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The evaporation rate of disinfestants when sprayed on production surfaces is expected to vary under different weather conditions, but it is unknown how that affects efficacy. This study was an initial investigation into how the evaporation rates of water and six commercial disinfestants vary under eight weather condition categories. Additionally, an empirical model was developed on the evaporation rate of water in response to air temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, vapor pressure deficit, and wind speed under the same eight weather condition categories. Isopropyl alcohol lost more weight due to evaporation over 4 h (P < 0.0001) than all other disinfestant solutions, and no differences (P = 0.05) existed between the other five disinfestant solutions and water. Isopropyl alcohol had a mean percentage weight loss of 71% under hot and sunny conditions, 43% under cool and cloudy conditions, and 6% under indoor laboratory conditions. Water, hypochlorite, quaternary ammonium, and peroxy disinfestant solutions evaporated at a similar rate over 4 h, with an approximate mean percentage weight loss of 17% under hot and sunny conditions, 6% under cool and cloudy conditions, and 1% under indoor laboratory conditions. The regression model that best explained the influence of weather on evaporation included the variables solar radiation, temperature, and wind speed (P < 0.0001, R2 = 0.5603). This information will be used further to model the evaporative rate of disinfestants under the same range of weather conditions when applied to multiple types of substrate materials that represent common horticultural plant production surfaces. [Figure: see text] The author(s) have dedicated the work to the public domain under the Creative Commons CC0 “No Rights Reserved” license by waiving all of his or her rights to the work worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law, 2024.

Abstract Genetic rescue—an increase in population fitness following the introduction of new alleles—has been proven to ameliorate inbreeding depression in small, isolated populations, yet is rarely applied as a conservation tool. A lingering question regarding genetic rescue in wildlife conservation is how long beneficial effects persist in admixed populations. Using data collected over 40 years from 1192 endangered Florida panthers (Puma concolor coryi) across nine generations, we show that the experimental genetic rescue implemented in 1995—via the release of eight female pumas from Texas—alleviated morphological, genetic, and demographic correlates of inbreeding depression, subsequently preventing extirpation of the population. We present unequivocal evidence, for the first time in any terrestrial vertebrate, that genetic and phenotypic benefits of genetic rescue remain in this population after five generations of admixture, which helped increase panther abundance (> fivefold) and genetic effective population size (> 20-fold). Additionally, even with extensive admixture, microsatellite allele frequencies in the population continue to support the distinctness of Florida panthers from other North American puma populations, including Texas. Although threats including habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and infectious diseases are challenges to many imperiled populations, our results suggest genetic rescue can serve as an effective, multi-generational tool for conservation of small, isolated populations facing extinction from inbreeding.

Abstract Background Soft tissue sarcomas (STS), have significant inter- and intra-tumoral heterogeneity, with poor response to standard neoadjuvant radiotherapy (RT). Achieving a favorable pathologic response (FPR ≥ 95%) from RT is associated with improved patient outcome. Genomic adjusted radiation dose (GARD), a radiation-specific metric that quantifies the expected RT treatment effect as a function of tumor dose and genomics, proposed that STS is significantly underdosed. STS have significant radiomic heterogeneity, where radiomic habitats can delineate regions of intra-tumoral hypoxia and radioresistance. We designed a novel clinical trial, Habitat Escalated Adaptive Therapy (HEAT), utilizing radiomic habitats to identify areas of radioresistance within the tumor and targeting them with GARD-optimized doses, to improve FPR in high-grade STS. Methods Phase 2 non-randomized single-arm clinical trial includes non-metastatic, resectable high-grade STS patients. Pre-treatment multiparametric MRIs (mpMRI) delineate three distinct intra-tumoral habitats based on apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) sequences. GARD estimates that simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) doses of 70 and 60 Gy in 25 fractions to the highest and intermediate radioresistant habitats, while the remaining volume receives standard 50 Gy, would lead to a > 3 fold FPR increase to 24%. Pre-treatment CT guided biopsies of each habitat along with clip placement will be performed for pathologic evaluation, future genomic studies, and response assessment. An mpMRI taken between weeks two and three of treatment will be used for biological plan adaptation to account for tumor response, in addition to an mpMRI after the completion of radiotherapy in addition to pathologic response, toxicity, radiomic response, disease control, and survival will be evaluated as secondary endpoints. Furthermore, liquid biopsy will be performed with mpMRI for future ancillary studies. Discussion This is the first clinical trial to test a novel genomic-based RT dose optimization (GARD) and to utilize radiomic habitats to identify and target radioresistance regions, as a strategy to improve the outcome of RT-treated STS patients. Its success could usher in a new phase in radiation oncology, integrating genomic and radiomic insights into clinical practice and trial designs, and may reveal new radiomic and genomic biomarkers, refining personalized treatment strategies for STS. Trial registration NCT05301283. Trial status The trial started recruitment on March 17, 2022.

Prescribed burning is a cost-effective method for reducing hazardous fuels in pine- and oak-dominated forests, but smoke emissions contribute to atmospheric pollutant loads, and the potential exists for exceeding federal air quality standards designed to protect human health. Fire behavior during prescribed burns influences above-canopy sensible heat flux and turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) in buoyant plumes, affecting the lofting and dispersion of smoke. A more comprehensive understanding of how enhanced energy fluxes and turbulence are related during the passage of flame fronts could improve efforts to mitigate the impacts of smoke emissions. Pre- and post-fire fuel loading measurements taken during 48 operational prescribed burns were used to estimate the combustion completeness factors (CC) and emissions of fine particulates (PM2.5), carbon dioxide (CO2), and carbon monoxide (CO) in pine- and oak-dominated stands in the Pinelands National Reserve of southern New Jersey. During 11 of the prescribed burns, sensible heat flux and turbulence statistics were measured by tower networks above the forest canopy. Fire behavior when fire fronts passed the towers ranged from low-intensity backing fires to high-intensity head fires with some crown torching. Consumption of forest-floor and understory vegetation was a near-linear function of pre-burn loading, and combustion of fine litter on the forest floor was the predominant source of emissions, even during head fires with some crowning activity. Tower measurements indicated that above-canopy sensible heat flux and TKE calculated at 1 min intervals during the passage of fire fronts were strongly influenced by fire behavior. Low-intensity backing fires, regardless of forest type, had weaker enhancement of above-canopy air temperature, vertical and horizontal wind velocities, sensible heat fluxes, and TKE compared to higher-intensity head and flanking fires. Sensible heat flux and TKE in buoyant plumes were unrelated during low-intensity burns but more tightly coupled during higher-intensity burns. The weak coupling during low-intensity backing fires resulted in reduced rates of smoke transport and dispersion, and likely in more prolonged periods of elevated surface concentrations. This research facilitates more accurate estimates of PM2.5, CO, and CO2 emissions from prescribed burns in the Pinelands, and it provides a better understanding of the relationships among fire behavior, sensible heat fluxes and turbulence, and smoke dispersion in pine- and oak-dominated forests.

