness of maize genetic diversity. Hence, the objective of designing a new test system that evaluates the association between these underground traits with the potential use to measure other traits in maize seedlings related to early vigor was achieved.

The moisture retrieval depth is commonly held to be the approximately top 5 cm at L-band (~21-cm wavelength/1.41 GHz), which is seen as a limitation for hydrological applications. A widely held view is that this moisture retrieval depth increases with wavelength, ranging approximately from one-tenth to one-fourth of the wavelength. Accordingly, P-band (~40-cm wavelength/0.75 GHz) is under investigation for soil moisture observation over a deeper layer of soil. However, there is no accepted method for predicting the moisture retrieval depth, and there has been no study to confirm that the actual retrieval depth at P-band is indeed deeper than that achieved at L-band. Consequently, this research has estimated the moisture retrieval depth from theory and compared with empirical evidence from tower-based observations. Model predictions and experimental observations agreed that P-band has the potential to retrieve soil moisture over a deeper layer (~7 cm) than L-band (~5 cm) while maintaining the same correlation. However, an alternate interpretation of experimental results is that P-band has a larger correlation with soil moisture (accuracy of retrieval) than L-band but for the same 5-cm moisture retrieval depth. The results also demonstrated the increasing trend of the moisture retrieval depth for increasing wavelength, with the potential to achieving a moisture retrieval depth greater than 10 cm for P-band below 0.5 GHz. Importantly, model predictions showed that moisture retrieval depth was not only dependent on soil moisture content and observation frequency, but also the moisture gradient of the profile.

This study investigates the role of the background meridional moisture gradient (MMG) on the propagation of the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) across the Maritime Continent (MC) region. It is found that the interannual variability of the seasonal mean MMG over the southern MC area is associated with the meridional expansion and contraction of the moist area in the vicinity of the MC. Sea surface temperature anomalies associated with relatively high and low seasonal mean MMG exhibit patterns that resemble those of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation. By contrasting the years with anomalously low and high MMG, we show that MJO propagation through the MC is enhanced (suppressed) in years with higher (lower) seasonal mean MMG, though the effect is less robust when MMG anomalies are weak. Column-integrated moisture budget analysis further shows that sufficiently large MMG anomalies affects MJO activity by modulating the meridional advection of the mean moisture via MJO wind anomalies. Our results suggest that the background moisture distribution has a strong control over the propagation characteristics of the MJO in the MC region.

Made available in DSpace on 2021-06-25T10:22:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-01-01 The objective of this study was to evaluate the changes that occurred during processing white breads enriched with 5, 7.5, and 10% of medium-polymerized inulin (MPI). Farinographic analysis revealed that enrichment caused the development time and dough stability to increase by up to 69.9% and 62.8%, respectively, when 7.5% of MPI was incorporated into wheat flour. This indicated that the added MPI strengthened the doughs. Conversely, alveographic analysis demonstrated that MPI was harmful to the gluten network. The specific volume and humidity of breads with up to 7.5% MPI were similar to those of the control (MPI-free) bread. During bread storage for 10 days, we noticed that the retrogradation rate increased only for the bread sample with 10% MPI. However, MPI enrichment, regardless of concentration, promoted an increase in the Avrami exponent and affected bread firmness. Bread staling analysis indicated that the moisture difference between crumb and crust was higher for the MPI-enriched breads than for the control. Moreover, we prepared more consistent doughs and fresh breads with MPI contents of up to 7.5%, which presented good quality and were good fiber sources; however, we determined that inulin did not present an anti-staling effect. Department of Food Engineering and Technology UNESP—São Paulo State University IFAC—Federal Institute of Acre Department of Food Engineering and Technology UNESP—São Paulo State University

Animals were sampled within the experimental area using traps to investigate the spatial and temporal variation in abundance, species richness, and species composition of invertebrate communities. A total of 60 traps were operated simultaneously during each sampling period. Traps were emptied 26 times every 7-9 days each year. Plant water availability, precipitation, wind speed, air temperature (minimum, maximum, daily mean), air humidity, and atmospheric pressure were used as ecological predictors of invertebrate community status and structure. Two-dimensional geographic coordinates of sampling locations were used to create a set of orthogonal spatial variables based on eigenvectors. We used time series of sampling dates to produce a set of orthogonal eigenvector time variables. The moisture content in technosols was the most important factor determining the terrestrial invertebrate community's temporal dynamics under semi-arid climate and reclaimed ecosystem conditions. Each ecological group of terrestrial invertebrates is homogeneous in terms of moisture gradient (xerophilic, xerozoophilic, mesophilic) and has a specific set of patterns best explain the species response to water content in technosols. However, one should consider the fact that the species response to soil water content is influenced not only by soil water content but also by a complex of other environmental, temporal and spatial factors. That is why the effect of other factors on the species response must be extracted previously to find real estimations of the species optima and tolerance. This task can be solved using the constrained correspondence analysis (CCA) or constrained redundancy analysis (RDA) depending on the type of response to ecological factors prevailing in the community – monotone or unimodal. We found that in more dry conditions, the prevalent species responses are unimodal asymmetric, in moister – bimodal, and in moderate conditions, the distributions are symmetric unimodal. The asymmetric species response to soil moisture in different parts of the soil humidity range may be assumed as predominantly due to the abiotic factors in the gradient's aridest margin and due predominantly to the biotic factors in the most humid margin of the gradient.

Background: In western Mexico, the Magnolia pacifica complex includes three morphologically defined, endemic and, endangered species, distributed along a 215 km continentality and moisture gradient: Magnolia pugana, M. pacifica s.s. , and M. vallartensis. Hypothesis: Genetic evidence supports the taxonomical classification of the M. pacifica complex. Study site and dates: Western Mexico, samples were collected in 2012-2015. Methods: Six Inter-Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR) primers amplified 76 clear and reproducible fragments in 278 individuals from 10 localities representative of the M. pacifica complex. ISSR dataset was analyzed using STRUCTURE 2.3.4, UPGMA clustering, Barrier 2.2, and AMOVA. Genetic diversity parameters were also estimated. Results: Genetic analyses revealed two main groups: M. pugana and M. pacifica s.s.– M. vallartensis . Two subpopulations within each group were evidenced, particularly M. pacifica s.s. was separated from M. vallartensis . Geographical barriers to gene flow were identified. AMOVA revealed a similar and significant proportion of variation between and within groups. M. pugana has lower genetic diversity and higher differentiation than the M. pacifica s.s - M. vallartensis group. Conclusions: Our results support the recognition of M. pugana as a genetically distinct lineage from M. pacifica s.s and M. vallartensis , but did not reveal a clear species boundary between the last two taxa. Geographical barriers and distance isolation might explain the genetic structure and differentiation pattern within the M. pacifica s.s. species complex. All main groups and subgroups defined in this study should be considered as separate conservation units, and concerted efforts are needed to protect them.

