Perception and Demands of Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women Regarding Their Role as Participants in Environmental Research Studies

A significant proportion of scientific studies consider pregnant and breastfeeding women as vulnerable subjects. The objective of this study was to analyse the perception of pregnant and breastfeeding women regarding their participation in environmental research studies. Our work is a descriptive and interpretative observational study that has been developed under the qualitative research paradigm following a phenomenological and ethnographic perspective. The study involved 173 women selected intentionally in two Spanish autonomous communities. To obtain the primary data, we relied upon 111 interviews, four focused ethnographies and eight focus groups. The data encoding and analysis was carried out with the help of NVivo 12 software (QSR International, Boston, MA, USA). We evidenced the need of pregnant and breastfeeding women for more detailed and accurate information on the risk of environmental pollutant exposure during their crucial life stage. In addition, these women claimed for a more participatory role in research studies. Pregnant and breastfeeding women in Spain ask for greater interaction with researchers and propose a dialogical relationship between valid partners. We conclude that our pregnant and breastfeeding women claim more research focused on their collective, as well as clearer, more accessible and structured information on the risks of exposure to environmental contaminants. In addition, they do not want to simply be informants; rather, they ask to be active and empowered members by providing their opinions and arguments throughout the research process.Fundación Pública Andaluza Progreso y Salud de la Junta de Andalucía, Spain (reference: AP-0139-2017)Ministry of Health of the Junta de Andalucía, Spain - A-0043-2018Ramón y Cajal programme (RYC-2016-20155, of the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness, Spain)

Deep Neural Networks for the Recognition and Classification of Heart Murmurs Using Neuromorphic Auditory Sensors

Auscultation is one of the most used techniques for detecting cardiovascular diseases, which is one of the main causes of death in the world. Heart murmurs are the most common abnormal finding when a patient visits the physician for auscultation. These heart sounds can either be innocent, which are harmless, or abnormal, which may be a sign of a more serious heart condition. However, the accuracy rate of primary care physicians and expert cardiologists when auscultating is not good enough to avoid most of both type-I (healthy patients are sent for echocardiogram) and type-II (pathological patients are sent home without medication or treatment) errors made. In this paper, the authors present a novel convolutional neural network based tool for classifying between healthy people and pathological patients using a neuromorphic auditory sensor for FPGA that is able to decompose the audio into frequency bands in real time. For this purpose, different networks have been trained with the heart murmur information contained in heart sound recordings obtained from nine different heart sound databases sourced from multiple research groups. These samples are segmented and preprocessed using the neuromorphic auditory sensor to decompose their audio information into frequency bands and, after that, sonogram images with the same size are generated. These images have been used to train and test different convolutional neural network architectures. The best results have been obtained with a modified version of the AlexNet model, achieving 97% accuracy (specificity: 95.12%, sensitivity: 93.20%, PhysioNet/CinC Challenge 2016 score: 0.9416). This tool could aid cardiologists and primary care physicians in the auscultation process, improving the decision making task and reducing type-I and type-II errors.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad TEC2016-77785-

NAVIS: Neuromorphic Auditory VISualizer Tool

This software presents diverse utilities to perform the first post-processing layer taking the neuromorphic auditory sensors (NAS) information. The used NAS implements in FPGA a cascade filters architecture, imitating the behavior of the basilar membrane and inner hair cells and working with the sound information decomposed into its frequency components as spike streams. The well-known neuromorphic hardware interface Address-Event-Representation (AER) is used to propagate auditory information out of the NAS, emulating the auditory vestibular nerve. Using the information packetized into aedat files, which are generated through the jAER software plus an AER to USB computer interface, NAVIS implements a set of graphs that allows to represent the auditory information as cochleograms, histograms, sonograms, etc. It can also split the auditory information into different sets depending on the activity level of the spike streams. The main contribution of this software tool is that it allows complex audio post-processing treatments and representations, which is a novelty for spike-based systems in the neuromorphic community and it will help neuromorphic engineers to build sets for training spiking neural networks (SNN).Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad TEC2012-37868-C04-0

Presencia de Bemisia tabaci Sensu lato (Gennadius, 1889) (Hemiptera: Aleroydidae) en cultivos intra y peridomiciliares de vegetales en semiárido urbano del estado Falcón, Venezuela | Presence of Bemisia tabaci Sensu lato (Gennadius, 1889) (Hemiptera: Aleroydidae) in intra and peridomiciliary vegetable crops In urban semiarid region of falcon State, Venezuela

Las “mosca blanca” Bemisia tabaci sensu lato (s.l). (Hemiptera: Aleroydidae) es un insecto plaga muy importante del área agrícola con amplia distribución mundial y preferencias hacia sus plantas-hospedadoras. Se presenta el registro de poblaciones de B. tabaci s.l. capturadas infestando plantas (tomate: Solanum lycopersicum L., berenjena: Solanum melongena L., ají: Capsicum L., pimentón: Capsicum annuum L., auyama: Cucurbita maxima Duchesne in Lam., 1786) cultivadas en áreas intra y peridomiciliares de dos viviendas del área urbana (Coro, Punto Fijo) de la región semiárida del estado Falcón, al nor-occidente de Venezuela. Se actualiza la lista de plantas hospedadoras y la distribución geográfica de B. tabaci s.l. en el estado Falcón. Se comenta la potencial importancia económica de las poblaciones de B. tabaci s.l. en el contexto de la agricultura urbana, y las necesidades de investigación en la región falconiana.Palabras clave: Mosca blanca, agricultura urbana, entomología urbana, Venezuela.AbstractThe whitefly Bemisia tabaci sensu lato (s.l.) (Hemiptera: Aleroydidae) is an important agricultural pest with worldwide distribution and host plant preferences. A report is made of B. tabaci s.l populations collected infesting plants (tomato: Solanum lycopersicum L., egg plant: Solanum melongena L., sweet pepper: Capsicum L., pepper: Capsicum annuum L., squash: Cucurbita maxima Duchesne in Lam., 1786) grown in intra and peridomiciliary areas from two dwelling of the urban area (Coro and Punto Fijo cities) of the semiarid region of Falcon State, north-western Venezuela. A revised and updated list of the host plants and geographic distribution of whitefly in Falcon state is presented. Comments are made on the potential economic importance of B. tabaci s.l. populations in the context of urban agriculture and research needs in Falcon state region.Key words: Tobacco whitefly, urban agriculture, urban entomology, Venezuela

Parásitos intestinales en poblaciones ferales de palomas domésticas (Columba livia domestica) en Coro, estado Falcón, Venezuela

The domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica) is a columbiform bird species well-adapted to anthropic environments. However, it can serve as a carrier of pathogenic microorganisms of zoonotic interest. Between August 2017 and August 2018 feces of feral populations of domestic pigeons were collected to determine the occurrence of intestinal parasites in three sites of the city of Coro, Falcon state, Venezuela: University Hospital "Alfredo Van Grieken", a bus terminal and the National Experimental University "Francisco de Miranda". The samples (n=516) were analyzed by five coprological methods: direct test, Willis-Molloy flotation (ClNa), Faust flotation (zinc sulphate), spontaneous sedimentation in tube and Kinyoun staining. The parasitological analysis revealed the presence of 12 parasitic taxa in 54.3% (280/516) of faecal samples, of which several are considered of medical-zoonotic importance (Cryptosporidium spp, Blastocystis spp, Cyclospora spp). The most prevalent taxa were Criptosporidium spp (38.5%), Isospora spp (19.4%), Cyclospora spp (13%) and Raillietina spp (7.8%). The implications of these findings in the context of public health are discussed.La paloma doméstica (Columba livia domestica) es una especie de ave columbiforme muy bien adaptada a los ambientes intervenidos por el ser humano. Sin embargo, puede servir de transportador de microorganismos patógenos de interés médico-zoonótico. Entre agosto de 2017 y agosto de 2018 se recolectaron heces de poblaciones ferales de palomas domésticas para determinar la ocurrencia de parásitos intestinales en tres sitios de la ciudad de Coro, estado Falcón, Venezuela: en el Hospital Universitario “Alfredo Van Grieken”, en el terminal de pasajeros municipal y en la Universidad Nacional Experimental “Francisco de Miranda”. Las muestras (n= 516) se analizaron mediante cinco métodos coprológicos: directo, flotación de Willis-Molloy, flotación de Faust, sedimentación en tubo y coloración de Kinyoun. El análisis parasitológico reveló la presencia en el 54.3% (280/516) de las muestras fecales de 12 taxones enteroparasitarios, de las cuales varias son consideradas potencialmente de importancia médico-zoonótico (Criptosporidium spp, Blastocystis spp, Cyclospora spp). Los taxones más prevalentes fueron Cryptosporidium spp (38.5%), Isospora spp (19.4%), Cyclospora spp (13%) y Raillietina spp (7.8%). Se discute las implicaciones de estos hallazgos en el contexto de la salud pública

Use of precipitated sulphur in pretrolatum for the topical treatment of knemidocoptic mange (Knemidocoptes sp) in two roosters

