Photosynthetic responses to elevated CO(2) and O(3) in Quercus ilex leaves at a natural CO(2) spring.

Photosynthetic stimulation and stomatal conductance (Gs) depression in Quercus ilex leaves at a CO(2) spring suggested no down-regulation. The insensitivity of Gs to a CO(2) increase (from ambient 1500 to 2000 micromol mol(-1)) suggested stomatal acclimation. Both responses are likely adaptations to the special environment of CO(2) springs. At the CO(2)-enriched site, not at the control site, photosynthesis decreased 9% in leaves exposed to 2x ambient O(3) concentrations in branch enclosures, compared to controls in charcoal-filtered air. The stomatal density reduction at high CO(2) was one-third lower than the concomitant Gs reduction, so that the O(3) uptake per single stoma was lower than at ambient CO(2). No significant variation in monoterpene emission was measured. Higher trichome and mesophyll density were recorded at the CO(2)-enriched site, accounting for lower O(3) sensitivity. A long-term exposure to H(2)S, reflected by higher foliar S-content, and CO(2) might depress the antioxidant capacity of leaves close to the vent and increase their O(3) sensitivity.

Europe-wide reduction in primary productivity caused by the heat and drought in 2003.

Future climate warming is expected to enhance plant growth in temperate ecosystems and to increase carbon sequestration. But although severe regional heatwaves may become more frequent in a changing climate, their impact on terrestrial carbon cycling is unclear. Here we report measurements of ecosystem carbon dioxide fluxes, remotely sensed radiation absorbed by plants, and country-level crop yields taken during the European heatwave in 2003. We use a terrestrial biosphere simulation model to assess continental-scale changes in primary productivity during 2003, and their consequences for the net carbon balance. We estimate a 30 per cent reduction in gross primary productivity over Europe, which resulted in a strong anomalous net source of carbon dioxide (0.5 Pg C yr(-1)) to the atmosphere and reversed the effect of four years of net ecosystem carbon sequestration. Our results suggest that productivity reduction in eastern and western Europe can be explained by rainfall deficit and extreme summer heat, respectively. We also find that ecosystem respiration decreased together with gross primary productivity, rather than accelerating with the temperature rise. Model results, corroborated by historical records of crop yields, suggest that such a reduction in Europe's primary productivity is unprecedented during the last century. An increase in future drought events could turn temperate ecosystems into carbon sources, contributing to positive carbon-climate feedbacks already anticipated in the tropics and at high latitudes.

On-line analysis of the (13)CO(2) labeling of leaf isoprene suggests multiple subcellular origins of isoprene precursors.

Isoprene (2-methyl-1,3-butadiene) is the most abundant biogenic hydrocarbon released from vegetation, and there is continuing interest in understanding its biosynthesis from photosynthetic precursors in leaf chloroplasts. We used on-line proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) to observe the kinetics of (13)C-labeling of isoprene following exposure to (13)CO(2) and then the loss of (13)C after a return to normal (12)CO(2) in oak ( Quercus agrifolia Nee) and cottonwood (Populus deltoides Barr.) leaves. Assignments of labeled isoprene species were verified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. For the first time, it was possible to observe the half-lives of individually (13)C-labeled isoprene species during these transitions, and to trace some of the label to a C3 fragment that contained the two isoprene carbons derived from pyruvate via the deoxyxylulose-5-phosphate (DOXP) pathway. At steady state (under (13)CO(2)), approximately 80% of isoprene carbon was labeled, with fully labeled isoprene as the major species (approx. 60%). The source of the unlabeled C is suggested to be extrachloroplastic, but not from photorespiratory carbon. After a transfer to (12)CO(2), (13)C-labeling persisted in one isoprene carbon for several hours; this persistence was much more pronounced in (i) leaves inhibited by fosmidomycin, a specific inhibitor of the DOXP pathway, and (ii) in sun leaves which have higher ratios of soluble sugars to starch. From the mass 41-44 fragment data, and labeling predicted from the DOXP pathway in chloroplasts, precursors may arise from cytosolic pyruvate/phospho enolpyruvate equivalents transported into the chloroplast; this idea was supported by an indirect measure of pyruvate labeling. Other sources of cytosolic isoprene precursors (i.e. dimethylallyl diphosphate or pentose phosphate) could not be excluded. The data obtained shed light on the half-lives of photosynthetic metabolites, exchanges of carbon between cellular pools, and suggest multiple origins of isoprene precursors in leaves.