A moisture-heat transfer and stress model of corn kernels based on multi-component heterogeneity was developed and verified to predict the stress cracking during hot-air drying. Simulated results showed that the moisture gradient and von Mises stress of each corn component simulated by the verified model increased first and then decreased, where the von Mises stress in the outer layer of corn kernels was larger than that in the inner layer. The maximum von Mises stress of each corn component increased with the increase of drying temperature and the decrease of relative humidity. The stress cracks were mainly formed in hard endosperm and soft endosperm, because the maximum von Mises stress of hard endosperm was larger than the yield stress of the two components, which were agreement with statistical results of stress cracks. Therefore, a drying operation with lower temperature and higher relative humidity is beneficial for inhibiting the stress cracking in corn kernels.

High-mountain plant communities are strongly determined by abiotic conditions, especially low temperature, and are therefore susceptible to effects of climate warming. Rising temperatures, however, also lead to increased evapotranspiration, which, together with projected shifts in seasonal precipitation patterns, could lead to prolonged, detrimental water deficiencies. The current study aims at comparing alpine plant communities along elevation and water availability gradients from humid conditions (north-eastern Alps) to a moderate (Central Apennines) and a pronounced dry period during summer (Lefka Ori, Crete) in the Mediterranean area. We do this in order to (1) detect relationships between community-based indices (plant functional leaf and growth traits, thermic vegetation indicator, plant life forms, vegetation cover and diversity) and soil temperature and snow duration and (2) assess if climatic changes have already affected the vegetation, by determining directional changes over time (14-year period; 2001-2015) in these indices in the three regions. Plant community indices responded to decreasing temperatures along the elevation gradient in the NE-Alps and the Apennines, but this elevation effect almost disappeared in the summer-dry mountains of Crete. This suggests a shift from low-temperature to drought-dominated ecological filters. Leaf trait (Leaf Dry Matter Content and Specific Leaf Area) responses changed in direction from the Alps to the Apennines, indicating that drought effects already become discernible at the northern margin of the Mediterranean. Over time, a slight increase in vegetation cover was found in all regions, but thermophilisation occurred only in the NE-Alps and Apennines, accompanied by a decline of cold-adapted cushion plants in the Alps. On Crete, xeromorphic shrubs were increasing in abundance. Although critical biodiversity losses have not yet been observed, an intensified monitoring of combined warming-drought impacts will be required in view of threatened alpine plants that are either locally restricted in the south or weakly adapted to drought in the north.

Tropisms are growth-based plant directional movements, allowing plants to respond to their living environments. Plant roots have developed various tropic responses, including gravitropism, hydrotropism, chemotropism, and halotropism, in response to the gravity, moisture gradient, nutrient gradient, and salinity gradient, respectively. Revealed mechanisms of several tropic responses suggested that plant hormone gradient and cell division activity play key roles in determining these responses. Approaches to measure cell division and hormone gradients, however, have rarely been applied in root tropic analyses. Here, we describe a number of methods to quantify cell division and hormone gradients during root tropic analysis. These approaches are mainly based on our previous researches on root hydrotropism.

Flatness of wood composite panels, such as Laminated Veneer Lumber, is often difficult to control during the manufacturing process. Out-of-plane deformation, or warpage, of wood veneers caused by changes in moisture content affects the ability to press flat panels. To understand wood panel warpage, experimental methods are developed to create and measure moisture-induced deformation of wood veneers on five species of various thicknesses. Three moisture induction methods are investigated and evaluated to determine the increase in moisture content. Experiments are developed to produce moisture gradients of two concentrations in the veneers to examine the effect on warpage behavior. Additionally, the surface area of applied moisture and veneer thickness is also investigated. Three-dimensional scanning technology is used to measure warpage of veneers. A procedure using a structured-light scanner is developed to analyze the surface curvatures to observe the effect of moisture-induced warpage. After moisture-induction treatment of the veneer, surface deformation data is measured using the scanner and the data is converted into a 3D solid body model that is used for curvature comb analysis. The results show that curvature comb analysis can be used to analyze the geometry of moisture-induce warpage. The method can be used to analyze the effect of moisture gradient variables on warpage behavior including concentration, veneer thickness, and surface area. The experimental methods developed can be used by future researchers to validate theoretical warpage prediction models. Master of Science Flatness of wood composite panels, such as Laminated Veneer Lumber, is often difficult to control during the manufacturing process. Warpage of wood veneers is caused by changes in moisture content affecting manufacturers' ability to press flat panels. To understand wood panel warpage, experimental methods are developed to create and measure moisture-induced warpage of wood veneers on five species of various thicknesses. Three moisture induction methods are investigated and evaluated to determine the increase in moisture content. Experiments are developed to produce moisture gradients of two concentrations in the veneers to examine the effect on warpage behavior. Additionally, the surface area of applied moisture and veneer thickness is also investigated. Three-dimensional scanning technology is used to measure warpage of veneers. A procedure is developed to analyze the surface curvatures to observe the effect of moisture-induced warpage. After moisture-induction treatment of the veneer, surface deformation data is measured and converted into a 3D solid body model that is used to analyze curvature. The results show that moisture induction methods used to induce warpage can experience different geometries to analyze a veneer's curvature. The methods can be used to analyze warpage behavior of veneers by future researchers to validate warpage prediction model.

Climate in high latitude environments is predicted to undergo a pronounced warming and increase in precipitation, which may influence the terrestrial moisture gradients that affect vegetation distribution. Vegetation cover can influence rates of greenhouse gas production through differences in microbial communities, plant carbon uptake potential, and root transport of gases out of the soil into the atmosphere. To predict future changes in greenhouse gas production from High Arctic ecosystems in response to climate change, it is important to understand the interaction between trace gas fluxes and vegetation cover. During the growing seasons of 2008 and 2009, we used dark static chambers to measure CH4 and N2O fluxes and CO2 emissions at Cape Bounty, Melville Island, NU, across a soil moisture gradient, as reflected by their vegetation cover. In both years, wet sedge had the highest rates of emission for all trace gases, followed by the mesic tundra ecosystem. CH4 consumption was highest in the polar semi-desert, correlating positively with temperature and negatively with moisture. Our findings demonstrate that net CH4 uptake may be largely underestimated across the Arctic due to sampling bias towards wetlands. Overall, greenhouse gas flux responses vary depending on different environmental drivers, and the role of vegetation cover needs to be considered in predicting the trajectory of greenhouse gas uptake and release in response to a changing climate.

