bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does the Geographic Expansion of Microfinance Branches Affect Profitability? Panel Data Evidence from Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Chikalipah Sydney
Published: February 2019

Notwithstanding the recent banking innovations, like mobile money services, microfinance institutions still rely on brick‐and‐mortar branches to provide financial services to the poor in the sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) region. Moreover, the number of microfinance branches has continued to increase remarkably since the early 2000s. In light of that, we study the influence of geographic expansion of the branches network on the profitability of 343 microfinance institutions operating in 36 countries of SSA over the period 2003 to 2012. By exploiting the ordinary least squares and generalised method of moments approaches, we found that the geographic expansion of microfinance branches is positively associated with an increase in profitability. Conspicuously, the policy implication regarding this study's findings is that extending financial services to the poor, via branch expansion, is optimal for microfinance institutions operating in SSA. Nevertheless, the branching strategy must be accompanied by operational efficiency to safeguard the advantages of economies of scale gained through the scale‐up of the branch network. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development and feasibility of the use of an assessment tool measuring treatment efficacy in patients with trimethylaminuria: A mixed methods study
Authors: Rutkowski Krzysztof , Rahman Yusof , Halter Mary
Published: February 2019

Trimethylaminuria (TMAU) is a rare metabolic condition characterised by an unpleasant smell resembling rotting fish. Currently, the only measure of treatment efficacy is urine trimethylamine levels which do not always reflect the patient's experience of symptoms. A literature review did not find a specific tool to assess treatment efficacy from the patient's perspective. The aim of this study was to develop an assessment tool to provide a quantitative measure of treatment efficacy in patients diagnosed with TMAU before and after treatment and assess its acceptability (feasibility of use and face and content validity) to people living with TMAU. Mixed methods; a modified, four‐round Delphi by email and semi‐structured interviews conducted after clinical appointments. Delphi; Eight individuals living with TMAU from the TMAU forum, six medical consultants, and four dieticians in Metabolic Medicine in four National Health Service hospitals in England. Semi‐structured interviews; three patients with TMAU in two National Health Service hospitals, United Kingdom. The assessment tool contains 27 items distributed across four domains; Odour characteristics with 6 items, mental well‐being with 13 items, social well‐being with 5 items, and healthcare professionals support with 3 items. Semi‐structured interviews; views on the content and design of the tool. The co‐produced tool was successfully developed and considered acceptable to people living with TMAU. While further testing is needed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the assessment tool, the tool may serve as a prompt for questioning for clinicians diagnosing and treating TMAU.
Detection of chikungunya virus‐specific IgM on laser‐cut paper‐based device using pseudo‐particles as capture antigen
Authors: Theillet Gerald , Grard Gilda , Galla Mathilde , Maisse Carine , Enguehard Margot , Cresson Marie , Dalbon Pascal , Leparc‐Goffart Isabelle Leparc , Bedin Frederic
Published: February 2019

The incidence of arbovirus infections has increased dramatically in recent decades, affecting hundreds of millions of people each year. The Togaviridae family includes the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), which is typically transmitted by
Aedes mosquitoes and causes a wide range of symptoms from flu‐like fever to severe arthralgia. Although conventional diagnostic tests can provide early diagnosis of CHIKV infections, access to these tests is often limited in developing countries. Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop efficient, affordable, simple, rapid, and robust diagnostic tools that can be used in point‐of‐care settings. Early diagnosis is crucial to improve patient management and to reduce the risk of complications. A glass‐fiber laser‐cut microfluidic device (paper‐based analytical device [PAD]) was designed and evaluated in a proof of principle context, for the analysis of 30 µL of patient serum. Biological raw materials used for the functionalization of the PAD were first screened by MAC‐ELISA (IgM capture enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay) for CHIKV Immunoglobulin M (IgM) capture and then evaluated on the PAD using various human samples. Compared with viral lysate traditionally used for chikungunya (CHIK) serology, CHIKV pseudo‐particles (PPs) have proven to be powerful antigens for specific IgM capture. The PAD was able to detect CHIKV IgM in human sera in less than 10 minutes. Results obtained in patient sera showed a sensitivity of 70.6% and a specificity of around 98%. The PAD showed few cross‐reactions with other tropical viral diseases. The PAD could help health workers in the early diagnosis of tropical diseases such as CHIK, which require specific management protocols in at‐risk populations.
Performance of a novel sediment sampler as an add‐on unit for portable free‐fall penetrometers: Combining in situ geotechnical testing with sediment sampling
Authors: Bilici Cagdas , Stark Nina
Published: February 2019

The investigation of mobile and loose surficial sediment layers is essential for a comprehensive seabed characterization. Portable free‐fall penetrometers (PFFPs) can deliver in situ geomechanical information about surficial sediment layers, which are difficult to preserve with traditional sampling tools. However, PFFP data interpretation can be hampered by the lack of high‐quality physical sediment samples for further verification and calibration. In this study, four new sampler configurations are tested as add‐ons for PFFPs to conduct high‐quality sediment sampling and geotechnical profiling simultaneously. Laboratory results showed that the recovery ratio of the collected samples decreased with increasing impact velocities of the probe. For impact velocities ≥ 2 m s−1, a cylindrical sampler body performed better than a conical body reaching a higher recovery ratio with less disturbance on density and saturation. Sharper carvers also increased the recovery ratio and decreased the disturbance. Field results revealed that the sample retention was challenged by energetic hydrodynamics in combination with coarse sediments (significant wave height in excess of 2 m). Overall, utilization of suction proved to be the most promising retaining mechanism under various hydrodynamic and soil conditions. Geomechanical profiles obtained with the sampler add‐ons were successfully calibrated to records obtained with the traditional PFFP tip geometries. In conclusion, the study introduced a novel sediment sampler configuration suitable for simultaneous geotechnical seabed profiling and sediment sampling using PFFP and provided insights into the impacts of sampling mechanisms on sample quality.
A Facile Strategy for Preparing Tough, Self‐Healing Double‐Network Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogels Inspired by Mussel Cuticles
Authors: Guo Zhongwei , Mi Shengli , Sun Wei
Published: February 2019