The Patient-Focused Hospital: a patient care concept.

Steadily rising costs, increased competition, and employee and customer dissatisfaction have prompted hospitals to turn to a variety of traditional approaches to improving operations and performance. Extensive diagnostic analyses conducted in several hospitals have led Booz, Allen to conclude that these traditional approaches fall significantly short of providing lasting, substantial operations and performance improvement. As a result of these analyses, Booz, Allen has developed a new operational strategy known as the Patient-Focused Hospital. Implementation of this strategy at pilot sites has proven that it can improve significantly service performance as well as customer and employee satisfaction and reduce hospital operating costs. This article identifies the circumstance that gave birth to the Patient-Focused Hospital concept and describes how it works. The article also discusses the implications of patient-focused operations within the hospital industry and predicts that hospitals that adopt this strategy now will be the leaders of the future.

Computer-assisted radiology--requirements and solutions for digital diagnostic imaging.

More and more digital imaging equipment is used in the daily routine of radiology departments. Computerized diagnostic equipment provides new capabilities for radiologists. It provides improvement of the work flow within the department, of the exchange of information between radiologists and referring physicians, and the exchange of information between radiologists specialized in specific diagnostic procedures. This exchange of information has to be performed locally within the department, between different buildings belonging to one department or between widely separated buildings in different hospital. The penetration of 'computer-assisted radiology' makes the organization of an imaging department and the information to be handled within it more and more complex. Specific requirements result from this increasing complexity. To meet these requirements, Siemens has developed technical solutions for integrated digital diagnostic imaging. These solutions allow the functional integration of physically separated systems such as multiple computed tomography (CT) units or CT plus magnetic resonance (MR) units belonging to one department, centralized archiving, hard-copy generation and image display, rapid access to images from multiple locations and effective image communication for intensive care units, child care units and trauma patients. Some of these requirements are discussed and the corresponding products are described. It is shown how these solutions will migrate to future comprehensive picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) configurations.

General methods and materials.

In the winter of 1982-83 an experiment was initiated at the University of Hohenheim to investigate the long-term effects of near ambient concentrations of O(3), SO(2), and simulated acidic rain and fog, alone and in combination, on mineral cycling, physiology, biochemistry and anatomy of Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.), Silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) and European beech (Fagus silvatica L.) seedlings in model ecosystems. Open-top chambers above soil lysimeters were protected with shelters 1 m above the open-top against intrusion of ambient dust and rain. The soil, a replaced acid brown earth with a base saturation of 20-30% was from the Black Forest region of the Federal Republic of Germany. This paper describes the technical design aspects of the study, including chamber construction and ventilation, SO(2) and O(3) application and monitoring, simulated precipitation forms and dispensing features, and the environmental parameters monitored. A short description of the plants used and the soil status is also presented. Chamber climatic and edaphic conditions allowed tree seedling normal growth over the five years of study. The pollutant levels within the appropriate chambers were comparable to ambient concentrations found at southwest German forest sites and varied with weather conditions.

Flow rates of ions in waters percolating through a model ecosystem with forest trees.

From 1983-88 the long-term effects of low level exposure with O(3), SO(2) and simulated acid rain on mineral cycling in model ecosystems with spruce, fir and beech seedlings were investigated. Systems consisting of open-top chambers built above lysimeters were protected against the intrusion of ambient rain and dust. As part of the investigations on mineral cycling the fluxes of elements with water input and output of the canopy and soil compartments are presented. During the 5 year duration of the experiment, pronounced effects on canopy deposition and cation leaching were observed. Most noticeable were throughfall enrichment with sulfate through dry deposition of SO(2) as influenced by duration of needlewetting and factors promoting SO(2) oxidation. Depending on sulfur deposition, leaching of calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc and ammonium from canopies was elevated, in total leading to enhanced soil input of acid. After 15 months, the water percolating the soils in the lysimeters of these treatments was acidified, with elevated flowrates of sulfate, manganese, calcium and magnesium. The results on canopy/soil leaching are compared to those from old conifer stands in the field.

Mineral content in the soil and tree foliage.

