bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Information Compression as a Unifying Principle in Human Learning, Perception, and Cognition
Authors: Wolff J. Gerard
Published: February 2019

This paper reviews evidence for the idea that much of human learning, perception, and cognition may be understood as information compression and often more specifically as “information compression via the matching and unification of patterns” (ICMUP). Evidence includes the following: information compression can mean selective advantage for any creature; the storage and utilisation of the relatively enormous quantities of sensory information would be made easier if the redundancy of incoming information was to be reduced; content words in natural languages, with their meanings, may be seen as ICMUP; other techniques for compression of information—such as class‐inclusion hierarchies, schema‐plus‐correction, run‐length coding, and part‐whole hierarchies—may be seen in psychological phenomena; ICMUP may be seen in how we merge multiple views to make one, in recognition, in binocular vision, in how we can abstract object concepts via motion, in adaptation of sensory units in the eye of Limulus, the horseshoe crab, and in other examples of adaptation; the discovery of the segmental structure of language (words and phrases), grammatical inference, and the correction of over‐ and undergeneralisations in learning may be understood in terms of ICMUP; information compression may be seen in the perceptual constancies; there is indirect evidence for ICMUP in human cognition via kinds of redundancy such as the decimal expansion of π which are difficult for people to detect; much of the structure and workings of mathematics—an aid to human thinking—may be understood in terms of ICMUP; and there is additional evidence via the SP Theory of Intelligence and its realisation in the SP Computer Model. Three objections to the main thesis of this paper are described, with suggested answers. These ideas may be seen to be part of a “Big Picture” with six components, outlined in the paper.
Analysis of Vertical Vibration Mechanism of Reciprocating Compressors considering Flexibility of Piston Rod and Crosshead Subsidence
Authors: Cheng Shouguo , Liu Shulin , Xiao Shungen , Li Dong , Sun Xin
Published: February 2019

This paper is targeted on the vertical vibration of the crosshead in a reciprocating compressor, taking into consideration the crosshead subsidence. The traditional model of the compressor is usually a crank‐slider mechanism system without considering the abrasion loss for any parts, thus neglecting the influence of the piston rod flexibility. A rigid‐flexible model of slider‐crank is described theoretically, in which the crank, connecting rod, and crosshead are treated as rigid bodies, while the piston rod connected to the crosshead is considered as a flexible body. Lagrange equation was adopted to establish the kinetic equation of the system, considering the mass of the crank, the linkage, and the crosshead. After modeling the mechanism, the simulation shows that the dynamic response of the crosshead will be greatly influenced if crosshead subsidence is considered. Additionally, the influence of the crosshead subsidence is also investigated, and some new phenomena arise especially the vertical vibration of crosshead.
CCID: Cross-Correlation Identity Distinction Method for Detecting Shrew DDoS
Authors: Huang Cheng , Yi Ping , Zou Futai , Yao Yao , Wang Wei , Zhu Ting
Published: February 2019

This study presents a new method for detecting Shrew DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks and analyzes the characteristics of the Shrew DDoS attack. Shrew DDoS is periodic to be suitable for the server’s TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) timer. It has lower maximum to bypass peak detection. This periodicity makes it distinguishable from normal data packets. By proposing the CCID (Cross-Correlation Identity Distinction) method to distinguish the flow properties, it quantifies the difference between a normal flow and an attack flow. Simultaneously, we calculated the cross-correlation between the attack flow and the normal flow in three different situations. The server can use its own TCP flow timer to construct a periodic attack flow. The cross-correlation between Gaussian white noise and simulated attack flow is less than 0.3. The cross-correlation between single-door function and simulated attack flow is 0.28. The cross-correlation between actual attack flow and simulated attack flow is more than 0.8. This shows that we can quantitatively distinguish the attack effects of different signals. By testing 4 million data, we can prove that it has a certain effect in practice.
A Single‐Phase Buck‐Boost Matrix Converter with Low Switching Stresses
Authors: Ashraf Naveed , Izhar Tahir , Abbas Ghulam
Published: February 2019

The suggested single‐phase ac‐to‐ac matrix converter operated with inverting and noninverting characteristics may solve the grid voltage swell and sag problem in power distribution system, respectively. It is also employed as a direct frequency changer for domestic induction heating. The output voltage is regulated through duty cycle control of high frequency direct PWM (DPWM) and indirect PWM (IDPWM) switching devices. The DPWM control switches control the switching states of IDPWM switching devices. The inverting and noninverting characteristics are achieved with low voltage stresses and hence low dv/dt across the high and low frequency‐controlled switches. This reduces their voltage rating and losses. The high voltage overshoot problem in frequency step‐up operation is also analyzed. The sliding mode (SM) controller is employed to solve this problem. Pulse selective approach determines the power quality of load voltage. The validity of the mathematically computed values is carried out by modelling the proposed topology in MATLAB/Simulink environment and through hardware results.
Genipin Enhances the Therapeutic Effects of Oxaliplatin by Upregulating BIM in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Kim Bo Ram , Jeong Yoon A. , Jo Min Jee , Park Seong Hye , Na Yoo Jin , Kim Jung Lim , Jeong Soyeon , Yun Hye Kyeong , Kang Sanghee , Lee Dae-Hee , Oh Sang Cheul
Published: February 2019