The system for analyzing the hydrotropic curvature with a moisture gradient in wild-type Arabidopsis roots was modified. Optimal conditions were determined for detecting a hydrotropic curvature of 90° just after 4 h of stimulation. This system only requires 15 ml of a solution of K2CO3 with a density of 1.48 g·ml-1 to generate a rapid moisture gradient inside a square Petri dish without decreasing root growth. In this, the root growth rate observed in hydrostimulated wild-type and miz1 mutant, utilized as a negative control, increases sixfold compared with those roots examined using the former method.

House dust mites inhabit bed mattresses contaminating them with allergens. A strong temperature/moisture gradient exists in mattresses when it is used by humans daily. Here, we studied migration patterns of the mite Dermatophagoides farinae in continuous and time-discontinuous temperature gradients consisting of five sectors with 19–23, 23–28, 28–32, 32–36 and 36–41 °C, containing dye-labeled diets as an indicator of mite presence and feeding. The mites migrated through the sectors and fed on the labeled diets or stayed unfed. The numbers of mites with the same coloration in their guts and the numbers of unfed mites in the sectors were recorded. Unfed mites provided information on short-term temperature preferences. Apart from a control trial, two experiments were performed: (i) a constant 19–41 °C gradient for 24 h, and (ii) alternating cycles of the same temperature gradient (19–41 °C, 8 h) and room temperature (16 h) for 5 days to model the typical daily occupancy of bed by humans. In both experiments, fed mites preferred a sector with 32–36 °C, suggesting that in mattresses, house dust mites prefer to stay as close as possible to the resting human, thus maximizing allergen exposure. However, the number of unfed mites decreased with increased temperatures in the gradient. Experiment (ii) showed that the fed mites remained at the same optimal distance from the heat source, suggesting that they stay at the upper surface of the regularly used mattress, even when human was temporarily absent during the day. Unfed mites apparently hide deeper in mattresses as suggested by their avoidance of increased temperatures.

The key for implementation of sustainable development goals in land management is in multifunctional paradigm of landscape usage. A lot of scientific efforts were done since 1980s (e.g. Kiryushin, 2019) to develop a landscape-adaptive system which is in essence addressing1) spatial distribution of plant varieties and farm operations adapted to topographical and lithological landscape features 2) temporal tuning of crop phenology to regional and even local weather conditions. This system proved especially useful in increasing the yield and yet reducing pollution level in experimental settings. However, there were no boost of implementation in the country of origin-Russia- due to number of reasons, social and economical included. The rapid growth of carbon tax and carbon market provides a new window of opportunity for landscape adaptive agriculture, but only in case documented benefit for carbon sequestration could be shown. Here we present theoretical proof of concept based on integrated critical zone model, 1D-ICZ (Giannakis et al, 2017), that couples computational modules for soil organic matter dynamics, soil aggregation and structure dynamics, bioturbation, plant productivity and nutrient uptake, water flow, solute speciation and transport, and mineral weathering kinetics. The model was applied to study C sequestration soil function along the regional natural soil moisture and temperature gradient. Calibration was done for three soil types (Retisols, Phaeozems, Chernozems) of increasing moisture deficits representing the well-drained landscape shoulder positions with an automorphic regime and hydromorphic footslope positions. The scenario simulation included the change in relative frequency of weather condition with low and extremely low, but also high end extremely high precipitation (from IPCC set of climate models). The model explicitly couples water infiltration storage and supply to soil structure and pedotransfer functions varying with meteorological conditions. This interaction allowed to select the current soil configuration and usage or structural and biogeochemical change in each soil and each scenario that are presumably most beneficial for C sequestration. The role of climate variables was maximum for automorphic regime and decreased with the decreasing distance to ground water. The soil textural, structural, and chemical properties on opposite played the major role on footslope positions. Accordingly, optimal land management option that promote corresponding soil structure, organic matter input and soil climate is proposed and discussed in balance with other soil functions.

With widespread influence on global climate and weather extremes, the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) plays a crucial role in subseasonal prediction. Our latest global climate models (GCMs), however, have great difficulty in realistically simulating the MJO. This model inability is largely due to problems in representation of MJO’s cumulus organization. This study, based on a series of idealized aqua-planet model experiments using an atmospheric-only GCM, clearly demonstrates that MJO propagation is strongly modulated by the large-scale background state in which the lower-tropospheric mean moisture gradient and zonal winds are critical. Therefore, when tuning climate models to achieve improved MJO simulations, particular attention needs to be placed on the model large-scale mean state that is also significantly affected by cumulus parameterizations. This study indicates that model biases in representing MJO propagation may be related to the widely reported double-ITCZ (intertropical convergence zone) problem in climate models.

Plants colonize post-mining areas such as spoil heaps even without human interference, by spontaneous succession. Knowledge of this process, its direction and role in shaping the vegetation is desirable not only from an ecological point of view but also in the application of remediation techniques of such environmental burdens. The aim of our study was to analyse plant species composition and to describe a succession pattern at two mineralogically different spoil heaps near the city of Banska Bystrica (central Slovakia). Hierarchical cluster analysis was used in PC-ORD software to classify physiognomic vegetation types (PVT) at heaps and synoptic tables were generated in Juice software according to species percentage of frequency and their median cover. At the Hg-heap Veľka studňa we recorded a total of 335 taxa of vascular plants and 83 taxa of bryophytes within 21 identified PVT, which were grouped into 4 clusters (forest, wetland, grassland and ruderal cluster). A total of 111 taxa of vascular plants and 76 taxa of bryophytes were recorded at the Cu-heap Podlipa and here 9 PVT formed 3 clusters (initial, non-forest and forest cluster). At both heaps PVT, represented as individual successional stages, formed a distinct continuum along the moisture gradient (in dry and wet areas). We can consider both heaps as species-rich with different diagnostic and constant species and a development of various microhabitats. In addition, bryophytes greatly contribute to species composition and richness and their assamblages in initial stages of succession can be important towards the higher ones.

Arabidopsis roots sense the moisture gradient in soils and grow toward an area with higher water potential – a process called hydrotropism. Our previous study has shown that the apoplastic proton extrusion in root tips is influenced by brassinosteroids (BRs) receptor BR-INSENSITIVE1 (BRI1) and is crucial for hydrotropic response in Arabidopsis. Here we show that BRI1 interacts directly not only with Arabidopsis plasma membrane H+-ATPase 2 (AHA2) but also with Arabidopsis plasma membrane H+-ATPase 7 (AHA7). Therefore, BRI1 may affect hydrotropic response via regulating the activities of AHA2 and AHA7.

