A brief Survey of Recent Clinical Dashboards

Abstract. Application of data analytics and visual analytics to the medical domain, and specifically to support clinical activities is more and more both a need and an opportunity. For example, as reported by the US Institute of Medicine, positive transformation of current health systems to make them cost-sustainable and providing higher care quality, requires to capture more clinical data and generate knowledge for better healthcare management and enhancement of medical research. In this brief survey we review recent papers (since 2013 on) describing innovative clinical dashboards which promise better support of clinical and medical research activities. We also explain how in some of these tools analytics features are implemented to cope with clinical dataset and get insights from them. We try therefore to identify for each considered tool a set of features concerning data sources, tasks/workflows supported, indicators and their graphical representation, analytics support, target users and data processing approaches

Análisis de la iniciativa internacional de suspensión temporal de las patentes de las vacunas contra la COVID-19

La pandemia de la COVID-19 constituye un desafío global sin precedentes que genera la necesidad de articular una respuesta global que asegure una recuperación pronta e inclusiva. Como parte de los esfuerzos internacionales para aumentar la producción de las vacunas contra la COVID-19 y para hacer frente a su inequitativa distribución entre los países de altos ingresos y los de menores ingresos se propuso la suspensión de los derechos de patente de las mismas, lo cual ha generado un debate internacional sobre los beneficios y desventajas que la adopción e implementación de esta medida podría generar. En ese orden de ideas, en el presente trabajo se desarrollan las categorías, las características, el proceso de configuración histórico, las explicaciones desde diversos enfoques de las Relaciones Internacionales, entre otros, del régimen internacional de la propiedad intelectual, así como el tratamiento específico de los productos farmacéuticos y las flexibilidades que permite el Acuerdo sobre los Aspectos de los Derechos de Propiedad Intelectual relacionados con el Comercio para que los Estados puedan garantizar el derecho a la salud de su población. Se analizan también los argumentos que se esgrimen para apoyar u oponerse a la propuesta de suspensión de las patentes de las vacunas contra la COVID-19, así como el rol que desempeñan y los intereses que motivan a los diversos actores internacionales involucrados. Asimismo, se formula una propuesta de postura al Perú y se explica las razones que la justifican, así como la importancia de la diplomacia científica en el desarrollo de las capacidades tecnológicas del país en materia de salud.Tesi

Development of ceramic production in the Kur River Basin (Fars, Iran) during the Neolithic. A compositional and technological approach using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and thin section petrography

This study aims to characterize the Neolithic ceramics (Mushki, Bashi, and Jari wares) of the Kur River Basin and reconstruct the origin of the raw materials and manufacturing technology. Neolithic ceramics from 13 different sites have been studied with handheld X-ray fluorescence (hXRF) spectroscopy and thin section petrography. The geochemical signature of these ceramics was defined, and four compositional groups were determined. The variation in these compositional groups most likely relates to the ceramic wares for the Mushki and Bashi ceramics and to the site or group of sites for the Jari ceramics. Additionally, sediment samples were studied with hXRF demonstrating the variability in the geochemistry of the area. To determine the composition of the slips used for Bashi and Jari ceramics and to compare them with the inner fabric of the vessels, micro X-ray fluorescence (μXRF) spectroscopy was applied. The combination of these archaeometrical techniques indicated the use of unaltered, fine-grained, and mainly alluvial clays without the addition of temper (except for chaff) for the production of the three studied wares and the use of different clay types through the Neolithic in the Kur River Basin

Paradigma económico neoliberal: exclusión del sistema de producción de las personas con discapacidad

La discapacidad y el neoliberalismo son fenómenos históricos, no solo porque en términos subjetivos, la comprensión de los mismos depende del contexto en que se encuentre el intérprete, sino, además, porque objetivamente, existe una interdependencia entre ambos fenómenos, que determina el sentido de las posturas subjetivas que se construyan en torno a ellos. Siendo que, dicho proceso de interdependencia, se inclina en favor de las concepciones sobre el neoliberalismo, que terminan ejerciendo una especial incidencia en las concepciones sobre la discapacidad. En ese sentido, postulamos que las perspectivas peyorativas y excluyentes que existen en torno a la discapacidad pueden entenderse a partir de la prevalencia de la ideología económica neoliberal y de su materialización. La exclusión y discriminación de que son víctimas las personas con discapacidad no es un problema propia y exclusivamente “actitudinal”, sino también económico. Tras las eventuales carencias éticas personales que pudieran llevar a alguien a discriminar a las personas con discapacidad, existe un discurso económico, a veces no tan evidente, que lo sustenta

Racial Disparities in Hepatitis B Birth Dose in the Washington Metropolitan Region, 2018-2020.