Despite an increase in the survival rate of patients with cancer owing to the use of current chemotherapeutic agents, adverse effects of cancer therapies remain a concern. Combination therapies have been developed to increase efficacy, reduce adverse effects, and overcome drug resistance. Genipin is a natural product derived from Gardenia jasminoides, which has been associated with anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, and anti-proliferative effects; hypertension; and anti-ischemic brain injuries. However, the enhancement of oxaliplatin sensitivity by genipin remains unexplored. Our study showed that a combination of genipin and oxaliplatin exerts synergistic antitumor effects in vitro and in vivo in colorectal cancer cell lines through the reactive oxygen species (ROS)/endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress/BIM pathway. Importantly, the combination did not affect normal colon cells. BIM knockdown markedly inhibited apoptosis induced by the combination. In addition, genipin induced ROS by inhibiting superoxide dismutase 3 activity. These findings suggest that genipin may be a novel agent for increasing the sensitivity of oxaliplatin against colorectal cancer. The combination of oxaliplatin and genipin hold significant therapeutic potential with minimal adverse effects.
Inhibition of Sphingosine Phosphate Receptor 1 Signaling Enhances the Efficacy of VEGF Receptor Inhibition
Authors: Fischl Anthony S. , Wang Xiaoen , Falcon Beverly L. , Almonte-Baldonado Rowena , Bodenmiller Diane , Evans Glenn , Stewart Julie , Wilson Takako , Hipskind Philip , Manro Jason , Uhlik Mark T. , Chintharlapalli Sudhakar , Gerald Damien , Alsop David C. , Benjamin Laura E. , Bhatt Rupal S.
Published: February 2019

Inhibition of VEGFR signaling is an effective treatment for renal cell carcinoma, but resistance continues to be a major problem. Recently, the sphingosine phosphate (S1P) signaling pathway has been implicated in tumor growth, angiogenesis, and resistance to antiangiogenic therapy. S1P is a bioactive lipid that serves an essential role in developmental and pathologic angiogenesis via activation of the S1P receptor 1 (S1P1). S1P1 signaling counteracts VEGF signaling and is required for vascular stabilization. We used in vivo and in vitro angiogenesis models including a postnatal retinal angiogenesis model and a renal cell carcinoma murine tumor model to test whether simultaneous inhibition of S1P1 and VEGF leads to improved angiogenic inhibition. Here, we show that inhibition of S1P signaling reduces the endothelial cell barrier and leads to excessive angiogenic sprouting. Simultaneous inhibition of S1P and VEGF signaling further disrupts the tumor vascular beds, decreases tumor volume, and increases tumor cell death compared with monotherapies. These studies suggest that inhibition of angiogenesis at two stages of the multistep process may maximize the effects of antiangiogenic therapy. Together, these data suggest that combination of S1P1 and VEGFR-targeted therapy may be a useful therapeutic strategy for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma and other tumor types.
TAS0728, A Covalent-binding, HER2-selective Kinase Inhibitor Shows Potent Antitumor Activity in Preclinical Models
Authors: Irie Hiroki , Ito Kimihiro , Fujioka Yayoi , Oguchi Kei , Fujioka Akio , Hashimoto Akihiro , Ohsawa Hirokazu , Tanaka Kenji , Funabashi Kaoru , Araki Hikari , Kawai Yuichi , Shimamura Tadashi , Wadhwa Renu , Ohkubo Shuichi , Matsuo Kenichi
Published: February 2019

Activated HER2 is a promising therapeutic target for various cancers. Although several reports have described HER2 inhibitors in development, no covalent-binding inhibitor selective for HER2 has been reported. Here, we report a novel compound TAS0728 that covalently binds to HER2 at C805 and selectively inhibits its kinase activity. Once TAS0728 bound to HER2 kinase, the inhibitory activity was not affected by a high ATP concentration. A kinome-wide biochemical panel and cellular assays established that TAS0728 possesses high specificity for HER2 over wild-type EGFR. Cellular pharmacodynamics assays using MCF10A cells engineered to express various mutated HER2 genes revealed that TAS0728 potently inhibited the phosphorylation of mutated HER2 and wild-type HER2. Furthermore, TAS0728 exhibited robust and sustained inhibition of the phosphorylation of HER2, HER3, and downstream effectors, thereby inducing apoptosis of HER2-amplified breast cancer cells and in tumor tissues of a xenograft model. TAS0728 induced tumor regression in mouse xenograft models bearing HER2 signal–dependent tumors and exhibited a survival benefit without any evident toxicity in a peritoneal dissemination mouse model bearing HER2-driven cancer cells. Taken together, our results demonstrated that TAS0728 may offer a promising therapeutic option with improved efficacy as compared with current HER2 inhibitors for HER2-activated cancers. Assessment of TAS0728 in ongoing clinical trials is awaited (NCT03410927).
Stapes Prosthesis Length: One Size Fits All?
Authors: Sudhoff Holger , Gehl Hans Björn , Boga Ercan , Müller Stefan , Wilms Katharina , Mutze Sven , Todt Ingo
Published: February 2019

Background: The insertion of the stapes piston into the vestibule provides the physical basis for a successful stapedotomy. In routine clinical practice, two different ways to handle prosthesis length are performed: (1) an individualized measurement of the stapes prosthesis length or (2) a standard prosthesis length for all cases. Objective: The objective of this study was to compare both ways of handling prosthesis length and the effect of these methods on insertional prosthesis depth. Material and Method: We retrospectively evaluated 39 patients after performing a stapedotomy for radiologically estimated vestibular stapes prosthesis insertion depth. The individual measured length data were hypothetically changed to a standard length of 4.75, 5, 5.25, and 5.5 mm, and the insertion depths were compared. Results: The individually measured prosthesis lengths led to an insertion depth between 0.2 and 1.6 mm (mean 0.74 mm). The ratio of insertion depth/vestibular depth was between 8 and 59.1% (mean 26.6%). The different assumed standard lengths led to different rates of the vestibulum positions and possible bony contacts at the vestibulum floor. Conclusion: The individual measurement led to a zero rate of the vestibulum positions of stapes prosthesis pistons with a low insertion depth/vestibular depth ratio.
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptom Status in a Mixed Gender Population of Opioid-Maintained Prison Inmates
Authors: Silbernagl Marisa , Slamanig Rudolf , Stegemann Maike , Sterzer Michael , Mayer Laura , Fischer Gabriele , Unger Annemarie
Published: February 2019