Dry fermented sausages that are packed under modified atmosphere are often affected by the formation of white crystals on the surface. These so called efflorescences are rejected by consumers and lead to high financial losses for the meat processing industry. In this study, the distribution of efflorescence-causing components was investigated over the sausage profile during 8 weeks of storage under modified atmosphere at 4 °C. In addition, two visual methods (image and sensory analyses) were compared regarding the ability to quantify the efflorescence content.; Results: The initial formation of efflorescences was observed after 2 weeks (7%). After 4 weeks of storage, 23.4% of the sausage surface was covered with efflorescences, and the amount of efflorescences did not change significantly by the end of storage. Furthermore, chemical analyses revealed that magnesium (increased by 98.1%), lactate (increased by 54.2%) and creatine (increased by 51.8%) are enriched on the sausage surface during storage.; Conclusion: Sensory and image analyses lead to comparable results (r = 0.992) and therefore both are suitable to quantify the amount of efflorescences. The moisture gradient in the interior of the sausages which is built upon drying is supposed to be the driving force for the movement of efflorescence-causing compounds. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.; © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Rapid/moderate/slow pressure reduction modes of vacuum cooling (VC) with pressure reduction rates ranging from 0.0043 to 0.0502 s-1 were developed. The effects of VC in different modes on the cooling efficiency and quality-related attributes of different edible parts of pakchoi including total and free water contents, colour differences, respiration rates, membrane stability and microstructures were investigated, and the cluster analysis (CA) was employed for visualizing and classifying the VC-induced quality variation. Results showed that the leaf and the petiole exhibited different temperature changes and vacuum tolerances, of which the adaxial epidermis of the leaf was more sensitive to VC, showing more severe cell damage due to the internal moisture gradient. The rapid pressure reduction mode (α1 = 0.0502 s-1) could predominately improve cooling efficiency and minimize the quality attenuation, while the moderate pressure reduction mode (α2 = 0.0184 s-1) contributed to better temperature uniformity and colour acceptance. Moreover, the result of CA further confirmed the above conclusions, suggesting that α1 and α2 endowed pakchoi with similar quality-related attributes to the fresh one. The current study proved that the slow pressure reduction mode should be avoided for uses in VC of leafy vegetables.

A northeast- to southwest-oriented surface dryline with a dew point gradient of 1 °C per 10 km develops along the eastern Indian coast during the entire premonsoon season. Deep, hot, dry air of up to 500 hPa moves from arid regions in Southwest Asia and Western India to the Bay of Bengal (BoB), and warm, shallow, moist air from the BoB penetrates below the dry air, forming an inclined moisture gradient aloft to the east and reaching the surface to the west. The slope of the gradient depends on the vertically increased southwesterly wind over the BoB, which gradually intensifies from March to May. Diurnal low-level temperature variations over the land cause periodic movements of the dry-moist air convergence zone at the surface in the zonal direction. During the premonsoon, the average east–west diurnal oscillation of the surface dryline is approximately 100 km, and the eastward movement is almost three times faster than the westward movement.

Trees at upper treelines are exposed to more extreme environmental conditions than those at lower elevations. Climate changes at the upper treeline facilitate the establishment or intensify the mortality of trees and, consequently, affect species distributions. The structure and density of individuals of Nothofagus pumilio above the upper treeline, together with their temporal patterns of establishment, were determined in three sites located along a west-east precipitation gradient across the Patagonian Andes. Patterns of tree establishment were compared to regional variations in temperature and precipitation, as well as to indexes of atmospheric circulation that modulate northern Patagonian climate. Mesic and dry sites along the moisture gradient have a lower density of newly established trees; however, individuals show larger basal diameters and greater annual growth rates, heights, and number of branches than those established in humid sites. In wet areas, the high density of individuals reflects the higher rates of N. pumilio establishment and survival. At drier treelines, low snow persistence, associated with longer growing seasons, appears to be related to the larger size of individuals. At all sites, patterns of tree establishment are characterized by an abrupt increase in recruitment starting in the mid-1970s and a marked decrease in the late 1990s. The onset of tree establishment above the treeline coincides with an increase in regional spring-summer temperature in the year 1977, concurrent with the negative-to-positive shift in the phase of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). In contrast, the decrease in N. pumilio establishment since the late 1990s coincides with an opposite shift (positive to negative) in the PDO. This recent change in the PDO phase did not significantly modify the mean values but increased the interannual variability of the spring-summer temperatures in the region. Changes in the PDO, which encompasses complex variations in environmental conditions at the upper treeline, are more closely related to N. pumilio establishment than are variations in temperature or precipitation alone. In addition, the distinction between the effects of changes in mean values versus the effects of climate variability is crucial for properly predicting forest responses to climate changes. Fil: Srur, Ana Marina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales; Argentina Fil: Villalba, Ricardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales; Argentina Fil: Rodriguez Catón, Milagros Rocío. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales; Argentina Fil: Amoroso, Mariano Martin. Universidad Nacional de Rio Negro. Sede Andina; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Marcotti, Eugenia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales; Argentina

The soil bacterial community at the Giessen free-air CO2 enrichment (Gi-FACE) experiment was analysed by tag-sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. No substantial effects of CO2 levels on bacterial community composition were detected. However, the soil moisture gradient at Gi-FACE had a significant effect on bacterial community composition. Different groups within the Acidobacteria and Verrucomicrobia phyla were affected differently by soil moisture content. These results suggest that modest increases in atmospheric CO2 may cause only minor changes in soil bacterial community composition and indicate that the functional responses of the soil community to CO2 enrichment previously reported at Gi-FACE are due to other factors other than changes in bacterial community composition. These results suggest that modest increases in atmospheric CO2 may cause only minor changes in soil bacterial community composition and indicate that the soil functional responses to CO2 enrichment previously reported at Gi-FACE are due to factors other than changes in bacterial community composition. The effects of the moisture gradient revealed new information about the relationships between poorly known Acidobacteria and Verrucomicrobia and soil moisture content. This study contrasts with the relatively small number of other temperate grassland FACE microbiome studies in the use of moderate CO2 enrichment and the resulting minor changes in the soil microbiome. Thus, it will facilitate the development of further climate change mitigation studies. In addition, the moisture gradient found at Gi-FACE contributes new to knowledge in soil microbial ecology, particularly regarding the abundance and moisture relationships of the soil Verrucomicrobia.