ABSTRACT The emergence of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria underscores the need to define genetic vulnerabilities that can be therapeutically exploited. The Gram-negative pathogen, Acinetobacter baumannii, is considered an urgent threat due to its propensity to evade antibiotic treatments. Essential cellular processes are the target of existing antibiotics and a likely source of new vulnerabilities. Although A. baumannii essential genes have been identified by transposon sequencing, they have not been prioritized by sensitivity to knockdown or antibiotics. Here, we take a systems biology approach to comprehensively characterize A. baumannii essential genes using CRISPR interference (CRISPRi). We show that certain essential genes and pathways are acutely sensitive to knockdown, providing a set of vulnerable targets for future therapeutic investigation. Screening our CRISPRi library against last-resort antibiotics uncovered genes and pathways that modulate beta-lactam sensitivity, an unexpected link between NADH dehydrogenase activity and growth inhibition by polymyxins, and anticorrelated phenotypes that may explain synergy between polymyxins and rifamycins. Our study demonstrates the power of systematic genetic approaches to identify vulnerabilities in Gram-negative pathogens and uncovers antibiotic-essential gene interactions that better inform combination therapies.IMPORTANCEAcinetobacter baumannii is a hospital-acquired pathogen that is resistant to many common antibiotic treatments. To combat resistant A. baumannii infections, we need to identify promising therapeutic targets and effective antibiotic combinations. In this study, we comprehensively characterize the genes and pathways that are critical for A. baumannii viability. We show that genes involved in aerobic metabolism are central to A. baumannii physiology and may represent appealing drug targets. We also find antibiotic-gene interactions that may impact the efficacy of carbapenems, rifamycins, and polymyxins, providing a new window into how these antibiotics function in mono- and combination therapies. Our studies offer a useful approach for characterizing interactions between drugs and essential genes in pathogens to inform future therapies.

Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia continues to be associated with significant morbidity and mortality, despite improvements in diagnostics and management. Persistent infections pose a major challenge to clinicians and have been consistently shown to increase the risk of mortality and other infectious complications. S. aureus, while typically not considered an intracellular pathogen, has been proven to utilize an intracellular niche, through several phenotypes including small colony variants, as a means for survival that has been linked to chronic, persistent, and recurrent infections. This intracellular persistence allows for protection from the host immune system and leads to reduced antibiotic efficacy through a variety of mechanisms. These include antimicrobial resistance, tolerance, and/or persistence in S. aureus that contribute to persistent bacteremia. This review will discuss the challenges associated with treating these complicated infections and the various methods that S. aureus uses to persist within the intracellular space.

Abstract Background Spot-check hemoglobin co-oximetry analyzers measure hemoglobin transcutaneously and offer the benefit of a hemoglobin measurement without phlebotomy. The objective of this study was to determine the validity of non-invasive spot-check hemoglobin co-oximetry testing for the detection of postpartum anemia (hemoglobin

Abstract The global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) varies regionally. This study explores whether geospatial analysis and data visualization methods detect both clinically and statistically significant variations in antibiotic susceptibility rates at a neighborhood level. This observational multicenter geospatial study collected 10 years of patient-level antibiotic susceptibility data and patient addresses from three regionally distinct Wisconsin health systems (UW Health, Fort HealthCare, Marshfield Clinic Health System [MCHS]). We included the initial Escherichia coli isolate per patient per year per sample source with a patient address in Wisconsin (N = 100,176). Isolates from U.S. Census Block Groups with less than 30 isolates were excluded (n = 13,709), resulting in 86,467 E. coli isolates. The primary study outcomes were the results of Moran’s I spatial autocorrelation analyses to quantify antibiotic susceptibility as spatially dispersed, randomly distributed, or clustered by a range of − 1 to + 1, and the detection of statistically significant local hot (high susceptibility) and cold spots (low susceptibility) for variations in antibiotic susceptibility by U.S. Census Block Group. UW Health isolates collected represented greater isolate geographic density (n = 36,279 E. coli, 389 = blocks, 2009–2018), compared to Fort HealthCare (n = 5110 isolates, 48 = blocks, 2012–2018) and MCHS (45,078 isolates, 480 blocks, 2009–2018). Choropleth maps enabled a spatial AMR data visualization. A positive spatially-clustered pattern was identified from the UW Health data for ciprofloxacin (Moran’s I = 0.096, p = 0.005) and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole susceptibility (Moran’s I = 0.180, p

BackgroundTarget organ toxicity is often a reason for attritions in nonclinical and clinical drug development. Leveraging emerging safety biomarkers in nonclinical studies provides an opportunity to monitor such toxicities early and efficiently, potentially translating to early clinical trials. As a part of the European Union’s Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI), two projects have focused on evaluating safety biomarkers of nervous system (NS) toxicity: Translational Safety Biomarker Pipeline (TransBioLine) and Neurotoxicity De-Risking in Preclinical Drug Discovery (NeuroDeRisk).MethodsPerformance of fluid-based NS injury biomarker candidates neurofilament light chain (NF-L), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), neuron specific enolase (NSE) and total Tau in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was evaluated in 15 rat in vivo studies. Model nervous system toxicants as well as other compounds were used to evaluate sensitivity and specificity. Histopathologic assessments of nervous tissues and behavioral observations were conducted to detect and characterize NS injuries. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to compare the relative performance of the biomarkers in their ability to detect NS injury.ResultsNF-L was the best performer in detecting both peripheral nervous system (PNS) and CNS injury in plasma, (AUC of 0.97–0.99; respectively). In CSF, Tau correlated the best with CNS (AUC 0.97), but not PNS injury. NSE and GFAP were suitable for monitoring CNS injury, but with lesser sensitivity. In summary, NF-L is a sensitive and specific biomarker in rats for detecting compound-induced central and peripheral NS injuries. While NF-L measurement alone cannot inform the site of the injury, addition of biomarkers like Tau and NSE and analysis in both blood and CSF can provide additional information about the origin of the NS injury.ConclusionThese results demonstrate the utility of emerging safety biomarkers of drug-induced NS injury in rats and provide additional supporting evidence for biomarker translation across species and potential use in clinical settings to monitor drug-induced NS injury in patients.