Objective: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often coincides with substance abuse and delinquency. A sample of opioid-maintained inmates was assessed for symptoms of ADHD, substance abuse history, types of offense, psychiatric comorbidities, and psychopharmacological treatment using a standardized battery of instruments. Method: Adult inmates (n = 133, mean age 35.7 years, 21.8% female) in opioid-maintenance therapy (OMT) were administered the Adult ADHD self-report scale, Wender Utah Rating Scale, Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, ­European Addiction Severity Index. Results: Fifty percent screened positive for childhood and 17% for adult ADHD, four (3.1%) received ADHD medication. Inmates with ADHD symptom status were significantly younger at first substance abuse, reported more drug overdoses, longer duration of cocaine and prescribed medication abuse and more in- and outpatient treatments (all p < 0.05). For all inmates in OMT a high rate of psychiatric comorbidities was observed (78.9%). Conclusion: There is a need for assessment of ADHD and other psychiatric comorbidities in OMT prisoners. Evidence-based treatment should be routinely provided.
Desfechos clínicos dos pacientes submetidos à intervenção coronária percutânea com stent bioabsorvível eluidor de everolimus
Authors: Ribeiro Mariangela Souza , Nascimento Teresa Cristina Dias Cunha , Murakami Beatriz Murata , Bergamasco Ellen Cristina , Lopes Camila Takao , Santos Eduarda Ribeiro dos
Published: February 2019

Modelo: Estudo descritivo, transversal, retrospectivo. Objetivo: Identificar desfechos clínicos e a prevalência de uso da dupla antiagregação plaquetária (DAP) 30 dias e 12 meses após implante de stent bioabsorvível eluidor de everolimus (BVS). Metodologia e casuística: Foram coletados e analisados de maneira descritiva dados referentes a antecedentes clínicos, procedimento, resultados pós-procedimento e complicações intra-hospitalares, acompanhamento e antiagregação plaquetária 30 dias e um ano após implante de BVS de pacientes submetidos a intervenção coronária percutânea (ICP) com BVS. Resultados: 169 pacientes foram submetidos a 182 a ICP com BVS para tratamento de 298 lesões, com idade média de 56,9±10,8 anos, 84% do sexo masculino. Até quatro lesões foram abordadas por ICP, 49% na artéria descendente anterior, 81,2% graves (Ellis B2 e C), 99% em TIMI 3 pós-procedimento. Após o procedimento, o infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM) sem supradesnivelamento do segmento ST foi a principal complicação intrahospitalar (11,5%). Trinta dias após a ICP, não houve complicações relacionadas ao procedimento e 93,4% estavam em DAP. Após um ano, três pacientes foram submetidos a nova ICP não relacionada ao vaso anteriormente abordado e 80,2% mantinham DAP. Ressalta-se que não ocorreu re-estenose clinicamente significativa no período de seguimento. Conclusão: A prevalência de uso de DAP foi alta e não houve complicações precoces ou tardias relacionadas à ICP com BVS, confirmando a segurança e efetividade do procedimento na instituição.
Associação entre a presença de anemia ferropriva com variáveis socioeconômicas e rendimento escolar
Authors: Silva Pâmela Alves , Justino Thaysa Martins , Heitor Roberta Angélica Da Silva , Santos Felipe Florentino dos , Barbosa Amanda Rodrigues , Rocha Bruna Gabriela , Faria Ana Carolliny Fernandes , Silva Débora Araújo , Ferreira Letícia Gonçalves Resende , Oliveira Júnior Wander Valadares de , Inácio Melina De Barros Pinheiro , Rios Danyelle Romana Alves , Domingueti Caroline Pereira
Published: February 2019

Modelo do estudo: Observacional transversal. Objetivo: Avaliar a associação entre a presença de anemia ferropriva com variáveis socioeconômicas e rendimento escolar. Método: Foram incluídas no estudo 124 crianças com idade entre seis e oito anos, estudantes do ensino fundamental de escolas municipais, as quais foram divididas em dois grupos de acordo com a presença (n=32) ou ausência de anemia (n=92). Os níveis de hemoglobina e ferro sérico foram determinados por método colorimétrico, a contagem de hemácias foi realizada utilizando a câmara de Neubauer, o hematócrito foi avaliado utilizando centrífuga de microhematócrito, e foram calculados os índices hematimétricos volume corpuscular médio, hemoglobina corpuscular média e concentração de hemoglobina corpuscular média. O desempenho escolar das crianças foi fornecido pelas escolas participantes e as variáveis socioeconômicas foram obtidas através de preenchimento de ficha clínica e do questionário socioeconômico da Associação Brasileira das Empresas de Pesquisa pelos pais ou responsáveis. Resultados: A prevalência de anemia ferropriva nos escolares foi de 25,8% que é considerada pelos parâmetros da OMS uma prevalência moderada. Foi observada uma maior proporção de crianças sem anemia que apresentaram melhores conceitos escolares e que pertencem aos níveis socioeconômicos mais altos do que de crianças com anemia. Contudo, não foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os grupos com relação ao rendimento escolar e as variáveis socioeconômicas. Conclusão: Uma prevalência moderada de anemia ferropriva foi encontrada nas crianças com idade entre seis e oitos anos, entretanto, não foi observada uma associação significativa entre a anemia ferropriva com variáveis socioeconômicas e o rendimento escolar.
Effect of Morning Exercise With or Without Breaks in Prolonged Sitting on Blood Pressure in Older Overweight/Obese Adults
Authors: Wheeler Michael J. , Dunstan David W. , Ellis Kathryn A. , Cerin Ester , Phillips Sarah , Lambert Gavin , Naylor Louise H. , Dempsey Paddy C. , Kingwell Bronwyn A. , Green Daniel J.
Published: February 2019