Compared with hydrogel‐like biological tissues such as cartilage, muscles, and blood vessels, current hyaluronic acid hydrogels often suffer from poor toughness and limited self‐healing properties. Herein, a facile and generalizable strategy inspired by mussel cuticles is presented to fabricate tough and self‐healing double‐network hyaluronic acid hydrogels. These hydrogels are composed of ductile, reversible Fe3+‐catechol interaction primary networks, and secondarily formed brittle, irreversible covalent networks. Based on this design strategy, the hyaluronic acid hydrogels are demonstrated to exhibit reinforced mechanical strength while maintaining a rapid self‐healing property. In addition, by simply regulating pH or UV irradiation time, the mechanical properties of the hydrogels can be regulated conveniently through variations between the primary and secondary networks.
Investigating the Union
Authors: DeMaria Alfred T.
Published: February 2019

The more an employer can learn about the union seeking to organize its employees, the better prepared it will be to develop and stage an effective counter campaign. The first step should be an investigation of the union's structure and finances. The investigation should learn.
Design and fabrication of triple‐band folded dipole antenna for GPS/DCS/WLAN/WiMAX applications
Authors: Park Jiwoong , Jeong Minjoo , Hussain Niamat , Rhee Seungyeop , Kim Panyoul , Kim Nam
Published: February 2019

In this article, a triple‐band folded dipole antenna consists of modified planar dual‐element folded dipoles and a monopole for global positioning system (GPS)/digital communication system (DCS)/wireless local area network (WLAN)/worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) applications is proposed. The triple‐band operation is enabled by applying a bilateral symmetric structure and coupling by adding stubs to the wideband antenna. The antenna passbands are satisfying the typical bandwidth requirement for GPS, DCS, WLAN, and WiMAX bands. The antenna is printed on FR4 substrate (εr = 4.3, tanδ = 0.025) having a thickness of 1.6 mm. Simulation and measurement results show that the antenna presents stable radiation pattern with a moderate gain at the desired frequency bands.
Application of a directional palladium‐103 brachytherapy device on a curved surface
Authors: Veltchev I. , Price R. , Chen X. , Howell K. , Meyer J. , Ma C.‐M.
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The directional planar palladium‐103 LDR device (CivaSheet) may be used for intraoperative implantation at the interface between the tumor site and healthy tissue. Its dosimetric properties have been studied in the ideal case of application on a flat surface. The dosimetric impact of implanting this highly directional device on a curved surface that may be encountered in clinical treatments is analyzed.

Methods

CivaSheet is designed as an array of directional palladium‐103 sources (CivaDots). From the postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans of three patients, the shape of each implanted CivaSheet was reconstructed. In order to obtain a realistic estimate of the distribution of curvatures, the mean radius of curvature at the location of each CivaDot was calculated. A Monte Carlo simulation (FLUKA) of a single CivaDot was designed, based upon published geometry and material specifications. Both the radial dose function analog and the two‐dimensional anisotropy function analog for the CivaDot were validated in comparison with film measurements and benchmarked to published Monte Carlo data. A value for the dose‐rate constant Λ = 0.587(19) cGy/h/U for a CivaDot source in water was calculated as well. Knowledge of the dose distribution in the vicinity of each source allowed the dose at any point around CivaSheets of different curvatures and orientations to be calculated.

Results

The local radius of curvature was found to be primarily between 2 and 8 cm in all three patient implants. On the unshielded side of an inward‐facing curved CivaSheet implant of radius 2 cm, the calculated dose at 0.5 cm depth exceeded the prescribed dose by ∼20%, while on the shielded side the dose increased by a factor of two, thus compromising the shielding efficiency of the original design. On the unshielded side of an outward‐facing curved implant, the dose at 0.5 cm depth decreased by ∼20%.

Conclusions

When tumor bed curvature can be estimated from the preplanning CT scan, the results from this study provide quantitative guide for modifying the source strength to achieve the desired clinical results. In many intraoperative cases, however, accurate preplanning based on surface curvature may not be practical. In such situations, knowledge of the dosimetric impact of the surface curvature provides motivation for avoiding implantation geometries that can lead to either over/underdosing the target, or excess dose to healthy tissue.
Examining item content validity using property fitting analysis via multidimensional scaling
Authors: Ding Cody
Published: February 2019

Objectives

Multiple‐item measuring instruments are frequently used in a wide range of disciplines for the purpose of research in substantive areas. The quality of items in these instruments determine to a large extent whether the results are trustworthy. In this paper, we suggested to use property fitting analysis to evaluate the appropriateness of items content validity based on explicit item property criteria.

Methods

Using Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale as an example, item property fitting analyses via multidimensional scaling model was used to quantitatively evaluate the properties of items based on rating data from 12 counselors.

