Free Filaments Research Articles

Relictithismia kimotsukiensis, a new genus and species of Thismiaceae from southern Japan with discussions on its phylogenetic relationship.

The family Thismiaceae, known as "fairy lanterns" for their urn- or bell-shaped flowers with basally fused tepals, consists of non-photosynthetic flowering monocots mainly in tropical regions, extending into subtropical and temperate areas. Here, we propose a new mycoheterotrophic genus, Relictithismia Suetsugu & Tagane (Thismiaceae), with its monotypic species Relictithismia kimotsukiensis Suetsugu, Yas.Nakam. & Tagane from Kimotsuki Mountains in the Osumi Peninsula, Kagoshima Prefecture, Kyushu Island, southern Japan. Relictithismia resembles Haplothismia Airy Shaw in having a cluster of tuberous roots, a feature previously observed only in this genus within the family Thismiaceae. However, it differs in having solitary flowers (vs. 2-6-flowered pseudo-raceme in Haplothismia), anther thecae largely separated (vs. connate), and the presence of an annulus (vs. absent). Additionally, Relictithismia differs from the geographically overlapping genus Thismia Griff. in its stamen structure and the position of the annulus. In Relictithismia, the stamens lack connectives, and its free filaments arise from the annulus located inside the perianth mouth, while in Thismia, the stamens typically have connate connectives, forming a staminal tube pendulous from the annulus located at the mouth of the floral tube. Our morphological and phylogenetic data indicated that R. kimotsukiensis holds an early-diverging position within the family, situated outside the Old World Thismia clade. This paper offers an extensive description and color photographs of R. kimotsukiensis, complemented by notes on its phylogenetic relationship and evolutionary history.

Improving the seed sorting device to increase natural fiber yield at cotton ginning enterprises

The article discusses practical particularities of the branch seeds remaining ferocity and free filaments by means of sorting after ginning seeds to increase the number of natural fibers. The factors that negatively affect the output of fiber and seed, which are the main products of cotton ginning enterprises, are presented. The output of fiber in the section of the factories is analyzed. The working principle and schemes of the equipment and mechanisms proposed by the researchers are highlighted. One of the problems that negatively affect the fiber yield is the justification for the improvement of the processes for the selection of unterminated seeds.

Moraea saxatilis (Iridaceae: Iridoideae), a new montane species from the Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area of the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa

The new species Moraea saxatilis Goldblatt & J.C.Manning (Iridaceae: Iridoideae) is a narrow endemic of the Kliphuisvlakte above Porterville in Western Cape, South Africa. First recorded in September 2019, M. saxatilis is restricted to shallow, seasonally waterlogged soils on sandstone sheets. This diminutive species has unusual terete leaves with a median dorsal translucent line, and distinctive pale lilac flowers irregularly speckled or streaked with dark blue towards the centre, with the filaments ±free or connate only in the basal third. The acaulescent habit and ±campanulate flowers with subequal tepals connate below in a solid perianth tube and reduced style crests place the species in subg. Galaxia (Thunb.) Goldblatt & J.C.Manning. Within the subgenus, the fringed style branches of M. saxatilis place it in ser. Galaxia, which currently includes nine species, all with white or yellow flowers. Among these, only M. luteoalba has ±free filaments but it differs considerably from M. saxatilis in having plane, ovate to elliptic leaves and larger yellow flowers sometimes creamy white distally.

Material thermal extrusion of conductive 3D electrodes using highly loaded graphene and graphite colloidal feedstock

