The AL-Gaussian Distribution as the Descriptive Model for the Internal Proactive Inhibition in the Standard Stop Signal Task

Measurements of response inhibition components of reactive inhibition and proactive inhibition within the stop signal paradigm have been of special interest for researchers since the 1980s. While frequentist nonparametric and Bayesian parametric methods have been proposed to precisely estimate the entire distribution of reactive inhibition, quantified by stop signal reaction times(SSRT), there is no method yet in the stop-signal task literature to precisely estimate the entire distribution of proactive inhibition. We introduce an Asymmetric Laplace Gaussian (ALG) model to describe the distribution of proactive inhibition. The proposed method is based on two assumptions of independent trial type(go/stop) reaction times, and Ex-Gaussian (ExG) models for them. Results indicated that the four parametric, ALG model uniquely describes the proactive inhibition distribution and its key shape features; and, its hazard function is monotonically increasing as are its three parametric ExG components. In conclusion, both response inhibition components can be uniquely modeled via variations of the four parametric ALG model described with their associated similar distributional features.Comment: KEYWORDS Proactive Inhibition, Reaction Times, Ex-Gaussian, Asymmetric Laplace Gaussian, Bayesian Parametric Approach, Hazard functio

Evaluating A Multimedia-Based Tool For Self-Learning Geographic Information Systems

The adoption of multimedia (MM) in the development of new learning and teaching materials is experiencing a rapid growth. MM and other computer-aided tools have been tried in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) education since its early days. However, until detailed evaluations are conducted, many MM curriculum transformations may simply be seen as experiments in technological innovation rather than as mechanisms to improve learning. This paper describes the process undertaken and results obtained to evaluate a MM-based toolfor self-learning GIS: GISWEB. GISWEB is introduced through a brief summary of its history and content. The paper also briefly summarises the agreement established between The University of Melbourne and other international education institutions where GISWEB is currently adopted. The core of the paper details the initiatives undertaken at The University of Melbourne and at the University of Alcalá de Henares for the evaluation of this new teaching and learning resource. The paper concludes with a discussion and some conclusions drawn from the evaluation results

Evaluating A Multimedia-Based Tool For Self-Learning Geographic Information Systems

The adoption of multimedia (MM) in the development of new learning and teaching materials is experiencing a rapid growth. MM and other computer-aided tools have been tried in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) education since its early days. However, until detailed evaluations are conducted, many MM curriculum transformations may simply be seen as experiments in technological innovation rather than as mechanisms to improve learning. This paper describes the process undertaken and results obtained to evaluate a MM-based toolfor self-learning GIS: GISWEB. GISWEB is introduced through a brief summary of its history and content. The paper also briefly summarises the agreement established between The University of Melbourne and other international education institutions where GISWEB is currently adopted. The core of the paper details the initiatives undertaken at The University of Melbourne and at the University of Alcalá de Henares for the evaluation of this new teaching and learning resource. The paper concludes with a discussion and some conclusions drawn from the evaluation results

Dermoscopy of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans : what do we know?

Background: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is an uncommon mesenchymal tumor of in-termediate malignancy. Its rarity and slow progression often imply a delayed diagnosis. There are few previous reports of dermoscopic features of DFSP and most are single case descriptions.Objectives: To report 2 cases of DFSP and their dermoscopic features, as well as conduct a review of all previous cases published addressing the use of dermoscopy in this tumor.Methods: We conducted a literature search for all dermoscopic cases of DFSP. In addition, we pre-sented 2 additional cases and compared them to the earlier findings.Results: We summarized the main dermoscopic findings of DFSP based on analysis from 32 patients. The most common features of this tumor are the presence of vessels (81%), followed by a pigmented network (78%) and a pinkish background (66%).Conclusions: DFSP can mimic benign lesions and the diagnosis may be challenging. Dermoscopy is an important tool that may enhance clinical suspicion toward the diagnosis of DFSP

Austenite reversion kinetics and stability during tempering of an additively manufactured maraging 300 steel

