bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patient‐centered care earns clinic standard‐setting honors
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: February 2019

A Plainville, Connecticut–based clinic continues to earn accreditations and certifications for its focus on providing quality, coordinated, patient‐centered health care. Wheeler is the only provider in Connecticut to be accredited by the Joint Commission for behavioral health and as a behavioral health home.
Technical Note: Optimization of spot and trimmer position during dynamically collimated proton therapy
Authors: Smith Blake R. , Hyer Daniel E. , Flynn Ryan T. , Culberson Wesley S.
Published: February 2019

Purpose

To demonstrate a novel theoretical optimization design which considers beam spot and trimmer positioning in addition to beamlet weighting for dynamically collimated proton therapy (DCPT) treatments. Prior to this, the previous methods of plan optimization used to study this emerging technology relied upon an intuitive selection criterion to fix the trimmers blades for a uniform grid of beam spots before determining the individual beamlet weights. To evaluate the potential benefit from this new optimization design, a treatment planning optimization study was performed in order to compare the algorithm’s functionality against the existing methods of plan optimization.

Materials and methods

A direct parameter optimization (DPO) method was developed to determine beam spot and trimmer positions cohesively with beamlet weighting for DCPT treatment plans. Gradients were numerically determined from applying small adjustments to the aforementioned parameters and quantifying the resulting impact on an objective function. This technique was compared to the conventional trimmer selection algorithm (TSA) which does not optimize spot position concurrently with trimmer position. Both planning methods were used to optimize a set of brain treatment plans, and the resulting dose distributions were compared with dose–volume histogram quantities in addition to target coverage, homogeneity, and conformity metrics.

Results

An overall improvement to the target conformity and healthy tissue sparing was achieved with DPO over TSA while maintaining an equivalent planning target volume (PTV) coverage index for the three brain patients evaluated in this study. On average, the conformity index improved by 5.5% when utilizing DPO. A similar improvement in reducing the dose to several organs at risk was also noted.

Conclusion

Both the TSA and DPO planning methods can achieve highly conformal treatments with the dynamic collimation system (DCS) technology. However, an improvement in the target conformity and healthy tissue sparing was achieved by simultaneously optimizing beam spot position, trimmer location, and beamlet weights using DPO in comparison to the TSA technique.
LET response variability of Gafchromic EBT3 film from a Co calibration in clinical proton beam qualities
Authors: Smith Blake R. , Pankuch Mark , Hammer Clifford G. , DeWerd Larry A. , Culberson Wesley S.
Published: February 2019

Purpose

To establish a method of accurate dosimetry required to quantify the expected linear energy transfer (LET) quenching effect of EBT3 film used to benchmark the dose distribution for a given treatment field and specified measurement depth. In order to facilitate this technique, a full analysis of film calibration which considers LET variability at the plane of measurement and as a function of proton beam quality is demonstrated. Additionally, the corresponding uncertainty from the process was quantified for several measurement scenarios.

Materials and methods

The net change in optical density (OD) from a single version of Gafchromic EBT3 film was measured using an Epson flatbed scanner and NIST‐traceable OD filters. Film OD response was characterized with respect to the known dose to water at the point of measurement for both a NIST‐traceable beam at the UWADCL and several clinical single‐energy and spread‐out Bragg peak (SOBP) proton beam qualities at the Northwestern Medicine Chicago Proton Center. Increasing proton LET environments were acquired by placing film at increasing depths of Gammex HE Solid Water® whose water‐equivalent thickness was characterized prior to measurement.

Results

A strong LET dependence was observed near the Bragg peak (BP) consistent with previous studies performed with earlier versions of EBT3 film. The influence of range straggling on the film's LET response appears to have a uniform effect toward the BP regardless of the nominal beam energy. Proximal to this depth, the film's response decreased with decreasing energy at the same dose‐average LET. The opposite trend was observed for depths past the BP. Changes in the SOBP energy modulation showed a linear relationship between the film's relative response and dose‐averaged LET. Relative effectiveness factors (RE) were observed to range between 2%–7% depending on the width of the SOBP and depth of the film. Using the field‐specific calibration technique, a total k = 1 uncertainty in the absorbed dose to water was estimated to range from 4.68%–5.21%.

Conclusion

While EBT3 film's strong LET dependence is a common problem in proton beam dosimetry, this work has shown that the LET dependence can be taken into account by carefully considering the depth and energy modulation across the film using field‐specific corrections. RE factors were determined with a combined k = 1 uncertainty of 3.57% for SOBP environments and between 3.17%–4.69% for uniform, monoenergetic fields proximal to the distal 80% of the BP.
Genome‐wide analysis of DNA methylation in endometriosis using Illumina Human Methylation 450 K BeadChips
Authors: Wang Lixian , Zhao Jian , Li Yan , Wang Zihe , Kang Shan
Published: February 2019

Endometriosis is a common chronic gynecologic disorder characterized by the presence and growth of endometrial‐like tissue outside of the uterine cavity. Although the exact etiology remains unclear, epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation, are thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Here, we used the Illumina Human Methylation 450 K BeadChip Array to analyze the genome‐wide DNA methylation profiles of six endometriotic lesions and six eutopic endometria from patients with ovarian endometriosis and six endometria of women without endometriosis. Compared with the eutopic endometria of women with endometriosis, 12,159 differentially methylated CpG sites and 375 differentially methylated promoter regions were identified in endometriotic lesions. GO analyses showed that these putative differentially methylated genes were primarily associated with immune response, inflammatory response, response to steroid hormone stimulus, cell adhesion, negative regulation of apoptosis, and activation of the MAPK activity. In addition, the expression levels of DNMT1, DNMT3A, DNMT3B, and MBD2 in endometriotic lesions and eutopic endometria were significantly decreased compared with control endometria. Our findings suggest that aberrant DNA methylation status in endometriotic lesions may play a significant role in the pathogenesis and progression of endometriosis.
Exogenous Addition of 25‐Hydroxycholesterol Reduces Level of Very Long‐Chain Fatty Acids in X‐Linked Adrenoleukodystrophy
Authors: Jang Jiho , Lee Jung Wuk , Song Jiho , Kim Dong‐Wook , Min Kyung Hoon
Published: February 2019

