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.

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.

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.].

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.

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.

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.

Maternal Preconception Body Size and Early Childhood Growth during Prenatal and Postnatal Periods Are Positively Associated with Child-Attained Body Size at Age 6-7 Years: Results from a Follow-up of the PRECONCEPT Trial.

BACKGROUND: Growth faltering is associated with adverse consequences during childhood and later life. However, questions remain on the relative importance of preconception maternal nutritional status (PMNS) and child growth during the first 1000 d of life. OBJECTIVES: We examined associations between PMNS, gestational weight gain (GWG), and child growth during the first 1000 d with attained body size at age 6-7 y. METHODS: We used data from a follow-up of a double-blinded randomized controlled trial of preconception micronutrient supplementation in Vietnam (n = 5011 women). The outcomes included offspring height-for-age z score (HAZ), BMI-for-age z score (BMIZ), and prevalence of stunting and overweight/obese at age 6-7 y (n = 1579). We used multivariable linear and Poisson regression models to evaluate the relative contributions of PMNS (height and BMI), GWG, and conditional growth in 4 periods: fetal, 0-6 mo, 6-12 mo, and 12-24 mo. RESULTS: PMNS was positively associated with child-attained size at 6-7 y. For each 1-SD higher maternal height and BMI, offspring had 0.28-SD and 0.13-SD higher HAZ at 6-7 y, respectively. Higher maternal BMI and GWG were associated with larger child BMIZ (ß: 0.29 and 0.10, respectively). Faster linear growth, especially from 6 to 24 mo, had the strongest association with child HAZ at 6-7 y (ß: 0.39-0.42), whereas conditional weight measures in all periods were similarly associated with HAZ (ß: 0.10-0.15). For BMIZ at 6-7 y, the magnitude of association was larger and increased with child age for conditional weight gain (ß: 0.21-0.41) but smaller for conditional length gain. Faster growth in the first 2 y was associated with reduced risk of stunting and thinness but increased risk of overweight/obese at 6-7 y. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions aimed at improving child growth while minimizing the risk of overweight during the school age years should target both women of reproductive age prior to conception through delivery and their offspring during the first 1000 d. The trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01665378.

Child Linear Growth During and After the First 1000 Days Is Positively Associated with Intellectual Functioning and Mental Health in School-Age Children in Vietnam.

BACKGROUND: Millions of children fail to meet their developmental potential and experience mental health concerns globally. Evidence is mixed on whether growth beyond the first 1000 d of life influences intellectual functioning and mental health in school-age children. OBJECTIVES: We examined associations of childhood growth before and after the first 1000 d of life with child intellectual functioning and mental health at age 6-7 y. METHODS: We used data from a follow-up of a randomized controlled trial of preconception supplementation (PRECONCEPT study) in Vietnam. A total of 5011 women participated in the study and 1579 children were born during 2012-2014. At age 6-7 y, child intellectual functioning was assessed using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, and mental health concerns were measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Multivariable linear models were used to examine the independent association of child size at age 2 y [height-for-age z-score (HAZ) and body-mass-index z-score (BMIZ)] and conditional measures of linear and ponderal growth between the ages of 2 and 7 y. RESULTS: HAZ at 2 y was positively associated with the Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (ß = 1.4; 95% CI: 0.5, 2.2 points) and its subdomains, namely Perceptual Reasoning Index, Working Memory Index, and Processing Speed Index (ß = 1.0-1.4 points). Higher HAZ at 2 y was associated with lower overall mental health concerns (ß = -0.24; 95% CI: -0.47, -0.01) and peer problems (ß = -0.08; 95% CI: -0.17, -0.01). Faster height gain between 2 and 7 y was associated with higher total intellectual functioning (ß = 0.9; 95% CI: 0.02, 1.8) and fewer emotional issues (ß = -0.09; 95% CI: -0.18, -0.01). BMIZ at 2 y was not associated with intellectual functioning but was marginally associated with higher conduct and peer problems. Conditional weight gain between 2 and 7 y was not associated with child intellectual functioning or mental health in young school-age children. CONCLUSIONS: Child linear growth both during and beyond the first 1000 d is positively associated with intellectual functioning and mental health during the early school-age years.