Hepatitis B vaccination protects newborns from contracting the hepatitis B virus that may lead to chronic infection, liver failure, or death. Trends and racial differences in the administration of the hepatitis B (HepB) birth dose in 2018-2020 were examined in the targeted region. A retrospective analysis of electronic birth dose vaccination data of newborns in 2018-2020 was performed. Birth data from six birthing facilities and home delivery records were obtained from the DC Health Department Vital Statistics Division. This data represented 40,269 newborns and included the mother\u27s race and ethnicity, health insurance type, birthing facility, and administration of the HepB birth dose. Descriptive analysis and multivariable logistic regression analysis were conducted. In addition, subgroup analysis by health insurance type was also conducted with a significant interaction of race/ethnicity and health insurance type. A total of 34,509 (85.7%) received the HepB birth dose within 12 h or before discharge from the facility. The rates of birth dose vaccination have seen an increase over the 3-year period (83.7% in 2018, 85.8% in 2018, 87.7% in 2020

Trypanosoma cruzi high infectivity in vitro is related to cardiac lesions during long-term infection in Beagledogs

Trypanosoma cruzi is a hemoflagelate parasite associated with heart dysfunctions causing serious problems in Central and South America. Beagle dogs develop the symptoms of Chagas disease in humans, and could be an important experimental model for better understanding the immunopathogenic mechanisms involved in the chagasic infection. In the present study we investigated the relation among biological factors inherent to the parasite (trypomastigote polymorphism and in vitro infectivity) and immunoglobulin production, inflammation, and fibrosis in the heart of Beagle dogs infected with either T. cruzi Y or Berenice-78 strains. In vitro infectivity of Vero cells as well as the extension of cardiac lesions in infected Beagle was higher for Y strain when compared to Berenice-78 strain. These data suggested that in vitro infectivity assays may correlate with pathogenicity in vivo. In fact, animals infected with Y strain, which shows prevalence of slender forms and high infectivity in vitro, presented cardiomegaly, inflammation, and fibrosis in heart area. Concerning the immunoglobulin production, no statistically significant difference was observed for IgA, IgM or IgG levels among T. cruzi infected animals. However, IgA together IgM levels have shown to be a good marker for the acute phase of Chagas disease

Complementary and alternative medicine use in families of children with cerebral palsy

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/66295/1/j.1469-8749.2003.tb00414.x.pd

Campaign Finance Reform: The Unfinished Agenda

In 1974, following the Watergate scandal, Congress enacted major campaign finance reform legislation. The legislation created a revolutionary new public financing system for our presidential campaigns, but it left congressional campaigns to be financed totally by private money. The presidential public financing system has worked well. Despite some incremental problems, the system has accomplished its basic goal of allowing individuals to run for the presidency without becoming dependent on their financial backers. The system for financing congressional cam paigns, on the other hand, is out of control and in need of fundamental reform. The inappropriate role of special interest political action commit tees (PACs) in influencing congressional elections and congressional decisions is the single biggest problem facing the political process. Congress needs to complete the unfinished campaign finance reform agenda of the 1970s by enacting public financing for congressional campaigns and establishing new restrictions on the total amount that PACs may give to a congressional candidate.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/67356/2/10.1177_000271628648600107.pd

Água para consumo humano como fator de risco à população do município de Bom Jesus do Itabapoana – RJ / Water for human consumption as a risk factor for the population of Bom Jesus do Itabapoana - RJ

Trata-se de um relato de experiência, de abordagem qualitativa, tendo como objetivo descrever as atividades de extensão do Projeto Água para consumo humano como fator de risco à população do município de Bom Jesus do Itabapoana – RJ. Cabe ressaltar que a execução desse projeto foi uma solicitação da população local intermediado pelo Rotary Club do município. A água é um elemento essencial à vida, entretanto quando inadequada aos padrões relativos à qualidade, pode ocasionar impacto negativo à saúde do consumidor e incrustações em tubulações, sendo considerada imprópria para o consumo humano. A maioria dos problemas relacionados à má qualidade da água relaciona-se a ineficiência do tratamento das ETA’s e a falta de higienização periódica de caixas de armazenamento. A cidade de Bom Jesus do Itabapoana-RJ, que como outras cidades da região Sudeste, enfrenta a problemática da escassez de água e isso impacta de forma negativa na saúde da população. Deste modo, o objetivo do projeto foi colaborar na promoção e proteção da saúde da população por meio da garantia da qualidade da água destinada ao consumo humano no município de Bom Jesus do Itabapoana-RJ. Com base na análise da planta do sistema de distribuição de água da CEDAE, foi realizado um mapeamento de pontos de elevada rotatividade de pessoas (escolas, creche e posto de saúde) para a coleta das amostras. Dos cinco pontos selecionados, foram coletadas amostras do cavalete de chegada da água tratada e da torneira de refeitório ou cozinha do estabelecimento, perfazendo um total de 36 amostras de água para consumo humano. As coletas foram realizadas entre os meses de junho e outubro de 2015, e as amostras submetidas a análises microbiológicas e físico-químicas seguindo a metodologia proposta no Standard Methods for the Examination of Waterand Wastewater (APHA, 1995). Os resultados obtidos foram comparados com os padrões estabelecidos na legislação vigente e elaborados laudos das análises realizadas a fim de informar aos responsáveis de cada ponto de coleta sobre a qualidade da água consumida. Após essa etapa, as estratégias de correção dos problemas detectados foram planejadas e, propostas ações corretivas com intuito de sanar tais irregularidades, logrou-se êxito nesta ação e todos os problemas detectados foram solucionados. Concluiu-se que as amostras de água avaliadas apresentaram, em sua maioria, potáveis de acordo com os parâmetros avaliados, entretanto, os resultados demonstraram irregularidades internas nos locais de coleta, uma vez que, a água da rede chegava potável ao estabelecimento e, durante o armazenamento tornava-se imprópria ao consumo humano. Assim, por meio das atividades e ações desenvolvidas no projeto foi possível quebrar o pré-conceito da população local quanto a falta de qualidade da água tratada pela CEDAE. A divulgação dos resultados foi feita por meio de palestras, participação em programa de radio local e apresentação de trabalhos em eventos a fim de iniciar o processo de mobilização e conscientização da comunidade