Towards a better future for DNA barcoding: Evaluating monophyly- and distance-based species identification using COI gene fragments of Dacini fruit flies.

The utility of a universal DNA 'barcode' fragment (658 base pairs of the Cytochrome C Oxidase I [COI] gene) has been established as a useful tool for species identification, and widely criticized as one for understanding the evolutionary history of a group. Large amounts of COI sequence data have been produced that hold promise for rapid species identification, for example, for biosecurity. The fruit fly tribe Dacini holds about a thousand species, of which 80 are pests of economic concern. We generated a COI reference library for 265 species of Dacini containing 5601 sequences that span most of the COI gene using circular consensus sequencing. We compared distance metrics versus monophyly assessments for species identification and although we found a 'soft' barcode gap around 2% pairwise distance, the exceptions to this rule dictate that a monophyly assessment is the only reliable method for species identification. We found that all fragments regularly used for Dacini fruit fly identification >450 base pairs long provide similar resolution. 11.3% of the species in our dataset were non-monophyletic in a COI tree, which is mostly due to species complexes. We conclude with recommendations for the future generation and use of COI libraries. We revise the generic assignment of Dacus transversus stat. rev. Hardy 1982, and Dacus perpusillus stat. rev. Drew 1971 and we establish Dacus maculipterus White 1998 syn. nov. as a junior synonym of Dacus satanas Liang et al. 1993.

Pisachini planthoppers of Vietnam: new records of Pisacha and a new Goniopsarites species from Central Vietnam (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha, Nogodinidae).

Two planthopper species of the family Nogodinidae are added to the fauna of Vietnam, both from two localities in Thua Thien-Hue Province: Bach Ma National Park and Phong Dien District. The first species belongs to Goniopsarites Meng, Wang & Wang, 2014, G.mientrunganus Constant & Pham, sp. nov., and the second belongs to Pisacha Distant, 1906, P.yinggensis Meng, Wang & Wang, 2014. Pisachayinggensis was previously recorded from Hainan Island, China. These new records greatly extend the distribution of both genera, which were known from southern China, Hainan and North Vietnam, to the south, reaching the mid area of Central Vietnam. Sexual dimorphism is reported in P.yinggensis for the first time. Illustrations of habitus and male terminalia of the new species are given as well as distribution maps and photographs of live specimens and their habitat. The family Nogodinidae now comprises nine species in Vietnam, with three of them present in Bach Ma National Park.

A study of genetic variants associated with skin traits in the Vietnamese population.

BACKGROUND: Most skin-related traits have been studied in Caucasian genetic backgrounds. A comprehensive study on skin-associated genetic effects on underrepresented populations such as Vietnam is needed to fill the gaps in the field. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to develop a computational pipeline to predict the effect of genetic factors on skin traits using public data (GWAS catalogs and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data from the 1000 Genomes Project-1KGP) and in-house Vietnamese data (WGS and genotyping by SNP array). Also, we compared the genetic predispositions of 25 skin-related traits of Vietnamese population to others to acquire population-specific insights regarding skin health. METHODS: Vietnamese cohorts of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of 1008 healthy individuals for the reference and 96 genotyping samples (which do not have any skin cutaneous issues) by Infinium Asian Screening Array-24 v1.0 BeadChip were employed to predict skin-associated genetic variants of 25 skin-related and micronutrient requirement traits in population analysis and correlation analysis. Simultaneously, we compared the landscape of cutaneous issues of Vietnamese people with other populations by assessing their genetic profiles. RESULTS: The skin-related genetic profile of Vietnamese cohorts was similar at most to East Asian cohorts (JPT: Fst = 0.036, CHB: Fst = 0.031, CHS: Fst = 0.027, CDX: Fst = 0.025) in the population study. In addition, we identified pairs of skin traits at high risk of frequent co-occurrence (such as skin aging and wrinkles (r = 0.45, p = 1.50e-5) or collagen degradation and moisturizing (r = 0.35, p = 1.1e-3)). CONCLUSION: This is the first investigation in Vietnam to explore genetic variants of facial skin. These findings could improve inadequate skin-related genetic diversity in the currently published database.