X‐Linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X‐ALD) is a severe metabolic disorder characterized by the accumulation of very long‐chain fatty acids (VLCFAs). Recently, we demonstrated that levels of 25‐hydroxycholesterol (25‐HC) and cholesterol 25‐hydroxylase (CH25H) were found to be elevated in X‐ALD. Herein, we report that the exogenous addition of 25‐HC significantly reduces C26:0 levels in X‐ALD patient‐derived fibroblasts and oligodendrocytes differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from X‐ALD patients. Moreover, 25‐HC treatment was found to down‐regulate the expression of ELOVL1, a key enzyme for the synthesis of C26. In addition, activation of liver X receptor (LXR), a molecular target of endogenous 25‐HC, also reduced C26:0 level. The reduction of C26:0 levels by 25‐HC treatment might result, at least partially, from the decrease of ELOVL1 expression as well as the activation of LXR. Our findings could provide a better understanding of the role of 25‐HC in X‐ALD and useful information to find therapeutic agents to treat X‐ALD.
Fabrication and characterization of gold nanospheres‐cored pH‐sensitive thiol‐ended triblock copolymer: A smart drug delivery system for cancer therapy
Authors: Mahmoodzadeh Farideh , Hosseinzadeh Mehdi , Jannat Behrooz , Ghorbani Marjan
Published: February 2019

Conventional chemotherapy suffers lack of multidrug resistance (MDR), lack of bioavailability, and selectivity. Nano‐sized drug delivery systems (DDS) are developing aimed to solve several limitations of conventional DDS. These systems have been offered for targeting tumor tissue owing to enhanced long circulation time, drug solubility, their retention effect, and improved permeability. As a result, the aim of this project was the design and development of DDS for biomedical applications. For this purpose, gold nanospheres (GNSs) covered by pH‐sensitive thiol‐ended triblock copolymer [poly(methacrylic acid) ‐b‐poly(acrylamide) ‐b‐poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐SH; PMAA‐b‐PAM‐b‐PCL‐SH] for delivery of anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX). The chemical structures of triblock copolymer were investigated by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies. 1H NMR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) were used for calculating the molecular weights of each part in the nanocarrier. The success of coating, GNSs with triblock copolymer was considered by means of dynamic light scattering (DLS), FTIR, ultraviolet‐visible (UV‐Vis), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurement. The pH‐responsive drug release ability, (DOX)‐loading capacity, biocompatibility, and in vitro cytotoxicity effects of the nanocarriers were also studied. As a result, it is expected that the synthesized GNSs@polymer‐DOX considered as a potential application in nanomedicine demand like smart drug delivery, imaging, and chemo‐photothermal therapy.
In‐hospital mortality of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation among children with nonmalignancies: A nationwide study in the United States from 2000 to 2012
Authors: Takahashi Takuto , Pereda Maria A. , Bala Natasha , Nagarajan Sairaman
Published: February 2019

Background

Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) can cure or alleviate a wide range of nonmalignant childhood conditions. However, few studies have examined longitudinal national trends of frequency or short‐term complications of HSCT before 2006 when an HSCT became a reportable procedure by US law. By using a US nationally representative database, we conducted nationwide longitudinal analyses on demographics, in‐hospital mortality, and short‐term complications in nonmalignant HSCT from 2000 to 2012.

Procedure

We analyzed 2504 admissions for children < 20 years old who underwent an allogeneic HSCT for a nonmalignant condition by using the Kids' Inpatient Database for the years 2000, 2003, 2006, 2009, and 2012. Changes in in‐hospital mortality and other outcomes were assessed over the study period using weighted analyses, which enabled generation of national estimates in each year.

Results

The number of admissions for HSCT increased from 334 to 667 from 2000 to 2012, respectively; among them, the use of bone marrow decreased (66.5% to 34.1%, P < 0.001). In‐hospital mortality declined (13.4% to 7.1%, P = 0.04), as did bacteremia (28.7% to 10.1%, P < 0.001) and vascular catheter infections (18.8% to 8.7%, P = 0.006), but cytomegalovirus infections increased (4.9% to 15.9%, P < 0.001), as did adenovirus infections (1.8% to 6.9%, P < 0.001) from 2000 to 2012.