Results

The results of the analyses indicated that using explicit item property criteria to select items for subsequent psychometric analyses improved the item quality in terms of reliability and factor structure.

Conclusions

Item property fitting analysis seemed to provide the researcher a viable quantitative method when evaluating item content validity.
Motor amplitudes may predict electromyography‐confirmed radiculopathy in patients referred for radiating limb pain
Authors: McNeish Brendan , Hearn Sandra , Craig Anita , Laidlaw Ann , Ziadeh Mark , Richardson James K.
Published: February 2019

Introduction: Radiculopathy is diagnosed by needle electromyography, with nerve conduction studies excluding alternative diagnoses. Methods: In patients referred for electrodiagnostic evaluation of radiating limb pain, we compared ulnar motor amplitudes between those with and without electromyographically confirmed C8 radiculopathy, as well as fibular motor amplitudes between those with and without electromyographically confirmed L5 radiculopathy. Results: Patients with electromyographically confirmed C8 or L5 radiculopathy demonstrated decreased ulnar or fibular motor amplitudes, respectively, as compared to patients without radiculopathy. Receiver operating characteristic curves demonstrated good diagnostic accuracy, with areas under the curve of 0.85 and 0.82, respectively. Optimal cut‐offs for electromyographically confirmed C8 and L5 radiculopathies were 10.2 mV and 3.6 mV, respectively, with associated sensitivities/specificities of 0.86/0.74 and 0.92/0.60. Discussion: Ulnar and fibular motor amplitudes may have clinical utility in assessing the likelihood of patients demonstrating electromyographically confirmed C8 and L5 radiculopathies with active denervation. The findings may be particularly useful in patients intolerant of needle electromyography. Muscle Nerve 59:561–561, 2019
Does India's growth matter? Evidence from the SAARC nations
Authors: Ray Rohan , Fernandez Cledwyn
Published: February 2019

The study estimates the extent of spillover effects that India's real per capita gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate has on the growth rates of other countries in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) region for the period 2003–2016. It also identifies whether the conventional trade channel is the means through which growth is transmitted from India to her neighboring countries. Using a random effects model, we conclude that on average, a 1 percentage point increase in India's real per capita GDP growth rate results in 0.46 percentage point increase in the per capita GDP growth rates of other SAARC nations. However, this does not occur through the trade channel primarily due to low levels of intraregional trade. Also, using time dummies, the paper analyzes whether there has been any significant change in the degree of spillover effects in the postfinancial crisis period, where countries have been observed to insulate themselves to a certain extent.
Microfluidic fabrication of polysiloxane/dimethyl methylphosphonate flame‐retardant microcapsule and its application in silicone foams
Authors: Kang Fu‐Ru , Deng Jun , Jiao Dong‐Sheng , He Li‐Qun , Wang Wei‐Feng , Liu Zhi‐Chao
Published: February 2019

A novel and versatile route for fabricating flame‐retardant microcapsules via microfluidics technology is reported. The flame‐retardant microcapsules were prepared with a dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) core and an ultraviolet‐curable (UV‐curable) polysiloxane shell. Furthermore, a UV‐curable polysiloxane was synthesized. The synthesis mechanism of UV‐curable polysiloxane and the curing mechanism of flame‐retardant microcapsules were analyzed. To verify that DMMP was encapsulated in the microcapsules, X‐ray fluorescence was used before and after microencapsulation. The resulting microcapsules were well monodispersed and exhibited a good spherical shape with a smooth surface. In addition, the size of the microcapsules decreased dramatically with an increasing flow‐rate ratio of the middle‐/inner‐phase or outer‐phase flow rate. The thermal stability of the microcapsules was worse than shell materials but superior to DMMP. Silicone foams (SiFs) with microcapsules prepared using a dehydrogenation method achieved a relatively higher limiting oxygen‐index value than the pure SiF, which indicated that the microcapsules could enhance the flame retardation of SiFs effectively. Because of the polysiloxane shell, the microcapsules had good compatibility with SiFs, and the influence of microcapsules on the mechanical properties of SiFs was unremarkable.
Effects of platforms, size filter cutoffs, and targeted regions of cytogenomic microarray on detection of copy number variants and uniparental disomy in prenatal diagnosis: Results from 5026 pregnancies
Authors: Wang Jia‐Chi , Radcliff Jeff , Coe Sandra J. , Mahon Loretta W.
Published: February 2019

Objective

We evaluated the effects of platforms, size filter cutoffs, and targeted regions of cytogenomic microarray (CMA) on the detection of copy number variants (CNVs) and uniparental disomy (UPD) in prenatal diagnosis.

Methods

Five thousand twenty‐six consecutive prenatal specimens (>98% high‐risk pregnancy) were studied by high‐resolution CMA, with cutoffs of 50 kb for losses and 200 kb for gains in nontargeted regions and 20 kb for losses and 100 kb for gains in targeted regions. We assessed actual detection rates using the current assay as well as hypothetical detection rates using platforms with the same or lower resolution and smaller or larger cutoffs.

Results

The detection rate of our current assay was 11.2% (562 of 5026), including abnormal findings in 543 cases and likely pathogenic variants in 19. The hypothetical decrease in the overall detection of variants (excluding likely benign) and UPD ranged from 3.8% to 23.0%. For the subgroup of pathogenic and likely pathogenic CNVs < 1 Mb, the decrease of detection ranged from 2.7% to 24.3%.

