Tightening the requirements for species diagnoses would help integrate DNA-based descriptions in taxonomic practice.

Modern advances in DNA sequencing hold the promise of facilitating descriptions of new organisms at ever finer precision but have come with challenges as the major Codes of bionomenclature contain poorly defined requirements for species and subspecies diagnoses (henceforth, species diagnoses), which is particularly problematic for DNA-based taxonomy. We, the commissioners of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, advocate a tightening of the definition of "species diagnosis" in future editions of Codes of bionomenclature, for example, through the introduction of requirements for specific information on the character states of differentiating traits in comparison with similar species. Such new provisions would enhance taxonomic standards and ensure that all diagnoses, including DNA-based ones, contain adequate taxonomic context. Our recommendations are intended to spur discussion among biologists, as broad community consensus is critical ahead of the implementation of new editions of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature and other Codes of bionomenclature.

Predicting the Impact of OTOF Gene Missense Variants on Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder.

Auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) associated with mutations of the OTOF gene is one of the common types of sensorineural hearing loss of a hereditary nature. Due to its high genetic heterogeneity, ANSD is considered one of the most difficult hearing disorders to diagnose. The dataset from 270 known annotated single amino acid substitutions (SAV) related to ANSD was created. It was used to estimate the accuracy of pathogenicity prediction using the known (from dbNSFP4.4) method and a new one. The new method (ConStruct) for the creation of the protein-centric classification model is based on the use of Random Forest for the analysis of missense variants in exons of the OTOF gene. A system of predictor variables was developed based on the modern understanding of the structure and function of the otoferlin protein and reflecting the location of changes in the tertiary structure of the protein due to mutations in the OTOF gene. The conservation values of nucleotide substitutions in genomes of 100 vertebrates and 30 primates were also used as variables. The average prediction of balanced accuracy and the AUC value calculated by the 5-fold cross-validation procedure were 0.866 and 0.903, respectively. The model shows good results for interpreting data from the targeted sequencing of the OTOF gene and can be implemented as an auxiliary tool for the diagnosis of ANSD in the early stages of ontogenesis. The created model, together with the results of the pathogenicity prediction of SAVs via other known accurate methods, were used for the evaluation of a manually created set of 1302 VUS related to ANSD. Based on the analysis of predicted results, 16 SAVs were selected as the new most probable pathogenic variants.

Volumetric wireless coil based on periodically coupled split-loop resonators for clinical wrist imaging.

PURPOSE: Design and characterization of a new inductively driven wireless coil (WLC) for wrist imaging at 1.5 T with high homogeneity operating due to focusing the B1 field of a birdcage body coil. METHODS: The WLC design has been proposed based on a volumetric self-resonant periodic structure of inductively coupled split-loop resonators with structural capacitance. The WLC was optimized and studied regarding radiofrequency fields and interaction to the birdcage coil (BC) by electromagnetic simulations. The manufactured WLC was characterized by on-bench measurements and in vivo and phantom study in comparison to a standard cable-connected receive-only coil. RESULTS: The WLC placed into BC gave the measured B1+ increase of the latter by 8.6 times for the same accepted power. The phantom and in vivo wrist imaging showed that the BC in receiving with the WLC inside reached equal or higher signal-to-noise ratio than the conventional clinical setup comprising the transmit-only BC and a commercial receive-only flex-coil and created no artifacts. Simulations and on-bench measurements proved safety in terms of specific absorption rate and reflected transmit power. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the proposed WLC could be an alternative to standard cable-connected receive coils in clinical magnetic resonance imaging. As an example, with no cable connection, the WLC allowed wrist imaging on a 1.5 T clinical machine using a full-body BC for transmitting and receive with the desired signal-to-noise ratio, image quality, and safety.

Modeling Impact of Regiodefects on the Electrocaloric Effect in Poly(VDF-co-TrFE) Copolymers.

