36 research outputs found
The Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment: Exploring Fundamental Symmetries of the Universe
The preponderance of matter over antimatter in the early Universe, the
dynamics of the supernova bursts that produced the heavy elements necessary for
life and whether protons eventually decay --- these mysteries at the forefront
of particle physics and astrophysics are key to understanding the early
evolution of our Universe, its current state and its eventual fate. The
Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment (LBNE) represents an extensively developed
plan for a world-class experiment dedicated to addressing these questions. LBNE
is conceived around three central components: (1) a new, high-intensity
neutrino source generated from a megawatt-class proton accelerator at Fermi
National Accelerator Laboratory, (2) a near neutrino detector just downstream
of the source, and (3) a massive liquid argon time-projection chamber deployed
as a far detector deep underground at the Sanford Underground Research
Facility. This facility, located at the site of the former Homestake Mine in
Lead, South Dakota, is approximately 1,300 km from the neutrino source at
Fermilab -- a distance (baseline) that delivers optimal sensitivity to neutrino
charge-parity symmetry violation and mass ordering effects. This ambitious yet
cost-effective design incorporates scalability and flexibility and can
accommodate a variety of upgrades and contributions. With its exceptional
combination of experimental configuration, technical capabilities, and
potential for transformative discoveries, LBNE promises to be a vital facility
for the field of particle physics worldwide, providing physicists from around
the globe with opportunities to collaborate in a twenty to thirty year program
of exciting science. In this document we provide a comprehensive overview of
LBNE's scientific objectives, its place in the landscape of neutrino physics
worldwide, the technologies it will incorporate and the capabilities it will
possess.Comment: Major update of previous version. This is the reference document for
LBNE science program and current status. Chapters 1, 3, and 9 provide a
comprehensive overview of LBNE's scientific objectives, its place in the
landscape of neutrino physics worldwide, the technologies it will incorporate
and the capabilities it will possess. 288 pages, 116 figure
Twenty years of mental health policies in Chile: lessons and challenges
Over the last 20 years, Chile has increased the mental health share of its public health budget and implemented policies that radically transformed psychiatric services in the country. Both national and international factors have contributed to this process. The implementation of two national mental health plans has led to downsizing mental hospitals and developing community alternatives, such as primary health care, community mental health teams, day hospitals, acute psychiatric beds in general hospitals, and group homes. The annual number of new persons starting treatment for mental disorders in the public sector has increased by 343 percent between 2004 and 2007, with depression being the condition that motivates the highest frequency of visits. The Chilean experience has been successful in terms of increasing availability and accessibility of services and demonstrating that with a modicum of political support, it is possible to implement an effective and efficient community-based network of primary and secondary care facilities. Notwithstanding the progress made in this country, the mental health treatment gap is still significant
Development of community care for people with Schizophrenia in Chile
Chile has greatly reformed its approach to psychiatric care in the
last two decades, having transitioned from a model centered around a psychiatric
hospital to one in which mental health care is based in the community. During this
period, patients were moved from large psychiatric hospitals into ambulatory clinics,
and the number of people who were in hospitals for extended periods decreased. At
the same time, mental health service networks—consisting of ambulatory clinics,
day hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and community group homes—were created,
each responsible for a specific population. The reform process, however, has occurred
in different, unequal degrees throughout the country. The purpose of this
investigation is to compare the characteristics, resources, and results of the mental
health service networks that have successfully transitioned to and developed in the
community with respect to those that are still centered in a hospital. The structural
aspects were evaluated with the EvaRedCom–TMS (Evaluación de Redes de Servicios
Comunitarios para Trastornos Mentales Severos), and the level of functioning was measured with World Health Organization’s International Classification of
Mental Health Care. Area networks with higher levels of community-based services
show better indicators of geographic and financial accessibility, use less human
resources (particularly psychiatrists and nursing assistants), have an equal level
of specialization, and yet show better treatment adherence among the patients
(84.2 percent versus 41.8 percent), despite the fact that the patients have worse
socioeconomic and clinical indicators than area networks with lower levels of
community-based services. In conclusion, the community-based psychiatric care
model is more effective than the hospital-centered model.This study was funded by Project FONIS–CONICYT, Chile SA08i2003
Análisis de la gobernanza en la implementación del modelo comunitario de salud mental en Chile
El presente artículo describe y analiza el rol que ha jugado la gobernanza en el desarrollo
del modelo comunitario de salud mental en Chile. Se describen y analizan cinco dimensiones
de la gobernanza: 1) el desarrollo de una serie de estrategias para favorecer la participación
de los usuarios de servicios de salud mental ha logrado resultados insuficientes; 2)
la implementación de tres planes nacionales de salud mental, que han mantenido la misma
visión estratégica a lo largo de tres décadas, han contribuido a aumentar la accesibilidad a
la atención comunitaria de las personas con enfermedades mentales y disminuir el rol de
los hospitales psiquiátricos; 3) la inexistencia de una ley de salud mental persiste aún como
un desafío, aunque haya sido parcialmente compensada por distintas leyes y decretos; 4)
las regulaciones en la asignación de los recursos financieros, la formación del recurso
humano y las directrices técnicas han contribuido a mejorar el acceso y la calidad de la
atención; y 5) la construcción progresiva de un sistema de información en salud mental ha
permitido conocer principalmente las tasas de acceso, las brechas de tratamiento y las
inequidades
geográficas. La experiencia chilena confirma la importancia de aplicar un
conjunto
de estrategias y mecanismos de gobernanza, para favorecer el desarrollo y el
funcionamiento
de los servicios de salud mental. El tipo de estrategias y mecanismos de
gobernanza podrán variar en los distintos países según los contextos y las ventanas de
oportunidades
Trastornos del desarrollo intelectual en América Latina: un marco para establecer las prioridades políticas de investigación y atención
Artículo de publicación ISIAnteriormente agrupados bajo el término discapacidad
intelectual, constituyen un problema poco estudiado y cuantificado
en América Latina. Los afectados están ausentes en
las políticas públicas y no se benefician de las estrategias gubernamentales
de desarrollo social y reducción de la pobreza.
En este artículo se aporta una visión crítica de los TDI
y se describe una nueva taxonomía. Además, se propone
reconocerlos como problema de salud pública, promover
la profesionalización de la atención, y sugerir una agenda
de investigación y acción regional. En América Latina no
hay consenso sobre los criterios diagnósticos de los TDI.
Pocos programas de rehabilitación cubren una proporción
importante de las personas que los padecen, no se ofrecen
servicios basados en la evidencia científica y las directrices
de atención no se han evaluado. Los manuales de diagnóstico
psiquiátrico conceden más importancia a la identificación de
los TDI graves, favorecen su subregistro y clasificaciones
erróneas. Su estudio no se ha priorizado desde las perspectivas
jurídica, de las ciencias sociales y de la salud pública.
Por ello escasean las pruebas científicas sobre estos trastornos.
Faltan competencias específicas y profesionalización
para el cuidado de estas personas y es indispensable realizar
intervenciones de prevención, rehabilitación, integración
comunitaria e inclusión laboral