Allometry of the quasi-pipe (qPipe) model for estimating tree leaf area and tree leaf mass applied to plant functional types.

The allometry of the pipe model quantifies the approximate proportionality between the tree leaf amount and the stem cross-sectional area at the crown base (A). It is useful for estimating and modeling carbon fixation abilities of trees but requires climbing the tree and is thus unsuitable for large-scale studies. Here, we adopted a previously proposed allometry (hereafter the quasi-pipe (qPipe) model allometry) formulating the relationship between the tree leaf amount and a surrogate of A, A, calculated from tree dimensions measurable from the ground.

Carbon use strategies in shoot and acorn growth of two evergreen broadleaf trees unraveled by seasonal carbohydrate measurements and carbon isotope analysis.

Woody species have evolved carbon (C) storage processes that meet needs for reserves associated with asynchronies between C supply and demand. However, our understanding of storage dynamics is still elusive in mature trees, especially when reproduction is involved. Integrated analyses of isotope ratios, concentrations, and biomass may enhance understanding of stored C fractions' dynamics and roles.

Nitrate is an important nitrogen source for Arctic tundra plants.

Plant nitrogen (N) use is a key component of the N cycle in terrestrial ecosystems. The supply of N to plants affects community species composition and ecosystem processes such as photosynthesis and carbon (C) accumulation. However, the availabilities and relative importance of different N forms to plants are not well understood.

Growth rate reduction causes a decline in the annual incremental trunk growth in masting Fagus crenata trees.

Tree trunk annual increments are markedly reduced in mast years. There are two hypotheses that could explain the mechanism for this phenomenon: (1) a reduction in the duration of growth due to switching the resource allocation from somatic growth to seed production; (2) reduction of growth rate due to resources being shared between somatic growth and reproduction simultaneously. In this study, we aimed to test these hypotheses in Fagus crenata  Blume from the point of view of resource allocation.

Influence of reproduction on nitrogen uptake and allocation to new organs in Fagus crenata.

The contributions of the internal nitrogen (N) cycle and N uptake from soil to growth in mature trees remain poorly understood, especially during reproduction. In order to elucidate how reproduction affects N uptake, allocation and remobilization, we applied pulse 15N labelling to three fruiting (F) and three non-fruiting (NF) Fagus crenata Blume trees after the leaves were fully unfurled. Three-year-old branches were sampled from upper crowns at about 2 week intervals until leaf fall.

Reproduction-related variation in carbon allocation to woody tissues in Fagus crenata using a natural 13C approach.

The contribution of new photo-assimilates and stored carbon (C) to plant growth remains poorly understood, especially during reproduction. In order to elucidate how mast seeding affects C allocation to both reproductive and vegetative tissues, we measured biomass increase in each tissue, branch starch concentration and stable C isotope composition (δC) in bulk leaves, current-year shoots, 3-year branches and tree rings in fruiting and non-fruiting trees for 2 years, as well as in fruits. We isolated the effect of reproduction on C allocation to vegetative growth by comparing C enrichment in woody tissues in fruiting and non-fruiting specimens.

Nitrogen storage dynamics are affected by masting events in Fagus crenata.

It is generally assumed that the production of a large crop of seeds depletes stores of resources and that these take more than 1 year to replenish; this is accepted, theoretically, as the proximate mechanism of mast seeding (resource budget model). However, direct evidence of resource depletion in masting trees is very rare. Here, we trace seasonal and inter-annual variations in nitrogen (N) concentration and estimate the N storage pool of individuals after full masting of Fagus crenata in two stands.

BioVision: an application for the automated image analysis of histological sections.

We describe a computer application, "BioVision", that can be trained to quickly and effectively classify and quantify user definable histological objects (e.g., senile plaques, neurofibrillary tangles) within single or double-labeled immunocytochemically stained sections.

Progressive and nonprogressive rheumatoid arthritis over a 10-year period in Japan.

We followed 207 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who were registered at our hospital over a 10-year period from between 1989 and 1990. The number of patients who were still treated at our hospital in 2001 was 87. Sixty patients had died, 39 had changed hospitals, 11 had interrupted treatment, and 10 had not had further followup.