ABSTRACT
A bryozoan survey conducted in the Amazon Basin in the vicinities of Manaus and Santarm during the high water season (May, 2018) revealed four new species described here: Fredericella adrianoi n. sp., Plumatella divae n. sp., Plumatella hartikainenae n. sp., and Plumatella spencerjonesae n. sp. Two of these species were encountered only once, suggesting that other undescribed species are likely to occur in the area. Range extensions were determined for two additional species: Plumatella pirassununga and Timwoodiellina natans. In addition, colonies were collected for the first time for two species previously known only by their statoblasts: Plumatella siolii and Plumatella marcusi. Statoblasts of Tapajosella elongata were encountered near Manaus, but the colonies remained elusive. The discovery of new species collected during two expeditions to the Amazon Basin in different seasons and years suggests that further diversity remains undetected in this and other poorly studied regions of the world. With few exceptions, plumatellid colonies described so far from the Amazon Basin are very similar in appearance, with branches wholly attached to the substratum and body walls that are soft, colorless, and transparent.
Subject(s)
Bryozoa/classification , Animals , Brazil , Bryozoa/physiology , Rivers , SeasonsABSTRACT
We compared 2019 influenza seasonality and vaccine effectiveness (VE) in four southern hemisphere countries: Australia, Chile, New Zealand and South Africa. Influenza seasons differed in timing, duration, intensity and predominant circulating viruses. VE estimates were also heterogeneous, with all-ages point estimates ranging from 7-70% (I2: 33%) for A(H1N1)pdm09, 4-57% (I2: 49%) for A(H3N2) and 29-66% (I2: 0%) for B. Caution should be applied when attempting to use southern hemisphere data to predict the northern hemisphere influenza season.
Subject(s)
Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/genetics , Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype/genetics , Influenza B virus/genetics , Influenza Vaccines/immunology , Influenza, Human/prevention & control , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , Vaccination/statistics & numerical data , Vaccine Potency , Adolescent , Adult , Australia/epidemiology , Child , Chile/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/immunology , Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/isolation & purification , Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype/immunology , Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype/isolation & purification , Influenza B virus/immunology , Influenza B virus/isolation & purification , Influenza Vaccines/administration & dosage , Influenza, Human/diagnosis , Influenza, Human/epidemiology , Influenza, Human/virology , Male , Middle Aged , New Zealand/epidemiology , Population Surveillance , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Seasons , Sentinel Surveillance , South Africa/epidemiologyABSTRACT
STATEMENT: Simulation-based medical education (SBME) offers opportunities for trainees to learn how to perform procedures and to be assessed in a safe environment. However, SBME research studies often lack robust evidence to support the validity of the interpretation of the results obtained from tools used to assess trainees' skills. The purpose of this paper is to describe how a validity framework can be applied when reporting and interpreting the results of a simulation-based assessment of skills related to performing procedures. The authors discuss various sources of validity evidence because they relate to SBME. A case study is presented.