Evolution in the energy storage field requires the development of more sustainable and efficient high-performance electrochemical storage devices (EESDs). Additive manufacturing (AM) opens unique opportunities to improve the efficiency and the electrochemical response by the design of 3D electrodes and the increasing of exposed active surface area impossible to achieve by other processing techniques. In other to reach high-performance EESDs, carbonaceous species are well-established as electroactive materials owing to their electronic properties, low cost, and sustainable origin. Although the materials have been widely investigated, there is a lack of feedstock development for the fabrication of EESDs by AM technologies. This work presents the fabrication of metals free light conductive filaments for material thermal extrusion (MTE) by formulating PLA-based composites with a high content of colloidal graphite and graphene (15–25 vol%). By the colloidal characterization and surface modification of the carbonaceous species, an improved distribution and enhanced platelet/polymer bond were achieved, provoking the inorganic phase's orientation during the extrusion process. Prepared filaments were characterized to analyze the influence of the microstructural anisotropy on thermal, thermorheological, mechanical, and electrical properties. Subsequently, developed filaments were used to print complex electrodes by MTE, enhancing the electrochemical properties of the electrodes with superior control of the macrostructural design. The developed colloidal filaments with an oriented inorganic microstructure, not only allow a defined shaping of the outer structure of the electrodes but also let the design of completely different microstructures. Consequently, different microstructural configurations were printed increasing the number of conduction paths in the polymeric matrix to achieve high electric conductivities (22 S.m-1) in printed electrodes.

An ortholog of the MADS-box gene SEPALLATA3 regulates stamen development in the woody plant Jatropha curcas.

Overexpression of JcSEP3 causes defective stamen development in Jatropha curcas, in which brassinosteroid and gibberellin signaling pathways may be involved. SEPALLATAs (SEPs), the class E genes of the ABCE model, are required for floral organ determination. In this study, we investigated the role of the JcSEP3 gene in floral organ development in the woody plant Jatropha curcas. Transgenic Jatropha plants overexpressing JcSEP3 displayed abnormal phenotypes such as deficient anthers and pollen, as well as free stamen filaments, whereas JcSEP3-RNA interference (RNAi) transgenic plants had no obvious phenotypic changes, suggesting that JcSEP3 is redundant with other JcSEP genes in Jatropha. Moreover, we compared the transcriptomes of wild-type plants, JcSEP3-overexpressing, and JcSEP3-RNAi transgenic plants. In the JcSEP3-overexpressing transgenic plants, we discovered 25 upregulated genes involved in anther and pollen development, as well as 12 induced genes in brassinosteroid (BR) and gibberellin (GA) signaling pathways. These results suggest that JcSEP3 directly or indirectly regulates stamen development, concomitant with the regulation of BR and GA signaling pathways. Our findings help to understand the roles of SEP genes in stamen development in perennial woody plants.

Residual fiber study in fiber-separated seeds

In a given article to theoretically studied particularities of the branch seeds remaining fibrosity and free filaments by means of sorting after ginning seeds. The need to create a machine for sorting fine non-ginned seeds in the technological process of initial processing of cotton requires theoretical research for a gin machine that works normally. Therefore, we have studied the formation of well-germinated seeds in the raw material roller and the possibility of fibrous seeds after germination.

<p><strong>Two new species of <em>Clinanthus</em> (Asparagales: Amaryllidaceae: Clinantheae) from northern Peru</strong></p>

Clinanthus fabianae and C. thiagoi are described from Ancash and La Libertad departments of Peru. Both species have similar perigone coloration, broadly lobed staminal coronas, and incurved free filaments. They may represent a distinct species group, along with the previously described C. inflatus. The species can be separated by number of flowers, pedicel length, flower habit, tube length, morphology and pattern of dilation, and color of the tepal apiculum.

<p><strong>A new species and a new record of <em>Peliosanthes</em> (Asparagaceae) from eastern Thailand</strong></p>

Peliosanthes oksanae is described and illustrated as a new species from eastern Thailand. It is most similar to P. gracilipes known from northern and southwestern Thailand and northwestern Laos, from which it differs mainly by the shorter flowering stem, flowers borne singly or binately in the axils of the bracts and almost free oblong filaments not forming a typical corona. We briefly discuss taxonomic relationships between P. oksanae and two similar species, P. gracilipes and P. caesia. It is notable that especially P. oksanae and P. gracilipes are close in floral characters to Ophiopogon. We also report P. triandra, which was described from southern Cambodia, as new to Thailand. Both P. triandra and P. oksanae occurred in the same habitat.