Conclusions

These findings underscore the significant effects of chosen CMA platform, as well as size filter cutoffs and targeted regions used in data analysis, on detection of CNVs and UPDs in a cohort of prenatal cases.
3D Viscoelastic Simulation of Jetting in Injection Molding
Authors: Zhang Shixun , Hua Shaozhen , Cao Wei , Min Zhiyu , Liu Yongzhi , Wang Yaming , Shen Changyu
Published: February 2019

A three‐dimensional model and algorithm were proposed to simulate the jetting phenomenon in injection molding. The Giesekus model was employed to describe the viscoelastic behavior of the incompressible, non‐isothermal polymer flow, and the volume of filling method was used to track the jetting free surface and advancing melt front. The governing and constitutive equations were discretized by finite volume method. To improve the precision and stability of the numerical method, a modified pressure implicit with splitting of operator algorithm was proposed to solve the pseudo Navier–Stokes problem, and an iterative scheme was constructed to determine the solution of the coupled nonlinear equations. Numerical results showed this method successfully predicted the snake‐like flow in thin‐wall cavities and buckling flow in thick‐wall cavities. The viscoelastic characteristics of polymer influenced the reptile swing frequency and amplitude. Finally, a suitable nonlinear parameter in the Giesekus model improved the precision of simulation. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:E397–E405, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers
Test‐Retest Reliability of the ABILOCO Questionnaire in Individuals with Stroke
Authors: de Menezes Kênia K. P. , Avelino Patrick R. , Faria‐Fortini Iza , Basílio Marluce L. , Nascimento Lucas R. , Teixeira‐Salmela Luci F.
Published: February 2019

Background

The ABILOCO is a self‐reported questionnaire, specific for individuals with stroke, for the assessment of ability of locomotion. The ABILOCO has been investigated using the Rasch model and has shown satisfactory measurement properties. However, its test‐retest reliability has not been investigated.

Objective

To investigate the test‐retest reliability, that is, agreement, systematic and random variability of the ABILOCO Questionnaire in individuals with chronic stroke.

Design

A test‐retest reliability study.

Setting

Research laboratory.

Participants

Thirty‐one individuals (21 men and 10 women; mean age, 60 years), who had poststroke hemiparesis.

Intervention

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measurement

The ABILOCO was applied twice, on two occasions, 5 to 7 days apart. Test‐retest reliability was investigated, as follows: agreement by the calculation of intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs); systematic variability by the change in the mean; random variability by the standard error of measurement (SEM) and smallest real difference (SRD).

Results

Two outliers were identified in the sample. The ICC values for the whole sample were 0.76 (CI 95% 0.56 to 0.88), whereas the SEM (SEM%) and SRD (SRD%) were 0.55 (21%) and 1.52 (58%), respectively.

Conclusion

The ABILOCO showed to be reliable to be applied within clinical and research contexts for the assessment of changes in locomotion ability of a group of individuals with chronic stroke. However, it appears to be less suitable to detect changes at individual levels.

Level of Evidence

III.
Ultrasound‐Guided Needle Electromyography of the External Anal Sphincter
Authors: Park Dong Yoon , Park Joo Hyun
Published: February 2019

Background

Anal sphincter needle electromyography (EMG) is a useful tool to evaluate various neurologic lesions. However, landmark‐based needle placement has risks of missing the intended target including risk of bowel penetration. Ultrasound guidance has been widely used to enhance needle placement for various interventional procedures, but it has not been previously reported for use in anal sphincter EMG.

Objective

To demonstrate the accuracy of ultrasound‐guided needle insertion into the external anal sphincter (EAS).

Design

Observational study.

Setting

Tertiary care university hospital.

Participants

A single live male participant and six fresh cadavers.

Methods

A preliminary study was conducted in a single live male participant to investigate the utility of ultrasonography imaging for the EAS and proper transducer location. After this preliminary study, 12 sides of the EAS in six fresh cadavers were assessed. A hooked fine wire was inserted into the EAS under ultrasound guidance.

Main Outcome Measures

Accuracy of needle placement was assessed after cadaver dissection.

Results

The EAS was easily identified with ultrasound in preliminary and cadaver studies. The needle tips were located in the EAS in 11 of 12 cadavers.

Conclusions

Ultrasound‐guided needle EMG of the EAS is convenient and accurate in cadavers and may be useful in clinical practice. Further studies comparing ultrasound‐guided and landmark‐guided needle EMG of the EAS in live patients will be needed.
Immunomodulatory, insulinotropic, and cytotoxic activities of phylloseptins and plasticin‐TR from the Trinidanian leaf frogPhyllomedusa trinitatis
Authors: Pantic Jelena , Guilhaudis Laure , Musale Vishal , Attoub Samir , Lukic Miodrag L. , Mechkarska Milena , Conlon J. Michael
Published: February 2019