Impact of regiodefects in the ferroelectric poly(vinylidene difluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) copolymer [poly(VDF-co-TrFE)] on the electrocaloric effect was studied with use of a developed analytical model and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. It was shown earlier that the electrocaloric effect in these polymers is caused by the first-order phase transition from the ferroelectric ß phase to the paraelectric conformationally disordered (condis) phase. MD simulations performed in the current work show that the presence of regiodefects in polymer chains makes this phase transition more gradual, the second order. The proposed analytical model is based on the Landau phenomenological theory of phase transitions, modified to ensure the correct behavior of polymer polarization at low temperatures. The model calculates the polymer polarization, P, and temperature change under adiabatic electric field variation, ΔT, as functions of temperature, applied electric field, and regiodefect concentration. Parameters of the free energy functional are calibrated through MD simulations of the poly(VDF-co-TrFE) crystal. The obtained results show that presence of regiodefects substantially changes the form of dependencies P(T) and ΔT(T), which significantly shifts them closer to experimental data.

Validation of taxon names described in Deltocephalinae from China (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae).

The purpose of this paper is to validate 4 generic names and 34 specific names previously introduced in the Deltocephalinae from China (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) by Li, Dai & Xing (2011). The names are unavailable in the original publication, because of the missing information on the type specimen repository. The following genera and species are introduced as new in this publication: Bambusananus, Li & Xing; Branchana Li; Cyclevertex Li & Xing; Lineana Li & Xing; Abrus biprocessus Li; Abrus graciaedeagus Li; Bambusana biflaka Li; Bambusana nigrimaculata Li; Bambusananus furcatus Li & Xing; Branchana xanthota Li; Cyclevertex furcatum Li & Xing; Lineana albipunctata Li & Xing; Lineana ductaedeagusa Li & Xing; Protensus nigrifrons Li & Xing; Protensus yanheensis Li & Xing; Paramesodes menghaiensis Xing & Li; Yuanamia producta (Xing & Li, 2011); Hishimonoides brevis Li, 2011; Litura tripunctata Li; Changwhania huajiangensis Xing & Li; Elginus productus Xing & Li; Metalimnus maoershanensis Xing & Li; Nicolaus bihamatus Xing & Li; Paralaevicephalus bisubulatus Xing & Li; Paralaevicephalus brevissimus Xing & Li; Paralaevicephalus spinosus Xing & Li; Scaphoideus annulatus Li; Scaphoideus bannaensis Li; Longicornus longus Xing & Li; Melanetettix mengyangensis Xing & Li; Osbornellus aurantius Xing & Li; Osbornellus suiyangensis Xing & Li; Osbornellus conoideus Xing & Li; Phlogothamnus acutaedeagus Li; Phlogothamnus luteoguttatus Li; Phlogothamnus productus Li & Xing; Phlogothamnus rugosus Li; Phlogotettix fanjingshanensis Li.

Priority and the names of two cicada tribes (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Cicadinae: Tacuini and Tettigomyiinae: Anopercalnini).

N/A.

Revision of the genus Homa Distant (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae).

The leafhopper genus Homa Distant is revised. Four new species, H. osificata Xu, Dietrich Qin sp. nov., H. oretinia Xu, Dietrich Qin sp. nov., H. asilata Xu, Dietrich Qin sp. nov., and H. algulata Xu, Dietrich Qin sp. nov., are described from Thailand. H. haematoptilus (Kirkaldy) is redescribed based on specimens from the Oriental Region. All included species are illustrated and a key is provided to separate species for which males are known.

Corrections to the spellings of two tribe names in the leafhopper subfamily Ledrinae (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae).

In 2009, Jones and Deitz published a tribe-level taxonomic revision and reclassification of the cryptic, arboreal leafhopper subfamily Ledrinae Kirschbaum, 1868 (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), based on cladistic analyses of 235 morphological features for 75 cicadellid species. Their evolutionary reconstructions found strong node support for a monophyletic ingroup comprising five lineages-each morphologically and geographically cohesive-and also identified numerous traditionally placed taxa (sensu Oman et al 1990) that did not belong. In light of the robustness of their results, the authors recognized the five independent ingroup clades as tribes of Ledrinae, and described three of these as new.

Two new empoascine leafhopper genera, Thaioasca and Mjolnirus, from Thailand (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae), with a checklist of Empoascini in Thailand.

Two new microleafhopper genera of Empoascini, Thaioasca Wang, Xu Qin, gen. nov. and Mjolnirus Wang, Xu Qin, gen. nov., based on the type species, Thaioasca contaminata Wang, Xu Qin, sp. nov. and Mjolnirus mediolobus Wang, Xu Qin, sp. nov. are described from Thailand. Male habitus photos and illustrations of male genitalia of these two new species are given. A checklist of Empoascini from Thailand is also provided.

Nomenclatural changes in the suborders Auchenorrhyncha (Hemiptera) and Paleorrhyncha (Palaeohemiptera).

Nomenclatural changes are proposed for numerous taxon names in the Insect orders Hemiptera and Palaeohemiptera. New replacement names are proposed for six genera, three subgenera, 55 species and six subspecies, additionally a homonymous name for a genus and eight homonymous names for species are substituted with the names of junior synonyms; 13 new synonyms are recognized; type species are fixed for four genera; 26 new combinations for species names are established.

Review of the leafhopper genus Thaia Ghauri and related genera (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae: Erythroneurini).

The leafhopper genus Thaia Ghauri, 1962 and two related genera, Parathaia Kuoh, 1982 and Pseudothaia Kuoh, 1982, are revised. Nlunga Dworakowska, 1974, previously treated as a subgenus of Thaia, is elevated to the genus level, and Parathaia Kuoh, 1982, previously treated as a synonym of Thaia, is reinstated to valid status. The Oriental species lacking foveae on the pronotum are excluded from Nlunga and transferred to a new genus, Etmaria gen. n. Two species, Pseudothaia caudata Song Li, 2013 and Thaia (Nlunga) leishanensis (Song Li, 2007), are treated as Incertae sedis within Erythroneurini. Moreover, nine additional new species are described and illustrated: Nlunga parareeneni, Etmaria brevis, E. chaiyaphumica, E. dentata, E. indonesica, E. magna, E. triquetra, E. ulterior and Pseudothaia forcipis spp. nov.

Taxonomic study of some Afrotropical erythroneurine leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae).

Six Afrotropical genera of the leafhopper tribe Erythroneurini are redescribed and two new genera, Laminaris gen. nov. and Projecta gen. nov. are established. Sixteen new species are described and illustrated: Laminaris angusta sp. nov., Laminaris cuspidatima sp. nov., Laminaris serrata sp. nov., Laminaris tenuis sp. nov., Projecta auriculata sp. nov., Projecta brevis sp. nov., Projecta depressa sp. nov., Projecta draciformis sp. nov., Accacidia obunca sp. nov., Imbecilla bifurca sp. nov., Imbecilla spinalis sp. nov., Lublinia anchoroides sp. nov., Molopopterus hastata sp. nov., Molopopterus ugandica sp. nov., Lamtoana exigua sp. nov. and Nsesa cameroonica sp. nov. Nsesa Dworakowska, 1974 is newly recorded from Cameroon; Nsimbala Dworakowska, 1974 and Szymczakowskia Dworakowska, 1974 from the Central African Republic; Lublinia Dworakowska, 1970, Lamtoana Dworakowska, 1972 and Ivorycoasta Dworakowska, 1972 from the Republic of Congo. Keys to species of the genera Accacidia Dworakowska, Imbecilla Dworakowska, Lublinia Dworakowska, Molopopterus Jacobi, Lamtoana Dworakowska and Nsesa Dworakowska are also given.

Decoding of superimposed traces produced by direct sequencing of heterozygous indels.

Direct Sanger sequencing of a diploid template containing a heterozygous insertion or deletion results in a difficult-to-interpret mixed trace formed by two allelic traces superimposed onto each other. Existing computational methods for deconvolution of such traces require knowledge of a reference sequence or the availability of both direct and reverse mixed sequences of the same template. We describe a simple yet accurate method, which uses dynamic programming optimization to predict superimposed allelic sequences solely from a string of letters representing peaks within an individual mixed trace. We used the method to decode 104 human traces (mean length 294 bp) containing heterozygous indels 5 to 30 bp with a mean of 99.1% bases per allelic sequence reconstructed correctly and unambiguously. Simulations with artificial sequences have demonstrated that the method yields accurate reconstructions when (1) the allelic sequences forming the mixed trace are sufficiently similar, (2) the analyzed fragment is significantly longer than the indel, and (3) multiple indels, if present, are well-spaced. Because these conditions occur in most encountered DNA sequences, the method is widely applicable. It is available as a free Web application Indelligent at http://ctap.inhs.uiuc.edu/dmitriev/indel.asp.

Redescription of the Dikraneurini leafhopper Dikrellamella Ruppel & DeLong, 1952 (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae) with a synoptic checklist of leafhoppers on avocado trees in Mexico.