Sexual Dimorphism Characterization of Splendid threadfin (Philimanus perplexa Feltes, 1991)

Filimanus perplexa is among fish species with high economic value. It has a flattened body shape and yellowish body color. Another characteristic of F. perplexa is seven free filaments on the pectoral fin whose exceeds the anal fin. These species do not show sexual dimorphisms. Therefore, a taxonomic study is needed to distinguish male and female individuals of Kurau fish. Differences between male and female fish can be seen in their morphological performance, truss morphometrics, and meristic characters. The purpose of this study was to know morphological characters that can be used to differentiate between male and female individuals of Splendid threadfin fish. The method used in this research surveys. Samples were taken by purposive random sampling technique. Samples of Kurau fish were obtained from PPI Tanjungsari Pemalang. The variables observed were the morphological performance, truss morphometrics distances, and meristic characters. Morphological data were analyzed descriptively. The truss morphometrics character was statistically analyzed using a t-test on SPSS Version 16.0 program. Furthermore, meristic characters were analyzed descriptively. The results showed that male and female individuals of Kurau fish could be differentiated based on truss distance, where males individuals have larger body sizes and are relatively longer than females. Morphological performance and meristic characteristics cannot be the difference between male and female Kurau fish.

<p><strong>Revision of <em>Otoba</em> (Myristicaceae)</strong></p>

Otoba is one of six American genera of Myristicaceae and recognized by having three stamens with almost fused to free filaments, globose arillate seeds and absence of bracteoles in the male flower. Species of Otoba are distinguished by a suite of characters, mainly pubescence of the ovary and anther shape. It is one of the most abundant genera of Myristicaceae, although the number of species is small: Otoba acuminata, O. cyclobasis, O. glycycarpa, O. gordoniifolia, O. gracilipes, O. latialata, O. lehmannii, O. novogranatensis, O. parvifolia and O. vespertilio. They occur from middle Central America through western Ecuador into the eastern parts of upper Amazonia.

<p><strong>Two new species of Peruvian Amaryllidaceae, an expanded concept of the genus <em>Paramongaia</em>, and taxonomic notes in <em>Stenomesson</em></strong></p>

A new species of Paramongaia, P. multiflora, and of Rauhia, R. albescens, are described from Peru. We also present an updated parsimony analysis of aligned ITS sequences across the tetraploid Andean clade of Amaryllidaceae subfam. Amaryllidoideae that places both the new species and the only other species known of Paramongaia into a clade within the tribe Clinantheae with three erstwhile species of Clinanthus. We propose an expanded concept of the genus Paramongaia, conserved over Callithauma, for all five species, provide a neotype for Paramongaia viridiflora, and make the necessary combinations in the genus. Paramongaia is morphologically delimited from Clinanthus by the erect, uniformly glaucous leaves, the fusion of the spathe bracts on one side or proximally, the short pedicels, and the insertion of the free filaments below the rim of the staminal corona. A key to the species of Paramongaia is provided. We additionally present some taxonomic notes for the genus Stenomesson.

Post-seminal development and morphoanatomy of vegetative and reproductive organs in Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.) Bertoni (Asteraceae).

Stevia rebaudiana belongs to the Asteraceae family with high economic and medicinal potential. This article describes and illustrates morphological and histological aspects of leaves and reproductive organs, and the germination process, to provide detailed information on this species and to contribute to taxonomic, phylogenetic and pharmacobotanical projects. The fruit is a cypsela, small, simple, dry, indehiscent, monospermic, light or dark colored, with aristate pappus, and the seed presents a spatulate axile embryo. Germination is phaneroepigeal with a pivotal root system and many absorbing root hairs. The leaves are simple, elliptical to obovate, with two types of trichomes (glandular and tector), with a short petiole, exhibiting an opposite decussate phyllotaxy. Our results showed 37.5% germination after 12 days, only in the dark cypsela, the light colored being considered unviable. The inflorescence is paniculate and the florets are grouped in capitula with isomorphic ends, monoclinous (bisexual), dichlamydeous, heterochlamydeous, pentamerous calyx and corolla, gamossepalous and gamopetalous. The androecium is gamostemone comprised of five stamens with free filaments, isodynamous and epipetalous stamens, synandrous and rimose anthers. The flower presents an inferior ovary, bicarpelar, unilocular and ovules with a basal placentation. The pollen grains are small, isopolar, radial symmetry, tricolporate, with echinate ornamentation.

