bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coordination of Genetic Care: More Important and Complicated Than it Seems
Authors: Mahon Suzanne M.
Published: November 2019

Families with hereditary risk for developing malignancy benefit from organized, coordinated care by a genetics professional. This report presents a case illustrating the potential errors that can occur when genetic care is fragmented and not coordinated, including ordering too much or not enough genetic testing, failing to communicate with the family who is at potential genetic risk, failing to communicate what the results of testing mean, and failing to recommend appropriate care, which may lead to psychosocial distress and late-detected cancers. This case highlights the complexities of genetic care and why management by a genetics professional results in more fiscally responsible care, appropriate genetic testing, and comprehensive care for all family members at risk.
State-of-the-Art Workup and Initial Management of Newly Diagnosed Molar Pregnancy and Postmolar Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia
Authors: Elias Kevin M. , Berkowitz Ross S. , Horowitz Neil S.
Published: November 2019

Gestational trophoblastic disease refers to a series of interrelated tumors arising from the placenta, including benign molar pregnancies as well as the malignant conditions termed gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). GTN most commonly follows a molar pregnancy but may develop after any gestation. The wide availability of first trimester ultrasound and serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) measurement has changed the presentation of molar pregnancy in recent decades from a second trimester to a first trimester disease, such that most patients have few symptoms at diagnosis. With identification of molar pregnancy at earlier gestations, accurate diagnosis increasingly relies on expert histopathology coupled with ancillary molecular and genetic techniques. However, earlier diagnosis has not changed the risk of postmolar GTN. Although most molar pregnancies are treated with dilation and curettage, hysterectomy may be appropriate in select cases when future fertility is not desired. After treatment of molar pregnancy, close surveillance with serial hCG monitoring is essential to diagnose GTN and identify the need for chemotherapy. Physicians following hCG levels should understand the performance characteristics of the test, including common causes of false-positive and false-negative results. After a diagnosis of postmolar GTN is made, selection of single-agent or multiagent chemotherapy depends on accurate assignment of the clinical stage and risk stratification by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) prognostic scoring system. Surgical treatment of postmolar low-risk GTN, including both second uterine curettage and hysterectomy, may decrease subsequent need for or duration of chemotherapy. Cure rates for postmolar low-risk GTN approach 100%, and subsequent pregnancy outcomes for patients reflect those of the general population.
Caracterização da fauna e flora associada ao sistema de maricultura de macroalgas desenvolvido na praia de Pitangui, Extremo/RN
Authors: Nascimento Laiz Araújo Silva do , Teixeira Dárlio Inácio Alves , Santana Fábio Magno da Silva , Pontes Cibele Soares
Published: November 2019

A maricultura da macroalga Gracilaria birdae está sendo desenvolvida de forma experimental na praia de Pitangui, município de Extremoz, RN, com a colocação de balsas flutuantes como estruturas de cultivo a aproximadamente de 200m da linha da praia em maré baixa. O presente trabalho objetivou realizar um levantamento preliminar das comunidades da microflora e da fauna acompanhante no cultivo da macroalga Gracilaria birdae, situado na região costeiro marinha de Pitangui, Extremoz/RN. O experimento foi realizado através de coletas sistemáticas no entorno das balsas flutuantes de cultivo da macroalga Gracilaria birdae e zona de arrebentação da praia de Pitangui. As amostras planctônicas foram obtidas com uso de redes de plâncton com malha de 20 e 68 µm coletadas à superfície, ao redor de uma balsa de cultivo recém-instalada com 9m de extensão. O material planctônico coletado foi fixado em solução de formol a 4% e identificado em microscópio óptico, com auxílio de chaves de identificação do plâncton marinho. A ictiofauna foi coletada com o uso de uma rede de arrasto do tipo “picaré”, com dimensões de 20m de comprimento, 1,5 m de altura e 5 mm de malha entre nós. A comunidade fitoplânctonica foi composta pelos gêneros Bellerochea sp., Odontella sp., Striatella sp., Coscinodiscus sp., Fragilaria sp., Hemidiscus, sp. Rhabdonema sp., Triceratium sp., Campylodiscus sp., Chaetoceros sp e Asterionella sp. Já a comunidade zooplanctônica apresentou: Foraminifera, Copepoda: Oithona sp e Corycaeus sp.; Euterpina acutifrons; Parvocalanus crassirotris, Paracalanus quasimodo e Acartia lilljeborgi; Larva Cifonauta (Bryozoa) e Larva de Bivalve (Mollusca). A ictiofauna capturada compreendeu um total de 333 indivíduos, dentre os quais se identificou representantes de sete ordens, 15 famílias e 25 espécies. As ordens identificadas foram Perciformes (56%), Clupeiformes (12%), Pleuronectiformes (12%), Siluriformes (8%), Albuliformes (4%), Beloniformes (4%) e Tetraodontiformes (4%). Essas análises preliminares auxiliarão em estudos posteriores relacionados à análise de impactos à diversidade e riqueza do plâncton decorrentes do cultivo da macroalga Gracilaria birdae, em sistema de cultivo do tipo balsa, além de registros da ictiofauna para zona de arrebentação da praia de Pitangui.
Atividade de voo das abelhas cupira (Partamona seridoensis) no semiárido brasileiro
Authors: Brasil Daniel de Freitas , Brasil Michelle de Oliveira Guimarães , Pereira Maria Kaliane de Oliveira , Silva Isabela Alves da
Published: November 2019

