COI barcoding of plant bugs (Insecta: Hemiptera: Miridae)

The family Miridae is the most diverse and one of the most economically important groups in Heteroptera. However, identification of mirid species on the basis of morphology is difficult and time-consuming. In the present study, we evaluated the effectiveness of COI barcoding for 123 species of plant bugs in seven subfamilies. With the exception of three Apolygus species—A. lucorum, A. spinolae, and A. watajii (subfamily Mirinae)—each of the investigated species possessed a unique COI sequence. The average minimum interspecific genetic distance of congeners was approximately 37 times higher than the average maximum intraspecific genetic distance, indicating a significant barcoding gap. Despite having distinct morphological characters, A. lucorum, A. spinolae, and A. watajii mixed and clustered together, suggesting taxonomic revision. Our findings indicate that COI barcoding represents a valuable identification tool for Miridae and can be economically viable in a variety of scientific research fields

Two new genera and species of the Gigantometopini (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Miridae, Isometopinae) from Borneo with remarks on the distribution of the tribe

Two new genera, each represented by a single new species, Planicapitus luteus Taszakowski, Kim & Herczek, gen. et sp. nov. and Bruneimetopus simulans Taszakowski, Kim & Herczek, gen. et sp. nov., are described from Borneo. Detailed photographs of male habitus and genital structures are presented. The checklist with distributional records for all known taxa of Gigantometopini is also provided

Architecture for in-space robotic assembly of a modular space telescope

An architecture and conceptual design for a robotically assembled, modular space telescope (RAMST) that enables extremely large space telescopes to be conceived is presented. The distinguishing features of the RAMST architecture compared with prior concepts include the use of a modular deployable structure, a general-purpose robot, and advanced metrology, with the option of formation flying. To demonstrate the feasibility of the robotic assembly concept, we present a reference design using the RAMST architecture for a formation flying 100-m telescope that is assembled in Earth orbit and operated at the Sun–Earth Lagrange Point 2

Accuracy of dental implant placement with computer-guided surgery: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of virtual planning of computer-guided surgery based on the actual outcomes of clinical dental implant placement. Methods This retrospective study enrolled patients among whom implant treatment was planned using computer-guided surgery with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). The patients who received implant according to the guide with the flapless and flapped approach were classified as group 1 and 2, respectively, and the others who could not be placed according to the guide were allocated to the drop-out group. The accuracy of implant placement was evaluated with the superimposition of CBCT. Results We analyzed differences in the deviated distance of the entrance point and deviated angulation of the insertion of implant fixtures. With regard to the surgical approach, group 2 exhibited greater accuracy compared to group 1 in deviation distance (2.22 ± 0.88 and 3.18 ± 0.89 mm, respectively, P < 0.001) and angulation (4.27 ± 2.30 and 6.82 ± 2.71°, respectively, P = 0.001). The limitations of guided surgery were discussed while considering the findings from the drop-out group. Conclusions Computer-guided surgery demonstrates greater accuracy in implant placement with the flapless approach. Further research should be conducted to enhance the availability of guides for cases with unfavorable residual bone conditions

A Robotically-Assembled 100-Meter Space Telescope

The future of astronomy may rely on extremely large space telescopes in order to image Earth-sized exoplanets or study the first stars. These telescopes will not be possible without a radical shift in design methods and concepts that are not limited by the size of a single payload fairing. In-Space Telescope Assembly Robotics (ISTAR) is one solution. The ISTAR project has developed a concept for an optical space telescope with a collecting area of nearly 8000 square meters, launched in pieces from the ground, and assembled by highly dexterous robots in space. The concept has been demonstrated to meet optical requirements and failure criteria. This paper focuses on the design and feasibility analysis of the telescope structure, as it has to be stiff and precise enough to maintain optical tolerances while also being amenable to robotic operations. The overall optical scheme of the telescope is first presented, which includes four main elements: a spherical primary mirror roughly hexagonal in shape spanning 100 meters flat to flat; an eyepiece containing all subsequent mirrors and detectors; a metrology system; and a sun shade. The conceived structure that connects and supports these components is then detailed, beginning with the concept of operations and assembly process and ending with the results of a comprehensive structural analysis. Particular attention is given to the truss structure that supports the primary mirror segments, called the backplane. The backplane design uses both robotic assembly and deployable structures to reduce assembly time, featuring expanding truss modules grouped with pre-assembled clusters of mirror segments that are connected together in space. The truss geometry of the structure was chosen from a vast design space, which was first narrowed using “back-of-the-envelope” analytical methods, to satisfy vibrational stiffness and mass criteria. Higher fidelity simulations using finite element analysis and matrix methods were then used to demonstrate that the structure meets optical and failure strength requirements while subjected to loads typically encountered in the space environment. This paper includes many of the decisions and trades made throughout the activity, providing a reference for the design of large modular space structures and laying the groundwork for future flight missions of this nature

Architecture for in-space robotic assembly of a modular space telescope

An architecture and conceptual design for a robotically assembled, modular space telescope (RAMST) that enables extremely large space telescopes to be conceived is presented. The distinguishing features of the RAMST architecture compared with prior concepts include the use of a modular deployable structure, a general-purpose robot, and advanced metrology, with the option of formation flying. To demonstrate the feasibility of the robotic assembly concept, we present a reference design using the RAMST architecture for a formation flying 100-m telescope that is assembled in Earth orbit and operated at the Sun–Earth Lagrange Point 2

Three new records of the subfamily Mirinae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae) from the Korean Peninsula

A total of three new records of the plant bug subfamily Mirinae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae) are reported from the Korean Peninsula with findings of Apolygus fraxinicola (Kerzhner, 1988), Neolygus juglandis (Kerzhner, 1988), and Polymerus amurensis Kerzhner, 1988. Diagnoses, descriptions of genitalia, and biological information of each species are provided

First record of the genus Pseudoloxops Kirkaldy (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae: Orthotylinae) from the Korean Peninsula

A genus, Pseudoloxops Kirkaldy (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae: Orthotylinae), is reported from the Korean Peninsula for the first time based on two species: Pseudoloxops miyatakei (Miyamoto 1969) and Pseudoloxops miyamotoi (Yasunaga 1997). The morphological information such as diagnoses and descriptions of male genitalia are provided with the photographs and illustrations. A key to the Korean Pseudoloxops species is also provided