Phylogenetic multi-locus codon models and molecular clocks reveal the monophyly of haematophagous reduviid bugs and their evolution at the formation of South America.

We previously constructed a single molecular clock to date insect evolution that remains a cornerstone within entomological dating. The insect clock predicts that triatomine bugs, the vectors of South American trypanosomiasis, originated with the formation of South America. We addressed this hypothesis using the insectivorous reduviid bugs and their phylogenetic relationship with the haematophagous reduviid bugs, as well as their biogeographic distribution. Putative paraphyly or monophyly of Triatominae, by non-haematophagous reduviids, have both previously been hypothesized and identified. We sampled a broad range of predatory reduviids, viz. Ectrichodiinae, Emesinae, Hammacerinae, Harpactorinae, Reduviinae, Salyavatinae, Steniopodainae and Vesciinae, including both New World and Old World representatives and sequenced the nuclear 28S ribosomal gene locus and the mitochondrial loci 5' cytochrome oxidase 1 (cox1 [COI]), cox1 3', cytochrome oxidase 2 (cox2 [COII]) and cytochrome oxidase b (cob [cytb]). Robust evidence for the monophyly of Triatominae was observed in 5/5 loci using codon/nucleotide (28S) based maximum likelihood phylogenies, 3/5 loci using codon-based Bayesian phylogenies and in cox2 using amino acid Bayesian phylogenies. Several South American members of the Reduviinae, that are morphologically and phylogenetically a sister group to triatomine bugs, have a modal divergence date with the Triatominae of 109-107 million years ago (MYA). This creates a scenario where the closest (non-haematophagous) ancestor to triatomine bugs evolved immediately prior to the breakup of Gondwanaland whilst the triatomine bugs evolved 95MYA, putatively linking the origin of haematophagous behaviour to the origin of South America and in particular infers a delayed onset to the evolution of haematophagy. The placement of the enigmatic tribe Bolboderini as an ingroup to the Triatominae monophyly, confirms the 95MYA node as the most ancient in the subfamily

Oral Manifestations of Cutaneous Disease

The list of diseases which manifest both oral and cutaneous pathology is extensive and consideration of them all is beyond the scope of a single brief report. Nevertheless it may be useful to summarize the findings of those disease in which both oral and cutaneous lesions are, or can be, significant. Recognition of the one can be a clue to the identity of the other, and evaluation of both skin and mucosa may often provide the first evidence of systemic disease

Etiology of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Dogs

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is the most common congenital heart disease in dogs and usually causes heart failure and death unless corrected at a young age. Previous histologic studies in a line of dogs derived from Miniature Poodles with hereditary PDA identified varying degrees of hypoplasia and asymmetry of ductus-specific smooth muscle and the presence of aortalike elastic tissue in the ductus wall sufficient to cause patency. To determine if similar structural abnormalities cause PDA in other dogs, serial-section, 3-dimensional histology of ductal architecture was studied in 8 non-Poodle purebred dogs with PDA with no immediate family history of PDA. Morphologic abnormalities were observed in 7 of 8 dogs with PDA and essentially were the same as those in dogs known to have a hereditary form of PDA. These findings suggest that apparently sporadic PDA in these breeds is caused by a genetic defect in the structure of the ductus arteriosus that is similar or identical to that in the Poodle. The relatives of dogs with PDA, particularly parents, offspring, and siblings, should be screened for evidence of PDA. Dogs with PDA should not be used for breeding, regardless of breed

Small Acreage Irrigation System Operation and Maintenance

Surface irrigation includes flood (sometimes denoted “wild flood,” as in uncontrolled), furrow, border, and basin. Surface irrigation operation and maintenance may be more of an art than a science

Documenting Illustrations; To Justify or Not to Justify ; Public Communication Campaigns; The Public Understanding of Science; Communicate!

Rreview of Documenting nIustrations, by Mary C. Hester, Jacquelyn L. Monday. and John I. Snead ; To Justify or Not to Justify, by Allan Haley; Public Communication Campaigns (Second Edition), edited by Ronald E. Rice and Charles K. Atkin; The Public Understanding of Science, by J.R. Durnat, G.A. Evans, and G.P. Thomas; Communicate!, by the Philippine Association of Communication Educators

Automating the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS): An Initial Investigation Based on Error Reports in Radiation Oncology

This study constitutes an evaluation of two datasets of error reports from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine's Department of Radiation Oncology. These errors were reported in accord with the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS), using HFACS Level 1 and HFACS Level 2 codes. Keywords from an initial dataset of 58 reports, a list of HFACS theory keywords, and a list of related thesaurus words were used to develop a dictionary of signal words. These words are related to the HFACS Level 1 code for "Condition of Operator" and the HFACS Level 2 code for "Inattention-Distraction." These words were evaluated for relevance to the "Inattention-Distraction" category, both at face value, and in the context of "Inattention-Distraction" reports from the initial dataset of 58 reports. The signal words were then evaluated a second time in the context of a second dataset of 3459 reports, for confirmation of contextual relevance. The findings suggest that while more data is needed for future research, findings could lead to the development of an automated and more user-friendly HFACS reporting system at UNC School of Medicine's Department of Radiation Oncology.Master of Science in Information Scienc

Comparison of Three Equations for Predicting Stress Wave Velocity As A Function of Grain Angle

Assessment of a nondestructive test system for detecting defects in the gluelines of edge-glued hardwood panels required development of a mathematical relationship for predicting stress wave velocity as a function of grain angle. This relationship was necessary to understand better how stress waves propagated around gaps or flaws in a glueline. In addition, the relationship was needed to assess the influence of specimen geometry upon the effectiveness of the stress wave technique.Equations were generated by a statistical regression analysis software package and compared to Hankinson's equation. Equations were based upon measured velocity of stress waves traveling at angles between 0 and 90 degrees to the grain at 15 degree intervals in birch, black cherry, red oak, yellow-poplar, and western white pine boards. Regression analyses indicated that the best correlations were found with second order hyperbolic and parabolic equations. The two equations were compared to Hankinson's equation and to each other by using Absolute Average Error (AAE) for each equation for each species and for all species combined at each of the grain angles for which data were collected. Hankinson's equation produces the least AAE of the three equations although the hyperbolic and parabolic equations must also be considered reasonable predictors of stress wave velocity at most angles to the grain

Development of arcjet and ion propulsion for spacecraft stationkeeping

Near term flight applications of arc jet and ion thruster satellite station-keeping systems as well as development activities in Europe, Japan, and the United States are reviewed. At least two arc jet and three ion propulsion flights are scheduled during the 1992-1995 period. Ground demonstration technology programs are focusing on the development of kW-class hydrazine and ammonia arc jets and xenon ion thrusters. Recent work at NASA LeRC on electric thruster and system integration technologies relating to satellite station keeping and repositioning will also be summarized