Barriers, challenges and fears from immigrants in access to healthcare: A proposal for undocumented immigrants to being insured

Access to healthcare is a global issue that needs to be addressed. Worldwide organizations have put efforts in place to overcome this problem and offer solutions and recommendations to various countries. However, these efforts have not been entirely successful. Receiving the highest attainable standard of health or only receiving care is extremely difficult or impossible for individuals who are considered vulnerable such as immigrants, especially those who are undocumented immigrants. Through the recognition of barriers, challenges and fears from immigrants accessing healthcare and a shape of social determinants of health, institutions of government, nonprofit sector and community members organized could grant an opportunity to undocumented immigrants to become a healthier population

A holistic approach to assessment of value of information (VOI) with fuzzy data and decision criteria.

The research presented in this thesis integrates theories and techniques from statistical analysis and artificial intelligence, to develop a more coherent, robust and complete methodology for assessing the value of acquiring new information in the context of the oil and gas industry. The classical methodology for value of information assessment has been used in the oil and gas industry since the 1960s, even though it is only recently that more applications have been published. It is commonly acknowledged that, due to the large number of data acquisition actions and the capital investment associated with it, the oil and gas industry is an ideal domain for developing and applying value of information assessments. In this research, three main gaps in the classical methodology for value of information are identified and addressed by integrating three existing techniques from other domains. Firstly, the research identifies that the technique design of experiments can be used in value of information for providing a holistic assessment of the complete set of uncertain parameters, selecting the ones that have the most impact on the value of the project and supporting the selection of the data acquisition actions for evaluation. Secondly, the fuzziness of the data is captured through membership functions and the expected utility value of each financial parameter is estimated using the probability of the states conditioned to the membership functions - in the classical methodology, this is conditioned to crisp values of the data. Thirdly, a fuzzy inference system is developed for making the value of information assessment, capturing the decision-making human logic into the assessment process and integrating several financial parameters into one. The proposed methodology is applied to a case study describing a value of information assessment in an oil field, where two alternatives for data acquisition are discussed. The case study shows how the three techniques can be integrated within the previous methodology, resulting in a more complete theory. It is observed that the technique or design of experiments provides a full identification of the input parameters affecting the value of the project, and allows a proper selection of the data acquisition actions. In the case study, it is concluded that, when the fuzziness of the data is included in the assessment, the value of the data decreases in comparison with the case where data are assumed to be crisp. This result means that the decision concerning the value of acquiring new data depends on whether the fuzzy nature of the data is included in the assessment, and on the difference between the project value with and without data acquisition. The fuzzy inference system developed for this case study successfully follows the logic of the decision maker and results in a straightforward system to aggregate decision criteria. Sensitivity analysis of the parameters of two different membership functions is made, reaching consistent results in both cases

Modeling corn yields and optimum N rates under variable soil and climatic conditions in the western part of the El Bajio area, Mexico

The objectives of this research were: (1) to test different approaches to characterize the relationship between weather and corn yields and (2) to develop yield models to simulate corn yields and optimal nitrogen rates for two soil groups using historic weather data;Yield data used in this study came from 77 simple fertilizer trials which were carried out with unirrigated corn in farmers\u27 fields in the El Bajio area of central Mexico during the period of 1962-1965;Weather characterization of the light-textured and clay-textured soil areas, into which the region of study was divided, was made according to (1) a soil moisture simulation model by which moisture stress and excess moisture were computed, (2) the amount of rainfall during critical phenological periods for both deficit and excess moisture, and (3) a plant wilting index. Several modifications were made to the soil-moisture-simulation model to adapt it to the area of study in central Mexico;The best approach to characterize weather in the light-textured soils was a plant wilting index, which is a visual method to estimate the degree of wilting in corn plants, followed by the use of rainfall and then the moisture stress index. In the clay-soils area, the weather approaches to characterize excess moisture were very similar. In both approaches, the critical period of excess moisture was found to be early during the vegetative stage of corn;Corn-yield-predicting models developed in this study were evaluated using independent yield data. Corn-yield predicting errors were 374 kg/ha and 539 kg/ha for the best models developed for the light-textured and clay-soils areas, respectively;A weighting procedure which made use of rainfall probabilities was used to determine optimum N fertilizer rates for several locations in the area of study;Corn-yield simulations for varying rooting depths and several locations using historic weather records are discussed