IntroductionA quantitative review was performed on the effectiveness of peroxygen products that contain hydrogen peroxide (HP), peracetic acid (PAA) and potassium peroxy-monosulfate (PPMS) to eliminate non-fungal plant pathogens in agricultural and horticultural cropping systems.MethodsThis quantitative analysis is a complementary follow-up to a previous study on efficacy of peroxygen against fungal plant pathogens. The meta-analysis evaluated the biocidal activity of peroxygen intervention treatments against 15 different non-fungal plant pathogens in 81 studies compared to independent non-treated controls that were conducted over the last 30 years.ResultsThe overall summary effect size was a Hedges’ g (g¯+) of 1.98 for the random effects model, which indicates that peroxgen treatments caused a moderate to high reduction in viable propagules or disease progression in most cases. The range in efficacy was defined by the 95% prediction intervals (-0.82 to 4.80) and indicated peroxygen applications would range from ineffective to very highly effective in 95% of similar populations. Peroxygen compounds provided similar control (P = 0.5655) against bacteria, oomycetes and viruses, while being more effective against zygomycetes (P = 0.0001) than other organism types. Differences were observed between peroxygen active ingredients (a.i.) (P = 0.0203), where PPMS was more effective than HP + PAA. Differences were also observed when peroxygen compounds were applied on different target materials (P = 0.0004). Peroxygen compounds were moderately effective against non-fungal plant pathogens when applied in solution and on metal surfaces but ineffective when applied on plants under crop production conditions. Differences between target materials explained 50% of the true variances in a meta-regression model with the length of time peroxygens were in contact with target materials (P = 0.0416).DiscussionThese results show that although the current recommended dose and contact time for commercial peroxygen products are expected to result in pathogen inactivation, their efficacy will likely be influenced by the organism and material being treated. This analysis serves as a base reference for considering efficacy performance of peroxygen compounds against non-fungal plant pathogens.

Identifying compounds that are neurotoxic either toward the central or the peripheral nervous systems (CNS or PNS) would greatly benefit early stages of drug development by derisking liabilities and selecting safe compounds. Unfortunately, so far assays mostly rely on histopathology findings often identified after repeated-dose toxicity studies in animals. The European NeuroDeRisk project aimed to provide comprehensive tools to identify compounds likely inducing neurotoxicity. As part of this project, the present work aimed to identify diagnostic non-invasive biomarkers of PNS toxicity in mice. We used two neurotoxic drugs in vivo to correlate functional, histopathological and biological findings. CD1 male mice received repeated injections of oxaliplatin or paclitaxel followed by an assessment of drug exposure in CNS/PNS tissues. Functional signs of PNS toxicity were assessed using electronic von Frey and cold paw immersion tests (oxaliplatin), and functional observational battery, rotarod and cold plate tests (paclitaxel). Plasma concentrations of neurofilament light chain (NF-L) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) were measured, and histopathological evaluations were performed on a comprehensive list of CNS and PNS tissues. Functional PNS toxicity was observed only in oxaliplatin-treated mice. Histopathological findings were observed dose-dependently only in paclitaxel groups. While no changes of VEGF-A concentrations was recorded, NF-L concentrations were increased only in paclitaxel-treated animals as early as 7 days after the onset of drug administration. These results show that plasma NF-L changes correlated with microscopic changes in the PNS, thus strongly suggesting that NF-L could be a sensitive and specific biomarker of PNS toxicity in mice.

This paper investigates the controller synthesis problem for a multi-agent system (MAS) with intermittent communication. We adopt a relay-explorer scheme, where a mobile relay agent with absolute position sensors switches among a set of explorers with relative position sensors to provide intermittent state information. We model the MAS as a switched system where the explorers’ dynamics can be either fully-actuated or under-actuated. The objective of the explorers is to reach approximate consensus to a predetermined goal region. To guarantee the uniform boundedness of the state estimation errors and the approximate consensus of the explorers, we derive maximum dwell-time conditions to constrain the length of time each explorer goes without state feedback (from the relay agent). Furthermore, the relay agent needs to satisfy practical constraints such as charging its battery and staying in specific regions of interest. Both the maximum dwell-time conditions and these practical constraints can be expressed by metric temporal logic (MTL) specifications. We iteratively compute the optimal control inputs for the relay agent to satisfy the MTL specifications, while guaranteeing the uniform boundedness of the state estimation errors and approximate consensus of the explorers. We implement the proposed method on a case study with the CoppeliaSim robot simulator.

Quantum magnets are a promising platform to aid in the search for a Bose-Einstein condensate and investigations into the underlying mechanisms of these materials are an active area of research. Here, the authors present a numerical study of the two-dimensional Kondo necklace model and consider the various phases which can occur under an applied magnetic field suggesting field-induced condensate phases may exist for the quantum magnet Ba2NiO2(AgSe)2.

In American schools, conversations about violence prioritize direct violence, while indirect violence is virtually ignored. This current emphasis overlooks the structural violence deeply embedded in America’s social, political, and economic institutions, which were intentionally designed to exclude, and position some groups to experience disproportionate levels of poverty, exploitation, and persecution. To understand the mechanisms of structural violence, the concepts of structural violence and total institutions, the tenets of Disability Critical Race Theory can be used as an analytical lens. This retrospective comparative case study does so by exploring similarities in the lived experiences of Black, Emotionally Disturbed males across metropolitan special education, juvenile justice, and medical systems. The findings demonstrate a “convergence of violence” in America’s juvenile justice, medical, and special education systems, collectively pushing K–12-aged participants into carceral sites, denying them voice and choice, and providing them with performative healthcare. Our study recommends that institutions designed to serve K–12-aged learners use cross-sector collaborations to meet holistic learner needs and mitigate pressures to engage in direct violence. Specifically, we offer the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model as a national approach to increase access to healthcare providers, social services, and mental health services, as well as engaging community stakeholders critical to understanding the cultural context of learners’ lived experiences.

Hybrid exoskeletons, which combine functional electrical stimulation (FES) with a motorized testbed, can potentially improve the rehabilitation of people with movement disorders. However, hybrid exoskeletons have inherently nonlinear and uncertain dynamics, including combinations of discrete modes that switch between different continuous dynamic subsystems, which complicate closed-loop control. A particular complication is the uncertain muscle control effectiveness associated with FES. In this work, adaptive integral concurrent learning (ICL) motor and FES controllers are developed for a hybrid biceps curl exoskeleton, which are designed to achieve opportunistic and data-based learning of the uncertain human and electromechanical testbed parameters. Global exponential trajectory tracking and parameter estimation errors are proven through a Lyapunov-based stability analysis. The motor effectiveness is assumed to be unknown, and, to help with fatigue reduction, FES is enabled to switch between multiple electrodes on the biceps brachii, further complicating the analysis. A consequence of switching between the different uncertain subsystems is that the parameters must be opportunistically learned for each subsystem (i.e. each electrode and the motor), while that subsystem is active. Experiments were performed to validate the developed ICL controllers on twelve healthy participants. The average (± standard deviation) position tracking errors across each participant were 1.44 ± 5.32 deg, −0.25 ± 2.85 deg, and −0.17 ± 2.66 deg across biceps Curls 1-3, 4-7, and 8-10, respectively, where the average across the entire experiment was 0.28 ± 3.53 deg.

Topological superconducting systems are expected to exhibit a range of exotic physics which are particularly useful for application in quantum computing technologies. Here, the authors report the synthesis of LaNiGa2 which exhibits both topological and superconducting features originating from its nonsymmorphic crystal structure.

