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Introduction: Retronychia is a unique type of nail ingrowth that has been described by De Berker and Renall in 1999. We present a case that was diagnosed and treated involving a multidisciplinary team consisting of dermatologist, radiologist, and a general surgeon. Furthermore, recurrence of such condition was prevented by patient education and empowerment. Case presentation: This is a young female who presented with two months history of right great toe pain and discharge. Antibiotic alone was prescribed but did not show improvement. She previously underwent left side nail avulsion for a similar complaint. In examination, she had tender hallux valgus of the right big toe, associated with turbid discharge from the nail bed. We confirmed the diagnosis of retronychia using ultrasound and treated the condition with nail avulsion. However, she had signs of recurrence during follow up, and we advised her to raise the distal end of the nail manually using a local anesthetic which was successful. Discussion: This unique condition needs timely diagnosis to choose the proper treatment. Treatment depends on the stage, and starts with topical steroids and eventually might end with nail avulsion. Recurrence is uncommon, unlike our case. We hypothesized that early lifting of the distal end of the nail can prevent full recurrence. This maneuver proved to be effective in our case and there was no recurrence. Conclusion: Retronychia is a new term that shares treatment with other nail disorders. Patient education and empowerment is crucial in the treatment. Further studies in that matter are needed.

Background Although endobiliary radiofrequency ablation (RFA) may be an option for the treatment of ingrowth occlusion after self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) deployment, its utility remains uncertain. This study aimed to clarify its utility and safety using bovine liver.Methods A prototype multifunctional RFA catheter and conventional uncovered SEMS were employed in this experimental study. We devised three model types: the ingrowth-ablation, ingrowth-ablation with stent-wire contact (created such that the electrodes were in contact with the metal stent-wire), and standard-ablation models (control). The study outcome was the ablation depth associated with RFA, which was compared among the three models.Results Thirty-six ablation procedures were conducted (12 for each of the 3 models). In the unipolar mode, the median ablation depth with the stent-wire contact model (1.0 mm) was significantly lower than that of the ingrowth-ablation (2.0 mm, p = 0.005) and standard-ablation models (2.3 mm, p = 0.004). There was no significant difference between the ingrowth-ablation and standard-ablation models (p = 0.563). In the bipolar mode, the median ablation depth with the stent-wire contact model (1.0 mm) was also significantly lower than that of the ingrowth-ablation (2.1 mm, p = 0.008) and standard-ablation models (2.0 mm, p = 0.011), and there was no significant difference between the ingrowth-ablation and standard-ablation models (p = 0.807). Scorching around the stent-wire was not observed in any specimen.Conclusions In this ex vivo study, endobiliary RFA for ingrowth occlusion can be considered a useful modality, but the ablation effect is diminished when the electrode comes into contact with the stent-wire.

Primary total hip arthroplasty with cementless stems has numerous advantages over cemented total hip arthroplasty in patients with good bone quality. To enhance osseointegration with ingrowth into the implant, various surface treatments have been proposed. Multiple biomechanical studies in animals have shown that bioactive coatings enhance osseointegration and increase construct stability. Bony ingrowth in humans can only be assessed in rare instances of periprosthetic femoral fractures. In this case report, we describe the findings after a periprosthetic fracture mandating stem exchange in a patient who experienced a fall 8 weeks after implantation. The retrieved proximal Bonit (DOT GmbH, Rostock, Germany) coated stem showed substantial macroscopically visible trabecular bone. This finding supports results from animal studies that showed enhanced metaphyseal bone ingrowth with Bonit coating of implants.

In early 2000s, long-distance wind dispersal of mountain pine beetle (MPB; Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) resulted in massive outbreaks in the northern Rocky Mountains, Alberta, Canada, outside of the beetle's natural range. We analyzed data from permanent plots measured for up to 15 years after MPB outbreaks in fire-origin, mature lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia Engelm.)-dominated stands scattered over an area of ∼ 75,000 km2. We evaluated stand level stocking, regeneration, and ingrowth of three species groups (pine, shade-tolerant conifers, and broadleaves) in stands where > 50 % of pine basal area was killed. Using multiple linear regression analysis, we examined the relationship between stand and climatic covariates and basal area growth, density of regeneration, and ingrowth into the sapling size class at 9–15 years post-outbreak. Results showed that total live basal area for all species combined in trees with height ≥ 1.3 m occupies on average < 50 % of the pre-MPB levels and is unchanged between both post-MPB measurements at 19.5 m2 ha−1. Ongoing pine mortality led to negative net growth, which exceeded the positive net growth in other conifers and resulted in zero net change for the whole stand. Post-MPB ingrowth and regeneration rates were close to zero for pine but increased slightly in other conifers and broadleaf species. Regression analysis revealed a negative relation between post-MPB growth and quadratic mean diameter of the reconstructed pre-MPB total basal area, while initial basal area and composition post-MPB varied among species. Our findings support the hypothesis that, post-MPB, mature pine dominated stands stagnate due to ongoing pine mortality, the maturity of remnant overstory, and a lack of adequate understory and regeneration that can accumulate sufficient growth at short-to mid-term post-outbreak. Our conclusions contrast other research, suggesting that outbreaks leave degraded residual stands with declining pine overstory and that transition to vigorous productive mixed stands is impossible in the absence of stand-replacing disturbance or silvicultural investment. • Total live basal area remained unchanged post-attack at less than 50 % of pre-attack. • For all species together total net growth after MPB is zero to slightly negative. • Growth reflects the stagnation of these mature stands in terms of timber production. • Pine regeneration lacking and that of other species highly variable after attack. • Weak relation between post-MPB growth and stand structure and composition variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis of forest management strategies at landscape and regional levels forms a vital part of finding viable directions that will satisfy the many services expected of forests. This article describes the structure and content of a stand simulator, GAYA, which has been adapted to Swedish conditions. The main advantage of the GAYA implementation compared to other resources is that it generates a large number of management programmes within a limited time frame. This is valuable in cases where the management programmes appear as activities in linear programming (LP) problems. Two methods that are engaged in the projections, a climate change response function and a soil carbon model, are designed to complement other methods, offering transparency and computational effectiveness. GAYA is benchmarked against projections from the