Both exercise and breaks in prolonged sitting can reduce blood pressure (BP) in older overweight/obese adults. We investigated whether there is an additive hypotensive effect when exercise is combined with subsequent breaks in sitting. Sex differences and changes in plasma catecholamines as a potential candidate mechanism underlying BP responses were also examined. Sedentary older adults (n=67; 67±7 years; 31.2±4.1 kg/m
2
) completed 3 conditions in random order—sitting (SIT): uninterrupted sitting (8 hours, control); exercise+sitting (EX+SIT): sitting (1 hour), moderate-intensity walking (30 minutes), uninterrupted sitting (6.5 hours); exercise+breaks (EX+BR): sitting (1 hour), moderate-intensity walking (30 minutes), sitting interrupted every 30 minutes with 3 minutes of light-intensity walking (6.5 hours). Serial BP and plasma epinephrine/norepinephrine measurements occurred during 8 hours. The 8-hour average systolic and diastolic BP (mm Hg 95% CI) was lower in EX+SIT −3.4 (−4.5 to −2.3), −0.8 (−1.6 to −0.04), and EX+BR −5.1 (−6.2 to −4.0), −1.1 (−1.8 to −0.3), respectively, relative to SIT (all
P
<0.05). There was an additional reduction in average systolic BP of −1.7 (−2.8 to −0.6) in EX+BR relative to EX+SIT (
P
=0.003). This additional reduction in systolic BP was driven by women −3.2 (−4.7 to −1.7;
P
<0.001 EX+BR versus EX+SIT). Average epinephrine decreased in EX+SIT and EX+BR in women (−13% to −12%) but increased in men (+12% to +23%), respectively, relative to SIT (
P
<0.05). No differences in average norepinephrine were observed. Morning exercise reduces BP during a period of 8 hours in older overweight/obese adults compared with prolonged sitting. Combining exercise with regular breaks in sitting may be of more benefit for lowering BP in women than in men.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
https://www.anzctr.org.au
. Unique identifier: ACTRN12614000737639.
Flower of the heart, Magnolia yajlachhi (subsect. Talauma, Magnoliaceae), a new species of ceremonial, medicinal, conservation and nurse tree relevance in the Zapotec culture, Sierra Norte de Oaxaca, Mexico
Authors: DOMÍNGUEZ-YESCAS REYNA , VÁZQUEZ-GARCÍA J. ANTONIO
Published: February 2019

A new species of Magnolia from Sierra de Juárez, Oaxaca, Mexico, is described and illustrated. Magnolia yajlachhi belongs to sect. Talauma, subsect. Talauma, locally known as “yajlachhi” (flower of the heart, in Zapotec). It shares with M. lacandonica the subglobose mature fruit and the entirely white petals, but differs from the latter in having fewer carpels and stamens; more lateral leaf veins per side; and seeds orange vs. scarlet-red. It shares with M. zoquepopolucae the subglobose fruit but differs from the latter in having fewer carpels and stamens; petals entirely white vs. purplish in the upper portion (¾); more lateral leaf-veins per side; and seeds orange vs. scarlet-red. It shares with M. mexicana a similar number of carpels and stamens but it differs from the latter in having subglobose fruits to widely ovoid-depressed vs. widely ellipsoid; more leaf-veins per side; petals entirely white vs. adaxially purplish in the upper portion (¾); and seeds orange vs. scarlet-red. A key to Mexican species of sect. Talauma subsect. Talauma is provided. This species was assessed as Critically Endangered (CR). The species has a ceremonial and medicinal, conservation and nurse tree relevance in the Zapotecan culture.
A new species of Cedrela (Meliaceae) from the eastern flanks of Ecuador
Authors: PALACIOS WALTER A. , SANTIANA JANETH , IGLESIAS JUAN
Published: February 2019

A new species, Cedrela domatifolia, is described. It is characterized by the leaves of 55–80 cm long, leaflets 10–15 pairs, this oblong-lanceolate, 15–25 cm long × 4–8 cm wide, with prominent and inflated domatium on the axes of the secondary veins on the underside; calyx shortly cupuliform, 2.3–2.5 mm long, 5-lobed, one side (in open flower, not in bud) split down to the base; corolla purple-reddish with the margin and apex cream, and bearded inside. The new species is a tree that reaches 40 m in height and is only known from the eastern slopes of Ecuador, between 800 and 1100 m approximately. It grows exclusively on black laminar rocks, slate type, and has a strong and unpleasant smell of garlic, more noticeable than in other species of the genus. The most related species is C. nebulosa, but with smaller leaflets without domatium. The distribution area of the first one is enclosed within the second.
New water mites species of the genus Aturus Kramer (Acariformes, Aturidae) from the Far East of Russia
Authors: SEMENCHENKO KSENIA A. , TUZOVSKIJ PETR V.
Published: February 2019