The aim of the study was to determine the in vitro immunomodulatory, cytotoxic, and insulin‐releasing activities of seven phylloseptin‐TR peptides and plasticin‐TR, first isolated from the frogPhyllomedusa trinitatis. The most cationic peptides, phylloseptin‐1.1TR and phylloseptin‐3.1TR, showed greatest cytotoxic potency against A549, MDA‐MB231, and HT‐29 human tumor‐derived cells and against mouse erythrocytes. Phylloseptin‐4TR was the most hydrophobic and the most effective peptide at inhibiting production of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF‐α and IL‐1β by mouse peritoneal cells but was without effect on production of the antiinflammatory cytokine IL‐10. Phylloseptin‐2.1TR and phylloseptin‐3.3TR were the most effective at stimulating the production of IL‐10. The noncytotoxic peptide, plasticin‐TR, inhibited production of TNF‐α and IL‐1β but was without effect on IL‐10 production. The results of CD spectroscopy suggest that the different properties of plasticin‐TR compared with the immunostimulatory activities of the previously characterized plasticin‐L1 fromLeptodactylus laticepsmay arise from greater ability of plasticin‐TR to oligomerize and adopt a stable helical conformation in a membrane‐mimetic environment. All peptides stimulated release of insulin from BRIN‐BD11 rat clonal β cells with phylloseptin‐3.2TR being the most potent and effective and phylloseptin‐2.1TR the least effective suggesting that insulinotropic potency correlates inversely with helicity. The study has provided insight into structure‐activity relationships among the phylloseptins. The combination of immunomodulatory and insulinotropic activities together with low cytotoxicity suggests that phylloseptin‐3.3TR and plasticin‐TR may represent templates for the development of agents for use in antiinflammatory and type 2 diabetes therapies.
Pyridinic‐N Protected Synthesis of 3D Nitrogen‐Doped Porous Carbon with Increased Mesoporous Defects for Oxygen Reduction
Authors: Luo Jin , Wang Kangjun , Hua Xing , Wang Wang , Li Jun , Zhang Shiming , Chen Shengli
Published: February 2019

Nitrogen (N)‐doped carbons are potential nonprecious metal catalysts to replace Pt for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Pyridinic‐N‐C is believed to be the most active N group for catalyzing ORR. In this work, using zinc phthalocyanine as a precursor effectively overcomes the serious loss of pyridinic‐N, which is commonly regarded as the biggest obstacle to catalytic performance enhancement upon adopting a second pyrolysis process, for the preparation of a 3D porous N‐doped carbon framework (NDCF). The results show only ≈14% loss in pyridinic‐N proportion in the Zn‐containing sample during the second pyrolysis process. In comparison, a loss of ≈72% pyridinic‐N occurs for the non‐Zn counterpart. The high pyridinic‐N proportion, the porous carbon framework produced upon NaCl removal, and the increased mesoporous defects in the second pyrolysis process make the as‐prepared catalyst an excellent electrocatalyst for ORR, exhibiting a half‐wave potential (E1/2 = 0.88 V) up to 33 mV superior to state‐of‐the‐art Pt/C and high four‐electron selectivity (n > 3.83) in alkaline solution, which is among the best ORR activities reported for N‐doped carbon catalysts. Furthermore, only ≈18 mV degradation in E1/2 occurs after an 8000 cycles' accelerating stability test, manifesting the outstanding stability of the as‐prepared catalyst.
Phylogenetic relationships among Pteridaceae, including Brazilian species, inferred from rbcL sequences
Authors: Prado Jefferson , Del Nero Rodrigues Cristiane , Salatino Antonio , Salatino Maria Luiza F.
Published: February 2019

Phylogenetic relationships among Pteridaceae were established using rbcL sequences, parsimony and posterior probabilities. The analyses involved 38 Pteridaceae species native in Brazil (12 of them endemic) and 81 species of Dennstaedtiaceae, Lindsaeaceae, Saccolomataceae (outgroups) and Pteridaceae. The resultant phylogeny comprehends five main clades: Platyzomatoideae‐Pteridoideae‐Taenitoideae; Ceratopteris‐Acrostichum; Adiantoideae‐vittarioids; Cheilanthoideae; Coniogramme‐Cryptogramma‐Llavea. The cladograms support the most recent classification of Pteridaceae and demonstrate the paraphyly of Cheilanthoideae and the unnaturalness of Ceratopteridoideae, Platyzomatoideae, Pteridoideae, and Taenitidoideae as traditionally defined. Adiantoideae can only be recognized if combined with the vittarioids. Several genera of Pteridaceae appear to be paraphyletic (e.g., as Cheilanthes, Doryopteris, Pellaea, Pteris), and new generic affinities suggested by consistent internal clades are proposed.
Morphological analysis and re‐examination of the taxonomic circumscription ofAcosmium(Leguminosae, Papilionoideae, Sophoreae)
Authors: Rodrigues Rodrigo Schütz , de Azevedo Tozzi Ana Maria Goulart
Published: February 2019

AcosmiumSchott is a Neotropical genus of ca. 17 species of trees with non‐papilionoid, actinomorphic flowers. It has been included in the genistoid clade (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae) in recent phylogenetic analyses. A morphology‐based cladistic analysis was performed to test the currently assumed monophyly ofAcosmium, assess the validity of the infrageneric classification of Yakovlev, and detect synapomorphies and other diagnostic characters inAcosmiumand related taxa. Thirty‐four species representing ten genera of subfamily Papilionoideae were included in the analysis: all accepted species of the four sections ofAcosmiumtogether with species ofBowdichia, Clathrotropis, Diplotropis, Bolusanthus, Cadia, Poecilanthe, Cyclolobium, andOrmosia; two species ofLuetzelburgiawere selected as outgroups. The results do not support the monophyly ofAcosmium; the species of this genus fall into three distinct, not closely related clades that correspond to the sections ofAcosmiumestablished by Yakovlev except for sect.Mesitisthat merges into sect.Leptolobium. We propose: (1) recognizing a narrowly circumscribed genusAcosmium; (2) reinstating the generic nameLeptolobiumVogel, encompassing sectionsLeptolobiumandMesitis; and (3) segregatingA. praeclarum(Sandwith) Yakovlev into a new genus,Guianodendron. The phylogenetic relevance of some new or neglected characters, especially from bud architecture, seed, and seedling morphology is emphasized.
A screen of low‐copy nuclear genes reveals the LFY gene as phylogenetically informative in closely related species of orchids (Ophrys)
Authors: Schlüter Philipp M. , Kohl Gudrun , Stuessy Tod F. , Paulus Hannes F.
Published: February 2019

