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Some children are more affected by specific family environments than others, as a function of differences in their genetic make-up. However, longitudinal studies of genetic moderation of parenting effects during early childhood have not been conducted. We examined developmental profiles of child behavior problems between 18 months and age 8 in a longitudinal parent–offspring sample of 361 adopted children. In toddlerhood (18 months), observed structured parenting indexed parental guidance in service of task goals. Biological parent psychopathology served as an index of genetic influences on children’s behavior problems. Four profiles of child behavior problems were identified: low stable (11%), average stable (50%), higher stable (29%), and high increasing (11%). A multinominal logistic regression analysis indicated a genetically moderated effect of structured parenting, such that for children whose biological mother had higher psychopathology, the odds of the child being in the low stable group increased as structured parenting increased. Conversely, for children whose biological mother had lower psychopathology, the odds of being in the low stable group was reduced when structured parenting increased. Results suggest that increasing structured parenting is an effective strategy for children at higher genetic risk for psychopathology, but may be detrimental for those at lower genetic risk.

Funder: Andrew and Virginia Rudd Family Foundation, Genetic studies show that children's reading achievement is in part genetically influenced, and intervention studies show that reading achievement can be increased by environmental interventions. However, correlational and mean-level analytic strategies are rarely integrated into achievement research, potentially leading to misinterpretation of results. The parent-offspring adoption design offers a novel opportunity to examine the independent and joint roles of genetic and rearing environmental contributions. The sample included 344 adopted children in first grade and their biological and adoptive parents. Results indicated that adoptees' reading scores were correlated with their biological parents' scores, but not with their adoptive parents' scores, suggesting genetic influences. In addition, examination of mean scores indicated that adoptees' scores were significantly greater than their biological parents' (p's < .001) for all subtests, suggesting promotive effects of the rearing environment. This pattern was present even when biological parents scored >1 standard deviation below the biological parent mean on achievement.

Purpose To explain and evaluate amendments to the rules of practice governing the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC’s) Administrative Proceedings that were adopted by the Commission on July 13, 2016. Design/methodology/approach Describes SEC’s increased pursuit of enforcement actions in APs, criticisms of the AP process, and corrective legislation. Describes the July 2016 amendments covering expansion of the prehearing period, allowance of depositions, timing for completion of document production in discovery phase, required disclosure of affirmative defenses, permitted dispositive motions, and admissibility of hearsay evidence. Assesses the practical impact of the amendments. Makes recommendations concerning advanced preparation for APs, depositions and witness-interview strategies, particular care concerning statements in Wells submission, availability of investigative record to defense counsel, admissibility of hearsay evidence, and defenses based on reliance on counsel. Findings The amended rules are a step in the right direction but do not fully correct the numerous and severe imbalances that exist in the Commission’s administrative enforcement process with respect to the availability of various discovery mechanisms, the timeline for trying a case, and more. Practical implications Every entity or individual that is involved in an SEC enforcement investigation, or that may become a respondent in an SEC Administrative Proceeding, should take certain practical steps such as those recommended in this article to minimize the structural disadvantages it will face and to maximize the benefits conferred by these latest amendments to the rules of practice. Originality/value Practical background and guidance from experienced enforcement, litigation, securities and financial services lawyers.

Background Studies involving clinically recruited samples show that genetic liability to schizophrenia overlaps with that for several psychiatric disorders including bipolar disorder, major depression and, in a population study, anxiety disorder and negative symptoms in adolescence. Aims We examined whether, at a population level, association between schizophrenia liability and anxiety disorders continues into adulthood, for specific anxiety disorders and as a group. We explored in an epidemiologically based cohort the nature of adult psychopathology sharing liability to schizophrenia. Method Schizophrenia polygenic risk scores (PRSs) were calculated for 590 European-descent individuals from the Christchurch Health and Development Study. Logistic regression was used to examine associations between schizophrenia PRS and four anxiety disorders (social phobia, specific phobia, panic disorder and generalised anxiety disorder), schizophrenia/schizophreniform disorder, manic/hypomanic episode, alcohol dependence, major depression, and – using linear regression – total number of anxiety disorders. A novel population-level association with hypomania was tested in a UK birth cohort (Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children). Results Schizophrenia PRS was associated with total number of anxiety disorders and with generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder. We show a novel population-level association between schizophrenia PRS and manic/hypomanic episode. Conclusions The relationship between schizophrenia liability and anxiety disorders is not restricted to psychopathology in adolescence but is present in adulthood and specifically linked to generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder. We suggest that the association between schizophrenia liability and hypomanic/manic episodes found in clinical samples may not be due to bias.

