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A checklist of the grasses of India is presented, as compiled from survey of all available literature. Of the twelve subfamilies of grasses, ten are represented in India. Most subfamilies have been examined by taxonomic experts for up-to-date nomenclature. The list includes 1506 species plus infraspecific taxa and presents information on types, synonyms, distribution within India, and habit. Twelve new combinations are made, viz.Arctopoa tibetica(Munro ex Stapf) Prob. var.aristulata(Stapf) E.A. Kellogg,comb. nov.;Chimonocalamus nagalandianus(H.B. Naithani) L.G. Clark,comb. nov.;Chionachne digitata(L.f.) E.A. Kellogg,comb. nov.;Chionachne wallichiana(Nees) E.A. Kellogg,comb. nov.;Dinebra polystachyos (R. Br.) E.A. Kellogg,comb. nov.;Moorochloa eruciformis(Sm.) Veldkamp var.divaricata(Basappa & Muniv.) E.A. Kellogg,comb. nov.;Phyllostachys nigra(Lodd. ex Lindl.) Munro var.puberula(Miq.) Kailash,comb. & stat. nov.;Tzveleviochloa schmidii(Hook. f.) E.A. Kellogg,comb. nov.;Urochloa lata(Schumach.) C.E. Hubb. var.pubescens(C.E. Hubb.) E.A. Kellogg,comb. nov.;Urochloa ramosa(L.) T.Q. Nguyen var.pubescens(Basappa & Muniy.) E.A. Kellogg,comb. nov.;Urochloa semiundulata(Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Ashalatha & V.J. Nair var.intermedia(Basappa & Muniy.) E.A. Kellogg,comb. nov.

The network of interferometric gravitational-wave observatories has successfully detected tens of astrophysical signals since 2015. In this paper, we experimentally investigate compact sensors that have the potential to improve the sensitivity of gravitational-wave detectors to intermediate-mass black holes. We use only commercial components, such as sensing heads and lasers, to assemble the setup and demonstrate its subpicometer precision. The setup consists of a pair of Michelson interferferometers that use deep frequency modulation techniques to obtain a linear, relative displacement readout over multiple interference fringes. We implement a laser-frequency stabilisation scheme to achieve a sensitivity of 0.3\,$\text{pm} / \sqrt{\text{Hz}}$ above 0.1\,Hz. The device has also the potential to improve other experiments, such as torsion balances and commercial seismometers., Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures

As a part of ongoing systematic and phylogenetic studies in Polygalaceae, field collections of two pairs of North American species (Polygala balduinii and P. ramosa, and P. lutea and P. rugelii) had morphologically intermediate forms and grew sympatrically, and so were suspected to be interspecific hybrids. Although hybrids among plants are often invoked in taxonomic and floristic literature based on morphologic intermediacy, they are rarely documented and substantiated using molecular tools. We found that the morphologically intermediate individuals within intermixed populations of both species pairs did indeed share all of the variable nucleotide sites in nrITS among the parent species. Likewise, using plastid sequence data (trnL-F), we determined that in both species pairs, the parentage was bidirectional. Although some DNA inheritance phenomena (e.g. incomplete lineage sorting) can result in similar polymorphic DNA sequence data, the intermediacy in both morphology and sequence data within sympatric populations is more indicative of interspecific hybridization.

Summary Recent availability of biodiversity data resources has enabled an unprecedented ability to estimate phylogenetically based biodiversity metrics over broad scales. Such approaches elucidate ecological and evolutionary processes yielding a biota and help guide conservation efforts. However, the choice of appropriate phylogenetic resources and underlying input data uncertainties may affect interpretation. Here, we address how differences among phylogenetic source trees and levels of phylogenetic uncertainty affect these metrics and test existing hypotheses regarding geographic biodiversity patterns across the diverse vascular plant flora of Florida, US. Ecological niche models for 1,490 Florida species were combined with a “purpose-built” phylogenetic tree (phylogram and chronogram), as well as with trees derived from community resources (Phylomatic and Open Tree of Life). There were only modest differences in phylodiversity metrics given the phylogenetic source tree and taking into account the level of phylogenetic uncertainty; we identify similar areas of conservation interest across Florida regardless of the method used., Graphical Abstract, Highlights • Phylodiversity patterns of Florida show peaks of diversity in Northern peninsular areas • Different input trees and uncertainty had modest or little influence on phylodiversity • Chronogram or phylogram had a significant effect on the interpretation of phylodiversity • We highlight areas of high phylodiversity and how these results affect conservation, Spatial Phylogenetics; Plant Biology; Biogeography

The detectors of the laser interferometer gravitational-wave observatory (LIGO) are broadly limited by the quantum noise and rely on the injection of squeezed states of light to achieve their full sensitivity. Squeezing improvement is limited by mode mismatch between the elements of the squeezer and the interferometer. In the current LIGO detectors, there is no way to actively mitigate this mode mismatch. This paper presents a new deformable mirror for wavefront control that meets the active mode matching requirements of advanced LIGO. The active element is a piezo-electric transducer, which actuates on the radius of curvature of a 5 mm thick mirror via an axisymmetric flexure. The operating range of the deformable mirror is 120±8 mD in vacuum and an additional 200 mD adjustment range accessible out of vacuum. Combining the operating range and the adjustable static offset, it is possible to deform a flat mirror from −65 mD to −385 mD. The measured bandwidth of the actuator and driver electronics is 6.8 Hz. The scattering into higher-order modes is measured to be