A Holling-Tanner predator-prey model with strong Allee effect

We analyse a modified Holling-Tanner predator-prey model where the predation functional response is of Holling type II and we incorporate a strong Allee effect associated with the prey species production. The analysis complements results of previous articles by Saez and Gonzalez-Olivares (SIAM J. Appl. Math. 59 1867-1878, 1999) and Arancibia-Ibarra and Gonzalez-Olivares (Proc. CMMSE 2015 130-141, 2015)discussing Holling-Tanner models which incorporate a weak Allee effect. The extended model exhibits rich dynamics and we prove the existence of separatrices in the phase plane separating basins of attraction related to co-existence and extinction of the species. We also show the existence of a homoclinic curve that degenerates to form a limit cycle and discuss numerous potential bifurcations such as saddle-node, Hopf, and Bogadonov-Takens bifurcations

Compton degradation of gamma-ray line emission from radioactive isotopes in the classical nova V2491 Cygni

To account for the non-thermal emission from the classical nova V2491 Cygni, we perform a series of numerical calculations of radiative transfer of \gamma-ray photons from the radioactive isotope $^{22}$Na in the matter ejected from a white dwarf. Using a simple wind model for the dynamical evolution of the ejecta and a monte-carlo code, we calculate radiative transfer of the \gamma-ray photons in the ejecta. Repeated scattering of the \gamma-ray photons by electrons in the ejecta, i.e., Compton degradation, results in an extremely flat spectrum in the hard X-ray range, which successfully reproduces the observed spectrum of the X-ray emission from V2491 Cygni. The amount of the isotope $^{22}$Na synthesized in the ejecta is required to be 3\times 10^{-5} M_\odot to account for the flux of the hard X-ray emission. Our model indicates that the ejecta become transparent to the \gamma-ray photons within several tens days. Using the results, we briefly discuss the detectability of the \gamma-ray line emission by the {\it INTEGRAL} gamma-ray observatory and the {\it Fermi} Gamma-ray Space Telescope.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, to appear in ApJ

New Modulation Technique to Mitigate Common Mode Voltage Effects in Star-Connected Five-Phase AC Drives

Star-connected multiphase AC drives are being considered for electromovility applications such as electromechanical actuators (EMA), where high power density and fault tolerance is demanded. As for three-phase systems, common-mode voltage (CMV) is an issue for multiphase drives. CMV leads to shaft voltages between rotor and stator windings, generating bearing currents which accelerate bearing degradation and produce high electromagnetic interferences (EMI). CMV effects can be mitigated by using appropriate modulation techniques. Thus, this work proposes a new Hybrid PWM algorithm that effectively reduces CMV in five-phase AC electric drives, improving their reliability. All the mathematical background required to understand the proposal, i.e., vector transformations, vector sequences and calculation of analytical expressions for duty cycle determination are detailed. Additionally, practical details that simplify the implementation of the proposal in an FPGA are also included. This technique, HAZSL5M5-PWM, extends the linear range of the AZSL5M5-PWM modulation, providing a full linear range. Simulation results obtained in an accurate multiphase EMA model are provided, showing the validity of the proposed modulation approach.This work has been supported in part by the Government of the Basque Country within the fund for research groups of the Basque University system IT978-16 and in part by the Government of the Basque Country within the research program ELKARTEK as the project ENSOL (KK-2018/00040)

New remains and considerations on Nothrotheriidae from the late Pleistocene of La Ribera, Santa Fe, Argentina

The remains of Nothrotheriidae are very scarce in the fossil record of the Pleistocene of Argentina but the locality La Ribera (late Pleistocene) has an unexpected concentration of members of this family. In this work, an astragalus and a femur assignable to Nothrotheriidae from La Ribera are described as Nothropus cf. carcaranensis Bordas, 1942. Other material of this family of sloths from this locality, among which is the holotype of Nothropus carcaranensis, are reviewed with discussion about the intraspecific variation of the femora. The elements studied herein provide a better understanding of the diversity of the Nothrotheriidae in Argentina.Los restos de Nothrotheriidae son muy escasos en el registro fósil del Pleistoceno de Argentina aunque la localidad La Ribera (Pleistoceno tardío) muestra una inesperada concentración. En este trabajo se describen un nuevo astrágalo y un fémur de Nothrotheriidae de La Ribera como Nothropus cf. carcaranensis Bordas, 1942. Además se revisan los ejemplares de esta familia de perezosos hallados en esta localidad, entre los que se encuentra el holotipo de Nothropus carcaranensis y se discute sobre la variación intraespecífica de los fémures de Nothrotheriidae. El conjunto de elementos aquí reunidos permite avanzar hacia una mejor comprensión sobre la diversidad de Nothrotheriidae en Argentina.Fil: Brambilla, Luciano. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas.; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Haro, Jose Augusto. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Museo de Paleontología; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Cs.exactas Físicas y Naturales. Departamento de Geología Basica y Aplicada. Cátedra de Paleontología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Ibarra, Damián. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas.; Argentin

