An 18S ribosomal DNA barcode for the study of Isomermis lairdi, a parasite of the blackfly Simulium damnosum s.l.

The mermithid parasite, Isomermis lairdi Mondet, Poinar & Bernadou (Nematoda: Mermithidae), is known to have a major impact on populations of Simulium damnosum s.l. Theobald (Diptera: Simuliidae) and on their efficiency as vectors of Onchocerca volvulus (Leuckart) (Nematoda: Filarioidea). However, the value of I. lairdi and other mermithid parasites as potential means of integrated vector control has not been fully realized. This is partly because traditional taxonomic approaches have been insufficient for describing and analysing important aspects of their biology and host range. In total, rDNA barcode sequences have been obtained from over 70 I. lairdi mermithids found parasitizing S. damnosum s.l. larvae in three different rivers. No two sequences were found to vary by more than 0.5%, and cytospecies identification of mermithid hosts revealed that I. lairdi with identical rDNA barcodes can parasitize multiple cytoforms of the S. damnosum complex, including S. squamosum (Enderlein). Phylogenetic analysis using a partial sequence from the 18S ribosomal DNA barcode, grouped I. lairdi in a monophyletic group with Gastromermis viridis Welch (Nematoda: Mermithidae) and Isomermis wisconsinensis Welch (Nematoda: Mermithidae)

Exploring participatory design methods for seniors with memory loss through the co- design of tangible communication tools

As the number of seniors with memory loss continues to rise, the importance of designing tools that facilitate connection with loved ones to reduce feelings of isolation is becoming increasingly apparent. Feelings of isolation have been linked to poor health outcomes and consequently place larger demands on health care systems, health care professionals, family members, and friends. Seniors with memory loss (SWML) have a higher risk of becoming social isolated, and isolation can accelerate the rate of memory loss. This research addresses social isolation among this population by exploring ways to engage them in co-designing solutions. Traditional research methods and communication technologies may not be appropriate or may need to be modified in order to engage SWML. Through a combination of participatory design, co-design, and generative tools, this research explored: (1) current research methods and techniques used to engage SWML in the design process, (2) the evaluation of existing and new design techniques through the facilitation of three pilot studies, (3) and insights and recommendations to engage this population in future work

A systematic review using the theoretical domains framework to identify barriers and facilitators to the adoption of prescribing guidelines

Objectives Evidence-based guidelines have the potential to reduce variation and increase prescribing quality. Identifying the key determinants to their uptake, using a theory-based approach, may assist in the design of successful interventions to increase their adoption into practice. This systematic review investigated barriers and facilitators identified using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to the implementation of prescribing guidelines. Methods Electronic databases (EMBASE, PubMed) were searched. Studies were included if they used the TDF to identify key determinants of guideline implementation. Only studies published in English were included. Key findings Of the 407 studies identified, 15 were included. A range of patient populations and therapeutic categories were represented. Multiple determinants were identified that affected guideline implementation, with similarities and differences identified across studies. Barriers to guideline adoption included time restriction, lack of awareness, guideline complexity, lack of clinical evidence, social influences and disagreement. Facilitators included peer influence, guideline simplicity, confidence and belief about the positive consequences derived from guideline adoption, for examples improved care and patient outcomes. Conclusions Multiple behavioural factors affect the adoption of prescribing guidelines. The results aided the understanding of factors that may be targeted to increase guideline compliance. However, barriers and facilitators can vary significantly in different environments; therefore, research that targets particular healthcare settings and patient populations may provide further evidence to increase the specificity and credibility of intervention strategies

Atlas Simulation: A Numerical Scheme for Approximating Multiscale Diffusions Embedded in High Dimensions

<p>When simulating multiscale stochastic differential equations (SDEs) in high-dimensions, separation of timescales and high-dimensionality can make simulations expensive. The computational cost is dictated by microscale properties and interactions of many variables, while interesting behavior often occurs on the macroscale with few important degrees of freedom. For many problems bridging the gap between the microscale and macroscale by direct simulation is computationally infeasible, and one would like to learn a fast macroscale simulator. In this paper we present an unsupervised learning algorithm that uses short parallelizable microscale simulations to learn provably accurate macroscale SDE models. The learning algorithm takes as input: the microscale simulator, a local distance function, and a homogenization scale. The learned macroscale model can then be used for fast computation and storage of long simulations. I will discuss various examples, both low- and high-dimensional, as well as results about the accuracy of the fast simulators we construct, and its dependency on the number of short paths requested from the microscale simulator.</p>Dissertatio

The impacts of increasing current velocity on the drift of Simulium monticola (Diptera: Simuliidae): a laboratory approach

Current velocity and associated physical forces are among the most important factors shaping lotic benthic communities. The recent increase in the frequency and intensity of flow alterations, especially related to hydroelectric use or irrigation, represents a key element of riverine environment deterioration. Numerous studies have investigated the effect of current velocity increases on macrobenthic fauna, underlining that, in most cases, these increases enhance the drift, i.e. the abandonment of the substrate by macroinvertebrates. The purpose of this study is to examine the drift propensity of Simulium monticola (Diptera: Simuliidae) under different water velocities. Simuliidae are one of the most characteristic components of fast-flowing environments in rivers. Experiments were conducted in an artificial stream in the laboratories of Politecnico di Torino, analysing the drift of organisms at different current velocities. The observed variability of drift appears to be related to velocity increases: interestingly, we evidenced an inverse relationship between velocity and drift propensity, with low amounts of drifting organisms at higher velocities. This tendency was not related to the size of Simuliidae larvae: when comparing the size of drifting organisms with velocity, no significant correlations were detected. We hypothesized that the tendency to drift was mainly behavioural rather than catastrophic, and related to the preference for high water velocities. Our findings support the hypothesis that increases in water velocity can cause complex changes in the drift of the macrobenthic community, increasing the propensity for some species to leave the substrate and decreasing it for other