Se presentan los resultados de un ensayo clínico para evaluar la aplicación tópica del azufre precipitado en petrolato (10%) en el tratamiento de lesiones cutáneas podales crónicas de sarna knemidocóptica en dos gallos (Gallus gallus domesticus) en la ciudad de Coro, estado Falcón, Venezuela. El diagnóstico se realizó mediante examen clínico y de laboratorio, tomándose muestras de las lesiones dérmicas por raspado, procesadas con KOH (10%) y observadas al microscopio. El tratamiento topical fue realizado cada 3 días durante 1 mes. La evaluación del tratamiento se hizo mediante observación de la evolución y raspado de las lesiones. La valoración de los efectos adversos se hizo mediante observación clínica. Los dos gallos se recuperaron de las lesiones sin observarse efectos secundarios. La mezcla de azufre precipitado en petrolato aparece como una alternativa simple y de bajo costo para el tratamiento tópico de la sarna knemidocóptica en Gallus gallus domesticus.The short communication shows the results of a clinical trial to evaluate the topical application of precipitated sulphur in petrolatum (10%) in the treatment of chronic feet skin lesions of knemidocoptic mange in two roosters in Coro city, Falcon state, Venezuela. The diagnosis was made by clinical and laboratory examination of scrapings of cutaneous lesions processed with KOH 10% and microscopically observed. The topical treatment was performed every 3 days for 1 month. The evaluation of the treatment was done by observing the evolution of the lesions and scraping of the knemidocoptic lesions and the assessment of the side-effects was done by clinical observation. Both birds recovered from the injuries without side effects. The mixture of precipitated sulfur in petrolatum appears as a simple and inexpensive alternative for the topical treatment of knemidocoptic mange in Gallus gallus domesticus

Effect of aqueous and oil-based formulations of 13 native isolates of Beauveria bassiana (Ascomycota) on Rhodnius prolixus (Triatominae) under experimental conditions

El triatomino Rhodnius prolixus es el principal vector de la enfermedad de Chagas en Venezuela. En el presente estudio se evaluó el efecto de formulaciones de conidias con base acuosa y aceitosa (soya 50%) de 13 aislamientos nativos del hongo entomopatógeno Beauveria bassiana (Fungi: Ascomycota) en ninfas estadio IV del triatomino Rhodnius prolixus. Se utilizó una concentración de 1x107 conidias/ml bajo condiciones de laboratorio (26 °C, HR >90%). Las suspensiones se aplicaron por inmersión. La mortalidad y la conidiación se evaluaron diariamente durante 24 días. Los resultados mostraron que las suspensiones de conidias aceitosas fueron significativamente más eficientes que las acuosas al incrementar la mortalidad y eficacia y disminuir el TL50 de los aislamientos (p88%). Los aislamientos LF14 y LF13 mostraron los mayores porcentajes de mortalidad acumulada, eficacia y menores TL50, tanto en formulaciones acuosas como en las aceitosas. Estos aislamientos de B. bassiana aparecen como buenos candidatos para ser probados a nivel de campo en futuros programas de manejo biorracional de los vectores de la enfermedad de Chagas.Rhodnius prolixus is the main vector of Chagas disease in Venezuela. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of aqueous and 50% soy bean oil-based formulations (1x107 conidia/ml) of 13 native Beauveria bassiana (Fungi: Ascomycota) isolates on fourth instar nymphs of Rhodnius prolixus. The conidial suspension were used under laboratory conditions (26 ºC; RH >90%). The treatment was by immersion and mortality and conidiation were evaluated daily for 24 days. The results showed that the fungal soy-bean oil formulations tested were more effective than the aqueous suspension, as attained significantly higher mortality and efficacy percentages and decreased LT50 in the 13 isolates (p88%). LF14 and LF13 isolates showed a higher percentage of accumulated mortality, efficacy and a lowest LT50 in aqueous formulations as well as in oil-based ones. These B. bassiana isolates appears to be considered as good candidates to be tested under field conditions in biorational control programmes for Chagas disease vectors

Registro de dos taxa de ácaros (Acari: Mesostigmata, Astigmata) asociados a Milichiidae (Diptera) y Pteromalidae (Hymenoptera) en el estado Falcón, Venezuela | Record of two mite taxa (Acari: Mesostigmata, Astigmata) associated to Milichiidae (Diptera) and Pteromalidae (Hymenoptera) in Falcon state, Venezuela

Se presenta el registro de deutoninfas de dos taxa de ácaros (Acari), incluyendo Uroobovella Sensu lato Berlesse, 1903 (Mesostigmata, Urodinychidae) y Cosmoglyphus Oudemans, 1932 (Astigmata, Acaridae) sujetas a las patas y/o abdomen de adultos de Desmometopa Loew, 1866(Diptera: Milichiidae) y de Spalangia Latreille, 1805 (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) respectivamente. Los ejemplares fueron capturados dentro de una vivienda en un envase plástico conteniendo compost para cultivo de hortalizas y en los ventanales. La vivienda estaba ubicada en el área urbana de la ciudad de Coro, zona semiárida del estado Falcón, región nor-occidental de Venezuela. Palabras clave: Agricultura urbana, Cosmoglyphus, Desmometopa, simbiosis, Spalangia, Uroobovella. AbstractThe record is made of deutonymphs of two mite taxa (Acari), including Uroobovella Sensu lato Berlesse, 1903 (Mesostigmata, Urodinychidae) and Cosmoglyphus Oudemans, 1932 (Astigmata, Acaridae) attached to the legs and/or abdomen of adults of Desmometopa Loew, 1866(Diptera: Milichiidae) and Spalangia Latreille, 1805 (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) respectively. The specimens were collected within a dwelling, in a plastic container with compost and in the windows. The house was located in the urban area of the city of Coro, semiarid region of Falcon State, north-western region of Venezuela.Key words: Urban agriculture, Cosmoglyphus, Desmometopa, symbiosis, Spalangia, Uroobovella

Caracterización morfológica y presencia de Bradysia difformis Frey, 1948 (Diptera: Sciaridae) en compost doméstico en el semiárido urbano del estado Falcón, Venezuela | Morphological characterization and presence of Bradysia difformis Frey, 1948 (Diptera: Sciaridae) in domestic compost in urban semiarid region from Falcón state, Venezuela

Se presenta la caracterización morfológica y registro de la “mosca negra” o del “mantillo” (“fungus gnats”) Bradysia difformis (Diptera: Sciaridae) capturada en un compost dentro de una vivienda del área urbana de la zona semiárida del estado Falcón, región nor-occidental de Venezuela. Se comenta la potencial importancia económica de las poblaciones de B. difformis para los cultivos en las zonas urbanas y periurbanas.Palabras clave: Agricultura urbana, insectos dañinos, Venezuela.AbstractA report is made of the morphological characterization and presence of the “fungus gnats” Bradysia difformis (Diptera: Sciaridae) collected on compost into a dwelling of the urban area of semiarid region of Falcon State, north-western region of Venezuela. Comments are made on the potential economic importance of B. difformis populations for crops in the urban and peri-urban zonesKey words: Urban agriculture, harmful insects, Venezuela

Primer registro de Desmometopa leptometopoides Sabrosky, 1983 (Diptera: milichiidae) para la región neotropical y de Desmometopa varipalpis Malloch, 1927 para Venezuela | First record of Desmometopa leptometopoides Sabrosky, 1983 (Diptera: milichiidae) to the neotropical region and Desmometopa varipalpis Malloch, 1927 to Venezuela

Se presenta el primer registro de Desmometopa leptometopoides Sabrosky, 1983 (Diptera: Milichiidae) para la Región Neotropical, y de Desmometopa varipalpis Malloch, 1927 para Venezuela, a partir de ejemplares adultos capturados en compost y ventanales dentro de una vivienda del área urbana de la zona semiárida del estado Falcón, región nor-occidental de Venezuela. Se realiza la descripción y se ilustra la morfología de los imagos de ambas especies de dípteros-acalípteros y la de los huevos de D. leptometopoides. El comercio internacional de frutas tropicales aparece como el probable mecanismo de expansión de estos insectos, que parecieran haberse adaptado con éxito en el semiárido urbano falconiano.Palabras clave: Acaliptrados, agricultura urbana, entomología urbana.AbstractDesmometopa leptometopoides Sabrosky, 1983 (Diptera: Milichiidae) is herein recorded for the first time in the Neotropical region and Desmometopa varipalpis Malloch, 1927 for Venezuela, collected on compost and windows into a dwelling of the urban area of the semiarid region of Falcon State, north-western region of Venezuela. Description and illustrations of morphological characters of imagos of both acalyptrate dipterous species and that of the eggs of D. leptometopoides are provided. International trade of tropical fruits and vegetables appears to be considered as an important factor for global distribution of D. leptometopoides and D. varipalpis. The breeding biology of these Diptera-milichiid flies appears to be successfully adapted to the urban semiarid condition of Falcon state.KEY WORDS: Acalyptrate, urban agriculture, urban entomology