Towards an interdisciplinary, intercultural and intergenerational ethno–ornithology for biocultural conservation

La etno–ornitología estudia el complejo de relaciones entre las aves y los seres humanos. Estas interacciones se expresan en distintas dimensiones socio–culturales como el lenguaje, el mito, la ontología y el sentido de lugar de comunidades humanas rurales y urbanas, generando relaciones cotidianas, recíprocas y duraderas entre las aves y la gente. Las aves también se asocian a prácticas sociales como la medicina, la ciencia, la alimentación, las costumbres, el arte y los rituales propios de aquellas zonas donde ellas co–habitan con los humanos. De esta forma, la etno–ornitología entrelaza el mundo natural con la cultura para apreciar dos diversidades del mundo que son normalmente estudiadas y valoradas por separado: la diversidad biológica y la diversidad cultural. En los trabajos etno–ornitológicos, ambas diversidades son apreciadas como una, llamada diversidad biocultural (Maffi 2005). A través del concepto de diversidad biocultural, se ha redescubierto empíricamente, para la ciencia, la estrecha relación entre seres humanos y aves tanto en sus patrones de riqueza como en sus amenazas de conservación (Sutherland 2003). Por ejemplo, a nivel planetario, las zonas con más especies de aves se encuentran espacialmente correlacionadas con las zonas con mayor número de lenguajes humanos (Lirrazalde 2001, Maffi 2005).Fil: Ibarra Eliessetch, José Tomás. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; ChileFil: Pizarro Pinochet, Jose Cristobal. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentin

GLANDULA TIROIDES, ¿OTRA VICTIMA DEL COVID-19? A PROPOSITO DE UN CASO

Coronavirus disease compromises all biological organs and systems, either by direct commitment to specific tissues or by indirect effects. The endocrine system is no exception, and parenchyma and thyroid function have been reported to be impaired. In 2003 a histopathological study on the effects of SARS-CoV infection on the thyroid showed extensive damage to parafollicular cells and destruction and exfoliation of epithelial cells in the thyroid follicle, an interesting finding was the absence of an inflammatory infiltrate. which supported the hypothesis of extensive apoptosis responsible for the findings. In China, minimally invasive autopsies of different organs of patients who died of SARS-CoV-2 did not report abnormalities in thyroid follicular morphology, but noted lymphocytic infiltration in the interstitium; none of the tissue immunohistochemistry and PCR analyzes detected SARS-CoV-2 in the thyroid. The first case of thyroid alteration compatible with subacute thyroiditis in a patient with COVID-19 in Peru is presented.La enfermedad por coronavirus compromete todos los órganos y sistemas biológicos, ya sea por compromiso directo a tejidos específicos o por efectos indirectos. El sistema endocrino no es una excepción y la función y parénquima tiroideos se han reportado alterados. En el 2003 un estudio histopatológico sobre los efectos de la infección por SARS-CoV en la tiroides mostró una lesión extensa de las células para-foliculares y la destrucción y exfoliación de las células epiteliales en el folículo tiroideo, un hallazgo interesante fue la ausencia de infiltrado inflamatorio lo que respaldó la hipótesis de una apoptosis extensa responsable de los hallazgos. En China, autopsias mínimamente invasivas de diferentes órganos de pacientes fallecidos por SARS-CoV-2 no informaron anormalidades en la morfología folicular tiroidea, pero notaron infiltración linfocítica en el intersticio; ninguno de los análisis de inmuno-histoquímica tisular y PCR detectó SARS-CoV-2 en la tiroides. Se presenta el primer caso de alteración tiroidea compatible con tiroiditis subaguda en una paciente con COVID-19 en Perú

Microbiological studies related the improvement of crop production in unfavorable areas