OBJECTIVE:. β-lactams are the cornerstone of empiric and targeted antibiotic therapy for critically ill patients. Recently, there have been calls to use β-lactam therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) within 24–48 hours after the initiation of therapy in critically ill patients. In this article, we review the dynamic physiology of critically ill patients, β-lactam dose response in critically ill patients, the impact of pathogen minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) on β-lactam TDM, and pharmacokinetics in critically ill patients. Additionally, we highlight available clinical data to better inform β-lactam TDM for critically ill patients. DATA SOURCES:. We retrospectively analyzed patients admitted for sepsis or septic shock at a single academic medical center who were treated with β-lactam antibiotics. STUDY SELECTION:. Indexed studies in PubMed in English language were selected for review on topics relative to critical care physiology, β-lactams, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, TDM, and antibiotic susceptibility. DATA EXTRACTION:. We reviewed potentially related studies on β-lactams and TDM and summarized their design, patients, and results. This is a synthetic, nonsystematic, review. DATA SYNTHESIS:. In the retrospective analysis of patients treated with β-lactam antibiotics, approximately one-third of patients received less than 48 hours of β-lactam therapy. Of those who continued beyond 48 hours, only 13.7% had patient-specific factors (augmented renal clearance, fluid overload, morbid obesity, and/or surgical drain), suggesting a potential benefit of β-lactam TDM. CONCLUSIONS:. These data indicate that a strategy of comprehensive β-lactam TDM for critically ill patients is unwarranted as it has not been shown yet to improve patient-oriented outcomes. This review demonstrates that β-lactam TDM in the ICU, while laudable, layers ambiguous β-lactam exposure thresholds upon uncertain/unknown MIC data within a dynamic, unpredictable patient population for whom TDM results will not be available fast enough to significantly affect care. Judicious, targeted TDM for those with risk factors for β-lactam over- or underexposure is a better approach but requires further study. Clinically, choosing the correct antibiotic and dosing β-lactams aggressively, which have a wide therapeutic index, to overcome critical illness factors appears to give critically ill patients the best likelihood of survival.

Abstract Human transformation of natural habitats facilitates pathogen transmission between domestic and wild species. The guigna (Leopardus guigna), a small felid found in Chile, has experienced habitat loss and an increased probability of contact with domestic cats. Here, we describe the interspecific transmission of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) between domestic cats and guignas and assess its correlation with human landscape perturbation. Blood and tissue samples from 102 free‐ranging guignas and 262 domestic cats were collected and analyzed by PCR and sequencing. Guigna and domestic cat FeLV and FIV prevalence were very similar. Phylogenetic analysis showed guigna FeLV and FIV sequences are positioned within worldwide domestic cat virus clades with high nucleotide similarity. Guigna FeLV infection was significantly associated with fragmented landscapes with resident domestic cats. There was little evidence of clinical signs of disease in guignas. Our results contribute to the understanding of the implications of landscape perturbation and emerging diseases.

Abstract Objective Passalora sequoiae (family Mycosphaerellaceae) causes a twig blight on Leyland cypress that requires numerous fungicide applications annually to minimize economic losses for ornamental plant nursery and Christmas tree producers. The objective was to generate a high-quality draft assembly of the genome of P. sequoiae as a resource for primer development to investigate genotype diversity. Data description We report here the genome sequence of P. sequoiae 9LC2 that was isolated from Leyland cypress ‘Leighton Green’ in 2017 in southern Mississippi, USA. The draft genome was obtained using Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) SMRT and Illumina HiSeq 2500 sequencing. Illumina reads were mapped to PacBio assembled contigs to determine base call consistency. Based on a total of 44 contigs with 722 kilobase (kb) average length (range 9.4 kb to 3.4 Mb), the whole genome size was estimated at 31,768,716 bp. Mapping of Illumina reads to PacBio contigs resulted in a 1000 × coverage and were used to confirm accuracy of the consensus sequences.

The discovery of superconductivity in thin films (∼10 nm) of infinite-layer hole-doped NdNiO2 has invigorated the field of high temperature superconductivity research, reviving the debate over contrasting views that nickelates that are isostructural with cuprates are either 1) sisters of the high temperature superconductors, or 2) that differences between nickel and copper at equal band filling should be the focus of attention. Each viewpoint has its merits, and each has its limitations, suggesting that such a simple picture must be superseded by a more holistic comparison of the two classes. Several recent studies have begun this generalization, raising a number of questions without suggesting any consensus. In this paper, we organize the findings of the electronic structures of n-layered NiO2 materials (n = 1 to ∞) to outline (ir)regularities and to make comparisons with cuprates, with the hope that important directions of future research will emerge.

Abstract Background Antibiotics for the treatment of complicated, multidrug-resistant Gram-positive infections are limited, especially when prolonged treatment is necessary. Oritavancin is approved for the treatment of serious skin infections as a 1200 mg single-dose regimen, but case reports describe supplemental doses given at weekly intervals ranging from 800 mg to 1200 mg. Objective This study determined population pharmacokinetic estimates for a 1200 mg single dose with and without an 800 mg dose 1 week apart. Methods A simulated oritavancin 1200 mg dose was infused over 3 h followed 7 days later by a simulated 800 mg dose infused over 3 h for pharmacokinetic estimation. Results The oritavancin dosing displayed predictable linear pharmacokinetics and therapeutic concentrations. The total and free oritavancin concentrations remained above the susceptibility breakpoint (0.12 mg/L) for 8 weeks and 4.6 weeks, respectively, with the two-dose regimen. This was significantly greater than the single-dose regimen. This regimen also results in a greater area under the drug concentration–time curve (AUC) above the susceptibility breakpoint compared to the single-dose regimen (p

Stationary motorized cycling assisted by functional electrical stimulation (FES) is a popular therapy for people with movement impairments. Maximizing volitional contributions from the rider of the cycle can lead to long-term benefits like increased muscular strength and cardiovascular endurance. This paper develops a combined motor and FES control system that tasks the rider with maintaining their cadence near a target point using their own volition, while assistance or resistance is applied gradually as their cadence approaches the lower or upper boundary, respectively, of a user-defined safe range. Safety-ensuring barrier functions are used to guarantee that the rider’s cadence is constrained to the safe range, while minimal assistance is provided within the range to maximize effort by the rider. FES stimulation is applied before electric motor assistance to further increase power output from the rider. To account for uncertain dynamics, barrier function methods are combined with robust control tools from Lyapunov theory to develop controllers that guarantee safety in the worst-case. Because of the intermittent nature of FES stimulation, the closed-loop system is modeled as a hybrid system to certify that the set of states for which the cadence is in the safe range is asymptotically stable. The performance of the developed control method is demonstrated experimentally on five participants. The barrier function controller constrained the riders’ cadence in a range of 50 ± 5 RPM with an average cadence standard deviation of 1.4 RPM for a protocol where cadence with minimal variance was prioritized and used minimal assistance from the motor (4.1% of trial duration) in a separate protocol where power output from the rider was prioritized.

