Los hermanos Goujaud Bonpland: dos enfoques complementarios del conocimiento botánico

French botanists of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries deeply influenced the discovery and description of plant diversity in the Neotropics. Most of them studied medicine or pharmacy, for which systematics and comparative morphology played an extremely important role in the comprehension of useful plants. Some of them took courses by the most renowned European botanists and later themselves became the foremost scientists in charge of naming the plant diversity of most American countries. This article highlights the major contributions of the Goujaud Bonpland brothers to botany and describes the different ways they influenced the natural sciences at a local, regional and planetary scale.Los botánicos franceses de finales del siglo XVIII y principios del siglo XIX influenciaron profundamente el descubrimiento y la descripción de la diversidad vegetal que alberga la región Neotropical. La mayoría de estos botánicos realizaron estudios de medicina o farmacia, en el marco de los cuales la sistemática y la morfología comparativa jugaron un rol muy importante en la comprensión de la utilidad de las plantas. De esta manera, algunos de ellos tomaron cursos impartidos por los más reconocidos botánicos europeos y se convirtieron posteriormente en importantes investigadores a cargo de la identificación de la diversidad vegetal de la mayoría de los países americanos. La presente contribución pone en evidencia el aporte de los hermanos Goujaud Bonpland y describe las diferentes maneras en las que influenciaron los estudios de ciencias naturales a nivel local, regional y mundial

Diversity, distribution and conservation status assessment of Paraguayan palms (Arecaceae)

Indigenous palm species of Paraguay are presented with data on their diversity, distribution, threats and conservation status. The Paraguayan palm flora consists of 23 native species in 11 genera, representing two of the five subfamilies recognized in the group. The palm distribution in the country is strongly related to the different ecoregions present in Paraguay, with number of species by ecoregion being as follow: Cerrado (18), Upper Parana Atlantic forest (6), Wet Chaco (4), Pantanal (2), and Dry Chaco (1). Half of the species display an acaulescent habit reflecting an interesting ecological adaptation to natural fires in the Cerrado. The alarming rate of habitat modification that the country is undergoing since 1940s has put palms under a high risk of extinction in the wild. A GIS model was used to calculate the extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy of the species in order to assess their conservation status applying the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. This analysis shows that about 30% of the species are threatened; one species is Critically Endangered, three of them are Endangered, and three are Vulnerable. One species (Acrocomia hassleri) is considered Near Threatened, 13 are Least Concern whereas two species are insufficiently known and therefore unable to be assessed. Important areas for palm conservation in Paraguay were identified, revealing the importance of the Amambay department. Conservation measures for the threatened species identified are propose

Anatomía comparativa de la lámina foliar y sistemática en la subtribu neotropical Mauritiinae (Arecaceae, Calamoideae)

Resumen: Se presenta el primer estudio comparativo de la anatomía de la lámina foliar en la subtribu Mauritiinae (Arecaceae) que incluye a todos los géneros y la mayoría de las especies reconocidas para el grupo. La anatomía foliar define con claridad a estas palmas neotropicales y permite la identificación de dos grupos: Lepidocaryum se distingue por la presencia de un mesófilo homogéneo, mientras que el grupo formado por Mauritia y Mauritiella comparte la presencia de un mesófilo diferenciado en parénquima en empalizada y esponjoso. Nuestro estudio apoya los arreglos propuestos en las más recientes filogenias moleculares que han incluido a los tres géneros; sin embargo, no logró identificar caracteres lo suficientemente concluyentes para una separación específic

Liliopsida, Arecaceae, Geonoma undata Klotzsch: range extension for Zulia state, Venezuela

The occurrence of the palm Geonoma undata Klotzsch is registered for the first time for the state of Zulia, Venezuela, as result of a floristic survey made at Cerro Las Antenas, in the Serranía de Perijá. This species is catalogued as “vulnerable” according to the Red Book of Venezuelan Flora