Premise of the study Phylogenomic studies employing large numbers of genes, including those based on plastid genomes (plastomes), are becoming common. Nonphotosynthetic plants such as mycoheterotrophs (which rely on root-associated fungi for essential nutrients, including carbon) tend to have highly elevated rates of plastome evolution, substantial genome reduction, or both. Mycoheterotroph plastomes therefore provide excellent test cases for investigating how extreme conditions impact phylogenomic inference. Methods We used parsimony and likelihood analysis of protein-coding gene sets from published and newly completed plastomes to infer the phylogenetic placement of taxa from the 10 angiosperm families in which mycoheterotrophy evolved. Key results Despite multiple very long branches that reflect elevated substitution rates, and frequently patchy gene recovery due to genome reduction, inferred phylogenetic placements of most mycoheterotrophic lineages in DNA-based likelihood analyses are both well supported and congruent with other studies. Amino-acid-based likelihood placements are broadly consistent with DNA-based inferences, but extremely rate-elevated taxa can have unexpected placements-albeit with weak support. In contrast, parsimony analysis is strongly misled by long-branch attraction among many distantly related mycoheterotrophic monocots. Conclusions Mycoheterotrophic plastomes provide challenging cases for phylogenomic inference, as substitutional rates can be elevated and genome reduction can lead to sparse gene recovery. Nonetheless, diverse likelihood frameworks provide generally well-supported and mutually concordant phylogenetic placements of mycoheterotrophs, consistent with recent phylogenetic studies and angiosperm-wide classifications. Previous predictions of parallel photosynthesis loss within families are supported for Burmanniaceae, Ericaceae, Gentianaceae, and Orchidaceae. Burmanniaceae and Thismiaceae should not be combined as a single family in Dioscoreales.

Caamembeca (Polygalaceae) is a genus of 13 species endemic to South America. The genus is morphologically distinctive, e.g. supported by the putative morphologic synapomorphy of paired glands in a stipular position and on the rachis. However, its monophyly has not been robustly tested as only four species have been included in previous phylogenetic analyses. We present a phylogenetic analysis of 11 species based on nrITS, matK, the trnL intron, and trnL-trnF intergenic spacer. Relationships among Caamembeca species are discussed, and three new combinations are made, Caamembeca amazonensis, Caamembeca autranii, and Caamembeca formosa, providing an improved understanding of the genus.

Three enigmatic lineages of the Polygalaceae endemic to the semi-arid region of Argentina were sampled within the framework of a molecular phylogenetic study of its genera. The regions nrITS, matK, the trnL intron, the trnL-trnF intergenic spacer, and rbcL were analyzed, and the history of some morphological characters was reconstructed in the family. Results of our phylogenetic analyses and morphological study support the recognition of three monotypic genera historically treated in the genera Bredemeyera and Polygala. A new genus, Rhamphopetalum, and a new combination, R. microphyllum, are proposed together with resurrection of Hualania and Monrosia. The emergence of two species (Bredemeyera colletioides, B. microphylla) as new genera resolves the polyphyletic status of Bredemeyera. Relationships and morphological characters among the genera of Polygalaceae are discussed. Provided here are photographic plates of Hualania colletioides, Monrosia pterolopha, and Rhamphopetalum microphyllum habits, with details of floral structures, a distribution map, typifications, and taxonomic keys for the tribes of Polygalaceae and genera within the tribe Polygaleae. Fil: Mota, Michelle. Universidade Federal Da Santa Catarina. Centro de Ciencias Biológicas.; Brasil Fil: Abbott, J. Richard. The University Of Arkansas At Monticello; Estados Unidos Fil: Salas, Roberto Manuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura; Argentina Fil: Neubig, Kurt M.. Southern Illinois University Carbondale; Estados Unidos Fil: Barea Pastore, José Floriano. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; Brasil

Gait problems can arise from a number of different causes ranging from primary neurological to locomotor conditions. Prevalence increases with age, and causation is often multifactorial. Falls are a frequent consequence. This chapter covers the diagnosis of gait disorders and therapies.

As traditionally circumscribed, the genus Polygala has been shown to be non-monophyletic, and most of the necessary generic combinations have been made for the New World species. The genus Hebecarpa, though, still needs to be addressed, as only eight species have been transferred. Even though over 65 names within Polygala are referable to Hebecarpa, preliminary study indicates that more than half the names are likely not worthy of taxonomic recognition, but careful revisionary study is necessary for fully sorting out the species and accurate synonymisation. To make the most accurate names available for modern workers, we here transfer 11 names (and associated synonyms) which we think most likely reflect discreet evolutionary lineages (species), bringing the total number of Hebecarpa species to 19. Forty-one additional names in Polygala that are attributable to Hebecarpa are enumerated but left for synonymisation or transfer after more study.

In bioanalysis of small molecules, the analyte concentration in the measured samples should reflect the concentration during sample collection. Precautions may be needed to prevent over- or under-estimation of the obtained result. This might require the addition of stabilizers to prevent degradation or nonspecific binding. For unstable drugs, it is essential to know how analytes can be stabilized before the start of the clinical study. Although the stabilization methods are well documented, the impact of the stabilization on the clinical workflow is not properly addressed. Already during method development, the clinical implications in terms of personnel safety, ease of use, training possibilities and staff capacity should be taken into account, and validation of the bioanalytical method should reflect collection procedures.