Does geopolitical risk hinder sustainable development goals? Evidence from a panel analysis.

This paper is likely the first attempt to empirically investigate the direct effect of geopolitical risk on sustainable development goals (SDGs). We employ a newly developed SDG index along with its 17 sub-indices from the United Nations to capture various aspects of sustainable development. On a panel sample covering 41 countries from 2015 to 2021, we find that elevated geopolitical tensions can hinder the progress towards achieving sustainable development goals. This result is robust to various model specifications and estimation approaches. Further analyses show that the two dimensions affected are Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG8) and Climate Action (SDG13). Heterogeneity test finds that the negative effect of geopolitical risks is only present in countries highly dependent on natural resources. More importantly, improvements in institutional quality could partially offset the detrimental effect of geopolitical risks on sustainable development goals. Therefore, this study provides important implications for policymakers in devising measures to maintain the progress to achieve SDGs in the era of rising global uncertainties.

Two different jumping mechanisms of water striders are determined by body size.

Current theory for surface tension-dominant jumps on water, created for small- and medium-sized water strider species and used in bioinspired engineering, predicts that jumping individuals are able to match their downward leg movement speed to their size and morphology such that they maximize the takeoff speed and minimize the takeoff delay without breaking the water surface. Here, we use empirical observations and theoretical modeling to show that large species (heavier than ~80 mg) could theoretically perform the surface-dominated jumps according to the existing model, but they do not conform to its predictions, and switch to using surface-breaking jumps in order to achieve jumping performance sufficient for evading attacks from underwater predators. This illustrates how natural selection for avoiding predators may break the theoretical scaling relationship between prey size and its jumping performance within one physical mechanism, leading to an evolutionary shift to another mechanism that provides protection from attacking predators. Hence, the results are consistent with a general idea: Natural selection for the maintenance of adaptive function of a specific behavior performed within environmental physical constraints leads to size-specific shift to behaviors that use a new physical mechanism that secure the adaptive function.

Pygmy grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae) from Bach Mã National Park, central Vietnam.

A list of 10 species from three subfamilies of Tetrigidae from Bach Mã National Park in the province of Thua Thiên-Hue, Vietnam is presented here. Eight of which are new for the national park. Among these, two new species are described: Miriatroides luna Tan & Storozhenko, sp. nov. and Rhopalina bachma Tan & Storozhenko, sp. nov. New synonymy is proposed: Systolederus cinereus Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1893 = Systolederus ridleyi Hancock, 1909, syn. nov. Three species are also recorded in Vietnam for the first time: Tegotettix bufocrocodil (Storozhenko & Dawwrueng, 2015) previously known from Thailand and Cambodia, Zhengitettix albitarsus Storozhenko, 2013 so far considered as endemic to Thailand, and Systolederus cinereus widely distributed in Southeast Asia.

Parahiraciini planthoppers with elongate head from Vietnam: a new genus and species Pumatiraciavenosa gen. et sp. nov. and first record of Laohiraciaacuta Constant, 2021 (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha, Issidae).

The new genus Pumatiraciagen. nov. is described to accommodate a new species, P.venosagen. et sp. nov. from Pu Mat National Park in Vietnam. The new genus is placed in the subtribe Parahiraciina of the Parahiraciini. It is compared with the genera Laohiracia Constant, 2021, Macrodarumoides Che, Zhang et Wang, 2012, Pseudochoutagus Che, Zhang et Wang, 2011, and Rostrolatum Che, Zhang et Wang, 2020 with which it shares possessing an elongate head. Illustrations of habitus, details, and male genitalia are given as well as a distribution map and photographs of the habitat. Laohiraciaacuta Constant, 2021 is recorded for the first time from Vietnam, Pu Luong National Park; living specimens and habitat are illustrated, and the distribution map updated. The Parahiraciini fauna of Vietnam now comprises 14 species belonging to 11 genera.

