Learning to express causal events in Mandarin Chinese: A multimodal perspective.

Previous research has shown language-specific features play a guiding role in how children develop expression of events with speech and gestures. This study adopts a multimodal approach and examines Mandarin Chinese, a language that features context use and verb serializations. Forty children (four-to-seven years old) and ten adults were asked to describe fourteen video stimuli depicting different types of causal events involving location/state changes. Participants' speech was segmented into clauses and co-occurring gestures were analyzed in relation to causation. The results show that the older the children, the greater the use of contextual clauses which contribute meaning to event descriptions. It is not until the age of six that children used adult-like structures - namely, using single gestures representing causing actions and aligning them with verb serializations in single clauses. We discuss the implications of these findings for the guiding role of language specificity in multimodal language development.

Systematic mappings between semantic categories and types of iconic representations in the manual modality: A normed database of silent gesture.

An unprecedented number of empirical studies have shown that iconic gestures-those that mimic the sensorimotor attributes of a referent-contribute significantly to language acquisition, perception, and processing. However, there has been a lack of normed studies describing generalizable principles in gesture production and in comprehension of the mappings of different types of iconic strategies (i.e., modes of representation; Müller, 2013). In Study 1 we elicited silent gestures in order to explore the implementation of different types of iconic representation (i.e., acting, representing, drawing, and personification) to express concepts across five semantic domains. In Study 2 we investigated the degree of meaning transparency (i.e., iconicity ratings) of the gestures elicited in Study 1. We found systematicity in the gestural forms of 109 concepts across all participants, with different types of iconicity aligning with specific semantic domains: Acting was favored for actions and manipulable objects, drawing for nonmanipulable objects, and personification for animate entities. Interpretation of gesture-meaning transparency was modulated by the interaction between mode of representation and semantic domain, with some couplings being more transparent than others: Acting yielded higher ratings for actions, representing for object-related concepts, personification for animate entities, and drawing for nonmanipulable entities. This study provides mapping principles that may extend to all forms of manual communication (gesture and sign). This database includes a list of the most systematic silent gestures in the group of participants, a notation of the form of each gesture based on four features (hand configuration, orientation, placement, and movement), each gesture's mode of representation, iconicity ratings, and professionally filmed videos that can be used for experimental and clinical endeavors.

The metabolic switch can be activated in a recombinant strain of Streptomyces lividans by a low oxygen transfer rate in shake flasks.

BACKGROUND: In Streptomyces, understanding the switch from primary to secondary metabolism is important for maximizing the production of secondary metabolites such as antibiotics, as well as for optimizing recombinant glycoprotein production. Differences in Streptomyces lividans bacterial aggregation as well as recombinant glycoprotein production and O-mannosylation have been reported due to modifications in the shake flask design. We hypothetized that such differences are related to the metabolic switch that occurs under oxygen-limiting conditions in the cultures. RESULTS: Shake flask design was found to affect undecylprodigiosin (RED, a marker of secondary metabolism) production; the RED yield was 12 and 385 times greater in conventional normal Erlenmeyer flasks (NF) than in baffled flasks (BF) and coiled flasks (CF), respectively. In addition, oxygen transfer rates (OTR) and carbon dioxide transfer rates were almost 15 times greater in cultures in CF and BF as compared with those in NF. Based on these data, we obtained respiration quotients (RQ) consistent with aerobic metabolism for CF and BF, but an RQ suggestive of anaerobic metabolism for NF. CONCLUSION: Although the metabolic switch is usually related to limitations in phosphate and nitrogen in Streptomyces sp., our results reveal that it can also be activated by low OTR, dramatically affecting recombinant glycoprotein production and O-mannosylation and increasing RED synthesis in the process.

Between bodily action and conventionalized structure: The neural mechanisms of constructed action in sign language comprehension.

Sign languages (SLs) are expressed through different bodily actions, ranging from re-enactment of physical events (constructed action, CA) to sequences of lexical signs with internal structure (plain telling, PT). Despite the prevalence of CA in signed interactions and its significance for SL comprehension, its neural dynamics remain unexplored. We examined the processing of different types of CA (subtle, reduced, and overt) and PT in 35 adult deaf or hearing native signers. The electroencephalographic-based processing of signed sentences with incongruent targets was recorded. Attenuated N300 and early N400 were observed for CA in deaf but not in hearing signers. No differences were found between sentences with CA types in all signers, suggesting a continuum from PT to overt CA. Deaf signers focused more on body movements; hearing signers on faces. We conclude that CA is processed less effortlessly than PT, arguably because of its strong focus on bodily actions.

A New Species of the Genus Periglischrus (Acari: Spinturnicidae) on Leptonycteris nivalis (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) From Mexico, Including a Key to Species of the vargasi Species Group.

Periglischrus calcariflexus new species, was found on the Greater Long-tongued bat Leptonycteris nivalis (Saussure) in Mexico. The female, male, deutonymphs, and protonymph are described and illustrated. Additionally, we evaluate the morphological variability of this species based on its geographical distribution. Considering this new species, the number of species in the vargasi species group within the genus Periglischrus increases to five; therefore, herein we include a key for the known species in the vargasi species group for the Neotropics.

Determination of surgical intervention in pre-term infants with necrotizing enterocolitis.

BACKGROUND: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common surgical disease in the neonatal period with a high mortality rate. To date, there is no consensus on the indications for surgery in the absence of pneumoperitoneum. This study aimed to determine the indications for surgery in pre-term infants with NEC and their mortality. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive, observational, cross-sectional, and retrospective study including pre-term infants with NEC from two perinatal hospitals in Toluca, Mexico, between 2017 and 2022. Descriptive and inferential statistics and group comparisons were performed using Fisher and Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS: Of 236 patients with NEC, 52 (22%) required surgery; we analyzed 42 cases with complete clinical records. The indications for surgery were divided into (a) clinical deterioration (33.3%); (b) radiographic findings (31%); (c) laboratory alterations (19%); and (d) positive paracentesis (16.7%). The group of radiographic findings underwent surgery later, up to 2 days after the other groups. The mortality rate of surgical NEC was 42.9%. CONCLUSIONS: The most common indication for surgery in pre-term infants with NEC was clinical worsening despite optimal medical management; radiographic findings were the indication associated with the highest mortality. Laboratory abnormalities and positive paracentesis were the indications with the best outcomes but the least used.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La enterocolitis necrosante (ECN) es la enfermedad quirúrgica más frecuente en la etapa neonatal con una alta mortalidad. A la fecha, no existe consenso en las indicaciones quirúrgicas en ausencia de neumoperitoneo. El objetivo del estudio fue conocer las indicaciones de cirugía en neonatos pretérmino con ECN y la mortalidad. MÉTODOS: Se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo, observacional, transversal y retrospectivo, incluyendo a neonatos pretérmino con ECN de dos hospitales perinatales de Toluca, México, entre 2017 a 2022. Se realizó estadística descriptiva e inferencial y comparación de grupos con prueba de Fisher y Kruskal - Wallis. RESULTADOS: De 236 pacientes con ECN, 52 (22%) requirieron cirugía; se presenta el análisis de 42 casos con su expediente clínico completo. Las indicaciones para intervención se dividieron en los siguientes grupos: a) deterioro clínico (33.3%); b) hallazgos radiográficos (31%); c) alteraciones de laboratorio (19%) y d) paracentesis positiva (16.7%). El grupo de hallazgos radiográficos se operó más tardíamente, hasta dos días después de los demás grupos. La mortalidad en ECN quirúrgica fue del 42.9%. CONCLUSIONES: La indicación más utilizada para determinar cirugía en neonatos pretérmino con ECN fue el deterioro clínico a pesar de terapéutica médica máxima; los hallazgos radiográficos fueron la indicación que se relacionó con mayor mortalidad. Las alteraciones de laboratorio y paracentesis positiva fueron las de mejores resultados, pero las menos empleadas.

Ten years of pediatric surgery in a secondary level perinatal hospital in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal surgery is one of the most specialized and demanding areas of pediatric surgery due to the specific anatomical and physiological characteristics of this vulnerable group of patients. This study aimed to present the experience of 10 years of neonatal surgical management in a secondary care perinatal hospital in Mexico. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive, observational, cross-sectional, and retrospective study in a perinatal hospital in Toluca, Mexico, from August 01, 2012, to July 31, 2022. We included patients who underwent surgery within the hospital facilities by the Service of Pediatric Surgery. We studied demographic, clinical, and surgical variables and performed descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS: A total of 551 patients underwent surgery during this period with a prevalence of 0.5%. The number of patients operated in the neonatal period was 497 (90.1%). Forty-eight pathologies were recorded, with a predominance of congenital malformations in 64.6% and prenatal diagnosis in 40.5% of cases. The survival rate was 89.7%. In the bivariate analysis of mortality, we found an inverse relationship between weight and gestational age (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Although not a local or national reference center, the hospital where the study was conducted treats various congenital and acquired diseases, with a mortality rate that tends to decrease, close to the international average, and lower than national reports.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La cirugía pediátrica en la atención del recién nacido es una de las ramas más especializadas y demandantes debido a las particulares características anatómicas y fisiológicas de este vulnerable grupo de pacientes. El objetivo de este estudio fue presentar la experiencia de diez años de manejo quirúrgico neonatal en un hospital perinatal de segundo nivel de atención en México. MÉTODOS: Se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo, observacional, transversal y retrospectivo, en un hospital perinatal de Toluca, México, del 01 de agosto de 2012 al 31 de julio de 2022. Se incluyeron los pacientes sometidos a cirugía dentro de las instalaciones del hospital por parte del servicio de Cirugía Pediátrica. Se estudiaron variables demográficas, clínicas y quirúrgicas, realizando estadística descriptiva e inferencial. RESULTADOS: Un total de 551 pacientes fueron intervenidos quirúrgicamente en este periodo, con una prevalencia de 0.5%. La cantidad de pacientes operados en el periodo neonatal fue de 497 (90.1%). Se presentaron 48 patologías con predominio de las congénitas en el 64.6% y diagnóstico prenatal en el 40.5% de los casos. La supervivencia de los pacientes fue del 89.7%. En el análisis bivariado de mortalidad se encontró una relación inversa con el peso y edad gestacional (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONES: En el hospital donde se realizó el estudio, a pesar de no ser un centro de referencia local o nacional, se atiende una amplia diversidad de padecimientos congénitos y adquiridos, con una mortalidad con tendencia a disminuir cercana a la media internacional y menor que los reportes nacionales.

Evidence for visual simulation during sign language processing.

What are the mental processes that allow us to understand the meaning of words? A large body of evidence suggests that when we process speech, we engage a process of perceptual simulation whereby sensorimotor states are activated as a source of semantic information. But does the same process take place when words are expressed with the hands and perceived through the eyes? To date, it is not known whether perceptual simulation is also observed in sign languages, the manual-visual languages of deaf communities. Continuous flash suppression is a method that addresses this question by measuring the effect of language on detection sensitivity to images that are suppressed from awareness. In spoken languages, it has been reported that listening to a word (e.g., "bottle") activates visual features of an object (e.g., the shape of a bottle), and this in turn facilitates image detection. An interesting but untested question is whether the same process takes place when deaf signers see signs. We found that processing signs boosted the detection of congruent images, making otherwise invisible pictures visible. A boost of visual processing was observed only for signers but not for hearing nonsigners, suggesting that the penetration of the visual system through signs requires a fully fledged manual language. Iconicity did not modulate the effect of signs on detection, neither in signers nor in hearing nonsigners. This suggests that visual simulation during language processing occurs regardless of language modality (sign vs. speech) or iconicity, pointing to a foundational role of simulation for language comprehension. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Iconic gestures serve as manual cognates in hearing second language learners of a sign language: An ERP study.

When learning a second spoken language, cognates, words overlapping in form and meaning with one's native language, help breaking into the language one wishes to acquire. But what happens when the to-be-acquired second language is a sign language? We tested whether hearing nonsigners rely on their gestural repertoire at first exposure to a sign language. Participants saw iconic signs with high and low overlap with the form of iconic gestures while electrophysiological brain activity was recorded. Upon first exposure, signs with low overlap with gestures elicited enhanced positive amplitude in the P3a component compared to signs with high overlap. This effect disappeared after a training session. We conclude that nonsigners generate expectations about the form of iconic signs never seen before based on their implicit knowledge of gestures, even without having to produce them. Learners thus draw from any available semiotic resources when acquiring a second language, and not only from their linguistic experience. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Metabolic syndrome and urolithiasis: a case-control study. / Síndrome metabólico y litiasis urinaria en adultos: estudio de casos y controles.

BACKGROUND: The estimate for metabolic syndrome (MS) worldwide is above 20%; MS it has been linked to urolithiasis. OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between the components of MS as risk factors for urolithiasis in the adult population of Yucatán, Mexico. METHOD: Case-control study with a sample size of 85 subjects per group, paired by age and sex; patients with urolithiasis (stones > 5 mm) and controls without urolithiasis. Diagnosis was verified by ultrasound. Blood pressure, weight, height, waist circumference, serum triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, glycemia, and urinalysis were determined. International Diabetes Federation criteria were used for the MS diagnosis. Subjects with kidney damage, endocrinopathies and consumption of steroid drugs were excluded. Descriptive statistics, association analysis and risk calculation were performed. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy subjects were included, 83.5% were women and 52.4% presented MS. Was observed an association between urolithiasis and MS (odds ratio [OR]: 2.7; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.4-5.1; p = 0.001), hypertriglyceridemia (OR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.06-3.66; p = 0.021) and high blood pressure (OR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.2-4.8; p = 0.004). The analysis showed that a higher quantity of MS components increases the risk of urolithiasis (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: MS increased in 2.7-fold the risk of urolithiasis. Hypertriglyceridemia and high blood pressure are MS components that increased the risk of urolithiasis.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El síndrome metabólico (SM) tiene una prevalencia mayor del 20% en todo el mundo, y se le ha relacionado con la urolitiasis. OBJETIVO: Determinar la asociación entre los componentes del SM como factores de riesgo para urolitiasis en población adulta de Yucatán, México. MÉTODO: Estudio de casos y controles con un tamaño muestral de 85 sujetos por grupo, pareados por edad y sexo. Los casos con urolitiasis (litos > 5 mm) y los controles sin urolitiasis fueron comprobados mediante ecografía. Se determinaron la presión arterial, el peso, la talla, la circunferencia de la cintura, la trigliceridemia, el colesterol-HDL y la glucemia; se realizó uroanálisis. Para el diagnóstico de SM se siguieron los criterios de la Federación Internacional de Diabetes. Se excluyeron los sujetos con daño renal, endocrinopatías y consumo de medicamentos esteroideos. Se realizaron estadística descriptiva, análisis de asociación y cálculo del riesgo. RESULTADOS: De las 170 personas incluidas, el 83.5% fueron mujeres y el 52.4% presentaban SM. Se observó asociación entre la urolitiasis y el SM (razón de momios [RM]: 2.7; intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC95%]: 1.4-5.1; p = 0.001), la hipertrigliceridemia (RM: 1.9; IC95%: 1.06-3.66; p = 0.021) y la hipertensión arterial (RM: 2.5; IC95%: 1.2-4.8; p = 0.004). El análisis mostró que, a más cantidad de componentes del SM, mayor es el riesgo de urolitiasis (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONES: El SM incrementa 2.7 veces el riesgo de urolitiasis; de los componentes del SM, la hipertrigliceridemia y la hipertensión incrementan el riesgo de urolitiasis.

Hearing non-signers use their gestures to predict iconic form-meaning mappings at first exposure to signs.

The sign languages of deaf communities and the gestures produced by hearing people are communicative systems that exploit the manual-visual modality as means of expression. Despite their striking differences they share the property of iconicity, understood as the direct relationship between a symbol and its referent. Here we investigate whether non-signing hearing adults exploit their implicit knowledge of gestures to bootstrap accurate understanding of the meaning of iconic signs they have never seen before. In Study 1 we show that for some concepts gestures exhibit systematic forms across participants, and share different degrees of form overlap with the signs for the same concepts (full, partial, and no overlap). In Study 2 we found that signs with stronger resemblance with signs are more accurately guessed and are assigned higher iconicity ratings by non-signers than signs with low overlap. In addition, when more people produced a systematic gesture resembling a sign, they assigned higher iconicity ratings to that sign. Furthermore, participants had a bias to assume that signs represent actions and not objects. The similarities between some signs and gestures could be explained by deaf signers and hearing gesturers sharing a conceptual substrate that is rooted in our embodied experiences with the world. The finding that gestural knowledge can ease the interpretation of the meaning of novel signs and predicts iconicity ratings is in line with embodied accounts of cognition and the influence of prior knowledge to acquire new schemas. Through these mechanisms we propose that iconic gestures that overlap in form with signs may serve as some type of 'manual cognates' that help non-signing adults to break into a new language at first exposure.

