Phylogeny and systematics of the giant rhinoceros beetles (Scarabaeidae: Dynastini)

This report contains the first inclusive phylogenetic analysis and taxonomic structure for the genera presently included within the scarabaeid tribe Dynastini. The study was based upon morphological, biogeographic and molecular data and yielded direct support for the recognition of three subtribes in the Dynastini: Dynastina MacLeay, New Status (Dynastes Kirby, Augosoma Burmeister, Megasoma Kirby, Golofa Hope), Xylotrupina Hope, New Status (Xylotrupes Hope, Allomyrina Arrow, Trypoxylus Minck, Xyloscaptes Prell) and Chalcosomina Rowland and Miller, New Subtribe (Chalcosoma Hope, Haploscapanes Arrow, Beckius Dechambre, Eupatorus Burmeister, Pachyoryctes Arrow). The results provide indirect but significant support for the origin of the tribe Dynastini to be of an age no later than the early Late Cretaceous. Molecular and morphological evidence suggests that Eupatorus as constituted in current taxonomic literature is not monophyletic, and taxonomic alternatives are discussed to address this deficiency. A plausible explanation is also provided for the perplexing use by F. W. Hope of the family-group names Xylotrupidae and Dynastidae

Notation of primary setae and pores on larvae of Dytiscinae (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae), with phylogenetic considerations

An analysis of the primary setae and pores of first instars of 13 species of Dytiscinae was performed to deduce the ancestral system of primary setae and pores of the head capsule, head appendages, legs, last abdominal segment and urogomphus. One hundred and thirty-one setae, 69 pores and three setal groups have been assigned to the ground-plan pattern of the dytiscine larva, 27 setae and 20 pores on the head capsule; 30 setae, 25 pores and three setal groups on the cephalic appendages; 51 setae and 18 pores on the legs; 15 setae and three pores on the last abdominal segment; and eight setae and three pores on the urogomphus. A hypothesis of the phylogeny of the tribes of Dytiscinae is presented on a cladistic analysis of first instar chaetotaxy characters conducted using the program TNT. All tribes of Dytiscinae were included with larger tribes represented by multiple genera. Our concept of the subfamily Dytiscinae as defined on the basis of first instar chaetotaxy was found separated into three distinct clades: (1) Cybistrini, (2) Dytiscini + Hyderodini, and (3) Aubehydrini + Hydaticini + Eretini + Aciliini. The proposed relationships of the tribes of Dytiscinae are ((Cybistrini + (Hyderodini + Dytiscini)) + (Aubehydrini + (Hydaticini + (Eretini + Aciliini)))). Characters useful for phylogenetic analysis of the subfamily are described and illustrated.Fil: Alarie, Yves. Laurentian University. Department of Biology; CanadáFil: Michat, Mariano Cruz. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental. Laboratorio de Entomología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria; ArgentinaFil: Miller, Kelly B.. University of New Mexico; Estados Unido

Bioassays for Monitoring Insecticide Resistance

Pest resistance to pesticides is an increasing problem because pesticides are an integral part of high-yielding production agriculture. When few products are labeled for an individual pest within a particular crop system, chemical control options are limited. Therefore, the same product(s) are used repeatedly and continual selection pressure is placed on the target pest. There are both financial and environmental costs associated with the development of resistant populations. The cost of pesticide resistance has been estimated at approximately $ 1.5 billion annually in the United States. This paper will describe protocols, currently used to monitor arthropod (specifically insects) populations for the development of resistance. The adult vial test is used to measure the toxicity to contact insecticides and a modification of this test is used for plant-systemic insecticides. In these bioassays, insects are exposed to technical grade insecticide and responses (mortality) recorded at a specific post-exposure interval. The mortality data are subjected to Log Dose probit analysis to generate estimates of a lethal concentration that provides mortality to 50% (LC50) of the target populations and a series of confidence limits (CL's) as estimates of data variability. When these data are collected for a range of insecticide-susceptible populations, the LC50 can be used as baseline data for future monitoring purposes. After populations have been exposed to products, the results can be compared to a previously determined LC50 using the same methodology

A randomized trial assessing the effects of health claims on choice of foods in the presence of front-of-pack labels

