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This article proposes penalized Mallow's model averaging (pMMA) in the linear regression framework given non nested candidate models. Compared to the MMA, additional constraints are imposed on model weights. We introduce a general framework and allow for non convex constraints such as SCAD, MCP, and TLP. We establish the asymptotic optimality of our proposed penalized MMA (pMMA) estimator and show that the pMMA can achieve a higher sparsity level than the classic MMA. A coordinate-wise descent algorithm has been developed to compute the pMMA estimator efficiently. We conduct simulation and empirical studies to show that our pMMA estimator produces a more sparse weight vector than the MMA, but with better out-of-sample performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractIn the past decades, model averaging (MA) has attracted much attention as it has emerged as an alternative tool to the model selection (MS) statistical approach. Hansen (2007) introduced a Mallows model averaging (MMA) method with model weights selected by minimizing a Mallows’ Cp criterion. The main theoretical justification for MMA is an asymptotic optimality (AOP), which states that the risk/loss of the resulting MA estimator is asymptotically equivalent to that of the best but infeasible averaged model. MMA’s AOP is proved in the literature by either constraining weights in a special discrete weight set or limiting the number of candidate models. In this work, it is first shown that under these restrictions, however, the optimal risk of MA becomes an unreachable target, and MMA may converge more slowly than MS. In this background, a foundational issue that has not been addressed is: When a suitably large set of candidate models is considered, and the model weights are not harmfully constrained, can the MMA estimator perform asymptotically as well as the optimal convex combination of the candidate models? We answer this question in both nested and non-nested settings. In the nested setting, we provide finite sample inequalities for the risk of MMA and show that without unnatural restrictions on the candidate models, MMA’s AOP holds in a general continuous weight set under certain mild conditions. In the non-nested setting, a sufficient condition and a negative result are established for the achievability of the optimal MA risk. Implications on minimax adaptivity are given as well. The results from simulations and real data analysis back up our theoretical findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Endemic plants are key to understanding the evolutionary history and enhancing biodiversity within their unique regions, while also offering significant economic potential. The East Asian endemic genus Corchoropsis Siebold & Zucc., classified within the subfamily Dombeyoideae of Malvaceae s.l., comprises three species. Results: This study characterizes the complete plastid genomes (plastomes) of C. crenata var. crenata Siebold & Zucc. and C. crenata var. hupehensis Pamp., which range from 160,093 to 160,724 bp. These genomes contain 78 plastid protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA, and four rRNA, except for one pseudogene, infA. A total of 316 molecular diagnostic characters (MDCs) specific to Corchoropsis were identified. In addition, 91 to 92 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) in C. crenata var. crenata and 75 in C. crenata var. hupehensis were found. Moreover, 49 long repeats were identified in both the Chinese C. crenata var. crenata and C. crenata var. hupehensis, while 52 were found in the South Korean C. crenata var. crenata. Our phylogenetic analyses, based on 78 plastid protein-coding genes, reveal nine subfamilies within the Malvaceae s.l. with high support values and confirm Corchoropsis as a member of Dombeyoideae. Molecular dating suggests that Corchoropsis originated in the Oligocene, and diverged during the Miocene, influenced by the climate shift at the Eocene–Oligocene boundary. Conclusions: The research explores the evolutionary relationships between nine subfamilies within the Malvaceae s.l. family, specifically identifying the position of the Corchoropsis in the Dombeyoideae. Utilizing plastome sequences and fossil data, the study establishes that Corchoropsis first appeared during the Eocene and experienced further evolutionary divergence during the Miocene, paralleling the evolutionary patterns observed in other East Asian endemic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bala is an important Ayurvedic drug used for the treatment of many diseases. Sida cordifolia (L.), Malvaceae family, is the genuine source drug of Bala as per Ayurvedic Pharmacopeia of India. The other species of Sida like Sida acuta, Sida rhombifolia, Sida alnifolia and Sida cordata are also used as adulterants or substitutes of Bala. The objective of the present study is to identify a scientifically validated substitute for Bala (Sida cordifolia) by detailed phytochemical evaluation of its allied species. Results: Preliminary analysis showed that all the selected species contain similar class of compounds like alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, etc. Quantitative estimation of major class of compounds such as total alkaloids, total phenolics and total flavonoids was done by spectrophotometric methods. Polyphenolic contents of selected species are almost comparable. In the case of alkaloids, variations have been observed among the species. Chemical profiles of selected species were compared by HPTLC and HPLC analysis. Major chemical constituents are found to be common for the selected species. HPLC profiles also showed similarity in their peak pattern. Conclusion: Based on the phytochemical studies, the species like S. alnifolia, S. acuta and S. rhombifolia contain almost similar types of phytochemicals. However, the chemical constituents of Sida cordata are found to be different from other allied species. Further studies including pharmacological evaluation are required to ensure the therapeutic properties of allied species to confirm the substitute. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaves of large‐leaved lime, Tilia platyphyllos Scop. (Malvaceae), harbor colonies of Eriophyes tiliae (Pagenstecher) (Acari: Eriophyidae), capable of modifying the leaf structure (inducer of nail‐galls) and physiology. The aerial organs of T. platyphyllos have traditionally been consumed for their high antioxidant capacity, related to the rich polyphenol profile. Here, we investigated the polyphenol profiles and antioxidant activity of T. platyphyllos non‐galled leaves and galls to determine the changes induced by the mite in a Chilean environment with high ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Phenolic compound identification in the methanol extracts of non‐galled leaves and galls was carried out through HPLC. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of the extracts was quantified through spectrophotometry, and it was compared with the standards of the three major phenolic compounds of both organs. Nine phenolic compounds were detected in non‐galled leaves and galls, with no differences between the two organs, except for the absence of gallic acid in galls. The concentration of phenolic compounds did differ significantly between the two conditions. In leaf galls, epicatechin and cyanidin‐3‐glucoside concentrations and antioxidant capacity increased significantly compared to non‐galled leaves. As chlorogenic acid and cyanidin‐3‐glucoside are active phenols responding to UV radiation stress, their concentration in T. platyphyllos leaves could be a response to the high UV radiation occurring in Chile during spring and summer. The phenolic compounds detected here have been reported to be potent antioxidants, that are probably potentiated by E. tiliae for its own protection against UV‐B radiation, as the two most abundant compounds in the galls exhibited the highest capacity to reduce ABTS and DPPH radicals. However, we do not rule out the participation of phenolics in protection against natural enemies of the gall mite, as chlorogenic acid and epicatechin are powerful antifeedants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The selection of appropriate solvents in the extraction process plays a crucial role in determining the nature and quantity of secondary metabolites extracted from medicinal plants. This study investigates the impact of solvent polarity on the extraction yield, phenolic content, and antioxidant properties of seeds from four plants belonging to the Malvaceae family: Abutilon fruticosum, Abutilon pannosum, Sida ovata and Malvastrum coromendelianum. The seed powder of each species was subjected to extraction using solvents with varying polarities, including acetone, chloroform, methanol, and water. Physicochemical analysis, extraction yield, quantitative phenolic content, and antioxidant activity were assessed. Total phenolic content (TPC) was determined using the Folin–Ciocalteu reagent, and antioxidant activity was measured using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that the choice of extracting solvents significantly influenced (p < 0.05) extraction yield, phenolic content, and antioxidant properties. In