@article{BuniatyanAbouzarMartirosyanetal.2010, author = {Buniatyan, Vahe V. and Abouzar, Maryam H. and Martirosyan, Norayr W. and Schubert, J{\"u}rgen and Gevorgian, Spartak and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef and Poghossian, Arshak}, title = {pH-sensitive properties of barium strontium titanate (BST) thin films prepared by pulsed laser deposition technique}, series = {Physica Status Solidi (A). 207 (2010), H. 4}, journal = {Physica Status Solidi (A). 207 (2010), H. 4}, isbn = {1862-6300}, pages = {824 -- 830}, year = {2010}, language = {en} } @article{FerreinSiebelSteinbauer2010, author = {Ferrein, Alexander and Siebel, Nils T. and Steinbauer, Gerald}, title = {Hybrid control for autonomous systems — Integrating learning, deliberation and reactive control}, series = {Robotics and Autonomous Systems}, volume = {58}, journal = {Robotics and Autonomous Systems}, number = {9}, isbn = {0921-8890}, pages = {1037 -- 1038}, year = {2010}, language = {en} } @article{StaatSponagelNguyen2010, author = {Staat, Manfred and Sponagel, Stefan and Nguyen, Nhu Huynh}, title = {Experiment and material model for soft tissue materials}, series = {Constitutive models for rubber VI : proceedings of the sixth European Conference on Constitutive Models for Rubber, Dresden, Germany, 7 - 10 September 2009 / eds. Gert Heinrich ...}, journal = {Constitutive models for rubber VI : proceedings of the sixth European Conference on Constitutive Models for Rubber, Dresden, Germany, 7 - 10 September 2009 / eds. Gert Heinrich ...}, publisher = {CRC Press}, address = {Boca Raton [u.a.]}, isbn = {978-0-415-56327-7}, pages = {465 -- 470}, year = {2010}, language = {en} } @article{BegingMlynekHataihimakuletal.2010, author = {Beging, Stefan and Mlynek, Daniela and Hataihimakul, Sudkanung and Poghossian, Arshak and Baldsiefen, Gerhard and Busch, Heinz and Laube, Norbert and Kleinen, Lisa and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Field-effect calcium sensor for the determination of the risk of urinary stone formation}, series = {Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical. 144 (2010), H. 2}, journal = {Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical. 144 (2010), H. 2}, pages = {374 -- 379}, year = {2010}, language = {en} } @article{BialonskiHorstmannLehnertz2010, author = {Bialonski, Stephan and Horstmann, Marie-Therese and Lehnertz, Klaus}, title = {From brain to earth and climate systems: Small-world interaction networks or not?}, series = {Chaos: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Nonlinear Science}, volume = {20}, journal = {Chaos: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Nonlinear Science}, number = {1}, publisher = {AIP Publishing}, address = {Melville, NY}, issn = {1089-7682}, doi = {10.1063/1.3360561}, pages = {013134}, year = {2010}, abstract = {We consider recent reports on small-world topologies of interaction networks derived from the dynamics of spatially extended systems that are investigated in diverse scientific fields such as neurosciences, geophysics, or meteorology. With numerical simulations that mimic typical experimental situations, we have identified an important constraint when characterizing such networks: indications of a small-world topology can be expected solely due to the spatial sampling of the system along with the commonly used time series analysis based approaches to network characterization.}, language = {en} } @article{vonKnobelsdorfBrenkenhoffFrauenrathProthmannetal.2010, author = {von Knobelsdorf-Brenkenhoff, Florian and Frauenrath, Tobias and Prothmann, Marcel and Dieringer, Matthias A. and Hezel, Fabian and Renz, Wolfgang and Kretschel, Kerstin and Niendorf, Thoralf and Schulz-Menger, Jeanette}, title = {Cardiac chamber quantification using magnetic resonance imaging at 7 Tesla—a pilot study}, volume = {20}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Berlin, Heidelberg}, issn = {0938-7994}, doi = {10.1007/s00330-010-1888-2}, pages = {2844 -- 2852}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Objectives Interest in cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) at 7 T is motivated by the expected increase in spatial and temporal resolution, but the method is technically challenging. We examined the feasibility of cardiac chamber quantification at 7 T. Methods A stack of short axes covering the left ventricle was obtained in nine healthy male volunteers. At 1.5 T, steady-state free precession (SSFP) and fast gradient echo (FGRE) cine imaging with 7 mm slice thickness (STH) were used. At 7 T, FGRE with 7 mm and 4 mm STH were applied. End-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, ejection fraction and mass were calculated. Results All 7 T examinations provided excellent blood/myocardium contrast for all slice directions. No significant difference was found regarding ejection fraction and cardiac volumes between SSFP at 1.5 T and FGRE at 7 T, while volumes obtained from FGRE at 1.5 T were underestimated. Cardiac mass derived from FGRE at 1.5 and 7 T was larger than obtained from SSFP at 1.5 T. Agreement of volumes and mass between SSFP at 1.5 T and FGRE improved for FGRE at 7 T when combined with an STH reduction to 4 mm. Conclusions This pilot study demonstrates that cardiac chamber quantification at 7 T using FGRE is feasible and agrees closely with SSFP at 1.5 T.