A time-calibrated mitogenomic phylogeny suggests that Korean Hyalessa fuscata is a bridge between Chinese and Japanese H.maculaticollis.

The cicada species, Hyalessa fuscata and H. maculaticollis(Hemiptera: Cicadidae), share numerous morphological characters, and their status as distinct species remains controversial. We reconstructed a phylogeny based on two new mitogenomes of H. fuscata from Korea and H. maculaticollis from Japan, in combination with GenBank sequences of H. maculaticollis from China and Japan, and other closely related cicada species. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference phylogenies showed that H. fuscata from Korea is more closely related to H. maculaticollis from China than either is to H. maculaticollis from Japan. The time-calibrated Bayesian evolutionary analysis by sampling trees (BEAST) phylogeny indicated that the mainland and insular forms diverged approximately 1.7-2.6 million years ago. This coincides with the formation of the East China Sea land bridge between East Asia and the Japanese archipelago, which would provide a dispersal corridor for Hyalessa from the mainland via the Korean peninsula southeastward to Japan. East Asian H. fuscata is a geographic variant that may be considered synonymous with H. maculaticollis.

Next-generation sequencing-based HLA typing reveals the association of HLA-B*46:01:01 and HLA-DRB1*09:01:02 alleles with carbamazepine-induced hypersensitivity reactions in Vietnamese patients with epilepsy.

Several studies have reported an association between certain human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles and carbamazepine (CBZ)-induced hypersensitivity reactions in patients with epilepsy. Here, the relationship between the clinical spectrum and the HLA allele profiles in patients with CBZ-induced hypersensitivity reactions was investigated using next-generation sequence (NGS) data obtained from 65 Vietnamese patients with epilepsy, including 33 with CBZ-tolerance and 32 patients with CBZ-hypersensitivity, in which only 8 with severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions and 24 were mild-hypersensitive patients. Three loci of HLA class I (HLA-A, -B, and -C) and two loci of HLA class II (HLA-DQA1 and -DRB1) were included in our analysis. We observed a higher prevalence of three alleles, HLA-B*46:01:01, HLA-DQA1*03:02:01, and HLA-DRB1*09:01:02, in the CBZ hypersensitivity group compared to that in the CBZ tolerant group. Notably, all hypersensitive patients with HLA-DQA1*03:02:01 also harbored HLA-DRB1*09:01:02. We also used molecular modeling to gain mechanistic insight into the interactions of HLA-B*46:01 and HLA-DRB1*09:01 with CBZ. Our findings proposed the direct interaction of CBZ with peptide-binding pockets of these HLA proteins. The sensitivity and specificity of HLA-B*46:01:01 in considering with the appearance of HLA-DRB1*09:01:02 were 46.88% and 84.85%, respectively. Our data suggest that the presence of HLA-B*46:01:01/HLA-DRB1*09:01:02 is a potential marker of CBZ-induced hypersensitivity reactions in Vietnamese patients.

The tropiduchid planthopper genus Connelicita Wang & Bourgoin, 2015: two new species from Central Vietnam and new records (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha, Tropiduchidae).

Two new planthopper species of the tropiduchid genus Connelicita Wang & Bourgoin, 2015, C.bachmaensis Constant & Pham, sp. nov., and C.phongdienensis Constant & Pham, sp. nov. are described from Bach Ma National Park and from the Centre for Conservation of Vietnam Natural Resources and Rescue of Animals and plants, Phong Dien District in Thua Thien-Hue Province, respectively. These new records greatly extend the distribution of the genus, which was known from southern China (Guangxi) and North Vietnam, to the south, reaching the mid area of Central Vietnam. New records are provided for C.haiphongensis Wang & Zhang, 2015, extending the distribution of the species from Cat Ba Island to a large zone in North Vietnam. Illustrations of habitus, details, and male genitalia are given as well as a distribution map and photographs of the habitat. An identification key to the species of Vietnam is provided. The genus Connelicita now comprises five species.