El desarrollo de estrategias para incrementar la producción agrícola es de relevancia debido a la importancia de los vegetales en la alimentación humana. Entre estas estrategias se incluyen la expansión de la frontera agrícola a zonas menos aptas, como los ambientes fríos o áridos, pero es necesario que las plantas puedan resistir y prosperar en esas condiciones. El uso de cultivos transgénicos resistentes a la sequía constituye una buena alternativa que puede ser mejorada con el uso de bacterias promotoras del crecimiento vegetal (PGPB), que puedan desarrollarse en condiciones de estrés, manteniendo sus actividades. El objetivo de este trabajo consistió en el análisis de cepas bacterianas aisladas de suelos, con diferentes regímenes hídricos, y de Pseudomonas extremaustralis, procedente de un ambiente extremo, en cuanto a su potencialidad para ser utilizadas como promotoras de crecimiento vegetal. Además se analizó la influencia de cultivos de maíz genéticamente modificados (GM) resistentes a la sequía sobre la composición de las comunidades bacterianas del suelo por técnicas secuenciación masiva. Las características de PGP en P. extremaustralis se analizaron en comparación con P. protegens Pf-5, una conocida PGPB. P. extremaustralis presentó una buena capacidad de solubilización y mineralización de fósforo, tanto a 28°C como en frio. El perfil de ácidos orgánicos, responsables de la solubilización de fosfato inorgánico, fue diferente al de P. protegens Pf-5. Estas diferencias se correlacionaron con la ausencia del gen gad responsable de la producción de 2-ceto-gluconato, en el genoma de P. extremaustralis. Esta bacteria también fue capaz de producir ácido indol acético (AIA) y posee genes relacionados a la resistencia a ácido fusárico y otros que la capacitan para resistir la desecación. Posee también la ruta metabólica completa para la síntesis y liberación de pioverdinas y se observó un efecto del regulador global anaeróbico Anr sobre la producción de estos compuestos. Ensayos de quimiotaxis mostraron que P. extremaustralis es atraída por exudados radiculares de plantas de trigo y es capaz de colonizar raíces de trigo y maíz de forma estable e incrementar el peso seco de vástago de plantas de trigo, mostrando que además de sus características como PGPB es capaz de interactuar con vegetales. También se analizaron características de PGP en aislamientos bacterianos obtenidos a partir de suelos de la provincia de Buenos Aires con distinto régimen de lluvias. Se obtuvieron 19 cepas bacterianas capaces de solubilizar fósforo, 3 de las cuales mostraron una alta capacidad de solubilización. Se encontraron 22 aislamientos positivos para la producción de AIA. Se observó un efecto positivo sobre el crecimiento de plantas de maíz en un sistema axénico autotrófico de 2 de las cepas, IIM-Man4 e IIA-Man30, indicando que pueden ser buenas candidatas como PGPB. Para analizar si existe un impacto de plantas GM resistentes a la sequía sobre la comunidad bacteriana del suelo se realizaron experimentos en macetas con suelo de dos localidades Río Cuarto(RC) e Inés Indart (II) en cámaras de cultivo con condiciones controladas, utilizando cultivares de maíz portadores del gen Hahb4 que confiere resistencia a sequía y salinidad. Las plantas fueron sometidas a dos tratamientos hídricos: alta y baja irrigación. Se analizó la diversidad bacteriana de las muestras de suelo mediante la secuenciación de amplicones del gen que codifica el 16S rRNA. Los suelos analizados fueron diferentes en cuanto a la α diversidad. En II no hubo diferencias en β diversidad, mientras que en RC se encontraron diferencias al utilizar los índices cuantitativos (Bray Curtis y Weighted UniFrac) al comparar el tipo de planta. La composición de los grupos mayoritarios fue similar, siendo las Proteobacterias el más representado en ambos suelos con alrededor del 30%, seguido por Acidobacterias con alrededor del 17% y Planctomycetes y Verrucomicrobia representando aproximadamente un 10% del total cada uno. En todas las muestras el género predominante fue Acidobacterium con 14 a 20 % de los registros (lecturas). La mayoría de los géneros presentó una abundancia relativa de 0,01-0,1 %. Se realizó un análisis para determinar que géneros bacterianos son afectados por cada condición de riego. Se detectaron 10 géneros en II y 16 géneros en RC que estuvieron significativamente (p<0,05) más representados en la condición de sequía con respecto a buena irrigación; siendo Chromatium, perteneciente a las Gamma Proteobacterias, el que mayor proporción de cambio mostró en II y Amycolatopsis, perteneciente al grupo de las Actinobacterias, y Nevskia, dentro de las Gamma Proteobacterias, en RC. También se observaron 29 géneros que mostraron diferencias significativas en relación al tipo de planta en II y 61 géneros en suelo de RC. Los tratamientos tuvieron menos efecto en II en comparación con RC. En II no se observaron diferencias significativas ni con el régimen de irrigación ni con el tipo de planta y hubo un menor número de géneros afectados. EN RC se observó un efecto significativo del tipo de planta pero no de la irrigación.Due to the continuous human population