Heureka system for a large set of National Forest Inventory (NFI) plots. The long-term increment for the entire NFI set is smaller for GAYA compared with Heureka, which can be attributed to different approaches for modelling the establishment of new forests. The carbon pool belonging to living trees shows the same trend when correlated to standing volume. The soil carbon pool of GAYA increases with increased standing volume, while Heureka maintains the same amount over the 100-year projection period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Korean white pine (Pinus koraiensis) is a major commercial species, and the importance of the oak trees (Quercus spp.) is increasing due to various factors such as environmental and ecological values. However, more information is required to clearly understand the growth characteristics of these species especially regarding thinning intensity. This study was performed to provide the basic information to develop the silvicultural guideline and field manual by analyzing tree and stand characteristics in line with thinning intensity in the Korean white pine plantation and oak-dominated natural deciduous forest. Results: Diameter at breast height (DBH) and volume changes by the thinning intensity in the Korean white pine plantation were significantly different from those in the oak-dominated deciduous natural forest. In particular, DBH distribution in the pine stand appeared that there were more large diameter trees as the thinning intensity was higher. DBH periodic annual increment (PAI) of the pine stand was higher as the thinning intensity was stronger and the growth period was shorter. This trend was similarly shown in the natural deciduous forest, but the amount of PAI was smaller than in pine stand. The volume PAI after thinning was not decreased over time. In each stand type, the PAI tended to be lower as stand density was higher. The volume PAI in the pine stand was significantly higher than that in the oak-dominated natural deciduous forest. Dead trees occurred the most in the unthinned plots of each stand type, and those were higher in the natural deciduous forest. Ingrowth trees were observed only in the natural deciduous forest, and its distribution was the lowest in unthinned plots; Korean white pine as ingrowth occurred the most frequently among many tree species. Conclusions: Different effects of thinning treatment on DBH and volume PAI, mortality, and ingrowth were observed for each stand. With respect to forest growth, Korean white pine plantation was superior to the oak-dominated natural deciduous forest. The results of this study offer fundamental information for the development of silvicultural guidelines for Korean white pine plantations and oak-dominated natural deciduous forests in Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding of stand growth information is necessary for establishing forest management plans, but accurate models for estimating ingrowth are currently lacking in Korea. This research aims to develop an ingrowth estimation equation according to various forest types using nationwide forest monitoring data by the National Forest Inventory (NFI). A two-stage approach was developed based on the ingrowth database using permanent sample plots from the 5th (2006–2010) and 6th (2011–2015) NFI. In the first stage, the ingrowth probability was estimated using a logistic function. In the second stage, the ingrowth amount was estimated using a conditional function by regression analysis. In results, a logistic regression model based on the number of sampling plot which did not result in ingrowth (Model VI), was selected for an ingrowth probability estimation equation. After performing three types of statistical test to evaluate the ingrowth estimation equation suitability, three optimal models were selected based on their respective estimation ability: Coniferous Forest (Model IV), Broad-leaved Forest (Model VII), and Mixed Forest (Model VI). The estimation ability of the proposed estimation equation was statistically verified and showed no problems of suitability or applicability. If high-quality data are continuously accumulated for comparison and contrast with the present sampling plot data through the ongoing NFI system, this research can present a new direction in ingrowth modeling for Korean forests.

The Hyrcanian forests of Iran contain many species-rich communities that can only be maintained through an understanding of the renewal and development of these forests. Located in the Jojadeh section of the Farim forest in northern Iran, individual tree growth of five distinct species [(Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky), chestnut-leaved oak (Quercus castaneifolia Coss. ex J.Gay), Persian maple (Acer velutinum Boiss.), common hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.) and Caucasian alder (Alnus subcordata C.A.Mey.)] were measured on 313 permanent sample plots (0.1 ha) over a 10-year period (2003–2013). In this analysis, various tree-level predictions were investigated using the available data with application of parametric models and two artificial neural networks [i.e., the multilayer perceptron (MLP) and radial basis function (RBF) networks]. Individual tree diameter growth models showed a robust negative relationship with basal area in larger trees, which was relatively consistent across species. A total height model indicated that the examined species did not differ for a given set of covariates. In the survival model, the survival probability of Oriental beech was lower than the other species, while the ingrowth model revealed sapling density of all species increased with greater basal area. The artificial neural network based on the MLP was superior for all models and predicted more accurately than the RBF. Furthermore, the models based on the MLP were also superior to the parametric individual tree models developed using mixed-effect regression. The use of these developed models in forest planning and management is imperative, particularly for uneven-aged stands, but assessment of long-term projection behavior across the contrasting statistical approaches used is warranted despite the general superiority of the nonparametric models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cerrado has a wide diversity of fauna and flora, and the knowledge of its horizontal structure, in different time intervals allows the prediction of its structural and floristic characteristics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in structure and composition of tree community in three fragments of Cerrado with low anthropization, in an interval of 11 years at Minas Gerais state. Rectangular plots of fixed size were sampled, measuring stem diameter and height of all living arboreal individuals with diameter at 1.30 meters above ground (DBH) ≥ 5 cm. The tree vegetation dynamics study of the areas was performed, as well as the floristic analysis and the diametric structure. Considering all fragments and years of measurement, the recruitment of trees surpassed its mortality. The basal area varied between 3.67 and 13.07 m².ha-1. The studied areas, considering all fragments and years of measurement, showed a Shannon diversity index (H') from 3.43 to 3.87 nat.ind-1 and Pielou equitability index (J') ranged an interval between 0.77 and 0.82. The similarity calculated by the Jaccard index (J), when performed per plot considering the three fragments, showed a value of 0.2653. Also, related to the development and growth of the study areas, it can be inferred that all fragments and their respective years of measurement had a J-inverse pattern. In conclusion, it can be inferred that the three fragments maintained a representative growth in number of individuals and basal area.