conclusion, water and methanol emerged as the most effective solvents for achieving high extraction yields, phenolic compound content, and free radical scavenging activities. The results demonstrated a robust correlation between total phenolic content (mg of Gallic acid equivalent/g of sample) and free radical scavenging activity (IC50). The study highlights the substantial impact of solvent type, suggesting the potential benefits of using a combination of polar and nonpolar solvents to enhance the extraction efficiency of phytochemicals, phenolic content and antioxidant quality from medicinal plant seeds. Future investigations should focus on isolating and identifying active secondary metabolites from these extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudobombax marginatum, popularly known as "embiratanha," is widely used by traditional communities as anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent. This study aimed to determine the phytochemical profile as well as cytotoxicity, acute oral toxicity, genotoxicity, and mutagenicity attributed to exposure to aqueous (AqEx) and ethanolic (EtEx) extracts of embiratanha bark. Phytochemical screening was conducted using thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Cell viability was analyzed using MTT assay with human mammary gland adenocarcinoma (MDA-MB-231) and macrophage (J774A.1) cell lines, exposed to concentrations of 12.5, 25, 50, or 100 µg/ml of either extract. For acute oral toxicity, comet assay and micronucleus (MN) tests, a single dose of 2,000 mg/kg of either extract was administered orally to Wistar rats. TLC analysis identified classes of metabolites in the extracts, including cinnamic acid derivatives, flavonoids, hydrolyzable tannins, condensed tannins, coumarins, and terpenes/steroids. In the cytotoxicity assay, the varying concentrations of extracts derived from embiratanha induced no significant alterations in the viability of MDA-MB-231 cells. The lowest concentration of EtEx significantly increased macrophage J774A.1 viability. However, the higher concentrations of AqEx markedly lowered macrophage J774A.1 viability. Animals exhibited no toxicity in the parameters analyzed in acute oral toxicity, comet assay, and MN tests. Further, EtEx promoted a significant reduction in DNA damage index and DNA damage frequency utilizing the comet assay, while the group treated with AqEx exhibited no marked differences. Thus, data demonstrated that AqEx or EtEx of embiratanha may be considered safe at a dose of 2,000 mg/kg orgally under our experimental conditions tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new genera and one new species of Tegonotini (Acari: Eriophyoidea) from China are described and illustrated. They are Multispinacarus dimocarpi gen. nov. & sp. nov. infesting Dimocarpus longan Lour. (Sapindaceae), Alvetegonotus callerya gen. nov. & sp. nov. infesting Callerya tsui (F. P. Metcalf) Z. Wei & Pedley. (Fabaceae), and Shevtchenkella sterculiae sp. nov. infesting Sterculia euosma W. W. Smith. (Malvaceae). These new species were found to be vagrants on the lower leaf surface of their associated plants, albeit with no apparent damage observed.The article corresponds to http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:46A54A0E-77B7-4BF2-877E-67163E31D991The new genera Multispinacarus Lian, Ren, Tan, Luo et Wang corresponds to http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:A50AB374-B2A8-458E-9343-D7F1A0E44C35The new genera Alvetegonotus Lian, Ren, Tan, Luo et Wang corresponds to http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:0FE72EFB-6E7E-4BA2-B7A3-AA29AF1D448BThe new species shevtchenkella sterculiae Lian, Ren, Tan, Luo & Wang, corresponds to http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:17637E47-3A13-4301-984D-2AA337367E06 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise Methods Results Conclusions Fossil infructescences and isolated fruits with characters of Malvoideae, a subfamily of Malvaceae (mallow family), were collected from early Eocene sediments in Chubut, Argentina. The main goals of this research are to describe and place these fossils systematically, and to explore their biogeographical implications.Fossils were collected at the Laguna del Hunco site, Huitrera Formation, Chubut, Patagonia, Argentina. They were prepared, photographed, and compared with extant and fossil infructescences and fruits of various families using herbarium material and literature.The infructescences are panicles with alternate arrangement of fruits. They bear the fruits on short pedicels that are subtended by a bract; the fruits display an infracarpelar disk and split to the base into five ovate sections interpreted as mericarps. Each mericarp is characterized by an acute apex and the presence of a longitudinal ridge. The isolated fruits show the same features as those on the infructescences. The fossils share unique features with members of the cosmopolitan family Malvaceae, subfamily Malvoideae.The fossils have a unique combination of characters that does not conform to any previously described genus, justifying the erection of a new genus and species, Uiher karuen. This new taxon constitutes the first known Malvoideae reproductive fossils of the Southern Hemisphere, expanding the distribution of Malvoideae during the early Eocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spider mite genus Evertella Meyer (Acari: Tetranychidae) is reported from Saudi Arabia for the first time with description of a new species, E. grewiaesp. nov. based on the female. The mite was collected from the foliage of Grewia sp. (Malvaceae), in the southwestern region (Jizan) of Saudi Arabia. An updated diagnosis of the genus is also given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: A complicating factor in analyzing allopolyploid genomes is the possibility of physical interactions between homoeologous chromosomes during meiosis, resulting in either crossover (homoeologous exchanges) or non‐crossover products (homoeologous gene conversion). Homoeologous gene conversion was first described in cotton by comparing SNP patterns in sequences from two diploid progenitors with those from the allopolyploid subgenomes. These analyses, however, did not explicitly consider other evolutionary scenarios that may give rise to similar SNP patterns as homoeologous gene conversion, creating uncertainties about the reality of the inferred gene conversion events. Methods: Here, we use an expanded phylogenetic sampling of high‐quality genome assemblies from seven allopolyploid Gossypium species (all derived from the same polyploidy event), four diploid species (two closely related to each subgenome), and a diploid outgroup to derive a robust method for identifying potential genomic regions of gene conversion and homoeologous exchange. Results: We found little evidence for homoeologous gene conversion in allopolyploid cottons, and that only two of the 40 best‐supported events were shared by more than one species. We did, however, reveal a single, shared homoeologous exchange event at one end of chromosome 1, which occurred shortly after allopolyploidization but prior to divergence of the descendant species. Conclusions: Overall, our analyses demonstrated that homoeologous gene conversion and homoeologous exchanges are uncommon in Gossypium, affecting between zero and 24 genes per subgenome (0.0–0.065%) across the seven species. More generally, we highlighted the potential problems of using simple four‐taxon tests to investigate patterns of homoeologous gene conversion in established allopolyploids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pectin is a major constituent of the plant cell wall. Pectate lyase (PEL, EC 4.2.2.2) uses anti-β-elimination chemistry to cleave the α-1,4 glycosidic linkage in the homogalacturonan region of pectin. However, limited information is available on the comprehensive and evolutionary analysis of PELs in the Malvaceae. In this study, we identified 597 PEL genes from 10 Malvaceae species. Phylogenetic and motif analyses revealed that these PELs are classified into six subfamilies: Clades I, II, III, IV, Va, and Vb. The two largest subfamilies, Clades I and II, contained 237 and 222 PEL members, respectively. The members of Clades Va and Vb only contained four or five motifs, far fewer than the other subfamilies. Gene duplication analysis showed that segmental duplication played a crucial role in the expansion of the PEL gene family in Gossypium species. The PELs from Clades I, IV, Va, and Vb were expressed during the fiber elongation stage, but nearly all PEL genes from Clades II and III showed no expression in any of the investigated fiber developmental stages. We further performed single-gene haplotype association analysis in 2,001 G. hirsutum accessions and 229 G. barbadense accessions. Interestingly, 14 PELs were significantly associated with fiber length and strength traits in G. barbadense with superior fiber quality, while only eight GhPEL genes were found to be significantly associated with fiber quality traits in G. hirsutum. Our findings provide important information for further evolutionary and functional research on the PEL gene family members and their potential use for fiber quality improvement in cotton.