A atividade de voo das abelhas pode estar sujeita a interferência de fatores meteorológicos ou estar intimamente ligada a biologia da flora local. Diante disso, objetivou-se analisar a atividade de voo das abelhas Cupira (Partamona seridoensis) e a possível influência dos fatores abióticos nessas atividades. O trabalho foi realizado no município de Pau dos Ferros/RN. A coleta dos dados aconteceu pela gravação das 05:00h às 17:40h de quatro ninhos de abelha Cupira, sendo cada ninho gravado a cada duas horas por 10min, por um período de seis semanas nos meses de abril a maio do ano de 2018. A partir das gravações e da observação da atividade de voo das abelhas, foi possível perceber que estas se apresentam mais ativas durante o início da manhã (período em que excepcionalmente há um maior fluxo de entrada com pólen) e ao final da tarde, assim como, que as variáveis climáticas podem interferir de maneira diretamente proporcional (umidade relativa do ar) ou inversamente proporcional (temperatura e irradiação solar). O presente estudo, pioneiro para essa espécie, possibilita o surgimento de novos trabalhos científicos que corroborem com o manejo e conservação dessas abelha, além de uma possível utilização dessa espécie em sistemas de polinização agrícolas.
El aprendizaje-servicio como vía para el desarrollo de competencias interculturales en la Universidad
Authors: Sotelino Losada Alexandre , Santos Rego Miguel A. , García Álvarez Jesús
Published: November 2019

El proyecto PEINAS (Pedagogía Intercultural y aprendizaje-servicio) nace en el curso 2010/2011 asociado a la asignatura rotulada como “Pedagogía Intercultural” (Segundo curso del Grado en Pedagogía, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela). El proyecto tiene por finalidad mejorar el conocimiento de la realidad social y educativa que viven cotidianamente las diferentes comunidades culturales en Galicia. Para ello se establecen vínculos con entidades en las que los estudiantes desarrollan un servicio, sobre bases académicas, en función de necesidades específicas. Lo que esta aportación pretende es mostrar el desarrollo de competencias cívicosociales en estudiantes universitarios que participan en un proyecto de estas características. Además, comparamos alumnos/as participantes y no participantes en la citada modalidad formativa, haciendo uso del postest elaborado en el marco de un proyecto del Plan Nacional de I+D+I (EDU2013-41687-R), lo cual nos ha de permitir ver las diferencias entre los grupos de estudiantes. Terminamos señalando que los estudiantes que participan en experiencias de esta índole incrementan sus oportunidades deadquirir una serie de competencias de corte relacional y cívico-social, de apreciable importancia para su formación práctica y el desarrollo de estructuras sólidas de aprendizaje.

The PEINAS project (Intercultural Pedagogy and Service-Learning) was born in the academic year 2010/2011 associated to an academic subject called “Intercultural Pedagogy” (Second year of the Degree in Pedagogy, University of Santiago de Compostela). The project aims to improve the knowledge of the different cultural communities in Galicia about their social and educational realities. Thus, students create links with different entities where they undertake a social service, on an academic basis, according to specific needs. What this paper intends is to explore the development of civic-social competence in university students who participate in a project of these characteristics. In addition, we compare students who participated in the project with those who did not  participate. To this end, we use a post-test elaborated within the framework of a project of the Spanish National Plan for Research (EDU2013-41687-R), which allowsus to see the differences among groups of students. The conclusions highlight the fact that students who participate in such experiences increase their opportunities to acquire a series of relational and civicsocial skills of considerable importance for their practical training and the development of sound learning structures.
Movimientos y desplazamientos en la investigación. Lo post-cualitativo como reconceptualización en dos tesis doctorales
Authors: Carrasco Segovia Sara , Villanueva González Paola
Published: November 2019

El presente artículo propone la perspectiva post-cualitativa como una oportunidad para pensar el sentido de investigar desde lugares no siempre legitimados; desde una mirada que nos mueve de nuestras zonas de estabilidad y que nos sitúa en una posición problemática que estimula el pensamiento y genera desplazamientos ontológicos, epistemológicos, metodológicos y éticos. Para ello, pretendemos revelar en la escritura de este texto cómo la perspectiva post-cualitativa nos ayudó a repensar y reconfigurar nuestros posicionamientos como investigadoras, profesoras y artistas a partir de nuestras tesis doctorales, así como los supuestos onto-epistemológicos y metodológicos que guiaban estas investigaciones. A partir de aquí, proponemos lo post-cualitativo como una perspectiva que nos aporta una reconceptualización de las maneras de hacer y pensar la investigación y de cómo dar cuenta de ello. Una perspectiva que nos permite construir una investigación otra, reformular y repensar conceptos que han dominado la investigación cualitativa, y crear otros nuevos más allá de la tendencia a la domesticación que se ha hecho de ella.