Traditional monoblock pegged glenoid components are implanted with cement, increasing operative time and potentially violating more bone than those inserted without cement. We study the early radiographic loosening and reoperation rate following uncemented fixation of a hybrid cage monoblock polyethylene glenoid component. Between 2013 and 2015, a total of 51 shoulders underwent anatomic shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) using a hybrid ingrowth cage polyethylene glenoid component by a single surgeon, with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. In all cases, the glenoid component was placed without cement. Mean follow-up was 33 months (range, 24-57). The primary outcome was Lazarus scale–assessed radiographic loosening. Secondary outcomes included reoperation, range of motion (ROM), and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Twelve glenoid components (24%) had radiolucent lines. Glenoid lines were rated grade 1, grade 2, and grade 5 (6, 4, and 2 shoulders, respectively). Six shoulders (12%) had humeral lucent lines. Two shoulders (4%) underwent reoperation, only 1 of these occurring due to isolated failure of the glenoid component. As a group, mean ROM and PROMs improved significantly compared with preoperative values and exceeded the minimal clinically important difference. Glenoid loosening remains a major concern at mid- to long-term follow-up of TSA. Placement of this hybrid cage monoblock polyethylene glenoid component in a completely uncemented fashion does not lead to early clinical loosening, after which bony ingrowth into the central cage can be expected. Uncemented fixation of this hybrid cage component appears to be a safe treatment option for patients undergoing primary TSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Platelets have attracted substantial attention in the current decade owing to their unexpected pleiotropic properties and conflicted functions. In fact, platelets participate in both health (hemostasis) and disease (thrombotic diseases). Much of the plasticity of platelets comes from the fact that platelets are the reservoir and the 'natural factory' of growth factors (GFs), with pivotal functions in wound repair and tissue regeneration. By combining the platelets' plasticity and biotechnological processes, PlateInnove Biotechnology optimized the production of GFs in nanoparticle biointerfacing by platelet content, which opens an avenue of possibilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fine roots and above‐ground litterfall play a pivotal role in carbon dynamics in forests. Nonetheless, direct estimation of stocks of fine roots remains methodologically challenging. Models are thus widely used to estimate these stocks and help elucidate drivers of fine root growth and turnover, at a range of scales.We updated a database of fine root biomass, necromass and production derived from 454 plots across European forests. We then compared fine root biomass and production to estimates obtained from 19 different models. Typical input variables used for the models included climate, net primary production, foliage and above‐ground biomass, leaf area index (LAI), latitude and/or land cover type. We tested whether performance could be improved by fitting new multiple regression models, and explored effects of species composition and sampling method on estimated fine root biomass.Average fine root biomass was 332 g/m2, and necromass 379 g/m2, for European forests where the average fine root production was 250 g m−2 year−1. Carbon fraction in fine roots averaged 48.4%, and was 1.5% greater in broadleaved species than conifers.Available models were poor predictors of fine root biomass and production. The best performing models assumed proportionality between above‐ and below‐ground compartments, and used remotely sensed LAI or foliage biomass as key inputs. Model performance was improved by use of multiple regressions, which revealed consistently greater biomass and production in stands dominated by broadleaved species as well as in mixed stands even after accounting for climatic differences.Synthesis. We assessed the potential of existing models to estimate fine root biomass and production in European forests. We show that recalibration reduces by about 40% errors in estimates currently produced by the best available models, and increases three‐fold explained variation. Our results underline the quantitative significance of fine roots (live and dead) to the global carbon cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background A novel approach to modelling individual tree growth dynamics is proposed. The approach combines multiple imputation and copula sampling to produce a stochastic individual tree growth and yield projection system. Methods The Nova Scotia, Canada permanent sample plot network is used as a case study to develop and test the modelling approach. Predictions from this model are compared to predictions from the Acadian variant of the Forest Vegetation Simulator, a widely used statistical individual tree growth and yield model. Results Diameter and height growth rates were predicted with error rates consistent with those produced using statistical models. Mortality and ingrowth error rates were higher than those observed for diameter and height, but also were within the bounds produced by traditional approaches for predicting these rates. Ingrowth species composition was very poorly predicted. The model was capable of reproducing a wide range of stand dynamic trajectories and in some cases reproduced trajectories that the statistical model was incapable of reproducing. Conclusions The model has potential to be used as a benchmarking tool for evaluating statistical and process models and may provide a mechanism to separate signal from noise and improve our ability to analyze and learn from large regional datasets that often have underlying flaws in sample design.

The Cerrado has a wide diversity of fauna and flora, and the knowledge of its horizontal structure, in different time intervals allows the prediction of its structural and floristic characteristics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in structure and composition of tree community in three fragments of Cerrado with low anthropization, in an interval of 11 years at Minas Gerais state. Rectangular plots of fixed size were sampled, measuring stem diameter and height of all living arboreal individuals with diameter at 1.30 meters above ground (DBH) ≥ 5 cm. The tree vegetation dynamics study of the areas was performed, as well as the floristic analysis and the diametric structure. Considering all fragments and years of measurement, the recruitment of trees surpassed its mortality. The basal area varied between 3.67 and 13.07 m².ha-1. The studied areas, considering all fragments and years of measurement, showed a Shannon diversity index (H') from 3.43 to 3.87 nat.ind-1 and Pielou equitability index (J') ranged an interval between 0.77 and 0.82. The similarity calculated by the Jaccard index (J), when performed per plot considering the three fragments, showed a value of 0.2653. Also, related to the development and growth of the study areas, it can be inferred that all fragments and their respective years of measurement had a J-inverse pattern. In conclusion, it can be inferred that the three fragments maintained a representative growth in number of individuals and basal area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Purpose: Clinical shoulder science lacks a benchmark against which the early clinical value of new glenoid components can be compared; such a benchmark may be derived from a multicenter study of patients receiving an established, internationally used design of glenoid component.Methods: We obtained data from 11 centers on 1270 patients having total shoulder arthroplasty using an all-polyethylene component with a fluted central peg. We analyzed individual patient outcomes at 1 and 2 years after surgery. We