Post-Injection Delirium/Sedation Syndrome: A Case Report and 2-Year Follow-Up.

BACKGROUND Long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics are one of the forms of therapy for severe mental illness. Post-injection delirium/sedation syndrome (PDSS) is a very rare but serious adverse effect following the application of an olanzapine in a long-acting form. The most common symptoms of the syndrome are sedation, delirium, dysarthria, ataxia, extrapyramidal symptoms, agitation, dizziness, or seizure. The predispositions, prevention, and exact mechanism of PDSS remain unclear. CASE REPORT We present a case report of a 30-year-old male patient experiencing PDSS, including the main symptoms of PDSS, diagnostic methods, olanzapine plasma concentrations, therapeutic process, and outcome. We then include a follow-up of the patient 2.5 years later. The patient did not have any long-term damage, had no disabilities, and no post-traumatic stress disorder following the event. We include information about his current medications, further use of LAI antipsychotics, and update about his everyday life. CONCLUSIONS PDSS is a life-threatening condition clinicians must be aware of, and the easiest precaution is a 3-h observation after the application of an injection. Because the predispositions, prevention, and exact mechanism of PDSS remains unclear, it is very important to report the rare cases of PDSS and conduct further research for the safety of our patients. The follow-up of the patient showed that the patient is doing well, he has no post-traumatic stress disorder following the event, and he did continue to use LAI antipsychotic medication.

Long-term effect of transcranial direct current stimulation in the treatment of chronic tinnitus: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Introduction: Tinnitus is an intrusive and chronic illness affecting a significant portion of the population, decreasing affected individuals' quality of life and socioeconomic functioning. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive neuromodulatory method utilizing weak electrical currents to elicit short and long-term central nervous system changes. Several studies have proven its effect on tinnitus. We aimed to broaden the knowledge and provide data on the effect and its retention. Methods: In the randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled trial, 39 patients (active n = 19, sham n = 20) underwent bifrontal tDCS (anode over right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), cathode left DLPFC, current of 1.5 mA, 20 min, 6 sessions in 2 weeks). Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI), Iowa Tinnitus Handicap Questionnaire (ITHQ), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and WHO-Quality of Life-BREF were employed in 4 evaluation points, including the follow-ups of 6 weeks and 6 months. Results: We reached a delayed, significant long-term improvement (p < 0.05) in auditory difficulties associated with tinnitus and noticed it even after 6 months compared to placebo. We also reached a short-term, negative effect in the psychological domain of WHO-Quality of Life-BREF (p < 0.05). Not all subdomains of TFI and ITHQ reached statistical significance during the data analysis, even though specific positive trends were noticed. Conclusion: We proved partial, positive, long-term effects of tDCS on tinnitus and short-term, negative, transient effect on a specific aspect of the general quality of life. We expanded upon the results of previous trials and provided data concerning the longevity and the precise effect of multiple sessions, bifrontal DLPFC tDCS. Our sample size (n = 39) was limited, which might have contributed to the lesser statistical power of the analyzed items. Clinical trial registration: [www.ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT05437185].

Proteomic Profiling of Small Extracellular Vesicles Isolated from the Plasma of Vietnamese Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Reveals Some Potential Biomarkers.

BACKGROUND: Considering the poor prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the objective of this study was to examine the potential of plasma-derived vesicles as a source of lung cancer-specific proteins. Extracellular vesicle (EV) cargos are specific to the source cells, hence they have the potential of being a source of cancer-specific proteins.  Methods: The proteins differently expressed in cancer were determined and derived from EVs isolated from the plasma of NSCLC patients at the National Lung Hospital. To this end, purification was done using gel filtration chromatography and ultracentrifugation. In addition, nano liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used for analyzing. RESULTS: Fifty-seven EV-derived proteins related to NSCLC were highlighted in this research. Some of them have not been addressed before, such as EEF1A1 (elongation factor 1-α1), KPNB1 (Importin subunit beta 1), SRC (proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase) and ACTC1 (actin, alpha cardiac muscle 1). This list was further confirmed through a comparison with ExoCarta and Vesiclepedia. CONCLUSION: This study is the first work to show the involvement of several novel proteins of small EV (EEF1A1, KPNB1, SRC, and ACTC1) in the progression of NSCLC. The results suggested that they could serve as novel biomarkers for non-small cell lung cancer in the future.
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Detecting and Removing Sample Contamination in Phylogenomic Data: An Example and its Implications for Cicadidae Phylogeny (Insecta: Hemiptera).