}, language = {en} } @article{DobbertinEilmannBleuleretal.2010, author = {Dobbertin, Matthias and Eilmann, Britta and Bleuler, Peter and Giuggiola, Arnaud and Graf Pannatier, Elisabeth and Landolt, Werner and Schleppi, Patrick and Rigling, Andreas}, title = {Effect of irrigation on needle morphology, shoot and stem growth in a drought-exposed Pinus sylvestris forest}, series = {Tree Physiology}, volume = {30}, journal = {Tree Physiology}, number = {3}, publisher = {Oxford University Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {1758-4469 (Online)}, doi = {10.1093/treephys/tpp123}, pages = {346 -- 360}, year = {2010}, abstract = {In Valais, Switzerland, Scots pines (Pinus sylvestris L.) are declining, mainly following drought. To assess the impact of drought on tree growth and survival, an irrigation experiment was initiated in 2003 in a mature pine forest, approximately doubling the annual precipitation. Tree crown transparency (lack of foliage) and leaf area index (LAI) were annually assessed. Seven irrigated and six control trees were felled in 2006, and needles, stem discs and branches were taken for growth analysis. Irrigation in 2004 and 2005, both with below-average precipitation, increased needle size, area and mass, stem growth and, with a 1-year delay, shoot length. This led to a relative decrease in tree crown transparency (-14\%) and to an increase in stand LAI (+20\%). Irrigation increased needle length by 70\%, shoot length by 100\% and ring width by 120\%, regardless of crown transparency. Crown transparency correlated positively with mean needle size, shoot length and ring width and negatively with specific leaf area. Trees with high crown transparency (low growth, short needles) experienced similar increases in needle mass and growth with irrigation than trees with low transparency (high growth, long needles), indicating that seemingly declining trees were able to 'recover' when water supply became sufficient. A simple drought index before and during the irrigation explained most of the variation found in the parameters for both irrigated and control trees.}, language = {en} } @article{Helmig2010, author = {Helmig, Ilka}, title = {Nitty - fontnames illustrated}, series = {Slanted}, journal = {Slanted}, number = {11}, publisher = {Slanted Publishers}, address = {Karlsruhe}, issn = {1867-6510}, pages = {68 -- 69}, year = {2010}, language = {en} } @article{FrauenrathHezelRenzetal.2010, author = {Frauenrath, Tobias and Hezel, Fabian and Renz, Wolfgang and de Geyer d'Orth, Thibaut and Dieringer, Matthias and von Knobelsdorf-Brenkenhoff, Florian and Prothmann, Marcel and Schulz-Menger, Jeanette and Niendorf, Thoralf}, title = {Acoustic cardiac triggering: a practical solution for synchronization and gating of cardiovascular magnetic resonance at 7 Tesla}, series = {Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance}, volume = {12}, journal = {Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance}, number = {1}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1532-429X}, doi = {10.1186/1532-429X-12-67}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Background To demonstrate the applicability of acoustic cardiac triggering (ACT) for imaging of the heart at ultrahigh magnetic fields (7.0 T) by comparing phonocardiogram, conventional vector electrocardiogram (ECG) and traditional pulse oximetry (POX) triggered 2D CINE acquisitions together with (i) a qualitative image quality analysis, (ii) an assessment of the left ventricular function parameter and (iii) an examination of trigger reliability and trigger detection variance derived from the signal waveforms. Results ECG was susceptible to severe distortions at 7.0 T. POX and ACT provided waveforms free of interferences from electromagnetic fields or from magneto-hydrodynamic effects. Frequent R-wave mis-registration occurred in ECG-triggered acquisitions with a failure rate of up to 30\% resulting in cardiac motion induced artifacts. ACT and POX triggering produced images free of cardiac motion artefacts. ECG showed a severe jitter in the R-wave detection. POX also showed a trigger jitter of approximately Δt = 72 ms which is equivalent to two cardiac phases. ACT showed a jitter of approximately Δt = 5 ms only. ECG waveforms revealed a standard deviation for the cardiac trigger offset larger than that observed for ACT or POX waveforms. Image quality assessment showed that ACT substantially improved image quality as compared to ECG (image quality score at end-diastole: ECG = 1.7 ± 0.5, ACT = 2.4 ± 0.5, p = 0.04) while the comparison between ECG vs. POX gated acquisitions showed no significant differences in image quality (image quality score: ECG = 1.7 ± 0.5, POX = 2.0 ± 0.5, p = 0.34). Conclusions The applicability of acoustic triggering for cardiac CINE imaging at 7.0 T was demonstrated. ACT's trigger reliability and fidelity are superior to that of ECG and POX. ACT promises to be beneficial for cardiovascular magnetic resonance at ultra-high field strengths including 7.0 T.