Background: As a public health intervention, front-of-pack labels (FoPLs) have the potential to reach large numbers of consumers and promote healthier food choices. Of the different FoPLs, those that summarize a product's overall nutritional profile tend to be most effective in guiding healthier choices. However, information is lacking as to whether FoPLs are as effective when nutrient or health claims also appear on-pack. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine how the choice of foods of varying levels of healthfulness (less healthy, moderately healthy, and healthier) is affected by the appearance of various FoPLs (Daily Intake Guide, Multiple Traffic Lights, Health Star Rating) when shown in combination with different claim conditions (no claim, nutrient claim, general-level health claim, and higher-level health claim). Design: Adults and children (n = 2069) completed a discrete-choice experiment online. Respondents were shown 8 choice sets, each containing 4 alternatives of the same food type (cookies, cornflakes, pizza, or yogurt) of varying levels of healthfulness and were asked which product they would likely purchase (or they could select none). Respondents were randomly assigned to view 1 of the 3 FoPLs across all choice sets. Claim type and healthfulness varied within choice sets in accordance with a D-efficient design. Results: The probability of choosing a healthy product and avoiding an unhealthy product was greatest when only an FoPL (especially the Health Star Rating) appeared on-pack. The addition of a nutrient or health claim did not affect the likelihood of picking healthier products but did increase the likelihood of selecting less healthy foods across all FoPL conditions. Conclusions: FoPLs are most effective in helping consumers make better food choices when nutrient and health claims are not present. Policies are required to control how nutrient and health claims are applied to less healthy foods. This trial was registered as ACTRN12617000015347 (www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Resgistration/TrialReview.aspx?id=372055&isReview=true)

The types and aspects of front-of-pack food labelling schemes preferred by adults and children.

There is strong interest in front-of-pack labels (FoPLs) as a potential mechanism for improving diets, and therefore health, at the population level. The present study examined Australian consumers' preferences for different types and attributes of FoPLs to provide additional insights into optimal methods of presenting nutrition information on the front of food packets. Much research to date has focused on two main types of FoPLs - those expressing daily intake values for specific nutrients and those utilising 'traffic light' colour coding. This study extends this work by: (i) including the new Health Star Rating system recently introduced in Australia and New Zealand; (ii) allowing a large sample of consumers to self-nominate the evaluation criteria they consider to be most important in choosing between FoPLs; (iii) oversampling consumers of lower socioeconomic status; and (iv) including children, who consume and purchase food in their own right and also influence their parents' food purchase decisions. A cross-sectional online survey of 2058 Australian consumers (1558 adults and 500 children) assessed preferences between a daily intake FoPL, a traffic light FoPL, and the Health Star Rating FoPL. Across the whole sample and among all respondent subgroups (males vs females; adults vs children; lower socioeconomic status vs medium-high socioeconomic status; normal weight vs overweight/obese), the Health Star Rating was the most preferred FoPL (44%) and the daily intake guide was the least preferred (20%). The reasons most commonly provided by respondents to explain their preference related to ease of use, interpretive content, and salience. The findings suggest that a simple to use, interpretive, star-based food label represents a population-based nutrition promotion strategy that is considered helpful by a broad range of consumers

Slime-mold beetles.

167 p. : ill., maps ; 26 cm.Includes bibliographical references (p. 166-167).The Agathidium concinnum, A. pulchrum, A. compressidens, A. iota, and A. oniscoides groups are revised. The following new species are described: A. akallebregma, n.sp., A. akrogeneios, n.sp., A. amae, n.sp., A. andersoni, n.sp., A. appalachium, n.sp., A. aztec, n.sp., A. bituberculum, n.sp., A. bushi, n.sp., A. carolinense, n.sp., A. chauliodoum, n.sp., A. cheneyi, n.sp., A. cortezi, n.sp., A. disgregum, n.sp., A. divaricatum, n.sp., A. erythromelas, n.sp., A. fawcettae, n.sp., A. framea, n.sp., A. gallititillo, n.sp., A. georgiaense, n.sp., A. gomezae, n.sp., A. grandidentatum, n.sp., A. grumum, n.sp., A. hamulum, n.sp., A. hidalgoense, n.sp., A. hirsutum, n.sp., A. hyle, n.sp., A. impensum, n.sp., A. invisitatum, n.sp., A. iota, n.sp., A. iridescens, n.sp., A. kimberlae, n.sp., A. lobosternum, n.sp., A. marae, n.sp., A. megoniscoides, n.sp., A. microphthalmum, n.sp., A. multidentatum, n.sp., A. nimbosilva, n.sp., A. oaxacaense, n.sp., A. oculeum, n.sp., A. oedema, n.sp., A. oregonense, n.sp., A. pocahontasae, n.sp., A. popocatepetlae, n.sp., A. potosii, n.sp., A. recurvatum, n.sp., A. rhamphastes, n.sp., A. rumsfeldi, n.sp., A. sejunctum, n.sp., A. skoliosternum, n.sp., A. stenomma, n.sp., A. stephani, n.sp., A. tenangoense, n.sp., A. triangularum, n.sp., A. tribulograndum, n.sp., A. tribulosum, n.sp., A. tumidiventre, n.sp., A. vaderi, n.sp., A. vesperpressidens, n.sp. The following new synonyms are proposed: A. assimile Fall, A. municeps Fall, and A. falli Hatch = A. angulare Mannerheim, new synonyms; A. alticola Fall = A. athabascanum Fall, new synonym; A. contiguum Fall, A. varipunctatum Hatch, and A. striolum Hatch = A. picipes Fall, new synonyms; and A. californicum Horn and A. alutaceum Fall; = A. exiguum Melsheimer, new synonyms. Lectotypes are designated for the following species: A. angulare, A. californicum, A. concinnum Mannerheim, A. dentigerum Horn, A. difficile Matthews, A. effluens Mannerheim, A. exiguum, A. globatile LeConte, A. laetum Fall, A. pulchrum LeConte, A. rotundulum Mannerheim, A. rubellum Fall, A. ruficorne LeConte, and Phalacrus difformis LeConte