[ Objective ] The present study reports a newly recorded giant tropical deciduous tree , Pterocym- bium macranthum Kosterm. , which has been spotted in the border regions of Sino-Lao , Mengla County , Yunnan Province , and both the species and genus are new to China. Furthermore , descriptions of the spe- cies and genus are amended , and the domestic population size and state of endangerment are evaluated. [ Methods ] Morphological and anatomical observations of specimens were conducted using a stereo- microscope , and key taxonomic characteristics were recorded with a digital camera. Aided by drones , its domestic population size was assessed , and its IUCN species threat level was evaluated by interviews and our field experiences. [ Results ] Around 1 000 individuals were recognized in an area ca. 2 000 hm 2 , and it was recommended as an IUCN vulnerable ( VU ) species. [ Conclusion ] The genus Pterocymbium R. Br. and its intragenus P . macranthum Kosterm. are new to China. The new discovery in China extends the known geographical range of P . macranthum to the northern edge of the Asian tropics and contributes to the knowledge of the flora both in China and Southeast Asia.

Durian, a member of the Malvaceae family, is famous for its delicious fruits, which have strong scents and are rich in nutrients. In this study, we sequenced and characterized the complete chloroplast genome of Durio zibethinus L. 1774 cultivar Ri6, a popular durian cultivar in Vietnam, using the Illumina Hiseq platform. The results showed a circular chloroplast genome composed of a large single copy of 96,115 bp, a small single copy of 20,819 bp, and two inverted repeat regions of 24,185 bp. This genome consisted of 79 protein-coding genes, 30 transfer RNA genes, and four ribosomal RNA genes. The overall GC content of this genome was 35.7%. Phylogenetic analysis inferred from 78 protein-coding regions revealed monophyly of Durio species and a close relationship between D. zibethinus cultivar Ri6 and cultivar Mongthong. This study provides essential information for further studies examining genetic population, breedings, and species identification among Durio taxa and cultivars.

The cotton boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is one of the most important insect pests of cotton, causing significant yield losses. This insect completes its life cycle only on the flower structures of some Malvaceae species, with cotton being its preferred host. However, during the cotton off‐season, the boll weevil enters a reproductive dormancy state, in tropical regions, with important alterations in their reproduction organs. During this period, a remaining insect population survives feeding on a variety of other food sources, but the insects do not reproduce. We hypothesized that these alterations in the insect's reproductive organs are associated with the nutritional levels provided by alternative food sources during the cotton off‐season. To test our hypothesis, we first investigated food sources that sustain insect survival for long periods, such as weed species and fruits of cultivated crops. Then, we evaluated how various food sources affect the reproductive organs and reproductive capacity of the boll weevil. Among the alternative food sources tested, insect longevity was highest on banana (Musa paradisiaca L.), mango (Mangifera indica L.), papaya (Carica papaya L.), milkweed (Euphorbia heterophylla L.), and lilac tasselflower (Emilia sonchifolia L.). However, only banana and mango resulted in greater longevity than cotton squares. Banana was the preferred food and resulted in the highest levels of nutrients in the insects. Additionally, insects previously fed on banana made more oviposition punctures on cotton squares than those fed only on cotton squares, which resulted in a significantly higher number of emerged adults. Histological analysis of the insects' reproductive organs showed that feeding on papaya resulted in morphological changes and testicle degradation. In conclusion, we present evidence that boll weevils fed on alternative food sources (other than cotton squares or similar‐quality food) display a nutritional imbalance, associated with substantial alterations in the reproductive tissues of this insect, which may trigger the reproductive dormancy state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reevesia is an eastern Asian-eastern North American disjunction genus in the family Malvaceae s.l. and comprises approximately 25 species. The relationships within the genus are not well understood. Here, 15 plastomes representing 12 Reevesia species were compared, with the aim of better understanding the species circumscription and phylogenetic relationships within the genus and among genera in the family Malvaceae s.l. The 11 newly sequenced plastomes range between 161,532 and 161, 945 bp in length. The genomes contain 114 unique genes, 18 of which are duplicated in the inverted repeats (IRs). Gene content of these plastomes is nearly identical. All the protein-coding genes are under purifying selection in the Reevesia plastomes compared. The top ten hypervariable regions, SSRs, and the long repeats identified are potential molecular markers for future population genetic and phylogenetic studies. Phylogenetic analysis based on the whole plastomes confirmed the monophyly of Reevesia and a close relationship with Durio (traditional Bombacaceae) in subfamily Helicteroideae, but not with the morphologically similar genera Pterospermum and Sterculia (both of traditional Sterculiaceae). Phylogenetic relationships within Reevesia suggested that two species, R. pubescens and R. thyrsoidea, as newly defined, are not monophyletic. Six taxa, R. membranacea, R. xuefengensis, R. botingensis, R. lofouensis, R. longipetiolata and R. pycnantha, are suggested to be recognized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Bean leaf beetles (BLBs) are significant pests in Uganda, damaging crops such as beans and cowpeas, leading to substantial yield losses. They exhibit preferential feeding behaviour, targeting specific crops over others. Understanding these preferences can form the basis for identifying a potential trap crop that can be used to manage the pest at a low cost in a sustainable manner. A field study was conducted to determine the feeding preference of BLBs on various host crops among those commonly cultivated in Uganda, across different locations and seasons. This study was conducted in Arua and Lira districts in the first and second rainy seasons of 2018. Seven BLB host crops, i.e., common bean, cowpea, greengram, soybean, groundnuts, okra and roselle (locally known as malakwang), were selected for the study. The results showed that cowpea exhibited the highest abundance of BLBs among all crops and it had a high amount of foliar damage as well. Thus, it was selected as the most preferred host crop and can be recommended as a trap crop for managing Ootheca spp. With respect to locations and seasons, the pest was more abundant in Arua than in Lira and more abundant in 2018A than 2018B across all locations. The bean leaf beetle (BLB) (Ootheca spp.) is a polyphagous pest causing significant yield losses in Uganda, particularly in the Northern and Eastern regions on various hosts plants. Despite its polyphagous behaviour, the BLB exhibits preferential feeding, offering an opportunity for targeted pest management. This study explored its feeding preferences across seven crops: common bean, cowpea, greengram, okra, roselle (malakwang), groundnuts, and soybean. This study was conducted in Arua and Lira districts using a randomized complete block design for two rainy seasons (2018A and 2018B). The results showed significant differences in BLB abundance and foliar damage among host crops, locations, days after planting and seasons. Cowpea was the most preferred crop while groundnuts was the least preferred. Therefore, cowpea can be recommended for use as a trap for managing Ootheca spp. in gardens where it