Reverted austenite is a metastable phase that can be used in maraging steels to increase ductility via transformation-induced plasticity or TRIP effect. In the present study, 18Ni maraging steel samples were built by selective laser melting, homogenized at 820¿°C and then subjected to different isothermal tempering cycles aiming for martensite-to-austenite reversion. Thermodynamic simulations were used to estimate the inter-critical austenite¿+¿ferrite field and to interpret the results obtained after tempering. In-situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction was performed during the heating, soaking and cooling of the samples to characterize the martensite-to-austenite reversion kinetics and the reverted austenite stability upon cooling to room temperature. The reverted austenite size and distribution were measured by Electron Backscattered Diffraction. Results showed that the selected soaking temperatures of 610¿°C and 650¿°C promoted significant and gradual martensite-to-austenite reversion with high thermal stability. Tempering at 690¿°C caused massive and complete austenitization, resulting in low austenite stability upon cooling due to compositional homogenization.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Trombocitopenia versus SOFA parapredecir mortalidad en pacientescon sepsis en la Unidad de CuidadosIntensivos de un hospital de tercer nivelde Guatemala

e most common coagulation disorder in the intensive care unit isthrombocytopenia. Considering the fundamental role of platelets in hemostasis andas markers of disseminated intravascular coagulation, a significant decrease in plateletcounts is alarming in the context of septic patients, and it is known to be a predictor ofdeath. The objective was to compare the ability of the platelet count with the SequentialOrgan Failure Assessment (SOFA) to predict death in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. A longitudinal study was conducted with a sample of 29 consecutivecases evaluated during January to December 2015 in the Intensive Care Unit of theGeneral Hospital of Diseases (HGE) of the Guatemalan Social Security Institute.Platelet and SOFA counts were performed at the first and the fih day of hospitalization,documenting the outcome of the patients. 51.7% of the patients were men and 48.3%were women, with an average age of 62.0 (16.9) years, median SOFA on admission of10 units (Q1=4, Q3=14) and platelet median on admission of 196000 (Q1=100000,Q3=250000). e univariate association between thrombocytopenia and death wassignificant (p = .021, RR = 2.45, CI 95% [1.21, 4.99]). According to a Bootstrap test,there is no significant difference between the predictive capacity of SOFA and plateletcount (p = .965). It was concluded that the presence of thrombocytopenia is a simplepredictor of death in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock, with similar capacity to SOFA

AVALIAÇÃO ECOCARDIOGRÁFICA DE GATOS APÓS A ADMINISTRAÇÃO INTRAVENOSA DE AMITRAZ OU XILAZINA

O amitraz age de forma competitiva e reversível em receptores adrenérgicos do tipo a2, desencadeando efeitos similares aos da xilazina. Com o objetivo de avaliar a função ventricular esquerda após a administração de amitraz ou xilazina, oito gatos SRD foram submetidos a injeções intravenosas: grupo X (xilazina), grupo A (amitraz) ou grupo D (diluente). Os mesmos animais foram utilizados em todos os grupos após um intervalo mínimo de quinze dias. Foram avaliados frequência cardíaca (FC), ritmo cardíaco, fração de ejeção (FE), fração de encurtamento (FS) e índice cardíaco (IC), por meio de eletrocardiografia e ecocardiografia, imediatamente antes e durante os primeiros sessenta minutos após a aplicação. Tanto o amitraz quanto a xilazina induziram bloqueio atrioventricular de primeiro grau (1º BAV) e diminuição de FC, FE, FS e IC. As médias da FC e de todos os parâmetros ecocardiográficos do grupo X foram estatisticamente menores do que as do grupo A. Concluiu-se que ambos os agonistas adrenérgicos de receptores tipo a2 causaram bradicardia e 1º BAV; contudo, a xilazina produziu maior depressão na contratilidade cardíaca. PALAVRAS-CHAVES: Amitraz, xilazina, ecocardiografia, eletrocardiografia, gatos

Taypi

En la actualidad, se conoce que muchas de las páginas web que podemos encontrar en internet no siempre son de alta confiabilidad, puesto que la carencia en fuentes de información o datos en los productos que se ponen en venta no son del todo ciertas. Asimismo, existen diversos productos los cuales no favorecen el cuidado del medio ambiente ni de la salud corporal, teniendo en cuenta que muchos de estos tardan años en su degradación, causando no solo un alto impacto en el ecosistema, sino también la decisión de alternativas por parte de las personas en querer ser parte de un cambio y solidarizarse con el medio ambiente. El presente proyecto consiste en la creación de una plataforma web, la cual se ofrecerá dos tipos de kits para su venta y un espacio en donde se pueda encontrar información sobre el cuidado ambiental, estilo de vida sana y consejos sobre cómo llevar a cabo un adecuado cuidado personal. Por ello, lo que ofrece Taypi es poner en venta un conjunto de productos naturales y de relajación corporal, las cuales los usuarios podrán encontrar fuentes de información tanto en nuestra plataforma virtual, como en nuestras redes sociales para una compra confiable, además de ofrecer constantes noticias sobre la actualidad en el medio ambiente, consejos del cuidado personal e información específica sobre los productos en venta.At present, it is known that many of the websites that we can find on the Internet are not always highly reliable, due to the lack of information sources or the fact that the data included with the offered products is not entirely true. Likewise, there are various products on the market which do not favor neither environmental nor bodily health care, and also taking into account that many of these containers take years to deteriorate, causing not only a high impact on the ecosystem, but also having an impact on the decisions that people who want to make a change and show solidarity with environment make in order to find alternatives to those products. This project consists on the creation of a web platform, which will offer two types of kits for sale and a space where you can find information on environmental care, healthy lifestyle and advice on how to carry out an appropriate personal care. Therefore, what Taypi offers is a set of natural and body relaxation products whose users will be able to find information sources both on our virtual platform and on our social networks for a reliable purchase, in addition to offering constant news on current affairs regarding the environment, advice on personal care and specific information on products for sale.Trabajo de investigació

Multiplex PCR for detection of plasmid-mediated colistin resistance determinants, mcr-1, mcr-2, mcr-3, mcr-4 and mcr-5 for surveillance purposes

International audiencePlasmid-mediated colistin resistance mechanisms have been identified worldwide in the past years. A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol for detection of all currently known transferable colistin resistance genes (mcr-1 to mcr-5, and variants) in Enterobacteriaceae was developed for surveillance or research purposes. Methods: We designed four new primer pairs to amplify mcr-1, mcr-2, mcr-3 and mcr-4 gene products and used the originally described primers for mcr-5 to obtain a stepwise separation of ca 200 bp between amplicons. The primer pairs and amplification conditions allow for single or multiple detection of all currently described mcr genes and their variants present in Enterobacteriaceae. The protocol was validated testing 49 European Escherichia coli and Salmonella isolates of animal origin. Results: Multiplex PCR results in bovine and porcine isolates from Spain, Germany, France and Italy showed full concordance with whole genome sequence data. The method was able to detect mcr-1, mcr-3 and mcr-4 as singletons or in different combinations as they were present in the test isolates. One new mcr-4 variant, mcr-4.3, was also identified. Conclusions: This method allows rapid identification of mcr-positive bacteria and overcomes the challenges of phenotypic detection of colistin resistance. The multiplex PCR should be particularly interesting in settings or laboratories with limited resources for performing genetic analysis as it provides information on the mechanism of colistin resistance without requiring genome sequencing

For Better or for Worse? A Systematic Review of the Evidence on Social Media Use and Depression Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Minorities

Background: Over 90% of adults in the United States have at least one social media account, and lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) persons are more socially active on social media than heterosexuals. Rates of depression among LGB persons are between 1.5- and 2-fold higher than those among their heterosexual counterparts. Social media allows users to connect, interact, and express ideas, emotions, feelings, and thoughts. Thus, social media use might represent both a protective and a risk factor for depression among LGB persons. Studying the nature of the relationship between social media use and depression among LGB individuals is a necessary step to inform public health interventions for this population. Objective: The objective of this systematic review was to synthesize and critique the evidence on social media use and depression among LGB populations. Methods: We conducted a literature search for quantitative and qualitative studies published between January 2003 and June 2017 using 3 electronic databases. Articles were included if they were peer-reviewed, were in English, assessed social media use either quantitatively or qualitatively, measured depression, and focused on LGB populations. A minimum of two authors independently extracted data from each study using an a priori developed abstraction form. We assessed appropriate reporting of studies using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology and the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research for quantitative and qualitative studies, respectively. Results: We included 11 articles in the review; 9 studies were quantitative and cross-sectional and 2 were qualitative. Appropriate reporting of results varied greatly. Across quantitative studies, we found heterogeneity in how social media use was defined and measured. Cyberbullying was the most studied social media experience and was associated with depression and suicidality. Qualitative studies found that while social media provides a space to disclose minority experiences and share ways to cope and get support, constant surveillance of one’s social media profile can become a stressor, potentially leading to depression. In most studies, sexual minority participants were identified inconsistently. Conclusions: This review supports the need for research on the role of social media use on depression outcomes among LBG persons. Using social media may be both a protective and a risk factor for depression among LGB individuals. Support gained via social media may buffer the impact of geographic isolation and loneliness. Negative experiences such as cyberbullying and other patterns of use may be associated with depression. Future research would benefit from more consistent definitions of both social media use and study populations. Moreover, use of larger samples and accounting for patterns of use and individuals’ experiences on social media may help better understand the factors that impact LGB mental health disparities