Determination of surgical intervention in pre-term infants with necrotizing enterocolitis / Determinación de intervención quirúrgica en pacientes pretérmino con enterocolitis necrosante

Abstract Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common surgical disease in the neonatal period with a high mortality rate. To date, there is no consensus on the indications for surgery in the absence of pneumoperitoneum. This study aimed to determine the indications for surgery in pre-term infants with NEC and their mortality. Methods: We conducted a descriptive, observational, cross-sectional, and retrospective study including pre-term infants with NEC from two perinatal hospitals in Toluca, Mexico, between 2017 and 2022. Descriptive and inferential statistics and group comparisons were performed using Fisher and Kruskal–Wallis tests. Results: Of 236 patients with NEC, 52 (22%) required surgery; we analyzed 42 cases with complete clinical records. The indications for surgery were divided into (a) clinical deterioration (33.3%); (b) radiographic findings (31%); (c) laboratory alterations (19%); and (d) positive paracentesis (16.7%). The group of radiographic findings underwent surgery later, up to 2 days after the other groups. The mortality rate of surgical NEC was 42.9%. Conclusions: The most common indication for surgery in pre-term infants with NEC was clinical worsening despite optimal medical management; radiographic findings were the indication associated with the highest mortality. Laboratory abnormalities and positive paracentesis were the indications with the best outcomes but the least used.

Resumen Introducción: La enterocolitis necrosante (ECN) es la enfermedad quirúrgica más frecuente en la etapa neonatal con una alta mortalidad. A la fecha, no existe consenso en las indicaciones quirúrgicas en ausencia de neumoperitoneo. El objetivo del estudio fue conocer las indicaciones de cirugía en neonatos pretérmino con ECN y la mortalidad. Métodos: Se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo, observacional, transversal y retrospectivo, incluyendo a neonatos pretérmino con ECN de dos hospitales perinatales de Toluca, México, entre 2017 a 2022. Se realizó estadística descriptiva e inferencial y comparación de grupos con prueba de Fisher y Kruskal - Wallis. Resultados: De 236 pacientes con ECN, 52 (22%) requirieron cirugía; se presenta el análisis de 42 casos con su expediente clínico completo. Las indicaciones para intervención se dividieron en los siguientes grupos: a) deterioro clínico (33.3%); b) hallazgos radiográficos (31%); c) alteraciones de laboratorio (19%) y d) paracentesis positiva (16.7%). El grupo de hallazgos radiográficos se operó más tardíamente, hasta dos días después de los demás grupos. La mortalidad en ECN quirúrgica fue del 42.9%. Conclusiones: La indicación más utilizada para determinar cirugía en neonatos pretérmino con ECN fue el deterioro clínico a pesar de terapéutica médica máxima; los hallazgos radiográficos fueron la indicación que se relacionó con mayor mortalidad. Las alteraciones de laboratorio y paracentesis positiva fueron las de mejores resultados, pero las menos empleadas.

Ten years of pediatric surgery in a secondary level perinatal hospital in Mexico / Diez años de cirugía pediátrica en un hospital perinatal de segundo nivel en México

Abstract Background: Neonatal surgery is one of the most specialized and demanding areas of pediatric surgery due to the specific anatomical and physiological characteristics of this vulnerable group of patients. This study aimed to present the experience of 10 years of neonatal surgical management in a secondary care perinatal hospital in Mexico. Methods: We conducted a descriptive, observational, cross-sectional, and retrospective study in a perinatal hospital in Toluca, Mexico, from August 01, 2012, to July 31, 2022. We included patients who underwent surgery within the hospital facilities by the Service of Pediatric Surgery. We studied demographic, clinical, and surgical variables and performed descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: A total of 551 patients underwent surgery during this period with a prevalence of 0.5%. The number of patients operated in the neonatal period was 497 (90.1%). Forty-eight pathologies were recorded, with a predominance of congenital malformations in 64.6% and prenatal diagnosis in 40.5% of cases. The survival rate was 89.7%. In the bivariate analysis of mortality, we found an inverse relationship between weight and gestational age (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Although not a local or national reference center, the hospital where the study was conducted treats various congenital and acquired diseases, with a mortality rate that tends to decrease, close to the international average, and lower than national reports.

Resumen Introducción: La cirugía pediátrica en la atención del recién nacido es una de las ramas más especializadas y demandantes debido a las particulares características anatómicas y fisiológicas de este vulnerable grupo de pacientes. El objetivo de este estudio fue presentar la experiencia de diez años de manejo quirúrgico neonatal en un hospital perinatal de segundo nivel de atención en México. Métodos: Se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo, observacional, transversal y retrospectivo, en un hospital perinatal de Toluca, México, del 01 de agosto de 2012 al 31 de julio de 2022. Se incluyeron los pacientes sometidos a cirugía dentro de las instalaciones del hospital por parte del servicio de Cirugía Pediátrica. Se estudiaron variables demográficas, clínicas y quirúrgicas, realizando estadística descriptiva e inferencial. Resultados: Un total de 551 pacientes fueron intervenidos quirúrgicamente en este periodo, con una prevalencia de 0.5%. La cantidad de pacientes operados en el periodo neonatal fue de 497 (90.1%). Se presentaron 48 patologías con predominio de las congénitas en el 64.6% y diagnóstico prenatal en el 40.5% de los casos. La supervivencia de los pacientes fue del 89.7%. En el análisis bivariado de mortalidad se encontró una relación inversa con el peso y edad gestacional (p < 0.05). Conclusiones: En el hospital donde se realizó el estudio, a pesar de no ser un centro de referencia local o nacional, se atiende una amplia diversidad de padecimientos congénitos y adquiridos, con una mortalidad con tendencia a disminuir cercana a la media internacional y menor que los reportes nacionales.

[Prevalence and quality of life in women with urinary incontinence. A population base study]. / Prevalencia y calidad de vida en mujeres con incontinencia urinaria. Estudio en población abierta.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of urinary incontinence and quality of life in relation to health in Mexican women between 20 and 80 years old in Mexico City. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The present is an observational, transverse and descriptive study. The questionnaire consisted of 3 parts: The first was a questionnaire from the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form, which was used to study of the prevalence of the disease. The second was the incontinence and quality of life questionnaire and the third was the EuroQol questionnaire. The last two investigated the impact of urinary incontinence on the quality of life in relation to health. RESULTS: The questionnaire was applied to 80 patients. The average prevalence was 46.5%. Women with urinary incontinence have a higher body mass index than those who are continent. Likewise, women with urinary incontinence were more likely to be overweight or to have type I, II and III obesity. Women with urinary incontinence had also a higher number of pregnancies and vaginal deliveries than continent women. Incontinent women reported a low quality of life in the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form and the incontinence and quality of life questionnaire (8.8 +/- 3.3, 77.2 +/- 21.7, respectively), with a limitation on activity of 75.1 +/- 21.2, a psicosocial impact of 83.4 +/- 21.8 and social embarrassment of 69.5 +/- 27.3. Women with urinary incontinence reported a lower quality of life index in the EuroQol questionnaire in relation to health than continent women. CONCLUSION: Psychosocial evaluation shows that urinary incontinence in women is associated with a lesser quality of life.

Iconicity and Sign Lexical Acquisition: A Review.

The study of iconicity, defined as the direct relationship between a linguistic form and its referent, has gained momentum in recent years across a wide range of disciplines. In the spoken modality, there is abundant evidence showing that iconicity is a key factor that facilitates language acquisition. However, when we look at sign languages, which excel in the prevalence of iconic structures, there is a more mixed picture, with some studies showing a positive effect and others showing a null or negative effect. In an attempt to reconcile the existing evidence the present review presents a critical overview of the literature on the acquisition of a sign language as first (L1) and second (L2) language and points at some factor that may be the source of disagreement. Regarding sign L1 acquisition, the contradicting findings may relate to iconicity being defined in a very broad sense when a more fine-grained operationalisation might reveal an effect in sign learning. Regarding sign L2 acquisition, evidence shows that there is a clear dissociation in the effect of iconicity in that it facilitates conceptual-semantic aspects of sign learning but hinders the acquisition of the exact phonological form of signs. It will be argued that when we consider the gradient nature of iconicity and that signs consist of a phonological form attached to a meaning we can discern how iconicity impacts sign learning in positive and negative ways.

Type of iconicity matters in the vocabulary development of signing children.

Recent research on signed as well as spoken language shows that the iconic features of the target language might play a role in language development. Here, we ask further whether different types of iconic depictions modulate children's preferences for certain types of sign-referent links during vocabulary development in sign language. Results from a picture description task indicate that lexical signs with 2 possible variants are used in different proportions by deaf signers from different age groups. While preschool and school-age children favored variants representing actions associated with their referent (e.g., a writing hand for the sign PEN), adults preferred variants representing the perceptual features of those objects (e.g., upward index finger representing a thin, elongated object for the sign PEN). Deaf parents interacting with their children, however, used action- and perceptual-based variants in equal proportion and favored action variants more than adults signing to other adults. We propose that when children are confronted with 2 variants for the same concept, they initially prefer action-based variants because they give them the opportunity to link a linguistic label to familiar schemas linked to their action/motor experiences. Our results echo findings showing a bias for action-based depictions in the development of iconic co-speech gestures suggesting a modality bias for such representations during development. (PsycINFO Database Record

Alternative glacial-interglacial refugia demographic hypotheses tested on Cephalocereus columna-trajani (Cactaceae) in the intertropical Mexican drylands.

Historic demography changes of plant species adapted to New World arid environments could be consistent with either the Glacial Refugium Hypothesis (GRH), which posits that populations contracted to refuges during the cold-dry glacial and expanded in warm-humid interglacial periods, or with the Interglacial Refugium Hypothesis (IRH), which suggests that populations contracted during interglacials and expanded in glacial times. These contrasting hypotheses are developed in the present study for the giant columnar cactus Cephalocereus columna-trajani in the intertropical Mexican drylands where the effects of Late Quaternary climatic changes on phylogeography of cacti remain largely unknown. In order to determine if the historic demography and phylogeographic structure of the species are consistent with either hypothesis, sequences of the chloroplast regions psbA-trnH and trnT-trnL from 110 individuals from 10 populations comprising the full distribution range of this species were analysed. Standard estimators of genetic diversity and structure were calculated. The historic demography was analysed using a Bayesian approach and the palaeodistribution was derived from ecological niche modelling to determine if, in the arid environments of south-central Mexico, glacial-interglacial cycles drove the genetic divergence and diversification of this species. Results reveal low but statistically significant population differentiation (FST = 0.124, P < 0.001), although very clear geographic clusters are not formed. Genetic diversity, haplotype network and Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) demographic analyses suggest a population expansion estimated to have taken place in the Last Interglacial (123.04 kya, 95% CI 115.3-130.03). The species palaeodistribution is consistent with the ABC analyses and indicates that the potential area of palaedistribution and climatic suitability were larger during the Last Interglacial and Holocene than in the Last Glacial Maximum. Overall, these results suggest that C. columna-trajani experienced an expansion following the warm conditions of interglacials, in accordance with the GRH.

A new species of the genus Eudusbabekia (Acari: Prostigmata: Myobiidae) on Choeronycteris mexicana (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) in Central Mexico.

Eudutsbabekia choeronycteris new species was found on the phyllostomid bat, Choeronycteris mexicana Tschudi, in the central part of Mexico. The female, male, and larva are described and illustrated.

A new species of the genus Eudusbabekia (Acari: Prostigmata: myobiidae) on Leptonycteris nivalis (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) in central Mexico.

Eudusbabekia provirilia new species was found on the bat Leptonycteris nivalis (Saussure) in the central part of Mexico. The female, male, protonymph, and larva are described and illustrated.