is not the main crop. There was a higher pest abundance in Arua than in Lira. There was also a higher pest abundance in 2018A than in 2018B. These findings highlight the importance of understanding BLB's feeding preferences for implementing effective IPM strategies, emphasizing the potential role of trap cropping, especially with cowpea, to minimize BLB damage in resource-constrained agricultural settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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• Hibiscus , a flowering plant (Malvaceae) renowned for medicinal and aesthetic value. • First in-depth report on the characterization of 19 different Hibiscus germplasms. • Revealed significant morphological, biochemical, and molecular diversity. • A multifaceted analysis of biochemical traits encompassing antioxidant properties. • Exhibited 34.75 % polymorphism among 19 Hibiscus germplasms using four molecular marker systems. Hibiscus , a popular ornamental plant of mallow family Malvaceae, is composed of more than 400 species of flowering plants. It is originally native to tropical Asia (China and India) and grows in warm-temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions worldwide. The basic chromosome number varies from x = 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 15, 17, 19, 20 and 39. In ancient times, it was only used for religious purposes (as offerings to God), but nowadays, it is considered of great significance as an ornamental as well as a medicinal plant. Important species found in this zone are Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L., H. cannabinus L., H. storckii Seem., H. fragilis DC., H. schizopetalus (Mast.) Hooker. f. along with germplasms like Celia, Kali Jaba, Red Dragon, Cinnamon Girl, Brilliant, etc. have been identified to date. Still, there is a lack of proper documentation and characterization (based on morphological, biochemical, and molecular traits). With this aim in mind, the above research work was considered. On the basis of morphological parameters (plant height, flower weight, type of flower, etc.), Brilliant (T 1), Sudarshan Chakra (T 16), Storckii (T 15), and Golden Doublon (T 8) were similar but diverse from the rest of the germplasms. Likewise, Brilliant (T 1), Golden Doublon (T 8), Celia (T 2), and Versicolor Pinwheel (T 19) were rich in biochemical pigments viz., chlorophyll, carotenoid, lycopene, and anthocyanin content. In contrast, phenol and ascorbic acid were found to be highest in Spider (T 15), and antioxidant properties (DPPH and FRAP assay) were maximum in Oiseau Blue (T 12). Finally, a significant amount of genetic diversity was assessed with molecular markers, and 141 loci were produced using inter simple sequence repeats, start codon targeted, conserved DNA-derived polymorphism, and directed amplification of minisatellite-region DNA marker systems, out of which 49 loci were polymorphic (34.75 % polymorphism). On the basis of molecular diversity analyzed by network plot, unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean clustering, and principal component analyses, Oiseau Blue (T 12) was found completely diverse from all the germplasms, placed separately in the dendrogram, and thus may be considered as a potential parent for the hybridization programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This work aims at the assessement of anti-inflammatory and anti-hemolytic effect of Malva sylvestris. Methods: The anti-inflammatory potential was evaluated by the inhibition of protein denaturation method. It was followed by the study of anti-hemolytic potential, based on two methods (haemolysis by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and by hypotonic haemolysis). Result: The macerated aqueous extract of M. sylvestris (250 µg/ml) exhibited the highest inhibition percentage of BSA denaturation compared to other extracts but it appeared to be slightly lower than the drug diclofenac sodium (80.97±1.23%). On the other hand, the macerated aqueous extract showed more protective power against haemolysis (93.42±3.45%). While it was almost similar to the percentage recorded for ascorbic acid (93.68±3.21%). For the second method, it was observed that the decocted acetone extract of M. sylvestris showed a rate of haemolysis inhibition which was the highest (98.09±1.26%) but that it remained slightly lower than aspirin (98.77±0.44%). All of these results showed that M. sylvestris extracts have interesting anti-inflammatory and anti-haemolytic potential and therefore have considerable interest as an alternative treatment against inflammatory mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quararibea floribunda, a species endemic to Brazil, is poorly studied taxonomically, and little is known about its ecology and conservation status. Since its publication in 1842, only a few studies have reported on its morphological circumscription, thus remaining as a complex in the taxonomy of Quararibea. In addition, little is known about its geographic distribution, which, according to most authors, is restricted to the Cerrado Biome, characterized mainly by its dry forests. Therefore, we herein review and clarify the morphological circumscription and distribution of Q. floribunda in different vegetation types, designate a lectotype, and recognize its conservation status as vulnerable (VU). The present study is based on analysis of protologues and further pertinent literature. Several herbaria were consulted, both in person and online. Fieldwork was done between 2017 and 2020 in different locations of midwestern and southeastern Brazil, mainly in dry forests of the Cerrado Biome. We confirm that Q. floribunda also occurs in the Atlantic Forest Biome and that it is not exclusive to the Cerrado Biome, as previously thought. All known populations in this biome inhabit humid habitats, and as such, they are closer to the vegetation of the Atlantic Forest Biome than the typical Cerrado dry forests. In addition to assessing the conservation status of Q. floribunda, we evaluate its nomenclatural history, leading to the designation of a lectotype, finally highlighting vegetative and floral diagnostic characters. A distribution map is provided, as well as a morphological comparative analysis between species with foliar domatia in extra‐Amazonian Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cross-validation is a widely used technique to estimate prediction error, but its behavior is complex and not fully understood. Ideally, one would like to think that cross-validation estimates the prediction error for the model at hand, fit to the training data. We prove that this is not the case for the linear model fit by ordinary least squares; rather it estimates the average prediction error of models fit on other unseen training sets drawn from the same population. We further show that this phenomenon occurs for most popular estimates of prediction error, including data splitting, bootstrapping, and Mallow's C p . Next, the standard confidence intervals for prediction error derived from cross-validation may have coverage far below the desired level. Because each data point is used for both training and testing, there are correlations among the measured accuracies for each fold, and so the usual estimate of variance is too small. We introduce a nested cross-validation scheme to estimate this variance more accurately, and show empirically that this modification leads to intervals with approximately correct coverage in many examples where traditional cross-validation intervals fail. Lastly, our analysis also shows that when producing confidence intervals for prediction accuracy with simple data splitting, one should not refit the model on the combined data, since this invalidates the confidence intervals. for this article are available online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to use common mallow (Malva sylvestris) extract (EMS) with ratios of 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0% as