Conclusion

Population‐based analyses demonstrated a substantial expansion of the utilization of HSCT occurred for pediatric nonmalignancies from 2000 to 2012 in the United States, whereas the in‐hospital mortality declined by approximately a half. Further research is needed to identify distinct contributing factors.
Awareness of the passage of time and self‐consciousness: What do meditators report?
Authors: Droit‐Volet Sylvie , Dambrun Michaël
Published: February 2019

What do humans mean when they say that time passes quickly or slowly? In this article, we try to respond to this question on the basis of our studies on the judgment of the passage of time and its links with the judgment of physical durations. The awareness of the passage of time when consciousness is altered by meditation is also discussed. A dissociation is then made among the “self‐time perspective,” the “self‐duration” (internal duration), and the “world‐duration” (external duration). A link is also established between the self‐time perspective and the “narrative self,” on one hand, and the self‐duration and the “minimal self,” on the other hand, that is confirmed in our qualitative analysis of testimonials of four meditators. The awareness of self‐duration is thus related to the awareness of the embodied self. When the sense of self is altered and the consciousness of the body is lower, then the subjective experience of internal time changes. However, the mechanisms allowing the disappearance of the self with the feeling of being outside time during meditation remains to be elucidated.
Idiopathic Copper Deficiency Myeloneuropathy Resulting in Paraparesis: A Case Report
Authors: Huang Kevin , Lee Debbie , Ingraham Benjamin , Hijaz Tarek A. , Anschel Alan S.
Published: February 2019

Atraumatic spinal cord injuries can be due to inflammatory, vascular, and nutritional etiologies. Due to progression from these causes, the identification and initiation of appropriate treatment are of significant importance. This article explores a case of copper deficiency myeloneuropathy in a patient initially thought to have an inflammatory transverse myelitis. The lack of response to antirheumatologic interventions prompted an extensive workup consistent with copper deficiency. This case stresses the importance of evaluating nutritional causes of myeloneuropathy.

Level of Evidence

V
Compartmentalized Encapsulation of Two Antibiotics in Porous Nanoparticles: an Efficient Strategy to Treat Intracellular Infections
Authors: Li Xue , Semiramoth Nicolas , Hall Shaun , Tafani Virginie , Josse Jérome , Laurent Frederic , Salzano Giuseppina , Foulkes Daniel , Brodin Priscille , Majlessi Laleh , Ghermani Nour‐Eddine , Maurin Guillaume , Couvreur Patrick , Serre Christian , Bernet‐Camard Marie‐Françoise , Zhang Jiwen , Gref Ruxandra
Published: February 2019

Combinatorial drug therapies emerge among the most promising strategies to treat complex pathologies such as cancer and severe infections. Biocompatible nanoparticles of mesoporous iron carboxylate metal–organic framework (nanoMOFs) are used here to address the challenging aspects related to the coincorporation of two antibiotics. Amoxicillin and potassium clavulanate, a typical example of drugs used in tandem, are efficiently coincorporated with payloads up to 36 wt%. Due to the occurrence of two distinct pore sizes/apertures within the MOF architecture, each drug is able to infiltrate the porous framework and localize within separate compartments. Molecular simulations predict drug loadings and locations consistent with experimental findings. Drug loaded nanoMOFs that are internalized by Staphylococcus aureus infected macrophages are able to colocalize with the pathogen, which in turn leads to an alleviation of bacterial infection. The data also reveal potential antibacterial properties of nanoMOFs alone as well as their ability to deliver a high payload of drugs to fight intracellular bacteria. These results pave the way toward the design of engineered “all‐in‐one” nanocarriers in which both the loaded drugs and their carrier play a role in fighting intracellular infections.
Hair cortisol and stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios in barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus) from Gibraltar
Authors: Schillaci Michael A. , Lintlop Jessica , Sumra Monika , Pizarro Mark , Jones‐Engel Lisa
Published: February 2019

Rationale

Prolonged exposure to the stress hormone cortisol can precipitate a catabolic state in animals resulting in a negative nitrogen balance and increased excreted nitrogen, possibly affecting stable nitrogen and carbon isotope ratios in animal tissues. Here we test the hypothesis that stress, as measured by hair cortisol, is a significant contributor to variation in δ15N and δ13C values in hair. The results of the present study have important implications for the use of stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios measured in animal and human tissues to make inferences regarding feeding ecology and diet.

Methods

Samples containing roughly 10–20 hairs (approx. 4–6 cm long) were collected from 49 free ranging macaque monkeys (Macaca sylvanus) in Gibraltar. Hair samples were analyzed for stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes by continuous‐flow isotope‐ratio mass spectrometry. Cortisol extracted from matched hair samples was measured using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Cortisol and stable isotope ratios were compared statistically using nonparametric Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U tests, as well as Spearman correlation.

Results

Correlation analysis revealed that although hair δ15N and δ13C values were significantly correlated with each other, neither was correlated with cortisol concentrations. Cortisol concentrations were not correlated with age‐adjusted body mass index. Age category was correlated with δ13C values but not with δ15N values.

Conclusions

The results of our study suggest that the cumulative stress experienced by these macaques under typical social and environmental conditions is not a significant contributor to variation in δ15N and δ13C values, nor does it have a significant effect on relative body mass.
Fabrication of Porous Mesh‐Like FeCo2S4 Nanosheet Arrays on Ni Foam for High Performance all Solid‐State Supercapacitors and Water Splitting
Authors: Ma Dandan , Lv Minglian , Shen Yu , Zhu Yongqiang , Wang Fumin , Zhang Xubin
Published: February 2019

Porous mesh‐like FeCo2S4 nanosheet arrays on Ni foam (NF) have been prepared by a two‐step hydrothermal approach and employed as electrodes for supercapacitors and efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts for water splitting. FeCo2S4/NF exhibits ultrahigh areal capacitance of 7.37 F cm−2 at current density of 5 mA cm−2 and achieves good cycling stability retaining 92% capacitance after 3000 cycles at 10 mA cm−2. Symmetric solid‐state device of FeCo2S4/NF as positive and negative electrodes delivers a remarkable energy density of 19.12 W h kg−1 (434.61 W kg−1). Furthermore, FeCo2S4/NF electrode delivers a low overpotential of 155 mV at a hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) current density of 10 mA cm−2 and shows no obvious attenuation after stability test for 100,000 s in 1 M KOH solution. While a low overpotential of 234 mV at 50 mA cm−2 for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) can be demonstrated in alkaline environment as an anode electrocatalyst. FeCo2S4/NF shows excellent activity toward overall water splitting with 10 mA cm−2 by applying just 1.405 V across the two electrodes. Hence, the porous mesh‐like FeCo2S4 nanosheet arrays on Ni foam are promising electrode materials for supercapacitor application and water splitting.
Rapid and Efficient Synthesis of 11C‐Labeled Benzimidazolones Using [11C]Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Horkka Kaisa , Dahl Kenneth , Bergare Jonas , Elmore Charles S. , Halldin Christer , Schou Magnus
Published: February 2019

