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AbstractWe review morphology and systematics of Phoxophrysusing new specimens of previously rare species. In addition to external characters, we relied heavily on skull morphology visualized using computed tomography data of all currently recognized species in this genus. Phylogenetic analysis of ND4, 12S, and 16S mDNA sequences reveal that Ph. tuberculatais sister to a clade containing Dendragama, Lophocalotes, and insular Pseudocalotes. Phoxophrys tuberculatais only distantly related to Bornean congeners. Phylogenetic analysis of 29 morphological characters scored for all the species of Phoxophrysand a diverse set of 22 outgroup taxa found four well-supported lineages: Ph. tuberculata, a clade of all Bornean congeners, Ph. nigrilabris, and a clade of the four large Bornean species. To resolve paraphyly of Phoxophrys, we revalidate PelturagoniaMocquard for all Bornean species of this genus. As redefined, Phoxophryscontains a single species: Ph. tuberculataof Sumatra. We describe a new species of Pelturagoniafrom the Meratus Range of southeastern Kalimantan. The new species is the sister species of Pe. spiniceps. Like that species, it differs from congeners in having large, dorsally projecting scales between the dorsolateral caudal crests and a postorbital process of the frontal bone reaching the postciliary ornament.

AbstractThe tricarinate skink Scincus multifasciatuswas described by Kuhl in 1820, without the subsequent designation of a type specimen or specific type locality. In 1930, Mertens assigned the type locality as Java, Indonesia, but still with no type specimen. Therefore, in order to stabilize the name with a recognized type specimen, we designate a neotype for Eutropis multifasciatafrom western Java, and we accept Merten's type locality assignment. We examined all the available synonym type voucher specimens of E. multifasciataand associated subspecies deposited in museum collections throughout Europe, Indonesia, and India. Examination of the types of E. m. balinensisand E. m. tjendikianensisshow nearly identical to the forma typica. Hence, we synonymize both subspecies to E. multifasciata. We compared the holotypes of E. macrophthalma(type locality: Java) and E. grandis(type locality: Sulawesi). Interestingly, the two species are morphologically and genetically nearly identical, and there are no diagnostic characters for their separation. Thus, we synonymize E. grandiswith E. macrophthalma. The two type specimens of E. macrophthalmareached Europe from Java, through commercial animal trade, hence their type locality “Java” is suspicious. Eutropis macrophthalmahas never been recorded from Java and the two type specimens probably originated in Sulawesi, from which museum vouchered specimens with precise locality are known. We consider E. macrophthalmato be a Sulawesi endemic, and conclude that the recorded type locality, Java, is erroneous.

Replications are important to science, but who will do them? One proposal is that students can conduct replications as part of their training. As a proof of concept for this idea, here we report a series of 11 preregistered replications of findings from the 2015 volume of Psychological Science, all conducted as part of a graduate-level course. As was expected given larger, more systematic prior efforts, the replications typically yielded effects that were smaller than the original ones: The modal outcome was partial support for the original claim. This work documents the challenges facing motivated students as they attempt to replicate previously published results on a first attempt. We describe the workflow and pedagogical methods that were used in the class and discuss implications both for the adoption of this pedagogical model and for replication research more broadly.

I appreciate the articles in the August 9 issue ('Alternative ways' and 'All due respect') that reiterate Jesus' call to honor everyone--not only embracing people with whom we disagree, not [...]

ABSTRACTChlorinated diphenyl ether isomers were administered to rats at doses of 10 µmols/kg/day po for 3 days. Decachlorodiphenyl ether caused increases in EPN detoxification, NADPH cytochrome c reductase and cytochrome P-450 but did not alter aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH). It caused a shift in P450 absorption to 448 nm. 2,4,5,2',4'-Pentachlorodiphenyl ether increased EPN detoxification and cytochrome P-450. 2,4,5,3',4'-Pentachlorodiphenyl ether increased AHH and cytochrome P-450 and caused a shift in the absorption maximum to 448 nm. 3,4,2',4'-Tetrachlorodiphenyl ether induced AHH. 2,4'-Dichlorodiphenyl ether, 4,4'-dichlorodiphenyl ether, 2,4,2'-trichlorodiphenyl ether, 2,4,4'-trichlorodiphenyl ether, 3,4,2'-trichlorodiphenyl ether and 3,4,2',4'-tetrachlorodiphenyl ether did not alter any of these parameters. The position and degree of chlorination are important in determining the extent of induction and pathways induced.

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to previous articles in New Orleans, Louisiana including the delivery of health care in the state, "Honest appraisals more important than property value system," by Mark Singletary in the August 20, 2007 issue, and "A House Divided" in the August 20, 2007 issue.