Illustrated descriptions of seven water mite species, Aturus triangularis sp. n., Aturus similis sp. n., Aturus sikhotealinensis sp. n., Aturus primoryensis sp. n., Aturus polysetus sp. n., Aturus pulcher sp. n., Aturus insolitus sp. n., from running waters of the Far East of Russia are presented. Aturus multiclavus Kim & Chung, 1993 and Aturus multisetus Kim & Chung, 1993 are reported from Russia for the first time.
It’s barcoding Jim, but not as we know it
Authors: CRUICKSHANK ROBERT H. , MUNCK LARS
Published: February 2019

It has long been the dream of many ecologists that one day it will be possible to use a hand-held machine to identify biological specimens in the field (e.g. Janzen 2004). An analogy has been made with the so-called “tricorder” from the popular science fiction televison series Star Trek (Savolainen et al. 2005). This idea has arisen largely from the DNA barcoding community, who promote the use of a single universal DNA sequence (usually the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene) for species identification (Hebert et al. 2003). Such a device is typically imagined as using DNA as the basis for species determination. However, critics of this idea (e.g. Cameron et al. 2006) have argued that a DNA-based device would be impractical as tissue samples would need to be obtained as a source of DNA, which would necessitate handling the specimen. This suggests that the tricorder may not be such a good analogy; whereas, in Star Trek, the crew of the USS Enterprise merely had to point their tricorders at the organism in question, in reality, field-workers using a DNA-based system would have to obtain a tissue sample and load it into the machine in order to identify their specimen (Cameron et al. 2006, p.844).
Cyber nomenclaturalists and the “CESA itch”
Authors: O’HARA JAMES E.
Published: February 2019

Not long ago, Neal Evenhuis (2008) treated us to a historical review of the mental affliction known by the quaint term “mihi itch”. This condition is unique to taxonomists and manifests itself in the sufferer’s near uncontrollable desire to name species. The mihi itch is less prevalent than it once was, but in recent years a new “itch” has afflicted some of our fellow taxonomists. This I term the “CESA itch” (see below), and you may have seen its effects already in a taxon of interest to you.
A new Clymenura (Polychaeta: Maldanidae) from the intertidal of Banks Peninsula, New Zealand, with a reassessment of Leiochone Grube, 1868 and Clymenura Verrill, 1900
Authors: READ GEOFFREY B.
Published: February 2019

A maldanid discovered on sand beaches of Banks Peninsula, South Island, New Zealand is newly described. Clymenura snaiko sp. nov. is of large size at over 250 mm length, with 18 chaetigers, two achaetous preanal segments with tori, unmodified dentate uncini in anterior chaetigers, a ventral glandular shield on chaetiger eight, a high cephalic rim notched laterally, and a deep anal funnel rimmed with 16 short subequal cirri and one longer ventral cirrus. The confused taxonomy of ventral-shield-bearing maldanids is reassessed and clarified. Leiochone Grube 1868 and Clymenura Verrill, 1900 are here treated as the valid members of Arwidsson’s (1906) tribe Leiochonini in Euclymeninae, and given emended diagnoses, while Imajima and Shiraki’s (1982) subfamily Clymenurinae and Clymenura subgenus Cly. (Cephalata) are considered invalid. Differentiating character states of the valid Leiochonini species are tabulated. Leiochone is restricted to six species, including the new combinations L. annulata (Mohammad, 1980) and L. japonica (Imajima & Shiraki, 1982). Clymenura is restricted to nine valid taxa, including Cly. snaiko sp. nov. and the new combination Cly. polaris lena (Averincev, 1990). These updated groupings exclude a further eight nominal taxa which mostly may be indeterminable. Leiochone species occur in inshore temperate to tropical Eastern Hemisphere waters, while Clymenura mostly occur in high North European latitudes and the northern Pacific region, usually offshore in deep water. The new species is the first record of a Clymenura from Southern Hemisphere waters, and the second member of the genus to be found in the intertidal.
A new genus for Psopheticus megalops Takeda, 1989 (Crustacea: Brachyura: Goneplacidae)
Authors: NG PETER K. L. , KOMAI TOMOYUKI
Published: February 2019

A new genus is established for Psopheticus megalops Takeda, 1989, an unusual and poorly known species of goneplacoid crab known only from Japan. The carapace and male gonopods are very distinctive, and easily distinguish it from all other genera. Although its classification in the Goneplacidae has been questioned, its thoracic sternal and other characters clearly argue for its continued retention in this family.
Erattum: Lourenço, A.C.C., Baêta, D., Abreu, A.C.L. & Pombal Jr., J.P. (2010) Tadpole and advertisement call of Rhinella pombali (Baldissera, Caramaschi & Haddad, 2004) (Amphibia, Anura, Bufonidae). Zootaxa, 2370, 65–68.
Authors: LOURENÇO A. C.C. , BAÊTA D. , ABREU A. C.L. , POMBAL JR. J. P.
Published: February 2019

(Erratum)
A taxonomic study of the Oriental leafhopper genus Raabeina Dworakowska (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae: Erythroneurini), with descriptions of five new species and one new record from China
Authors: ZHANG YALIN , CAO YANGHUI
Published: February 2019

Eight species of the genus Raabeina are illustrated, including three previously described species and five new species are described: Raabeina acutata, R. biangulara, R. bubengensis, R. curtihamata and R. gracila spp. nov. One species, R. fuscofasciata Dworakowska n. rec, is newly recorded from China. A key to males of Raabeina is provided.
A new species of Scaphytopiini (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae), with a key to genera and species checklist for the tribe from China
Authors: XING JI-CHUN , DAI REN-HUAI , LI ZI-ZHONG
Published: February 2019

An annotated checklist and generic key to the leafhopper tribe Scaphytopiini from China is provided. A new species Xenovarta subulata sp. nov. is described and illustrated from China. The type specimens of the new species are deposited in the Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China (GUGC).
A revision of the Dibrachys cavus species complex (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Pteromalidae)
Authors: PETERS RALPH S. , BAUR HANNES
Published: February 2019

The taxonomy and host ranges of the cavus species complex within Dibrachys Förster (Chalcidoidea: Pteromalidae) are revised. Examination of about 810 specimens, including multivariate morphometric analysis of 21 quantitative characters clearly separated three species, Dibrachys microgastri (Bouché, 1834), Dibrachys lignicola Graham, 1969, and Dibrachys verovesparum Peters & Baur sp. n., but allowed no further subdivision of taxa according to origin, host association or previous taxonomic concepts. A neotype is designated for D. microgastri and under this name are placed in synonymy the names Dibrachys cavus (Walker, 1835) syn. n. (including eight current junior synonyms), Dibrachys clisiocampae (Fitch, 1856) syn. n. (including five current junior synonyms), Dibrachys boarmiae (Walker, 1863) syn. n., and Dibrachys elegans (Szelényi, 1981) syn. n. Dibrachys goettingenus Doganlar, 1987 syn. n. is synonymized under D. lignicola. The morphological analyses revealed several new qualitative and quantitative characters for separating taxa in this species complex and an identification key and diagnoses are provided for females and males. Dibrachys microgastri is a polyphagous generalist pupal ectoparasitoid of several different orders of holometabolous insects, whereas D. lignicola is a polyphagous ectoparasitoid of hosts in Diptera, Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera, and D. verovesparum is a primary or secondary parasitoid in nests of Vespidae.
A newly recorded Subgenus Sudila from China with description of two new species (Hymenoptera: Halictidae: Lasioglossum)
Authors: ZHANG RUI , LI QIANG , NIU ZE-QING , ZHU CHAO-DONG
Published: February 2019

The subgenus Sudila (Cameron, 1898) is reported from China for the first time. Lasioglossum (Sudila) genotrigonum Zhang et Zhu, sp. nov. and L. (S.) semiruginosum Zhang et Zhu, sp. nov. are described and illustrated.
Phymonotus jacintotopos: A new genus and species of shield-backed katydid (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Tettigoniinae: Nedubini) from the San Jacinto Mountains of California, USA
Authors: LIGHTFOOT DAVID C. , WEISSMAN DAVID B. , UESHIMA NORIHIRO
Published: February 2019

We describe the monotypic shield-backed katydid genus Phymonotus and species jacintotopos from the San Jacinto Mountains of southern California, USA. Phymonotus is unique in having an unusually enlarged dome-like pronotum, a distinctive song, and seven additional distinctive morphological features. We believe that Phymonotus is a Pleistocene relic taxon, now endemic to geographically isolated high elevation conifer forests of the San Jacinto Mountains. Nearest relatives Agalothorax and Neduba taxa occur in lower elevation environments throughout the surrounding region. Phymonotus is a member of the katydid tribe Nedubini which has a Gondwanan distribution with additional taxa in Australia and South America (Chile and Argentina). Western North American Nedubini apparently result from a South American dispersal event. We also describe characters newly used for the description and diagnosis of Phymonotus, the dorsal and ventral lobes of the titillators, and the dorsal sclerites of the titillators. We report evidence that Phymonotus males may produce thoracic glandular secretions that are offered to mating females.
A new species of Eleodes (Eleodes) from Mexico, with ecological and phenological notes (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)
Authors: TRIPLEHORN CHARLES A. , RUIZ PAULINA CIFUENTES
Published: February 2019

The genus Eleodes is the largest among the Tenebrionidae of North America, with more than 200 known species. Some are widespread, ranging from Canada to Mexico while others have a more restricted distribution. The larvae of the species, known as false wireworms are very damaging to crops in irrigated farmland. The following new species is a surprising addition to the Mexican beetle fauna, especially since it was discovered in an area where much fieldwork has been done over the years.
A new distinctively banded species of Pseudolithoxus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the upper Orinoco River
Authors: LUJAN NATHAN K. , BIRINDELLI JOSE L. O.
Published: February 2019

Pseudolithoxus kelsorum is described as a new species based on type material from the upper Orinoco in Amazonas State, Venezuela. Pseudolithoxus kelsorum is diagnosed from all other Pseudolithoxus by having dark brown to black base color with eight to 11 (usually nine) light yellow vertical or oblique transversal bands between orbits and caudal fin, bands wide and rarely but sometimes incomplete or contorted as swirls (vs. dark brown to black base color with 18 or more thin, light yellow, frequently contorted transversal bands between orbits and caudal fin in P. tigris; black base color with small white spots in P. anthrax and P. nicoi; and light brown base color with dark brown to black spots in P. dumus). Distributions of P. kelsorum and other Ancistrini taxa support the presence of a zoogeographic filter limiting fish distributions across a reach of the Orinoco River between the Ventuari-Orinoco confluence and the Maipures rapids.
A revision of the Thyropygus allevatus group. Part 3: the T. induratus subgroup (Diplopoda: Spirostreptida: Harpagophoridae)
Authors: PIMVICHAI PIYATIDA , ENGHOFF HENRIK , PANHA SOMSAK
Published: February 2019

The Thyropygus induratus subgroup of the T. allevatus group is revised. Three new species are described from Thailand: T. dormiens n. sp., T. laterolobatus n. sp. and T. macrosiamensis n. sp. The following species are redescribed and re-elevated from subspecies status under T. allevatus (Karsch, 1881): Thyropygus induratus Attems, 1936 (= T. punctatus Attems, 1938, new synonym), Thyropygus quietus Attems, 1938, Thyropygus resimus Attems, 1938, and Thyropygus uncinatus (Demange, 1961). Thyropygus siamensis Verhoeff, 1938 (= Thyropisthus ligulus Demange, 1961, new synonym), is re-described. A case of species with identical gonopods but very different body size (T. induratus and T. quietus) is discussed.
New species of Blaesodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Ankarafantsika National Park in north-western Madagascar
Authors: BAUER AARON M. , GLAW FRANK , GEHRING PHILIP-SEBASTIAN , VENCES MIGUEL
Published: February 2019

We describe a new gecko of the genus Blaesodactylus from dry forest in Ankarafantsika National Park, western Madagascar. Blaesodactylus ambonihazo sp. nov. is distinguished by its medium size, small and homogeneous gular granules, unspotted ventral side, and lack of tubercles on distal part of original tail. The new species, for which we propose an IUCN Red List status of "Data Deficient", is also characterized by a strong differentiation in the mitochondrial DNA and a unique haplotype in the nuclear Rag-1 gene. The molecular data presented herein also confirm new locality records of Blaesodactylus antongilensis along the Malagasy east coast (Ambodiriana, Andaparaty, Befanjana and Sahafina). Within its known distribution area this species is genetically homogeneous in the markers studied. In contrast, the population of B. sakalava from the Tsingy de Bemaraha in central western Madagascar is genetically divergent compared to south-western specimens and needs further morphological and genetic studies to clarify its taxonomic status.
A new species of Capnia (Plecoptera: Capniidae) from China
Authors: LI WEIHAI , KONG FANBIN , YANG DING
Published: February 2019

A new species of the genus Capnia, Capnia yunnana sp. nov., is described as new to science from Yunnan Province, Southwestern China. Its relationship with closely related species is discussed.
Exploring character conflict in molecular data
Authors: CRUICKSHANK ROBERT H.
Published: February 2019

Mooi & Gill (2010) have made a number of criticisms of statistical approaches to the phylogenetic analysis of molecular data as it is currently practiced. There are many different uses for molecular phylogenies, and for most of them statistical methods are entirely appropriate, but for taxonomic purposes the way that these methods have been used is questionable. In these cases it is necessary to introduce an extra step into the analysis – exploration of character conflict. Existing methods for exploring character conflict in molecular data such as spectral analysis, phylogenetic networks, likelihood mapping and sliding window analyses are briefly reviewed, but there is also a need for development of new tools to facilitate the analysis of large data sets. Incorporation of previous phylogenies as priors in Bayesian analyses could help to provide taxonomic stability, while still leaving room for new data to alter these conclusions if they contain sufficiently strong phylogenetic signal. Molecular phylogeneticists should make a clearer distinction between the different uses to which their phylogenies are put; methods suitable in one context may not be appropriate in others.
Phylogenies with Corroboration Assessment
Authors: FAITH DANIEL P , KÖHLER FRANK , PUSLEDNIK LOUISE , BALLARD J. W. O.
Published: February 2019

Mooi & Gill (2010) argued that careful character study and well-understood synapomorphies do not have the strong role that they deserve as the basis for evidence in phylogenetics. We agree, but suggest that the problem is even greater. Not only character synapomorphies, but also other forms of phylogenetic evidence, typically do not receive the critical assessment that would support phylogenetic inference. In this paper, our goal is to not simply to highlight problems but to suggest solutions. We will suggest that a stronger role for corroboration assessment in systematics could overcome these problems in phylogenetic inference.
Complementary Approaches to Systematic Ichthyology
Authors: HASTINGS PHILIP A.
Published: February 2019

The molecular revolution in phylogenetic biology and its widespread application to fishes has in some ways complicated the task of teaching my craft of ichthyology. Beginning students know nothing of the history of fish classifications, how they were created, how they have changed over the years or how and why they continue to change. On the first day of class I typically bring in the four editions of Joe Nelson’s classic Fishes of the World (Nelson, 1976, 1984, 1994, 2006) to show students that systematic ichthyology is a vibrant and dynamic science and that these are exciting times. Then I add that the latest of these encyclopedias of our current knowledge has for the most part not incorporated the more radical changes in our understanding of fish relationships suggested by many recent analyses of molecular data. It is not difficult to imagine students’ frustration when one moment I tell them that the Scorpaeniformes is a long-recognized lineage of fishes, show them the distinctive morphological features shared by the group, then go on to say that the group is likely not monophyletic and that the character homologies upon which traditional diagnoses of the group were based are homoplasious (Imamura & Shinohara, 1997, 1998; Smith & Wheeler, 2004; Shinohara & Imamura, 2007). That realization may be exciting to some but must be nothing short of maddening to a novice. But in time, if my students and I do our jobs well, they too will learn to relish the vibrant science that systematic ichthyology continues to be.
Opening Pandora’s Molecular Box
Authors: EBACH MALTE C. , DE CARVALHO MARCELO R. , WILLIAMS DAVID M.
Published: February 2019

Mooi & Gill (2010) have prised open the cap of the molecular systematics vial and caused a debate to take-off in the ichthyological community. Molecular trees and their supporting evidence are the first two items to leave this Pandora’s box, closely followed by DNA barcoding and DNA taxonomy. In short, the debate is fuelled by the nature of molecular data: can nucleotide sequences provide the necessary evidence for relationship? The majority (Wiley et al., 2011) believe that DNA contains informative data; however, in our view, they have failed to ascertain the truth of their claim. Not all data are informative. Data may provide supporting evidence, conflicting evidence, or no evidence at all. Assuming that all data are informative apriori to analysis is a theoretical position, not an empirical one. We claim that systematics is, quite the contrary, empirical, and relies on evidence rather than on implicit measurements of data. Consequently, this assertion leads back to the original question of evidence in molecular systematics, namely molecular homology.
The Cypriniformes Tree of Confusion
Authors: BRITZ RALF , Conway Kevin W.
Published: February 2019

In a recent paper, Mooi & Gill (2010) raised various issues related to recent developments in molecular systematic ichthyology that they found alarming. They went so far as to call this a “crisis in fish systematics.” They criticised the trend that alternative trees for the placement of a taxon in question are not critically discussed and the reason for the divergent positions is not adequately evaluated. They raise the important question “On what basis is one topology to be preferred over the other?”
Adventures in the fish trade
Authors: WILLIAMS DAVID M. , GILL ANTHONY C.
Published: February 2019

The Systematics Association (SA), a London based organisation dedicated to the promotion of systematic (comparative) biology in all its various aspects, was founded in May 1937. It is based on objectives set out for its earlier incarnation, the “Committee on Systematics in Relation to General Biology” (some relevant history can be found in Winsor 2000). That group’s remit was, and the SA’s still is, “to provide a forum for the discussion of the general theoretical and practical problems of taxonomy” (http://www.systass.org ; see also Nature 140:163, 1938).
Will the real phylogeneticists please stand up?
Authors: WILEY EDWARD O. , CHAKRABARTY PROSANTA , CRAIG MATTHEW T. , DAVIS MATTHEW P. , HOLCROFT NANCY I. , MAYDEN RICHARD L. , SMITH WM. LEO
Published: February 2019

In a recently published commentary, Mooi & Gill asserted that there is a crisis brewing in systematic ichthyology caused by a failure of investigators to apply the basic tenets of outgroup comparison to recover clades based solely on shared apomorphic characters. The result, they claim, is that many recent analyses disregard real synapomorphies and discover clades by phenetic rather than phylogenetic principles. We take the opportunity to refute this claim and assert that matrix-based analyses, whether parametric or nonparametric, satisfy the basic tenets of Hennig’s methods, resulting in monophyletic groups confirmed by synapomorphies.
Numerical cladistics, an unintentional refuge for phenetics—a reply to Wiley et al.
Authors: MOOI RANDALL D. , WILLIAMS DAVID M. , GILL ANTHONY C.
Published: February 2019

The assertion that phylogenetic inference algorithms are not authoritarian because results are repeatable, predictable and freely available misses the point that the authority resides in underlying algorithm models that are not cladistic. We show that optimization procedures can group using symplesiomorphy and that optimization is not always equivalent to cladistic argumentation. Because parsimony and Bayesian algorithms can obtain the same answer from the same data set is not evidence that they are Hennigian; examples exist where these methods do not provide the same result from the same data. Using ‘reversals’ as evidence in systematics is problematic because the question, “Reversal to what?” has no straightforward answer. This confusion can be eliminated by recognizing that homologues are the parts of organisms and homologies are the relationships between the parts, and that the latter is a hierarchical concept rather than transformational. We clarify that Hennig’s auxiliary principle pertains to potential synapomorphy, meaning for molecular work that it is the presence of a particular derived nucleotide that is shared in a given position of aligned sequences of two or more taxa that should be considered homologous until proven otherwise, not simply the alignments themselves. We reiterate that not all data are evidence and we specifically reject homoplasy as a source of ‘evidence’ for systematics. We further reject the view that conflict among data should be resolved through methodology. It is the data that should be our primary focus, as it is our attempts to identify and clarify homologues worthy of suggesting relationships (homology) that are primary in systematics.
A Response to Mooi, Williams and Gill
Authors: WILEY EDWARD O. , CHAKRABARTY PROSANTA , CRAIG MATTHEW T. , DAVIS MATTHEW P. , HOLCROFT NANCY I. , MAYDEN RICHARD L. , SMITH WM. LEO
Published: February 2019

Mooi et al. again suggest that finding trees under various universally-used optimality criteria is “authority.” We reject this argument. Their alternative of picking “good” characters that happen to evolve at a certain rate is equally authoritarian (indeed, it is easy to characterize just about any method as “authoritarian” because, well, it’s a method; the only thing fully immune from the charge of “authoritarianism” is doing nothing). To explain: the usual manner in which characters are selected for morphological analysis follows three basic steps. (1) Characters that display random variation or as much variation within taxa as between taxa in an analysis are typically discarded. (2) Characters that show no variation between taxa in the study are discarded. (3) Characters that do not meet the above criteria but which are shared between two to N-1 taxa in the study are analyzed. This amounts to a rate model of evolution. We don’t see any particular problem with adopting such models, but investigators should rec­ognize them as models with their own optimality criteria. We might term it the “screen data for usefulness model.” Mooi et al. argue in favor of a particular brand of this model, Three-Taxon Analysis (3ta), in which characters that change only once (i.e., without reversals) are chosen. We explain below why taking this course would be restric­tive and misguided.