[11C]Carbon dioxide is an attractive synthon for the labeling of positron emission tomography (PET) tracers for subsequent use in biomedical research and drug development. In this study, [11C]CO2 was used for direct 11C‐labeling of a set of cyclic aromatic ureas starting from their corresponding ortho‐phenylenediamines, BEMP (2‐tert‐butylimino‐2‐diethylamino‐1,3‐dimethylperhydro‐1,3,2‐diazaphosphorine) as fixation base, and Mitsunobu reagents (DBAD, nBu3P) for the intramolecular cyclization. The procedure is rapid (6 minutes total synthesis time), mild (proceeds at room temperature) and provided a set of 11C‐benzimidazolones in good to excellent radiochemical yields. As a final testament to the utility of this method, the beta‐adrenoceptor PET ligand [11C]CGP12177, was successfully prepared using the optimized conditions.
Potassium Iodide/ Tert‐Butyl Hydroperoxide Mediated Sequential Oxidative Amidation of Ethylarenes – A Direct Approach to α‐Ketoamides and Amides
Authors: Sridhar Arunasalam , Selvaraj Mari
Published: February 2019

A highly efficient KI‐TBHP mediated oxidative amidation of ethylarenes into primary, secondary and tertiary α‐ketoamides was developed at an ambient temperature. In addition, oxidative degradation of ethylarenes to primary aromatic amides using KI‐TBHP‐I2 was also demonstrated in an environmentally benign water medium. The merits of this transition metal free transformation includes 52–81% yield, inexpensive catalyst and substrate. The synthetic potential of the protocol was showcased by scale up reaction and functionalization of the α‐ketoamides.
Immobilized Gelatin–λ–Carrageenan on Magnetite Nanoparticles as an Efficient Organocatalyst for Enantioselective Biginelli Reaction
Authors: Jafari‐Chermahini Mohammad Taqi , Tavakol Hossein
Published: February 2019

A facile method for preparation of stabilized and functionalized nanoparticles (NPs) from magnetite by successive application of blended natural polymers (gelatin and λ–carrageenan) on Fe3O4 core has been developed. Gelatin plays a privileged role in the catalytic active sites and it is responsible for the enantiomeric induction. λ–carrageenan endowed chemical stability for immobilization of gelatin on Fe3O4 nanoparticles, thereby enhancing its stability and recoverability. The versatility of the modified NPs was proved by their excellent heterogeneous catalytic activity in one–pot, three–component Biginelli cyclocondensation reaction involving an aromatic aldehyde, urea, and ethyl acetoacetate (or Dimedone) to afford optically active corresponding dihydropyrimidinones in acceptable yields. This novel and green protocol has several advantages such as high efficiency, reusability of the catalyst, using inexpensive and available compounds for the catalyst.
Layered Ln(III) Complexes from a Sulfonate‐Based 1,8‐Naphthalimide: Structures, Magnetism and Photophysics
Authors: Carter Anthony B. , Zhang Ningjin , Kühne Irina A. , Keene Tony D. , Powell Annie K. , Kitchen Jonathan A.
Published: February 2019

Five lanthanide(III) complexes of N‐(4‐phenylsulfonate)‐1,8‐naphthalimide (L1) are described {[Ln(L1)(DMSO)5(H2O)2](L1)2 ⋅3H2O where Ln(III)=Eu(III) (1), Tb(III) (2), Dy(III) (3), Ho(III) (4) and Er(III) (5)} . A structural, magnetic and photophysical study is reported for these complexes. The complexes feature a 1,8‐naphthalimide based anionic ligand, which is known for extending structure directing properties through π‐based interactions. Within these complexes L1 acts as both a coordinating ligand as well as a non‐coordinating counter‐ion and overall the solid‐state structures adopt layered topologies that are achieved through π‐π interactions between L1 molecules. Complexes of 1 and 2 display the characteristic line‐like emission profiles expected for Eu(III) and Tb(III) whilst the magnetic properties of the Dy(III) containing complex 3 were investigated.
Topography‐Induced Cell Self‐Organization from Simple to Complex Aggregates
Authors: Luo Jing , Meng Jingxin , Gu Zhen , Wang Luying , Zhang Feilong , Wang Shutao
Published: February 2019

Self‐organization is a fundamental and indispensable process in a living system. To understand cell behavior in vivo such as tumorigenesis, 3D cellular aggregates, instead of 2D cellular sheets, have been employed as a vivid in vitro model for self‐organization. However, most focus on the macroscale wetting and fusion of cellular aggregates. In this study, it is reported that self‐organization of cells from simple to complex aggregates can be induced by multiscale topography through confined templates at the macroscale and cell interactions at the nanoscale. On the one hand, macroscale templates are beneficial for the organization of individual cells into simple and complex cellular aggregates with various shapes. On the other hand, the realization of these macro‐organizations also depends on cell interactions at the nanoscale, as demonstrated by the intimate contact between nanoscale pseudopodia stretched by adjacent frontier cells, much like holding hands and by the variation in the intermolecular interactions based on E‐cadherin. Therefore, these findings may be very meaningful for clarifying the organizational mechanism of tumor development, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Trogbrücken mit dickem Fahrbahnblech
Authors: Schmackpfeffer Alexander , Schleicher Wolfram , Fiedler Michael , Hellmich Magnus
Published: February 2019

