Plectranthus : A review of ethnobotanical uses

Melting, freezing and colloidal suspensions

The compression of Au has been measured at room temperature to 70 GPa (700 kbar) using x‐ray diffraction through a diamond‐anvil cell and the ruby‐fluorescence pressure scale. Based on these data, the isothermal bulk modulus and its pressure derivative at zero pressure are K0T =167 (±11) GPa, and K′0T=5.5 (±0.8). These results are in excellent agreement with ultrasonic measurements of the elastic constants as well as an equation of state based on shock‐wave data. Hence, this study represents an independent experimental confirmation of both the ruby fluorescence pressure scale, and the predicted equation of state of the proposed Au pressure calibration standard. We derive a thermal equation of state for gold by inverting all equation‐of‐state data simultaneously. From this, we extend the gold pressure‐calibration standard to cover the range 0–200 GPa in pressure and 300–3000 K in temperature.

The equation of state of the gold calibration standard

Recent theoretical work suggests that protein folding involves an ensemble of pathways on a rugged energy landscape. We provide direct evidence for heterogeneous folding pathways from single-molecule studies, facilitated by a recently developed immobilization technique. Individual fluorophore-labeled molecules of the protein adenylate kinase were trapped within surface-tethered lipid vesicles, thereby allowing spatial restriction without inducing any spurious interactions with the environment, which often occur when using direct surface-linking techniques. The conformational fluctuations of these protein molecules, prepared at the thermodynamic midtransition point, were studied by using fluorescence resonance energy transfer between two specifically attached labels. Folding and unfolding transitions appeared in experimental time traces as correlated steps in donor and acceptor fluorescence intensity. The size of the steps, in fluorescence resonance energy transfer efficiency units, shows a very broad distribution. This distribution peaks at a relatively low value, indicating a preference for small-step motion on the energy landscape. The time scale of the transitions is also distributed, and although many transitions are too fast to be time-resolved here, the slowest ones may take >1 sec to complete. These extremely slow changes during the folding of single molecules highlight the possible importance of correlated, non-Markovian conformational dynamics.

Watching proteins fold one molecule at a time

We present an order parameter theory of the solid–liquid interface which uses structural information about the uniform liquid phase. The order parameters are the coefficients of a Fourier expansion of the nonuniform density in terms of reciprocal lattice vectors characteristic of the uniform solid phase. The theory provides explicit formulas for the interfacial density profile and the surface free energy. Connection is made with recent theories of freezing and of the liquid–vapor interface. Two special cases of particular interest are considered: the flat interface, for which numerical simulations have been attempted, and the spherical ball, which is important in theories of liquid–solid nucleation.

A molecular theory for the solid–liquid interface

The Molten state of matter

Phylogeny and evolution of basils and allies (Ocimeae, Labiatae) based on three plastid DNA regions

The tribe Ocimeae subtribe Plectranthinae in continental South East Asia is fully revised here as part of a revision of the whole tribe in that area. Descriptions, full synonyms relevant to South East Asian Floras, maps, line drawings, information about ethnobotany, distributions, habitats, ecology, endemism and conservation, selected specimen citations and an index to accepted names and synonyms are given. Two genera are covered here: Anisochilus and Plectranthus. Three new species, Plectranthus albicalyx S. Suddee, R gigantifolius S. Suddee and P tomentifolius S. Suddee are described. One new combination, and one new name are made: Plectranthus bracteatus (Dunn) S. Suddee and P chiangdaoensis S. Suddee.

A Taxonomic Revision of Tribe Ocimeae Dumort. (Lamiaceae) in Continental South East Asia II. Plectranthinae

A synopsis of the genera Coleus Lour, Equilabium A.J.Paton, Mwany. & Culham and Plectranthus L'Her. (Lamiaceae, Tribe Ocimeae, Subtribe Plecranthinae) is presented. Generic delimitation follows a recently published molecular phylogeny which identified Coleus as the sister of the remaining genera of Subtribe Plectranthinae; Plectranthus as sister to Tetradenia Benth. and Thorncroftia N.E.Br., and a separate phylogenetically distinct genus Equilabium comprising species previously placed in Plectranthus. In this treatment, 294 species of Coleus, 42 of Equilabium, and 72 of Plectranthus are recognized. All but one of the combinations in Equilabium are new as only the genus and type species have been previously published. Two-hundred and twelve names are changed to combinations in Coleus from Plectranthus, Pycnostachys Hook. and Anisochilus Benth.

Nomenclatural changes in Coleus and Plectranthus (Lamiaceae): a tale of more than two genera.

Molecular phylogenetics and floral evolution of the Cirrhopetalum alliance (Bulbophyllum, Orchidaceae): Evolutionary transitions and phylogenetic signal variation

Somran Suddee

Papers

The Molten state of matter

Phylogeny and evolution of basils and allies (Ocimeae, Labiatae) based on three plastid DNA regions

A Taxonomic Revision of Tribe Ocimeae Dumort. (Lamiaceae) in Continental South East Asia II. Plectranthinae

Nomenclatural changes in Coleus and Plectranthus (Lamiaceae): a tale of more than two genera.

Molecular phylogenetics and floral evolution of the Cirrhopetalum alliance (Bulbophyllum, Orchidaceae): Evolutionary transitions and phylogenetic signal variation