Contamination of a genetic sample with DNA from one or more nontarget species is a continuing concern of molecular phylogenetic studies, both Sanger sequencing studies and next-generation sequencing studies. We developed an automated pipeline for identifying and excluding likely cross-contaminated loci based on the detection of bimodal distributions of patristic distances across gene trees. When contamination occurs between samples within a data set, a comparison between a contaminated sample and its contaminant taxon will yield bimodal distributions with one peak close to zero patristic distance. This new method does not rely on a priori knowledge of taxon relatedness nor does it determine the causes(s) of the contamination. Exclusion of putatively contaminated loci from a data set generated for the insect family Cicadidae showed that these sequences were affecting some topological patterns and branch supports, although the effects were sometimes subtle, with some contamination-influenced relationships exhibiting strong bootstrap support. Long tip branches and outlier values for one anchored phylogenomic pipeline statistic (AvgNHomologs) were correlated with the presence of contamination. While the anchored hybrid enrichment markers used here, which target hemipteroid taxa, proved effective in resolving deep and shallow level Cicadidae relationships in aggregate, individual markers contained inadequate phylogenetic signal, in part probably due to short length. The cleaned data set, consisting of 429 loci, from 90 genera representing 44 of 56 current Cicadidae tribes, supported three of the four sampled Cicadidae subfamilies in concatenated-matrix maximum likelihood (ML) and multispecies coalescent-based species tree analyses, with the fourth subfamily weakly supported in the ML trees. No well-supported patterns from previous family-level Sanger sequencing studies of Cicadidae phylogeny were contradicted. One taxon (Aragualna plenalinea) did not fall with its current subfamily in the genetic tree, and this genus and its tribe Aragualnini is reclassified to Tibicininae following morphological re-examination. Only subtle differences were observed in trees after the removal of loci for which divergent base frequencies were detected. Greater success may be achieved by increased taxon sampling and developing a probe set targeting a more recent common ancestor and longer loci. Searches for contamination are an essential step in phylogenomic analyses of all kinds and our pipeline is an effective solution. [Auchenorrhyncha; base-composition bias; Cicadidae; Cicadoidea; Hemiptera; phylogenetic conflict.].

Differentiation patterns of emperor moths (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae: Saturniinae) of a continental island: divergent evolutionary history driven by Pleistocene glaciations.