growth, food production may be insufficient in the coming years, so it is necessary to implement strategies to increase crop production. These strategies include expanding the agricultural frontier to less suitable areas, such as cold or arid environments. To reach this goal it is necessary that plants can withstand and thrive in these conditions. The use of genetically modified (GM) crops resistant to drought can be a good option, as well as the use of plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) that can grow under stress conditions, maintaining their plant-beneficial traits. The objective of this study was to analyze bacterial strains isolated from environments under different rainfall regimes and cold, in relation to their potential as PGPB under unfavorable conditions. We also assessed the influence of drought-tolerant GM maize on the composition of the soil bacterial communities, using high throughput sequencing techniques. Pseudomonas extremaustralis isolated from an extreme environment (Antarctica) was analyzed for PGP traits in comparison with P. protegens Pf-5, a well known PGPB. P. extremaustralis presented a good solubilization and mineralization capacity of phosphate in comparison to P. protegens Pf-5, both at 28°C and under cold conditions. The profile of organic acids, responsible for the inorganic phosphate solubilization, was different from that of P. protegens Pf-5. These differences were correlated with genetic differences between both genomes, including lack of the gad gene in P. extremaustralis genome, related to 2-ketogluconate production. P. extremaustralis was also able to produce indole acetic acid (IAA); possesses genes encoding fusaric acid resistance and genes that enable it to withstand desiccation. It is, also a good siderophore producer, posses a complete genetic pathway to produce and release pyoverdine. We observed that pyoverdine production was influenced by the global anaerobic regulator Anr. Chemotaxis and colonization assays showed that P. extremaustralis was attracted to wheat root exudates and was able to colonize wheat and maize roots forming stable colonies in root surface, improving the dry weight of the stem in wheat plants. In addition, different characteristics related to the ability to promote plant growth in bacterial isolates obtained from soils with different rainfall regimes were analyzed. We found 19 isolates able to solubilizing inorganic phosphate, three of which showed a high solubilizing capacity and 22 isolates that were positive for IAA production, some of which reached high production (up to 60 μg / ml). Two strains, IIM-Man4 and IIA-Man30, showed a positive effect on the growth of maize plants in an autotrophic axenic system. The results indicate that P. extremaustralis, as some of the isolated bacterial strains,could be good candidates for their analysis in experimental plots subjected to stress conditions. Another expanding strategy to improve crop yield involves the use of GM plants. However, the evaluation of the impact of these organisms on the soil communities has not been deeply analyzed yet. We evaluated the effect of drought tolerant GM corn plants carrying the Hahb4 gene, on soil microbial community. Experiments were carried out in pots with soil from two locations Río Cuarto (RC) and Inés Indart (II) in culture chambers under controlled conditions. The plants were subjected to two soil irrigation regimes. Bacterial diversity of the soil community was analyzed using global amplicon sequencing techniques of the gene encoding the 16S rRNA. Soils were different in terms of α diversity. In II there were not differences in β diversity, while in RC differences were found when comparing the type of plant using the quantitative index (Bray Curtis and Weighted UniFrac). The composition of the major groups was similar, with Proteobacterias being more represented in both soils with about 30%, followed by Acidobacterias with around 17% and Planctomycetes and Verrucomicrobia representing approximately 10% of the total. In all the samples the genus Acidobacterium was predominant with 14 to 19% of the records (readings). Most genera had a relative abundance of 0.01-0.1%. Analysis of bacterial genera affected by irrigation conditions was performed. Ten genera in II and 16 genera in RC were detected that were significantly (p <0.05) more represented in drought conditions in comparison with good irrigation; being Chromatium belonging to GammaProteobacteria that showed the highest proportion of change in II soil, and Amycolatopsis belonging to Actinobacterias and Nevskia within the GammaProteobacteria in RC. We also observed 29 genera that showed significant differences in relation to the type of plant in II and 61 genera in RC soil. Treatments had less effect on II as compared to RC. In II, no significant differences were observed either with the irrigation regime or the type of plant and there were fewer affected genera. The analysis of bacterial community of RC soils showed a significant effect of the type of plant but not of irrigation regimes.Fil: Ibarra, Jose Gervasio. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina