Integrating artificial intelligence and wing geometric morphometry to automate mosquito classification.

Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) comprise over 3500 global species, primarily in tropical regions, where the females act as disease vectors. Thus, identifying medically significant species is vital. In this context, Wing Geometric Morphometry (WGM) emerges as a precise and accessible method, excelling in species differentiation through mathematical approaches. Computational technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) promise to overcome WGM challenges, supporting mosquito identification. AI explores computers' thinking capacity, originating in the 1950s. Machine Learning (ML) arose in the 1980s as a subfield of AI, and deep Learning (DL) characterizes ML's subcategory, featuring hierarchical data processing layers. DL relies on data volume and layer adjustments. Over the past decade, AI demonstrated potential in mosquito identification. Various studies employed optical sensors, and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) for mosquito identification, achieving average accuracy rates between 84 % and 93 %. Furthermore, larval Aedes identification reached accuracy rates of 92 % to 94 % using CNNs. DL models such as ResNet50 and VGG16 achieved up to 95 % accuracy in mosquito identification. Applying CNNs to georeference mosquito photos showed promising results. AI algorithms automated landmark detection in various insects' wings with repeatability rates exceeding 90 %. Companies have developed wing landmark detection algorithms, marking significant advancements in the field. In this review, we discuss how AI and WGM are being combined to identify mosquito species, offering benefits in monitoring and controlling mosquito populations.

Appraisal on the role of passive sampling for more integrative frameworks on the environmental risk assessment of contaminants.

Over time multiple lines of research have been integrated as important components of evidence for assessing the ecological quality status of water bodies within the framework of Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) approaches. One of the most used integrative approaches is the triad which combines, based on the weight-of-evidence, three lines of research, the chemical (to identify what is causing the effect), the ecological (to identify the effects at the ecosystem level) and the ecotoxicological (to ascertain the causes of ecological damage), with the agreement between the different lines of risk evidence increasing the confidence in the management decisions. Although the triad approach has proven greatly strategic in ERA processes, new assessment (and monitoring) integrative and effective tools are most welcome. In this regard, the present study is an appraisal on the boost that passive sampling, by allowing to increase information reliability, can give within each of the triad lines of evidence, for more integrative ERA frameworks. In parallel to this appraisal, examples of works that used passive samplers within the triad are presented providing support for the use of these devices in a complementary form to generate holistic information for ERA and ease the process of decision-making.

Three new species of Trichoderma in the Harzianum and Longibrachiatum lineages from Peruvian cacao crop soils based on an integrative approach.

The hyperdiverse genus Trichoderma is one of most useful groups of microbes for a number of human activities, and their accurate identification is crucial. The structural simplicity and lack of distinctive phenotypic variation in this group enable the use of DNA-based species delimitation methods in combination with phylogenies (and morphology when feasible) to establish well-supported boundaries among species. Our study employed a multilocus phylogeny and four DNA-based methods (automated barcode gap discovery [ABGD], statistical parsimony [SPN], generalized mixed Yule coalescent [GMYC], and Bayesian phylogenetics and phylogeography [BPP]) for four molecular markers (acl1, act, rpb2, and tef1) to delimit species of two lineages of Trichoderma. Although incongruence among these methods was observed in our analyses, the genetic distance (ABGD) and coalescence (BPP) methods and the multilocus phylogeny strongly supported and confirmed recognition of 108 and 39 different species in the Harzianum and Longibrachiatum lineages, including three new species associated with cacao farms in northern Peru, namely, T.awajun, sp. nov., T.jaklitschii, sp. nov., and T.peruvianum, sp. nov. Morphological distinctions between the new species and their close relatives are primarily related to growth rates, colony appearance, and size of phialides and conidia. This study confirmed that an integrative approach (DNA-based methods, multilocus phylogeny, and phenotype) is more likely to reliably verify supported species boundaries in Trichoderma.

Praxis Bioanalítica desde la matriz epistemológica vigente en el contexto de la Salud Pública / Bioanalytic practice from the epistemological matrix in force in the context of Public Health

Con el propósito de caracterizar la praxis Bioanalítica desde la matriz epistemológica vigente, la investigación se realizó bajo el Enfoque Integrador Transcomplejo. Para el abordaje de la problemática de estudio se empleó la complementariedad metódica. El grupo humano quedó constituido por cinco docentes Bioanalistas, a los que se le realizó una entrevista focalizada y en profundidad. Entre los hallazgos se evidenció que la praxis bioanalítica fue modelada desde la modernidad como un ejercicio mecanicista, repetitivo, desarticulado de lo social y lo humano. La modernidad es reproducida en las universidades mediante una formación vertical, donde no se articula lo biológico con lo social, con lo histórico o lo cultural; ya que la malla curricular está definida por un grupo de asignaturas cargados de contenidos procedimentales, impartidos a partir de objetivos de forma aislada, que centra la atención en la enfermedad y concibe su praxis desde roles y tareas, dándole mayor énfasis al rol de analista. Desde esta perspectiva, se niega los aportes dados por la epistemología, la historia, lo sociología, antropología y la educación al saber Bioanalítico, quedando limitado su impacto en la Salud Pública. Para redimensionar la concepción social del Bioanálisis y su praxis es necesario que se asuman nuevos paradigmas y nuevas metodologías y la Transcomplejidad constituye una opción para dar respuesta a esta demanda.

In purpose to characterize the Bioanalytical praxis from the current epistemological matrix, the research was carried out under the TranscomplexIntegrative Approach. Methodical complementarity was used to address the study problem. The human group was made up of five Bioanalyst teachers, who were given a focused and in-depth interview. Among the findings, it was evident that bioanalytic praxis was modeled since modernity as a mechanistic, repetitive, disjointed exercise of the social and the human. Modernity is reproduced in universities through vertical training, where the biological is not articulated with the social, with the historical or the cultural; since the curricular mesh is defined by a group of subjects loaded with procedural content, taught from objectives in isolation, which focuses attention on the disease and conceives its praxis from roles and tasks, giving greater emphasis to the role of analyst. From this perspective, the contributions given by epistemology, history, sociology, anthropology and education to Bioanalytical knowledge are denied, leaving their impact on Public Health limited. To resize the social conception of Bioanalysis and its praxis, it is necessary to assume new paradigms and new methodologies and Transcomplexity constitutes an option to respond to this demand.

Una mirada transcompleja de la Violencia Juvenil Delincuencial en Venezuela / A transcomplex look at the delinquent youth violence in Venezuela

Se realizó una investigación bajo el enfoque integrador transcomplejo en la búsqueda de una interpretación transdisciplinaria, multidimensionada y dinámica de la violencia juvenil delincuencial, cuyo propósito fue develar las posturas epistemológicas que subyacen en la lógica de intervención de los diversos sectores de las políticas públicas en relación a la violencia delincuencial, así como la resignificación, mediante un diálogo de saberes, con sujetos significantes y con los significados socioculturalmente construidos del contexto teórico disciplinario de la violencia juvenil delincuencial en el Estado Aragua , con el fin de aportar constructos teóricos que propicien un repensar de las políticas públicas desde una perspectiva transcompleja y transdisciplinaria. La Transmetódica se fundamentó en la transdisciplinariedad, la hermenéutica y la etnografía. Se llevó a cabo en cuatro etapas que confluyeron para desmontar el discurso de los informantes en relación a la realidad y contrastarlos con las corrientes del pensamiento que han sustentado la matriz epistemológica vigente, para luego develar desde una perspectiva transcompleja y multidimensionada los aspectos ocultos en el discurso; brindando la posibilidad de resignificar estos hallazgos hacia una alternativa epistemológica integradora. Se evidencia la necesidad de trascender las lógicas homogeneizadoras de las políticas de control social tradicionales fundamentadas en el etiquetamiento y exclusión social, mediante un proceso masivo de fortalecimiento axiológico y praxiológico de la institucionalidad social, para lograr un cambio paradigmático hacia una nueva visión multidimensionada y transcompleja de la lógica de las estrategias de prevención y control social de la violencia juvenil delincuencial, y su resignificación en un horizonte sociocultural de convivencia pacífica.