Drought is a key factor affecting forest ecosystem processes at different spatio-temporal scales. For accurately modeling tree functioning – and thus for producing reliable simulations of forest dynamics – the consideration of the variability in the timing and extent of drought effects on tree growth is essential, particularly in strongly seasonal climates such as in the Mediterranean area. Yet, most dynamic vegetation models (DVMs) do not include this intra-annual variability of drought effects on tree growth. We present a novel approach for linking tree-ring data to drought simulations in DVMs. A modified forward model of tree-ring width (VS-Lite) was used to estimate seasonal- and site-specific growth responses to drought of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), which were subsequently implemented in the DVM ForClim. Ring-width data from sixteen sites along a moisture gradient from Central Spain to the Swiss Alps, including the dry inner Alpine valleys, were used to calibrate the forward ring-width model, and inventory data from managed Scots pine stands were used to evaluate ForClim performance. The modified VS-Lite accurately estimated the year-to-year variability in ring-width indices and produced realistic intra-annual growth responses to soil drought, showing a stronger relationship between growth and drought in spring than in the other seasons and thus capturing the strategy of Scots pine to cope with drought. The ForClim version including seasonal variability in growth responses to drought showed improved predictions of stand basal area and stem number, indicating the need to consider intra-annual differences in climate–growth relationships in DVMs when simulating forest dynamics. Forward modeling of ring-width growth may be a powerful tool to calibrate growth functions in DVMs that aim to simulate forest properties in across multiple environments at large spatial scales.

We describe a new pollen and Sea Surface Temperature (SST) record with sub-centennial to centennial resolution from a well-dated sediment core (D13882) obtained from the Atlantic margin of the southwest Iberian Peninsula. The core provides new insights into the dynamics of five ecological pollen-based groups (temperate forests, Mediterranean forests, pinewoods, heathlands and steppe) since the Late Pleistocene (last 13,260 cal yr BP). The record shows that the Early Holocene was marked by an increase of temperate and Mediterranean taxa, accompanied by a reduction of steppic plants, reflecting warm and relatively moist conditions when compared with the previous Younger Dryas episode. The timing of this Temperate and Mediterranean Forest (TMF) maximum which reflects optimum conditions of temperature and precipitation is regionally specific, as detected through a comparison of three marine cores across the Iberian Peninsula. Maximum TMF development occurs between 9760 and 7360 cal yr BP in D13882 whereas at a site to the northwest (MD03-2697), the maximum occurs some centuries earlier, and at a southeast site (MD95-2043), the maximum is evident later. The duration of the forest maximum is also progressively longer from northwest to southwest to southeast. A transition from forested ecosystems to heathland over western Iberia characterises the Middle Holocene, starting from around 7360 cal yr BP in D13882, suggesting reduced seasonality and a more Atlantic climate character with more moisture evenly available through the year. This contrasts with the aridity recorded in southeast Iberian sites and reflects a stable precipitation gradient between the wetter west and drier east of the Iberian Peninsula. Against this backdrop, pinewoods had a continuous presence, albeit with a trend of steady decline through the Holocene. The time-transgressive pattern in the TMF maximum is best explained by a less favourable moisture balance in the drier southeast sector, which was particularly important during the Early Holocene. Despite the relatively short duration of the Holocene interglacial (one half precession cycle), our observations support a key role for orbital forcing in the temporal expression of major vegetation groups, specifically the decline in summer insolation and the precession-related passage of perihelion season from summer to winter.

Mapping heathland habitats is generally challenging due to fine-scale habitats as well as spectral ambiguities between different classes. A multi-seasonal time-series of multispectral RapidEye data from several phenological stages was analysed towards the classification of different vegetation communities. A 3-level hierarchical dependent classification using Import Vector Machines was tested, based on the assumption that a probabilistic output per class would help the mapping. The first level of the hierarchical classification was related to the moisture gradient, which was derived from Ellenberg’s moisture indicative value. The second level aimed to separate plant alliances; the third level differentiated individual plant associations. For the final integration of the three classification levels, two approaches were implemented: (i) the F1-score and (ii) the maximum classification probability. The overall classification accuracies of both methods were found to be similar, around 0.7. Nevertheless, based on our expert knowledge we found the probabilistic approach to provide a more realistic picture and to be more practical compared to the result using the F1-score from the management point of view. In addition, the overall performance of the maximum probabilistic approach is better in the sense that the same accuracy of 0.7 was achieved with a differentiation of 33 classes instead of only 13 classes for the F1-score, meaning that the method is able to separate more spectral classes at a more detailed level providing the same accuracy.

This study explored the relative roles of climate and phylogenetic background in driving morphometric trait variation in 10 spruce taxa in China. The study further addressed the hypothesis that these variations are consistent with species turnover on climatic gradients. Nine morphometric traits of leaves, seed cones, and seeds for the 10 studied spruce taxa were measured at 504 sites. These data were analyzed in combination with species DNA sequences from NCBI GenBank. We detected the effects of phylogeny and climate through trait‐variation‐based K statistics and phylogenetic eigenvector regression (PVR) analyses. Multivariate analyses were performed to detect trait variation along climatic gradients with species replacement. The estimated K‐values for the nine studied morphometric traits ranged from 0.19 to 0.68, and the studied environmental variables explained 39–83% of the total trait variation. Trait variation tended to be determined largely by a temperature gradient varying from wet‐cool climates to dry‐warm summers and, additionally, by a moisture gradient. As the climate became wetter and cooler, spruce species tended to be replaced by other spruces with smaller needle leaves and seeds but larger cones and seed scales. A regression analysis showed that spruce species tended to be successively replaced by other species, along the gradient, although the trends observed within species were not necessarily consistent with the overall trend. The climatically driven replacement of the spruces in question could be well indicated by the between‐species variation in morphometric traits that carry lower phylogenetic signal. Between‐species variation in these traits is driven primarily by climatic factors. These species demonstrate a narrower ecological amplitude in temperature but wider ranges on the moisture gradient.