Background: \ud Studies involving clinically recruited samples show that genetic liability to schizophrenia overlaps with that for several psychiatric disorders including bipolar disorder, major depression and, in a population study, anxiety disorder and negative symptoms in adolescence.\ud \ud Aims: \ud We examined whether, at a population level, association between schizophrenia liability and anxiety disorders continues into adulthood, for specific anxiety disorders and as a group. We explored in an epidemiologically based cohort the nature of adult psychopathology sharing liability to schizophrenia.\ud \ud Method: \ud Schizophrenia polygenic risk scores (PRSs) were calculated for 590 European-descent individuals from the Christchurch Health and Development Study. Logistic regression was used to examine associations between schizophrenia PRS and four anxiety disorders (social phobia, specific phobia, panic disorder and generalised anxiety disorder), schizophrenia/schizophreniform disorder, manic/hypomanic episode, alcohol dependence, major depression, and – using linear regression – total number of anxiety disorders. A novel population-level association with hypomania was tested in a UK birth cohort (Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children).\ud \ud Results: \ud Schizophrenia PRS was associated with total number of anxiety disorders and with generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder. We show a novel population-level association between schizophrenia PRS and manic/hypomanic episode.\ud \ud Conclusions: \ud The relationship between schizophrenia liability and anxiety disorders is not restricted to psychopathology in adolescence but is present in adulthood and specifically linked to generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder. We suggest that the association between schizophrenia liability and hypomanic/manic episodes found in clinical samples may not be due to bias.\ud \ud Declarations of interest: \ud None.

This report provides a review of the evidence on discord between parents (interparental conflict) in the contexts of poverty and economic pressure, and the link to poor outcomes for children and adolescents across emotional, behavioural, social, academic and future relationship domains.

Importance: Early-onset major depressive disorder (MDD) is common in individuals at high familial risk of depression and is associated with poor long-term mental health, social, and educational outcomes.\ud \ud Objectives: To examine the developmental pathways that lead to first-episode adolescent-onset MDD (incident cases) in those at high familial risk and to postulate a theoretically informed model that enables simultaneous testing of different pathways to incident adolescent-onset MDD composed of contributions from familial/genetic and social risk factors, as well as effects via specific clinical antecedents.\ud \ud Design, Setting, and Participants: This investigation was a 4-year longitudinal study (April 2007 to March 2011) among offspring of depressed parents in the general community. Analyses were conducted between September 1, 2015, and May 27, 2016. Participants were 337 families in whom the index parent (315 mothers and 22 fathers) had experienced at least 2 episodes of MDD (recruited through primary care) and among whom there was a biologically related child in the age range of 9 to 17 years living with the index parent (197 girls and 140 boys with a mean [SD] age of 12.4 [2.0] years) at baseline. Offspring with MDD before the study or at baseline (n = 27), offspring with an episode of MDD that had remitted by follow-up (n = 4), and offspring with missing baseline MDD data (n = 2) were excluded. Ninety-two percent (279 of 304) of families completed the follow-up.\ud \ud Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was new-onset offspring MDD, and the secondary outcome was the total DSM-IV MDD symptom score.\ud \ud Results: On average, children and adolescents had a mean (SD) of 1.85 (1.74) (range, 0-8.5) DSM-IV symptoms of MDD at follow-up. Twenty (6 males and 14 females) had new-onset MDD, with a mean (SD) age at onset of 14.4 (2.0) years (range, 10-18 years). Irritability (β = 0.12, P = .03) and fear and/or anxiety (β = 0.38, P

This report provides findings from an evaluation of the AdOpt parenting programme and its effectiveness in improving parenting capabilities among participating parents.

Background Offspring of parents with a history of major depressive disorder (MDD) and especially those exposed to a current episode of parental depression have been found to be at increased risk for developing depression themselves. Exposure to a current parental depressive episode also reduces the efficacy of interventions in high risk or depressed adolescents. This highlights the need to identify protective factors for adolescents exposed to a current parental depressive episode. Executive functions serve as an important cognitive resource, involved in the ability to regulate mood and thoughts and cope with stressful events. This study examined the buffering role of two components of executive functioning, inhibitory control and mental flexibility, in the association between a current parental episode of MDD and adolescent depressive symptoms. Methods A high-risk sample of 288 adolescent offspring of parents with recurrent major depressive disorder completed an Affective Go/No Go and a Verbal Fluency task. Parents and adolescents underwent psychiatric interviews. Results In the presence of a current parental depressive episode in the parent, adolescents with better inhibitory control and mental flexibility had fewer depressive symptoms after controlling for age, gender and IQ. Limitations Participants were the offspring of depressed parents and it is not clear whether the protective effects of executive functioning observed here would generalise to other populations. Conclusions Executive functions may protect against adolescent depression in the presence of a parental depressive episode. It may be beneficial to target executive functions in preventive programs for individuals at high-risk for depression., Highlights • Do executive functions (EF) protect against depression in high-risk youth? • Participants were parents with recurrent MDD and their adolescent offspring. • Adolescents exposed to a current parental episode had more depressive symptoms. • High EF served as a buffer for adolescents exposed to a current parental episode. • Targeting EF in interventions for high risk groups may be beneficial.

Depression is common, especially in women of child-bearing age; prevalence estimates for this group range from 8% to 12%, and there is robust evidence that maternal depression is associated with mental health problems in offspring. Suicidal behaviour is a growing concern amongst young people and those exposed to maternal depression are likely to be especially at high risk. The aim of this study was to utilise a large, prospective population cohort to examine the relationship between depression symptom trajectories in mothers over the first eleven years of their child's life and subsequent adolescent suicidal ideation. An additional aim was to test if associations were explained by maternal suicide attempt and offspring depressive disorder. Data were utilised from a population-based birth cohort: the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Maternal depression symptoms were assessed repeatedly from pregnancy to child age 11 years. Offspring suicidal ideation was assessed at age 16 years. Using multiple imputation, data for 10,559 families were analysed. Using latent class growth analysis, five distinct classes of maternal depression symptoms were identified (minimal, mild, increasing, sub-threshold, chronic-severe). The prevalence of past-year suicidal ideation at age 16 years was 15% (95% CI: 14-17%). Compared to offspring of mothers with minimal symptoms, the greatest risk of suicidal ideation was found for offspring of mothers with chronic-severe symptoms [OR 3.04 (95% CI 2.19, 4.21)], with evidence for smaller increases in risk of suicidal ideation in offspring of mothers with sub-threshold, increasing and mild symptoms. These associations were not fully accounted for by maternal suicide attempt or offspring depression diagnosis. Twenty-six percent of non-depressed offspring of mothers with chronic-severe depression symptoms reported suicidal ideation. Risk for suicidal ideation should be considered in young people whose mothers have a history of sustained high levels of depression symptoms, even when the offspring themselves do not have a depression diagnosis.

The sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (Fabr.) is the main sugarcane pest in Brazil. In the State of São Paulo, the main active population control of D. saccharalis is by inundative releases of the exotic parasitoid, Cotesia flavipes (Cam.). However, the production of C. flavipes in sugar mills entails costs and few studies have evaluated the effects of native predators on sugarcane borer populations. Using a simple colony translocation method, we evaluated the effect of fire ants (Solenopsis spp.) on population densities of D. saccharalis and concurrently upon rates of parasitism by classical biological control agents in the São João sugar mill in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. The translocation technique proved to be feasible and economically possible. Sugarcane borers were sampled in each of the 5 areas for each treatment in two 1.4 x 5.0 m (7 m²) points (sample size), by opening and visually examining all canes. The average numbers and its respective standard deviations (SD) for D. saccharalis population densities before and after colony translocations considering 0, 5, 10 and 15 colonies added per 0.5 ha were, 9.2 ± 5.9, 8.4 ± 3.4, 9.0 ± 6.9, 9.4 ± 8.1 and 3.2 ± 1.8, 2.8 ± 2.7, 2.6 ± 1.5, 3.8 ± 2.8, respectively. However, we detected no significant changes in sugarcane borer densities with respect to ant colony densities over a two-week period, none of which were greater than for no colony additions. No effects of colony translocations on parasitism rates of braconid and tachinid parasitoids on D. saccharalis were detected. Thus, although the translocation technique was economically feasible, no reductions of D. saccharalis densities were produced by colony additions, and may not be a viable alternative for D. saccharalis population reduction, especially at the low population levels which prevail in Brazil.A broca da cana-de-açúcar, Diatraea saccharalis (Fabr.) é a principal praga da cana-de-açúcar no Brasil. No Estado de São Paulo, o principal meio de controle desta praga é por meio de liberações constantes do parasitóide exótico Cotesia flavipes (Cam.). De qualquer forma, a produção de tais parasitóides nas usinas de cana-de-açúcar acarreta custos e poucos estudos tem avaliado os efeitos de predadores nativos nas populações da broca da cana-de-açúcar. Usando-se um método simples de coleta e liberação de colônias, avaliou-se o efeito de formigas Solenopsis spp. nas densidades das populações de D. saccharalis, bem como seu efeito na taxa de parasitismo imposta por agentes de controle biológico clássico. O estudo foi conduzido nos canaviais da Usina São João, município de Araras-SP. Esta metodologia mostrou ser apropriada e economicamente viável. Lagartas de D. saccharalis foram amostradas em cada uma das cinco áreas de cada tratamento em dois pontos de 1.4 x 5.0 m (7 m²) (tamanho amostral), através da abertura e observação de todas as plantas ali existentes. Os números médios e os respectivos desvios padrão para as densidades populacionais de D. saccharalis, antes e após a adição de 0, 5, 10 e 15 colônias por 0.5 ha, foram, 9,2 ± 5,9; 8,4 ± 3,4; 9,0 ± 6,9; 9,4 ± 8,1 e 3,2 ± 1,8; 2,8 ± 2,7; 2,6 ± 1,5; 3,8 ± 2,8; respectivamente. De qualquer forma, durante um período de duas semanas, nenhuma mudança significativa nas densidades de D. saccharalis foi detectada, as quais não diferiram das áreas onde não houve liberação de colônias. Nenhum efeito, devido à adição das colônias, nas taxas de parasitismo impostas pelos braconídeos e taquinídeos foi detectada. Portanto, embora esta metodologia foi economicamente viável, nenhuma redução nas densidades de D. saccharalis foi evidenciada devido à adição das colônias, não sendo uma alternativa viável para a redução das densidades populacionais de D. saccharalis.

Youth depression is a significant and growing international public health problem. Youth who engage in high levels of delinquency are at particularly high risk for developing problems with depression. The present study examined the impact of a behavioral intervention designed to reduce delinquency (Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care; MTFC) compared to a group care intervention (GC; i.e., services as usual) on trajectories of depressive symptoms among adolescent girls in the juvenile justice system. MTFC has documented effects on preventing girls' recidivism, but its effects on preventing the normative rise in girls' depressive symptoms across adolescence have not been examined. This indicated prevention sample included 166 girls (13–17 years at T1) who had at least one criminal referral in the past 12 months and who were mandated to out-of-home care; girls were randomized to MTFC or GC. Intent-to-treat analyses examined the main effects of MTFC on depression symptoms and clinical cut-offs, and whether benefits were greatest for girls most at risk. Depressive symptom trajectories were specified in hierarchical linear growth models over a two year period using five waves of data at six month intervals. Depression clinical cut-off scores were specified as nonlinear probability growth models. Results showed significantly greater rates of deceleration for girls in MTFC versus GC for depressive symptoms and for clinical cut-off scores. The MTFC intervention also showed greater benefits for girls with higher levels of initial depressive symptoms. Possible mechanisms of effect are discussed, given MTFC's effectiveness on targeted and nontargeted outcomes.

Departamento de Biologia Geral Inst. de Cie. Biologicas Universidade Federal de Goias, C.P. 131, 74.001-970, Goiânia, GO

Teen pregnancy is associated with a host of deleterious outcomes for girls such as drug use and poor parenting. Thus, reducing teen pregnancy rates could improve long-term developmental outcomes for girls, improving adjustment during young adulthood. Based on the positive effects of Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care (MTFC) relative to group care (GC) in a study of adolescent girls—significantly fewer pregnancies reported in the 2-year follow-up for MTFC girls—the present study followed this sample into young adulthood (approximately 7 years postbaseline) to examine the effects of adolescent pregnancy on young adult substance use and pregnancy-related outcomes. All participants were randomly assigned to MTFC (n = 81) or GC (n = 85) as adolescents as part of two RCTs. Results from logistic regression analyses indicated that becoming pregnant during the 2-year follow-up was significantly related to illicit drug use, miscarriage from a new pregnancy, and child welfare involvement at 7 years postbaseline. In addition, baseline marijuana use predicted marijuana use at 7 years postbaseline.

Child hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) activity was investigated as a moderator of parental depressive symptom effects on child behavior in an adoption sample (n = 210 families). Adoptive parents' depressive symptoms and child internalizing and externalizing were assessed at 18, 27, and 54 months, and child morning and evening HPA activity measured through salivary cortisol at 54 months. Children's daily cortisol levels and day-to-day variability were tested as moderators of longitudinal associations between parent and child symptoms at within- and between-family levels. Mothers' symptoms related directly to child internalizing, but child evening cortisol moderated effects of fathers' symptoms on internalizing, and of both parents' symptoms on externalizing. Different paths of within-family risk dynamics versus between-family risk synergy were found for internalizing versus externalizing outcomes.

An increasing number of children are placed in foster care (i.e., a kin or nonkin family home other than the biological parent) due to experiences of physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological abuse, and/or neglect. Children in foster care are at increased risk for a host of negative outcomes encompassing emotional, behavioral, neurobiological, and social realms.Areas of risk and vulnerability among foster children are described, including emotional and behavioral deficits, impaired neurobiological development, and social relationship deficits. Evidence suggesting the significance of family placement changes and prenatal exposure to substances as contributing mechanisms is presented. Based on a systematic search of the PsycINFO database (to March 2012), eight efficacious evidence-based interventions for foster families are summarized.Although the development of evidence-based interventions that improve outcomes for foster children has lagged behind the delivery of interventions in other service sectors (e.g., mental health and educational sectors), several interventions across childhood and adolescence offer promise. Service system constraints offer both challenges and opportunities for more routine implementation of evidence-based interventions.Given the increased likelihood of poor outcomes for foster children, increased efforts to understand the pathways to vulnerability and to implement interventions shown to be effective in remediating risks and improving outcomes for this population are indicated. Evaluation of efficacious interventions in countries outside of the United States is also needed.

This study examined the longitudinal association between marital instability and child sleep problems at ages 9 and 18 months in 357 families with a genetically unrelated infant adopted at birth. This design eliminates shared genes as an explanation for similarities between parent and child. Structural equation modeling indicated that T1 marital instability predicted T2 child sleep problems, but T1 child sleep problems did not predict T2 marital instability. This pattern of results was replicated when models were estimated separately for mothers and children and for fathers and children. Thus, even after controlling for stability in sleep problems and marital instability and eliminating shared genetic influences on associations using a longitudinal adoption design, marital instability prospectively predicts early childhood sleep patterns.

The current longitudinal study examined trajectories of child negative emotionality, parenting efficacy, and overreactive parenting among 382 adoptive families during infancy and toddlerhood. Data were collected from adoptive parents when the children were 9, 18, and 27 months old. Latent growth curve modeling indicated age-related increases in child negative emotionality and overreactive parenting for adoptive fathers and adoptive mothers, and decreases in parent efficacy among adoptive mothers. Increases in child negative emotionality were also associated with increases in parent overreactivity and decreases in maternal efficacy. Mothers' and fathers' developmental patterns were linked within but not across parenting domains. Limitations and directions for future research are discussed.

Click on the link to view the letter. Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health 2010, 22(1): 63–65

Drilling Rigs that lead the industry in performance and safety is what drilling owner/operators strive to have because these rigs will work in many different markets. The Precision Drilling Super Single Rig will be evaluated as a case study using data from wells drilled on performance and safety. As of November 2009 Precision Drilling has 53 Super Single Rigs in 5 different models (38 Slant, 6 Light, 5 Electric, 3 Stretch, and 1 Mobile) and has drilled over 16,750 wells. Precision Drilling keeps detailed history records of its own rigs. The Super Single Rig data will be compared to industry. Individual well cases will be examined where it is known that a conventional rig and Super Single completed similar wells in a similar location.

The sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (Fabr.) is the main sugarcane pest in Brazil. In the State of São Paulo, the main active population control of D. saccharalis is by inundative releases of the exotic parasitoid, Cotesia flavipes (Cam.). However, the production of C. flavipes in sugar mills entails costs and few studies have evaluated the effects of native predators on sugarcane borer populations. Using a simple colony translocation method, we evaluated the effect of fire ants (Solenopsis spp.) on population densities of D. saccharalis and concurrently upon rates of parasitism by classical biological control agents in the São João sugar mill in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. The translocation technique proved to be feasible and economically possible. Sugarcane borers were sampled in each of the 5 areas for each treatment in two 1.4 x 5.0 m (7 m²) points (sample size), by opening and visually examining all canes. The average numbers and its respective standard deviations (SD) for D. saccharalis population densities before and after colony translocations considering 0, 5, 10 and 15 colonies added per 0.5 ha were, 9.2 ± 5.9, 8.4 ± 3.4, 9.0 ± 6.9, 9.4 ± 8.1 and 3.2 ± 1.8, 2.8 ± 2.7, 2.6 ± 1.5, 3.8 ± 2.8, respectively. However, we detected no significant changes in sugarcane borer densities with respect to ant colony densities over a two-week period, none of which were greater than for no colony additions. No effects of colony translocations on parasitism rates of braconid and tachinid parasitoids on D. saccharalis were detected. Thus, although the translocation technique was economically feasible, no reductions of D. saccharalis densities were produced by colony additions, and may not be a viable alternative for D. saccharalis population reduction, especially at the low population levels which prevail in Brazil. A broca da cana-de-açúcar, Diatraea saccharalis (Fabr.) é a principal praga da cana-de-açúcar no Brasil. No Estado de São Paulo, o principal meio de controle desta praga é por meio de liberações constantes do parasitóide exótico Cotesia flavipes (Cam.). De qualquer forma, a produção de tais parasitóides nas usinas de cana-de-açúcar acarreta custos e poucos estudos tem avaliado os efeitos de predadores nativos nas populações da broca da cana-de-açúcar. Usando-se um método simples de coleta e liberação de colônias, avaliou-se o efeito de formigas Solenopsis spp. nas densidades das populações de D. saccharalis, bem como seu efeito na taxa de parasitismo imposta por agentes de controle biológico clássico. O estudo foi conduzido nos canaviais da Usina São João, município de Araras-SP. Esta metodologia mostrou ser apropriada e economicamente viável. Lagartas de D. saccharalis foram amostradas em cada uma das cinco áreas de cada tratamento em dois pontos de 1.4 x 5.0 m (7 m²) (tamanho amostral), através da abertura e observação de todas as plantas ali existentes. Os números médios e os respectivos desvios padrão para as densidades populacionais de D. saccharalis, antes e após a adição de 0, 5, 10 e 15 colônias por 0.5 ha, foram, 9,2 ± 5,9; 8,4 ± 3,4; 9,0 ± 6,9; 9,4 ± 8,1 e 3,2 ± 1,8; 2,8 ± 2,7; 2,6 ± 1,5; 3,8 ± 2,8; respectivamente. De qualquer forma, durante um período de duas semanas, nenhuma mudança significativa nas densidades de D. saccharalis foi detectada, as quais não diferiram das áreas onde não houve liberação de colônias. Nenhum efeito, devido à adição das colônias, nas taxas de parasitismo impostas pelos braconídeos e taquinídeos foi detectada. Portanto, embora esta metodologia foi economicamente viável, nenhuma redução nas densidades de D. saccharalis foi evidenciada devido à adição das colônias, não sendo uma alternativa viável para a redução das densidades populacionais de D. saccharalis.

Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-27T11:19:55Z No. of bitstreams: 0 Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-27T11:19:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2000-06-01 A taxonomic survey on fungus-growing ants (Attini) was made at 14 beaches on Santa Catarina Island (SC), Brazil. The samplings were manual, in soil or litterfall, in the following habitats: sandy beach, herbaceous vegetation and shrubby vegetation. From 12 species of Attini (ten of Acromyrmex Mayr and two of Cyphomyrmex Mayr), the most frequent were Cyphomyrmex morschi Emery and Acromyrmex crassispinus Forel, collected, respectively, on eight and ten of the monitored beaches. Altogether, Sorensen's similarity coefficients were high (range: 0.59-0.80), in spite of the lower numbers of ant species on sandy beaches. Departamento de Ecologia e Zoologia Ctro. de Cie. Biológicas Univ. Federal de Santa Catarina, C.P. 476, Florianopolis, SC, CEP 88010-970 Departamento de Ecologia Instituto de Biociências UNESP, Rio Claro, SP, CEP 13506-900 Departamento de Ecologia Instituto de Biociências UNESP, Rio Claro, SP, CEP 13506-900

A reanalysis of published data on yeasts associated with the symbiotic fungal gardens of Atta sexdens rubropilosa and Atta laevigata did not indicate that these were a structured assortment. Although two yeasts were specific to A. laevigata, six were for A. sexdens rubropilosa. Yeast assemblages could not be fit to assembly rules of community ecology, and combinations of coexisting species are therefore difficult to attribute to any known ecological function, and thus are unlikely to be regulated by the fungus or the ants. Uma análise dos dados publicados de leveduras associadas com o fungo simbiótico de Atta sexdens rubropilosa e Atta laevigata não revelou um conjunto estruturado. As comunidades de leveduras não correspondem às regras de assembléia de ecologia de comunidades. As combinações de espécies coexistentes dificilmente podem ser separadas ecologicamente, e por isso, provavelmente não são reguladas pelo fungo ou pelas formigas.

We report a spectrum of defects that were found in an 18-year-old girl who presented for investigation of primary amenorrhea. The patient was found to have Duane anomaly, left renal agenesis, absent uterus, bilateral sensorineural deafness, and bilateral preauricular skin tags and sinuses. Investigation of her family showed that her brother also had Duane anomaly, right renal agenesis, sensorineural deafness, and preauricular skin tags and that their father had preauricular skin tags. Cytogenetic analysis, including in situ hybridisation of peripheral blood lymphocytes, demonstrated a supernumerary bisatellited marker chromosome derived from the region of chromosome 22pter-q11 in the affected individuals. Our findings indicate that a gene or genes located in the region of chromosome 22pter-q11 may be associated with the Duane anomaly and the development of the urogenital tract.

Summary. 1 The external and internal features of the head of Ligia oceanica are described, and a terminology proposed for them and for similar structures in all terrestrial Isopods. 2 The 1st thoracic somite is shown to be distinctly demarcated from the head in this genus. 3 The “maxillosternal” framework and the endophragmal skeleton is described and its morphology discussed. 4 The mechanism and structure of the appendages of the head is described and compared with that of other Isopods. 5 The musculature of the head is described and its bearing on the form of the head and mechanism of the appendages is discussed.

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