compared the improvement for each patient to the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) and calculated each patient's improvement as a percent of maximal possible improvement (MPI).Results: The preoperative scores improved from SST 3 ± 2, ASES 37 ± 15, Constant score 36 ± 16, and Penn score 30 ± 19 to SST 10 ± 2, ASES 90 ± 12, Constant 76 ± 13, and Penn 80 ± 24 (p < 0.001 for each). A high percentage of patients improved by more than the MCID (SST 96%, ASES 98%, Constant 94%, Penn 93%) and obtained improvement of at least 30% of the MPI (SST 95%, ASES 98%, Constant 91%, Penn 87%). The clinical outcomes realized with this glenoid design were not worse for the 41% of shoulders with preoperative type B glenoids or for the 30% of shoulders with more than 15 degrees of glenoid retroversion.Conclusions: Individual patients from 11 international practices having total shoulder arthroplasty using a basic glenoid component design obtained highly significant clinical outcomes, providing a benchmark against which the early outcomes of new designs can be compared to determine whether they provide increased clinical value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Fire-excluded sandhills require density control of plant life forms for longleaf pine regeneration. • Midstory saplings do not affect longleaf pine regeneration. • Longleaf pine impedes its own regeneration when basal area exceeds threshold values. • Sand pine and evergreen hardwoods impede longleaf pine regeneration, but deciduous oaks facilitate it. Longleaf pine researchers have quantified many aspects of regeneration, growth and yield, but have focused on productive sites such as pine flatwoods and upland pine. Sandhill longleaf pine woodlands represent >40 % of remnant stands of longleaf pine ecosystems; most have no history of agriculture due to poor site productivity, yet many have been degraded by resin collection, grazing and fire exclusion. Restoration of structure and function of sandhill longleaf pine depends on understanding early stand-development processes, which are governed by fire, propagule availability, and competition from a range of overstory tree species not limited to longleaf pine. We analyzed a 16-year monitoring dataset from Eglin Air Force Base in northwest Florida, USA, focusing on how four tree growth forms influenced longleaf pine juvenile stages of seedling and sapling numbers and ingrowth to the subadult size class. Analyses were done with generalized linear mixed models using Poisson, normal, or negative binomial error distributions according to the response variable. Restoration activities were effective at reducing numbers of sapling evergreen hardwoods, and basal area of overstory sand pine and other non-longleaf conifers was reduced by 35 % over the 16-year study. We observed threshold values for adult longleaf pine effects on seedlings and ingrowth; seedling numbers were maximized at 7.8 m2/ha, and ingrowth was maximum at 5.1 m2/ha. Seedling density was strongly governed by mast year. Sand pine, an invasive native pine, was detrimental to longleaf pine at all juvenile life stages even at low basal area. Deciduous oaks, which have been observed to facilitate longleaf pine seedling establishment, instead facilitated ingrowth to the subadult size class. Evergreen hardwoods, which may dampen fire behavior, only decreased longleaf pine density at the sapling stage. Ongoing silvicultural restoration activities should continue to focus on frequent fire and sand pine removal; deciduous oaks should be retained for their facilitative value; and removal of evergreen hardwoods should not be a high priority as long as prescribed fire can propagate in these lower productivity sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest models predict tree and stand evolution under different scenarios, thereby supporting decision-making in forest management. Models are complex structures composed of sub-models that estimate forest variables at tree and stand levels. Prediction accuracy has generally been evaluated independently of the model. Integrated sub-models make forest models easier to use and provide predictions for growth, survival, ingrowth and many other tree and stand variables with reduced effort. However, while individual submodel validation is widely practiced and normally done by each author individually, joint model validation remains less explored. This study deploys a useful methodology for evaluating and validating models. After comparing observed and predicted data, several case studies were then proposed to improve the accuracy of the joint model. We used the IBERO model, data from the Spanish National Forest Inventory and the SIMANFOR simulator platform. The accuracy of growth submodels was improved by calibrating their equations, though accuracy was not improved in survival and ingrowth submodels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Nerves and blood vessels are found in the peripheral annulus and endplates of healthy adult intervertebral discs. Degenerative changes can allow these vessels to grow inwards and become associated with discogenic pain, but it is not yet clear how far, and why, they grow in. Previously we have shown that physical disruption of the disc matrix, which is a defining feature of disc degeneration, creates free surfaces which lose proteoglycans and water, and so become physically and chemically conducive to cell migration. We now hypothesise that blood vessels and nerves in degenerated discs are confined to such disrupted tissue. Whole lumbar discs were obtained from 40 patients (aged 37–75 years) undergoing surgery for disc herniation, disc degeneration with spondylolisthesis or adolescent scoliosis (‘non‐degenerated’ controls). Thin (5‐μm) sections were stained with H&E and toluidine blue for semi‐quantitative assessment of blood vessels, fissures and proteoglycan loss. Ten thick (30‐μm) frozen sections from each disc were immunostained for CD31 (an endothelial cell marker), PGP 9.5 and Substance P (general and nociceptive nerve markers, respectively) and examined by confocal microscopy. Volocity image analysis software was used to calculate the cross‐sectional area of each labelled structure, and its distance from the nearest free surface (disc periphery or internal fissure). Results showed that nerves and blood vessels were confined to proteoglycan‐depleted regions of disrupted annulus. The maximum distance of any blood vessel or nerve from the nearest free surface was 888 and 247 μm, respectively. Blood vessels were greater in number, grew deeper, and occupied more area than nerves. The density of labelled blood vessels and nerves increased significantly with Pfirrmann grade of disc degeneration and with local proteoglycan loss. Analysing multiple thick sections with fluorescent markers on a confocal microscope allows reliable detection of thin filamentous structures, even within a dense matrix. We conclude that, in degenerated and herniated discs, blood vessels and nerves are confined to proteoglycan‐depleted regions of disrupted tissue, especially within annulus fissures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants compete for nutrients using a range of strategies. We investigated nutrient foraging within nutrient hot-spots simultaneously available to plant species with diverse root traits. We hypothesized that there would be more root proliferation by thin-root species than by thick-root species, and that root proliferation by thin-root species would limit root proliferation by thick-root species., We conducted a root ingrowth experiment in a temperate forest in eastern USA where root systems of different tree species could interact. Tree species varied in the thickness of their absorptive roots, and were associated with either ectomycorrhizal ( EM) or arbuscular mycorrhizal ( AM) fungi. Thus, there were thin- and thick-root AM and thin- and thick-root EM plant functional groups. Half the ingrowth cores were amended