This paper presents the post-qualitative approach as an opportunity to rethink the meaning of research from positions which have not always been considered to be legitimate; from perspectives that move us from zones of stability to perspectives which place us within a problematic position, one that stimulates thought and generates ontological, epistemological, methodological and ethical displacements. For this purpose, we present the onto/epistemological and methodological assumptions which guide this research as well as how the adoption of a post-qualitative perspective helped us to rethink and reconfigure our positions as researchers, professors and artists during the developing processes of two doctoral theses. We look at the post-qualitative as a perspective in which we reconceptualize the ways of doing and thinking inquiry and how to explain it. A perspective that allows us to conduct a different type of research, to reformulate and rethink notions of qualitative research, and create new concepts which aim to go beyond the trend of domestication that has taken place in social research.
Autorregulación afectivo- motivacional, resolución de problemas y rendimiento matemático en Educación Primaria
Authors: Martínez Vicente Marta , Valiente Barroso Carlos
Published: November 2019

En los procesos de autorregulación del aprendizaje intervienen estrategias cognitivas y motivacionales fruto de las cuales los estudiantes generan creencias de autoeficacia, utilidad y valor de la tarea. Este estudio se propone analizar el efecto del componente afectivo-motivacional en resolución de problemas y el rendimiento matemático en general. Participaron 146 alumnos de primaria, a los que se les aplicó la prueba de resolución de problemas de la batería EVAMAT y un cuestionario ad hoc elaborado para evaluar cuatro dimensiones relacionadas con las actitudes hacia las Matemáticas. El análisis MANOVA informa de diferencias estadísticamente significativas en valoración del docente, utilidad y satisfacción, competencia matemática y creencias en resolución de problemas en función del curso, descendiendo las puntuaciones a medida que los alumnos avanzan en su escolaridad. Además, los alumnos con rendimiento alto obtienen puntuaciones mayores en dichas variables, que son al tiempo predictoras del rendimiento matemático en general. Se concluye enfatizando la necesidad de profundizar en la dimensión emocional del aprendizaje matemático que puede revertir en una experiencia más significativa, útil y funcional, incrementando la implicación y el interés del alumnado y en consecuencia el rendimiento académico en dicha área curricular.

In the processes of self-regulation which mediate learning cognitive and motivational strategies occur. They generate a belief in self-efficiency, usefulness and value of the task. The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of affective and motivational components in the resolution of problems and in mathematical performance in general. 146 Primary School pupils completed a test based on the resolution of problems contained in EVAMAT and in an ad hoc questionnaire elaborated in order to assess four dimensions related to attitudes towards mathematics. A MANOVA analysis revealed statistically significant differences in teacher assessment, usefulness and satisfaction, mathematical competence and beliefs in resolution of problems according to level, showing that the marks go down as the pupils grow up. Furthermore, higher proficiency pupils obtain better results for these variables, which predict mathematical performance in general. The conclusion emphasizes the need to insist on the emotional dimension of mathematical learning, which can lead to a more significant, useful and functional experience, while at the same time, increase the implication and interest of the pupils and, consequently, academic performance in this curricular area.
Creencias del profesorado de Educación Física en Educación Primaria sobre la educación en valores
Authors: Gutiérrez Sánchez Marta , Romero Sánchez Eduardo , Izquierdo Rus Tomás
Published: November 2019

Este trabajo tiene como propósito conocer las creencias del profesorado de Educación Física en Educación Primaria sobre la educación en valores. Desde un enfoque cualitativo se exploran las percepciones de 30 profesores de centros públicos de Educación Infantil y Primaria, de similar contexto socioeconómico, de la Región de Murcia, utilizando como instrumento de recogida de información la entrevista semiestructurada. Los resultados permitieron determinar aquellas variables que determinan la educación en valores así como vislumbrar algunos de los obstáculos que imposibilitan la educación integral del alumnado. Se concluye con algunas propuestas para avanzar hacia una educación que integre el componente moral y con líneas de investigación futuras sobre la temática.

The purpose of this study is to examine the beliefs of Primary Education Physical Education teachers about education in values. From a qualitative perspective based on semi-structured interviews, the perceptions of 30 teachers from public Infant and Primary Education schools with a similar socioeconomic status in the Region of Murcia were explored. The results allowed for the determination of both the variables that define education in values and some of the obstacles that hinder the integral education of students. The study concludes with some proposals to advance towards a form of education that includes the moral component and with future lines of research in this area.
La cultura escolar de la Segunda República española. Legislación, teoría y praxis escolar
Authors: Martín Fraile Bienvenido , Ramos Ruiz Isabel , Álvarez Domínguez Pablo
Published: November 2019

El artículo indaga la presencia de la norma y teoría pedagógicas en la praxis escolar de la escuela primaria durante la Segunda República Española (1931-1936) a través del análisis, mediante el método histórico-pedagógico, de distintas fuentes documentales: memorias de prácticas de los alumnos de magisterio, libros de actas de escuelas primaria, circulares legislativas y cuadernos escolares. El resultado contempla la aplicación directa de la norma y la teoría educativa en la praxis, evidenciando la acción conjunta de estos ámbitos en la escuela.Muestra el grado de implicación de gran parte del magisterio en los fines e ideales del gobierno republicano, junto a la utilización de la escuela por éste como plataforma para conseguir dichos fines e ideales.

