Tecnologías de la información y la comunicación en la estrategia de focalización del gasto social: un estudio de caso.

The development of information and communication technologies - ICT, makes it possible to strengthen the quality of information and management of public productivity. In this context, the system for identifying potential beneficiaries - SISBEN, is the main tool for individual targeting used by social programs to distribute this expenditure in Colombia, which under CONPES 3877 of 2016, implements the fourth version - SISBEN IV, using mobile capture devices - DMC, GPS and validation meshes to solve certain inabilities to recognize variations in poverty by areas in the country and manipulate information. This work shows the results of an instrumental case study, which analyzes the strategic use of ICT tools in the optimization of the quality of socioeconomic information in the Municipality of San José de Cúcuta through the system of identification of potential beneficiaries - SISBEN. It is demonstrated that the use of ICT tools in the new version of SISBEN optimizes the collection process, improves the quality of socioeconomic information and guarantees the equitable distribution of social expenditure in Colombia in the future. The main result of the research is a comparison of the behavior of the variables and factors that affect the quality of the socioeconomic information of the municipality in the versions SISBEN III and SISBEN IV.El desarrollo de las tecnologías de información y comunicación – TIC, posibilita el fortalecimiento de la calidad de la información y gestión de la productividad pública. En este contexto, el sistema de identificación de potenciales beneficiarios – SISBEN, es la principal herramienta de focalización individual utilizada por los programas sociales para distribuir el este gasto en Colombia, el cual bajo lineamientos CONPES 3877 de 2016, implementa la cuarta versión - SISBEN IV, usando dispositivos móviles de captura - DMC, GPS y mallas de validación para dar solución a ciertas incapacidades de reconocimiento de variaciones de pobreza por zonas en el país y manipulación de información. El presente trabajo muestra resultados de un estudio de caso de tipo instrumental, que analiza el uso estratégico de herramientas TIC, en la optimización de la calidad de información socioeconómica del Municipio de San José de Cúcuta a través del sistema de identificación de potenciales beneficiarios - SISBEN. Se demuestra, que el uso de herramientas TIC en la nueva versión del SISBEN optimiza el proceso de recolección, mejora la calidad de la información socioeconómica y garantiza a futuro la distribución equitativa del gasto social en Colombia, obteniendo como resultado principal de la investigación un comparativo del comportamiento de las variables y factores que inciden en la calidad de la información socioeconómica del municipio en las versiones SISBEN III y SISBEN IV

Incidence, in-hospital case-fatality rates, and management practices in Puerto Ricans hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE: There are extremely limited data on minority populations, especially Hispanics, describing the clinical epidemiology of acute coronary disease. The aim of this study is to examine the incidence rate of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), in-hospital case-fatality rate (CFR), and management practices among residents of greater San Juan (Puerto Rico) who were hospitalized with an initial AMI. METHODS: Our trained study staff reviewed and independently validated the medical records of patients who had been hospitalized with possible AMI at any of the twelve hospitals located in greater San Juan during calendar year 2007. RESULTS: The incidence rate (# per 100,000 population) of 1,415 patients hospitalized with AMI increased with advancing age and were significantly higher for older patients for men (198) than they were for women (134). The average age of the study population was 64 years, and women comprised 45% of the study sample. Evidence-based cardiac therapies, e.g., aspirin, beta blockers, ACE inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, and statins, were used with 60% of the hospitalized patients, and women were less likely than men to have received these therapies (59% vs. 65%) or to have undergone interventional cardiac procedures (47% vs. 59%) (p \u3c 0.05). The in-hospital CFR increased with advancing age and were higher for women (8.6%) than they were for men (6.0%) (p \u3c 0.05). CONCLUSION: Efforts are needed to reduce the magnitude of AMI, enhance the use of evidence-based cardiac therapies, reduce possible gender disparities, and improve the short-term prognoses of Puerto Rican patients hospitalized with an initial AMI