with organic nutrients (dried green leaves). Relative root length abundance, the proportion of total root length in a given soil volume occupied by a particular plant functional group, was calculated for the original root population and ingrowth roots after 6 months., The shift in relative root length abundance from original to ingrowth roots was positive in thin-root species but negative in thick-root species ( p < .001), especially in unamended patches ( AM: +6% vs. −7%; EM: +8% vs. −9%). Being thin-rooted may thus allow a species to more rapidly recolonize soil after a disturbance, which may influence competition for nutrients. Moreover, we observed that nutrient additions amplified the shift in root length abundance of thin over thick roots in AM trees (+13% vs. −14%), but not in EM trees (+1% vs −3%). In contrast, phospholipid fatty acid biomarkers suggested that EM fungal hyphae strongly proliferated in nutrient hot-spots whereas AM fungal hyphae exhibited only modest proliferation., We found no evidence that when growing in the shared patch, the proliferation of thin roots inhibited the growth of thick roots., Synthesis. Knowledge of root morphology and mycorrhizal type of co-existing tree species may improve prediction of patch exploitation and nutrient acquisition in heterogeneous soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Gymnanthes klotzschiana is a pioneer tree species characteristic of the alluvial plains of Mixed Ombrophilous Forest, important for the conservation of the riparian forests. Therefore, this work aims to analyze a structure and dynamics of G. klotzschiana in a fragment of Mixed Ombrophilous Forest. The used came from a senso at in the years 2007, 2010 and 2013, located in the Botanical Gaden, Curitiba (PR), Brazil, with a total area of 15.2 ha. Measurements were performed at intervals of 3 years, and all trees with diameter at breast height greater than 10 cm were measured and identified. Structural analyzes were performed based on the population parameters by species, dynamics was obtained monitoring the growth, ingrowth, and mortality between the measurement periods. The results show a constant increase between three measurements, going from 120-256 individuals; as a consequence, there was a considerable increasing in basal area between measurements going from 3.26 m2 to 6.2 m2 ha-1. An annual increment rate of 0.31 cm/year to 0.34 cm year, and the periodic annual increment in cross-sectional area increased from 0.0280 m2 ha-1 to 0.0397 m2 ha-1. There was a relative increasing for the coverage values and for the importance values between measurement. It is concluded that G. klotzschiana has a high value of importance for a Mixed Ombrophilous Forest, as well as a dynamic that favors the development of other species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Defoliation reduces the growth and survival of trees, but this influence can be difficult to evaluate largely because of its interplay with various stand and site factors, especially for the highly dynamic defoliation of spruce-fir ( Picea- Abies) forests caused by spruce budworm (SBW; Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.)), the primary tree defoliator in North America. In this study, we developed statistical models to evaluate the influence of SBW defoliation, while considering its interaction with various stand and site factors, on spruce-fir stand dynamics of annual volume net growth, mortality, and ingrowth. The data were collected at intervals of 1 to 3 years from 560 permanent sample plots during the last SBW outbreak (1970s-1980s) in Maine, USA, and New Brunswick, Canada. These data comprise a wide range of observations of cumulative defoliation, especially at relatively low levels, that have been largely overlooked in previous studies. Our results strongly demonstrated that even relatively low levels of cumulative defoliation were significantly related to stand-level mortality and ingrowth, while net growth was more competition driven. Additionally, these stand dynamics were found to be not significantly affected by any of the site factors evaluated. These findings were consistent for Maine and New Brunswick despite their differences in forest management and SBW outbreak histories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the patterns of tree recruitment is essential to quantifying the future health and productivity of forest ecosystems. Using national forest inventory information, we incorporated browse impact measurements into models of sapling (2.5-12.7 cm diameter at breast height (DBH)) and overstory tree (≥12.7 cm DBH) ingrowth across the northern United States. Ingrowth was modeled with standard and zero-inflated techniques using discrete Poisson and negative binomial distributions. Zero-inflated models using stand attributes and browse impacts provided the best fit statistics for modeling the occurrence and frequency of ingrowth over a 5-year time period. Results indicate that stands with very high browse impact would contain 50.0% fewer ingrowth saplings compared with stands with no browse impact. Greater browse impacts similarly yielded a negative effect on overstory tree ingrowth, but to a lesser degree than saplings. Despite the stochastic nature of ingrowth observations, incorporating browse impacts may be essential in determining accurate levels of ingrowth in forests where herbivory constrains forest regeneration objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A novel approach to modelling individual tree growth dynamics is proposed. The approach combines multiple imputation and copula sampling to produce a stochastic individual tree growth and yield projection system. Methods: The Nova Scotia, Canada permanent sample plot network is used as a case study to develop and test the modelling approach. Predictions from this model are compared to predictions from the Acadian variant of the Forest Vegetation Simulator, a widely used statistical individual tree growth and yield model. Results: Diameter and height growth rates were predicted with error rates consistent with those produced using statistical models. Mortality and ingrowth error rates were higher than those observed for diameter and height, but also were within the bounds produced by traditional approaches for predicting these rates. Ingrowth species composition was very poorly predicted. The model was capable of reproducing a wide range of stand dynamic trajectories and in some cases reproduced trajectories that the statistical model was incapable of reproducing. Conclusions: The model has potential to be used as a benchmarking tool for evaluating statistical and process models and may provide a mechanism to separate signal from noise and improve our ability to analyze and learn from large regional datasets that often have underlying flaws in sample design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Repeated prescribed burning over long timescales has some predictable effects on forest structure and composition, but multi-decadal patterns of stand dynamics and successional change with different fire frequencies have rarely been described. We used longitudinal data from a prescribed burning study conducted over a 63-year period to quantify stand structure (stem density, basal area, and stocking) by species group, ingrowth during the first 15 years of the study, and mortality during the first 35 years within an oak-hickory forest of the Missouri Ozarks. The study included an unburned control treatment (Control), burning with one-year return intervals (Annual), and burning with four-year return intervals (Periodic) throughout the study duration. At the stand level, stem density decreased through time across all treatments. Periodic burning increased the rate at which mortality occurred for small-diameter stems, but after 35 years, the mortality of small-diameter stems exceeded 70% across all treatments. There was little evidence of ingrowth for either burn treatment, but