This study examines the presence of pedagogical norms and pedagogical theory in primary school practice during the time of the Second Republic through the analysis, according to the historical-pedagogical method, of manifold documentary sources: Teaching practice journals of teacher trainees, primary school minute books, legislative notices and school notebooks. Our results show the systematic and direct implementation of the norms and the pedagogical theory in schools, highlighting the joint action of both spheres in dailyschool practice. This evidences the degree of involvement of a significant number of teachers with the aims and principles of the Republican government, together with the fact that the government itself used schools as a platform to achieve their aims and ideals.
Late developing cardiac lymphatic vasculature supports adult zebrafish heart function and regeneration
Authors: Harrison Michael RM , Feng Xidi , Mo Guqin , Aguayo Antonio , Villafuerte Jessi , Yoshida Tyler , Pearson Caroline A , Schulte-Merker Stefan , Lien Ching-Ling
Published: November 2019

The cardiac lymphatic vascular system and its potentially critical functions in heart patients have been largely underappreciated, in part due to a lack of experimentally accessible systems. We here demonstrate that cardiac lymphatic vessels develop in young adult zebrafish, using coronary arteries to guide their expansion down the ventricle. Mechanistically, we show that in cxcr4a mutants with defective coronary artery development, cardiac lymphatic vessels fail to expand onto the ventricle. In regenerating adult zebrafish hearts the lymphatic vasculature undergoes extensive lymphangiogenesis in response to a cryoinjury. A significant defect in reducing the scar size after cryoinjury is observed in zebrafish with impaired Vegfc/Vegfr3 signaling that fail to develop intact cardiac lymphatic vessels. These results suggest that the cardiac lymphatic system can influence the regenerative potential of the myocardium.
Computational and cellular studies reveal structural destabilization and degradation of MLH1 variants in Lynch syndrome
Authors: Abildgaard Amanda B , Stein Amelie , Nielsen Sofie V , Schultz-Knudsen Katrine , Papaleo Elena , Shrikhande Amruta , Hoffmann Eva R , Bernstein Inge , Gerdes Anne-Marie , Takahashi Masanobu , Ishioka Chikashi , Lindorff-Larsen Kresten , Hartmann-Petersen Rasmus
Published: November 2019

Defective mismatch repair leads to increased mutation rates, and germline loss-of-function variants in the repair component MLH1 cause the hereditary cancer predisposition disorder known as Lynch syndrome. Early diagnosis is important, but complicated by many variants being of unknown significance. Here we show that a majority of the disease-linked MLH1 variants we studied are present at reduced cellular levels. We show that destabilized MLH1 variants are targeted for chaperone-assisted proteasomal degradation, resulting also in degradation of co-factors PMS1 and PMS2. In silico saturation mutagenesis and computational predictions of thermodynamic stability of MLH1 missense variants revealed a correlation between structural destabilization, reduced steady-state levels and loss-of-function. Thus, we suggest that loss of stability and cellular degradation is an important mechanism underlying many MLH1 variants in Lynch syndrome. Combined with analyses of conservation, the thermodynamic stability predictions separate disease-linked from benign MLH1 variants, and therefore hold potential for Lynch syndrome diagnostics.
Crumbs organizes the transport machinery by regulating apical levels of PI(4,5)P2 in Drosophila
Authors: Lattner Johanna , Leng Weihua , Knust Elisabeth , Brankatschk Marko , Flores-Benitez David
Published: November 2019

An efficient vectorial intracellular transport machinery depends on a well-established apico-basal polarity and is a prerequisite for the function of secretory epithelia. Despite extensive knowledge on individual trafficking pathways, little is known about the mechanisms coordinating their temporal and spatial regulation. Here, we report that the polarity protein Crumbs is essential for apical plasma membrane phospholipid-homeostasis and efficient apical secretion. Through recruiting βHeavy-Spectrin and MyosinV to the apical membrane, Crumbs maintains the Rab6-, Rab11- and Rab30-dependent trafficking and regulates the lipid phosphatases Pten and Ocrl. Crumbs knock-down results in increased apical levels of PI(4,5)P2 and formation of a novel, Moesin- and PI(4,5)P2-enriched apical membrane sac containing microvilli-like structures. Our results identify Crumbs as an essential hub required to maintain the organization of the apical membrane and the physiological activity of the larval salivary gland.
Tamed Monsters and Human Problems in Cinema’s Interview with the Vampire (1994)
Authors: Robinson P. Stuart
Published: November 2019

What can the taming of the monster reveal about its construction and the potential and limits of change? Modernist, individualist qualities of Western culture and society have shaped the construction and deconstruction of the monster in popular culture in general and film in particular. The idea of an historically emergent human nature and its associated norms is key to the construction of the monster as transgressive. Less obvious but nonetheless apparent is the constraining role this Western construction of human nature continues to play in recent cinematic attempts to approach the monster more closely. These are explored through a consideration of vampire movies within the horror genre, with a focus on Interview with the Vampire (dir. Neil Jordan, 1994), as arguably both influential within and emblematic of a more general trend. The film dismantles the conventional monster figure of the vampire, humanising her by detailing her transposition from a natural, human setting to something otherworldly. Human (read as Western) qualities are reinforced and salvaged from the disturbing ambivalence of conventional monstrosity, as we observe the logic of ‘human’ adaptation to alien conditions. In this way, both the paradoxical model of freedom as conformity to nature and the naturalising reification of contingent social groupings are re-affirmed.
“How Lucky You Are Never to Know What It Is to Grow Old”—Witch as Fourth-Wave Feminist Monster in Contemporary Fantasy Film
Authors: Schubart Rikke
Published: November 2019