Im Verkehrsnetz der Eisenbahnen des Bundes werden immer häufiger Ersatzneubauten für abgängige Brückenbauwerke erforderlich. Die Stützweiten der Überbauten liegen meist unter 20 m. Infolge der geometrischen Zwänge aus den Gradienten der Verkehrswege auf und unter den Überbauten wurden die Trogbrücken mit dickem Fahrbahnblech entwickelt, da sie eine sehr geringe Konstruktionshöhe aufweisen. Dieser Artikel soll den verantwortlichen Ingenieuren den Stand der Regelwerke vermitteln und Hinweise sowie Planungsvorgaben aufzeigen.
Pont du Lanciau – eine Rohrfachwerkbrücke als Ersatzneubau
Authors: Delémont Thierry , Bouvet Caroline , Herion Stefan , Hrabowski Jennifer , Pittet Yves
Published: February 2019

Die im Jahr 1904 errichtete Eisenbahnbrücke von Lanciau musste durch eine neue Brücke ersetzt werden, die eine durchgehende Schotterbahn ermöglicht. Die neue Brücke wurde mit der Idee entworfen, den Geist der alten Pont du Lanciau beizubehalten und diese als Fachwerkkonstruktion auszuführen. Allerdings wurde sie sowohl hinsichtlich ihrer Form (räumlicher Dreiecksbinder mit variabler Höhe) als auch ihrer Profilquerschnitte (Rohre) modernisiert. Eine auf dem Tragwerk aufgesetzte und mit den Obergurten verbundene Betonwanne wird genutzt, um die Steifigkeit der Brücke zu erhöhen. Pont du Lanciau ist damit eine der ersten Eisenbahnbrücken mit einem tragenden Fachwerk aus Hohlprofilen, das dank der kompakten, direkt verschweißten Rohre ein ästhetisches Erscheinungsbild liefert, das sich perfekt in die Umgebung integriert. Im Folgenden wird auf die verschiedenen Aspekte bei der Realisierung dieses Vorhabens eingegangen.
A mission‐based architecture for swarm unmanned systems
Authors: Giles Kathleen , Giammarco Kristin
Published: February 2019

This research applies a mission engineering approach with model‐based systems engineering foundations to formalize a swarm unmanned system design methodology and architecture. The architectural framework and methodology herein presented extend current swarm system design methods, which are primarily bottom‐up approaches focused on the behavior of individual agents. We introduce a top‐down, hierarchical approach with an overarching mission decomposed into phases, tactics, plays, and algorithms. Three unmanned aerial vehicle swarm case studies (one of which is discussed in this paper) are used to demonstrate the approach and its effectiveness in formalizing a mission‐based framework of common patterns in swarm missions that promote architecture reusability.
The identity and geographical distribution of Jacobaea vulgaris subsp. gotlandica, supposedly endemic to Gotland and Öland (Sweden)—the importance of multiple intraspecific samples
Authors: Wysk Rebecca , Nordenstam Bertil , Kadereit Joachim W. , Westberg Erik
Published: February 2019

The identity of Jacobaea vulgaris Gaertn. subsp. gotlandica (Neum.) B. Nord., hitherto considered an endemic to the Swedish islands Öland and Gotland, was investigated using nrITS and trnT­trnL intergenic spacer sequences and a broad sample of species and accessions particularly of J. vulgaris. We found that J. vulgaris subsp. gotlandica is a distinct evolutionary lineage more widespread in Europe than previously thought and may be a southeastern European steppe floristic element with outliers on the large Baltic islands. Our entirely unexpected findings underline the need of multiple intraspecific sampling in species­level phylogenetic studies.
Rampant non­monophyly of species in Kniphofia Moench (Asphodelaceae) suggests a recent Afromontane radiation
Authors: Ramdhani Syd , Barker Nigel P. , Baijnath Himansu
Published: February 2019

The genus Kniphofia, comprising 71 species, has an African­Malagasy distribution, with one species from Yemen. The genus is found predominantly in moist temperate montane grassland and has its centre of diversity in the Drakensberg region of southern Africa. The genus has a complex alpha taxonomy and species relationships are poorly understood. Using a multiple exemplar approach, DNA sequence data from the chloroplast trnT­L spacer and the nuclear internal transcribed spacer region were used in an attempt to resolve phylogenetic relationships. Five cpDNA lineages were recovered, the geographic distributions of which correspond well with previously identified Afromontane centres of diversity and endemism. The data revealed that several morphospecies were non­monophyletic, and this, together with short branch lengths and many identical sequences within each of the five lineages, suggests a recent radiation. We additionally propose that hybridisation and/ or incomplete lineage sorting may also account for this result. The nrITS region was largely uninformative as many taxa and samples had identical sequences. We hypothesise that Kniphofia experienced periods of range expansion, secondary contact and hybridisation during Pleistocene glacial periods, followed by contraction, fragmentation and isolation in montane refugia during the warmer interglacial periods.
Phylogenetic analyses of the banana family (Musaceae) based on nuclear ribosomal (ITS) and chloroplast (trnL‐F) evidence
Authors: Liu Ai-Zhong , Kress W. John , Li De-Zhu
Published: February 2019