an indicator in the film produced from corn starch/tragacanth gum matrix using a casting method to monitor the freshness of Nile tilapia fillets stored at 4 °C. The results showed that the total anthocyanin content of EMS was 1185.6 ± 0.58 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside Kg−1. The starch/tragacanth gum films incorporated with 0.5 and 1.0% EMS were sensitive to the 0.8 and 1.4 M ammonia and their color changed after 20 min of exposure, while starch/tragacanth gum film incorporated with 2.0% EMS showed no visible color change in the presence of 0.2, 0.8 and 1.4% M ammonia. The Fourier transform infrared and X-ray diffraction spectra of the colorimetric films showed that EMS was successfully immobilized into the starch/tragacanth gum matrix. The moisture content and water solubility were significantly lower in the films containing EMS compared to those with no EMS supplementation. With increasing EMS concentration, water vapor permeability and ultimate tensile strength significantly decreased with the lowest values observed in films incorporated with 2.0% EMS (p < 0.05). The color of the starch/tragacanth gum films incorporated with 0.5 and 1.0% EMS was changed with a decrease in the quality and freshness of Nile tilapia fillet from pink to green and gray, respectively, after 12 days of storage at 4 °C. Findings of the present study illustrated that the pH-sensitive starch/tragacanth gum film incorporated with 0.5–1.0% EMS could be used as a halochromic indicator in the smart packaging of Nile tilapia fillet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bareke T, Addi A. 2024. Floral nectar secretion dynamics of Pavonia urens (Malvaceae) and honey production potential. Nusantara Bioscience 16: 89-95. The honey production potential of honey plant is estimated using the total floral nectar secretion potential of the plant foraged by honeybees within a given location. The current study aimed to determine the floral nectar secretion dynamics of Pavonia urens Cav. in addition to estimating the potential amount of honey that can be produced thereof. Nectar volume (using micropipette), nectar concentration (using digital refractometer), temperature, and humidity (using thermo hygrometer) were measured at 3 h intervals. Nectar volume and concentration differed significantly at different time points throughout the day. Also, nectar volume and concentration differed annually. There was a positive correlation between nectar volume and humidity as well as between temperature and nectar concentration. The mean nectar volume per 24 hours of P. urens was 7.23±0.43 µL. Individual flowers continuously secreted nectar for about 10 days throughout flower life. During each flowering season, an average of 823.5 mg g-1 of honey was generated per plant. Additionally, the average honey production capacity of P. urens was 35 kg ha-1. This suggests that P. urens has the capacity to produce honey; therefore, for sustainable honey production, planting and in-situ conservation of this plant are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to build a global meta-network of interactions between Malvaceae crops (cocoa, cupuassu, cotton and okra) and their pollinators. The network structure was described by connectivity and modularity, and centrality metrics were used to analyze the role of species. A total of 217 pollinator species was recorded, distributed in four orders. The network has four modules, low connectance (C = 26%) and a high modularity (Q = 0.58). Apis mellifera was the only network connector species. Each crop is pollinated by a very specific group of species, indicating that productivity maintenance may be favored by the conservation of pollinators diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Quantifying spatial species richness is useful to describe biodiversity patterns across broad geographical areas, especially in large, poorly known plant groups. We explore patterns and predictors of species richness across Africa in one such group, the palaeotropical genus Grewia L. (Malvaceae). Methods Grewia species richness was quantified by extracting herbarium records from GBIF and Tropicos and creating geographical grids at varying spatial scales. We assessed predictors of species richness using spatial regression models with 30 environmental variables. We explored species co-occurrence in Madagascar at finer resolutions using Schoener's index and compared species range sizes and International Union for Conservation of Nature status among ecoregions. Lastly, we derived a trait matrix for a subset of species found in Madagascar to characterize morphological diversity across space. Key Results Grewia species occur in 50 countries in Africa, with the highest number of species in Madagascar (93, with 80 species endemic). Species richness is highest in Madagascar, with ≤23 Grewia species in a grid cell, followed by coastal Tanzania/Kenya (≤13 species) and northern South Africa and central Angola (11 species each). Across Africa, higher species richness was predicted by variables related to aridity. In Madagascar, a greater range in environmental variables best predicted species richness, consistent with geographical grid cells of highest species richness occurring near biome/ecoregion transitions. In Madagascar, we also observe increasing dissimilarity in species composition with increasing geographical distance. Conclusions The spatial patterns and underlying environmental predictors that we uncover in Grewia represent an important step in our understanding of plant distribution and diversity patterns across Africa. Madagascar boasts nearly twice the Grewia species richness of the second most species-rich country in Africa, which might be explained by complex topography and environmental conditions across small spatial scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Agriculture & Nature / Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi Tarım & Doğa Dergisi is the property of Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam Universitesi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Helicteres hirsuta Lour. 1790 is a precious medicinal plant species, especially for treating chronic liver diseases. Genomic data on H. hirsuta are limited. Therefore, this current study aimed to characterize the chloroplast genome of H. hirsuta and reconstruct the phylogenetic relationship among Helicteroideae taxa. Consequently, the complete chloroplast genome of H. hirsuta was 163,404 bp in length and contained 113 unique genes (79 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and four rRNA genes). Notably, two introns of clpP gene of H. hirsuta were lost in comparison to that of other Helicteroideae species. The phylogenetic tree based on chloroplast genomes of eleven Helicteroideae species revealed that H. hirsuta was closely related to Reevesia species. In conclusion, our study described the first complete chloroplast genome of H. hirsuta, which is essential for tracing evolutionary history in the Helicteroideae subfamily. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractTheobroma bicolor Bonpl. 1806 is distributed in the Neotropics from southern Mexico to the Peruvian and Brazilian Amazon. High-throughput sequencing of T. bicolor from Peru (KUELAP2926) resulted in the assembly of its complete plastid genome (GenBank accession number OQ557154). The chloroplast genome of T. bicolor is A + T-rich (62.97%), having 160,317 bp in size and containing 130 genes; including a pair of inverted repeat regions (IRs) of 25,462 bp separated by a large single copy region (LSC) of 89,221 bp and a small single copy region (SSC) of 20,172 bp. This plastid genome is similar in length, content, and organization to other members of the genus Theobroma. Phylogenetic analyses of T. bicolor support its sistership to the clade comprising T. cacao and T. grandiflorum. This study may contribute valuable information to the phylogenetic relationships within the genus Theobroma.

A new species of Eriotheca (Bombacoideae, Malvaceae) from montane wet forests in the Atlantic Forest of Bahia, northeastern Brazil, is described and illustrated. It is known from only three populations situated between 750 m and 850 m in elevation on mountain summits and categorized as Endangered (EN) based on IUCN criteria. Eriotheca paganuccii is distinct from all congeners by the combination of coriaceous to strongly coriaceous leaves and remarkable few-seeded, globose to subglobose woody capsules that contain scanty kapok and the largest seeds known in the genus to date. The affinities of E. paganuccii to morphologically similar species as well as the importance of obtaining phenologically complete collections are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nisotra chrysomeloides Jacoby, 1885, N. dohertyi (Maulik, 1926), N. gemella (Erichson, 1834), and Nisotra nigripes Jacoby, 1894 are redescribed with illustrations of aedeagi, antennae, gonocoxae, abdominal ventrite VIII, and spermathecae. Nisotra nigripes is recorded for the first time from Taiwan. The immature stages and life history of N. gemella were studied in the laboratory using a novel rearing design. Four synonyms previously proposed are confirmed: Sphaeroderma javana de Motschulsky, 1866, S. orbiculata de Motschulsky, 1866, Nisotra bowringi Baly, 1876, and Podagrica hibisci Bryant, 1941 with N. gemella (Erichson, 1834). Lectotypes are designated for Haltica gemella Erichson, 1834, N. chrysomeloides Jacoby, 1885, N. bowringi Baly, 1876, and Podagrica hibisci Bryant, 1941. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ensemble of label ranking trees (LRTs) are currently the state‐of‐the‐art approaches to the label ranking problem. Recently, bagging, boosting, and random forest methods have been proposed, all based on the LRT algorithm, which adapts regression/classification trees to the label classification problem. The LRT algorithm uses theoretically grounded Mallows probability distribution to select the best split when growing the tree, and an EM‐type process to complete the rankings on the training data when they are incomplete. These two steps have proven to be accurate, but require a large computational effort. This article proposes two alternative methods that replace the use of the Mallows distribution with distance‐based criteria to select the best split at each inner node of the tree. Moreover, these distance‐based criteria allow dealing with incomplete rankings natively, so avoiding the completion process. We have carried out an extensive experimental evaluation, which shows that (1) the integration of the two proposed modifications to the LRT algorithm into ensemble methods (bagging and random forest) are an order of magnitude faster than using the original Mallows‐based LRT algorithm; (2) ensembles using the proposed LRT methods are significantly more accurate in the presence of incomplete rankings, while they are at least as accurate in the complete case; and (3) the two modified LRT algorithms are also an order of magnitude faster than the Mallows‐based LRT, while they are at least as accurate as the Mallows‐based LRT on both complete and incomplete rankings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melanastera sinica He & Burckhardt, sp. nov., a new psylloid species developing on Grewia sp., is described from Hainan, China. It is the first Melanastera species reported from Asia and China, and the second species from the Old World. While New World species of Melanastera are mostly associated with the plant families Melastomataceae and Annonaceae, the two Old World species develop on the malvaceous Grewia, a host otherwise used in psylloids by two Haplaphalara species. The new species is described, diagnosed and illustrated, and its host plant and biogeographic ranges are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Egyptian Journal of Botany is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper proposes a frequentist model averaging approach in the presence of parameter instability and heteroskedasticity. We derive optimal weights combining the stable and break specifications of a predictive model, with the weights from minimizing the leave‐one‐out cross‐validation information criterion (CV). We characterize the asymptotic distribution of the CV and provide the analytical expressions of the feasible optimal CV weights. Our simulations and applications forecasting the US and Taiwanese GDP growth demonstrate the superior performance of the CV model averaging relative to other methods such as the Mallows averaging, the approximate Bayesian averaging, and equal weighting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytochemicals from waste materials generated by agricultural and industrial processes have become globally significant due to their accessibility and potential effectiveness with few side effects. These compounds have essential implications in both medicine and the economy. Therefore, a quantitative analysis of the phytochemical profile, sugar types, and water-soluble vitamins of dried Corchorus olitorius L."DJMS" extract (dried Jew's mallow stem) was carried out with HPLC. In addition, the chemical composition, TPC, chlorophyll a and b, beta-carotene, and antioxidant effect using DPPH were investigated. Furthermore, the anticancer activity of the DJMS was evaluated by SRB assay using Huh-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. In the quantitative study, DJMS extract showed a high antioxidant potential (67%) due to its content of bioactive compounds such as TPC (276.37 mg 100 g−1) and chlorophyll a and b (20.31, 12.02 mg 100 g−1, respectively), as well as some vitamins and minerals such as B-complex (B12; 146.8 mg 100 g−1 and vitamin C 6.49 mg 100 g−1) and selenium (<0.2 μg kg−1). Moreover, the main sugar types found were sucrose and stachyose, which recorded 9.23 and 6.25 mg 100 g−1, respectively. Identifying phenolic and flavonoids showed that the major components were ellagic acid (4905.26 μg kg−1), ferulic acid (3628.29 μg kg−1), chlorogenic acid (3757.08 μg kg−1), luteolin—7-O-glucoside (4314.48 μg kg−1), naringin (4296.94 μg kg−1) and apigenin—6—rhamnose—8 glucoside (3078.87 μg kg−1). The dried stem extract showed significant MDA-MB-231 inhibition activity and reached 80% at a concentration of 1000 µg/mL of DJMS extract, related to the content of phytochemical components such as isoflavones like genistein (34.96 μg kg−1), which had a tremendous anticancer effect. Hence, the stem of Jew's mallow (which is edible and characterized by its viability and low production cost) possesses the capacity to serve as a pharmaceutical agent for combating cancer owing to its abundance of bioactive components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Sida fallax (Malvaceae) is the most widespread and variable taxon of Malvaceae in the Hawaiian Islands, growing with a diversity of morphological forms in different habitats including Midway Atoll, Nihoa, and all the main islands. Morphological variation exists within and among populations. The study aimed to investigate the genetic variation within and among populations from various habitats and geographic locations throughout the Hawaiian range of S. fallax. Methods: A total of 124 samples, with up to five samples per population where possible, were collected from 26 populations across six of the main Hawaiian Islands (Kaua'i, O'ahu, Maui, Moloka'i, La'na'i, and Hawai'i) and Nihoa in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The sampling strategy encompassed collecting populations from different habitats and geographic locations, including coastal and mountain ecotypes, with many intermediate morphological forms. Multiplexed ISSR genotyping by sequencing (MIG-seq) was used to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and genetic differences among individuals and populations were evaluated using PCO analyses. Results: The relationship of FST with the geographical distance between the populations was assessed using the Mantel test. The results showed that populations on a single island were more closely related to each other and to populations on islands within their respective groups than they were to populations on other islands. Discussion: The overall genetic relationships among islands were, to a large extent, predictive based on island position within the chain and, to a lesser extent, within island topography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theobroma (Malvaceae, Byttnerioideae), the cacao genus, has a taxonomic history spanning over two centuries. Currently, it comprises 23 species of trees from lowland forests from the Tropical Americas. Herrania, a closely related genus described later, includes 17 additional species commonly referred to as "wild cacaos." Phylogenetic relationships and morphological circumscriptions between Theobroma and Herrania have been the subject of debate. While Herrania has traditionally been treated as a separate genus based on evident morphological differences in leaf and petal features, it shares similarities with Theobroma in terms of habit, inflorescence, and fruit types. Recent phylogenetic evidence, incorporating a broader taxonomic sampling and a total-evidence analysis, suggested that Theobroma is paraphyletic, with Herrania nested within it. This finding supports the restoration of a classical circumscription of Theobroma wherein Herrania is considered a section of the former genus. Here, we provide a detailed account of the taxonomic history at infrageneric levels and propose one new subsection, two names at new ranks (to better allocate the diversity within T. sect. Herrania), and nine new combinations encompassing this expanded circumscription of Theobroma. In our study, we delimit Theobroma with forty species divided into six sections: T. sect. Glossopetalum (14 spp.), T. sect. Herrania (17 spp.), T. sect. Oreanthes (5 spp.), T. sect. Rhytidocarpus (1 sp.), T. sect. Telmatocarpus (2 spp.), and T. sect. Theobroma (1 sp.). Furthermore, we recognize three subsections within T. sect. Herrania. Alongside these newly proposed changes, we present a section-level identification key and provide diagnostic characters for each taxon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Hibiscus manihot L. (HML) Medic, an edible hibiscus of the Malvaceae family, is abundant with flavonoids. The study investigated how Rhizopus-arrhizus-31-assisted pretreatment affects the extraction and bioactivity of flavonoids from HML. The fiber structure of the fermented flavonoid sample (RFF) appears looser, more porous, and more disordered than the unfermented flavonoid sample (RUF). RFF demonstrates milder conditions and yields higher extraction rates. According to the Box–Behnken response surface optimization experiment, the optimal conditions for RFF include a material–liquid ratio of 1:41 g/mL, a 2 h extraction time, a 57% ethanol concentration, and an extraction temperature of 800 °C, resulting in a 3.69% extraction yield, which is 39.25% higher than that of RUF. Additionally, RFF exhibits greater activity than RUF in the radical-scavenging system. The IC50 values for DPPH, OH, and ABTS radicals are 83.43 μg/mL and 82.62 μg/mL, 208.38 μg/mL and 175.99 μg/mL, and 108.59 μg/mL and 75.39 μg/mL for RUF and RFF, respectively. UPLC-QTOF-MS analysis of the active components in the HML flavonoid sample revealed significant differences in the chromatograms of RUF and RFF, indicating that biofermentation led to substantial changes in composition and content from HML. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preparation of biologically active oligosaccharides from the stem residues of the mallow plant (Corchorus olitorius) was evaluated by the enzymatic hydrolysis method. The isolated strain Aspergillus flavus B2 (accession number OL655454) was selected as a potential producer of the enzymes mixture. The factors affecting the hydrolysis of Mallow stems (MS) by enzyme mixture were tested using Plackett-Burman and Central Composite statistical designs. Different production conditions yielded 13 bioactive oligosaccharides (MSOS) that differed in their yield, components, monosaccharides constitution, percentage, and degree of polymerization. The optimized conditions yielded 525 milligrams of oligosaccharide per gram of dry MS using enzymes- mixture containing cellulase 4.9 U/mL, xylanase 6.8 U/mL, and pectinase 12.9 U/mL. Oligosaccharide no. 4 showed higher fibrinolytic activity than Hemoclar. All tested oligosaccharides (1 %) improved the growth of both the probiotics Bifidobacterium lactis and Lactobacillus plantarum. The antioxidant activity of the produced oligosaccharides varies depending on their characteristics and method of evaluation. Of all the samples tested, MSOS no. 11 showed the highest level of DPPH, reducing power, ABTS, and FRAP activity. Moreover, the highest reduction in tumor cell viability and the inhibited ascites were obtained by MSOS no. 11 (37.24±0.31 %). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was carried out to determine the population dynamics and biomass estimation of Bombacaceae in the 50 ha plot at Pasoh Forest Reserve, Negeri Sembilan. Census data for the year 1985, 1990, 1990, 2000 and 2005 were obtained from the Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Kepong. The study was mainly focused on data of the year 2005. Nevertheless, comparisons between each census year were carried out to observe variations between each census. Based on the 2005 data, a total of 1,152 stems of Bombacaceae was recorded, representing three genera and five species. Durio recorded the highest number of stems with 950 individuals. The species with the highest total number of individuals was Durio griffithii with 781 individuals. Tree class size of 1.0-9.9 cm, consisting of 840 stems, accounted for 72.92% of the total abundance. The growth rate was 0.06 cm/year and the total basal area measured 0.19 m2/ha. Through distribution pattern analysis using Morisita's Index of Dispersion (Id), Bombacaceae shows a clustered pattern distribution, with value Id = 11.46. The stimation of biomass for the year 2005 was at 2.24 t/ha, with above ground biomass at 1.98 t/ha and below ground biomass at 0.27 t/ha. Durio has the highest biomass with an estimation 2.09 t/ha, while Durio griffithii contributed to an estimated 1.01 t/ha of the biomass. A total of 237 stems were found dead (12 stems/year) and 118 new recruitments (6 stems/year) had been recorded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to assess the biological functions and chemical composition of Malva sylvestris L. from Ida Mountain of Turkiye, a medicinal plant used for a variety of therapeutic applications. The antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS, Iron (II) chelate activity), enzyme inhibition (acetylcholinesterase), and cytotoxic properties of methanol extracts prepared from leaves and flowers were investigated. The chemical composition of the extracts was evaluated in terms of spectrophotometric (total phenol and total flavonoid) and chromatographic (HPLC) techniques. IC50 value of the DPPH radical scavenging effect of the flower extract, with the highest total phenol and flavonoid content, was found to be 0.5 mg/mL. The ABTS radical scavenging effect was 2.56 mmol/L Trolox. While the extracts' chelating activity was not as great as that of EDTA, the enzyme inhibition of the flower extract was determined to be 37.67%. Flower extract was shown to have the most cytotoxic activity in both Hela and Hep G2 cell lines. In HPLC analysis; amounts of the detected phenolic compounds were determined, and method validation was performed. This research has given us a better understanding of the traditional use of the M. sylvestris plant from Turkiye, which stands out for its therapeutic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dialectica hedemanni (Rebel, 1896) (Gracillariidae) is reported new to the UK from Middlesex (vice-county vC21) - a female was collected on 7 June 2018. the species is normally resident in Macaronesia. the identification is confirmed by genital morphology and by DNA barcoding. A 100% match in the DNA barcode ties its origin to Spain (e.g. Canary Islands: La Palma) rather than Portugal (Madeira), according to available COI-5P sequences on BOLD. It is unknown if this specimen was an adventive or is breeding on Malvaceae species locally. We discuss its relationships with and separation from other Dialectica species. D. hedemanni is quite divergent from the other two Dialectica species now confirmed to be breeding on species of Boraginaceae in the UK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We derive a large deviation principle for random permutations induced by probability measures of the unit square, called permutons. These permutations are called |$\mu $| - random permutations. We also introduce and study a new general class of models of random permutations, called Gibbs permutation models , which combines and generalizes |$\mu $| -random permutations and the celebrated Mallows model for permutations. Most of our results hold in the general setting of Gibbs permutation models. We apply the tools that we develop to the case of |$\mu $| -random permutations conditioned to have an atypical proportion of patterns. Several results are made more concrete in the specific case of inversions. For instance, we prove the existence of at least one phase transition for a generalized version of the Mallows model where the base measure is non-uniform. This is in contrast with the results of Starr (2009, 2018) on the (standard) Mallows model, where the absence of phase transition, that is, phase uniqueness, was proven. Our results naturally lead us to investigate a new notion of permutons, called conditionally constant permutons, which generalizes both pattern-avoiding and pattern-packing permutons. We describe some properties of conditionally constant permutons with respect to inversions. The study of conditionally constant permutons for general patterns seems to be a new challenging problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: The adaptive significance of amphistomy (stomata on both upper and lower leaf surfaces) is unresolved. A widespread association between amphistomy and open, sunny habitats suggests the adaptive benefit of amphistomy may be greatest in these contexts, but this hypothesis has not been tested experimentally. Understanding amphistomy informs its potential as a target for crop improvement and paleoenvironment reconstruction. Methods: We developed a method to quantify "amphistomy advantage" (AA $\text{AA}$) as the log‐ratio of photosynthesis in an amphistomatous leaf to that of the same leaf but with gas exchange blocked through the upper surface (pseudohypostomy). Humidity modulated stomatal conductance and thus enabled comparing photosynthesis at the same total stomatal conductance. We estimated AA $\text{AA}$ and leaf traits in six coastal (open, sunny) and six montane (closed, shaded) populations of the indigenous Hawaiian species ʻilima (Sida fallax). Results: Coastal ʻilima leaves benefit 4.04 times more from amphistomy than montane leaves. Evidence was equivocal with respect to two hypotheses: (1) that coastal leaves benefit more because they are thicker and have lower CO2 conductance through the internal airspace and (2) that they benefit more because they have similar conductance on each surface, as opposed to most conductance being through the lower surface. Conclusions: This is the first direct experimental evidence that amphistomy increases photosynthesis, consistent with the hypothesis that parallel pathways through upper and lower mesophyll increase CO2 supply to chloroplasts. The prevalence of amphistomatous leaves in open, sunny habitats can partially be explained by the increased benefit of amphistomy in "sun" leaves, but the mechanistic basis remains uncertain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theobroma bicolor Bonpl. 1806 is distributed in the Neotropics from southern Mexico to the Peruvian and Brazilian Amazon. High-throughput sequencing of T. bicolor from Peru (KUELAP2926) resulted in the assembly of its complete plastid genome (GenBank accession number OQ557154). The chloroplast genome of T. bicolor is A + T-rich (62.97%), having 160,317 bp in size and containing 130 genes; including a pair of inverted repeat regions (IRs) of 25,462 bp separated by a large single copy region (LSC) of 89,221 bp and a small single copy region (SSC) of 20,172 bp. This plastid genome is similar in length, content, and organization to other members of the genus Theobroma. Phylogenetic analyses of T. bicolor support its sistership to the clade comprising T. cacao and T. grandiflorum. This study may contribute valuable information to the phylogenetic relationships within the genus Theobroma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hermannia depressa is a medicinal plant species from the Malvaceae family, and it is traditionally used in the treatment of ailments in which microbial and inflammatory processes are involved. Aim: This study aimed to validate the traditional medicinal claims of H. depressa through in vitro antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cytotoxicity, and phytochemical studies. Setting: The roots of H. depressa were collected in Thaba ‘Nchu, Free State province, South Africa. Methods: The broth microdilution method, nitric oxide assay, the DPPH assay and Hoechst 33 342 nuclear dye and propidium iodide exclusion method were used to evaluate anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity, respectively. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening methods were used to evaluate the bioactive compounds of the extracts. Results: Methanol and acetone extracts from both plants showed antimicrobial activity against 13 microorganisms, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 0.1 to 1.25 mg/mL, with Candida albicans and Bacillus cereus being the most inhibited isolates. Methanol and acetone extract further showed strong anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting nitric oxide by more than 50%. Methanol (IC50 = 5.197 ± 0.10 μg/mL) and acetone (IC50 = 3.576 ± 0.44 μg/mL) extracts showed higher antioxidant capacity than ascorbic acid and Trolox. Acetone and methanol extracts demonstrated significant toxicity towards RAW 264.7 macrophages. Compounds with various pharmacological properties were detected from the H. depressa extracts Conclusion: These findings support traditional use of H. depressa to treat ailments and has potential to be a source of therapeutic agents. Contribution: This study contributes to the already existing knowledge on the pharmacological value of H. depressa.