Seedlings of fir (Abies alba Mill.) and spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.) were fumigated with SO(2), O(3) and SO(2) + O(3) in open-top chambers (OTCs) for almost 5 vegetation periods. As background stress, simulated rain of pH 4.0 was applied. Nutrient content of soil, soil solutions, and trees was investigated and balanced. In the upper partition of the soil high concentrations of exchangeable Ca(2+) were found in all chambers. The SO(2) and SO(2) + O(3) treatments led to increased Ca(2+), Mg(2+) and Mn(2+) concentrations in soil solution and the pool of exchangeable protons increased. This response was most evident in the SO(2) and SO(2) + O(3) chambers and less clear in the filtered pH 5.0 control chamber. In the SO(2) treatment increased Mn and S levels were found in the needles. Ca content in the needles showed a decreasing trend. O(3) alone had no consistent effect on needle nutrient content.

Visible injury responses.

During a five year experiment on the causes of forest disease, symptoms of visible injury and pest infestations in trees treated with various air pollutants in open-top chambers were observed. Though the long-term experiment was originally not intended to include such investigations, insect infestation and some discoloration of the trees (Beech, Fagus sylvatica; Fir, Abies alba; Spruce, Picea abies) could not be avoided. Abundance and size of some of the insects were measured after two years and at the end of the experiment. Because it was unknown when the first infestation in the chambers occurred, quantitative investigations of the population size provided little information. Visible injury on leaves and needles was infrequent in general. When it occurred, it appeared to be caused by at least three stress factors. However, three different types of symptoms on beech and fir could be attributed mainly to air pollutants. These symptoms consisted of two types of foliar necrosis and browning in beech and needle tip chlorosis in fir. These symptoms have been observed under certain conditions in the German forests. The spruce clone used, however, developed no injuries which could be connected definitely to treatment effects.

Monoterpene patterns of different tissues and plant parts of Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.).

Norway spruce saplings (Picea abies L. Karst.) were exposed for five years to controlled concentrations of ozone and/or sulphur dioxide in open-top chambers. The monoterpenes of needles, twigs (bark and wood), bark and buds harvested from these trees were qualitatively and quantitatively analysed by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Different tissues and plant parts, showed notable differences in their percentage distribution. However, comparison of the monoterpene patterns of corresponding plant material obtained from trees which had been exposed to different fumigation regimes showed no significant effects of these pollutants.

Performance of some growth variables.

European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.) and Silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) were exposed to low concentrations of ozone (O(3)) and sulfur dioxide (SO(2)), alone and combined, and simulated acid rain (pH 4.0) in sheltered open-top chambers in Hohenheim (Southwest Germany) for almost five years. The concentrations of O(3) and SO(2) used were related to annual ambient average found in southern West Germany. Two control chambers were ventilated with charcoal filtered air and rainfall was simulated at pH 4.0 and 5.0. Because of large dense plant growth in the chambers it was only possible to measure uncompleted growth of shoots in the upper canopy. Therefore, growth analysis was restricted to this area. The treatment with acidic precipitation decreased the annual shoot growth of beech and reduced leaf surface area of those trees. Exposure to SO(2), O(3) alone and in combination resulted in further reduction of shoot length and leaf surface area. Fumigation with SO(2) and O(3) + SO(2) caused insignificant decreases of shoot length, total dry weight and needle surface area of spruce. The lateral leader shoot growth of spruce exposed to O(3) was significantly reduced only in the last year of the experiment. Growth rates of the spruce exposed to charcoal filtered air and non-acidic precipitation were reduced more than those of beech and fir. Growth variables determined for fir reflected different rates of incremental change. Exposure to O(3) resulted in the largest dry matter production of all fir groups but those exposed to charcoal filtered air and non-acidic precipitation responded with the best lateral leader shoot growth, lowest specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf area ratio (LAR) respectively indicating best metabolic efficiency. At the conclusion of this study a classification of sensitivity was developed for the tree species.

Effect of SO(2) and O(3) on Production of Antioxidants in Conifers.

Production of antioxidants was investigated in needles of fir (Abies alba Mill.) and spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst) after exposure to low concentrations of SO(2), O(3), and a combination of both pollutants. Glutathione reacted most sensitively to pollutants followed by vitamin E and vitamin C. In spruce needles, the overall increase of antioxidants after exposure to air pollutants was lower than in needles of fir. SO(2) was more potent than O(3). Maximum increase of antioxidants was found in needles after exposure of trees to SO(2) + O(3).