The banana family (Musaceae s.str.; Zingiberales), an economically important tropical group of plants, includes three genera, Musa, Ensete and Musella, and possibly 41 species. We performed phylogenetic analyses of a total of 39 accessions covering 28 species in the Musaceae and five outgroup species using nuclear ribosomal ITS and chloroplast trnL‐F sequences. Outgroups were chosen from the closely related families Lowiaceae, Strelitziaceae, and Heliconiaceae. Our results suggest that Musaceae s.str. is monophyletic. Three main internal clades are well‐supported within the family. The genus Musa is comprised of two of these clades, and Musella plus Ensete make‐up the third clade. The sectional classification system of Musa based on chromosome numbers is not supported by DNA sequence evidence. Both inflorescence orientation (erect or pendent) and chromosomal number in Musa, which were characters traditionally thought to be diagnostic in sectional classification, are homoplasious traits in the family. The disjunct distribution of living members of the genus Ensete in tropical Asia and Africa with a fossil species described from the Eocene of Oregon in North America may be an example of the distributional retreat of the Boreal Tropics. The phylogenetic position of the monospecific Musella as sister to the African clade of Ensete suggests that the single species in this lineage is a highly specialized member not warranting generic status. Evidence from the molecular phylogenetic investigations highlights the evolutionary diversification and biogeographic context of this plant group, and suggests additional taxonomic investigations of both Musa and Ensete are in order.
A multi‐locus phylogeny ofEuryops(Asteraceae, Senecioneae) augments support for the "Cape to Cairo" hypothesis of floral migrations in Africa
Authors: Devos Nicolas , Barker Nigel P. , Nordenstam Bertil , Mucina Ladislav
Published: February 2019

With about 100 species,Euryops(Cass.) Cass. ranks among the most speciose genera of the tribe Senecioneae (Asteraceae). The genus has its greatest diversity in South Africa, and displays an interesting disjunct distribution with most of the taxa found in southern Africa and a group of eight endemic species confined to the mountains of tropical East Africa and northeastern Africa. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequence data from three chloroplast fragments and the nuclear ITS region were used to reconstruct the evolutionary history of 41Euryopsspecies in order to unravel species relationships and to determine the origin of the disjunct Afromontane taxa. Our results show a lack of support and resolution in the internal structure of the trees, but also reveal strong incongruence between the ITS and cpDNA datasets as assessed by Bayes Factors. We hypothesise that this is a consequence of the isolation and divergence of many populations over a short time period at some point in the history of the genus. Molecular dating based on our phylogenetic tree suggests that the genus diversified in South Africa around four million years ago. The origin of the East African species, dated at 1.9 Ma, well after the uplift of the East African mountains, is consistent with a scenario of a single dispersal event from South Africa northwards into the tropical East African mountains where diversification occurred, creating a monophyletic group of regional Afromontane endemics.
Molecular phylogeny of tribe Schismatoglottideae (Araceae) based on two plastid markers and recognition of a new tribe, Philonotieae, from the neotropics
Authors: Wong Sin Yeng , Boyce Peter C. , bin Othman Ahmad Sofiman , Pin Leaw Chui
Published: February 2019

Tribe Schismatoglottideae comprises one large genus, Schismatoglottis, and six small 'satellite' genera. A combined molecular phylogenetic analysis of matK, the 3′ portion of the trnK intron, and trnL‐F sequence data was carried out on 77 taxa representing all genera in the tribe, all informal groups in Schismatoglottis, together with sister tribe Cryptocoryneae, and outgroups from Araceae. Analyses of combined datasets with parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian methods revealed tribe Schismatoglottideae to be a polyphyletic assemblage. Neotropical Schismatoglottis is shown to be sister to the palaeotropical Schismatoglottideae + Cryptocoryneae. Schismatoglottis acuminatissima is a sister clade to the rest of the Schismatoglottideae. Palaeotropical Schismatoglottis is unsupported as a monophyletic genus. A new neotropical tribe of Araceae, Philonotieae S.Y. Wong & P.C. Boyce, sister to Cryptocoryneae + palaeotropical Schismatoglottideae, is proposed.
Further disintegration and redefinition of Clerodendrum (Lamiaceae): Implications for the understanding of the evolution of an intriguing breeding strategy
Authors: Yuan Yao-Wu , Mabberley David J. , Steane Dorothy A. , Olmstead Richard G.
Published: February 2019

The genus Clerodendrum s.l. is polyphyletic. Although recent studies have resulted in C. subg. Cyclonema and C. sect. Konocalyx being removed to the resurrected genus Rotheca, and the unispecific genus Huxleya being sunk into Clerodendrum, it has been unclear whether Clerodendrum as currently circumscribed is monophyletic, particularly in relation to the American genera Aegiphila, Amasonia, and Tetraclea. This phylogenetic study employs four relatively fast‐evolving chloroplast DNA regions, trnT‐L, trnL‐F, trnD‐T, and trnS‐fM, to clarify the generic boundaries of Clerodendrum and its relationship to allied genera. The results corroborate previous studies that there are three well‐supported clades in the currently recognized Clerodendrum: an Asian clade, an African clade, and a Pantropical Coastal clade. The Asian clade and African clade are sister groups and together form a monophyletic group. However, the Pantropical Coastal clade is more closely related to the three American genera than it is to the other two Clerodendrum clades. In addition, a Caribbean species, C. spinosum, is found to be more closely related to the American genera than it is to any of the three major Clerodendrum groups. These results indicate that Clerodendrum as currently circumscribed is not monophyletic. We propose to separate the Pantropical Coastal clade and C. spinosum by reviving the genera Volkameria (including Huxleya) and Ovieda, respectively for these, and to restrict Clerodendrum to the Asian and African clades. Brief descriptions of the genera to be recognized are provided. All Neotropical 'Clerodendrum' taxa are referred to other genera, necessitating six new combinations, which are also provided, where required, for two other well‐studied Old World Volkameria species; all names ever used in Ovieda are given their modern placings (two placed newly in synonymy). The study also sheds light on the evolution of an intriguing breeding strategy that avoids self‐pollination or/and sexual interference. This strategy involves presentation of pollen and stigma in the centre of the flower in a sequential fashion by moving the filaments and style. It appears to have evolved in the common ancestor of Clerodendrum, Volkameria, Ovieda, Amasonia, Tetraclea, Aegiphila and Kalaharia, and still occurs in all of these taxa except Aegiphila, where it has been succeeded by a heterostylous system.
Karyotype evolution and speciation of European lilies from Lilium sect. Liriotypus
Authors: Muratović Edina , Robin Odil , Bogunić Faruk , Šoljan Dubravka , Siljak-Yakovlev Sonja
Published: February 2019

