Intra-annual height growth dynamics of Scots and lodgepole pines and its relationship with meteorological parameters in central Latvia

The Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) is the second-most widely used tree species in forestry in Latvia and is the only species used for afforestation on nutrient poor soils that cover considerable forest land in Latvia. Several studies have shown that, in such conditions, the lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) may be more productive in terms of biomass and yield. It is important to consider climate change studies to assess the potential for a larger-scale use of the lodgepole pine in forestry. The aim was to assess the intra-annual height growth patterns of both species, the differences between them, and the influence of meteorological parameters on their height growth. Their height growth was monitored on a weekly basis in two sampling sites in central Latvia, and the height increment curves were described by Gompertz’s model. The height growth dynamics of individual trees and species differed notably, indicating the potential for the selection of the best-adapted genotypes. Our results indicate that the early onset of the active growth phase might be the most important factor determining the total height increment for both species. Temperature-related meteorological parameters were the only ones with a statistically significant influence on pines height growth and only when at least one of the variables were standardised prior to the analysis. A temperature increase had a slightly stronger positive effect on the growth of the lodgepole pine, indicating that it might be suitable for more intensive use in forestry under the climate change scenarios for Latvia

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane bound fulleropyrrolidines

The first reported examples of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) cages containing a fulleropyrrolidine species are reported herein. Monosubstituted POSS-dioxalane species were synthesized through the hydrosilylation of a silyl-dioxalane with mono-vinyl substituted POSS. Subsequent deprotection yielded the desired aldehyde functionality. An alternative synthetic pathway, involving the nucleophilic substitution of mono-benzyl chloride POSS with 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde yielded the desired aldehyde functionality. Each mono-aldehyde POSS was then reacted with N-methylglycine and C60 to yield the desired POSS fulleropyrrolidines. The prepared compounds were characterized by multinuclear NMR, electrospray mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, UV-vis, fluorescence and optical power limiting measurements

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane-bound iminofullerene

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) cages containing an iminofullerene species are reported herein.Monosubstituted benzyl chloride POSS was synthesized, and subsequently reactedwith sodium azide to form mono benzyl azide POSS. The azide was subsequently reacted with C60 in anhydrous, degassed toluene to yield the desired POSS iminofullerene compound. The prepared compounds were characterized by multinuclear NMR, electrospray mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, UV-vis, fluorescence and optical power limitingmeasurements

POSS Fulleropyrrolidines

The first reported examples of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) cages containing a fulleropyrrolidine species are reported herein. Monosubstituted POSS-dioxalane species were synthesized through the hydrosilylation of a silyl-dioxalane with mono-vinyl substituted POSS. Subsequent deprotection yielded the desired aldehyde functionality. An alternative synthetic pathway, involving the nucleophilic substitution of mono-benzyl chloride POSS with 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde yielded the desired aldehyde functionality. Each mono-aldehyde POSS was then reacted with N-methylglycine and C60 to yield the desired POSS fulleropyrrolidines. The prepared compounds were characterized by multinuclear NMR, electrospray mass spectrometry, UV-VIS, fluorescence and optical power limiting measurements

Ethynylbenzene Monolayers on Gold: A Metal-Molecule Binding Motif Derived from a Hydrocarbon

Exposure of a Au(111) surface to ethynylbenzene in solution leads to the formation of a bound monolayer. A chemisorption process occurs to give a stable layer consisting of oxygen-containing hydrocarbon species. Ethynylbenzene itself does not oxidize under the deposition conditions indicating that the gold surface facilitates the oxidation process. Calculations show that ethynylbenzene and its oxidation products phenylacetic acid and phenyloxirane have positive binding energies to the gold surface. 1,4-Diethynylbenzene also binds to Au(111) and anchors gold nanoparticles deposited from solution to form dense, semiregular arrays. © 2007 American Chemical Society