Background: On the basis of molecular dating, Pleistocene glaciations have been proposed as the major driving force of biota speciation in the Palearctic and the pre-Quaternary origin of Amazonian taxa. However, the major driving factors in East Asia remain unclear. All 16 saturniine species inhabiting Taiwan with congeners of populations, subspecies, or species in East Asia constitute research objects for addressing the mode of speciation because of the repeated formation and disappearance of a landbridge from the Asian mainland to Taiwan during glacial cycles. Methods: The genetic divergences of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 16S rDNA and the nuclear 28S rDNA of the saturniine species from Taiwan and the Asian mainland were assessed to determine the monophyly of each genus and species of Saturniinae. Moreover, 519 saturniine COI sequences of 114 taxa from adjacent East and Southeast Asian populations and closely related species were retrieved from GenBank and analyzed. The differentiation timing and possible origination of the insular saturniines were elucidated based on phylogenetic relationships, haplotype networks, and lineage calibrations. Results: Approximately 90% of intraspecific COI divergence was <2%; all divergences exceeding 2% originated from comparisons between allopatric populations or subspecies. Relationship analyses revealed that multiple introductions likely occurred in insular saturniines and that some East Asian saturniines were paraphyletic as deduced by analyzing endemic insular species. Calibration dating revealed that Taiwanese endemic saturniines split from sibling Asian species 0.2-2.7 million years ago (Mya), whereas subspecific-level and population-level splitting events occurred 0.1-1.7 Mya and 0.2-1.2 Mya, respectively. Moreover, phylogenetic patterns combined with geographical distributions revealed that hill-distributed Taiwanese saturniines are closely related to those from southern China and Southeast Asia, whereas saturniines inhabiting altitudes higher than 1,500 m in Taiwan have siblings distributed in temperate Northeast Asia. Discussion: The Global DNA Barcoding Initiative was successfully applied to study the population genetic structure in species. Most Formosan saturniines are distinct and monophyletic, reflecting the vicariant barrier of the Taiwan Strait; Pleistocene glacial cycles provided opportunities for insular saturniines to experience repeated isolation from and secondary contact with the continental mainland. Each insular saturniine may have evolved with a unique differentiation timing pattern that possibly emerged in the Early, Middle, or Late Pleistocene with these patterns differing from the consistent pattern that occurred in the temperate Palearctic and tropical Amazonian regions. Moreover, multiple migrations or artificial genetic admixtures may have also occurred, as suggested by the coexistence of two divergent lineages in a few Taiwanese saturniines.

The genus Cacodaemon (Coleoptera, Endomychidae) of Vietnam.

The species of the genus Cacodaemon of Vietnam are revised. A new species, Cacodaemonvietnamensis sp. nov., is described and C.laotinuslaotinus (Arrow, 1920) is newly recorded from Vietnam. A previously known species, C.proavus Strohecker, 1964 is redescribed based on an additional female specimen and a key to species of the genus Cacodaemon in Vietnam is provided.

Preinvasion Assessment of Exotic Bark Beetle-Vectored Fungi to Detect Tree-Killing Pathogens.

Exotic diseases and pests of trees have caused continental-scale disturbances in forest ecosystems and industries, and their invasions are considered largely unpredictable. We tested the concept of preinvasion assessment of not yet invasive organisms, which enables empirical risk assessment of potential invasion and impact. Our example assesses fungi associated with Old World bark and ambrosia beetles and their potential to impact North American trees. We selected 55 Asian and European scolytine beetle species using host use, economic, and regulatory criteria. We isolated 111 of their most consistent fungal associates and tested their effect on four important southeastern American pine and oak species. Our test dataset found no highly virulent pathogens that should be classified as an imminent threat. Twenty-two fungal species were minor pathogens, which may require context-dependent response for their vectors at North American borders, while most of the tested fungi displayed no significant impact. Our results are significant in three ways; they ease the concerns over multiple overseas fungus vectors suspected of heightened potential risk, they provide a basis for the focus on the prevention of introduction and establishment of species that may be of consequence, and they demonstrate that preinvasion assessment, if scaled up, can support practical risk assessment of exotic pathogens.

Vietnam Association of Gastroenterology (VNAGE) consensus on the management of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is prevalent and has a rapidly increasing antibiotic resistance rate in Vietnam. Reinfection is quite common, and gastric carcinoma remains one of the most common malignancies, which is not uncommon to develop after successful eradication. The purpose of this consensus is to provide updated recommendations on the management of H. pylori infection in the country. The consensus panel consisted of 32 experts from 14 major universities and institutions in Vietnam who were invited to review the evidence and develop the statements using the Delphi method. The process followed the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system. The consensus level was defined as ≥80% for agreement on the proposed statements. Due to the limited availability of high-quality local evidence, this consensus was also based on high-quality evidence from international studies, especially those conducted in other populations in the Asia-Pacific region. The panel finally reached a consensus on 27 statements after two voting rounds, which consisted of four sections (1) indications for testing and selection of diagnostic tests (2), treatment regimens, (3) post-treatment confirmation of H. pylori status, and (4) reinfection prevention methods and follow-up after eradication. Important issues that require further evidence include studies on third-line regimens, strategies to prevent H. pylori reinfection, and post-eradication follow-up for precancerous gastric lesions. We hope this consensus will help guide the current clinical practice in Vietnam and promote multicenter studies in the country and international collaborations.

