Individual differences in arithmetic fluency

Este estudio contrasta la hipótesis de que las dificultades que tienen algunos sujetos en el dominio de las tablas de multiplicar se deban a su incapacidad para afrontar la interferencia. Los resultados no muestran diferencias en medidas de interferencia en un tarea de recuerdo serial entre sujetos con alta y baja habilidad en la resolución de multiplicaciones. Sin embargo, se encuentran diferencias asociadas a su dominio de las representaciones numéricas.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech. Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad. Proyecto PSI-2012-38423

Struggling with single-digit multiplications: testing several hypotheses

Between 5-10% of children suffer big difficulties in learning single-digit multiplications (Geary, 2011). In accordance with previous studies, difficulties in learning multiplications would be related with interference-control problems. The more similar the multiplications are (e.g., 4x6=24; 4x7=28), the greater is the interference that occurs when remembering them. People who have interference-control problems, would not be able to adequately retrieve the solutions (e.g., De Visscher et al., 2014). Furthermore, evidences suggest that inhibition would be a key cognitive mechanism underlying numerical development (Nath & Szücs, 2016). Another point of view defends that difficulties with basic numerical representations, or their access from symbolic formats (e.g., Arabic, verbal), would be the cause of the multiplication learning difficulties. The footprint in the memory of multiplication problems would be weakened because of an imprecise representation of the numbers and the result which compose them (e.g., Buttwerworth, 2005). This study explored whether the differences in multiplication fluency in adults are due to numerical or non-numerical abilities. High Fluency (N=17; Age=18-32) & Low Fluency (N=17; Age=18-37) groups were created according to their performance in a multiplication fluency test (High= Fluency > P85, Low=Fluency < P15). We used two tasks to assess symbolic and non-symbolic numerical representations, and two memory tasks to assess proactive and retroactive interference. We assessed inhibitory control using the Attentional Network Task, and the interaction between numerical representations and inhibition using a numerical Stroop task. Results showed differences in numerical representation tasks between groups but not in interference-control measures. A reduced numerical Stroop effect in the Low Fluency group was also found. Taking together, we conclude that deficits in the numerical domain are in the basis of single-digit multiplication problems.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Automatic processing of number identity and place-value in multi-digit numbers

The Arabic numerical system employs two dimensions to create multi-digit numbers: digits symbols and place-value. The present research explores in two numerical Stroop experiments to which extent number identity and number place-value processing is automatic in four-digit numbers. Whereas the automatic coding of place-value has been stated previously (see Kallai & Tzelgov, 2012), this has been studied in isolation using similar numbers (e.g., 0400-0040). Experiment 1 explored the access to numbers identity. Fifty-five volunteers were presented with pairs of four digit numbers that differed in one number (e.g., 0200-0400). They had to decide which number string was presented in bigger font size. Congruity between the physical size and the numerical value, distance between the numbers, and position of the discrepant numbers within the string, were manipulated. Results revealed congruity effects that were modulated by distance and position. Experiment 2 (N=90) jointly manipulated size congruity at the place-value (PV) and at the number identity (NI) dimensions (e.g., congruent NI & PV: 0100-5000; congruent NI & incongruent PV: 1000-0500; incongruent NI & congruent PV: 0500-1000; incongruent NI & incongruent PV: 5000-0100). Data analyses indicated an interaction between place-value and identity showing the automatic and simultaneous processing of both dimensions in four-digit numbers.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Rethinking the Xylella fastidiosa scenario in the Balearic Islands: what epidemiological, phylogenetic and dendrochronological data tell us

Trabajo presentado en la 2nd European conference on Xylella fastidiosa (how research can support solutions), celebrada en Ajaccio el 29 y 30 de octubre de 2019.The emergence of Xylella fastidiosa(Xf) in Europe has been dealt as relatively recent introductions from the American continent. While this seems accurate for highly virulent genotypes such as thestrain currently causing the quick olive decline syndrome in Apulia since ca. 2013, less virulent Xf genotypes might have gone undetected for a long time, being confused with drought or fungal disease symptoms under Mediterranean climatic conditions. Indeed, the current widespread incidence and severity of the Pierce’s disease (PD) and Almond Leaf Scorch Disease (ALSD) in Mallorca Island can only be understood in this context of a 20-year introduction scenario. Our current epidemiological, phylogenetic anddendrochronological data onXf strains belonging to subsp. fastidiosaST1, and Xf subsp. multiplexST81, causing Pierce’s disease (PD) and ALSD, respectively, strongly suggest that they were overlooked for decades. Both subspecies were very likely transported from California to Mallorca with infected almond scions around 1995 and subsequently spread throughout the island by the local vector Philaenus spumarius. Our phylogenetic analysis based on WGS of isolates of both subspecies from Mallorca supports their Californian origin. Congruent with this, Xf DNA was consistently detected in the growing rings of infected almond trees from 2006 to the present and occasionally as far back as 1998. In the main focus in Son Carrió more than 50% of the almond trees diedand 90% of trees showed symptoms compatible with ALSD in 2012, but the aetiology of this problem was attributed to fungal trunk diseases, drought or field abandonment. We hypothesise that during the last 20 years, Xf subsp. multiplexST81 isolates have adapted to wild olive trees, widespread on the island, causing a mild dieback, and later on reaching the island of Menorca very likely on infected P. spumariustransported as a hitchhiker on ships moving between the islands.This research was funded by project E-RTA2017-00004-C06 from AEI-INIA Spain and FEDER and received financial support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fishery and Food (Dirección General de la Sanidad de la Producción Agrària) of Spain and from ‘Govern de les Illes Balears’

Writing 1-to-3 digit numerals to dictation in Spanish: predictors and error analysis.

Mastering number transcoding demands from children the acquisition of the complexities of the Arabic place-value system and the specific rules of multi-digit numbers of their language. The present research explores the writing to dictation of 1-to-3-digit numerals in an initial sample of Spanish 1st (N = 208) and 2nd grade school children (N = 96). Language rules for multidigit numbers in Spanish are similar to those in other languages (e.g., Italian) with some variations: there are irregularities (e.g., inversion) between 11-15, but a regular pattern after this that involve both multiplicative and additive rules (432: cuatrocientos treinta y dos, literally: fourhundreds thirty and two”). Results indicated that 2nd grade children made anecdotical errors (< 2%), showing mostly digit substitution (lexical) errors (e.g., 167 instead of 567). First graders showed a more diverse pattern of errors (19%) with digit substitutions, syntactic errors and mixed errors. Qualitative analysis showed similar error rates for irregular and regular multidigits suggesting a non-syntactical treatment of these numbers. Within syntactic errors, we claim that transposition (107 instead of 170) and structural errors (10070 instead of 170) have different sources and involve different compensation mechanisms. Finally, in a subset of the data we also explored the role of non-symbolic comparison, number to mental line position and completion of numerical sequences in predicting number writing. Whereas completing Arabic numerical sequences arose as significant predictor, no role for variables related to the analogical representation of numbers was found. This seems to support asemantic models of transcoding.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec

A comprehensive microarray-based DNA methylation study of 367 hematological neoplasms

Background: Alterations in the DNA methylation pattern are a hallmark of leukemias and lymphomas. However, most epigenetic studies in hematologic neoplasms (HNs) have focused either on the analysis of few candidate genes or many genes and few HN entities, and comprehensive studies are required. Methodology/Principal Findings: Here, we report for the first time a microarray-based DNA methylation study of 767 genes in 367 HNs diagnosed with 16 of the most representative B-cell (n = 203), T-cell (n = 30), and myeloid (n = 134) neoplasias, as well as 37 samples from different cell types of the hematopoietic system. Using appropriate controls of B-, T-, or myeloid cellular origin, we identified a total of 220 genes hypermethylated in at least one HN entity. In general, promoter hypermethylation was more frequent in lymphoid malignancies than in myeloid malignancies, being germinal center mature B-cell lymphomas as well as B and T precursor lymphoid neoplasias those entities with highest frequency of gene-associated DNA hypermethylation. We also observed a significant correlation between the number of hypermethylated and hypomethylated genes in several mature B-cell neoplasias, but not in precursor B- and T-cell leukemias. Most of the genes becoming hypermethylated contained promoters with high CpG content, and a significant fraction of them are targets of the polycomb repressor complex. Interestingly, T-cell prolymphocytic leukemias show low levels of DNA hypermethylation and a comparatively large number of hypomethylated genes, many of them showing an increased gene expression. Conclusions/Significance: We have characterized the DNA methylation profile of a wide range of different HNs entities. As well as identifying genes showing aberrant DNA methylation in certain HN subtypes, we also detected six genes—DBC1, DIO3, FZD9, HS3ST2, MOS, and MYOD1—that were significantly hypermethylated in B-cell, T-cell, and myeloid malignancies. These might therefore play an important role in the development of different HNs

Psychometrics properties of the diabetic care perceived stress inventory: an study with a sample of parents of children with insulin-dependent diabetes

El objetivo de este trabajo fue el análisis preliminar de la fiabilidad y validez del “Inventario de Estrés en el Cuidado Diabético (forma padres)”, I.E.C.DI.. Esta prueba evalúa el estrés que perciben los padres de niños y adolescentes con diabetes mellitus insulino-dependiente (DMID) en distintas situaciones relativas al cuidado y/o supervisión del tratamiento de sus hijos. Un total de 100 padres, 37 padres y 63 madres, de niños con DMID participaron en el estudio. Se obtuvo una estructura factorial de cuatro factores que explicó el 55,76% de la varianza de la versión final de 50 ítems. Son necesarios futuros estudios para confirmar las propiedades psicométricas y la utilidad del I.E.C.DI. para contribuir a avanzar en la investigación del papel del estrés en la DMID.The aim of this work was the preliminary analysis of reliability and validity of the “Diabetic Care Stress Inventory (parents form)”, D.C.S.I. This instrument assess the perceived stress in parents of children and adolescents with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) regarding their children diabetic care and/or treatment supervision. A total of 100 parents, 37 fathers and 63 mothers, of children with IDDM participated in the study. The analysis showed that four factors which accounted for 55,76% of the variance of the final 50 items version. Future studies are necessary to endorse D.C.S.I.’s psychometric properties and utility to contribute to more advance in research on the role of stress in IDDM.Este trabajo ha sido realizado gracias a la financiación HUM 96/06 del Plan Regional de Investigación, Desarrollo Tecnológico y del Conocimiento (Programa Séneca) de la Consejería de Cultura y Educación de la Comunidad de Murcia

MIRROS: a randomized, placebo-controlled, Phase III trial of cytarabine ± idasanutlin in relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia.

Patients with refractory or relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (R/R AML) have a poor prognosis, with a high unmet medical need. Idasanutlin is a small-molecule inhibitor of MDM2, a negative regulator of tumor suppressor p53. By preventing the p53–MDM2 interaction, idasanutlin allows for p53 activation, particularly in patients with TP53 wild-type (WT) status. MIRROS (NCT02545283) is a randomized Phase III trial evaluating idasanutlin + cytarabine versus placebo + cytarabine in R/R AML. The primary end point is overall survival in the TP53-WT population. Secondary end points include complete remission rate (cycle 1), overall remission rate (cycle 1) and event-free survival in the TP53-WT population. MIRROS has an innovative design that integrates a stringent interim analysis for futility; continuation criteria were met in mid-2017 and accrual is ongoing. Trial registration number: NCT0254528