Unusual carpological characters in Marlothiella gummifera (Apiaceae)

AbstractFlowers and fruits of the monotypic Namibian endemic Marlothiella gummifera were examined to explore anatomical variation and to highlight problems associated with the homology of certain character states. Some unusual new features observed in the fruits and ovaries raise questions regarding the homology of fruit heteromorphy, rib oil ducts, vittae and carpophores in subfamily Apioideae. These include the irregular occurrence of heterocarpic ovaries, oil ducts on both the internal and external sides of the vascular bundles (the inner dwarf ducts), short ducts in the commissural area, and carpophores (only rarely present). The fruits of Marlothiella share several unusual features with the genus Lichtensteinia, namely concentric rings of cells around the rib oil ducts, of which the innermost are irregular in size and shape, very small vascular bundles that are usually comprised of two separate strands, and the occurrence of heteromorphy in fruits and ovaries. These two genera are morphologically very different and it is encouraging to find anatomical data to support their presumptive relationship based on molecular studies

Kyrgyzian Umbelliferae as part of a critical revision of the Asian representatives of the family

In Kyrgyzstan 193 species of the Umbelliferae, representing 65 genera, have been recorded. A list of Kyrgyzian Umbelliferae is presented. There are no endemic Umbelliferae genera. The number of endemic species is 27, belonging to 11 genera. The concentration of species and genera is presented according to the three floristic provinces and 15 floristic districts of Kyrgyzstan. Biomorphic groups of species and their distributional patterns are presented

The ethnobotany and pharmacognosy of Olea europaea subsp. africana (Oleaceae)

AbstractThe ethnobotanical uses of wild olive, O. europaea subsp. africana (sometimes referred to as subsp. cuspidata) in southern Africa and in other parts of Africa are reviewed. Chromatographic analyses of secoiridoids (oleuropein and other oleuropeosides) in 25 wild olive leaf samples from 10 localities in South Africa showed substantial amounts of oleuropein (up to 110mg/g dry weight) and not trace amounts as reported in the literature. Oleuropein is the main active compound in olive leaf, with demonstrated anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, hypolipidemic and hypotensive activities. A comparison with nine cultivated olive leaf samples (subsp. europaea) from six cultivars and two localities showed that commercial olive leaf can be distinguished by the presence of verbascoside, which is absent in wild olive. Extraction methods and solvent systems (TLC and HPLC) were compared, using pure oleuropein (isolated from wild olive leaf and identified by NMR) as an authentic reference sample. The unique peltate scales on the leaves are useful to identify olive leaf raw material (but are the same in both subspecies). The main conclusion is that wild olive leaf is chemically closely similar to cultivated olive leaf and therefore suitable as an alternative source of raw material for olive leaf extract

Kinks, rings, and rackets in filamentous structures

Carbon nanotubes and biological filaments each spontaneously assemble into kinked helices, rings, and "tennis racket" shapes due to competition between elastic and interfacial effects. We show that the slender geometry is a more important determinant of the morphology than any molecular details. Our mesoscopic continuum theory is capable of quantifying observations of these structures, and is suggestive of their occurrence in other filamentous assemblies as well.Comment: This paper was originally published in PNAS 100: 12141-12146 (2003). The present version has corrected Eq. 3, A1, and A2, and some minor typo

Transcatheter device closure of atrial septal defect and patent foramen ovale in Malta

Significant atrial septal defects (ASD) are closed, surgically or through a transcatheter device, in order to avoid pulmonary hypertension in late life. A patent foramen ovale (PFO) may need to be closed because of transient shunt reversal resulting in transient ischaemic events or stroke. We report the Maltese experience to date in transcatheter closure of these defects. A total of 46 ASDs and 51 PFOs have been successfully closed at our unit (total 97), with very low complication rates, rates that compare very favourably with results from larger international centres.peer-reviewe

Attitudes Toward the Practical Incorporation of Scenario Based Training (SBT) Into a Pilot Training Syllabus

As aviation moves into its second century, aircraft accidents have become less common, but the rate of decision-based accidents has not decreased in comparison with mechanical-failure based accidents. This is especially true of General Aviation accidents, both in single engine and light twin engine aircraft. While the Federal Aviation Administration has emphasized the use of Scenario Based Training (SBT) in General Aviation flight instruction to address this issue, SBT lessons are not widely utilized and descriptions in associated handbooks of how to incorporate SBT are considered vague by many. This study examines the attitudes of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) and non ERAU Prescott faculty, staff, and students towards the practical addition of SBT into a typical 14 CFR Part 61 and Part 141 Pilot Training Syllabus, through use of a 12 question survey

Fluctuating semiflexible polymer ribbon constrained to a ring

Twist stiffness and an asymmetric bending stiffness of a polymer or a polymer bundle is captured by the elastic ribbon model. We investigate the effects a ring geometry induces to a thermally fluctuating ribbon, finding bend-bend coupling in addition to twist-bend coupling. Furthermore, due to the geometric constraint the polymer's effective bending stiffness increases. A new parameter for experimental investigations of polymer bundles is proposed: the mean square diameter of a ribbonlike ring, which is determined analytically in the semiflexible limit. Monte Carlo simulations are performed which affirm the model's prediction up to high flexibility.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, Version as published in Eur. Phys. J.

Fruit anatomy of the genus Bupleurum (Apiaceae) in northeastern China and notes on systematic implications

The fruit anatomy of all eight species of the genus Bupleurum L. mentioned in the most recent literature from northeastern China was studied for the first time. The eight species were divided into two groups based on the shape of the mericarps in transverse section. The first group (round mericarps without prominent ribs) includes B. longiradiatum and B. komarovianum, and the second group (angular mericarps with prominent ribs) includes B. angustissimum, B. bicaule, B. chinense, B. euphorbioides, B. scorzonerifolium and B. sibiricum. The second group can be further subdivided into group 2a (large vittae, very small vascular bundles) — B. euphorbioides and B. sibiricum, and group 2b (small vittae, large vascular bundles) — B. angustissimum, B. bicaule, B. chinense and B. scorzonerifolium. This result closely supports the traditional classification system which was based on gross morphology (plant height; leaf shape and size; involucre number, size and shape). The only exception is that B. komarovianum should not be close to the second group, but close to B. longiradiatum. Group 1 corresponds with Bupleurum sect. Longifolia and group 2 with sect. Eubupleura; group 2a with ser. Ranunculoides and group 2b with ser. Falcata. Fruit anatomical characters seem to have potential for evaluating infrageneric relationships in the genus Bupleurum

A new species of Polemanniopsis (Apiaceae) from Namibia

AbstractA new species of woody Apiaceae, Polemanniopsis namibensis B-E. Van Wyk, A. Burke & C. Mannheimer, is described. The species is allied to Polemanniopsis marlothii but differs in the much smaller habit of (up to 0.6m vs 1.5–4m in Polemanniopsis marlothii), the white or greyish colour of the twigs (brown in Polemanniopsis marlothii), the 3-foliolate leaves (predominantly 5-foliate in Polemanniopsis marlothii), the smaller inflorescences with persistent involucral bracts (caducous in Polemanniopsis marlothii) and anatomical details of the leaves. The species is endemic to Namibia and is known only from a localised area in the southern Namib desert near Lüderitz, where it is relatively common