Verbal Learning and Memory After Cochlear Implantation in Postlingually Deaf Adults: Some New Findings with the CVLT-II

OBJECTIVES: Despite the importance of verbal learning and memory in speech and language processing, this domain of cognitive functioning has been virtually ignored in clinical studies of hearing loss and cochlear implants in both adults and children. In this article, we report the results of two studies that used a newly developed visually based version of the California Verbal Learning Test-Second Edition (CVLT-II), a well-known normed neuropsychological measure of verbal learning and memory. DESIGN: The first study established the validity and feasibility of a computer-controlled visual version of the CVLT-II, which eliminates the effects of audibility of spoken stimuli, in groups of young normal-hearing and older normal-hearing (ONH) adults. A second study was then carried out using the visual CVLT-II format with a group of older postlingually deaf experienced cochlear implant (ECI) users (N = 25) and a group of ONH controls (N = 25) who were matched to ECI users for age, socioeconomic status, and nonverbal IQ. In addition to the visual CVLT-II, subjects provided data on demographics, hearing history, nonverbal IQ, reading fluency, vocabulary, and short-term memory span for visually presented digits. ECI participants were also tested for speech recognition in quiet. RESULTS: The ECI and ONH groups did not differ on most measures of verbal learning and memory obtained with the visual CVLT-II, but deficits were identified in ECI participants that were related to recency recall, the buildup of proactive interference, and retrieval-induced forgetting. Within the ECI group, nonverbal fluid IQ, reading fluency, and resistance to the buildup of proactive interference from the CVLT-II consistently predicted better speech recognition outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Results from this study suggest that several underlying foundational neurocognitive abilities are related to core speech perception outcomes after implantation in older adults. Implications of these findings for explaining individual differences and variability and predicting speech recognition outcomes after implantation are discussed

Intrathecal enzyme replacement for Hurler syndrome: biomarker association with neurocognitive outcomes.

PurposeAbnormalities in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) have been reported in Hurler syndrome, a fatal neurodegenerative lysosomal disorder. While no biomarker has predicted neurocognitive response to treatment, one of these abnormalities, glycosaminoglycan nonreducing ends (NREs), holds promise to monitor therapeutic efficacy. A trial of intrathecal enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) added to standard treatment enabled tracking of CSF abnormalities, including NREs. We evaluated safety, biomarker response, and neurocognitive correlates of change.MethodsIn addition to intravenous ERT and hematopoietic cell transplantation, patients (N = 24) received intrathecal ERT at four peritransplant time points; CSF was evaluated at each point. Neurocognitive functioning was quantified at baseline, 1 year, and 2 years posttransplant. Changes in CSF biomarkers and neurocognitive function were evaluated for an association.ResultsOver treatment, there were significant decreases in CSF opening pressure, biomarkers of disease activity, and markers of inflammation. Percent decrease in NRE from pretreatment to final intrathecal dose posttransplant was positively associated with percent change in neurocognitive score from pretreatment to 2 years posttransplant.ConclusionIntrathecal ERT was safe and, in combination with standard treatment, was associated with reductions in CSF abnormalities. Critically, we report evidence of a link between a biomarker treatment response and neurocognitive outcome in Hurler syndrome

Comparison of Commercial and Self-Initiated Weight Loss Programs in People With Prediabetes: A Randomized Control Trial

To determine if a widely available weight-management program (Weight Watchers) could achieve sufficient weight loss in persons with prediabetes compared with a Diabetes Prevention Program-based individual counseling program supported by National Diabetes Education Program materials. METHODS: We conducted an individual, randomized intervention trial in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 2013 to 2014, in 225 persons with prediabetes. We compared the Weight Watchers weight-management program (n = 112) with Your Game Plan to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes, a program developed by the National Diabetes Education Program. Outcomes were weight and metabolic markers measured at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. RESULTS: Intervention participants lost significantly more weight than controls at 6 months (5.5% vs 0.8%) and 12 months (5.5% vs 0.2%; both P < .001). The intervention group also had significantly greater improvements in hemoglobin A1c and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level than did controls. CONCLUSIONS: A large weight-management program is effective for achieving lifestyle changes associated with diabetes prevention. Such programs could significantly increase the availability of diabetes prevention programs worldwide making an immediate and significant public health impact