The main purpose of this study was to clarify the speciation and taxonomic status of European representatives of Lilium sect. Liriotypus (Lilium albanicum, L. bosniacum, L. bulbiferum, L. candidum, L. carniolicum, L. chalcedonicum, L. jankae, L. pomponium, L. rhodopaeum, L. pyrenaicum) based on karyotype differentiation. Clear interspecific differentiation was revealed among karyotypes of these taxa using fluorochrome (chromomycin and DAPI) bandings, fluorescent in situ hybridization and silver staining. Differences were evident in the number and position of CMA and DAPI bands and in the number, position and activity of 18S‐26S and 5S rDNA genes. It is hypothesized that the type species of Lilium sect. Liriotypus, L. candidum, represents the ancestral species from which three evolutionary directions diverged: the first towards L. chalcedonicum, the second towards L. rhodopaeum, and the third towards L. albanicum. The radiation process expanded from L. albanicum, beyond the southeast to the central Dinaric Alps where L. bosniacum is strongly represented. Furthermore, L. carniolicum evolved from northwestern populations of L. bosniacum. According to this evolutionary hypothesis, L. pomponium and L. pyrenaicum would be the youngest species.
The taxonomy of the leafy liverwort genus Leptoscyphus (Lophocoleaceae) revisited
Authors: Vanderpoorten Alain , Schäfer-Verwimp Alfons , Heinrichs Jochen , Devos Nicolas , Long David G.
Published: February 2019

A revised classification of the liverwort genus Leptoscyphus (Lophocoleaceae) is presented on the basis of previous phylogenetic analyses as well as morphological examination of recent plant material and type specimens. The three subgenera that have traditionally been recognized based on morphological grounds, namely Leptoscyphus subg. Anomylia, L. subg. Physoscyphus, and L. subg. Leptoscyphus, are well retrieved by the phylogeny. Two new subgenera, L. subg. Spinoscyphus and L. subg. Australoleptoscyphus, are created for L. cleefii and L. spectabilis and the southern South Hemisphere species, respectively. Three new species, namely L. gradsteinii, L. lambinonii, and L. sotiauxii, are described here based on molecular and morphological evidence. The new combination L. porphyrius subsp. azoricus is made. Lectotypes are designated for Chiloscyphus australis, C. huidobroanus, Jungermannia amphibolia, J. pallidovirens, J. physocalyx, Lophocolea belmorana, L. diversifolia, L. excipulata, and Mylia azorica.
Chautemsia calcicola: A new genus and species of Gloxinieae (Gesneriaceae) from Minas Gerais, Brazil
Authors: de Araújo Andréa Onofre , Souza Vinicius Castro , Perret Mathieu
Published: February 2019

A new species of Gesneriaceae discovered in remnants of deciduous forests on limestone outcrops in Minas Gerais, Brazil, is described and compared with morphologically related taxa. This plant presents the diagnostic features of the tribe Gloxinieae, but a unique combination of morphological traits distinguishes this taxon from previously described genera. Its phylogenetic position was inferred based on analyzing DNA sequences variation of five loci: the rpl16 intron, rps16 intron, trnL‐F intron‐spacer, a portion of the plastid‐expressed glutamine synthetase gene (ncpGS) and the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS). Molecular phylogenetic analyses confirm the position of this new species in the Gloxinieae, as a sister lineage of a clade including the Brazilian genera Mandirola and Goyazia. However, tests using topological constraints do not reject the alternative relationship that places this taxon with Gloxiniopsis in a monophyletic group. To accommodate this species in the current generic circumscription of Gloxinieae, the new genus Chautemsia A.O. Araujo & V.C. Souza is created.
Phylogeny and evolutionary diversification of Adenocarpus DC. (Leguminosae)
Authors: Cubas Paloma , Pardo Cristina , Tahiri Hikmat , Castroviejo Santiago
Published: February 2019