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1980509819621A indústria nacional comumente seca diferentes espécies de eucalipto em uma mesma carga de secagem convencional, seja pela dificuldade de identificação das espécies, híbridos e clones, seja para melhor utilizar o equipamento. No entanto, essa prática não é recomendada na literatura específica. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a qualidade da secagem convencional conjunta da madeira de Eucalyptus saligna, Eucalyptus grandis e Eucalyptus dunnii oriundas de plantios clonais. Para tal, foi realizada a secagem de três cargas com as três espécies conjuntamente em uma câmara-piloto de secagem convencional. Os parâmetros utilizados para analisar-se a qualidade da secagem foram: umidade final, rachaduras de topo, rachaduras de superfície, encanoamento, colapso, gradiente de umidade e tensões de secagem. Eucalyptus grandis apresentou a melhor qualidade de secagem, seguido pelo Eucalyptus saligna, e ambas as espécies possuem potencial para serem secas conjuntamente. Eucalyptus dunnii apresentou baixa qualidade de secagem, esta espécie não deve ser seca conjuntamente com Eucalyptus grandis e Eucalyptus saligna. A densidade básica e a retratibilidade foram bons parâmetros para a expectativa de qualidade da secagem de Eucalyptus, em que espécies menos densas e mais estáveis dimensionalmente apresentaram melhor qualidade de secagem. O programa de secagem utilizado deve ser modificado para secagens futuras dessas espécies, especialmente no tocante aos períodos de uniformização e condicionamento, que foram considerados insuficientes.

Differences in simulations of tropical marine low-cloud cover (LCC) feedback are sources of significant spread in temperature responses of climate models to anthropogenic forcing. Here we show that in models the feedback is mainly driven by three large-scale changes—a strengthening tropical inversion, increasing surface latent heat flux, and an increasing vertical moisture gradient. Variations in the LCC response to these changes alone account for most of the spread in model-projected 21st century LCC changes. A methodology is devised to constrain the LCC response observationally using sea surface temperature (SST) as a surrogate for the latent heat flux and moisture gradient. In models where the current climate's LCC sensitivities to inversion strength and SST variations are consistent with observed, LCC decreases systematically, which would increase absorption of solar radiation. These results support a positive LCC feedback. Correcting biases in the sensitivities will be an important step toward more credible simulation of cloud feedbacks.

A study of stress distribution inside a germinated brown rice (GBR) kernel during drying is important to understand the fissure formation of GBR and hence control the drying process in order to imp...

It is important to develop drying technologies for Eucalyptus grandis lumber, which is one of the most planted species of this genus in Brazil and plays an important role as raw material for the wood industry. The general aim of this work was to assess the conventional kiln drying of juvenile wood of three clones of Eucalyptus grandis. The specific aims were to compare the behavior between: i) drying defects indicated by tests with wood specimens and conventional kiln-dried boards; and ii) physical properties and the drying quality. Five 11-year-old trees of each clone were felled, and only flatsawn boards of the first log were used. Basic density and total shrinkage were determined, and the drying test with wood specimens at 100 °C was carried out. Kiln drying of boards was performed, and initial and final moisture content, moisture gradient in thickness, drying stresses and drying defects were assessed. The defect scoring method was used to verify the behavior between the defects detected by specimen testing and the defects detected in kiln-dried boards. As main results, the drying schedule was too severe for the wood, resulting in a high level of boards with defects. The behavior between the defects in the drying test with specimens and the defects of kiln-dried boards was different, there was no correspondence, according to the defect scoring method. É importante desenvolver tecnologias de secagem para a madeira de Eucalyptus grandis, que é uma das espécies mais plantadas do gênero no Brasil e desempenha papel significativo no abastecimento da indústria madeireira nacional. O objetivo geral deste trabalho foi avaliar a secagem convencional da madeira de três clones de Eucalyptus grandis. Os objetivos específicos foram comparar os comportamentos entre: i) os defeitos do ensaio de secagem de amostras de pequenas dimensões com os defeitos da secagem convencional de tábuas em câmara; e ii) as propriedades físicas e a qualidade da secagem. Foram coletadas cinco árvores de 11 anos de cada um dos clones de Eucalyptus grandis, utilizando-se apenas tábuas tangenciais da primeira tora. Foram determinadas a densidade básica e a contração total da madeira, bem como foi realizado o ensaio de secagem de amostras de pequenas dimensões a 100 °C. Procedeu-se à secagem convencional em câmarapiloto, em que foram avaliados as umidades inicial e final, o gradiente de umidade na espessura, as tensões residuais e os defeitos de secagem. Utilizou-se a metodologia de escore de defeitos para comparar o comportamento entre os defeitos do ensaio de amostras de pequenas dimensões e aqueles da secagem convencional. Destaca-se que o programa de secagem utilizado foi muito severo para a madeira analisada, resultando em grande quantidade de tábuas com defeitos. O comportamento entre os defeitos do ensaio de amostras de pequenas dimensões e os defeitos de tábuas na secagem convencional foi diferente, não havendo correspondência.

In a study of geobotanical releves of xeric meadows and steppes of the Southern Urals, ecological groups of plants are differentiated on the basis of their reaction to the moisture factor. An analysis of species activity index along the moisture gradient allows us to identify plant species that are diagnostic for zonal types of steppes: meadow steppes (order Festucetalia valesiacae) and typical bunchgrass steppe (order Helictotricho-Stipetalia). Most plants have similar activity indexes both on the West Siberian plain and in the Southern Urals. The regional differences were caused by geographic peculiarities of the habitats, namely petrophytic species are common in Southern Ural mountain landscapes and halophytic and sand species are common on the West Siberian plain.

In order to learn the reaction and adaptability to water stress of Sedum yvesii, the changes in physiology of leaf water saturation deficit (RWD), plasma membrane relative permeability, chlorophyll content and fluorescence parameters were studied in different moisture gradient of water stress. The results showed that: after 20 days for submergence stress, it had an effect on the normal growth of Sedum yvesii; after 30 days for severe drought stress and 10 days for extreme drought stress, it can severely inhibit the growth of Sedum yvesii, even lead to death, which embodied in the dramatic decline of chlorophyll content, Fv /Fm, Fv'/Fm', ETR and the increase of RWD, relative electrical conductivity. The indicators of slight drought stress and moderate drought stress group have little differences with the control group. They did not cause a significant effect on the growth of Sedum yvesii, indicating that Sedum yvesii has a strong ability to these two kinds of water stress gradient.

This study examined the effect of the soil moisture gradient on tree growth response to prescribed fire and thinning in oak-dominated forests of Ohio. Six hundred and ninety-six increment cores (348 trees, five species) were collected from eighty 0.1 ha plots distributed across four treatments (control, thin, burn, thin + burn) in two sites. Ring widths were converted to basal area increments (BAIs). A water balance approach based on geographic information systems (GIS) was used to assess the potential evapotranspiration (PET) and moisture deficit for each tree, along with a long-term integrated moisture index, also based on GIS. The moisture gradients varied considerably across the landscape, with the highest PET and moisture deficit on ridges and south-facing slopes. This variation influenced the BAI of the studied species, but more strongly in the control stands than in the managed stands, where treatment effects became the main drivers of growth. Oaks exhibited greater BAI on sites with intermediate moisture demand or stress, whereas the non-oaks had greater BAI on more mesic sites. Moisture deficit and PET also interacted to influence BAI of yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.) and white oak (Quercus alba L.), particularly in the control. These results demonstrate the strong regulatory effect of the topographically controlled soil moisture gradient on tree growth in mixed-oak (Quercus spp.) forests, which can be explored to better understand community response to prescribed fire and thinning treatments.