Comparison of Smartphone Pedometer Apps on a Treadmill versus Outdoors

Previous research has focused on the accuracy of smartphone pedometer apps in laboratory settings, however less information is available in outdoor (free living) environments. PURPOSE: Determine the accuracy of 5 smartphone apps at recording steps at a walking speed in a laboratory versus an outdoor setting. METHODS: Twenty-three healthy college students consented (Mean±SD; 22±3.8yrs; BMI 24.9±4.13kg/m2) to participate in 2 separate visits. During the first visit participants walked 500 steps at 3mph on a treadmill while wearing a pedometer and a smartphone placed in the pocket using 5 pedometer apps concurrently (Moves, Google Fit (G-Fit), Runtastic, Accupedo, S-Health). During the second visit, participants walked 400 meters at 3mph on a sidewalk outside. Actual steps for each visit were recorded using a hand tally counter device. Zero and negative values were replaced with the mean value for that trial. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS 23.0. Mean bias scores were calculated between the step count for each app and the respective tally count for each trial. Mean bias scores were correlated between trials for each app using Pearson correlations and significance was set at p\u3c0.05. Mean Absolute Percent Error (MAPE) values were also calculated for each app for both trials. RESULTS: G-Fit recorded 2 zero values and 2 negative values and Moves recorded 1 zero value. Mean bias scores were significantly correlated between the indoor and outdoor protocols for the pedometer (r=0.67, p\u3c0.01) and S-Health (r=0.46, p\u3c0.5). The remaining apps were not correlated between protocols. The outdoor protocol producing a greater mean bias for the outdoor protocol for G-Fit, Runtastic, and Accupedo (mean bias ± SD indoor, outdoor; -4.3±53.1, -19.3±120.0; -10.7±63.3, -33.4±118.7; 16.0±143.6, 79.0±75.0; respectively) and a greater mean bias for the indoor protocol for the pedometer, Moves, and S-Health (mean bias indoor, outdoor; -1.4±41.5, 0.0±34.1; -117.4±196.7, -42.2±209.6; 11.3±28.4, 0.0±58.7; respectively). MAPE was below 5% for the pedometer and S-Health for both trials. CONCLUSION: Apps with the lowest error in a controlled setting may be less affected when used in other settings, while apps with greater variation in a controlled setting may be affected when used in a different environment

Accuracy of Fitbit Activity Trackers During Walking in a Controlled Setting

Activity trackers are widely used to measure daily physical activity. Many devices have been shown to measure steps more accurately at higher intensities, however, it is also important to determine the accuracy of these new devices at measuring steps while walking at a pace similar to that used during most daily activities. PURPOSE: To assess the accuracy of 6 popular activity trackers at measuring steps while walking on a treadmill. METHODS: Twenty-six college students (Mean±SD; 22.1±3.7yrs; 25.1±4.0kg/m2; 13 male) walked 500 steps at 3mph on a treadmill while wearing 6 different activity trackers (Pedometer, Fitbit Blaze, Charge HR, Alta, Flex, Zip, One). The Charge HR was placed two fingers above the right wrist while the Flex was next to the wrist bone. The Blaze was placed two fingers above the left wrist while the Alta was next to the wrist bone. The Fitbit Zip and the One were aligned with the hipbone on the left and right waistband respectively. Steps were counted by a trained researcher using a hand tally counter. Missing values were replaced with the mean value for that device. Step counts were correlated between Fitbit devices and the pedometer and tally counter using Pearson correlations. Significance was set at p\u3c0.05. Mean bias scores were calculated between the step counts for each device and the tally counter. Mean Absolute Percent Error (MAPE) values were also calculated for each device relative to the tally counter. RESULTS: Fitbit Zip and One were significantly correlated with the tally counter (r=0.50, p\u3c0.05; r=0.68, p\u3c0.01, respectively) while the other devices were not significantly correlated. Mean bias and MAPE values were as follows: Device (Mean Bias/MAPE) Pedometer (-0.2±39.2/3.8±6.8), Blaze (34.5±67.1/9.9±11.3), Charge HR (-12.6±61.5/7.0±10.3), Alta (-85.0±70.8/17.1±14.1), Flex (49.5±242.4/19.7±45.3), Zip (1.8±3.4/0.4±0.6), One (0.2±2.1/0.3±0.3). Fitbit Zip and One were within one half percent of actual steps while wrist-worn Fitbits ranged from 7.0-19.7% from actual step counts. CONCLUSION: Consistent with previous research, activity trackers worn at the waist provide the most accurate step counts compared to wrist-worn models. Differences found in wrist-worn models may result in significant over- or underestimation of activity levels when worn for long periods of time

Comparative description of ten transcriptomes of newly sequenced invertebrates and efficiency estimation of genomic sampling in non-model taxa

Traditionally, genomic or transcriptomic data have been restricted to a few model or emerging model organisms, and to a handful of species of medical and/or environmental importance. Next-generation sequencing techniques have the capability of yielding massive amounts of gene sequence data for virtually any species at a modest cost. Here we provide a comparative analysis of de novo assembled transcriptomic data for ten non-model species of previously understudied animal taxa.Peer reviewe

Social support, simpatía, and hypertension prevalence in Hispanics/Latinos: Findings from the HCHS/SOL Sociocultural Ancillary Study.

