A Model-Driven Approach for Wearable Systems Developments

This paper proposes a model-driven approach for developing high-level software interfaces that allow developers to interact with wearable devices easily. These components hide the heterogeneity of the devices interfaces and provide developers with a simple and homogeneous way to interoperate with these digital peripherals. The use of this approach also allows reducing risks and development efforts.This work has been partially funded by the Facultad de Educación, Economía y Tecnología de Ceuta under the “Contrato-Programa” of research for the period 2013–2015. This work has also been supported by Fondecyt (Chile), Grant no. 1150252. The authors would also like to acknowledge input from COST Action AAPELE (IC1303)

Understanding the role of mobile ad hoc networks in non-traditional contexts

With the rapid development of short-range wireless technology new venues to apply it in more sophisticated, complex, and dynamic environments have been opened. Nevertheless, the applicability of such technology in nontraditional settings like face-to-face encounters and disaster relief environments, remains unclear. This article describes a research effort aimed to narrow that gap by means of using two non-traditional settings as case studies; face-to-face encounters among unacquainted people and first responders in urban disaster relief environments. Among the results obtained are: a) interactions among unacquainted people may be promoted, though the level of interaction becomes easily constrained due to the current state of RF technology and the design of the experiments, and b) it is feasible to obtain a reliable communication platform for first responders operating in disaster relief missions. These results supports the idea that short-range wireless technology may play both a facilitator and a promoter role in face-to-face contexts, and at least a facilitator role in the case of users co-located in highly dynamic contexts.8th IFIP/IEEE International conference on Mobile and Wireless CommunicationRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Global, Regional, and National Trends of Chagas Disease from 1990 to 2019: Comprehensive Analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study.

Background Chagas disease (CD) is a neglected tropical disease, endemic in Latin America, but due to migration and environmental changes it has become a global public health issue. Objectives To assess the global prevalence and disability-adjusted life years due to CD using findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Methods The Global Burden of Disease data was obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Collaborative Network; results were provided by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. The prevalence and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) were described at a global, regional, and national level, including data from 1990 to 2019. Results Globally, CD prevalence decreased by 11.3% during the study period, from 7,292,889 cases estimated in 1990 to 6,469,283 in 2019. Moreover, the global DALY rate of CD decreased by 23.7% during the evaluated period, from 360,872 in 1990 to 275,377 in 2019. In addition, significant differences in the burden by sex, being men the most affected, age, with the elderly having the highest burden of the disease, and sociodemographic index (SDI), with countries with the lowest SDI values having the highest prevalence of the disease, were observed. Finally, the prevalence trends have followed different patterns according to the region, with a sustained decrease in Latin America, compared to an increasing trend in North America and Europe until 2010. Conclusion The global burden of CD has changed in recent decades, with a sustained decline in the number of cases. Although the majority of cases remain concentrated in Latin America, the increase observed in countries in North America and Europe highlights the importance of screening at-risk populations and raising awareness of this neglected tropical disease

Circulating MicroRNAs and myocardial involvement severity in chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy.

Background Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy (CCM) is characterized by a unique pathophysiology in which inflammatory, microvascular and neuroendocrine processes coalesce in the development of one of the most severe cardiomyopathies affecting humans. Despite significant advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in this disease, scarce information is available regarding microRNAs and clinical parameters of disease severity. We aimed to evaluate the association between circulating levels of six microRNAs with markers of myocardial injury and prognosis in this population. Methods Patients with CCM and reduced ejection fraction were included in a prospective exploratory cohort study. We assessed the association of natural log-transformed values of six circulating microRNAs (miR-34a-5p, miR-208a-5p, miR-185-5p, miR-223-5p, let-7d-5p, and miR-454-5p) with NT-proBNP levels and echocardiographic variables using linear regression models adjusted for potential confounders. By using Cox Proportional Hazard models, we examined whether levels of microRNAs could predict a composite outcome (CO), including all-cause mortality, cardiac transplantation, and implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Finally, for mRNAs showing significant associations, we predicted the target genes and performed pathway analyses using Targetscan and Reactome Pathway Browser. Results Seventy-four patients were included (59% males, median age: 64 years). After adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, and heart failure medications, only increasing miR-223-5p relative expression levels were significantly associated with better myocardial function markers, including left atrium area (Coef. -10.2; 95% CI -16.35; -4.09), end-systolic (Coef. -45.3; 95% CI -74.06; -16.61) and end-diastolic volumes (Coef. -46.1; 95% CI -81.99; -10.26) of the left ventricle. Moreover, we observed that higher miR-223-5p levels were associated with better left-ventricle ejection fraction and lower NT-proBNP levels. No associations were observed between the six microRNAs and the composite outcome. A total of 123 target genes for miR-223-5p were obtained. From these, several target pathways mainly related to signaling by receptor tyrosine kinases were identified. Conclusions The present study found an association between miR-223-5p and clinical parameters of CCM, with signaling pathways related to receptor tyrosine kinases as a potential mechanism linking low levels of miR-223-5p with CCM worsening

Longitudinal Speckle Tracking Strain Abnormalities in Chagas Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCM) is ranked among heart failure etiologies with the highest mortality rates. CCM is characterized by alterations in left ventricular function with a typical and unique pattern of myocardial involvement. Left ventricle longitudinal speckle tracking strain is emerging as an important additive method for evaluating left ventricular function and risk of future cardiovascular events. This systematic review aimed to characterize the left ventricle (LV) longitudinal strain by speckle tracking patterns in the different stages of Chagas disease, compared to healthy controls. METHODS Searches in Medline, EMBASE, and LILACS databases (from inception to 20 May 2021) were performed. Articles written in any language that assessed patients with Chagas disease and reported any measures derived from the left ventricular strain by speckle tracking were included. Two reviewers independently selected the studies, extracted the data, and assessed the quality of evidence. Standardized mean differences (SMD) were pooled using random-effects meta-analyses. RESULTS Of 1044 references, ten studies, including a total of 1222 participants (CCM: 477; indeterminate form: 444; healthy controls: 301), fulfilled the selection criteria and were included in the final analysis. Patients with CCM had a significantly higher mean global longitudinal strain (GLS) value than indeterminate form (IF) patients (SMD 1.253; 95% CI 0.53, 1.98. I2 = 94%), while no significant difference was observed between IF patients and healthy controls (SMD 0.197; 95% CI -0.19, 0.59. I2 = 80%). Segmental strain analyses revealed that patients with the IF form of CD had significantly worse strain values in the basal-inferoseptal (SMD 0.49; 95% CI 0.24, 0.74. I2: 24%), and mid-inferoseptal (SMD 0.28; 95% CI 0.05, 0.50. I2: 10%) segments compared to healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest different levels of functional derangements in myocardial function across different stages of Chagas disease. Further research is needed to assess the prognostic role of LV longitudinal strain and other measures derived from speckle tracking in CD patients regarding progression to cardiomyopathy and clinical outcomes prediction

Understanding the role of mobile ad hoc networks in non-traditional contexts

With the rapid development of short-range wireless technology new venues to apply it in more sophisticated, complex, and dynamic environments have been opened. Nevertheless, the applicability of such technology in nontraditional settings like face-to-face encounters and disaster relief environments, remains unclear. This article describes a research effort aimed to narrow that gap by means of using two non-traditional settings as case studies; face-to-face encounters among unacquainted people and first responders in urban disaster relief environments. Among the results obtained are: a) interactions among unacquainted people may be promoted, though the level of interaction becomes easily constrained due to the current state of RF technology and the design of the experiments, and b) it is feasible to obtain a reliable communication platform for first responders operating in disaster relief missions. These results supports the idea that short-range wireless technology may play both a facilitator and a promoter role in face-to-face contexts, and at least a facilitator role in the case of users co-located in highly dynamic contexts.8th IFIP/IEEE International conference on Mobile and Wireless CommunicationRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Estado y agricultura en Mexico : antecedentes e implicaciones de las reformas salinistas

1 archivo PDF (184 páginas)El 7 de noviembre de 1991, el presidente Salinas de Gortari anunció la reforma del artículo 27 de la Constitución, al respecto de esta reforma se presentan siete ensayos, cuyos temas son: perspectiva histórica: desde el Cardenismo hasta el Salinismo; la política neoliberal: regiones y sectores económicos; la política neoliberal: sectores Sociales. PALABRAS CLAVE: Enmiendas constitucionales. Tierras comunales. Agriculture and state. Constitutional amendments. Common

New bio-polymeric membranes composed of alginate-carrageenan to be applied as polymer electrolyte membranes for DMFC

Novel polyelectrolyte membranes were prepared from pure solutions of alginate (Alg), carrageenan (Car) and their mixtures. The films were crosslinked and sulfonated and then, characterized by several techniques: ionic exchange capacity (IEC), water uptake, mechanical thermal properties, and also functional properties such as methanol permeability and proton conductivity. The results show that Alg/Car membranes have a ductile behavior. Low carrageenan concentrations have a weak thermoprotective effect, which slightly delays both Tg and Tm of prepared membranes. The methanol permeability of Alg/Car membranes increase with the carrageenan content varying from 0.55 × 10−6 cm2 s−1 for Alg/Car 100/00 to 4.89 × 10−6 cm2 s−1 for Alg/Car 80/20. The Proton conductivities of the membranes increase with the carrageenan content from 9.79 × 10−3 S cm−1 for Alg/Car 100/00 until 3.16 × 10−2 S cm−1 for Alg/Car 80/20 at 90 °C. Finally the proton transfer mechanism is discussed in terms of the conductivity activation energy and the dependence of the proton diffusion coefficient with the temperature has been studied.Fil: Pasini Cabello, Sergio David. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico San Luis. Instituto de Física Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Molla, S.. Universidad Politecnica de Valencia; EspañaFil: Ochoa, Nelio Ariel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico San Luis. Instituto de Física Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Marchese, Jose. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico San Luis. Instituto de Física Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Gimenez, E.. Universidad Politecnica de Valencia; EspañaFil: Compan, V.. Universidad Politecnica de Valencia; Españ

