Aloysia macrostachya Moldenke

https://thekeep.eiu.edu/herbarium_specimens_byname/18933/thumbnail.jp

Forestiera pubescens Nutt.

https://thekeep.eiu.edu/herbarium_specimens_byname/21087/thumbnail.jp

Forestiera pubescens Nutt.

https://thekeep.eiu.edu/herbarium_specimens_byname/21086/thumbnail.jp

Mutations of the BRAF gene in human cancer

Cancers arise owing to the accumulation of mutations in critical genes that alter normal programmes of cell proliferation, differentiation and death. As the first stage of a systematic genome-wide screen for these genes, we have prioritized for analysis signalling pathways in which at least one gene is mutated in human cancer. The RAS RAF MEK ERK MAP kinase pathway mediates cellular responses to growth signals. RAS is mutated to an oncogenic form in about 15% of human cancer. The three RAF genes code for cytoplasmic serine/threonine kinases that are regulated by binding RAS. Here we report BRAF somatic missense mutations in 66% of malignant melanomas and at lower frequency in a wide range of human cancers. All mutations are within the kinase domain, with a single substitution (V599E) accounting for 80%. Mutated BRAF proteins have elevated kinase activity and are transforming in NIH3T3 cells. Furthermore, RAS function is not required for the growth of cancer cell lines with the V599E mutation. As BRAF is a serine/threonine kinase that is commonly activated by somatic point mutation in human cancer, it may provide new therapeutic opportunities in malignant melanoma

Analysis and Purification of Bioactive Natural Products: The AnaPurNa Study

Based on a meta-analysis of data mined from almost 2000 publications on bioactive natural products (NPs) from >80 000 pages of 13 different journals published in 1998−1999, 2004−2005, and 2009−2010, the aim of this systematic review is to provide both a survey of the status quo and a perspective for analytical methodology used for isolation and purity assessment of bioactive NPs. The study provides numerical measures of the common means of sourcing NPs, the chromatographic methodology employed for NP purification, and the role of spectroscopy and purity assessment in NP characterization. A link is proposed between the observed use of various analytical methodologies, the challenges posed by the complexity of metabolomes, and the inescapable residual complexity of purified NPs and their biological assessment. The data provide inspiration for the development of innovative methods for NP analysis as a means of advancing the role of naturally occurring compounds as a viable source of biologically active agents with relevance for human health and global benefit

The annual probability of an aircraft crash on the US Department of Energy reservation in Oak Ridge, Tennessee

Aircraft hazards were evaluated to determine the total annual probability of an aircraft crash occurring at any structure located on the US Department of Energy (DOE) reservation in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. This report documents the use of an accepted methodology for calculating the probability of an aircraft crash as applied to the three Oak Ridge plant sites including the adjoining facilities. Based on the data contained herein, the evaluation concluded that the probability of an aircraft crash occurrence at a single facility is generally considered ``not credible`` as defined in DOE/OR-901. Additionally, reevaluation of probabilities would be necessary if significant changes were made to local air traffic. The probability of an aircraft crash could increase as a result of the opening of any new airport or heliport in the vicinity; a greater volume of air traffic from McGhee Tyson airport in Knoxville, should the airport status change from feeder airport to hub airport; the rerouting of commercial and/or military flights at the McGhee Tyson airport; and finally, a change in direction or the addition of a federal airway. At one time, DOE planned to establish a zone of prohibited airspace over the Y-12 plant; if the plans are enacted in the future, the probability of an aircraft crash at the Y-12 plant could decrease. Pilots since have been voluntarily requested not to fly below 3000 feet over the Y-12 plant. Also, the Federal Aviation Administration plans to reroute air traffic in the spring of 1993 on federal airway V16. However, the section of V16 which traverses the three plant sites and five adjoining facilities will not be altered. If this plan is implemented, the air traffic over the Oak Ridge facilities would not be affected significantly, and the probability of an aircraft crash as determined herein would be unchanged

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION OF THORN-SCRUB WOODLANDS AT THE CHAPARRAL WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA, DIMMIT AND LASALLE COUNTIES, TEXAS

ABSTRACT The South Texas Plains was originally open savanna dominated by Prosopis glandulosa (honey mesquite) along with scattered brushy regions, whereas the ground layer was dominated by short and mid-grasses and forbs. This open savanna has changed to thorn-scrub woodland within the last 150 years, apparently due to anthropogenic forces, including overgrazing and reduced fire frequency. We undertook this study to determine the structure and composition of these thorn-scrub woodlands at the Chaparral Wildlife Management Area (CWMA), Dimmit and LaSalle Counties, Texas, in the northern half of the South Texas Plains. Within this 6,150 ha site the spring and fall ground layer vegetation under various thorn-scrub woodlands and adjacent aerated (roll-chopped) sites were surveyed. Species diversity was relatively high with 318 species of vascular plants encountered at the CWMA. Fern, "fern-allies", and gymnosperms were represented by 4 taxa in 3 families. Of the remaining taxa, 65 were monocots in 8 families, and 249 were dicots in 63 families. Non-native (exotic) species accounted for 17 taxa, about 5% of the species collected. The Poaceae was the most common family with 49 species, Asteraceae was second with 46 species, and the Fabaceae was represented by 32 species. No state endangered or threatened species were encountered. In both the fall and spring Phytologia (April 2011) 93(1) 14 surveys grasses dominated, introduced Pennisetum ciliaris (buffelgrass) being very important, followed by Urochloa ciliatissima (fringed signalgrass), Chloris cucullata (hooded windmill grass), Bouteloua hirsuta (hairy grama), Eragrostis lehmanniana (Lehmann's lovegrass), Aristida purpurea (purple three-awn), and Digitaria cognata (fall witchgrass). Forbs were more common during the spring survey with 98 species found in plots. Phytologia 93(1): 13-42 (April 1, 2011 Most of these changes involve dramatic increases in native woody taxa that were historically present in low densities Anthropogenic forces, particularly increased grazing pressure by domestic livestock, fire suppression, and the introduction of exotic species (particularly grasses) have reduced the abundance of native species. These changes resulted in the destruction of the extensive short and mid-grass prairie matrix Thorn-scrub woodlands are common at the Chaparral Wildlife Management Area (CWMA). Within this community type the importance and distribution of the associated ground layer species is determined by various biotic and abiotic factors, such as climate, moisture, edaphic conditions, present and past grazing pressures, and fire. The objective of this study was to examine the structure and composition of the ground layer vegetation of the thorn-scrub woodland and adjacent disturbed sites to understand better the importance, distribution, and habitat preferences of these associated ground layer species. Chaining involves the use of two large tractors with a heavy linked chain connected at each end to each of the tractors. The chain is pulled across the ground, disrupting and pulling out much of the woody vegetation STUDY AREA Hot summers and mild winters characterize the climate of CWMA; short-term droughts are common Phytologia (April 2011) 93(1) 16 average daily maximum summer (July) temperature is 37 o C, and growing season is 240 to 365 days. Average annual precipitation (1951Average annual precipitation ( to 1978 is 550 mm (Stevens and Arriaga 1985; METHODS Floristic Composition: CWMA was visited five times during the growing seasons of 2001 to 2005. During these visits voucher specimens from all habitat types throughout the CWMA were collected and deposited in the herbaria of the University of Illinois (ILL) and the Illinois Natural History Survey (ILLS), Champaign/Urbana, Illinois. The designation of exotic species follow