This article focuses on the figure of an aging and powerful witch pitted against younger women in three contemporary fairy-tale movie adaptations: Snow White and the Huntsman (dir. Rupert Sanders, 2012), Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (dir. Tommy Wirkola, 2013), and Maleficent (dir. Robert Stromberg, 2014). Each film transforms the aging witch from stock villain to a more nuanced character. This revision is intriguing for its concern with power and gender and for a reflection of contemporary debates about age and power within so-called wave feminism. The article uses two frames. The first is feminism and ageism, focusing on wave feminism and aging, and the second is the trope of the witch, drawing from fairy-tale studies, social history, and social anthropology. The article reads conflict between an aging witch and a young woman as a clash of feminist waves, and the witch’s ‘monstrosity’ as her refusal to be sidelined in a world obsessed with youth.
The Broodmother as Monstrous-Feminine—Abject Maternity in Video Games
Authors: Stang Sarah
Published: November 2019

This article examines examples of the monstrous-feminine in the form of abject maternal monsters in a selection of commercially successful and critically acclaimed mainstream video games using conceptual frameworks and textual analysis methods established in the work of Julia Kristeva and Barbara Creed. The Broodmother from Dragon Age: Origins (2009) and the Mother from Dragon Age: Origins—Awakening (2010) are considered as problematic examples of the abject monstrous-feminine which fall into a long tradition in horror media of framing the female body and the birthing process as something horrific and repulsive. Kerrigan from the StarCraft series (1998–2017) is examined as a possible counter-example, demonstrating that the monstrous-feminine can exist in a playable and potentially empowered form, though she is problematically empowered within a violent, militant framework. Overall, this article critically analyses the ways in which video games remediate tropes of gendered monstrosity and reinforce the misogynist norms and values of hegemonic heteropatriarchal ideology by forcing players to enact symbolic violence against transgressive female bodies.
Always Already Monsters—BioShock’s (2007) ‘Splicers’ as Computational Others
Authors: Švelch Jaroslav
Published: November 2019

The article explores the manufacturing of monsters in video games, using the case of the influential 2007 first-person shooter BioShock, and ‘splicers’—its most numerous, zombie-like enemies. I combine two methodological perspectives on the ‘manufacturing’ of splicers by analyzing [a] the title’s developer commentary and other official paratexts to trace the design of splicers, and [b] the game’s embedded narrative to reconstruct the diegetic backstory of splicers. I argue that video game enemies, including splicers, are ‘computational others’, who may appear human on the level of representation, but whose behavior is machinic, and driven by computational algorithms. To justify the paradoxical relationship between their human-like representation and machinic behavior, BioShock includes an elaborate narrative that explains how the citizens of the underwater city of Rapture were dehumanized and transformed into hostile splicers. The narrative of dehumanization, explored following Haslam’s dehumanization theory (2006), includes [a] transforming splicers into atomized creatures by depriving them of political power and social bonds, [b] creating fungible and interchangeable enemies through splicers’ masks and bodily disintegration, [c] justifying splicers’ blindness to context and their simplistic behavior by portraying them as mentally unstable addicts. The article concludes that all video game enemies are inherently monstrous, and that critique of video game representation should focus on how games fail to make monsters human, rather than how games render humans monstrous or dehumanized.
Taming the Monster Journal—A Hug to the Numerous Reviewers
Authors: Beyer Christian , Bockwoldt Juliane C. , Hammar Emil Lundedal , Pötzsch Holger
Published: November 2019

To you, dear reviewers: Your monstrous support was, as so often, unpaid—but valuable indeed. The energy you have put together in writing your thorough reviews substantially helped in shaping and re-shaping (and sometimes even re-re-shaping) the wonderful scientific endeavors of our authors. Thank you so much!
List of Contributors
Authors: MaMo’s editors
Published: November 2019

From A to U—these are the short biographies of MaMo’s twenty contributors; in alphabetical order.
Vector distribution and transmission risk of the Zika virus in South and Central America
Authors: Cunze Sarah , Kochmann Judith , Koch Lisa K. , Genthner Elisa , Klimpel Sven
Published: November 2019

Background

Zika is of great medical relevance due to its rapid geographical spread in 2015 and 2016 in South America and its serious implications, for example, certain birth defects. Recent epidemics urgently require a better understanding of geographic patterns of the Zika virus transmission risk. This study aims to map the Zika virus transmission risk in South and Central America. We applied the maximum entropy approach, which is common for species distribution modelling, but is now also widely in use for estimating the geographical distribution of infectious diseases.

Methods

As predictor variables we used a set of variables considered to be potential drivers of both direct and indirect effects on the emergence of Zika. Specifically, we considered (a) the modelled habitat suitability for the two main vector species Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus as a proxy of vector species distributions; (b) temperature, as it has a great influence on virus transmission; (c) commonly called evidence consensus maps (ECM) of human Zika virus infections on a regional scale as a proxy for virus distribution; (d) ECM of human dengue virus infections and, (e) as possibly relevant socio-economic factors, population density and the gross domestic product.

Results

The highest values for the Zika transmission risk were modelled for the eastern coast of Brazil as well as in Central America, moderate values for the Amazon basin and low values for southern parts of South America. The following countries were modelled to be particularly affected: Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. While modelled vector habitat suitability as predictor variable showed the highest contribution to the transmission risk model, temperature of the warmest quarter contributed only comparatively little. Areas with optimal temperature conditions for virus transmission overlapped only little with areas of suitable habitat conditions for the two main vector species. Instead, areas with the highest transmission risk were characterised as areas with temperatures below the optimum of the virus, but high habitat suitability modelled for the two main vector species.

Conclusion

Modelling approaches can help estimating the spatial and temporal dynamics of a disease. We focused on the key drivers relevant in the Zika transmission cycle (vector, pathogen, and hosts) and integrated each single component into the model. Despite the uncertainties generally associated with modelling, the approach applied in this study can be used as a tool and assist decision making and managing the spread of Zika.
A new leptoceratopsid dinosaur from Maastrichtian-aged deposits of the Sustut Basin, northern British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Arbour Victoria M. , Evans David C.
Published: November 2019

A partial dinosaur skeleton from the Sustut Basin of northern British Columbia, Canada, previously described as an indeterminate neornithischian, is here reinterpreted as a leptoceratopsid ceratopsian, Ferrisaurus sustutensis, gen. et. sp. nov. The skeleton includes parts of the pectoral girdles, left forelimb, left hindlimb, and right pes. It can be distinguished from other named leptoceratopsids based on the proportions of the ulna and pedal phalanges. This is the first unique dinosaur species reported from British Columbia, and can be placed within a reasonably resolved phylogenetic context, with Ferrisaurus recovered as more closely related to Leptoceratops than Montanoceratops. At 68.2–67.2 Ma in age, Ferrisaurus falls between, and slightly overlaps with, both Montanoceratops and Leptoceratops, and represents a western range extension for Laramidian leptoceratopsids.
Assessing the Incidence of Depression among Patients Attending the Chronic Disease Clinic at the Campbellville Health Centre
Authors: Rambharose Sahodra , Durkenne Ruth , Daniels-Williamson Tamica
Published: November 2019

Objective: To determine the incidence of depression among the chronic disease patients attending the Campbellville chronic disease clinic.

Methods: Data were collected at the Campbellville Health Centre, during the chronic disease clinic hours from the 8th–18th April, 2019. Information was collected using PHQ9 questionnaires and a demographic data collection sheet.

Results: Of the 98 patients analyzed, nine (9) patients scored 10 or more points on the PHQ9 questionnaire which translated to an incidence of depression of 9.1%. Of the patients with a positive screen for depression; 6 (66.7%) were females and 3(33.3%) males, 5 (55.5%) Afro Guyanese, 4 (44.4%) were East Indians, 5 (55.5%) patients were between 50-69yrs and 4 (44.4%) were more than 70 years old. Of these patients, there were 8 (88.8%) Christians and 1(11.1%) Hindu, 5 (55.5%) were married, 2 (22.2%) single and 2 (22.2%) were widowed, while 7 (77.7%) were unemployed, 2 (22.2%) were employed and 6 (66.6%) patients were diagnosed with at least 2 chronic diseases.

Conclusion: Depression is a mental health disorder that affects persons with chronic disease. The incidence of depression at Campbellville Health Centre was found to be 9.1%.  The PHQ9 is a validated, free and easy to use tool for screening and follow up of these patients.

Recommendations: A national screening guideline along with adequate materials to diagnose and manage depression should be made available, including access to councilors and medications within the primary care setting.
Laparoscopic Rectopexy – A New Management for Rectal Prolapse at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation
Authors: Bhudial Joshua , Ramcharran Hemraj , Rambarran Navin , Leon Zoilo
Published: November 2019

Introduction: Rectal prolapse is a debilitating and unpleasant condition adversely affecting the quality of life. It is a distal displacement of the rectum through the pelvic diaphragm that produces pressure symptoms on other pelvic organs causing fecal incontinence, obstructive defecation, or even strangulation. Different perineal and abdominal approaches have been described for surgical correction of rectal prolapse. Laparoscopic Rectopexy has been proven to be an effective treatment for rectal prolapse.

Objective: LPR has recently been practiced as a method of treatment for rectal prolapse at GPHC. This study aims to assess the clinical and functional outcomes of the patients who underwent Laparoscopic Rectopexy in the effort to highlight this practice in Guyana and the Caribbean.

Design /Method: The study design includes a retrospective review and prospective follow-up of a series of 4 patients who underwent LPR at GPHC for rectal prolapse. Pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative factors surrounding the procedure were recorded and analyzed.