ingrowth increased the prevalence of non-oak species through time on the Control plots. On burned plots, basal area was maintained (Periodic) or slightly increased (Annual) during the study, primarily due to growth of trees that were present at the start of the study. However, stand stocking decreased with prescribed burning and increased in the Control plots, moving burned plots towards woodland structure while unburned plots remained as forests. Repeated burning without a fire-free interval can approximate structural conditions associated with woodlands, but suspends tree regeneration and recruitment processes necessary for canopy replacement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Recruitment of beech, spruce and fir in uneven-aged stands studied on 200 m2 plots. • Optimal and critical levels of 18 influential factors determined with the Tobit model. • Stand basal area and the proportion of target tree species are key factors. • Stocking control is efficient for regulating recruitment of spruce and beech. • Fir recruitment is weakly limited by stand density and largely stochastic. Tree recruitment models are important for predicting the dynamics of uneven-aged forests. Previous studies of recruitment of European beech, Norway spruce and silver fir have shown different ecological amplitudes of these species. However, recruitment in uneven-aged stands and the values of environmental factors at which the greatest and poorest recruitment can be expected remain poorly explained. The main objectives of this study were to 1) explain how 39 stand, site and climatic factors and their interactions influence the number of recruited trees in uneven-aged forests; 2) determine the optimal and critical ranges of influential factors, including stand basal area, number of trees, proportion of tree species, shade casting, soil pH, site productivity, temperature and precipitation; and 3) estimate the maximum expected response of recruitment to changes in stand density while controlling for the effect of other limiting factors. A Tobit censored regression model was used to consider that the observed range of the number of recruited trees is censored at zero. The models were parametrized and validated using 30,963 forest inventory plots (200 m2 each) in uneven-aged forests in Slovenia. The models, which used 9 stand, 6 site and 3 climatic factors, explained 15 %, 10 % and 8 % of the total variation of the number of recruited spruce, fir and beech, respectively. Stand structure was the most important factor, with stand basal area (BA) and the proportion of the studied species having the greatest effect. Site factors including soil pH and rockiness were important for fir recruitment. The number of recruited beech and spruce was positively influenced by decadal precipitation. Higher temperatures decreased recruitment of spruce. Beech was the only species sensitive to shade casting. Recruitment of beech was higher if shade was imposed by tree species other than beech. The optimal and critical ranges of limiting factors differ between species. The model suggests that the optimal stand basal area for recruitment of beech is ≤ 19 m2/ha, which is higher than that for spruce (≤ 16 m2/ha) but lower than that for fir (≤ 28 m2/ha). The maximum predicted response of the studied species to changes in stand basal area shows that stand density control is efficient for regulating recruitment of spruce and beech, but not for fir. The suggested sensitivities and threshold values may be used in individual tree growth models or simulation–optimization studies in support of forest management decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An unique database on dynamics of eleven beech-dominated old-growth forests in Central Europe since 1970 to 2019 utilised. • The radial increment of beech trees increased whereas the natural mortality decreased significantly during the study period. • European beech appears to be the most vital and competitive species from sub-mountain to mountain zones in Central Europe under ongoing climate change. • Admixture of other species can contribute to profitability of close-to-nature forest management based on European beech. European beech is the dominant native tree species in sub-mountain and mountain zones of the European continent and provides multiple ecosystem services to European society. However, the mountain zone is strongly affected by environmental change. Here, we explore the long-term natural dynamics of European beech-dominated old-growth forests in the Western Carpathians, Central Europe. We use fifty-year measurements of forest stand dynamics from eleven nature reserves strictly protected from any management (some of them included in the UNESCO natural heritage program). The study sites cover a typical range of natural conditions of the beech-dominated altitudinal zone in the Western Carpathians. The database includes long-term pair-wise non-destructive measurements of nearly 3.000 beeches from 1970 through 2019. We aim to investigate three crucial processes of beech forest dynamics: increment, ingrowth, and mortality of beech trees. The results, besides expected interactions, indicated a statistically significant change in radial increment and tree mortality during the study period. The radial increment increased, whereas tree mortality decreased during the past decades. Our findings indicate that European beech has strengthened the role of the most vital and competitive tree species in the elevational range from sub-mountain to mountain zone of Central European mountains during the last 50 years. The species increases the potential of enlarging its current distribution and outcompeting other species at the upper as well as lower elevational range edges. The assumed reasons for such development considering postglacial vegetation development in Europe and upcoming climate change are discussed. Possible implications and ways how to utilize the observed findings in close-to-nature forest management are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A porous tantalum glenoid component for total shoulder replacements was introduced in 2003 to promote biologic ingrowth. However, reports of component failure prompted design modifications. The purpose of this study is to present the largest series to date, of TSR with the second-generation Trabecular Metal™ glenoid component. Method: A radiologic and clinical evaluation of the second-generation TM glenoid was conducted in consecutive cases of 76 shoulders (66 patients) with a mean follow-up of 43.2 months (range 24-72 months). Pre-operative VAS score, patient self-assessed ASES score, active shoulder range of motion, and radiologic assessment were recorded. Patients were recalled for latest follow-up clinical and radiologic evaluation. Results: On latest follow-up, the mean VAS scores (pre-op: 6.4-latest: 0.9) and ASES scores (pre-op: 36.9-latest: 88.5) improved. Active range of motion improved in all planes. There was no report of glenoid component migration, loosening, or humeral stem subsidence. The incidence of non-progressive radiolucency in the glenoid was 6.6 % (Franklin 1: 3 cases, Franklin 2: 2 cases). Post-operative complications involved dislocation (n = 2) which were reduced in ED, post-operative stiffness (n = 1), transient axillary nerve neuropraxia (n = 1), and supraspinatus tear which underwent arthroscopic repair at 16 months post-op. There were no revision surgeries for implant loosening nor glenoid component fracture at the peg-base plate junction. Conclusions: The modifications established in the second-generation TM glenoid resulted to improve early to mid-term survivorship and clinical outcomes in TSR, with promise of long-term implant stability through bony ingrowth. Level Of Evidence: Level IV, case series, treatment study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Highly porous metal acetabular components illustrate a decreased rate of aseptic loosening in short-term follow-up