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Purpose To assess, from the student perspective, medical school training in genetics and genomics. Methods In 2019, the Undergraduate Training in Genomics (UTRIG) Working Group developed genetics-related survey and knowledge questions for the RISE-FIRST, an exam administered to postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) pathology residents in the United States during their first months of training. Survey questions focused on perceived knowledge in genetics and the structure and quality of training with responses compared with those in control areas. Results There were 401 PGY1 pathology residents who took the 2019 RISE-FIRST (65% of those in the United States). There was significantly lower perceived understanding of genetics compared with nongenetics topics. Respondents also reported less time spent learning genetics and lower quality training compared with control areas. Only 53% indicated an interaction during medical school with a medical geneticist. Residents also did not perform as well on the UTRIG-developed knowledge questions than those in other areas of pathology. Conclusion The RISE-FIRST is a useful tool in assessing the current state of medical school training in genetics. This needs assessment may serve as a call to action to improve medical school genetics education and promote greater understanding of the role of genetics professionals in patient care.

From monolayers composed of different atoms, we can build structures with spontaneous vertical polarization by conveniently stacking multiple layers. We have studied, using first-principles methods and based on modern polarization theory, a system composed of three layers of hexagonal Boron-Nitride(h-BN) in all possible stackings. We obtain for each of the configurations how charge transfers between the layers and how it impacts on the polarization of the system. In addition, we studied a system of three layers, one of them rotated, and we found that not only did the magnitude of the polarization increase comparing with the bilayer but also, depending on the initial stacking and the rotated layer, we can create a variety of mosaic-like polarization arrangements, which are composed of regions with either triangular or hexagonal symmetry., 14 Pages

Removal sampling data are the primary source of monitoring information for many populations (e.g., invasive species, fisheries). Population dynamics, temporary emigration, and imperfect detection are common sources of variation in monitoring data and are key parameters for informing management. We developed two open robust-design removal models for simultaneously modeling population dynamics, temporary emigration, and imperfect detection: a random walk linear trend model (estimable without ancillary information), and a 2-age class informed population model (InfoPM, closely related to integrated population models) that incorporated prior information for age-structured vital rates and relative juvenile availability. We applied both models to multiyear, removal trapping time-series of a large invasive lizard (Argentine black and white tegu, Salvator merianae) in three management areas of South Florida to evaluate the effectiveness of management programs. Although estimates of the two models were similar, the InfoPMs generally returned more precise estimates, partitioned dynamics into births, deaths, net migration, and provided a decision support tool to predict population dynamics under different effort scenarios while accounting for uncertainty. Trends in tegu superpopulation abundance estimates were increasing in two management areas despite generally high removal rates. However, tegu abundance appeared to decline in the Core management area, where trapping density was the highest and immigration the lowest. Finally, comparing abundance predictions of no-removal scenarios to those estimated in each management area suggested significant population reductions due to management. These results suggest that local tegu population control via systematic trapping may be feasible with high enough trap density and limited immigration; and highlights the value of these trapping programs. We provided the first estimates of tegu abundance, capture probabilities, and population dynamics, which is critical for effective management. Furthermore, our models are applicable to a wide range of monitoring programs (e.g., carcass recovery or removal point-counts).

Medical practice requires physicians to have a broad understanding of the basic sciences, have competent clinical skills, and have an ability to practice in evolving health systems in a cost-effective and evidence-based manner. Essential to the practice of medicine is an understanding of the common laboratory tests and the ability to use them effectively. The Essential Laboratory Tests for Medical Education (ELTME) is a concise document explaining the pathophysiology of common laboratory tests and clinical context for each test and was developed in response to an expressed need from medical students, residents and fellows, and medical educators. The ELTME is linked to the Pathology Competencies in Medical Education and its third competency of diagnostic medicine and therapeutic pathology. The ELTME table is a document of common laboratory tests in alphabetical listing. Laboratory tests may be easily queried by name or organ system, and with simple editing tools, new tables may be constructed to fit the needs of individual curricula or learners. Furthermore, the table may be easily expanded by educators who wish to add specific tests to complement their curricula.

Nile Monitors (Varanus niloticus) are large (up to 2.4 m in length), semiaquatic, carnivorous lizards native to Sub-Saharan Africa. Nile Monitors are reported from southeastern Florida nea...

Macrochelys suwanniensis is a newly described species endemic to the Suwannee River drainage in the southeastern United States. We conducted a study of M. suwanniensis in the Santa Fe River (SFR), the major Florida tributary of the Suwannee River, between 2004 and 2011. We captured 109 individuals (24% immature, 44% adult female, 32% adult male). Adult males (mean straight midline carapace length [CL] = 530.7 mm, mean mass = 34.0 kg) were significantly larger than adult females (mean CL = 424.0 mm, mean mass = 17.2 kg), with a sexual size dimorphism index of −0.25 based on mean CL. The largest turtle in our study was 623 mm CL and weighed 54.4 kg. Adult females were significantly larger (CL) in the lower SFR than in the upper SFR (these reaches are separated where the river flows underground for 5 km). All adult males > 600 mm CL were captured in the lower SFR. Adult females were proportionately heavier in the upper SFR than in the lower SFR; males did not show this difference. We hypothe...

The following fictional case is intended as a learning tool within the Pathology Competencies for Medical Education (PCME), a set of national standards for teaching pathology. These are divided into three basic competencies: Disease Mechanisms and Processes, Organ System Pathology, and Diagnostic Medicine and Therapeutic Pathology. For additional information, and a full list of learning objectives for all three competencies, see http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2374289517715040 .