This paper presents PCR primers and PCR conditions for low‐copy nuclear genes in Ophrys and related orchid genera identified via screening of both published and newly designed primers. For Ophrys, the most useful markers identified in this screen are the LFY/FLO gene which contains an intron of 2 kb size and the MADS‐box PI/GLO gene whose 2 first introns contain single nucleotide polymorphisms with variation at the populational level. In the taxa tested, our PCR primers amplified single‐copy regions. Phylogenetic analysis of closely related taxa of Ophrys section Pseudophrys, based on LFY, revealed the following groups that are delimited by morphology: O. lutea s.l.; O. omegaifera s.l. with O. iricolor nested in this group; the two O. fusca s.l. taxa, O. leucadica and O. bilunulata; and the O. fusca s.l. taxon O. cinereophila together with a group of endemics from Crete.
Revision of the Mediterranean species of Plocama (Rubiaceae)
Authors: Backlund Maria , Thulin Mats
Published: February 2019

The Mediterranean species of Plocama (incl. Putoria) are revised and two species, the widespread P. calabrica, comb. nov., and P. brevifolia, comb. nov., in Morocco and Algeria, are recognized. The variation and circumscription of the species are discussed and distribution maps are provided. Several names are reduced to synonymy and seven lectotypes are designated.
Nomenclatural types and taxonomy of Gothan’s Arctic fossil conifer wood
Authors: Philippe Marc , Cantrill David J.
Published: February 2019

A century ago Gothan described fossil woods from the Arctic and established several new species and genera that were subsequently widely used. The type material has, however, never been reviewed. Investigations in Berlin and Stockholm resulted in the re‐location of the original material which allows us to propose lectotypifications for the names of six species recognized by Gothan, three of which represent types of Gothan’s generic names, Anomaloxylon, Protocedroxylon, and Protopiceoxylon. The types (holotypes or lectotypes) are illustrated here, some of them for the first time with micrographs. Taxonomic investigation of Gothan’s species with “Abietineentüpfelungen”, an anatomical feature of ray cells, suggests that Cedroxylon transiens and Anomaloxylon magnoradiatum should be regarded as taxonomic synonyms of Protocedroxylon araucarioides, and Cedroxylon cedroides as a taxonomic synonym of Protopiceoxylon exstinctum.
Optimising linear taxon sequences derived from phylogenetic trees—a reply to Haston & al.
Authors: Hawthorne William D. , Hughes Colin E.
Published: February 2019

Numerous linear taxon sequences can be generated from large phylogenetic trees raising questions about what criteria should be used to select an optimal sequence for collections of specimens and published taxonomic outputs including field guides. Possible criteria and ways to implement them are discussed in relation to the sequence of Angiosperm families proposed by Haston & al. (2007). We define a particular spatial arrangement in one or more dimensions of the terminal nodes of a tree as a projection of that tree; a projection method is the set of rules by which the projection is achieved. We show that the projection of the Angiosperm phylogeny to a linear sequence, proposed by Haston & al. (2007), is not ideal because it is incompletely optimized for incompletely specified criteria. Tree projection methods that promote stability and incorporation of morphological data used in herbaria and other identification guides are proposed.
Contrasting the general with the particular in phylogenetics—a proposal to keep the meanings of mono/paraphyletic and clade/grade separated
Authors: Bertrand Yann
Published: February 2019

Clade and monophyletic group on one hand and grade and paraphyletic group on the other hand are commonly used as pairs of interchangeable terms. I question this apparent synonymy and propose that “monophyly” and “paraphyly” should refer to a property of a set, whereas “clade” and “grade” should apply to individuals resulting from evolutionary process.
Extreme environmental conditions and phylogenetic inheritance: systematics of Myopordon and Oligochaeta (Asteraceae, Cardueae‐Centaureinae)
Authors: Hidalgo Oriane , Garcia-Jacas Núria , Garnatje Teresa , Romashchenko Kostyantyn , Susanna Alfonso , Siljak-Yakovlev Sonja
Published: February 2019