compared with previous registry data. This study compared the effect of component surface roughness at the bone-implant interface and the quality of the bone on initial pressfit stability. The null hypothesis is that a standard porous coated acetabular cup would show no difference in initial stability as compared with a highly porous acetabular cup when subjected to a bending moment. Second, would bone mineral density (BMD) be a significant variable under these test conditions.Methods: In a cadaveric model, acetabular cup micromotion was measured during a 1-time cantilever bending moment applied to 2 generations of pressfit acetabular components. BMD data were also obtained from the femoral necks available for associated specimen.Results: The mean bending moment at 150 μm was not found to be significantly different for Gription (24.6 ± 14.0 N m) cups vs Porocoat (25 ± 10.2 N m; P > .84). The peak bending moment tolerated by Gription cups (33.9 ± 20.3 N m) was not found to be significantly different from Porocoat (33.5 ± 12.2 N m; P > .92). No correlation between BMD and bending moment at 150 μm of displacement could be identified.Conclusion: The coefficient of friction provided by highly porous metal acetabular shells used in this study did not provide better resistance to migration under bending load when compared with a standard porous coated component. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used long-term data collected from 22 study sites in northern hardwood stands comprised of sugar maple ( Acer saccharum Marsh.), yellow birch ( Betula alleghaniensis Britt.), and American beech ( Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) to establish relationships between sapling abundance and tree ingrowth. After 10 years, postharvest sapling density in the 6 cm diameter class (5.1–7.0 cm) showed linear relationships with ingrowth. Proportion of variation explained ( r 2 ) varied from 36% to 83% depending upon tree species and silvicultural treatment (partial cutting vs. uncut control). After 20 years, linear relationships were also established ( r 2 = 24–65%) between ingrowth and sapling density in the 2 cm diameter class (1.1–3.0 cm). From a wide pool of variables related to stand species composition, climate, physiography, and soil nutrients, postharvest sapling density was most strongly correlated to merchantable tree density ( r = 0.43–0.75). Sugar maple sapling density was also positively correlated with base saturation and calcium saturation of the B horizon ( r = 0.56 and 0.58). Over a 30-year period, the increase in American beech sapling basal area was substantial compared to mitigated increases found in sugar maple and yellow birch depending upon treatment. Our results provide useful information on integration of sapling data into forest management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A two-stage modelling approach was used for developing ingrowth models for four major tree species in Alberta: aspen, lodgepole pine, black spruce and white spruce. The probability of ingrowth presence was modelled first, followed by the modelling of annual amount of ingrowth conditional on ingrowth being present. To handle variable measurement intervals and plot sizes typical of repeatedly measured forestry data, two generalized logistic models were evaluated at the first stage: a traditional model with measurement interval length and plot size factor incorporated as an exponent of a standard logistic function and an alternative model with measurement interval length and plot size factor incorporated as a denominator. Two criteria were evaluated for defining optimal threshold values for plot classification: criterion 1 to maximize the summation of sensitivity and specificity and criterion 2 to maximize the overall rate of correct plot classification. It was found that criterion 1 was superior to criterion 2 for providing better plot classifications. The two ingrowth probability models behaved similarly based on model fitting and model validation results. Annual amount of ingrowth was modelled at the second stage by exponential functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long term effects of partial harvests were studied in seven uneven-aged Picea abies (L.) Karst stands in northern Sweden, by reconstructing stand development from increment cores. All stands had been subjected to partial harvests 16–57 years before the inventory. Two 1000 m 2 circular plots were established in each stand. All trees with a diameter at breast height (1.3 m above ground) ⩾5 cm were mapped and calipered. Historic stand development was reconstructed backwards in five year intervals to the year of the previous harvest, using increment cores taken from randomly chosen sample trees in each 2-cm diameter class. The pre-harvest stem density was restored in all stands but one, at the time of the inventory. Average ingrowth of survived trees was 13 stems ha −1 yr −1 , but no relation was found between annual ingrowth and standing volume. Only four stands had inversely J -shaped diameter distributions after harvest, but all seven stands did at the time of the final inventory. Standing volume was 34–88 m 3 ha −1 after harvest and 126–207 m 3 ha −1 at the final inventory, with an average volume increment around 3 m 3 ha −1 yr −1 for the whole observation period. Volume increment increased with standing volume in all stands but one. The shapes of the diameter–height curves were similar for all stands, irrespective of the time elapsed since the harvest. In conclusion, the results from this study indicate that the selection system is a sustainable silvicultural system in uneven-aged sub-alpine Norway spruce forests. These forests have high resilience and a capacity to recreate stable diameter distributions after rather harsh treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radioxenon isotopes are considered as possible indicators for detecting and discriminating underground nuclear explosions. To monitor and sample the release of radioxenon isotopes, both independent and chain-reaction yields need to be considered together with multiphase transport in geological systems from the detonation point to the ground surface. For the sake of simplicity, modeling of radioxenon isotopic radioactivities has typically been focused either on chain reactions in a batch reactor without considering multiphase transport or on radionuclide transport with simplified reactions. Although numerical methods are available for integrating coupled differential equations of complex decay networks, the stiffness of ordinary differential equations due to greatly differing decay rates may require substantial additional effort to obtain solutions for the fully coupled system. For this reason, closed-form solutions for sequential reactions and numerical solutions for multiparent converging and multidaughter branching reactions were previously developed and used to simulate xenon isotopic radioactivities in the batch reactor mode. In this paper, we develop a fully coupled numerical model, which involves tracking 24 components (i.e., 22 radionuclide components plus air and water) in two phases to enhance model predictability of simultaneously simulating xenon isotopic transport and fully coupled chain reactions. To validate the numerical model and verify the corresponding computer code, we derived closed-form solutions for first-order xenon reactions in a batch reactor mode and for single-gas phase transport coupled with the xenon reactions in a one-dimensional column. Finally, cylindrical 3-D simulations of two-phase flow within a dual permeability fracture-matrix medium, simulating the geohydrologic regime of an underground nuclear explosion, indicate the existence of both a strong temporal and spatial dependence of xenon isotopic ratios sampled at the surface. In the example presented here, temporally evolving subsurface xenon isotopic ratios are found to migrate across the discrimination line delineating civilian nuclear activities from an underground nuclear explosion in the KALINOWSKI Multi-Isotope Ratio Chart. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