The article presents the results of the study of drying and shrinkage of three compositions of cement paste different in the content of microsilica and superplasticiser within the range of variation typical for 3D printable concrete compositions. Plate samples kept in the environment with RH = 20, 30, 50, 70 % were used to simulate different drying conditions of material in thin layers of 3D printing structures. Rates of mass loss and shrinkage of hardened cement paste are compared with criterial parameters of their structure. It is shown that increased dosage of microsilica and superplasticiser ensures the reduction of total volume of pores, increase of the content of nanopores, while simultaneously the area and energy activity of solid phase surface increases. These factors secure the ability of cement paste to better retain the water in the structure under all drying conditions. As a result, reduction of absolute values of mass loss by 3 - 4 times and shrinkage by 2 times in comparison with reference system is ensured for cement paste with maximally dense structure. At the same time, there is a twofold increase of relative deformability on each percent of mass loss, which may lead to significant tension in 3D printing structures due to moisture gradient.

A study was conducted to optimize the kiln drying of 50 mm thick rubberwood boards using a combination of superheated steam and hot air. The results revealed that initial application of saturated steam at 100 °C, followed by a period of superheated steam application at 110 °C and finally drying in hot air at 65 °C as in the conventional kiln drying, gave the best result in terms of minimizing drying defects and also shortening the drying time.

본 연구에서 국산 낙엽송재의 공학목재로의 이용가능성, 특히 교호집성재 라미나로서의 이용가능성을 확인하기 위하여 열기건조 중과 건조 후 판재 내 잔류응력을 분석하였다. 연구결과를 통해 이쿼라이징 처리에 의한 함수율 동일화 효과가 증명되었고, 컨디셔닝 처리에 의한 잔류응력의 감소효과가 정량화되었다. 건조 중 목재 내 잔류응력 분석을 위하여 프롱법과 슬라이스법을 실시하였다. 프롱 제작 후 표면경화율을 측정하였고, 슬라이스의 절단 후 탄성변형량을 기준으로 표면으로부터 약 10 mm 깊이까지의 건조응력을 정량적으로 분석하였다. T10-C4와 T12-D5 열기건조 스케줄 적용 시 열기건조 중 판재 표면의 인장응력과 압축응력은 모두 2.2 MPa을 넘지 않음을 확인하였다. 낙엽송의 횡단방향 인장강도와 압축강도가 평균 2.65 MPa, 4.60 MPa인 점을 고려하면, 더욱 강한 건조스케줄 적용이 추천된다. 건조 후처리에 의해 폭굽음과 비틀림을 약 40% 줄일 수 있었다. 【The objective of this study was to analyse the residual stress in Larix kaempferi board during and after kiln-drying. The boards were primarily intended for using as laminar of cross laminated timber (CLT). In this study, the equivalence of moisture content by equalizing treatment was proved and reduction of residual stress by conditioning treatment was quantified. Prong test and slice test were carried out to analyse the residual stress in wood during drying. Transverse casehardening was measured immediately after making prong sample. Residual stress of four parts in wood from surface to center was analyzed quantitatively based on elastic deformation after just cutting slices from board. Tensile stress and compressive stress on the surface of board during drying did not exceed 2.2 MPa when boards were dried by kiln-drying schedule of T10-C4 and T12-D5. Because the tensile strength and compressive strength of transverse direction of Larix kaempferi lumber are 2.65 MPa and 4.60 MPa, application of more severe drying schedule can be recommended. Cup and twist were reduced by about 40% by equalizing and conditioning treatments after drying.】

This paper presents the results of investigations of the moisture and temperature distribution in drying by the conduction method, by means of a radio-frequency electromagnetic field, and by the combined method of heating at a low pressure. The rate of drying by the combined heating method is twice higher than in conduction heating and 1.5 times higher than in radio-frequency heating at the same energy input to the wood. The finite moisture content of the wood in drying by the combined method is much lower than in drying by the other methods, and the moisture gradient in the thickness of the specimen does not exceed 5%. On the basis of the results of investigations a pilotproduction vacuum drier with a loading volume of 1 m3 has been created.

A b s t r a c t. The influence of drying and tempering conditions on head rice yield of long- and medium-grain rough rice varieties was investigated. The head rice yield values for the medium-grain variety at high drying conditions and 1.5 and 3% points moisture content removal were even significantly higher than the corresponding values for the long-grain variety at low drying conditions. 1.5% points moisture content removal yielded the least damage to the rough rice. Under low drying conditions, tempering had no meaningful effect on head rice yield for all drying durations. For both varieties, using high drying conditions with 6% points moisture content removal at first drying stage associated with 120 min tempering duration could be suggested as a rapid and energysaving operation to achieve high head rice yield values. K e y w o r d s: glass transition, grain drying, milling, moisture gradient, rice, tempering

To test the hypothesis that Mexican pinyons (Pinus cembroides) and Johannis pines (P. johannis) grow under different environmental conditions, the flora associated with both species was sampled along two 20-m perpendicular transects at 40 sites. Patterns were analyzed with the two-way-indicator-species program, which yielded six groups with Mexican pinyons dominating xeric sites and Johannis pines dominating mesic sites. Other groups of species corresponded to transition from mesic to xeric sites. We used canonical-correspondence analysis to explore the effect of slope and aspect on species and indirectly related them to an underlying moisture gradient. The first ordination axis indicated that aspect explained 59% of the variation, and the second axis, representing slope, explained 41%.

