The factors that determine sapwood width and volume in a tree are not known. This study asked whether sapwood width is related to a need for stem storage sites. Experiments were conducted on 12 34-year-old Douglas-fir [(Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco] trees with a 6-7 fold range of leaf areas and leaf area/sapwood volumes. Because of declining ray frequency but constant average ray area, ray volume declined for the first 6-10 growth rings, then remained constant, and did not vary with height (breast height vs. 10 nodes from the top). Fewer of the ray parenchyma cells had nuclei in inner than outer sapwood. Inner sapwood had ray parenchyma with smaller rounder nuclei than did outer sapwood, and there was no effect of height. There was a positive relationship between leaf area and the relative volume of ray in outer sapwood at breast height (r = 0.646, p = 0.02), supporting the hypothesis that Douglas-fir trees with larger leaf areas have higher ray volume than do trees with smaller leaf areas. However, correlations of leaf area I sapwood volume with leaf area at either height were not significant, nor were correlations of either leaf area or leaf area/sapwood volume with measures of ray vitality (nuclear frequency in outer sapwood, or the ratio of nuclear frequency in the middle I outer sapwood or in inner I outer sapwood). These latter correlations give no evidence that Douglas-fir trees determine their sapwood volume based on a need for quantity of vital xylem rays.

This article defines spirituality and relates the importance of spirituality to understanding quality of life. Spirituality is examined through organizational religious activities, non-organizational activities and/or as an expression of faith. Spirituality as a variable in the study of quality of life is not a new concept; however, it has returned to the scene during recent years, and has gone through an evolutionary process.

This prospective study provided support for the efficacy of pastoral care with older adults both as a treatment for depression and as a prophylactic to deter the potential negative impact of change and life circumstances. Subjects included forty persons taking anti-depressant medication, forty persons at risk for depression, and forty people recruited by convenience. Treatment subjects were visited by a chaplain for a 30-minute period weekly for six months. Control subjects received only minimal pastoral care. Treatment group post-test scores for depression decreased, while follow-up treatment group scores for depression increased after cessation of the intervention. Prayer, counseling for issues raised, grief work, active listening, life review, and the provision of blessings were significantly associated with a reduction in depression scores.

Reports on research comparing the well-being of women (N = 196) married to parish pastors with that of women (N =205) married to non-clergy. Concludes from the data that women married to pastors report a generally higher state of wellbeing than women married to nonclergy. Notes the factors seemingly responsible for the sense of well-being among clergy wives and points out implications of the data for clinicians and for church judicatory leaders.

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