}, language = {en} } @article{EgliAyerPeteretal.2010, author = {Egli, Simon and Ayer, Fran{\c{c}}ois and Peter, Martina and Eilmann, Britta and Rigling, Andreas}, title = {Is forest mushroom productivity driven by tree growth? Results from a thinning experiment}, series = {Annals of Forest Science}, volume = {67}, journal = {Annals of Forest Science}, number = {5}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Paris}, issn = {1286-4560 (Print)}, doi = {10.1051/forest/2010011}, pages = {509}, year = {2010}, abstract = {• Most of the edible forest mushrooms are mycorrhizal and depend on carbohydrates produced by the associated trees. Fruiting patterns of these fungi are not yet fully understood since climatic factors alone do not completely explain mushroom occurrence. • The objective of this study was to retrospectively find out if changing tree growth following an increment thinning has influenced the diversity patterns and productivity of associated forest mushrooms in the fungus reserve La Chan{\´e}az, Switzerland. • The results reveal a clear temporal relationship between the thinning, the growth reaction of trees and the reaction of the fungal community, especially for the ectomycorrhizal species. The tree-ring width of the formerly suppressed beech trees and the fruit body number increased after thinning, leading to a significantly positive correlation between fruit body numbers and tree-ring width. • Fruit body production was influenced by previous annual tree growth, the best accordance was found between fruit body production and the tree-ring width two years previously. • The results support the hypothesis that ectomycorrhizal fruit body production must be linked with the growth of the associated host trees. Moreover, the findings indicate the importance of including mycorrhizal fungi as important players when discussing a tree as a carbon source or sink.}, language = {en} } @article{Esch2010, author = {Esch, Thomas}, title = {Trends in commercial vehicle powertrains}, series = {ATZautotechnology}, volume = {2010}, journal = {ATZautotechnology}, number = {10}, publisher = {Vieweg \& Sohn}, address = {Wiesbaden}, issn = {2192-886X}, doi = {10.1007/BF03247185}, pages = {26 -- 31}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Low emission zones and truck bans, the rising price of diesel and increases in road tolls: all of these factors are putting serious pressure on the transport industry. Commercial vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers are in the process of identifying new solutions to these challenges as part of their efforts to meet the EEV (enhanced environmentally friendly vehicle) limits, which are currently the most robust European exhaust and emissions standards for trucks and buses.}, language = {en} } @article{NiemuellerFerreinBecketal.2010, author = {Niem{\"u}ller, Tim and Ferrein, Alexander and Beck, Daniel and Lakemeyer, Gerhard}, title = {Design Principles of the Component-Based Robot Software Framework Fawkes}, series = {Simulation, Modeling, and Programming for Autonomous Robots}, journal = {Simulation, Modeling, and Programming for Autonomous Robots}, pages = {300 -- 311}, year = {2010}, language = {en} } @article{FerreinSteinbauer2010, author = {Ferrein, Alexander and Steinbauer, Gerald}, title = {On the Way to High-Level Programming for Resource-Limited Embedded Systems with Golog}, series = {Simulation, Modeling, and Programming for Autonomous Robots}, journal = {Simulation, Modeling, and Programming for Autonomous Robots}, pages = {229 -- 240}, year = {2010}, language = {en} } @article{Ferrein2010, author = {Ferrein, Alexander}, title = {Robot controllers for highly dynamic environments with real-time constraints}, series = {K{\"u}nstliche Intelligenz : KI. 24 (2010), H. 2}, journal = {K{\"u}nstliche Intelligenz : KI. 24 (2010), H. 2}, isbn = {1610-1987}, pages = {175 -- 178}, year = {2010}, language = {en} } @article{AbouzarPoghossianSiqueiraetal.2010, author = {Abouzar, Maryam H. and Poghossian, Arshak and Siqueira, Jos{\´e} R. Jr. and Oliveira, Osvaldo N. Jr. and Moritz, Werner and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Capacitive electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor structures functionalised with a polyelectrolyte/enzyme multilayer: New strategy for enhanced field-effect biosensing}, series = {Physica Status Solidi (A). 207 (2010), H. 4}, journal = {Physica Status Solidi (A). 207 (2010), H. 4}, isbn = {1862-6300}, pages = {884 -- 890}, year = {2010}, language = {en} } @article{ScholzLeyDachwaldetal.2010, author = {Scholz, A. and Ley, Wilfried and Dachwald, Bernd and Miau, J. J. and Juang, J. C.}, title = {Flight results of the COMPASS-1 picosatellite mission}, series = {Acta Astronautica. 67 (2010), H. 9-10}, journal = {Acta Astronautica. 67 (2010), H. 9-10}, isbn = {0094-5765}, pages = {1289 -- 1298}, year = {2010}, language = {en} } @article{TranStaat2010, author = {Tran, Thanh Ngoc and Staat, Manfred}, title = {Shakedown analysis of two dimensional structures by an edge-based smoothed finite element method}, pages = {1 -- 7}, year = {2010}, language = {en} } @article{SiqueiraBaeckerPoghossianetal.2010, author = {Siqueira, Jos{\´e} R. Jr. and B{\"a}cker, Matthias and Poghossian, Arshak and Zucolotto, Valtencir and Oliveira, Osvaldo N. Jr. and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Associating biosensing properties with the morphological structure of multilayers containing carbon nanotubes on field-effect devices}, series = {Physica status solidi (a). 207 (2010), H. 4}, journal = {Physica status solidi (a). 207 (2010), H. 4}, isbn = {1862-6300}, pages = {781 -- 786}, year = {2010}, language = {en} } @article{GoettscheHoffschmidtSchmitzetal.2010, author = {G{\"o}ttsche, Joachim and Hoffschmidt, Bernhard and Schmitz, Stefan and Sauerborn, Markus}, title = {Solar Concentrating Systems Using Small Mirror Arrays}, series = {Journal of solar energy engineering}, volume = {Vol. 132}, journal = {Journal of solar energy engineering}, number = {Iss. 1}, isbn = {0199-6231}, pages = {4 S.}, year = {2010}, language = {en} } @article{Digel2010, author = {Digel, Ilya}, title = {In-situ biological decontamination of an ice melting probe}, year = {2010}, language = {en} } @article{GeimerSauerbornHoffschmidtetal.2010, author = {Geimer, Konstantin and Sauerborn, Markus and Hoffschmidt, Bernhard and Schmitz, Mark and G{\"o}ttsche, Joachim}, title = {Test Facility for Absorber Specimens of Solar Tower Power Plants}, series = {Advances in Science and Technology. 74 (2010)}, journal = {Advances in Science and Technology. 74 (2010)}, pages = {266 -- 271}, year = {2010}, language = {en} } @article{MaiwaldDachwald2010, author = {Maiwald, Volker and Dachwald, Bernd}, title = {Mission Design for a Multiple-Rendezvous Mission to Jupiter's Trojans}, pages = {3}, year = {2010}, language = {en} } @article{HorstmannBialonskiNoenningetal.2010, author = {Horstmann, Marie-Therese and Bialonski, Stephan and Noenning, Nina and Mai, Heinke and Prusseit, Jens and Wellmer, J{\"o}rg and Hinrichs, Hermann and Lehnertz, Klaus}, title = {State dependent properties of epileptic brain networks: Comparative graph-theoretical analyses of simultaneously recorded EEG and MEG}, series = {Clinical Neurophysiology}, volume = {121}, journal = {Clinical Neurophysiology}, number = {2}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1388-2457}, doi = {10.1016/j.clinph.2009.10.013}, pages = {172 -- 185}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Objective To investigate whether functional brain networks of epilepsy patients treated with antiepileptic medication differ from networks of healthy controls even during the seizure-free interval. Methods We applied different rules to construct binary and weighted networks from EEG and MEG data recorded under a resting-state eyes-open and eyes-closed condition from 21 epilepsy patients and 23 healthy controls. The average shortest path length and the clustering coefficient served as global statistical network characteristics. Results Independent on the behavioral condition, epileptic brains exhibited a more regular functional network structure. Similarly, the eyes-closed condition was characterized by a more regular functional network structure in both groups. The amount of network reorganization due to behavioral state changes was similar in both groups. Consistent findings could be achieved for networks derived from EEG but hardly from MEG recordings, and network construction rules had a rather strong impact on our findings. Conclusions Despite the locality of the investigated processes epileptic brain networks differ in their global characteristics from non-epileptic brain networks. Further methodological developments are necessary to improve the characterization of disturbed and normal functional networks. Significance An increased regularity and a diminished modulation capability appear characteristic of epileptic brain networks.}, language = {en} } @article{UllrichGrottkeRossaintetal.2010, author = {Ullrich, Sebastian and Grottke, Oliver and Rossaint, Rolf and Staat, Manfred and Deserno, Thomas M. and Kuhlen, Torsten}, title = {Virtual Needle Simulation with Haptics for Regional Anaesthesia}, pages = {1 -- 3}, year = {2010}, language = {en} } @article{SchifferFerreinLakemeyer2010, author = {Schiffer, Stefan and Ferrein, Alexander and Lakemeyer, Gerhard}, title = {Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Intelligent Robotics and Applications (ICIRA 2011)}, series = {Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Intelligent Robotics and Applications (ICIRA 2011)}, journal = {Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Intelligent Robotics and Applications (ICIRA 2011)}, pages = {1 -- 10}, year = {2010}, language = {en} } @article{GrajewskiKoesterTurek2010, author = {Grajewski, Matthias and K{\"o}ster, Michael and Turek, Stefam}, title = {Numerical analysis and implementational aspects of a new multilevel grid deformation method}, series = {Applied Numerical Mathematics}, volume = {60}, journal = {Applied Numerical Mathematics}, number = {8}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0168-9274}, doi = {10.1016/j.apnum.2010.03.017}, pages = {767 -- 781}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Recently, we introduced and mathematically analysed a new method for grid deformation (Grajewski et al., 2009) [15] we call basic deformation method (BDM) here. It generalises the method proposed by Liao et al. (Bochev et al., 1996; Cai et al., 2004; Liao and Anderson, 1992) [4], [6], [20]. In this article, we employ the BDM as core of a new multilevel deformation method (MDM) which leads to vast improvements regarding robustness, accuracy and speed. We achieve this by splitting up the deformation process in a sequence of easier subproblems and by exploiting grid hierarchy. Being of optimal asymptotic complexity, we experience speed-ups up to a factor of 15 in our test cases compared to the BDM. This gives our MDM the potential for tackling large grids and time-dependent problems, where possibly the grid must be dynamically deformed once per time step according to the user's needs. Moreover, we elaborate on implementational aspects, in particular efficient grid searching, which is a key ingredient of the BDM.}, language = {en} } @article{BragardSoltauThomasetal.2010, author = {Bragard, Michael and Soltau, N. and Thomas, S. and De Doncker, R. W.}, title = {The balance of renewable sources and user demands in grids : power electronics for modular battery energy storage systems}, series = {IEEE transactions on power electronics}, volume = {25}, journal = {IEEE transactions on power electronics}, number = {12}, publisher = {IEEE}, address = {New York}, issn = {0885-8993}, doi = {10.1109/TPEL.2010.2085455}, pages = {3049 -- 3056}, year = {2010}, abstract = {The continuously growing amount of renewable sources starts compromising the stability of electrical grids. Contradictory to fossil fuel power plants, energy production of wind and photovoltaic (PV) energy is fluctuating. Although predictions have significantly improved, an outage of multi-MW offshore wind farms poses a challenging problem. One solution could be the integration of storage systems in the grid. After a short overview, this paper focuses on two exemplary battery storage systems, including the required power electronics. The grid integration, as well as the optimal usage of volatile energy reserves, is presented for a 5- kW PV system for home application, as well as for a 100- MW medium-voltage system, intended for wind farm usage. The efficiency and cost of topologies are investigated as a key parameter for large-scale integration of renewable power at medium- and low-voltage.}, language = {en} } @article{EilmannBuchmannSiegwolfetal.2010, author = {Eilmann, Britta and Buchmann, Nina and Siegwolf, Rolf and Saurer, Matthias and Cherubini, Paolo and Rigling, Andreas}, title = {Fast response of Scots pine to improved water availability reflected in tree-ring width and δ13C}, series = {Plant, Cell and Environment}, volume = {33}, journal = {Plant, Cell and Environment}, number = {8}, publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {1365-3040 (Online)}, doi = {10.1111/j.1365-3040.2010.02153.x}, pages = {1351 -- 1360}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Drought-induced forest decline, like the Scots pine mortality in inner-Alpine valleys, will gain in importance as the frequency and severity of drought events are expected to increase. To understand how chronic drought affects tree growth and tree-ring δ13C values, we studied mature Scots pine in an irrigation experiment in an inner-Alpine valley. Tree growth and isotope analyses were carried out at the annual and seasonal scale. At the seasonal scale, maximum δ13C values were measured after the hottest and