This paper presents the results of analyzing the infl uence of suggested regimes of chamber drying of beech lumber with the thickness h = 40 mm, h = 60 mm and h = 80 mm from the initial moisture content W p = 70 % to the fi nal moisture content W k = 8 %. The regimes ensure the preservation of the natural color of the wood. The study results show that the drying of beech lumber according to the suggested regimes causes no changes in the chromophoric compounds of the wood and the beech lumber preserves its original white-yellow color. Quality parameters of the dried lumber, such as: difference between the average fi nal moisture content and the required fi nal moisture content, and the range of the fi nal moisture and moisture gradient in dried beech lumber, classify this dried lumber into the fi rst quality class. The suggested regimes for drying beech lumber using hot air in the temperature range t s = 37 ÷ 65 °C has a negative impact on the duration of the drying process. In comparison with the regimes of beech lumber drying according to ON 49 0651, carried out at temperatures t = 60 ÷ 80 °C, the duration of drying beech lumber with the thickness h = 40 mm according to the suggested regime is 1.9 times longer, the duration of drying beech lumber with the thickness h = 60 mm is 2.3 times longer and the duration of drying beech lumber with the thickness h = 80 mm is 2.9 times longer. The specifi c heat energy consumption of beech lumber with the initial moisture content W p = 70 % to the fi nal moisture content W k = 8 % in a chamber type KWC 121, according to the suggested regimes, is equals to Q TZN = 514.46 kWh⋅m -3 for the thickness h = 40 mm, Q TZN = 557.62 kWh⋅m -3 for lumber with the thickness h = 60 mm, and Q TZN = 643.16 kWh⋅m -3 for lumber with the thickness h = 80 mm. The specifi c heat energy consumption needed for the drying of 1 m 3 of beech lumber with the thickness h = 60 mm according to the suggested regime is by 26.89% higher than the specifi c heat energy consumption used to dry beech lumber of the same thickness according to the regime of beech lumber drying by Vzduchotechnika a.s. which does not preserve the natural color of the wood.

A new tree-ring reconstruction of the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) for Mesoamerica from AD 771 to 2008 identifies megadroughts more severe and sustained than any witnessed during the twentieth century. Correlation analyses indicate strong forcing of instrumental and reconstructed June PDSI over Mesoamerica from the El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Spectral analyses of the 1,238-year reconstruction indicate significant concentrations of variance at ENSO, sub-decadal, bi-decadal, and multidecadal timescales. Instrumental and model-based analyses indicate that the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation is important to warm season climate variability over Mexico. Ocean-atmospheric variability in the Atlantic is not strongly correlated with the June PDSI reconstruction during the instrumental era, but may be responsible for the strong multidecadal variance detected in the reconstruction episodically over the past millennium. June drought indices in Mesoamerica are negatively correlated with gridded June PDSI over the United States from 1950 to 2005, based on both instrumental and reconstructed data. Interannual variability in this latitudinal moisture gradient is due in part to ENSO forcing, where warm events favor wet June PDSI conditions over the southern US and northern Mexico, but dryness over central and southern Mexico (Mesoamerica). Strong anti-phasing between multidecadal regimes of tree-ring reconstructed June PDSI over Mesoamerica and reconstructed summer (JJA) PDSI over the Southwest has also been detected episodically over the past millennium, including the 1950–1960s when La Nina and warm Atlantic SSTs prevailed, and the 1980–1990s when El Nino and cold Atlantic SSTs prevailed. Several Mesoamerican megadroughts are reconstructed when wetness prevailed over the Southwest, including the early tenth century Terminal Classic Drought, implicating El Nino and Atlantic SSTs in this intense and widespread drought that may have contributed to social changes in ancient Mexico.

Durability of concrete can be improved by applying surface treatments. Pore-lining treatments prevent or delay the ingress of water-borne salts while allowing vapour transfer across the concrete surface. The most common pore-liners are silanes and siloxanes; both reported to give good results. One area of concern, however, is variability in effectiveness of the treatment. This variability may be due to inconsistent coverage or extreme drying conditions. With care these can be controlled but another source of variability which is difficult to control is the moisture profile within the concrete at the time of application of the treatment. This paper describes a test programme to assess the sensitivity of three different surface treatments to moisture gradient in the concrete at the time of application of treatment. The test programme included durability parameters such as chloride ingress, corrosion due to chloride ingress, freeze–thaw salt scaling resistance. Water absorption (sorptivity) of treated and untreated concretes was also measured with a non-distructive test technique called Autoclam with the aim of determining if the Autoclam sorptivity test can be used to assess the effectiveness of surface treatments. Using these results it is possible to avoid, or allow for, moisture conditions which would adversely affect the success of a pore-liner. However there are advantages in specifying an expected performance of the surface treatment rather than specifying the conditions in which it must be placed. By this method a treatment would have to achieve a specified value of sorptivity or a specified reduction in sorptivity. Failure to do so would be an objective basis on which to make a decision of whether or not to reject the treatment. The Autoclam is a device capable of measuring sorptivity values down to the range typical of surface treated concrete. The paper assesses if the device can be used to discriminate between acceptable treatment and unsatisfactory treatments.

The incidence of open crack formation in short-grain polished rice during soaking in water at different temperatures was investigated. Rice with a moisture content of 10.4% (wet basis) was soaked in distilled water for 90 min at 15 °C, 25 °C or 35 °C, and the rate of open crack formation and the moisture content of the rice during soaking were measured. Results show that the rate of open crack formation increased with decreasing the soaking temperature. A model based on the relationship between the tensile stress calculated from the moisture gradient in a rice grain and the tensile strength calculated from the average moisture content of a rice grain provided a reliable qualitative estimate of the difference in the rate of open crack formation at different temperatures. It can be concluded that water diffusion into rice grains should be accelerated to prevent the formation of open cracks.

This paper reviews current methodologies for measuring the moisture content of straw bale walls in buildings. It discusses the development of an affordable and accurate moisture probe that has been designed to be easily assembled by the builder or owner of a straw bale building from items readily available in the United Kingdom (UK). The probe uses a timber block inserted into the wall, relying upon the measurable moisture variances of the timber and relating this to the surrounding straw. The probes are designed to be used in pairs of varying length, taking measurements at different depths to give an estimate of the moisture gradient through the wall. In order to properly calibrate this device, a full set of sorption and desorption isotherms were established for both Oat and Wheat straw and three different timber species. The results from an environmental chamber have been compared to readings from specimens of the new probe installed in a straw bale house in the south west of the UK. The results were found to be consistent, to within 2%, with the laboratory findings.

International audience; The aim of this paper is to point out the water driving effect on the alkali silica reaction (ASR) expansion and particularly when modifications of moisture conditions occur After being submitted to a unidirectional moisture gradient during 14 months, the upper faces of ASR reactive beams were covered by water for 9 months This late water supply on the upper face rapidly produced large expansions, which mainly occurred along the transverse and the vertical directions resulting in large longitudinal cracks Companion nonreactive specimens were kept in the same environmental conditions in order to quantify the basic characteristics of moisture-dependent expansive behaviour of the material. The paper focuses on the effects of late water supply or late drying on already ASR-damaged concrete, which is a significant concern for reallife structures. Both structural effects of late water supply on ASR progress in already damaged structures and interpretation of such phenomena are described (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved