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Two new species ofGoniopterisare described from Ecuador and Peru:G. deltataandG. yanachagae. Both are illustrated and compared with similar species.

The results of the 47th Saskatchewan Christmas Mammal Count. Unusual sightings this year include the 13-lined Ground- Squirrel and Fisher.

The island of Rotuma lies about 580 km north of the main archipelago of Fiji, and while politically part of that country, it differs culturally and floristically. It has not typically been included...

The past few decades have seen major developments in the design and operation of cryogenic particle detectors. This technology offers an extremely good energy resolution - comparable to semiconductor detectors - and a wide choice of target materials, making low temperature calorimetric detectors ideal for a variety of particle physics applications. Rare event searches have continued to require ever greater exposures, which has driven them to ever larger cryogenic detectors, with the CUORE experiment being the first to reach a tonne-scale, mK-cooled, experimental mass. CUORE, designed to search for neutrinoless double beta decay, has been operational since 2017 at a temperature of about 10 mK. This result has been attained by the use of an unprecedentedly large cryogenic infrastructure called the CUORE cryostat: conceived, designed and commissioned for this purpose. In this article the main characteristics and features of the cryogenic facility developed for the CUORE experiment are highlighted. A brief introduction of the evolution of the field and of the past cryogenic facilities are given. The motivation behind the design and development of the CUORE cryogenic facility is detailed as are the steps taken toward realization, commissioning, and operation of the CUORE cryostat. The major challenges overcome by the collaboration and the solutions implemented throughout the building of the cryogenic facility will be discussed along with the potential improvements for future facilities. The success of CUORE has opened the door to a new generation of large-scale cryogenic facilities in numerous fields of science. Broader implications of the incredible feat achieved by the CUORE collaboration on the future cryogenic facilities in various fields ranging from neutrino and dark matter experiments to quantum computing will be examined., Comment: 45 pages, 14 figures

A new species, Lellingeria cantarensis, is described from the cloud forests of Cerro Jefe, an isolated mountain peak in central Panama known for its high levels of endemism and species diversity. It appears most similar to L. kaieteura and L. epiphytica, both of which also have dorsiventral rhizomes, clathrate rhizome scales with ciliate margins and abaxial hairs on the rachis. The new species is distinct from those two species, and from all other congeners, by its small laminae (less than 6 cm long), truncate laminar base, and the abaxial side of rachis is densely pubescent. Lellingeria subimpressa is also similar to L. cantarensis but it differs by having a glabrous rachis. None of the similar species are sympatric with L. cantarensis; they are restricted to Costa Rica, South America, or Caribbean Islands. A phylogenetic analysis using five plastid markers and 94 other grammitid taxa confirms the new species as sister to the Lellingeria suprasculpta clade with strong support. Lellingeria cantarensis is known only from the type and one additional collection from the type locality, and it is one of ten Lellingeria species found in Panama; it is also the only endemic Lellingeria in the country. We also provide a key to the species that occur in Panama and neighboring Costa Rica. With the addition of this new species, the total number of Lellingeria species becomes 51 worldwide.

We describe Serpocaulon psychotrium, a new species from northern South America, and provide for it a discussion of similar species, line drawings, field photographs, and a distribution map. It is often confused with, and probably related to, the species commonly called S. caceresii, also widespread in South America. We reinterpret S. caceresii as a heterotypic synonym of S. articulatum, an older name, and review the nomenclature of that species. Also, we provide a list of representative specimens for both species and a key to all pinnate species of Serpocaulon.

The infrageneric relationships and taxonomy of the largest fern genus, Asplenium (Aspleniaceae), have remained poorly understood. Previous studies have focused mainly on specific species complexes involving a few or dozens of species only, or have achieved a large taxon sampling but only one plastid marker was used. In the present study, DNA sequences from six plastid markers (atpB, rbcL, rps4, rps4-trnS, trnL and trnL-F) of 1030 accessions (616 of them newly sequenced here) representing c. 420 species of Asplenium (60% of estimated species diversity), 16 species of Hymenasplenium, three Diplaziopsidaceae, and four Rhachidosoraceae were used to produce the largest genus-level phylogeny yet for ferns. Our major results include: (i) Asplenium as broadly circumscribed is monophyletic based on our inclusion of representatives of 32 of 38 named segregate genera; (ii) 11 major clades in Asplenium are identified, and their relationships are mostly well-resolved and strongly supported; (iii) numerous species, unsampled in previous studies, suggest new relationships and numerous cryptic species and species complexes in Asplenium; and (iv) the accrued molecular evidence provides an essential foundation for further investigations of complex patterns of geographical diversification, speciation and reticulate evolution in this family.