Examples of data assimilation in mesoscale models

The keynote address was the problem of physical initialization of mesoscale models. The classic purpose of physical or diabatic initialization is to reduce or eliminate the spin-up error caused by the lack, at the initial time, of the fully developed vertical circulations required to support regions of large rainfall rates. However, even if a model has no spin-up problem, imposition of observed moisture and heating rate information during assimilation can improve quantitative precipitation forecasts, especially early in the forecast. The two key issues in physical initialization are the choice of assimilating technique and sources of hydrologic/hydrometeor data. Another example of data assimilation in mesoscale models was presented in a series of meso-beta scale model experiments with and 11 km version of the MASS model designed to investigate the sensitivity of convective initiation forced by thermally direct circulations resulting from differential surface heating to four dimensional assimilation of surface and radar data. The results of these simulations underscore the need to accurately initialize and simulate grid and sub-grid scale clouds in meso- beta scale models. The status of the application of the CSU-RAMS mesoscale model by the NOAA Forecast Systems Lab for producing real-time forecasts with 10-60 km mesh resolutions over (4000 km)(exp 2) domains for use by the aviation community was reported. Either MAPS or LAPS model data are used to initialize the RAMS model on a 12-h cycle. The use of MAPS (Mesoscale Analysis and Prediction System) model was discussed. Also discussed was the mesobeta-scale data assimilation using a triply-nested nonhydrostatic version of the MM5 model

A Systematic Review of Dental Disease in Patients Undergoing Cancer Therapy

Introduction: The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the literature and update our current understanding of the impact of present cancer therapies on the dental apparatus (teeth and periodontium) since the 1989 NIH Development Consensus Conference on the Oral Compli­cations of Cancer Therapies. Review Method: A systematic literature search was con­ducted with assistance from a research librarian in the databases MEDLINE/PubMed and EMBASE for articles published between 1 January 1990 and 31 December 2008. Each study was independently assessed by two reviewers. Taking into account predetermined quality measures, a weighted prevalence was calculated for the prevalence of dental caries, severe gingival disease, and dental infection. Data on DMFT/dmft, DMFS/dmfs, plaque, and gingival indexes were also gathered. The level of evidence, recommendation, and guideline (if possible) were given for published preventive and management strategies. Results: Sixty-four published papers between 1990 and 2008 were reviewed. The weighted overall prevalence of dental caries was 28.1%. The overall DMFT for patients who were post-antineoplastic therapy was 9.19 (SD, 7.98; n=457). The overall plaque index for patients who were post­antineoplastic therapy was 1.38 (SD, 0.25; n=189). The GI for patients who were post-chemotherapy was 1.02 (SD, 0.15; n=162). The weighted prevalence of dental infections/ abscess during chemotherapy was reported in three studies and was 5.8%. Conclusions: Patients who were post-radiotherapy had the highest DMFT. The use of fluoride products and chlorhex­idine rinses are beneficial in patients who are post-radiotherapy. There continues to be lack of clinical studies on the extent and severity of dental disease that are associated with infectious complications during cancer therapy

Floral structure and development in the monoecious palm Gaussia attenuata (Arecaceae; Arecoideae)

Background and Aims Sexual dimorphism, at both the flower and plant level, is widespread in the palm family (Arecaceae), in contrast to the situation in angiosperms as a whole. The tribe Chamaedoreeae is of special interest for studies of the evolution of sexual expression since dioecy appears to have evolved independently twice in this group from a monoecious ancestor. In order to understand the underlying evolutionary pathways, it is important to obtain detailed information on flower structure and development in each of the main clades. Methods Dissection and light and scanning electron microscopy were performed on developing flowers of Gaussia attenuata, a neotropical species belonging to one of the three monoecious genera of the tribe. Key Results Like species of the other monoecious genera of the Chamaedoreeae (namely Hyophorbe and Synechanthus), G. attenuata produces a bisexual flower cluster known as an acervulus, consisting of a row of male flowers with a basal female flower. Whereas the sterile androecium of female flowers terminated its development at an early stage of floral ontogeny, the pistillode of male flowers was large in size but with no recognizable ovule, developing for a longer period of time. Conspicuous nectary differentiation in the pistillode suggested a possible role in pollinator attraction. Conclusions Gaussia attenuata displays a number of floral characters that are likely to be ancestral to the tribe, notably the acervulus flower cluster, which is conserved in the other monoecious genera and also (albeit in a unisexual male form) in the dioecious genera (Wendlandiella and a few species of Chamaedorea). Comparison with earlier data from other genera suggests that large nectariferous pistillodes and early arrest in staminode development might also be regarded as ancestral characters in this trib