Results: All patients were males of 29-52 years of age. One (1) Patient was a smoker and One (1) used alcohol. Two (2) patients had a previous perineal approach for rectal prolapse that recurred. No comorbidities were recorded. All patients had complete rectal procidentia. Laparoscopic Ventral Mesh Rectopexy was done for each patient. None of the cases were converted. All patients were fully ambulant by postoperative day one and all were discharged by postoperative day three. No short-term recurrence was recorded for three patients; the fourth patient did not complete the six months postoperative period.

Conclusion: Laparoscopic Rectopexy was successfully pioneered at GPHC as a method of management for rectal prolapse with good outcomes.
Evaluation of Pathogenic Microorganisms that Cause Onion Bulb Rots in Selected Markets in Abuja, Nigeria
Authors: T. Obiageli Ozoude, , R. Oluwaseun Igbokoyi, , N. Florence Okey-Ndeche , E. Ukachi Eleanya,
Published: November 2019

Onion bulb rots are caused by microorganisms especially fungi and bacteria leading to economic loss. The research study evaluated the microorganisms associated with the rots of onion bulbs. The microorganisms isolated include fungi species such as Saccaromyces cerevisiae, Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus stolonifera, Fusarium oxysporum and Penicillium digitatum and bacterial species such as Pseudomonas spp., Enterobacter spp., and Escherichia coli. Results from the percentage distribution of the fungi in the spoilt onion bulbs about the markets showed the highest percentage distribution of 42.85% for the samples from Bwari market and the lowest percentage distribution of 28.57% for Dutse and Zuma respectively. It was observed that the percentage distribution of the bacteria about the markets were 42.85% for the samples from Bwari market and 21.42% from Zuma market. Pathogenicity tests for Fungi revealed that all the isolated fungi were pathogenic on onion bulbs, however; Saccaromyces cerevisiae, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium digitatum were the most pathogenic leading to the rapid disintegration of the infected bulbs within 14 days of inoculation while Rhizopus stolonifer was the least pathogenic. Pathogenicity tests for Bacteria revealed that all the isolated bacteria were pathogenic on onion bulbs with Pseudomonas spp. as the highest pathogenic and Escherichia coli the least.
Understanding the Meniscus‐Guided Coating Parameters in Organic Field‐Effect‐Transistor Fabrications
Authors: Chen Ming , Peng Boyu , Huang Shuyun , Chan Paddy Kwok Leung
Published: November 2019

Meniscus‐guided coating (MGC) is mainly applicable on the soluble organic semiconductors with strong π–π overlap for achieving single‐crystalline organic thin films and high‐performance organic field‐effect‐transistors (OFETs). In this work, four elementary factors including shearing speed (v), solute concentration (c), deposition temperature (T), and solvent boiling point (Tb) are unified to analyze crystal growth behavior in the meniscus‐guided coating. By carefully varying and studying these four key factors, it is confirmed that v is the thickness regulation factor, while c is proportional to crystal growth rate. The MGC crystal growth rate is also correlated to latent heat (L) of solvents and deposition temperature in an Arrhenius form. The latent heat of solvents is proportional to Tb. The OFET channels grown by the optimized MGC parameters show uniform crystal morphology (Roughness Rq < 0.25 nm) with decent carrier mobilities (average µ = 5.88 cm2 V−1 s−1 and highest µ = 7.68 cm2 V−1 s−1). The studies provide a generalized formula to estimate the effects of these fabrication parameters, which can serve as crystal growth guidelines for the MGC approach. It is also an important cornerstone towards scaling up the OFETs for the sophisticated organic circuits or mass production.
Unraveling the film‐formation kinetics of interfacial polymerization via low coherence interferometry
Authors: Li Weiyi , Liu Xin , Li Zhuo , Fane Anthony G. , Deng Baolin
Published: November 2019

Interfacial polymerization (IP) is one of the most important methods for fabricating thin film composite (TFC) membranes. Understanding the film‐formation mechanisms is of great value for developing membranes with enhanced performance. This work proposed a novel method to in situ characterize the film‐formation kinetics via low coherence interferometry (LCI). The polyamide film formed at the liquid–substrate interface was scanned in real time; the polymerization induced significant variations in the optical properties around the reaction zone. After mitigating the effects of the perturbed interface, the surface‐averaged intensity profiles provide a solid basis for analyzing the film‐formation kinetics at various depths. In particular, the effects of the monomer concentrations were investigated to reveal the asymmetric growth and development of irregular substructures. All the characterization results confirm that the LCI‐based characterization is a powerful tool for studying the structural evolution of the IP layer and thereby providing deeper insights for optimizing TFC membranes.
A Stateful Logic Family Based on a New Logic Primitive Circuit Composed of Two Antiparallel Bipolar Memristors
Authors: Xu Nuo , Park Tae Gyun , Kim Hae Jin , Shao Xinglong , Yoon Kyung Jean , Park Tae Hyung , Fang Liang , Kim Kyung Min , Hwang Cheol Seong
Published: November 2019

Stateful logic enables highly energy‐efficient computation because the time and energy consumption for data transfer between the memory and the processing units in the traditional computation system can significantly be saved due to the combined functionalities of logic operation and nonvolatile memory. The logic primitive circuit, usually composed of resistive switching memory or memristor units, is the fundamental and kernel element to build a stateful logic family. However, the current stateful logic primitive circuits cannot be configured between the devices from the adjacent layers of the 3D crossbar array (CBA) which largely limited its application in high‐density and capacity memory arrays. Herein, a new stateful logic primitive circuit is presented based on the structure of two antiparallel bipolar memristors. The presented logic primitive circuit enables a complete set of stateful logic operation and is compatible with a 3D CBA. The working principle and validity of the logic design were experimentally demonstrated by either a real TiO2‐based memristive circuit or the HSPICE simulation. Furthermore, a space‐time‐wise cascading method was demonstrated by XOR and the full adder functions based on a CBA, and its merits were further elucidated through comparison with different logic families with various cascading methods.
Deep Neural Network–Based Loop Detection for Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping Featuring Both Points and Lines
Authors: Li Yang , Chen Chao Ping , Maitlo Nizamuddin , Mi Lantian , Zhang Wenbo , Chen Jie
Published: November 2019

Herein, a visual simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) is proposed in which both points and lines are extracted as features and a deep neural network is adopted for loop detection. Its working principles, including the representation, extraction, description, and matching of lines, initialization, keyframe selection, optimization of tracking and mapping, and loop detection using a deep neural network, are set forth in detail. The overall trajectory estimation and loop detection performance is investigated using the TUM RGB‐D (indoor) benchmark and KITTI (outdoor) datasets. Compared with the conventional SLAMs, the experimental results of this study indicate that the proposed SLAM is able to improve the accuracy and robustness of trajectory estimation, especially for the scenes with insufficient points. As for loop detection, the deep neural network turns out to be superior to the traditional bag‐of‐words model, because it decreases the accumulated errors of both the estimated trajectory and reconstructed scenes.
NRAS associated RASopathy and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma
Authors: Garren Benjamin , Stephan Mark , Hogue Jacob S.
Published: November 2019

RASopathies are a group of phenotypically overlapping disorders that arise from dysregulation of the RAS/MAPK pathway. These disorders include Noonan syndrome, Costello syndrome, cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome, and neurofibromatosis‐Type 1. While somatic mutations in the three human Ras genes (KRAS, HRAS, and NRAS) are a common finding in a variety of cancers, germline mutations in each of the these genes cause developmental RASopathy phenotypes with mutations in specific genes typically correlating with specific phenotypes. We present the case of a germline heterozygous NRAS mutation producing a severe phenotype involving embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, severe intellectual disability, and numerous melanocytic nevi in addition to more typical manifestations of Noonan syndrome. Additionally, the specific p.G12R NRAS mutation in this case is a common somatic mutation in cancer cells, and analysis of previously reported NRAS‐RASopathy cases suggests that mutations at traditionally oncogenic codons are associated with elevated cancer risk not present with mutations at other sites.
Recent advances in shear‐thinning and self‐healing hydrogels for biomedical applications
Authors: Uman Selen , Dhand Abhishek , Burdick Jason A.
Published: November 2019

Shear‐thinning and self‐healing hydrogels are being investigated in various biomedical applications including drug delivery, tissue engineering, and 3D bioprinting. Such hydrogels are formed through dynamic and reversible interactions between polymers or polypeptides that allow these shear‐thinning and self‐healing properties, including physical associations (e.g., hydrogen bonds, guest–host interactions, biorecognition motifs, hydrophobicity, electrostatics, and metal–ligand coordination) and dynamic covalent chemistry (e.g., Schiff base, oxime chemistry, disulfide bonds, and reversible Diels–Alder). Their shear‐thinning properties allow for injectability, as the hydrogel exhibits viscous flow under shear, and their self‐healing nature allows for stabilization when shear is removed. Hydrogels can be formulated as uniform polymer and polypeptide assemblies, as hydrogel nanocomposites, or in granular hydrogel form. This review focuses on recent advances in shear‐thinning and self‐healing hydrogels that are promising for biomedical applications. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2020,137, 48668.
High performance cellulose fibers regenerated from 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride solution: Effects of viscosity and molecular weight
Authors: Zhang Jiaping , Yamagishi Naoki , Gotoh Yasuo , Potthast Antje , Rosenau Thomas
Published: November 2019

In the present study, we focused on several factors affecting the utility of 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride (BMIMCl) for obtaining higher performance fibers. The dependence of the spinnability and tensile strength of the fibers on the zero‐shear viscosity of the spinning solutions was investigated based on differences in the molecular weight of the cellulose, pulp concentration, and the pH of BMIMCl. We demonstrated an appropriate viscosity range of 2000–4000 Pa s−1 (100 °C) for spinning dopes to obtain good spinnability and high tensile strength. The pH of the BMIMCl and the molecular weight of the cellulose clearly impacted tensile strength. The high molecular weight of cellulose contributed to high mechanical properties of the regenerated cellulose fibers. Optimizing the molecular weight and concentration of the cellulose based on the appropriate viscosity allowed us to prepare high performance cellulose fibers with a tensile strength of 1.15 GPa and a Young's modulus of 42.9 GPa. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 137, 48681.