River recharge inputs constitute a significant proportion of the water balance in many New Zealand aquifers. There is a large uncertainty regarding estimates of river-groundwater fluxes based on hydraulic measurements alone, particularly for large braided river systems that present a number of technical challenges for accurate flow measurement. Hydrochemistry information, such as radon gas activity, provides an additional secondary means for measuring river -- groundwater exchange at the riparian margins of a fluvial system. In this study we examined the usefulness of Radon-222 for determining the rates at which the Waimakariri River recharges the Canterbury Plains aquifer at Halkett and Crossbank. Radon concentrations measured in the Waimakariri River were very low and concentrations increased in shallow groundwater with increasing distance from the river, which was consistent with radon ingrowth processes and prior knowledge about the site hydrology. The data were modelled using the ingrowth equation for radon to determine values for the equilibrium radon value and groundwater velocity near the river, using simplified assumptions about transport flowpaths. The estimated groundwater seepage velocities of 350 m/day and 390 m/day at the Halkett and Crossbank sites, respectively, are relatively high but feasible near a large braided river. There was no significant variation in radon concentrations (differences were within analytical error) in the shallow groundwater with flow in the Waimakariri River, which ranged from about 50 to 250 m³/s. Translating groundwater velocities to effective recharge fluxes requires simplifying assumptions concerning the dimensions of the effective recharging area, whether recharge is constant along a particular reach, and on the estimated effective porosity of the groundwater system. None of these properties are reliably known at the study site and this precluded any recharge flux estimations from the radon data. Despite these limitations, radon can be used to infer useful knowledge about riparian aquifer systems. For example, continuous measurement of radon at a single observation well would provide information about how recharge at a particular location varies with time and river flow. Estimation of groundwater velocities using radon measurement from wells located at regular intervals down a river could give information on the likely variation in recharge amounts, and intensive monitoring of radon over a small spatial region could provide detail on preferential flow paths in a riparian zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Removal of biliary Fully Covered Self Expandable Metal Stents can fail due to stent migration and/or hyperplastic ingrowth/overgrowth. Methods: A case series of 5 patients with benign biliary strictures (2 post-cholecystectomy, 2 following liver transplantation and 1 related to chronic pancreatitis) is reported. The biliary stricture was treated by temporary insertion of Fully Covered Self Expandable Metal Stents. Stent removal failed due to proximal stent migration and/or overgrowth. Metal stent removal was attempted a few weeks after the insertion of another Fully Covered Metal Stent into the first one. Results: The inner Fully Covered Self Expandable Metal Stent compressed the hyperplastic tissue, leading to the extraction of both the stents in all cases. Two complications were reported as a result of the attempt to stents removal (mild pancreatitis and self-limited haemobilia). Conclusion: In the present series, the “SEMS in SEMS” technique revealed to be effective when difficulties are encountered during Fully Covered Self Expandable Metal Stents removal. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Local changes caused by dams can have drastic consequences for ecosystems, not only because they change the water regime but also the modification on lakeshore areas. Thus, this work aimed to determine the changes in soil moisture after damming, to understand the consequences of this modification on the arboreal community of dry forests, some of the most endangered systems on the planet. We studied these changes in soil moisture and the arboreal community in three dry forests in the Araguari River Basin, after two dams construction in 2005 and 2006, and the potential effects on these forests. For this, plots of 20m x10m were distributed close to the impoundment margin and perpendicular to the dam margin in two deciduous dry forests and one semi-deciduous dry forest located in Southeastern Brazil, totaling 3.6ha sampled. Besides, soil analysis were undertaken before and after impoundment at three different depths (0-10, 20-30 and 40-50cm). A tree (minimum DBH of 4.77cm) community inventory was made before (T0) and at two (T2) and four (T4) years after damming. Annual dynamic rates of all communities were calculated, and statistical tests were used to determine changes in soil moisture and tree communities. The analyses confirmed soil moisture increases in all forests, especially during the dry season and at sites closer to the reservoir; besides, an increase in basal area due to the fast growth of many trees was observed. The highest turnover occurred in the first two years after impoundment, mainly due to the higher tree mortality especially of those closer to the dam margin. All forests showed reductions in dynamic rates for subsequent years (T2-T4), indicating that these forests tended to stabilize after a strong initial impact. The modifications were more extensive in the deciduous forests, probably because the dry period resulted more rigorous in these forests when compared to semideciduous forest. The new shorelines created by damming increased soil moisture in the dry season, making plant growth easier. We concluded that several changes occurred in the T0-T2 period and at 0-30m to the impoundment, mainly for the deciduous forests, where this community turned into a "riparian-deciduous forest" with large basal area in these patches. However, unlike other transitory disturbances, damming is a permanent alteration and transforms the landscape to a different scenario, probably with major long-term consequences for the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In the study, data from a Slovenian forest inventory (67,563 plots, 200m2 each) were used to develop a two-stage beech recruitment model. In the first stage a probability model of beech recruitment was estimated with binary logistic regression, while in the second stage a conditional model for beech recruitment rate was derived. A tree was classified as recruited if it had crossed a threshold of 10cm in its diameter at breast height. On average, 2.5beechha−1 y−1 overgrew the measurement threshold, representing 38% of the total recruitment. High variability in beech recruitment was observed (CV=274%). Among 21 variables selected for possible inclusion into the models, three stand, one site, two climate, two forest management, and one wildlife variable were chosen; eight were included in the probability model, seven in the conditional model, six of which were included in both models. Beech recruitment was negatively related to stand basal area and mean diameter and positively related to the proportion of beech in the stand basal area. Beech recruitment was most successful in young even-aged and uneven-aged stands and on sites of medium productivity. Tree mortality in a stand, resulting mainly from harvesting, was positively related to beech recruitment, while the opposite was true for large ungulate density index. Among climate variables, mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitation influenced the probability of beech recruitment, a result that could be useful for exploring the future potential of beech in a changing environment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]