An investigation was carried out under the integrative transcomplex approach in the search for a transdisciplinary, multidimensional and dynamic interpretation of juvenile delinquent violence, whose purpose was to reveal the epistemological positions that underlie the intervention logic of the various sectors of public policies in relation to to criminal violence, as well as resignification, through a dialogue of knowledge, with significant subjects and with the socioculturally constructed meanings of the disciplinary theoretical context of juvenile delinquent violence in the State of Aragua, in order to provide theoretical constructs that promote a rethinking of public policies from a transcomplex and transdisciplinary perspective. Transmethodics was based on transdisciplinarity, hermeneutics and ethnography. It was carried out in four stages that converged to disassemble the informants' discourse in relation to reality and contrast them with the currents of thought that have sustained the current epistemological matrix, and then reveal the hidden aspects in the current epistemological matrix from a transcomplex and multidimensional perspective. speech; providing the possibility of resignifying these findings towards an integrative epistemological alternative. There is evidence of the need to transcend the homogenizing logics of traditional social control policies based on labeling and social exclusion, through a massive process of axiological and praxiological strengthening of social institutions, to achieve a paradigmatic shift towards a new multidimensional and trans-complex vision of the logic of the strategies of prevention and social control of delinquent juvenile violence, and its resignification in a sociocultural horizon of peaceful coexistence.

Biodiversity of Algae and Cyanobacteria in Biological Soil Crusts Collected Along a Climatic Gradient in Chile Using an Integrative Approach.

Biocrusts are associations of various prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms in the top millimeters of soil, which can be found in every climate zone on Earth. They stabilize soils and introduce carbon and nitrogen into this compartment. The worldwide occurrence of biocrusts was proven by numerous studies in Europe, Africa, Asia and North America, leaving South America understudied. Using an integrative approach, which combines morphological and molecular characters (small subunit rRNA and ITS region), we examined the diversity of key biocrust photosynthetic organisms at four sites along the latitudinal climate gradient in Chile. The most northern study site was located in the Atacama Desert (arid climate), followed by open shrubland (semiarid climate), a dry forest region (Mediterranean climate) and a mixed broad leaved-coniferous forest (temperate climate) in the south. The lowest species richness was recorded in the desert (18 species), whereas the highest species richness was observed in the Mediterranean zone with (40 species). Desert biocrusts were composed exclusively of single-celled Chlorophyta algae, followed by cyanobacteria. Chlorophyta, Streptophyta and cyanobacteria dominated semiarid biocrusts, whereas Mediterranean and temperate Chilean biocrusts were composed mostly of Chlorophyta, Streptophyta and Ochrophyta. Our investigation of Chilean biocrust suggests high biodiversity of South American biocrust phototrophs.

New Taxa of Streptophyte Algae (Streptophyta) from Terrestrial Habitats Revealed Using an Integrative Approach.

Two new genera (Streptosarcina and Streptofilum) and three new species (Streptosarcina arenaria, S. costaricana and Streptofilum capillatum) of streptophyte algae were detected in cultures isolated from terrestrial habitats of Europe and Central America and described using an integrative approach. Additionally, a strain isolated from soil in North America was identified as Hormidiella parvula and proposed as an epitype of this species. The molecular phylogeny based on 18S rRNA and rbcL genes, secondary structure of ITS-2, as well as the morphology of vegetative and reproductive stages, cell ultrastructure, ecology and distribution of the investigated strains were assessed. The new genus Streptosarcina forms a sister lineage to the genus Hormidiella (Klebsormidiophyceae). Streptosarcina is characterized by packet-like (sarcinoid) and filamentous thalli with true branching and a cell organization typical for Klebsormidiophyceae. Streptofilum forms a separate lineage within Streptophyta. This genus represents an easily disintegrating filamentous alga which exhibits a cell coverage of unique structure: layers of submicroscopic scales of piliform shape covering the plasmalemma and exfoliate inside the mucilage envelope surrounding cells. The implications of the discovery of the new taxa for understanding evolutionary tendencies in the Streptophyta, a group of great evolutionary interest, are discussed.

Abrir a possibilidade para novas narrativas: um desafio / Open the possibility for new narratives: a challenge / Abrir la posibilidad para nuevas narrativas: un desafio

Uma diversidade de narrativas pode enriquecer a vida humana, dada a possibilidade de atribuir significado à experiência relacional desde a vida intrauterina até a morte, postula Linares (2003; 2014). Por outro lado, conta-se com a resistência do ser humano a rever suas visões. Dada tal resistência, neste trabalho tem-se como objetivo mostrar uma ferramenta para auxiliar na construção de novas narrativas: a atividade artística-lúdica no atendimento a casais e famílias sob a ótica da abordagem sistêmico-integrativa. Tal ferramenta tanto permite que o ser humano, sem se dar conta, expresse sua angústia, quanto permite ser uma intervenção terapêutica propriamente dita. Através de um caso clínico, será ilustrado o planejamento da atividade lúdica; o uso da atividade proposta; e seus resultados. Constatou-se que novas percepções puderam ser referidas, e as mesmas permitiram a construção de novas narrativas familiares.

A variety of narratives can enrich human life, given the possibility of assigning meaning to the relational experience from intrauterine life until the death, postulates Linares (2003, 2014). On the other hand, there is the resistance of the human being to revise its visions. Given this resistance, this work aims to present a tool to assist in the construction of new narratives: the artistic-ludic activity to care for couples and families from the perspective of the systemic-integrative approach. Such a tool allows the human being, without realizing it, to expresses his anguish, as it allows to be a therapeutic intervention properly said. Through a clinical case, will be illustrated the planning of the ludic activity; the use of the proposed activity; and their results. It was observed that new perceptions could be referred to, and they allowed the construction of new family narratives.

Una diversidad de narrativas puede enriquecer la vida humana, dada la posibilidad de atribuir significado a la experiencia relacional desde la vida intrauterina hasta la muerte, postula Linares (2003; 2015). Por otro lado, se cuenta con la resistencia del ser humano a revisar sus visiones. Dada tal resistencia, en este trabajo se tiene como objetivo mostrar una herramienta para auxiliar en la construcción de nuevas narrativas: la actividad artística-lúdica en la atención a parejas y familias bajo la óptica del abordaje sistémico-integrativa. Tal herramienta permite tanto que el ser humano, sin darse cuenta, expresa su angustia, como permite ser una intervención terapéutica propiamente dicha. A través de un caso clínico, se ilustra la planificación de la actividad lúdica; el uso de la actividad propuesta; y sus resultados. Se constató que nuevas percepciones pudieron ser referidas, y las mismas permitieron la construcción de nuevas narrativas familiares.

Systematics of the genus Oecomys (Sigmodontinae: Oryzomyini): molecular phylogenetic, cytogenetic and morphological approaches reveal cryptic species

Oecomys is a genus of Neotropical arboreal rodents composed of 17 species with diploid number ranging from 2n = 54 to 86. Despite this high taxonomic and karyotypic diversity, the species-level systematics remains uncertain. We investigated the phylogenetic relationships and species delimitation of Oecomys using multiple approaches based on cytogenetic, molecular (mtDNA and nuDNA sequences) and morphological data sets. Sampling included 73 individuals from 25 localities in Amazonia, Cerrado, Pantanal and the Atlantic Forest, as well as 128 DNA sequences from GenBank. Molecular species boundaries associated with karyotype, morphological characters and geographic distribution led us to recognize 15 distinct lineages in Oecomys. These include five major well-supported clades composed of O. bicolor, O. catherinae, O. cleberi, O. mamorae, O. paricola and O. roberti, which were hypothesized as species complexes with at least eight putative new taxa. Three new karyotypes are also reported for the genus: 2n = 54 (FN = 54), 2n = 62 (FN = 62) and 2n = 70 (FN = 74). Sympatry of up to four species with different diploid numbers recovered in distinct clades illustrates the complex evolutionary history in Oecomys. These data highlight the importance of combining cytogenetic, morphological and geographic information along with molecular coalescent analyses in developing species delimitation scenarios.

Violencia juvenil delincuencial en latinoamérica: un desafío ético de las sociedades del siglo xxi / Youth violence in latinoamérica delinquency: a challenge ethical companies of the century

Producto de la reflexión desde la óptica del Enfoque Integrador Transcomplejo, se realizó un ensayo sobre la multidimensionalidad ética de la violencia juvenil delincuencial en Latinoamérica, que parte de hacer una revisión histórica de la magnitud y naturaleza del problema en la región, haciendo posteriormente una revisión teórica contextualizada de los resultados de las investigaciones relacionadas con la violencia juvenil delincuencial en América Latina, donde finalmente a partir de la aproximación hermenéutica a las representaciones sociales de los jóvenes violentos, se concluye reflexionando sobre la necesidad de trascender hacia una ética en la investigación que rebase los niveles de exigencia de lo cotidiano de la ética utilitarista o de la consecuencial y se eleve a un estrato racional de lo cuántico, de lo subjetivo, de lo relacional y multiverso, es decir de lo transcomplejo. Esto implica el abandono de la lógica positivista, de la norma, de la deontología, en la búsqueda de lo reflexivo conciencial, lo interpretativo fenomenológico, lo emergente-vivencial, así como lo dialéctico relacional.

Product of reflection from the perspective of Focus Integrator Transcomplejo, an essay on ethics multidimensionality of youth violence criminal in Latin America was held, that part of making a historical review of the extent and nature of the problem in the region, subsequently making a review theoretical contextualized the results of research related to youth violence criminal in Latin America, where finally from the hermeneutical approach to social representations of youth violent conclude by reflecting on the need to transcend to a research ethics that levels exceeding the daily requirement of utilitarian ethics or consequential damages and rise to a rational layer of the quantum, of the subjective, relational and multiverse, that is what transcomplejo. This implies abandoning the positivist logic of the rule of ethics in the pursuit of the reflective conciencial, the interpretive phenomenological, the pop-experiential and relational dialectical.

O monstro do meio: trabalhando com casais em um tratamento grupal intensivo / The monster in between: working with couples in intensive group treatment

Neste artigo está descrito um programa de tratamento grupal intensivo para casais que sofrem de doenças psiquiátricas não psicóticas, disfunções de personalidade e/ou problemas complexos de relacionamento conjugal. Geralmente, um dos parceiros tem uma longa história de atendimento na saúde mental. Esta história de intervenções geralmente inclui ao menos algumas sessões de terapia conjugal, entretanto sem sucesso suficiente. Estes casais são parte de um grupo de pacientes da saúde mental que pode ser descrito, ou se descreve como: "tudo foi feito, mas nada realmente ajudou”. O programa de tratamento grupal intensivo iniciou em 1991 e, até fevereiro de 2004, 415 casais foram tratados em 91 grupos. Apesar do Centro para Problemas Relacionais estar situado em uma área rural do nordeste da Holanda, os casais são encaminhados de todo o país. Isso demonstra que é necessário um tratamento intensivo para casais em um setting de internação. Além disso, pelo menos no que se sabe, esse tipo de tratamento não existe em outro lugar do mundo. Nesse artigo serão apresentados detalhes do programa e a lógica que o sustenta.

In this paper we elaborate on an inpatient clinical group program for couples suffering from non-psychotic psychiatric disorders, personality disorders and/or complex partner relational problems. In general one of the partners has a long history in mental health care. The intervention history often includes at least some sessions of couple therapy, but without sufficient success. These couples are part of that group of mental health patients that can be described as, or describe themselves as: ‘everything was done but nothing really helped’. The clinical inpatient couple group program was initiated in 1991 and to date (February 2004) 415 couples have been treated in 91 groups. Although our Center for Relational Problems is situated in a rural area in the northern part of the Netherlands, these couples are referred from all over the country. This proves that there is a need for highly intensive couple treatment in an inpatient setting. Nevertheless, as far as we know, this type of treatment does not exist anywhere else in the world. In this paper we will give details of the program and the rationale behind it.

Psicoterapia de grupo para mujeres con embarazo de alto riesgo / Group psychotherapy for women with high-risk pregnancies

El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar una propuesta de intervención psicoterapéutica con mujeres con embarazo de alto riesgo atendidas en una institución de salud reproductiva Ciudad de México. Por llevarse a cabo dentro de una institución, se plantea un modelo de intervención breve, focalizado, basado en el enfoque integrador de la psicoterapia. Se describen las principales características del grupo, la conflictiva presentada por estas mujeres, los temas abordados, así como las técnicas empleadas más relevantes.

The aim of this work is to present a proposal for a psychotherapeutic intervention with women with high-risk pregnancies that are attending a reproductive health facility from México City. Because it was carried out within a health institution, this is a model of brief intervention, focused, and based on the integrative approach to psychotherapy. It describes the main features of the group, the conflict presented by these women, the topics that emerged, and the most relevant techniques used.