Morphology and ultrastructure of Dufour’s and venom glands in the ant Camponotus japonicus Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The Dufour’s and venom glands are two important exocrine glands in ants. In this study, the morphology and fine structure of these two glands are described in the ant Camponotus japonicus Mayr. The Dufour glands have a characteristic bilobed shape and show a difference in size and color between the female castes (minor and major workers, alate and dealate queens). The external surface of Dufour’s gland shows different features among the female castes. It appears more hypertrophied in major workers than in the other castes, indicating for a more pronounced function. The cells of the glandular epithelium in Dufour’s gland are characterized by abundant mitochondria, basal invaginations and developed muscle fibres. The venom gland is morphologically similar in the different female castes, and consists of a venom reservoir, a convoluted gland and a bifurcated free secretory filament, with the convoluted gland appearing as a large cap lying on top of the reservoir. Cells of the convoluted gland and the free secretory filaments contain numerous mitochondria and a prominent end apparatus. The results will contribute to understanding the functional morphology of these glands among the different castes in Camponotus ants.

Anti-tuberculosis drug combination for controlled oral delivery using 3D printed compartmental dosage forms: From drug product design to in vivo testing

The design and production of an oral dual-compartmental dosage unit (dcDU) was examined in vitro and in vivo with the purpose of physically isolating and modulating the release profile of an anti-tuberculosis drug combination. Rifampicin (RIF) and isoniazid (ISO) are first line combination drugs for treatment of tuberculosis (TB) that negatively interact with each other upon simultaneous release in acidic environment. The dcDUs were designed in silico by computer aided design (CAD) and fabricated in two steps; first three-dimensional (3D) printing of the outer structure, followed by hot-melt extrusion (HME) of the drug-containing filaments. The structure of the fabricated dcDUs was visualized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The 3D printed compartmentalized shells were loaded with filaments containing active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and selectively sealed to modulate drug dissolution. The drug release profile of the dcDUs was characterized by pH-transfer dissolution in vitro and pharmacokinetics studies in rats, and resulted in modified release of the APIs from the dcDUs as compared to the free filaments. Furthermore, the selective physical sealing of the compartments resulted in an effective retardation of the in vitro API release. The findings of this study support the development of controllable-by-design dcDU systems for combination therapies to enable efficient therapeutic translation of oral dosage forms.

The Microstructure and Swelling Properties of Poly Acrylic Acid-Acrylamide Grafted Starch Hydrogels

ABSTRACTStarch grafted acrylic acid-acrylamide hydrogel was synthesized using an aqueous solution polymerization method. The microstructures of the vacuum-dried hydrogel (VDH) and vacuum-freeze-dried hydrogel (VFDH) were studied by means of scanning electron microscopy and biomicroscopy. The water-absorption rate of the hydrogel was tested. The results showed that the microstructure of the two kinds of dried hydrogels exhibited significant differences. Before absorbing water, VDH had a relatively dense surface whereas the surface of VFDH had a clear macroporous structure. After absorbing water, a three-dimensional network structure was clearly visible in VDH. Many interlaced and free filaments occupied the space between the main skeleton and channels. The holes formed by vacuum-freeze-drying had the effect of squeezing the surrounding network structure, which had an impact on the water-absorption rate and water absorbency of the hydrogel.

Rhodenigma contortum, an obscure new genus and species of Rhodogorgonales (Rhodophyta) from Western Australia.

An unknown microscopic, branched filamentous red alga was isolated into culture from coral fragments collected in Coral Bay, Western Australia. It grew well unattached or attached to glass with no reproduction other than fragmentation of filaments. Cells of some branch tips became slightly contorted and digitated, possibly as a substrate-contact-response seen at filament tips of various algae. Attached multicellular compact disks on glass had a very different cellular configuration and size than the free filaments. In culture the filaments did not grow on or in coral fragments. Molecular phylogenies based on four markers (rbcL, cox1, 18S, 28S) clearly showed it belongs to the order Rhodogorgonales, as a sister clade of Renouxia. Based on these results, the alga is described as the new genus and species Rhodenigma contortum in the Rhodogorgonaceae. It had no morphological similarity to either of the other genera in Rhodogorgonaceae and illustrates the unknown diversity in cryptic habitats such as tropical coral rubble.

Yersinochloa gen. nov. (Gramineae: Bambusoideae‐Bambusineae) endemic to the Lam Vien Plateau, southern Vietnam

A clambering bamboo endemic to the Lam Vien plateau, southern Vietnam and representing a new monotypic endemic genus, Yersinochloa H. N. Nguyen & V. T. Tran (Gramineae–Bambusoideae–Bambusinae), is described and illustrated. It has an indeterminate inflorescence, terminate leafy branches, pseudo‐spikelets with only one perfect floret, unkeeled palea, three lodicules, six stamens with free filaments, anther apices with tiny spines, glabrous ovary with a long style, 3 plumose stigmas, and an oblong caryopsis with a relatively thin pericarp.

A New Caribbean Species of <I>Helosis</I> (Balanophoraceae) with a Revised Key to the Genus

Abstract A new species, Helosis antillensis (Scybalioideae: Helosieae), is described, illustrated, and annotated. A key of the known species of Helosis is presented. The new species is the third recognized within the genus and the second Helosis species in the Neotropics. It is also the second Balanophoraceae endemic to the islands of the Caribbean Sea. The new species, related to H. cayennensis, is distinguished by runners with remarkable verrucous surface projections, an inflorescence stalk up to 4.5 cm long, volva that are medially to apically inserted, peltate bracts with distinctly apiculate apices, staminate flowers with free filaments, and pistillate flowers with bifid and deltoid perianth segments (0.3–0.4 mm long).

Two new species of endemic Ecuadorean Amaryllidaceae (Asparagales, Amaryllidaceae, Amarylloideae, Eucharideae).

New species of the genera Stenomesson and Eucharis (Amaryllidaceae) are described from Ecuador. Stenomesson ecuadorense is the second species of the genus reported from that country, and the only endemic one. It is related to Stenomesson miniatum and Stenomesson campanulatum, both from Peru, with which it shares orange flower color and the fusion of the staminal corona to the perianth tube. It differs from Stenomesson miniatum by the non-urceolate perianth, from Stenomesson campanulatum by its shorter stamens and longer perianth, and from both by its lower montane, cloud forest habitat. Eucharis ruthiana, found in the vicinity of Zamora, is related to Eucharis moorei from which it differs by the narrower leaves and tepals; short, deeply cleft staminal corona; the long teeth on either side of the free filaments; the narrowly subulate, incurved free filaments; and the shorter style. The green mature fruit and campanulate floral morphology place it in Eucharis subg. Heterocharis.

Altered Structural State of Actin Filaments Upon MYOSIN II Binding

The paths of actin filaments propelled over a heavy meromyosin (HMM) surface in the in vitro motility assay (IVMA) can statistically be described by a path persistence length (LPP) and has been hypothesized to be proportional to the flexural rigidity of the filaments. Here, we have studied the LPP at high (130 mM) ionic strength along with the persistence length of actin filaments in solution (LPS) to elucidate how HMM binding affects the flexural rigidity of actin filaments. Characterization and control of material properties, such as the path persistence length, is useful in engineered devices that takes advantages of the function of the muscle contractile proteins e.g. for biocomputation.It has been suggested that myosin binding reduces Lpp for phalloidin stabilized actin filaments. This is consistent with the results presented here where the phalloidin stabilized actin filaments rigidity is reduced to the level of phalloidin free actin filaments in the IVMA. Further, reducing the MgATP concentration in the IVMA would increase the HMM head density along the actin filament hence making the effect of myosin binding more pronounced. A reduced [MgATP] from 1 mM to 0.02-0.05 mM did indeed reduce the LPP from 10-12 µm to 6-7 µm for both phalloidin-stabilized and phalloidin free actin filaments. Additionally, we found a negative correlation between the LPS and the [HMM]/actin ratio. However, this [HMM] dependent reduction observed in LPS was too small to account for the reduction in LPP seen with reduced [MgATP] in the IVMA. Monte-Carlo simulations and theoretical analysis revealed that the large reduction in LPP is consistent with the idea that every head attachment adds an extra angular displacement.(Support from EU-FP7-FET-ABACUS grant number 613044)