Estructura floral de la palma neotropical del género Chamaedorea (Arecoideae, Arecaceae)

Male and female floral structure has been studied in 28 species of Chamaedorea, the largest palm genus present in the Neotropics. The taxa investigated represent all subgenera according to the most recent taxonomic revision of the group. Morphological, histological and cytological features that are known to be of importance for interactions with visiting insects were studied and their putative role in protecting the flowering parts assessed. The taxonomic distribution of selected characters is in some cases congruent with relationships inferred by recently published molecular studies within the group.Se ha estudiado la estructura de las flores masculinas y femeninas en 28 especies de Chamaedorea, el género de palmas con mayor número de especies en la región neotropical. Los táxones investigados representan a todos los subgéneros contemplados en la más reciente revisión taxonómica del grupo. Se han estudiado los caracteres morfológicos, histológicos y citológicos de mayor importancia en cuanto a la visita de insectos y se ha examinado su rol dentro de la protección de los órganos florales. La distribución taxonómica de caracteres seleccionados ha demostrado, en algunos casos, ser congruente con las relaciones inferidas por los más recientes estudios moleculares que incluyen al grupo

The Ursinus Weekly, February 13, 1950

Balladeer Lee to appear for return engagement • Dr. White to return for colors ceremony • Geiger to manage Weekly business for spring season • Greek men launch rushing campaigns via party schedule • Rosicrucians honor thirty-seven coeds at after dinner tea • Dramateurs repeat stellar production of play Pygmalion • \u27Ruby editors meet first of deadlines after hard-fought battle against time • Yearbook to resort to threats, horror for financial push • Eleven join classes for spring session • Cabinet to finish Y roster Saturday • Dr. Philip accepts position as church choir director • Nelson Wenner wins first prize in lengthy Chesterfield contest • Critical British elections effect us as people face socialistic decision • Local lads acquire southern exposure between semesters • Should we have national frats? • Attention, athletes • Uh, don\u27t look now, but your habits are showing • PMC dumps bruins 90-61 in free scoring court tilt • Sports led Bailey from streetcar to high Ursinus post • Coeds succumb 5-0 in badminton fray • Bailey announces schedule for coming track season • Drexel tops bruins 71-60 as late rally falls short • Baseballers will go south for pre-season practice • Tank squad edges Dragon coeds 29-28 in initial encounter • Sextet loses 31-22 in first hoop battle of current season • Jayvees fall twice in narrow contests with Cadets, Drexel • Intramurals resume as squads competehttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1583/thumbnail.jp

Two new species of Raphia (Palmae/Arecaceae) from Cameroon and Gabon

Raphia (Arecaceae, Calamoideae) is the most diverse genus of African palms with around 20 species. Two new species from Cameroon and Gabon, Raphia gabonica Mogue, Sonké & Couvreur, sp. nov. and Raphia zamiana Mogue, Sonké & Couvreur, sp. nov. are described and illustrated. Their affinities are discussed and the conservation status of each species is assessed. For both species, distribution maps are provided. Raphia gabonica is restricted to two small populations from central Gabon, where it occurs on hillsides on tierra firme soil, and close to small streams. Its preliminary IUCN status is Endangered, being amongst the five most threatened palm species in Africa. Raphia gabonica potentially belongs to the moniliform section. Raphia zamiana is largely distributed from south Cameroon to south Gabon and is very common. It is also a multi-used palm, from which wine, grubs and construction material are extracted and sold. It generally occurs in large stands in a wide range of ecosystems such as swamps, coastal forests on partially inundated sandy soils and inundated savannahs. Its large stature, hard to access habitat (swamps) and abundant presence might have discouraged botanists to collect it until now. Raphia zamiana belongs to the taxonomically complex raphiate section