A Distinctive New Species Of Ouratea (ochnaceae) From The Jalapão Region, Tocantins, Brazil

Ouratea acicularis R. Chacon & K. Yamamoto (Ochnaceae), a new species from the recently created Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins, Jalapão region, Brazil, is described. Ouratea acicularis appears to be most closely allied to O. oleifolia (A. Saint-Hilaire) Engler. Both species share a pubescent indumentum on the young branches, leaf surfaces, inflorescence axes, and outer surface of the flower buds, as well as revolute leaves and acute flower buds. Ouratea acicularis is unique in the genus in its aciculate leaf blade, at least 4 times narrower than in O. oleifolia, with a strongly revolute margin that conceals the abaxial leaf surface except for the midrib, as well as its inconspicuous secondary venation and narrower flower buds. Anatomically, O. acicularis differs from other previously studied species of Ouratea Aublet in that the cells of the adaxial epidermis have an hourglass-shaped lumen, pericellular forked hairs fused at the base, an unusually large cap of fibers and sclereids above the collateral vascular bundles, and in the predominantly 2-layered chlorenchyma. The stems of O. acicularis are noteworthy for the conspicuous secretory cavities of the cortex and secondary xylem, in which fibers and vessel members predominate.183397404Arruda, M.B., von Behr, M., Introdução (2002) Jalapão: Expedição Científica e Conservacionista, pp. 11-12. , Pp, M. B. Arruda & M. von Behr editors, IBAMA. BrasíliaBarroso, G.M., Morin, M.P., Peixoto, A.L., Ichaso, C.L.F., Frutos e Sementes (1999) Morfologia Aplicada à Sistemáticas de Dicotiledôneas, , Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Minas Gerais, BrazilBaum, H., Die Frucht von Ochna multiflora DC., ein Fall ökologischer Apokarpie. (1951) Oesterr. Bot. Z, 98 (4), pp. 388-395Engler, A. 1876. Ochnaceae. Pp. 301-332, pl. 62-77 in C. F. P. Martius & I. Urban (editors). Flora Brasiliensis 12(2)Guédès, M. & C. Sastre. 1981. Morphology of the gynoecium and systematic position of the Ochnaceae. Bot. J. Finn. Soc. 82: 121-138IUCN. 2001. IUCN Red Uist Categories and Criteria Version 3.1. Prepared by the IUCN Species Survival Commission. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland, and Cambridge, United KingdomMaguire, B., Steyermark, J.A., Ouratea (Ochnaceae) in Guyana and adjacent Amazonian hvlea (1989) Mem. New York Bot. Gard, 51, pp. 56-102Mittermeier, R.A., Myers, N., Gil, P.R., Mittermeier, C.G., (1999) Hotspots: Earth's Biologically Richest and Most Endangered Terrestrial Ecoregions, , Conservation International, Arlington, Virginia, and CEMEX, HoustonProença, C. E. B., A. B. Sampaio, L. C. Milhomens, L. H. Soares e Silva, M. F. Simon, P. L. Simpson Jr. & R. Farias. 2002. Relatório da botânica. Pp. 21-28 in M. B. Arruda & M. von Behr (editors), Jalapão: Expedição Científica e Conservacionista. IBAMA, BrasíliaMittermeier, R.A., Myers, N., Gil, P.R., Mittermeier, C.G., Singer, R.F., Gomes, B.M., Pleonotoma orientalis (Bignonieae, Bignoniaceae): Expanded description, distribution, and a new variety of a poorly known species (2007) Edinburgh J. Bot, 64, pp. 17-23Reis, M. L., D. C. Coelho, D. de F. Pereira. I. H. Carvalho, M. L. de A. Nunes, M. F. Simon & V. da S. Braz. 2002. Relatório da zoologia. Pp. 29-44 in M. B. Arruda & M. von Behr (editors), Jalapão: Expedição Científica e Conservacionista. IBAMA, BrasíliaSastre, C., Studies on the Flora of the Guianas 34. Synopsis generis Ouratea Aublet (Ochnaceae) (1988) Bull. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat., B, Adansonia, 1, pp. 47-67Sastre, C., New Ouratea species (Ochnaceae) from Venezuela and adjacent countries (2001) Novon, 11, pp. 105-118Scariot, A.O., Cavalcanti, T.B., Sevilha, A.C., Sampaio, A.B., Carvalho-Silva, M., Pereira-Silva, G., (2002) Flora e Vegetação do Entomo do Parque Estadual do Jalapão (TO): Relatório de Atividades, , EMBRAPA, BrasíliaSolereder, H., (1908) Systematic Anatomy of the Dicotyledons, , Clarendon Press, OxfordSpujt, R.W., A systematic treatment of fruit types (1994) Mem. New York Bot. Gard, 70, pp. 1-182Tieghem, van, P., Sur les Ochnacées. (1902) Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot, 16, pp. 161-416Whitefoord, C., Eight new species of Ouratea (Ochnaceae) from Mesoamerica (1992) Novon, 2, pp. 274-281Yamamoto, K. 1989. Morfologia, Anatomia e Sistemática do Gênero Ouratea Aubl.: Levantamento Preliminar de Características de Importância Taxonômica e Avaliação das Classificações Vigentes. Dissertação de Mestrado, Programa de Pós Graduação em Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brasil_. 1995. Estudos Taxonômicos Sobre Ouratea parviflora (DC.) Baill. (Ochnaceae) e Espécies Afins Ocorrentes em Floresta Atlântica nas Regiões Sudeste e Sul do Brasil. Ph.D. Thesis (unpubl.), Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Brazi