Pathogenic bacteria rely on protein phosphorylation to adapt quickly to stress, including that imposed by the host during infection. Penicillin-binding protein and serine/threonine-associated (PASTA) kinases are signal transduction systems that sense cell wall integrity and modulate multiple facets of bacterial physiology in response to cell envelope stress. The PASTA kinase in the cytosolic pathogen Listeria monocytogenes, PrkA, is required for cell wall stress responses, cytosolic survival, and virulence, yet its substrates and downstream signaling pathways remain incompletely defined. We combined orthogonal phosphoproteomic and genetic analyses in the presence of a β-lactam antibiotic to define PrkA phosphotargets and pathways modulated by PrkA. These analyses synergistically highlighted ReoM, which was recently identified as a PrkA target that influences peptidoglycan (PG) synthesis, as an important phosphosubstrate during cell wall stress. We find that deletion of reoM restores cell wall stress sensitivities and cytosolic survival defects of a ΔprkA mutant to nearly wild-type levels. While a ΔprkA mutant is defective for PG synthesis during cell wall stress, a double ΔreoM ΔprkA mutant synthesizes PG at rates similar to wild type. In a mouse model of systemic listeriosis, deletion of reoM in a ΔprkA background almost fully restored virulence to wild-type levels. However, loss of reoM alone also resulted in attenuated virulence, suggesting ReoM is critical at some points during pathogenesis. Finally, we demonstrate that the PASTA kinase/ReoM cell wall stress response pathway is conserved in a related pathogen, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Taken together, our phosphoproteomic analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the PASTA kinase targets of an important model pathogen and suggests that a critical role of PrkA in vivo is modulating PG synthesis through regulation of ReoM to facilitate cytosolic survival and virulence.

The canid genus Lycalopex comprises six recently diversified South American species whose evolutionary relationships have been remarkably challenging to resolve. We analyzed 6000 bp of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from 55 Lycalopex individuals (L. sechurae = 4, L. culpaeus = 7, L.griseus = 8, L.gymnocercus = 17, L.vetulus = 13 and L. fulvipes = 6), and nine specimens from the closely related species Cerdocyon thous, Chrysocyon brachyurus and Speothos venaticus, to reconstruct their phylogenetic relationships, estimate the support for species-level monophyly, and date their divergences. In addition, we also sequenced seven nuclear segments from the same taxa. Three different phylogenetic approaches converged on the same mitochondrial topology with strong support for most nodes. All species were confirmed to be monophyletic for mtDNA, except for one intriguing case in which two L. vetulus individuals carried L. gymnocercus haplotypes, potentially implying a case of interspecies admixture. L. vetulus was the first species to diverge (ca. 1.2 Mya), followed by L. sechurae and then L. gymnocercus. The most internal group comprised L. griseus and the sister-species L. culpaeus and L. fulvipes, which diverged around 430,000 years ago in southern Argentina or Chile. The analysis of nuclear markers revealed several examples of intra-specific variation coupled with lack of species monophyly, consistent with pervasive incomplete lineage sorting and/or hybridization in this recent radiation. Our results provide robust mitochondrial resolution of this challenging radiation, and illustrate the difficulty of attaining similar success with traditional nuclear markers.

Pumas are experiencing increased isolation as human persecution and habitat loss fragment the populations of this once widespread species. Here, the authors estimate the genomic consequences of this isolation by analyzing the genomes of ten pumas from across North and South America.

Genome-wide assessment of genetic diversity has the potential to increase the ability to understand admixture, inbreeding, kinship and erosion of genetic diversity affecting both captive (ex situ) and wild (in situ) populations of threatened species. The sable antelope (Hippotragus niger), native to the savannah woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa, is a species that is being managed ex situ in both public (zoo) and private (ranch) collections in the United States. Our objective was to develop whole genome sequence resources that will serve as a foundation for characterizing the genetic status of ex situ populations of sable antelope relative to populations in the wild. Here we report the draft genome assembly of a male sable antelope, a member of the subfamily Hippotraginae (Bovidae, Cetartiodactyla, Mammalia). The 2.596 Gb draft genome consists of 136,528 contigs with an N50 of 45.5 Kbp and 16,927 scaffolds with an N50 of 4.59 Mbp. De novo annotation identified 18,828 protein-coding genes and repetitive sequences encompassing 46.97% of the genome. The discovery of single nucleotide variants (SNVs) was assisted by the re-sequencing of seven additional captive and wild individuals, representing two different subspecies, leading to the identification of 1,987,710 bi-allelic SNVs. Assembly of the mitochondrial genomes revealed that each individual was defined by a unique haplotype and these data were used to infer the mitochondrial gene tree relative to other hippotragine species. The sable antelope genome constitutes a valuable resource for assessing genome-wide diversity and evolutionary potential, thereby facilitating long-term conservation of this charismatic species.

Wildland fire–atmosphere interaction generates complex turbulence patterns, organized across multiple scales, which inform fire-spread behaviour, firebrand transport, and smoke dispersion. Here, we utilize wavelet-based techniques to explore the characteristic temporal scales associated with coherent patterns in the measured temperature and the turbulent fluxes during a prescribed wind-driven (heading) surface fire beneath a forest canopy. We use temperature and velocity measurements from tower-mounted sonic anemometers at multiple heights. Patterns in the wavelet-based energy density of the measured temperature plotted on a time–frequency plane indicate the presence of fire-modulated ramp–cliff structures in the low-to-mid-frequency band (0.01–0.33 Hz), with mean ramp durations approximately 20% shorter and ramp slopes that are an order of magnitude higher compared to no-fire conditions. We then investigate heat- and momentum-flux events near the canopy top through a cross-wavelet coherence analysis. Briefly before the fire-front arrives at the tower base, momentum-flux events are relatively suppressed and turbulent fluxes are chiefly thermally-driven near the canopy top, owing to the tilting of the flame in the direction of the wind. Fire-induced heat-flux events comprising warm updrafts and cool downdrafts are coherent down to periods of a second, whereas ambient heat-flux events operate mainly at higher periods (above 17 s). Later, when the strongest temperature fluctuations are recorded near the surface, fire-induced heat-flux events occur intermittently at shorter scales and cool sweeps start being seen for periods ranging from 8 to 35 s near the canopy top, suggesting a diminishing influence of the flame and increasing background atmospheric variability thereat. The improved understanding of the characteristic time scales associated with fire-induced turbulence features, as the fire-front evolves, will help develop more reliable fire behaviour and scalar transport models.

ABSTRACT The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine has been theorized to provide protection against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Our aim was to determine whether any MMR IgG titers are inversely correlated with severity in recovered COVID-19 patients previously vaccinated with MMR II. We divided 80 subjects into two groups, comparing MMR titers to recent COVID-19 severity levels. The MMR II group consisted of 50 subjects who would primarily have MMR antibodies from the MMR II vaccine, and a comparison group of 30 subjects consisted of those who would primarily have MMR antibodies from sources other than MMR II, including prior measles, mumps, and/or rubella illnesses. There was a significant inverse correlation (rs = −0.71, P

The genetic mechanisms that determine the size of the adult pancreas are poorly understood. Imprinted genes, which are expressed in a parent-of-origin-specific manner, are known to have important roles in development, growth and metabolism. However, our knowledge regarding their roles in the control of pancreatic growth and function remains limited. Here we show that many imprinted genes are highly expressed in pancreatic mesenchyme-derived cells and explore the role of the paternally-expressed insulin-like growth factor 2 (Igf2) gene in mesenchymal and epithelial pancreatic lineages using a newly developed conditional Igf2 mouse model. Mesenchyme-specific Igf2 deletion results in acinar and beta-cell hypoplasia, postnatal whole-body growth restriction and maternal glucose intolerance during pregnancy, suggesting that the mesenchyme is a developmental reservoir of IGF2 used for paracrine signalling. The unique actions of mesenchymal IGF2 are demonstrated by the absence of any discernible growth or functional phenotypes upon Igf2 deletion in the developing pancreatic epithelium. Additionally, increased IGF2 levels specifically in the mesenchyme, through conditional Igf2 loss-of-imprinting or Igf2r deletion, leads to pancreatic acinar overgrowth. Furthermore, ex-vivo exposure of primary acinar cells to exogenous IGF2 activates AKT, a key signalling node, and increases their number and amylase production. Based on these findings, we propose that mesenchymal Igf2, and perhaps other imprinted genes, are key developmental regulators of adult pancreas size and function.