driest period of the year, and were associated with decreasing growth rates. Inter-annual δ13C values in early- and latewood showed a strong correlation with annual climatic conditions and an immediate decrease as a response to irrigation. This indicates a tight coupling between wood formation and the freshly produced assimilates for trees exposed to chronic drought. This rapid appearance of the isotopic signal is a strong indication for an immediate and direct transfer of newly synthesized assimilates for biomass production. The fast appearance and the distinct isotopic signal suggest a low availability of old stored carbohydrates. If this was a sign for C-storage depletion, an increasing mortality could be expected when stressors increase the need for carbohydrate for defence, repair or regeneration.}, language = {en} } @article{FontivonArxGarciaGonzalezetal.2010, author = {Fonti, Patrick and von Arx, Georg and Garc{\´i}a-Gonz{\´a}lez, Ignacio and Eilmann, Britta and Sass-Klaassen, Ute G. W. and G{\"a}rtner, Holger and Eckstein, Dieter}, title = {Studying global change through investigation of the plastic responses of xylem anatomy in tree rings}, series = {New Phytologist}, volume = {185}, journal = {New Phytologist}, number = {1}, publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {1469-8137 (Online)}, doi = {10.1111/j.1469-8137.2009.03030.x}, pages = {42 -- 53}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Variability in xylem anatomy is of interest to plant scientists because of the role water transport plays in plant performance and survival. Insights into plant adjustments to changing environmental conditions have mainly been obtained through structural and functional comparative studies between taxa or within taxa on contrasting sites or along environmental gradients. Yet, a gap exists regarding the study of hydraulic adjustments in response to environmental changes over the lifetimes of plants. In trees, dated tree-ring series are often exploited to reconstruct dynamics in ecological conditions, and recent work in which wood-anatomical variables have been used in dendrochronology has produced promising results. Environmental signals identified in water-conducting cells carry novel information reflecting changes in regional conditions and are mostly related to short, sub-annual intervals. Although the idea of investigating environmental signals through wood anatomical time series goes back to the 1960s, it is only recently that low-cost computerized image-analysis systems have enabled increased scientific output in this field. We believe that the study of tree-ring anatomy is emerging as a promising approach in tree biology and climate change research, particularly if complemented by physiological and ecological studies. This contribution presents the rationale, the potential, and the methodological challenges of this innovative approach.}, language = {en} } @article{RiglingEilmannKoechlietal.2010, author = {Rigling, Andreas and Eilmann, Britta and Koechli, Roger and Dobbertin, Matthias}, title = {Mistletoe-induced crown degradation in Scots pine in a xeric environment}, volume = {30}, number = {7}, publisher = {Oxford University Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {1758-4469 (Online)}, doi = {10.1093/treephys/tpq038}, pages = {845 -- 832}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Increasing Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) mortality has been recently observed in the dry inner valleys of the European Alps. Besides drought, infection with pine mistletoe (Viscum album ssp. austriacum) seems to play an important role in the mortality dynamics of Scots pines, but how mistletoes promote pine decline remains unclear. To verify whether pine mistletoe infection weakens the host via crown degradation, as observed for dwarf mistletoes, we studied the negative effects of pine mistletoe infestation on the photosynthetic tissues and branch growth of pairs of infested and non-infested branches. Pine mistletoe infection leads to crown degradation in its host by reducing the length, the radial increment, the ramification, the needle length and the number of needle years of the infested branches. This massive loss in photosynthetic tissue results in a reduction in primary production and a subsequent decrease in carbohydrate availability. The significant reduction in needle length due to mistletoe infection is an indication for a lower water and nutrient availability in infested branches. Thus, mistletoe infection might lead to a decrease in the availability of water and carbohydrates, the two most important growth factors, which are already shortened due to the chronic drought situation in the area. Therefore, pine mistletoe increases the risk of drought-induced mortality of its host when growing in a xeric environment.}, language = {en} }