There is a significant burden of hypertension in the United States, which extends to the large and growing Hispanic/Latino population. Previous literature suggests that psychosocial factors are related to hypertension in Hispanics/Latinos. However, cultural factors unique to this population have been largely understudied in this context. The purpose of the current investigation was to examine the association of hypertension prevalence with social support and simpatía, a Hispanic/Latino cultural value emphasizing social harmony. Cross-sectional data from 5,313 adult Hispanics/Latinos, age 18 to 75 years, representing multiple heritage groups were collected as part of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos Sociocultural Ancillary Study. Contrary to predictions, higher social support was related to higher odds of hypertension prevalence across models (OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.22). In the final main effects logistic regression model, higher simpatía was related to lower odds of hypertension (OR = .83, 95% CI: .77, .90). Sex modified the link between simpatía and hypertension, with significant effects for men but not women. A 1 SD increase in simpatía was associated with 36% lower odds of hypertension in Hispanic/Latino men. The findings suggest that social support was inversely related with hypertension prevalence and that simpatía may be a protective cultural characteristic in relation to hypertension in the Hispanic/Latino population, but only in men. These results contribute to a growing discourse about the role of Hispanic/Latino cultural values in cardiovascular health

Perceptions of Cancer Risk/Efficacy and Cancer-Related Risk Behaviors : Results From the HCHS/SOL Sociocultural Ancillary Study

This study evaluated the associations among perceived risk, perceived efficacy, and engagement in six cancer-related risk behaviors in a population-based Hispanic/Latino sample. Interviews were conducted with 5,313 Hispanic/Latino adults as part of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) Sociocultural Ancillary Study. Participants were recruited from the study's four field centers (Bronx, NY; Chicago, IL; Miami, FL; San Diego, CA) between February 2010 and June 2011. Perceived risk and perceived efficacy were assessed with questions drawn from the Health Interview National Trends Survey. More than half of the sample endorsed perceived risk of cancer associated with the six evaluated behaviors, as well as general perceived efficacy for preventing cancer. Adjusted logistic regression analyses demonstrated significant differences across Hispanic/Latino background groups for perceived risk associated with high consumption of alcohol and saturated fat, low consumption of fruits and vegetables, and insufficient exercise but not with smoking or low consumption of fiber. Differences were also found for the belief, "It seems like everything causes cancer" but not for other perceived efficacy items. Perceived cancer risk and perceived efficacy for preventing cancer were neither independently nor interactively associated with engagement in cancer-related risk behaviors after controlling for sociodemographic covariates. Results suggest that perceptions of risk and efficacy with regard to cancer vary across Hispanic/Latino background groups, and therefore background group differences should be considered in prevention efforts. Perceived risk and perceived efficacy were not related to cancer-related risk behaviors among Hispanics/Latinos. Further work is needed to evaluate determinants of cancer-related risk in this population

Evidence of two deeply divergent co-existing mitochondrial genomes in the Tuatara reveals an extremely complex genomic organization

Animal mitochondrial genomic polymorphism occurs as low-level mitochondrial heteroplasmy and deeply divergent co-existing molecules. The latter is rare, known only in bivalvian mollusks. Here we show two deeply divergent co-existing mt-genomes in a vertebrate through genomic sequencing of the Tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus), the sole-representative of an ancient reptilian Order. The two molecules, revealed using a combination of short-read and long-read sequencing technologies, differ by 10.4% nucleotide divergence. A single long-read covers an entire mt-molecule for both strands. Phylogenetic analyses suggest a 7–8 million-year divergence between genomes. Contrary to earlier reports, all 37 genes typical of animal mitochondria, with drastic gene rearrangements, are confirmed for both mt-genomes. Also unique to vertebrates, concerted evolution drives three near-identical putative Control Region non-coding blocks. Evidence of positive selection at sites linked to metabolically important transmembrane regions of encoded proteins suggests these two mt-genomes may confer an adaptive advantage for an unusually cold-tolerant reptile

Perceived discrimination and cancer screening behaviors in US Hispanics: the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos Sociocultural Ancillary Study

Perceived discrimination has been associated with lower adherence to cancer screening guidelines. We examined whether perceived discrimination was associated with adherence to breast, cervical, colorectal, and prostate cancer screening guidelines in US Hispanic/Latino adults