Automated quality control for a molecular surveillance system.

BACKGROUND: Molecular surveillance and outbreak investigation are important for elimination of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the United States. A web-based system, Global Hepatitis Outbreak and Surveillance Technology (GHOST), has been developed using Illumina MiSeq-based amplicon sequence data derived from the HCV E1/E2-junction genomic region to enable public health institutions to conduct cost-effective and accurate molecular surveillance, outbreak detection and strain characterization. However, as there are many factors that could impact input data quality to which the GHOST system is not completely immune, accuracy of epidemiological inferences generated by GHOST may be affected. Here, we analyze the data submitted to the GHOST system during its pilot phase to assess the nature of the data and to identify common quality concerns that can be detected and corrected automatically. RESULTS: The GHOST quality control filters were individually examined, and quality failure rates were measured for all samples, including negative controls. New filters were developed and introduced to detect primer dimers, loss of specimen-specific product, or short products. The genotyping tool was adjusted to improve the accuracy of subtype calls. The identification of "chordless" cycles in a transmission network from data generated with known laboratory-based quality concerns allowed for further improvement of transmission detection by GHOST in surveillance settings. Parameters derived to detect actionable common quality control anomalies were incorporated into the automatic quality control module that rejects data depending on the magnitude of a quality problem, and warns and guides users in performing correctional actions. The guiding responses generated by the system are tailored to the GHOST laboratory protocol. CONCLUSIONS: Several new quality control problems were identified in MiSeq data submitted to GHOST and used to improve protection of the system from erroneous data and users from erroneous inferences. The GHOST system was upgraded to include identification of causes of erroneous data and recommendation of corrective actions to laboratory users.

GHOST: global hepatitis outbreak and surveillance technology.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C is a major public health problem in the United States and worldwide. Outbreaks of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections associated with unsafe injection practices, drug diversion, and other exposures to blood are difficult to detect and investigate. Effective HCV outbreak investigation requires comprehensive surveillance and robust case investigation. We previously developed and validated a methodology for the rapid and cost-effective identification of HCV transmission clusters. Global Hepatitis Outbreak and Surveillance Technology (GHOST) is a cloud-based system enabling users, regardless of computational expertise, to analyze and visualize transmission clusters in an independent, accurate and reproducible way. RESULTS: We present and explore performance of several GHOST implemented algorithms using next-generation sequencing data experimentally obtained from hypervariable region 1 of genetically related and unrelated HCV strains. GHOST processes data from an entire MiSeq run in approximately 3 h. A panel of seven specimens was used for preparation of six repeats of MiSeq libraries. Testing sequence data from these libraries by GHOST showed a consistent transmission linkage detection, testifying to high reproducibility of the system. Lack of linkage among genetically unrelated HCV strains and constant detection of genetic linkage between HCV strains from known transmission pairs and from follow-up specimens at different levels of MiSeq-read sampling indicate high specificity and sensitivity of GHOST in accurate detection of HCV transmission. CONCLUSIONS: GHOST enables automatic extraction of timely and relevant public health information suitable for guiding effective intervention measures. It is designed as a virtual diagnostic system intended for use in molecular surveillance and outbreak investigations rather than in research. The system produces accurate and reproducible information on HCV transmission clusters for all users, irrespective of their level of bioinformatics expertise. Improvement in molecular detection capacity will contribute to increasing the rate of transmission detection, thus providing opportunity for rapid, accurate and effective response to outbreaks of hepatitis C. Although GHOST was originally developed for hepatitis C surveillance, its modular structure is readily applicable to other infectious diseases. Worldwide availability of GHOST for the detection of HCV transmissions will foster deeper involvement of public health researchers and practitioners in hepatitis C outbreak investigation.

Subregional brain distribution of simple and complex glycosphingolipids in the mucopolysaccharidosis type I (Hurler syndrome) mouse: impact of diet.

Gangliosides are the most complex oligosaccharide-containing glycosphingolipids defined by the presence of sialic acid and although present in all tissues, predominate in the brain. Considering their importance in neural development, it is unsurprising that ganglioside metabolism is altered in neurodegenerative diseases. The severe form of mucopolysaccharidosis type I, Hurler syndrome (HS), is characterised by progressive loss of neuronal function through largely undefined mechanisms. Here, we sought to interrogate brain gangliosides in a murine model of HS and further, assessed whether dietary modulation of lipid metabolism effected correction of the metabolic abnormalities. The simple gangliosides, GM2 , GM3 , GD2 and GD3 were elevated in the five subregions examined - brain stem, cerebellum, cortex, hippocampus, subcortex - in HS mice as early as 2 months of age compared with their wild type counterparts. Their elevation persisted at 6 months of age, imparting protracted neurological development as these simple gangliosides have usually subsided by this stage of brain development. Their immediate synthetic precursor, lactosylceramide, was also elevated, suggesting that their increase arises at this metabolic intermediary, as dihydroceramide, ceramide and monohexosylceramide were unaffected. Dietary linoleic acid supplementation significantly reduced GM2 and GM3 , and furthermore, improved exploratory behaviour as assessed by the open field test, highlighting the possibility of further exploring dietary intervention as a therapeutic consideration.

Molecular epidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection in Tanzania.

Despite the significant public health problems associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) in sub-Saharan Africa, many countries in this region do not have systematic HBV surveillance or genetic information on HBV circulating locally. Here, we report on the genetic characterization of 772 HBV strains from Tanzania. Phylogenetic analysis of the S-gene sequences showed prevalence of HBV genotype A (HBV/A, n=671, 86.9 %), followed by genotypes D (HBV/D, n=95, 12.3 %) and E (HBV/E, n=6, 0.8 %). All HBV/A sequences were further classified into subtype A1, while the HBV/D sequences were assigned to a new cluster. Among the Tanzanian sequences, 84 % of HBV/A1 and 94 % of HBV/D were unique. The Tanzanian and global HBV/A1 sequences were compared and were completely intermixed in the phylogenetic tree, with the Tanzanian sequences frequently generating long terminal branches, indicating a long history of HBV/A1 infections in the country. The time to the most recent common ancestor was estimated to be 188 years ago [95 % highest posterior density (HPD): 132 to 265 years] for HBV/A1 and 127 years ago (95 % HPD: 79 to 192 years) for HBV/D. The Bayesian skyline plot showed that the number of transmissions 'exploded' exponentially between 1960-1970 for HBV/A1 and 1970-1990 for HBV/D, with the effective population of HBV/A1 having expanded twice as much as that of HBV/D. The data suggest that Tanzania is at least a part of the geographic origin of the HBV/A1 subtype. A recent increase in the transmission rate and significant HBV genetic diversity should be taken into consideration when devising public health interventions to control HBV infections in Tanzania.

Accurate Genetic Detection of Hepatitis C Virus Transmissions in Outbreak Settings.

Hepatitis C is a major public health problem in the United States and worldwide. Outbreaks of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are associated with unsafe injection practices, drug diversion, and other exposures to blood and are difficult to detect and investigate. Here, we developed and validated a simple approach for molecular detection of HCV transmissions in outbreak settings. We obtained sequences from the HCV hypervariable region 1 (HVR1), using end-point limiting-dilution (EPLD) technique, from 127 cases involved in 32 epidemiologically defined HCV outbreaks and 193 individuals with unrelated HCV strains. We compared several types of genetic distances and calculated a threshold, using minimal Hamming distances, that identifies transmission clusters in all tested outbreaks with 100% accuracy. The approach was also validated on sequences obtained using next-generation sequencing from HCV strains recovered from 239 individuals, and findings showed the same accuracy as that for EPLD. On average, the nucleotide diversity of the intrahost population was 6.2 times greater in the source case than in any incident case, allowing the correct detection of transmission direction in 8 outbreaks for which source cases were known. A simple and accurate distance-based approach developed here for detecting HCV transmissions streamlines molecular investigation of outbreaks, thus improving the public health capacity for rapid and effective control of hepatitis C.

Modeling the functional state of the reverse transcriptase of hepatitis B virus and its application to probing drug-protein interaction.

BACKGROUND: Herein, the predicted atomic structures of five representative sequence variants of the reverse transcriptase protein (RT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV), sampled from patients with rapid or slow response to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) treatment, have been examined to identify structural variations between them in order to assess structural and functional properties of HBV-RT variants associated with the differential responses to TDF treatment. RESULTS: We utilized a hybrid computational approach to model the atomistic structures of HBV-RT/DNA-RNA/dATP and HBV-RT/DNA-RNA/TFV-DP (tenofovir diphosphate) complexes with the native hybrid DNA-RNA substrate in place. Multi-nanosecond molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of HBV-RT/DNA-RNA/dATP complexes revealed strong coupling of the natural nucleotide substrate, dATP, to the active site of the RT, and the differential involvement of the two putative magnesium cations (Mg(2+)) at the active site, whereby one Mg(2+) directly bridges the interaction between dATP and HBV-RT and the other serves as a coordinator to maintain an optimal configuration of the active site. Solvated interaction energy (SIE) calculated in MD simulations of HBV-RT/DNA-RNA/TFV-DP complexes indicate no differential binding affinity between TFV-DP and HBV-RT variants identified in patients with slow or rapid response to TDF treatment. CONCLUSION: The predicted atomic structures accurately represent functional states of HBV-RT. The equivalent interaction between TFV-DP and each examined HBV-RT variants suggests that binding affinity of TFV-DP to HBV-RT is not associated with delayed viral clearance.

Hepatitis B Reverse Seroconversion and Transmission in a Hemodialysis Center: A Public Health Investigation and Case Report.

In March 2013, public health authorities were notified of a new hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in a patient receiving hemodialysis. We investigated to identify the source and prevent additional infections. We reviewed medical records, interviewed the index patient regarding hepatitis B risk factors, performed HBV molecular analysis, and observed infection control practices at the outpatient hemodialysis facility where she received care. The index patient's only identified hepatitis B risk factor was hemodialysis treatment. The facility had no other patients with known active HBV infection. One patient had evidence of a resolved HBV infection. Investigation of this individual, who was identified as the source patient, indicated that HBV reverse seroconversion and reactivation had occurred in the setting of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection and a failed kidney transplant. HBV whole genome sequences analysis from the index and source patients indicated 99.9% genetic homology. Facility observations revealed multiple infection control breaches. Inadequate dilution of the source patient's sample during HBV testing might have led to a false-negative result, delaying initiation of hemodialysis in isolation. In conclusion, HBV transmission occurred after an HIV-positive hemodialysis patient with transplant-related immunosuppression experienced HBV reverse seroconversion and reactivation. Providers should be aware of this possibility, especially among severely immunosuppressed patients, and maintain stringent infection control.

Hepatitis B virus infection among HIV-infected pregnant women in Malawi and transmission to infants.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The extent of HBV infection to infants of HBV/HIV-coinfected pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess prevalence of HBV infection among antiretroviral-naïve, HIV-infected pregnant women in Malawi and examine HBV transmission to their infants. METHODS: Plasma from 2048 HIV-infected, Malawian women and their infants were tested for markers of HBV infection. Study participants were provided standard-of-care health services, which included administration of pentavalent vaccine to infants at 6, 10, and 14 weeks of age. RESULTS: One-hundred and three women (5%) were HBsAg-positive; 70 of these HBsAg-positive women were also HBV-DNA-positive. Sixteen women (0.8%) were HBV-DNA-positive but HBsAg-negative. Five of 51 infants (9.8%) born to HBsAg-positive and/or HBV-DNA-positive women were HBV-DNA-positive by 48 weeks of age.HBV DNA concentrations of two infants of mothers who received extended lamivudine-containing anti-HIV prophylaxis were <4 log10 IU/ml compared to ⩾ 8 log10 IU/ml in three infants of mothers who did not. CONCLUSIONS: HBV DNA was detected in nearly 10% of infants born to HBV/HIV-coinfected women. Antenatal testing for HIV and HBV, if instituted, can facilitate implementation of prophylactic measures against infant infection by both viruses.

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.

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.

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.

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.