The plasma levels of tissue-specific microRNAs can be used as diagnostic, disease severity and prognostic biomarkers for chronic and acute diseases and drug-induced injury. Thereby, the combination of diverse microRNAs into biomarker signatures using multivariate statistics seems especially powerful from the perspective of tissue and condition specific microRNA shedding into the plasma. Although next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology enables one to analyse circulating microRNAs on a genome-scale level, it suffers from potential biases (e.g., adapter ligation bias) and lacks absolute transcript quantitation as well as tailor-made quality controls. In order to develop a robust NGS discovery assay for genome-scale quantitation of circulating microRNAs, we first evaluated the sensitivity, repeatability and ligation bias of four commercially available small RNA library preparation protocols. The protocol from RealSeq Biosciences was selected based on its performance and usability and coupled with a novel panel of exogenous small RNA spike-in controls to enable quality control and absolute quantitation, thus ensuring comparability of data across independent NGS experiments. The established microRNA Next-Generation-Sequencing Discovery Assay (miND) was validated for its relative accuracy, precision, analytical measurement range and sequencing bias and was considered fit-for-purpose for microRNA biomarker discovery. Summarized, all these criteria were met, and thus, our analytical platform is considered fit-for-purpose for microRNA biomarker discovery from biofluids in the setting of any diagnostic, prognostic or patient stratification need. The established miND assay was tested on serum, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), synovial fluid (SF) and extracellular vesicles (EV) extracted from cell culture medium of primary cells and proved its potential to be used across different sample types.

In this article, we report data on the antibiotic elution and efficacy, and mechanical properties of Palacos bone cement with different amounts of added vancomycin (0.0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 g), see “Vancomycin elution, activity and impact on mechanical properties when added to orthopedic bone cement” (Bishop et al., 2018) [1]. Mechanical testing was performed for four-point bending, compression, and fracture toughness. The release characteristics of vancomycin was recorded for up to 60 days to estimate the elution profile. The eluted vancomycin efficacy at eliminating the four most common causative orthopedic implant pathogens is also reported.

The original version of this Article contained errors in Fig. 2, Fig. 3a–c and Supplementary Fig. 2. In Fig. 2g and Supplementary Fig. 2, the band structure plot calculated from density function theory (DFT) had a missing band of mainly z 2 character that starts at about – 0.25 eV at the Y point and disperses downwards towards the Γ point. This band was inadvertently neglected when transferring the lines from the original band plot to the enhanced version for publication. Also in Fig. 2g, the points labelled M and Y were not exactly at (1/2 1/2 0) and (0 1/2 0), but rather (0.52 0.48 0) and (0 0.48 0) due to a bug in XCrysDen for low-symmetry structures that the authors failed to identify before publication. Thus, the bands presented were slightly off the true M–Y direction and additional splitting incorrectly appeared (in particular for the highly dispersive bands of x 2–y 2 character). The correct versions of Fig. 2g (cited as Fig. 1) and Supplementary Fig. 2 (cited as Fig. 2) are: which replaces the previous incorrect version, cited here as Fig. 3 and Fig. 4: Neither of these errors in Fig. 2g or Supplementary Fig. 2 affects either the discussion or any of the interpretations of the ARPES data provided in the paper. The authors discussed the multilayer band splitting along the Γ–M direction (δ band and α band as assigned in the paper), and ARPES did not see any split band. The authors did not discuss the further splitting that arises due to back folding along the M–Y direction. In Fig. 3a–c, the errors in the M and Y points in Fig. 2g cause subtle changes to the DFT dispersions. The correct version of Fig. 3a–c is cited here as Fig 5: which replaces the previous incorrect version (Fig. 6): However, the influence on the effective mass results of Fig. 3d is negligible. These errors have now been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article. The authors acknowledge James Rondinelli and Danilo Puggioni from Northwestern University for calling our attention to these issues.

Abstract Background Based on evolutionary patterns of the vertebrate eye, Walls (1942) hypothesized that early placental mammals evolved primarily in nocturnal habitats. However, not only Eutheria, but all mammals show photic characteristics (i.e. dichromatic vision, rod-dominated retina) suggestive of a scotopic eye design. Results Here, we used integrative comparative genomic and phylogenetic methodologies employing the photoreceptive opsin gene family in 154 mammals to test the likelihood of a nocturnal period in the emergence of all mammals. We showed that mammals possess genomic patterns concordant with a nocturnal ancestry. The loss of the RH2, VA, PARA, PARIE and OPN4x opsins in all mammals led us to advance a probable and most-parsimonious hypothesis of a global nocturnal bottleneck that explains the loss of these genes in the emerging lineage (> > 215.5 million years ago). In addition, ancestral character reconstruction analyses provided strong evidence that ancestral mammals possessed a nocturnal lifestyle, ultra-violet-sensitive vision, low visual acuity and low orbit convergence (i.e. panoramic vision). Conclusions Overall, this study provides insight into the evolutionary history of the mammalian eye while discussing important ecological aspects of the photic paleo-environments ancestral mammals have occupied.