Among leafhoppers (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae), only Typhlocybinae are known in Mexico to inhabit avocado, an important horticultural crop. In this paper, a potential avocado pest, Dikrellamella Ruppel & DeLong, 1952, is redescribed and illustrated. Additionally, a detailed checklist and a key for all known species of Typhlocybinae associated with avocado trees in Mexico are provided.

New erythroneurine leafhopper species from the Australian realm (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae).

Generic characteristics of three Australian erythroneurine genera are revised based on three new species: Baya lata, Zinga longa and Pettya tenuis spp. nov. Male genitalia characteristics of genus Pettya Kirkaldy are described for the first time.

New species of the leafhopper genera Kusala Dworakowska and Diomma Motschulsky (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae: Erythroneurini) with description of a new subgenus.

Generic characteristics of the leafhopper genus Kusala Dworakowska are revised, and a new subgenus Scodela is established. A species checklist of the Kusala is provided and three new species are added: Kusala (Kusala) viraktamathi, K. (Scodela) directa and K. (S.) sinuata spp. nov.. The related genus Diomma Motschulsky is also redescribed and a new species is described: Diomma (Diomma) sangzhiensis sp. nov..

Wet collections accession: a workflow based on a large stonefly (Insecta, Plecoptera) donation.

This study details a workflow used to accession a large stonefly (Plecoptera) collection resulting from several donations. The eastern North American material of Kenneth W. Stewart (deceased, University of North Texas), the entire collection of Stanley W. Szczytko (deceased, University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point), and a small portion of the Barry C. Poulton collection (active, United States Geological Survey, Columbia, Missouri) were donated to the Illinois Natural History Survey in 2013. These 5,767 vials of specimens were processed to help preserve the specimen legacy of these world renowned Plecoptera researchers. The workflow used an industrialized approach to organize the specimens taxonomically, image the specimens and labels, and place the specimens into new storage. Utilizing the images as a verbatim data source, we transcribed labels in iterative steps that yielded more information with each pass. The data were normalized, locations georeferenced, all specimen data formatted to meet Darwin Core Archive format for occurrence data, and a data set created using Pensoft's Integrated Publishing Toolkit. This is the first time that any of the specimen data has been made available electronically. We also provide two important electronic supplements that include the Bill P. Stark (active, Mississippi College) Oklahoma field notebook for 1971 and 1972 detailing locations for many coded stonefly specimens in the Stewart collection, and the coded locations of B. C. Poulton's Arkansas and Missouri study. Again, we have linked coded labels in vials to normalized and georefenced site data. We confirmed 243 stonefly species were contained within the collections, and the potential for many more species exists among the specimens identified to family and genus level. Twenty-one new state, province, and other significant stonefly records are reported herein with all identifications verified by the senior author, often through consultation with other stonefly taxonomists. Researchers are encouraged to utilize the specimen data, form collaborations with the authors, and borrow specimens for research.

A new species and a new form of leafhopper from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae).

A new species Erasmoneura tricuspidata sp.n. and a new morphological variant of Erythridula stolata McAtee are described from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Nomenclatural changes in the family Membracidae (Hemiptera, Auchenorrhyncha, Membracoidea).

Nomenclatural changes are provided for names in the family Membracidae. The following replacement names are proposed: Gargara (Gargara) discoidea nom.nov. for Gargara (Gargara) discoidalis Ananthasubramanian, 1980; Tricentrus substitutus nom.nov. for Tricentrus yunnanensis (Yuan & Li, 2002); Indicopleustes esakii nom.nov. for Indicopleustes typicus Esaki, 1932; Neoproterpia nom.nov. for Proterpia Stål, 1867; Membracis expansa Walker, 1851 status revised is reinstated as valid on taxonomic grounds. The correct original spelling is fixed for Leptocentrus florifacialis Yuan in Yuan & Chou, 2002, and seven incorrect original spellings are documented for five additional species in which a correct spelling was later adopted by one or more of the original authors. The name Micrutalis minutus Buckton, 1902 is emended to Micrutalis minuta Buckton, 1902 and Brachytalis punctulatus Ramos is emended to Brachytalis punctulata Ramos in both cases to agree with the feminine gender of Micrutalis Fowler, 1895 and Brachytalis Metcalf & Bruner, 1925.