46th Annual Saskatchewan Mammal Count - 2018

We present an efficient protein extraction and in-solution enzymatic digestion protocol optimized for mass spectrometry-based proteomics studies of human skin samples. Human skin cells are a proteinaceous matrix that can enable forensic identification of individuals. We performed a systematic optimization of proteomic sample preparation for a protein-based human forensic identification application. Digestion parameters, including incubation duration, temperature, and the type and concentration of surfactant, were systematically varied to maximize digestion completeness. Through replicate digestions, parameter optimization was performed to maximize repeatability and increase the number of identified peptides and proteins. Final digestion conditions were selected based on the parameters that yielded the greatest percent of peptides with zero missed tryptic cleavages, which benefit the analysis of genetically variable peptides (GVPs). We evaluated the final digestion conditions for identification of GVPs by applying MS-based proteomics on a mixed-donor sample. The results were searched against a human proteome database appended with a database of GVPs constructed from known non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that occur at known population frequencies. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the potential of our proteomics sample preparation for future implementation of GVP analysis by forensic laboratories to facilitate human identification. Significance Genetically variable peptides (GVPs) can provide forensic evidence that is complementary to traditional DNA profiling and be potentially used for human identification. An efficient protein extraction and reproducible digestion method of skin proteins is a key contributor for downstream analysis of GVPs and further development of this technology in forensic application. In this study, we optimized the enzymatic digestion conditions, such as incubation time and temperature, for skin samples. Our study is among the first attempts towards optimization of proteomics sample preparation for protein-based skin identification in forensic applications such as touch samples. Our digestion method employs RapiGest (an acid-labile surfactant), trypsin enzymatic digestion, and an incubation time of 16 h at 37 °C.

45th Saskatchewan Christmas Mammal Count - 2017

76th Annual Saskatchewan Christmas Bird Count - 2017

× Cyclobotrya amalgamata , a new intergeneric hybrid between Cyclodium meniscioides var. meniscioides and Polybotrya osmundacea, is described and illustrated. It was found in the state of Ceara, northeastern Brazil, growing in a mixed population with both parents. It is morphologically intermediate between its parents and has misshapen sporangia and spores. It represents the second hybrid in ×Cyclobotrya.

The detection of trace amounts of explosive materials is critical to the security at mass transit centers (e.g., airports and railway stations). In a typical screening process, a trap is used to probe a surface of interest to collect and transfer particulate residue to a detector for analysis. The collection of residues from the surface being probed is widely viewed as the limiting step in this process. A multi-institutional study was performed to establish a methodology for the evaluation of sampling media collection efficiencies. Dry deposited residues of 1,3,5-trinitroperhydro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), C-4 (an RDX-based explosive), and pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) were harvested from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic, ballistic nylon (NYL), and uncoated aluminum surfaces using muslin, Texwipe cotton, and stainless-steel mesh traps. Transfer and collection efficiencies of the sample media were calculated based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Dry transfer efficiencies (DTE%) to all tested surfaces were greater than 75%, with transfer to ABS plastic being the lowest. Collection efficiency (CE%) varied significantly across the traps and the surfaces, yet some conclusions can be drawn; nylon had the lowest CE% for all cases (∼10%), and the stainless steel mesh had the lowest CE% for the evaluated traps (∼20%). Though the testing parameters have been standardized among the participants to establish a framework for an independent comparison of contact sampling media and surfaces, substantial variations in the DTE% and the CE% were observed, suggesting that other variables can affect contact sampling.

A summary of the 2016 Christmas Bird Counts in Saskatchewan.

Polyploidy is widely considered as a major process in the evolution of plants but the accumulation of polyploid species diversity is still controversial. Some recent studies proposed increased extinction risk in neopolyploids compared with their diploid ancestors. The high proportion of polyploid ferns is expected to be formed mainly by neopolyploids, whereas paleopolyploid species are predicted to be clustered in clades founded by whole genome duplications. Here, we test this prediction by exploring the evolution of polyploidy in the derived fern family Aspleniaceae. The family has a global distribution and shows the highest frequency of polyploid taxa among all ferns. To test the hypothesis, we obtained a comprehensive phylogeny using chloroplast DNA sequences of 883 specimens representing 292 species. All published chromosome counts were mapped onto this phylogenetic framework in order to explore the evolution of polyploids. We recovered evidence for several whole genome duplications in the history of Aspleniaceae. Phylogenetic relationships of polyploids exceeding the tetraploid level suggest that tetraploid Asplenium species may have replaced their diploid ancestors as the main evolutionary players in some clades of this family.

RESUME Le genre Hypodematium Kunze a Madagascar est represente par deux especes, H. crenatum (Forssk.) Kuhn largement repandue dans l'Ancien Monde et H. delicatulum Rakotondr. & A.R. Sm., sp. nov., endemique de Madagascar qui se differencie de toutes les autres especes du genre par ses sores subapicaux a intramarginaux (vs medians a inframedians). Ces deux especes sont decrites et illustrees. Une cle d'identification et une carte de repartition a Madagascar sont proposees.

We report on a search for double beta decay of $$^{130}\hbox {Te}$$130Te to the first $$0^{+}$$0+ excited state of $$^{130}\hbox {Xe}$$130Xe using a $$9.8\,\hbox {kg}\cdot \hbox {yr}$$9.8kg·yr exposure of $$^{130}\hbox {Te}$$130Te collected with the CUORE-0 experiment. In this work we exploit different topologies of coincident events to search for both the neutrinoless and two-neutrino double beta decay modes. We find no evidence for either mode and place lower bounds on the half-lives: $$T^{0\nu }_{0^+_1}>7.9\cdot 10^{23}\hbox {yr}$$T01+0ν>7.9·1023yr and $$T^{2\nu }_{0^+_1}>2.4\cdot 10^{23}\hbox {yr}$$T01+2ν>2.4·1023yr ($$90\%\,\hbox {CL}$$90%CL). Combining our results with those obtained by the CUORICINO experiment, we achieve the most stringent constraints available for these processes: $$T^{0\nu }_{0^+_1}>1.4\cdot 10^{24}\hbox {yr}$$T01+0ν>1.4·1024yr and $$T^{2\nu }_{0^+_1}>2.5\cdot 10^{23}\hbox {yr}$$T01+2ν>2.5·1023yr ($$90\%\,\hbox {CL}$$90%CL).

Human touch samples represent a significant portion of forensic DNA casework. Yet, the generally low abundance of genetic material combined with the predominantly extracellular nature of DNA in these samples makes DNA-based forensic analysis exceptionally challenging. Human proteins present in these same touch samples offer an abundant and environmentally-robust alternative. Proteogenomic methods, using protein sequence variants arising from nonsynonymous DNA mutations, have recently been applied to forensic analysis and may represent a viable option looking forward. However, DNA analysis remains the gold standard and any proteomics-based methods would need to consider how DNA could be co-extracted from samples without significant loss. Herein, we describe a simple workflow for the collection, enrichment and fractionation of DNA and protein in latent fingerprint samples. This approach ensures that DNA collected from a latent fingerprint can be analyzed by traditional DNA casework methods, while protein can be proteolytically digested and analyzed via standard liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-based proteomics methods from the same touch sample. Sample collection from non-porous surfaces (i.e., glass) is performed through the application of an anionic surfactant over the fingermark. The sample is then split into separate DNA and protein fractions following centrifugation to enrich the protein fraction by pelleting skin cells. The results indicate that this workflow permits analysis of DNA within the sample, yet highlights the challenge posed by the trace nature of DNA in touch samples and the potential for DNA to degrade over time. Protein deposited in touch samples does not appear to share this limitation, with robust protein quantities collected across multiple human donors. The quantity and quality of protein remains robust regardless of fingerprint age. The proteomic content of these samples is consistent across individual donors and fingerprint age, supporting the future application of genetically variable peptide (GVP) analysis of touch samples for forensic identification.

Blechnaceae, a leptosporangiate fern family nested within eupolypods II, comprises 200-250 species, typically divided among seven to nine genera. Despite recent molecular studies of the family, it still lacks a modern taxonomic update based on broad sampling from the two centres of diversity-the Neotropics and Australasia/Oceania. To test generic circumscriptions, we have assembled the broadest dataset thus far, from three plastid regions (rbcL, rps4-trnS, trnL-trnF) and with taxonomic sampling focused on both major diversity centres. Our sampling includes 156 taxa and 178 newly generated sequences. We recognize three subfamilies, each corresponding to a highly supported clade across all analyses (maximum parsimony, Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood). The genera Salpichlaena, Stenochlaena and Telmatoblechnum are monophyletic, while Blechnum is polyphyletic, because Brainea, Doodia and Sadleria all nest within it. We outline and explain a plan to resolve the polyphyly of Blechnum by recognizing additional, monophyletic, segregate genera.

