Fast Algorithms and Efficient Statistics: N-point Correlation Functions

We present here a new algorithm for the fast computation of N-point correlation functions in large astronomical data sets. The algorithm is based on kdtrees which are decorated with cached sufficient statistics thus allowing for orders of magnitude speed-ups over the naive non-tree-based implementation of correlation functions. We further discuss the use of controlled approximations within the computation which allows for further acceleration. In summary, our algorithm now makes it possible to compute exact, all-pairs, measurements of the 2, 3 and 4-point correlation functions for cosmological data sets like the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS; York et al. 2000) and the next generation of Cosmic Microwave Background experiments (see Szapudi et al. 2000).Comment: To appear in Proceedings of MPA/MPE/ESO Conference "Mining the Sky", July 31 - August 4, 2000, Garching, German

Challenges in addressing inequity in access to COVID-19 diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines in Africa.

Significance:Although the global response to COVID-19 has demonstrated that some progress has been made in ensuring timely access to new medical interventions in Africa, much more needs to be done to strengthen the global systems that enable equitable access to health technologies during public health emergencies

Quality use of medicines: Weighing SSRIs and TCAs

No abstract available

Reconsidering antihypertensive choice

No matter how carefully a choice of a P-drug list is made for many given condition,it remains open to reconsideration whenever any of the factors used to weigh the choice of medicines for the list changes. The most easily accommodated changes are perhaps those related to cost, as this is usually considered last, and weighted as least important. Profound changes in the evidence base for efficacy and/or safety are less common, and require more careful handling. This is certainly the case with the choice of medicines to treat hypertension, and particularly to treat this condition in elderly patients who might also present with co-morbid conditions. For many family practices, such patients would represent the majority of hypertensives under treatment

Medicines shortages–unpicking the evidence from a year in South Africa

Although medicines shortages are a persistent and challenging problem for all health systems, the reasons for such shortages vary considerably between settings. Understanding the range of problems encountered, and the specific reasons for each medicines shortage event, may help to identify the most appropriate systems-wide responses. South Africa’s health system is, at this point, still clearly divided between a better-resourced private sector and an overwhelmed public sector. Medicines selection and procurement processes in the two sectors are markedly different. However, in both sectors there is a dearth of publicly accessible information about the incidence and consequences of medicines shortages. This brief report describes the medicines selection and procurement processes currently applied in South Africa’s public health sector, and then describes the nature of the medicines shortages that have been experienced in the KwaZulu provincial health services between July 2012 and June 2013. The degree to which these shortages might have been managed differently, had the recommendations developed by the International Pharmaceutical Federation Summit on Medicines Shortages been implemented, is then explored.

Social transport collaborative solutions: developing a social/community transport infrastructure for change funded projects and associated activity around reshaping care for older people (RCOP).

Transport services for health and social care are fragmented and there is a lack of leadership, ownership and monitoring of the services provided. The Scottish Government, Regional Transport Partnerships, councils, NHS boards and the ambulance service are not working together effectively to deliver transport for health and social care or making best use of available resources. (Audit Scotland 2011 p. 4) With an aging population, transport for vulnerable groups is a major concern for the Scottish Government, and it continues to be examined at the highest levels in Scotland. Of particular focus is the need to better co-ordinate and optimise the wide range of transport services provided by public, private and third sector organisations. This is reflected in The Scottish Parliament Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committees report on Community Transport, and its recommendations to the Scottish Government were the subject of a debate in the Chamber of the Scottish Parliament on 30th October 2013. Against this background, the project investigated how to improve transport services which help older people access health and social care in Aberdeen. The availability of transport services, and whether older people are eligible to use them has been identified as a key issue by the third sector and the project has an opportunity to address this challenge. The project is funded by the Change Fund1 and overseen by the Aberdeen Social Transport Working Group, comprising ACVO TSI (Aberdeens Third Sector Interface), Robert Gordon University (RGU), Nestrans2, Scottish Care, Aberdeen City Council, Buchan Dial-a-Community Bus, British Red Cross, Royal Voluntary Service (formerly WRVS) and Co-wheels. The Social Transport Steering Group has responsibility for the management and monitoring of the project and consists of ACVO TSI, Robert Gordon University and Nestrans. Following the inception of the project, a new Programme Manager was appointed to the Health and Transport Action Plan (HTAP)3 1 The Scottish Government established the Change Fund for older peoples services to enable health, social care, housing, Independent and Third sector Partners to implement local plans for making better use of their combined resources to improve outcomes for older people. (Joint Improvement Team 2011 p. 1) This four year fund (2011-2015) has an allocation of £300 million. and has subsequently joined the Aberdeen Social Transport Working Group and the Social Transport Steering Group. As part of the project, a team at Robert Gordon University has conducted research to provide an evidence base upon which to plan and direct future transport improvements. This research aimed to investigate the extent to which the current provision of transport services for health and social care are meeting the needs of older people within Aberdeen City and to make recommendations about how to address unmet demand. The project gathered both quantitative and qualitative data from a range of participants: transport providers and associated organisations; third sector organisations either having a specific role with older people or working more generally in the sector; private care bodies; and other academics. Many of these contacts led to further useful sources of information throughout Scotland and the UK, and identified notable transport projects as far afield as Canada and Australia. REPORT BY INSTITUTE FOR MANAGEMENT, GOVERNANCE AND SOCIETY (IMAGES), ROBERT GORDON UNIVERSITY, FOR ABERDEEN COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS (AVCO