Abstract Background Mitochondria play a key role in the balance of energy and heat production, and therefore the mitochondrial genome is under natural selection by environmental temperature and food availability, since starvation can generate more efficient coupling of energy production. However, selection over mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genes has usually been evaluated at the population level. We sequenced by NGS 12 mitogenomes and with four published genomes, assessed genetic variation in ten penguin species distributed from the equator to Antarctica. Signatures of selection of 13 mitochondrial protein-coding genes were evaluated by comparing among species within and among genera (Spheniscus, Pygoscelis, Eudyptula, Eudyptes and Aptenodytes). The genetic data were correlated with environmental data obtained through remote sensing (sea surface temperature [SST], chlorophyll levels [Chl] and a combination of SST and Chl [COM]) through the distribution of these species. Results We identified the complete mtDNA genomes of several penguin species, including ND6 and 8 tRNAs on the light strand and 12 protein coding genes, 14 tRNAs and two rRNAs positioned on the heavy strand. The highest diversity was found in NADH dehydrogenase genes and the lowest in COX genes. The lowest evolutionary divergence among species was between Humboldt (Spheniscus humboldti) and Galapagos (S. mendiculus) penguins (0.004), while the highest was observed between little penguin (Eudyptula minor) and Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) (0.097). We identified a signature of purifying selection (Ka/Ks

This catalogue includes all valid family-group (8 subfamilies, 52 tribes, 14 subtribes), genus-group (349 genera, 86 subgenera), and species-group names (2825 species, 215 subspecies) of darkling beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) known to occur in North America1 and their available synonyms. Data on extant, subfossil and fossil taxa are given. For each name the author and year and page number of the description are provided, with additional information (e.g., type species for genus-group names, author of synonymies for invalid taxa) depending on the taxon rank. Several new nomenclatural acts are included. One new genus, Lepidocnemeplatia Bousquet and Bouchard, is described. Spelaebiosis Bousquet and Bouchard [for Ardoinia Özdikmen, 2004], Blapstinus marcuzzii Aalbu [for Blapstinus kulzeri Marcuzzi, 1977], and Hymenorus campbelli Bouchard [for Hymenorus oculatus Doyen and Poinar, 1994] are proposed as new replacement names. Supporting evidence is provided for the conservation of usage of Tarpela micans (Fabricius, 1798) nomen protectum over Tarpela vittata (Olivier, 1793) nomen oblitum. The generic names Psilomera Motschulsky, 1870 [= Stenomorpha Solier, 1836], Steneleodes Blaisdell, 1909 [= Xysta Eschscholtz, 1829], Ooconibius Casey, 1895 and Euconibius Casey, 1895 [= Conibius LeConte, 1851] are new synonyms (valid names in square brackets). The following 127 new synonymies of species-group names, listed in their original combination, are proposed (valid names, in their current combination, placed in square brackets): Bothrasida mucorea Wilke, 1922 [= Pelecyphorus guanajuatensis (Champion, 1884)]; Parasida zacualpanicola Wilke, 1922 [= Pelecyphorus asidoides Solier, 1836]; Stenosides kulzeri Pallister, 1954, Stenosides bisinuatus Pallister, 1954, and Parasida trisinuata Pallister, 1954 [= Pelecyphorus dispar (Champion, 1892)]; Asida favosa Champion, 1884 and Asida similata Champion, 1884 [= Pelecyphorus fallax (Champion, 1884)]; Ologlyptus bicarinatus Champion, 1884 [= Pelecyphorus indutus (Champion, 1884)]; Parasida laciniata Casey, 1912 and Parasida cristata Pallister, 1954 [= Pelecyphorus liratus (LeConte, 1854)]; Parasida esperanzae Wilke, 1922 and Parasida mixtecae Wilke, 1922 [= Pelecyphorus longipennis (Champion, 1884)]; Parasida tolucana Casey, 1912 [= Pelecyphorus scutellaris (Champion, 1884)]; Parasida purpusi Wilke, 1922 [= Pelecyphorus tristis (Champion, 1884)]; Astrotus nosodermoides Champion, 1892 [= Pelecyphorus erosus (Champion, 1892)]; Astrotus seticornis var. humeralis Champion, 1884 [= Pelecyphorus seticornis (Champion, 1884)]; Pactostoma breviuscula Casey, 1912, Pactostoma exoleta Casey, 1912, Pactostoma luteotecta Casey, 1912, Pactostoma monticola Casey, 1912, Pactostoma obtecta Casey, 1912, and Pactostoma sigillata Casey, 1912 [=Pelecyphorus anastomosis (Say, 1824)]; Ologlyptus canus Champion, 1884 and Ologlyptus sinuaticollis Champion, 1884 [= Pelecyphorus graciliformis (Solier, 1836)]; Gonasida elata reducta Casey, 1912, Gonasida elata prolixa Casey, 1912, and Gonasida aucta Casey, 1912 [= Philolithus elatus compar (Casey, 1912)]; Gonasida alaticollis Casey, 1912 [= Philolithus elatus difformis (LeConte, 1854)]; Gonasida gravida Casey, 1912 [= Philolithus elatus elatus (LeConte, 1853)]; Pelecyphorus aegrotus limbatus Casey, 1912 [= Philolithus aegrotus aegrotus (LeConte, 1861)]; Pelecyphorus corporalis Casey, 1912, Pelecyphorus reptans Casey, 1912, Pelecyphorus socer Casey, 1912, Pelecyphorus abscissus Casey, 1912, Pelecyphorus fumosus Casey, 1912, Pelecyphorus parvus Casey, 1912, Pelecyphorus morbillosus pacatus Casey, 1912, Pelecyphorus morbillosus sobrius Casey, 1912, Pelecyphorus piceus Casey, 1912, Pelecyphorus piceus crudelis Casey, 1912, Pelecyphorus snowi Casey, 1912, and Pelecyphorus subtenuis Casey, 1912 [= Philolithus morbillosus (LeConte, 1858)]; Bothrasida sanctae-agnae Wilke, 1922 [= Stenomorpha funesta (Champion, 1884)]; Asida flaccida Horn, 1896 [= Stenomorpha embaphionides (Horn, 1894)]; Asida angustula Casey, 1890, Stethasida stricta Casey, 1912, Stethasida muricatula languida Casey, 1912, Stethasida pertinax Casey, 1912, Stethasida socors Casey, 1912, Stethasida angustula inepta Casey, 1912, Stethasida tenax Casey, 1912, and Stethasida vegrandis Casey, 1912 [= Stenomorpha muricatula (LeConte, 1851)]; Stethasida obsoleta expansa Casey, 1912, Stethasida obsoleta opacella Casey, 1912, Stethasida brevipes Casey, 1912, Stethasida torpida Casey, 1912, Stethasida convergens Casey, 1912, Stethasida discreta Casey, 1912, Stethasida longula Casey, 1912, Stethasida adumbrata Casey, 1912, Stethasida occulta Casey, 1912, Stethasida tarsalis Casey, 1912, Stethasida unica Casey, 1912, and Pelecyphorus laevigatus Papp, 1961 [= Stenomorpha obsoleta (LeConte, 1851)]; Trichiasida eremica Wilke, 1922 [= Stenomorpha difficilis (Champion, 1884)]; Trichiasida lineatopilosa Casey, 1912 [= Stenomorpha hirsuta (LeConte, 1851)]; Trichiasida tenella Casey, 1912 [= Stenomorpha hispidula (LeConte, 1851)]; Trichiasida duplex Casey, 1912 [= Stenomorpha villosa (Champion, 1884)]; Alaudes squamosa Blaisdell, 1919, Alaudes testacea Blaisdell, 1919, and Alaudes fallax Fall, 1928 [= Alaudes singularis Horn, 1870]; Edrotes barrowsi Dajoz, 1999 [=Edrotes ventricosus LeConte, 1851]; Nyctoporis tetrica Casey, 1907 and Nyctoporis maura Casey, 1907 [= Nyctoporis aequicollis Eschscholtz, 1831]; Nyctoporis pullata Casey, 1907 [= Nyctoporis sponsa Casey, 1907]; Eleodes tibialis forma oblonga Blaisdell, 1909 [= Eleodes tibialis Blaisdell, 1909]; Eleodes (manni var.) variolosa Blaisdell, 1917 [= Eleodes constrictus LeConte, 1858]; Eleodes cordata forma sublaevis Blaisdell, 1909, Eleodes cordata forma intermedia Blaisdell, 1909, Eleodes cordata forma oblonga Blaisdell, 1909, Eleodes cordata forma elongata Blaisdell, 1909, and Eleodes (cordata var.) adulterina Blaisdell, 1917 [= Eleodes cordata Eschscholtz, 1829]; Eleodes hornii var. monticula Blaisdell, 1918 and Eleodes manni sierra Blaisdell, 1925 [= Eleodes fuchsii Blaisdell, 1909]; Eleodes parvicollis var. squalida Blaisdell, 1918 [= Eleodes parvicollis Eschscholtz, 1829]; Eleodes reflexicollis Mannerheim, 1843 and Eleodes parvicollis forma farallonica Blaisdell, 1909 [= Eleodes planata Eschscholtz, 1829]; Eleodes indentata Blaisdell, 1935 [= Eleodes rotundipennis LeConte, 1857]; Eleodes intricata Mannerheim, 1843 [= Eleodes scabrosa Eschscholtz, 1829]; Eleodes horni fenyesi Blaisdell, 1925 [= Eleodes tenebrosa Horn, 1870]; Eleodes cordata var. horrida Blaisdell, 1918 [= Eleodes tuberculata Eschscholtz, 1829]; Eleodes oblonga Blaisdell, 1933 [= Eleodes versatilis Blaisdell, 1921]; Eleodes dentipes marinae Blaisdell, 1921 [= Eleodes dentipes Eschscholtz, 1829]; Eleodes carbonaria forma glabra Blaisdell, 1909 [= Eleodes carbonaria carbonaria (Say, 1824)]; Eleodes granosa forma fortis Blaisdell, 1909 [= Eleodes granosa LeConte, 1866]; Eleodes pilosa forma ordinata Blaisdell, 1909 [= Eleodes pilosa Horn, 1870]; Trogloderus costatus pappi Kulzer, 1960 [= Trogloderus tuberculatus Blaisdell, 1909]; Trogloderus costatus mayhewi Papp, 1961 [= Trogloderus vandykei La Rivers, 1946]; Bolitophagus cristatus Gosse, 1840 [= Bolitotherus cornutus (Fabricius, 1801)]; Eleates explanatus Casey, 1890 [= Eleates depressus (Randall, 1838)]; Blapstinus sonorae Casey, 1890 [= Blapstinus brevicollis LeConte, 1851]; Blapstinus falli Blaisdell, 1929 [= Blapstinus castaneus Casey, 1890]; Blapstinus brunneus Casey, 1890 and Blapstinus coronadensis Blaisdell, 1892 [=Blapstinus histricus Casey, 1890]; Blapstinus hesperius Casey, 1890 [=Blapstinus intermixtus Casey, 1890]; Blapstinus cinerascens Fall, 1929 [= Blapstinus lecontei Mulsant and Rey, 1859]; Blapstinus niger Casey, 1890 and Blapstinus cribricollis Casey, 1890 [= Blapstinus pimalis Casey, 1885]; Blapstinus arenarius Casey, 1890 [= Blapstinus pratensis LeConte, 1859]; Blapstinus gregalis Casey, 1890 [= Blapstinus substriatus Champion, 1885]; Blapstinus hydropicus Casey, 1890 [= Blapstinus sulcatus LeConte, 1851]; Blapstinus hospes Casey, 1890 [= Blapstinus vestitus LeConte, 1859]; Notibius reflexus Horn, 1894 [= Conibius opacus (LeConte, 1866)]; Notibius affinis Champion, 1885 [=Conibius rugipes (Champion, 1885)]; Conibius parallelus LeConte, 1851 [= Conibius seriatus LeConte, 1851]; Nocibiotes rubripes Casey, 1895 [=Nocibiotes caudatus Casey, 1895]; Nocibiotes gracilis Casey, 1895 and Nocibiotes acutus Casey, 1895 [=Nocibiotes granulatus (LeConte, 1851)]; Conibius alternatus Casey, 1890 [= Tonibius sulcatus (LeConte, 1851)]; Pedinus suturalis Say, 1824 [= Alaetrinus minimus (Palisot de Beauvois, 1817)]; Menedrio longipennis Motschulsky, 1872 [= Tenebrio obscurus Fabricius, 1792]; Hymenophorus megops Hatch, 1965 and Telesicles magnus Hatch, 1965 [= Hymenorus sinuatus Fall, 1931]; Andrimus concolor Casey, 1891 and Andrimus convergens Casey, 1891 [= Andrimus murrayi (LeConte, 1866)]; Mycetochara marshalli Campbell, 1978 [= Mycetochara perplexata Marshall, 1970]; Phaleria globosa LeConte, 1857 [= Phaleria picta Mannerheim, 1843]. The following subspecies of Trogloderus costatus LeConte, 1879 are given species rank: Trogloderus nevadus La Rivers, 1943, Trogloderus tuberculatus Blaisdell, 1909, and Trogloderus vandykei La Rivers, 1946. The following taxa, previously thought to be junior synonyms, are considered valid: Amphidora Eschscholtz, 1829; Xysta Eschscholtz, 1829; Helops confluens (Casey, 1924). Two new combinations are proposed: Stenomorpha spinimana (Champion, 1892) and Stenomorpha tenebrosa (Champion, 1892) [from the genus Parasida Casey, 1912]. The type species [placed in square brackets] of the following 12 genus-group taxa are designated for the first time: Lagriola Kirsch, 1874 [Lagriola operosa Kirsch, 1874]; Locrodes Casey, 1907 [Emmenastus piceus Casey, 1890]; Falacer Laporte, 1840 [Acanthopus cupreus Laporte, 1840 (= Helops contractus Palisot de Beauvois, 1812)]; Blapylis Horn, 1870 [Eleodes cordata Eschscholtz, 1829]; Discogenia LeConte, 1866 [Eleodes scabricula LeConte, 1858]; Metablapylis Blaisdell, 1909 [Eleodes nigrina LeConte, 1858]; Steneleodes Blaisdell, 1909 [Eleodes longicollis LeConte, 1851]; Scaptes Champion, 1886 [Scaptes squamulatus Champion, 1886 (= Asida tropica Kirsch, 1866)]; Aspidius Mulsant and Rey, 1859 [Blaps punctata Fabricius, 1792]; Cryptozoon Schaufuss, 1882 [Cryptozoon civile Schaufuss, 1882]; Halophalerus Crotch, 1874 [Phaleria rotundata LeConte, 1851]; Dignamptus LeConte, 1878 [Dignamptus stenochinus LeConte, 1878]. Two species previously known from South America [Nilio lebasi J. Thomson and Platydema erotyloides Chevrolat] are reported for the first time from North America.