Diagnostic role of new Doppler index in assessment of renal artery stenosis

Background: Renal artery stenosis (RAS) is one of the main causes of secondary systemic arterial hypertension. Several non-invasive diagnostic methods for RAS have been used in hypertensive patients, such as color Doppler ultrasound (US). The aim of this study was to assess the sensitivity and specificity of a new renal Doppler US direct-method parameter: the renal-renal ratio (RRR), and compare with the sensitivity and specificity of direct-method conventional parameters: renal peak systolic velocity (RPSV) and renal aortic ratio (RAR), for the diagnosis of severe RAS. Methods: Our study group included 34 patients with severe arterial hypertension (21 males and 13 females), mean age 54 (± 8.92) years old consecutively evaluated by renal color Doppler ultrasound (US) for significant RAS diagnosis. All of them underwent digital subtraction arteriography (DSA). RAS was significant if a diameter reduction 200 cm/s with 97% sensitivity, 72% specificity, 81% positive predictive value and 95% negative predictive value; RAR >3 with 77% sensitivity, 90% specificity, 90% positive predictive value and 76% negative predictive value. The optimal sensitivity and specificity cutoff for the new RRR was >2.7 with 97% sensitivity (p 200cm/s and RAR >3). Both RRR and RPSV show better sensitivity than RAR for the RAS diagnosis.Facultad de Ciencias Médica

Factores económicos, sociales y culturales asociados con la automedicación

Introduction: Self-medication is an increasingly frequent phenomenon worldwide; some studies suggest that there is a relationship with socio-economic and cultural factors.Objective: To determine the prevalence of self-medication and its related factors in a Colombian city.Materials and methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study, in Pereira, Colombia. We selected 414 adults using simple randomization sampling with houses used as the observational unit. The IRIS-AM instrument was used to collect the information required.Results: Four hundred and fourteen (414) people were interviewed, 62.6% were females, and mean age was 44 years; 77.5% of the sample had self-medicated at least once in their life and 31.9% during the last month. The most commonly used medications were: analgesics and antipyretics (44.3%), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and anti-rheumatic medication (36.4%), and anti-histamine medication (8.5%). The most commonly self-medicated symptoms were: headache (55.7%), cold (16.2%) and muscular pain (13.2%). Multivariate analysis revealed an association between self-medication throughout life and storing medications at home, and between a high level of education and having a favorable opinion of self-medication. Storing medications at home and recommending them to others were associated with self-medication during the previous 30 days.Conclusion: Self-medication rates were found to be similar to those reported globally, but there is not an established pattern for this practice. Associations were found between social and demographic variables and self-medication, which require further characterization. Intention to self-medicate has not been well-described in other studies, and may be an important indicator which will contribute to future understanding of this phenomenon.Introducción. La automedicación es un fenómeno cada vez más frecuente a nivel mundial. Los estudios en este campo sugieren que hay una relación entre la automedicación y diversos factores sociodemográficos y económicos.Objetivo. Determinar la prevalencia de la automedicación y los factores relacionados en Pereira, Colombia.Materiales y métodos. Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal llevado a cabo en la población de Pereira. Se hizo un muestreo aleatorio por afijación proporcional en 414 adultos, y se desarrolló y aplicó la encuesta IRIS-AM (Instrument for Systematic Data Collection of Self-Medication).Resultados. Se encuestaron 414 personas, 62,6 % de las cuales eran mujeres; el promedio de edad fue de 44 años. La prevalencia de la automedicación fue de 77,5 % a lo largo de la vida y de 31,9 % en los 30 días previos. Los medicamentos más comúnmente utilizados fueron los analgésicos y antipiréticos (44,3 %), los antiinflamatorios no esteroideos (36,4 %), y los antihistamínicos (8,5 %). Los síntomas que llevaron a la automedicación con mayor frecuencia fueron la cefalea (55,7 %), el resfriado (16,2 %) y el dolor muscular (13,2 %). Los análisis multivariados mostraron asociación entre la automedicación a lo largo de la vida y guardar medicamentos en casa, así como entre tener un nivel superior de escolaridad y estar a favor de la automedicación. Los factores referentes a almacenar medicamentos y recomendarlos a otros se asociaron con la automedicación en los 30 días previos.Conclusiones. La prevalencia de la automedicación hallada en este estudio fue similar a la reportada previamente a nivel mundial; aun así, no existe un patrón establecido para esta práctica. Se evidenciaron las variables sociodemográficas asociadas con la automedicación, las cuales requieren una mejor caracterización. La intención de recurrir a la automedicación ha sido poco estudiada y podría ser un indicador importante para la medición y comprensión de este fenómeno