Preparation for a Liaison Committee of Medical Education (LCME) accreditation site visit is a daunting task for any medical school, particularly for medical schools that have adopted integrated curricula. The LCME accreditation is the standard that all US and Canadian allopathic medical schools must meet in order for the school to award the degree of medical doctor. The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) recently underwent a full-scale LCME accreditation visit that was conducted under the newly revised LCME standards and elements. The site visit occurred just 5 years after our school began implementing a totally revised, organ system-based curriculum. Preparing for a critical, high-stakes site visit shortly after transitioning to a totally revised, integrated module-based preclerkship curriculum presented an array of new challenges that required a major modification to the type of preparation, communication, and collaboration that traditionally occurs between course directors and departmental chairs. These included the need to ensure accurate, timely communication of curricular details to different levels of the academic administration, particularly as it related to the execution of self-directed learning (SDL). Preparation for our site visit, did, however, provide a novel opportunity to highlight the unique educational experiences associated with the study of pathology, as pathology traverses both clinical and basic sciences. Sharing these experiences may be useful to other programs that are either undergoing or who are preparing to undergo an accreditation visit and may also aid in a broader communication of the highlights or initiatives of educational activities.

The endemic Antillean family Leiocephalidae includes 28 currently recognized extant species in the genus Leiocephalus. These are distributed across Hispaniola, Cuba, and various islands and cays in the Bahamas. Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) is a fundamental and widespread biological phenomenon generally attributed to sexual differences in relationships between body size, survival, fecunditty, and mating success. Six species with 40 subspecies are known from Cuba. Few data are available regarding SSD and reproduction. Herein we report new life-history data and the sexual size dimorphism index (SSDI) in Leiocephalus macropus asbolomus. Fieldwork was performed during mid-August 2009 iin La Melba (Alexander von Humboldt National Park), HolguinProvince, Cuba. All males were larger in size then females and the SSDI (1.44) is the highest reported ffor any species of Leiocephalus. Egg measurments averaged 18.2 x 12.7 mml mean clutch size was 3. Eggs took 61-72 days to hatch; mean incubation time was 66.5 days, and mean hatchling SVL was 30.1 mm.

Preparation for a Liaison Committee of Medical Education (LCME) accreditation site visit is a daunting task for any medical school, particularly for medical schools that have adopted integrated curricula. The LCME accreditation is the standard that all US and Canadian allopathic medical schools must meet in order for the school to award the degree of medical doctor. The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) recently underwent a full-scale LCME accreditation visit that was conducted under the newly revised LCME standards and elements. The site visit occurred just 5 years after our school began implementing a totally revised, organ system-based curriculum. Preparing for a critical, high-stakes site visit shortly after transitioning to a totally revised, integrated module-based preclerkship curriculum presented an array of new challenges that required a major modification to the type of preparation, communication, and collaboration that traditionally occurs between course directors and departmental chairs. These included the need to ensure accurate, timely communication of curricular details to different levels of the academic administration, particularly as it related to the execution of self-directed learning (SDL). Preparation for our site visit, did, however, provide a novel opportunity to highlight the unique educational experiences associated with the study of pathology, as pathology traverses both clinical and basic sciences. Sharing these experiences may be useful to other programs that are either undergoing or who are preparing to undergo an accreditation visit and may also aid in a broader communication of the highlights or initiatives of educational activities.

The Alligator Snapping Turtle, Macrochelys temminckii, is a large, aquatic turtle limited to river systems that drain into the Gulf of Mexico. Previous molecular analyses using both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA suggested that Macrochelys exhibits significant genetic variation across its range that includes three distinct genetic assemblages (western, central, and eastern = Suwannee). However, no taxonomic revision or morphological analyses have been conducted previously. In this study, we test previous hypotheses of distinct geographic assemblages by examining morphology, reanalyzing phylogeographic genetic structure, and estimating divergence dating among lineages in a coalescent framework using Bayesian inference. We reviewed the fossil record and discuss phylogeographic and taxonomic implications of the existence of three distinct evolutionary lineages. We measured cranial (n=145) and post-cranial (n=104) material on field-captured individuals and museum specimens. We analyzed 420 base pairs (bp) of mitochondrial DNA sequence data for 158 Macrochelys. We examined fossil Macrochelys from ca. 15-16 million years ago (Ma) to the present to better assess historical distributions and evaluate named fossil taxa. The morphological and molecular data both indicate significant geographical variation and suggest three species-level breaks among genetic lineages that correspond to previously hypothesized genetic assemblages. The holotype of Macrochelys temminckii is from the western lineage. Therefore, we describe two new species as Macrochelys apalachicolae sp. nov. from the central lineage and Macrochelys suwanniensis sp. nov. from the eastern lineage (Suwannee River drainage). Our estimates of divergence times suggest that the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of M. temminckii (western) and M. apalachicolae (central) existed 3.2-8.9 Ma during the late Miocene to late Pliocene, whereas M. temminckii-M. apalachicolae and M. suwanniensis last shared a MRCA 5.5-13.4 Ma during the mid-Miocene to early Pliocene. Examination of fossil material revealed that the fossil taxon M. floridana is actually a large Chelydra. Our taxonomic revision of Macrochelys has conservation and management implications in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.