Notes on the genus Trachyandra (Asphodelaceae: Asphodeloideae) 1: A review of the T. thyrsoidea group (Section Trachyandra) including three new species from the Northern Cape

Three new species of the genus Trachyandra are described, T. hantamensis Boatwr. & J.C.Manning, T. kamiesbergensis Boatwr. & J.C.Manning and T. sanguinorhiza Boatwr. & J.C.Manning. These species form part of a group of morphologically similar species referred to here as the T. thyrsoidea group and are distinguished by their generally small stature, filiform leaves (except for T. tortilis), and simple or shortly branched racemes of patent flowers with maculate tepals. Many of the species in the group have roots that contain abundant anthraquinones, visible as a red substance below the outer skin of the roots, and which is soluble in alcohol, thus often staining herbarium papers purple. A synopsis of the eight species that comprise the T. thyrsoidea group is presented, with maps of each species and illustrations of those described as new

Integrated sensor placement and leak localization using geospatial genetic algorithms

There is an urgent need to reduce water loss from drinking water distribution systems. A novel framework that integrates the placement of multiple pressure sensors and localization using geospatial techniques is developed and validated to find leaks/bursts as they occur within district meter areas (DMAs). A data-driven leak/burst localization technique, featuring a novel spatially constrained inverse-distance weighted interpolation technique, was developed that quantifies the change in pressure due to a new leak/burst event using pressure sensors deployed in a DMA. The integrated framework uses the same modeling results and geospatial search techniques in both the optimal sensor placement and leak/burst localization steps. It can be adapted for any data-driven or model-based leak/burst localization technique and is not dependent on high hydraulic model calibration requirements such as high density smart meter deployment. Validation is presented using data from 16 engineered events (field work flushing) conducted in an operational DMA. Results show good agreement between the leak/burst localization performance for real and modeled engineered events, demonstrating that the sensor placement technique can accurately predict the expected performance of an operational DMA. This is particularly the case as the number of optimal sensors increases. Engineered events as small as 3.5% of the peak daily flow (6% of the average daily flow) were correctly localized with search areas containing as few as 14% of the pipes in the DMA (using only four pressure sensors)

A TAXONOMIC REVISION OF THE OTHONNA BULBOSA GROUP (ASTERACEAE: SENECIONEAE: OTHONNINAE)

Othonna L. (Asteraceae: Senecioneae: Othonninae) is a genus of some 120 species concentrated in the Greater Cape Floristic Region (GCFR) of South Africa, with a few species extending into southern Namibia, Angola, and Zimbabwe. The South African species of Othonna were last revised more than a century ago, and many species, particularly from the southern African winter rainfall region, remain poorly understood. This study focused on the geophytic species comprising the O. bulbosa group, distinguished by their tuberous rootstock and annual, leafy, aerial stems. A comprehensive taxonomic treatment is presented, including descriptions, complete nomenclature and typification, illustrations, and geographical distribution. Twenty-five species are recognized, of which four are newly described (O. lilacina Magoswana & J. C. Manning, O. nigromontana Magoswana & J. C. Manning, O. revoluta Magoswana & J. C. Manning, and O. sinuata Magoswana & J. C. Manning), and 18 names are reduced to synonymy. The species differ in habit, shape and incision of foliage, capitulum type (radiate vs. disciform), number of involucral bracts, pappus length, and cypselae (myxogenic vs. nonmyxogenic). We place the species into four morphologically diagnosable series (series Heterophyllae Magoswana & J. C. Manning, series Disciformes Magoswana & J. C. Manning, series Perfoliatae Magoswana & J. C. Manning, and series Undulosae Magoswana & J. C. Manning) based on habit and capitulum type

Phylogeography of an endangered disjunct herb: long-distance dispersal, refugia and colonization routes

Quaternary glacial cycles appear to have had a consistent role in shaping the genetic diversity and structure of plant species. Despite the unusual combination of the characteristics of the western Mediterranean– Macaronesian area, there are no studies that have specifically examined the effects of palaeoclimatic and palaeogeographic factors on the genetic composition and structure of annual herbs. Astragalus edulis is a disjunct endemic found in the easternmost Canary Islands and the semi-arid areas of north-eastern Africa and south-eastern Iberian Peninsula. This endangered species shows no evident adaptations to long-distance dispersal. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) data and plastid DNA sequences were analysed from a total of 360 individuals distributed throughout the range of this species. The modelled potential distribution of A. edulis under current conditions was projected over the climatic conditions of the Last Interglacial (130 ka BP) and Last Glacial Maximum (21 ka BP) to analyse changes in habitat suitability and to look for associations between the modelling and genetic results. Amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis showed clear phylogeographic structure with four distinct genetic clusters. Approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) models based on plastid DNA sequences indicated a Middle Pleistocene long-distance dispersal event as the origin of the populations of the Canary Islands. The models also suggested south-western Morocco as the ancestral area for the species, as well as subsequent colonization of north-eastern Morocco and the Iberian Peninsula. The data compiled indicated the possibility of the presence of refuge areas at favourable locations around the High Atlas and Anti-Atlas mountain ranges. Moreover, palaeodistribution models strongly support the events inferred by ABC modelling and show the potential distribution of the species in the past, suggesting a putative colonization route.This work has been financed by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación through the projects CGL2012- 32574 and REN2003-09427, as well as by the Andalusian Consejería de Innovación, Ciencia y Tecnología through the project RNM1067. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript

Trends in DNA barcoding and metabarcoding

This open-access special issue features 12 full articles representing emerging trends from the international DNAbarcoding community. Several articles highlight how DNA-based techniques are elucidating the species diversity,biogeography, and conservation status of Africas biodiversity. Another prominent theme is the movementtowards big biodiversity data using high-throughput, individual-based DNA barcoding methods, which preservevoucher specimens and abundance data, as well as bulk sample-based metabarcoding. Methodological developments are enhancing the detection of specific species and whole communities using environmental DNA(eDNA) barcoding and metabarcoding. Data are also expanding in terms of genetic coverage; in this issue, a newdatabase is established for a secondary fungalDNAbarcode marker, and multi-kingdom, multi-marker biodiversitysurveys are gaining traction. DNA barcode sequence data, often combined with complementary markers or taxonomic information, are increasingly contributing to large-scale phylogenetic projects, with implications for understanding evolutionary history, community structure, and conservation priorities.Fil: Adamowicz, Sarah J.. University of Guelph; CanadáFil: Boatwright, James S.. University of The Western Cape; SudáfricaFil: Chain, Frédéric. University of Massachusetts; Estados UnidosFil: Fisher, Brian L.. California Academy Of Sciences.; Estados UnidosFil: Hogg, Ian D.. Polar Knowledge Canada; CanadáFil: Leese, Florian. Universitat Essen; AlemaniaFil: Lijtmaer, Dario Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; ArgentinaFil: Mwale, Monica. South African National Biodiversity Institute; SudáfricaFil: Naaum, Amanda M.. The Queens University of Belfast; IrlandaFil: Pochon, Xavier. University of Auckland; Nueva ZelandaFil: Schubert, Dirk W.. University of Guelph; CanadáFil: Wilson, John James. National Museums Liverpool; Reino UnidoFil: Wood, Susanna. Cawthron Institute; Nueva ZelandaFil: Xu, Jianping. Mcmaster University; CanadáFil: Xu, Sen. University of Texas at Arlington; Estados UnidosFil: Zhou, Xin. China Agricultural University; ChinaFil: Van Der Bank, Michelle. University of Johannesburg; Sudáfric

Stakeholder engagement in the city branding process

This paper explores perceptions of stakeholder engagement in the city branding process from the perspective of two post-industrial cities: Sheffield, UK and Essen, Germany. This qualitative research utilises a multi case study approach, which allowed for semi-structure interviews and semiotics to be used. Preliminary findings highlight that there are four stakeholder ‘levels’. Each of these stakeholder groupings is involved in the city branding process to some extend. Findings suggest that the degree of involvement strongly depends on the primary stakeholders, who are seen as key decision-makers in the branding process. These primary stakeholders select other stakeholders that ‘can’ be involved in the branding process. Although this may be beneficial it is vital to provide more opportunities and incorporate stakeholders that are willing to participate in the branding process. Alienating stakeholders may also lead to losing parts of an identity that is based on heritage. The focus is on two cities with a highly industrialised background, thus findings may not be applicable to cities without this heritage. The paper looks at both stakeholder engagement and city branding, thereby proposing four layers of stakeholder involvement in the city branding process

Extinction Risk and Diversification Are Linked in a Plant Biodiversity Hotspot

Plant extinction risks in the Cape, South Africa differ from those for vertebrates worldwide, with young and fast-evolving plant lineages marching towards extinction at the fastest rate, but independently of human effects

Modulation of apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2 cells) by a standardized herbal decoction of Nigella sativa seeds, Hemidesmus indicus roots and Smilax glabra rhizomes with anti- hepatocarcinogenic effects

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A standardized poly-herbal decoction of <it>Nigella sativa </it>seeds, <it>Hemidesmus indicus </it>roots and <it>Smilax glabra </it>rhizomes used traditionally in Sri Lanka for cancer therapy has been demonstrated previously, to have anti-hepatocarcinogenic potential. Cytotoxicity, antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory activity, and up regulation of p53 and p21 activities are considered to be some of the possible mechanisms through which the above decoction may mediate its anti-hepatocarcinogenic action. The main aim of the present study was to determine whether apoptosis is also a major mechanism by which the decoction mediates its anti-hepatocarcinogenic action.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Evaluation of apoptosis in HepG2 cells was carried out by (a) microscopic observations of cell morphology, (b) DNA fragmentation analysis, (c) activities of caspase 3 and 9, as well as by (d) analysis of the expression of pro-apoptotic (Bax) and anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2) proteins associated with cell death.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results demonstrated that in HepG2 cells, the decoction can induce (a) DNA fragmentation and (b) characteristic morphological changes associated with apoptosis (nuclear condensation, membrane blebbing, nuclear fragmentation and apoptotic bodies). The decoction could also, in a time and dose dependent manner, up regulate the expression of the pro-apoptotic gene <it>Bax </it>and down regulate expression of anti-apoptotic <it>Bcl-2 </it>gene (as evident from RT-PCR analysis, immunohistochemistry and western blotting). Further, the decoction significantly (<it>p </it>< .001) enhanced the activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9 in a time and dose dependent manner.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Overall findings provide confirmatory evidence to demonstrate that the decoction may mediate its reported anti-hepatocarcinogenic effect, at least in part, through modulation of apoptosis.</p