We review the nomenclature of Selaginella polymorpha Badre, endemic to Madagascar, and conclude that this name is illegitimate by superfluity under the International Code of Nomenclature. The name should be rejected and replaced by the older S. pectinata Spring, coined in 1843.

288 new combinations of Neotropical Thelypteridaceae taxa are proposed in order to recognize monophyletic genera, based on the results of the most recent molecular phylogeny of the family, as well as the morphological uniformity of characters for each genus. The new nomenclatural combinations correspond to 186 Amauropelta taxa, 77 species of Goniopteris, and 25 Steiropteris taxa. A key to all native Neotropical genera of the family is also presented.

Author(s): Schuettpelz, E; Rouhan, G; Pryer, KM; Rothfels, CJ; Prado, J; Sundue, MA; Windham, MD; Moran, RC; Smith, AR

The CUORE experiment, a ton-scale cryogenic bolometer array, recently began operation at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso in Italy. The array represents a significant advancement in this technology, and in this work we apply it for the first time to a high-sensitivity search for a lepton-number-violating process: ^{130}Te neutrinoless double-beta decay. Examining a total TeO_{2} exposure of 86.3 kg yr, characterized by an effective energy resolution of (7.7±0.5) keV FWHM and a background in the region of interest of (0.014±0.002) counts/(keV kg yr), we find no evidence for neutrinoless double-beta decay. Including systematic uncertainties, we place a lower limit on the decay half-life of T_{1/2}^{0ν}(^{130}Te)>1.3×10^{25} yr (90% C.L.); the median statistical sensitivity of this search is 7.0×10^{24} yr. Combining this result with those of two earlier experiments, Cuoricino and CUORE-0, we find T_{1/2}^{0ν}(^{130}Te)>1.5×10^{25} yr (90% C.L.), which is the most stringent limit to date on this decay. Interpreting this result as a limit on the effective Majorana neutrino mass, we find m_{ββ}

We provide a synopsis to the family Didymochlaenaceae in Bolivia, comprising the single pantropical species, Didymochlaena truncatula.

We provide a synopsis to the 46 species of Blechnaceae in 10 genera currently known from Bolivia, including the description of two species new to science: Blechnum tomentosum and Parablechnum wohlgemuthii. No less than 12 species are currently known only from Bolivia, making this country exceptional for the diversity of the genus.

We provide a synopsis to the family Tectariaceae in Bolivia, including 17 species in four genera. The main genus, Tectaria, has 12 species. Despite being one of the most common and conspicuous fern genera in humid lowland forests, it remains challenging, and further study will likely result in taxonomic changes for Bolivia.

We provide a synopsis to the fern family Plagiogyriaceae in Bolivia, consisting of the single polymorphic species Plagiogyria pectinata.

We provide a synopsis to the fern family Lomariopsidaceae in Bolivia, comprising three genera with six species.

We provide a synopsis to the family Oleandraceae in Bolivia, including three species in the single genus Oleandra. Despite the low number of species, the taxonomy of these is not fully resolved and calls for further study.

We provide a synopsis to the fern family Gleicheniaceae in Bolivia, including four genera and 24 species, with 20 species in the taxonomically difficult genus Sticherus, two Dicranopteris, one Diplopterygium, and one Gleichenella. Gleicheniaceae is one of the most conspicuous fern families in Bolivia, often forming large roadside colonies, but much remains to be learned about the taxonomy and ecology of the family.

We provide a synopsis to the lycophyte family Selaginellaceae in Bolivia. The single genus in the family, Selaginella, comprises 36 known species in Bolivia, of perhaps 200+ in the Neotropics. Five species are known only from Bolivia (S. alampeta, S. angustifolia, S. bryophila, S. glossophylla, and S. solomonii), and several others are poorly represented in collections, indicating a need for further studies and additional collections.

We provide a synopsis to the fern family Woodsiaceae in Bolivia, comprising the single, variable species, Woodsia montevidensis.

Veracruz, with 542 recorded species, is the third richest state in Mexico in terms of total fern diversity. Field work, herbarium studies, and a revision of literature during the last decade revealed 22 new state records. Five of these belong to Elaphoglossum, four are filmy ferns, and three are grammitids. Most of the new taxa were collected in the endangered humid montane and pine-oak forests of the central and Los Tuxtlas area during recent research projects. Another 13 species, mainly within Elaphoglossum and Selaginella, have been published as new records in the literature. Whereas several of these might possibly be confirmed in the future, others form part of poorly known species complexes that require specific studies, and we consider them as doubtful or unverified. Our study highlights the need of more fern inventories in remote and mostly unexplored areas, as well as revisions of national and local herbaria, both of which may reveal additional species new to science or range extensions.

Neutrinoless double-beta ($0\nu\beta\beta$) decay is a hypothesized lepton-number-violating process that offers the only known means of asserting the possible Majorana nature of neutrino mass. The Cryogenic Underground Observatory for Rare Events (CUORE) is an upcoming experiment designed to search for $0\nu\beta\beta$ decay of $^{130}$Te using an array of 988 TeO$_2$ crystal bolometers operated at 10 mK. The detector will contain 206 kg of $^{130}$Te and have an average energy resolution of 5 keV; the projected $0\nu\beta\beta$ decay half-life sensitivity after five years of live time is $1.6\times 10^{26}$ y at $1\sigma$ ($9.5\times10^{25}$ y at the 90% confidence level), which corresponds to an upper limit on the effective Majorana mass in the range 40--100 meV (50--130 meV). In this paper we review the experimental techniques used in CUORE as well as its current status and anticipated physics reach., Comment: 20 pages, 8 figures. Published in Advances in High Energy Physics, Volume 2015 (2015), Article ID 879871

The Low Background Facility (LBF) at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, California provides low background gamma spectroscopy services to a wide array of experiments and projects. The analysis of samples takes place within two unique facilities; locally within a carefully-constructed, low background cave and remotely at an underground location that historically has operated underground in Oroville, CA, but has recently been relocated to the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) in Lead, SD. These facilities provide a variety of gamma spectroscopy services to low background experiments primarily in the form of passive material screening for primordial radioisotopes (U, Th, K) or common cosmogenic / anthropogenic products, as well as active screening via Neutron Activation Analysis for specific applications. The LBF also provides hosting services for general R&D testing in low background environments on the surface or underground for background testing of detector systems or similar prototyping. A general overview of the facilities, services, and sensitivities is presented. Recent activities and upgrades will also be presented, such as the completion of a 3π anticoincidence shield at the surface station and environmental monitoring of Fukushima fallout. The LBF is open to any users for counting services or collaboration on a wide variety of experiments and projects.

We provide a synopsis to the Lonchitidaceae in Bolivia, a family comprising a single genus and species in the country and in the Neotropics. The sole species, Lonchitis hirsuta, is widespread and very similar to the only other species in the genus, L. occidentalis, in continental Africa and Madagascar.

We provide a synopsis to the family Lycopodiaceae in Bolivia, including 40 species (some with varieties) in eight genera. One new species, Phlegmariurus stephani B.Øllg., is described. Keys are given to genera and species. Most relevant synonyms are mentioned, the general and Bolivian distribution and ecology is summarized, and some notes on related species are given.

We provide a synopsis to the family Salviniaceae in Bolivia, including two species each in the genera Azolla and Salvinia. Despite their low species richness, these aquatic plants are some of the ecologically and economically most important ferns in Bolivia.

We provide a synopsis to the Lindsaeaceae in Bolivia, a family comprising a single genus and nine species in the country. All of the known species and varieties are widespread in South America, and many of them range into southern Mexico, Mesoamerica, and the Antilles.

We provide a synopsis to the family Ophioglossaceae in Bolivia, comprising seven species in four genera, Botrypus, Cheiroglossa and Sceptridium with one species each, and Ophioglossum with four species.

We report a study of the CUORE sensitivity to neutrinoless double beta ($0\nu\beta\beta$) decay. We used a Bayesian analysis based on a toy Monte Carlo (MC) approach to extract the exclusion sensitivity to the $0\nu\beta\beta$ decay half-life ($T_{1/2}^{0\nu}$) at $90\%$ credibility interval (CI) -- i.e. the interval containing the true value of $T_{1/2}^{0\nu}$ with $90\%$ probability -- and the $3 \sigma$ discovery sensitivity. We consider various background levels and energy resolutions, and describe the influence of the data division in subsets with different background levels. If the background level and the energy resolution meet the expectation, CUORE will reach a $90\%$ CI exclusion sensitivity of $2\cdot10^{25}$ yr with $3$ months, and $9\cdot10^{25}$ yr with $5$ years of live time. Under the same conditions, the discovery sensitivity after $3$ months and $5$ years will be $7\cdot10^{24}$ yr and $4\cdot10^{25}$ yr, respectively., Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures, 4 tables