Design of a Low-Power and Low-Area 8-Bit Flash ADC Using a Double-Tail Comparator on 180 nm CMOS Process.

This paper presents a low-area 8-bit flash ADC that consumes low power. The flash ADC includes four main blocks-an analog multiplexer (MUX), a comparator, an encoder, and an SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) block. The MUX allows the selection between eight analog inputs. The comparator block contains a TIQ (Threshold Inverter Quantization) comparator, a control circuit, and a proposed architecture of a Double-Tail (DT) comparator. The advantage of using the DT comparator is to reduce the number of comparators by half, which helps reduce the design area. The SPI block can provide a simple way for the ADC to interface with microcontrollers. This mixed-signal circuitry is designed and simulated using 180 nm CMOS technology. The 8-bit flash ADC only employs 128 comparators. The applied input clock is 80 MHz, with the input voltage ranging from 0.6 V to 1.8 V. The comparator block outputs 127 bits of thermometer code and sends them to the encoder, which exports the seven least significant bits (LSB) of the binary code. The most significant bit (MSB) is decided by only one DT comparator. The design consumes 2.81 mW of power on average. The total area of the layout is 0.088 mm2. The figure of merit (FOM) is about 877 fJ/step. The research ends up with a fabricated chip with the design inserted into it.

New species and new records of Xyleborini from the Oriental region, Japan and Papua New Guinea (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae).

Eighteen xyleborine ambrosia beetles are described and illustrated: Anisandrus proscissus Smith, Beaver, Pham & Cognato sp. nov. (Vietnam), Anisandrus simplex Smith, Beaver & Cognato sp. nov. (Nepal), Arixyleborus belalongi Smith, Beaver & Cognato sp. nov. (Brunei Darussalam), Beaverium brevicaudatus Smith, Beaver & Cognato sp. nov. (Indonesia), Cnestus luculentus Smith, Beaver & Cognato sp. nov. (India), Cyclorhipidion achlys Smith, Beaver, Pham & Cognato sp. nov. (Vietnam), Cyclorhipidion conidentatus Smith, Beaver & Cognato sp. nov. (Indonesia), Cyclorhipidion gladigerum Smith, Beaver & Cognato sp. nov. (Thailand), Cyclorhipidion lapilliferum Smith, Beaver, Pham & Cognato sp. nov. (Vietnam), Cyclorhipidion nepalense Smith, Beaver & Cognato sp. nov. (Nepal), Cyclorhipidion taedulum Smith, Beaver, Pham & Cognato sp. nov. (Vietnam), Cyclorhipidion titorum Smith, Beaver, Pham & Cognato sp. nov. (Vietnam), Euwallacea alastos Smith, Beaver & Cognato sp. nov. (Japan), Leptoxyleborus regina Smith, Beaver & Cognato sp. nov. (Papua New Guinea), Tricosa hipparion Smith, Beaver & Cognato sp. nov. (Malaysia), Xyleborinus acanthopteron Smith, Beaver & Cognato sp. nov. (Thailand), Xyleborinus dumosus Smith, Beaver, Pham & Cognato sp. nov. (Vietnam), Xyleborinus nobuchii Smith, Beaver & Cognato sp. nov. (Japan). New distribution records are reported for 67 Asian species. Cyclorhipidion nemesis Smith & Cognato, described from U. S. A., is reported from Asia (China), its hypothesized native continent, for the first time. Its identity is confirmed with COI and CAD DNA within a phylogenetic analysis including other Cyclorhipidion species.