The genus Myopordon, with six perennial species from Iran, Lebanon, Syria and Turkey, had until recently been placed in the Carduinae subtribe. Oligochaeta, composed of four annual species from the Caucasus, India, the Near East and Pakistan, was considered related to the genus Rhaponticum in the Centaureinae subtribe. The two genera have apparently not much in common; however, evidence that both are closely related within the Rhaponticum group was provided by recent molecular phylogenetic reconstructions. New and previously published cytogenetical (fluorescent in situ hybridization of rDNA genes, fluorochrome banding of AT‐ and GC‐rich regions, silver nitrate staining of active ribosomal genes, genome size assessment), karyological, molecular phylogenetic and palynological data are evaluated in the light of the recent evidence concerning the relationships of Myopordon and Oligochaeta. Myopordon presents a constant chromosome number and a homogeneous pattern in physical mapping of rDNA genes, contrasting with a strong variability in chromosome banding, genome size and pollen‐type. Such tendencies could be related to the environmental pressures in the high mountains where species of Myopordon occur. This also accords well with the phylogeny and the geographic distribution of the genus. Phylogenetic reconstructions resolve Oligochaeta as being nested in the clade of Myopordon species. The exceptional cytogenetical, karyological, as well as palynological characters of Oligochaeta are apparently derived from a Myopordon‐like ancestor.
Thompsonella and the “Echeveria group” (Crassulaceae): phylogenetic relationships based on molecular and morphological characters
Authors: Carrillo-Reyes Pablo , Sosa Victoria , Mort Mark E.
Published: February 2019

Broad phylogenetic analyses of Crassulaceae have retrieved a large clade comprising as much as one‐third of the species diversity present in the family as a whole. This so‐called Acre clade (Sedoideae) includes familiar genera such as Echeveria, Graptopetalum, and Thompsonella, and while it is consistently recovered in studies at the family level, relationships within the clade as well as the monophyly of many of the constituant genera have yet to be established. Results of a phylogenetic study of a genus within the Acre clade, Thompsonella, are here reported. Morphological evidence was gathered and molecular (nuclear ETS and ITS) DNA sequences were generated for forty‐seven taxa from the Acre clade, including all recognized members of Thompsonella. Parsimony analysis of the combined data retrieved Thompsonella as a monophyletic group and retrieved species in Graptopetalum, Thompsonella, Echeveria, Pachyphytum and Sedum sect. Pachysedum in a clade; this group was previously identified as the “Echeveria group”. Results indicate that only a few genera in the Acre clade are monophyletic and that to establish their generic limits further sampling mainly in the large Echeveria and Sedum genera is needed. Results from morphological and molecular analyses disagree in the position of T. mixtecana. However, an additional restricted analysis performed solely with cpDNA (rps16) placed this species within Thompsonella, suggesting a hybrid origin.
Nomenclatural note on the subgenera of Parodia (Cactaceae – Cactoideae)
Authors: Eggli Urs , Machado Marlon , Nyffeler Reto
Published: February 2019

The nomenclatural problems involved with subgeneric names under Parodia are elucidated, and the nomenclature of all existing names is evaluated in detail. Subgeneric names under Notocactus are similarly covered in a second part. A third part consists of a list of published subgeneric names for the group arranged alphabetically by the epithet of the name of the species indicating the type.
Phylogenetic analysis of Cabombaceae and Nymphaeaceae based on vegetative and leaf architectural characters
Authors: Taylor David Winship
Published: February 2019

Vegetative and leaf architectural characters are used to assess the phylogenetic relationships of species of Cabombaceae and Nymphaeaceae. Twenty‐eight species representing all eight genera and the five subgenera of Nymphaea are analyzed. These morphological analyses give robust support to other molecular and morphological analyses of the relationships of the two families. There is strong support for the two families to be monophyletic, and that Euryale and Victoria are closely related. Strict consensus analyses show that within the Nymphaeaceae, Nuphar is the first sister clade, followed by Barclaya and finally by a polytomy of Ondinea, Euryale‐Victoria and Nymphaea. The relationships of Ondinea are uncertain, in part due to missing characters. Finally, the genera of each family are monophyletic. Each genus has a suite of distinctive vegetative characteristics that are used to make an identification key of the genera. Although the value of vegetative and leaf architectural characters is shown, inclusion of atypical leaves, for example some types of submerged leaves, results in less resolved or robust trees.
Differentiation of perianth organs in Nymphaeales
Authors: Warner Kate A. , Rudall Paula J. , Frohlich Michael W.
Published: February 2019

Perianth differentiation into distinct morphological whorls (sepals and petals) can be difficult to assess, particularly in early‐divergent angiosperms. The perianth of members of Nymphaeales (Cabomba,Brasenia,Barclaya,Euryale,Nuphar,Nymphaea,Victoria,Ondinea) has been described as differentiated into sepals and petals, undifferentiated or presenting examples of both states. In this paper, we review perianth structure in Nymphaeales using morphology and ontogeny in order to determine whether their perianths are dimorphic. The results indicate that although there are differences between the outer and inner perianth series, the organs display few “typical” sepal‐petal characteristics. Our observations of the perianth ofNupharandNymphaea, and reports onEuryale, show that sepaloid (green) and petaloid (yellow) areas can both occur on individual perianth organs, and that sepaloid areas occur mostly in the regions of the perianth organ that were exposed when the flower was in bud. SEM study revealed further morphological differences between the sepaloid and petaloid areas ofNupharandNymphaeaand also between the exposed and covered regions of the perianth ofCabomba,BraseniaandBarclaya. We discuss the implications of these results with respect to current concepts of perianth differentiation.
Utility of Amborellatrichopoda and Nupharadvena expressed sequence tags for comparative sequence analysis
Authors: Duarte Jill M. , Wall Kerr P. , Zahn Laura M. , Soltis Pamela S. , Soltis Douglas E. , Leebens-Mack Jim , Carlson John E. , Ma Hong W. , dePamphilis Claude W.
Published: February 2019

Expressed sequence tags (ESTs) for the basal angiosperms Amborella trichopoda (Amborellaceae) and the water lily Nuphar advena (Nymphaeaceae) have proven valuable in identification of gene pairs to study the timing of duplication events relative to the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of all extant angiosperms. Here we discuss how ESTs for these taxa are also useful for deducing gene families that were present in the MRCA of all flowering plants. For example, 4,572 gene clusters identified in an analysis of the rice and Arabidopsis proteomes contained putative orthologs of Amborella or Nuphar. Homologs of many developmentally important genes were identified from Amborella or Nuphar in these gene clusters. This number of ancestral genes is expected to increase as the number of Amborella and water lily ESTs increases. Genes found unduplicated in the rice and Arabidopsis genomes may be especially useful for phylogenetic analyses including diverse angiosperm lineages. We identify 595 of these single copy genes with putative orthologs in Amborella or Nuphar. Phylogenetic analysis of one of these nuclear single‐copy genes encoding the enzyme carboxymethylenebutenolidase yields a topology that places Amborella and Nuphar as the sisters to all other extant lineages of angiosperms and is generally consistent with current angiosperm phylogenies based mainly on chloroplast, mitochondrial, and nuclear ribosomal sequences.
A molecular phylogeny of the Solanaceae
Authors: Olmstead Richard G. , Bohs Lynn , Migid Hala Abdel , Santiago-Valentin Eugenio , Garcia Vicente F. , Collier Sarah M.
Published: February 2019

A phylogeny of Solanaceae is presented based on the chloroplast DNA regions ndhF and trnLF. With 89 genera and 190 species included, this represents a nearly comprehensive genus‐level sampling and provides a framework phylogeny for the entire family that helps integrate many previously‐published phylogenetic studies within Solanaceae. The four genera comprising the family Goetzeaceae and the monotypic families Duckeodendraceae, Nolanaceae, and Sclerophylaceae, often recognized in traditional classifications, are shown to be included in Solanaceae. The current results corroborate previous studies that identify a monophyletic subfamily Solanoideae and the more inclusive “x = 12” clade, which includes Nicotiana and the Australian tribe Anthocercideae. These results also provide greater resolution among lineages within Solanoideae, confirming Jaltomata as sister to Solanum and identifying a clade comprised primarily of tribes Capsiceae (Capsicum and Lycianthes) and Physaleae. Stronger evidence also is provided for the inclusion of Capsicum within a paraphyletic Lycianthes. Solanaceae are a predominantly New World group, with several lineages represented on other continents. Apart from events within Solanum (for which sampling in this study is inadequate for biogeographic interpretations) the Old World representatives of Solanaceae can be accounted for by eight or nine dispersal events.
A new phylogeny‐based sectional classification for the large African orchid genus Disa
Authors: Bytebier Benny , Bellstedt Dirk U. , Linder Peter H.
Published: February 2019

Twenty‐five years after the last major revision, the results of a molecular phylogenetic analysis have necessitated a re‐classification of the Disinae (Orchidoideae, Orchidaceae). The small genus Schizodium, endemic to the Cape Floristic Region, is deeply embedded in the genus Disa and its generic status can thus no longer be maintained. We propose a monogeneric subtribe Disinae and a subdivision of Disa into eighteen sections and one nothosection. Excluding the latter, the sections are monophyletic, well‐supported, morphologically distinguishable and are delimited to maximize the congruence with the previous classification. All 180 described and one undescribed species, as well as four named, natural hybrids are enumerated and assigned to sections and the nothosection.
Establishing an Agenda for Calcareous Dinoflagellate Research (Thoracosphaeraceae, Dinophyceae) including a nomenclatural synopsis of generic names
Authors: Elbrächter Malte , Gottschling Marc , Hildebrand-Habel Tania , Keupp Helmut , Kohring Rolf , Lewis Jane , Meier Sebastian K.J. , Montresor Marina , Streng Michael , Versteegh Gerard J.M. , Willems Helmut , Zonneveld Karin
Published: February 2019

Calcareous dinoflagellates are considered to be a monophyletic group of peridinoid taxa that have the potential to produce calcified exoskeletal structures during the life cycle, or that derive from such forms. Frequently, these calcareous bodies are excellently preserved in the fossil record and have received increased attention during the past three decades with regard to their use in biostratigraphy, climate and environmental reconstruction. Fossil and extant taxa have been classified in various, partly concurring, systematic concepts, using character complexes of the theca, cyst wall ultrastructure and archaeopyle/operculum morphology. The significance of such character complexes is briefly discussed in the light of molecular data that have been accumulated during the past decade. Over the years, the number of published taxonomic names has increased, partly due to nomenclatural changes. We propose that the entirety of calcareous dinoflagellates, and non‐calcareous relatives derived from them, is accommodated in a single family of the order Peridiniales, the Thoracosphaeraceae, combining the former segregated taxonomic units Calciodinelloideae, a subfamily within Peridiniaceae, and Thoracosphaerales, a separate dinoflagellate order. As a result of a meeting of calcareous dinoflagellate specialists, we outline major subjects that are in need of re‐investigation and ‐evaluation (an Agenda for Calcareous Dinoflagellate Research). In order to contribute to a consistent and stable nomenclature and taxonomy of calcareous dinoflagellates, we list 97 published generic names assigned to known calcareous dinoflagellates in a nomenclatural synopsis, with species names indicating their types and information on type locality and stratigraphy. We evaluate the status of these names—whether validly published and, if so, whether legitimate—, a crucial first step for any revisionary work in the future.