Large Eddy simulations of isolated and installed jet noise using the high-order discontinuous Galerkin method

A recently developed computational framework for jet noise is used to compute the noise generated by an isolated and installed jet. The framework consists of two parts. In the first part, the spectral/hp element framework Nektar++ is used to compute the near-field flow. Nektar++ solves the unfiltered Navier-Stokes equations on unstructured grids using the high-order discontinuous Galerkin method. The discrete equations are integrated in time using an implicit scheme based on the matrix-free Newton-GMRES method. In the second part, the Antares library is used to compute the far-field noise. Antares solves the Ffowcs Williams - Hawkings equation for a permeable integration surface in the time domain using a source-time dominant algorithm. The simulations are validated against experimental data obtained in the Doak Laboratory Flight Jet Rig, located at the University of Southampton. For the isolated jet, good agreement is achieved, both in terms of the flow statistics and the far-field noise. The discrepancies observed for the isolated jet are believed to be caused by an under-resolved boundary layer in the simulations. For the installed jet, the flow statistics are also well predicted. In the far-field, very good agreement is achieved for downstream observers. For upstream observers, some discrepancies are observed for very high and very low frequencies

A distinctive new species of Ouratea (Ochnaceae) from the Jalapao Region, Tocantins, Brazil

Ouratea acicularis R. Chacon & K. Yamamoto (Ochnaceae), a new species from the recently created Estacao Ecologica serra Geral do Tocantins, jalapao region, Brazil, is described. Ouratea acicularis appears to be most closly allied to O. oleifolia (A. Saint- Hilaire) Engler. Both species share a pubescent indumentum on the young branches, leaf surfaces, inflorescence axes, and outer surface of the flower buds, as well as revolute leaves and acute flower buds. Ouratea acicularis is uinque inthe genus in its aciculate leaf blade, at least 4 times narrower than in O. oleifolia, with a strongly revolute margin that conceals the abaxial leaf surface except for the midrib, as well as its inconspicuous secondary venation and narrower flower buds. Anatomically, O. acicularis differs from other previously studied species of Ouratea Aublet in that the cells of the adaxial epidermis have an hourglass-shaped lumen, pluricellular forked hairs fused at the base, an unusually large cap of fivers and sclereids above the collateral vascular bundles, and in the predominantly 2-layered chlorechyma. the stems of O. acicularis are noteworthy for the conspicuous secretory cavities of the cortex and secondary xylem, in which fibers and vessel members predominate.18339740

Aeroacoustic analysis of a closely installed chevron nozzle jet using the high-order discontinuous Galerkin method

In this paper, we use Large Eddy Simulations (LES) in combination with the Ffowcs Williams - Hawkings method to study the influence of chevrons on the flow field as well as the noise produced by a closely installed M = 0.6 jet. The LES simulations are performed with the spectral/hp element framework Nektar++. Nektar++ uses the high-order discontinuous Galerkin method and an implicit scheme based on the matrix-free Newton-GMRES method to discretize the unfiltered Navier-Stokes equations in space and time, respectively. The far-field noise is computed using Antares. Antares solves the Ffowcs Williams - Hawkings equation for a permeable integration surface in the time-domain using a source-time dominant algorithm. The aerodynamic results show good agreement with experimental data obtained in the Doak Laboratory Flight Jet Rig, located at the University of Southampton. Some discrepancies are observed in terms of the far-field noise levels, especially for higher polar observer angles relative to the downstream jet axis. In terms of noise reduction potential, the simulations predict that the chevrons reduce the OASPL by 1dB compared to an installed round nozzle for all observers located on the unshielded side of the wing. This should be compared to the experiments, which predict a 1.5dB noise reduction for the same chevron nozzle

The TAM receptor Mertk protects against neuroinvasive viral infection by maintaining blood-brain barrier integrity

The TAM receptors Tyro3, Axl, and Mertk are receptor tyrosine kinases that dampen host innate immune responses following engagement with their ligands, Gas6 and Protein S, which recognize phosphatidylserine on apoptotic cells. In a form of apoptotic mimicry, many enveloped viruses display phosphatidylserine on the outer leaflet of their membranes, enabling TAM receptor activation and down-regulation of antiviral responses. Accordingly, we hypothesized that a deficiency of TAM receptors would enhance antiviral responses and protect against viral infection. Unexpectedly, mice lacking Mertk and/or Axl but not Tyro3 exhibited greater vulnerability to infection with neuroinvasive West Nile and La Crosse viruses. This phenotype was associated with increased blood-brain barrier permeability, which enhanced virus entry into and infection of the brain. Activation of Mertk synergized with IFN-β to tighten cell junctions and prevent virus transit across brain microvascular endothelial cells. Because TAM receptors restrict pathogenesis of neuroinvasive viruses, these findings have implications for TAM antagonists that are currently in clinical development

Acute Human Self-Poisoning with Imidacloprid Compound: A Neonicotinoid Insecticide

Background: Deliberate self-poisoning with older pesticides such as organophosphorus compounds are commonly fatal and a serious public health problem in the developing world. The clinical consequences of self-poisoning with newer pesticides are not well described. Such information may help to improve clinical management and inform pesticide regulators of their relative toxicity. This study reports the clinical outcomes and toxicokinetics of the neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid following acute self-poisoning in humans. Methodology/Principal Findings: Demographic and clinical data were prospectively recorded in patients with imidacloprid exposure in three hospitals in Sri Lanka. Blood samples were collected when possible for quantification of imidacloprid concentration. There were 68 patients (61 self-ingestions and 7 dermal exposures) with exposure to imidacloprid. Of the self-poisoning patients, the median time to presentation was 4 hours (IQR 2.3–6.0) and median amount ingested was 15 mL (IQR 10–50 mL). Most patients only developed mild symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headache and diarrhoea. One patient developed respiratory failure needing mechanical ventilation while another was admitted to intensive care due to prolonged sedation. There were no deaths. Median admission imidacloprid concentration was 10.58 ng/L; IQR: 3.84–15.58 ng/L, Range: 0.02–51.25 ng/L. Changes in the concentration of imidacloprid in serial blood samples were consistent with prolonged absorption and/or saturable elimination. Conclusions: Imidacloprid generally demonstrates low human lethality even in large ingestions. Respiratory failure and reduced level of consciousness were the most serious complications, but these were uncommon. Substitution of imidacloprid for organophosphorus compounds in areas where the incidence of self-poisoning is high may help reduce deaths from self-poisoning

Insights from a national survey into why substance abuse treatment units add prevention and outreach services

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have found that even limited prevention-related interventions can affect health behaviors such as substance use and risky sex. Substance abuse treatment providers are ideal candidates to provide these services, but typically have little or no financial incentive to do so. The purpose of this study was therefore to explore why some substance abuse treatment units have added new prevention and outreach services. Based on an ecological framework of organizational strategy, three categories of predictors were tested: (1) environmental, (2) unit-level, and (3) unit leadership. RESULTS: A lagged cross-sectional logistic model of 450 outpatient substance abuse treatment units revealed that local per capita income, mental health center affiliation, and clinical supervisors' graduate degrees were positively associated with likelihood of adding prevention-related education and outreach services. Managed care contracts and methadone treatment were negatively associated with addition of these services. No hospital-affiliated agencies added prevention and outreach services during the study period. CONCLUSION: Findings supported the study's ecological perspective on organizational strategy, with factors at environmental, unit, and unit leadership levels associated with additions of prevention and outreach services. Among the significant predictors, ties to managed care payers and unit leadership graduate education emerge as potential leverage points for public policy. In the current sample, units with managed care contracts were less likely to add prevention and outreach services. This is not surprising, given managed care's emphasis on cost control. However, the association with this payment source suggests that public managed care programs might affects prevention and outreach differently through revised incentives. Specifically, government payers could explicitly compensate substance abuse treatment units in managed care contracts for prevention and outreach. The effects of supervisor graduate education on likelihood of adding new prevention and outreach programs suggests that leaders' education can affect organizational strategy. Foundation and government officials may encourage prevention and outreach by funding curricular enhancements to graduate degree programs demonstrating the importance of public goods. Overall, these findings suggest that both money and professional education affect substance abuse treatment unit additions of prevention and outreach services, as well as other factors less amenable to policy intervention