Phylogenetic relationships of Adenocarpus species were assessed by sequence analyses of the ITS and 3′ end of ETS (nrDNA) regions and the trnL–trnF intergenic spacer (cpDNA). The nrDNA analysis recovered four main clades within Adenocarpus. Clades 1–3 comprise morphological and molecularly well–differentiated species that occur in the western Mediterranean realm. Clade 4 comprises three distinctive endemic species from the Canary Islands, an endangered Algerian endemic, and a set of species close to A. complicatus with distinct geographical areas but with little molecular variation between taxa. The latter species are centred in the Iberian Peninsula but also distributed along the Mediterranean basin (from the Iberian Peninsula to Turkey). The phylogenetic position of A. mannii, a morphologically distinctive species with a unique afro–tropical distribution, is not unequivocally resolved, being sister to clade 3 in the ETS tree but to clade 4 in the ITS tree. Rates of evolution and ages of divergence of major groups were estimated using nonparametric rate smoothing with a fixed calibration point of 41.2 Ma and constraining the node of the separation of Anarthrophyllum and Mediterranean Genisteae at a minimum age of 13.6 and a maximum of 25.8 Ma. The estimated ages indicate that the diversification of Adenocarpus and first separation of two lineages may have occurred during the onset and the wake of the profound Middle Miocene cooling episode. One of the lineages separated rapidly into two groups (clades 1 and 2) while the second one led to clade 3, A. mannii and clade 4. Clades 1, 2 and 3 differentiated into the present species soon after these major events whereas clade 4 radiated much later, during the Pliocene.
Melaleuca revisited: cpDNA and morphological data confirm that Melaleuca L. (Myrtaceae) is not monophyletic
Authors: Edwards Robert D. , Craven Lyn A. , Crisp Michael D. , Cook Lyn G.
Published: February 2019

With about 335 species, the tribe Melaleuceae comprises a major lineage within the Australian Myrtaceae. Here we investigate relationships within Melaleuceae using cpDNA sequences (ndh)F and 27 morphological characters. We find strong evidence for the non–monophyly of Melaleuca, with all other currently recognized genera of Melaleuceae (Beaufortia, Calothamnus, Conothamnus, Eremaea, Lamarchea, Petraeomyrtus, Phymatocarpus, Regelia) falling within that genus. Our findings are broadly consistent with previous studies using nuclear ITS DNA sequence data; however, the cpDNA phylogeny estimate is more resolved and has higher support for major nodes. Melaleuceae is found to comprise three major clades, each containing species of Melaleuca and each with good support. The M. leucadendra (broad–leaf paper–barks), M. uncinata, M. pungens and M. acacioides groups, New Caledonian callistemons, and all other currently recognized genera of Melaleuceae form one clade. Australian Callistemon species, which have been synonymised recently with Melaleuca, cluster within a second clade of Melaleuca that includes the M. fulgens, M. laxiflora and M. ordinifolia groups, and some members of the M. lanceolata and M. cuticularis groups. A third clade includes other members of the M. lanceolata and M. cuticularis groups, M. foliolosa and the M. huegelii group. No morphological support or diagnostic synapomorphies are identified for any of these clades. Together with previous studies, our findings indicate that the circumscription of Melaleuca, and the generic status of other genera within Melaleuceae, is poorly supported, and we propose that all genera within the Melaleuceae are synonymised with Melaleuca.
The reproductive biology of Voyria (Gentianaceae) species in French Guiana
Authors: Hentrich Heiko , Kaiser Roman , Gottsberger Gerhard
Published: February 2019

The reproductive biology of the mycoheterotrophic Voyria caerulea, V. clavata and V. rosea (Gentianaceae) was studied in French Guiana. Floral characteristics indicated adaptations to long–tongued flower visitors. The three species possess large, conspicuously colored flowers that produced sucrose–rich nectar (concentrations: 16.4%–23.9%) and emit a rosy floral perfume with a citrus–related aspect, dominated by terpenoids. Principal scent compounds of V. caerulea and V. rosea were (E)–nerolidol and geraniol, and (E)–8–oxo–β–farnesene [(E)–2,6–dimethyl–10–methylenedodeca–2,6,11–trien–5–one, a new natural product] and (E,E)–farnesyl acetate in V. clavata. Germinating pollen grains were observed in the anthers of all species, forming large interwoven clumps that were transferred by the pollinators as a unit. In V. caerulea and V. rosea, stamens and stigmas were positioned close together, enabling the plants to self–pollinate. In contrast, male and female organs are widely separated in V. clavata. Pollen to ovule ratios of all species were low (33–78), indicating that pollen transfer (either by selfing or by outcrossing) is very efficient. Flower visitors were butterflies (V. caerulea, V. rosea) and/or long–tongued bees of the genus Euglossa (V. clavata, V. rosea). Nevertheless, Voyria caerulea and V. rosea were visited only rarely and irregularly. We suggest that these two species follow a mixed selfing–outcrossing strategy to ensure seed production when pollen transfer by visitors fails. In contrast, V. clavata showed a high degree of specialization towards euglossine–pollinators, which were frequent visitors. The close plant–pollinator interaction increases the probability of outcrossings and might have enabled this species to completely rely on pollinators for reproduction. Average seed set in the studied species ranged between 36% and 49% and was very variable among individuals, probably due to resource–limitation. The capsules of V. caerulea and V. clavata showed characteristics of endozoochorous dispersal and were frequently found damaged by possible rodent dispersal agents.
Multi–authored interactive identification keys: The FRIDA (FRiendly IDentificAtion) package
Authors: Martellos Stefano
Published: February 2019

FRIDA (FRiendly IDentificAtion) is a new software application for producing multi–authored interactive identification keys, which can be published on the Web, stored on optical devices, and used on mobile devices as PDAs and Smartphones, both on–line or in stand–alone mode. FRIDA is based on a double–level architecture, which grants to the authors that are involved in multi–authored projects a high degree of independence while working on their data, and several instruments to control and modify the final result of the elaboration of the keys. FRIDA can produce keys from the data by one author only, as well as keys from data by several different authors, merged together into new and original entities. In this paper we discuss the most interesting features of the FRIDA package, and detail the process of generation of an identification key.