Urban Air Mobility Airspace Integration Concepts and Considerations

Urban Air Mobility (UAM) - defined as safe and efficient air traffic operations in a metropolitan area for manned aircraft and unmanned aircraft systems - is being researched and developed by industry, academia, and government. Significant resources have been invested toward cultivating an ecosystem for Urban Air Mobility that includes manufacturers of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, builders of takeoff and landing areas, and researchers of the airspace integration concepts, technologies, and procedures needed to conduct Urban Air Mobility operations safely and efficiently alongside other airspace users. This paper provides high-level descriptions of both emergent and early expanded operational concepts for Urban Air Mobility that NASA is developing. The scope of this work is defined in terms of missions, aircraft, airspace, and hazards. Past and current Urban Air Mobility operations are also reviewed, and the considerations for the data exchange architecture and communication, navigation, and surveillance requirements are also discussed. This paper will serve as a starting point to develop a framework for NASA's Urban Air Mobility airspace integration research and development efforts with partners and stakeholders that could include fast-time simulations, human-in-the-loop (HITL) simulations, and flight demonstrations

Guía de práctica clínica para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de hemofilia en el Seguro Social de Salud del Perú (EsSalud)

Introduction. Hemophilia is a rare congenital bleeding disorder; which requires interdisciplinary, complex, and often expensive management. The objective of this clinical practice guideline (CPG) is to provide evidence-based clinical recommendations for the evaluation and management of patients with hemophilia in the Peruvian Social Security (EsSalud). Methods. A local elaboration group (GEG-Local) was established, conformed by specialists in hematology and methodologists. The GEG-Local formulated 8 clinical questions to be answered by this CPG. We searched for and selected hemophilia CPGs that answered the questions posed and obtained a score higher than 60% in domains 1 and 3 of the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE-II). During 2016, bibliographic searches were conducted in Pubmed, EMBASE and the Cochrane library, to update 7 clinical questions of the preselected CPG, and to answer a question de novo. In regular work meetings, the GEG-Local reviewed the evidence and formulated the recommendations and flowcharts using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. Finally, the CPG was approved with Resolution No. 32-IETSI-ESSALUD-2016. Results. This CPG addressed 8 clinical questions. Based on these questions, 22 recommendations were formulated (three strong recommendations and 19 weak recommendations) and four flowcharts. Conclusion. This article is the summary of the EsSalud CPG, in which the available scientific evidence on the diagnosis and treatment of hemophilia was assessed.Introducción. La hemofilia es un trastorno hemorrágico congénito poco común que requiere un manejo interdisciplinario, complejo, y frecuentemente costoso. El objetivo de la presente guía de práctica clínica (GPC) es proveer recomendaciones clínicas basadas en evidencia para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de hemofilia en el seguro social del Perú (EsSalud). Métodos. Se conformó un grupo elaborador local (GEG-Local) conformado por especialistas en hematología y metodólogos. El GEG-Local formuló ocho preguntas clínicas a ser respondidas por la presente GPC. Se buscaron y seleccionaron GPC de hemofilia que respondieran a las preguntas planteadas y obtuvieran un puntaje mayor a 60% en los dominios uno y tres del instrumento Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE-II). Durante el 2016 se realizaron búsquedas bibliográficas en Pubmed, EMBASE y biblioteca Cochrane, para actualizar siete preguntas clínicas de la GPC preseleccionada, y para responder una pregunta de novo. En reuniones de trabajo periódicas, el GEGLocal revisó la evidencia y formuló las recomendaciones y flujogramas usando la metodología Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). Finalmente, la GPC fue aprobada con Resolución N° 32-IETSI-ESSALUD-2016. Resultados. La presente GPC abordó ocho preguntas clínicas. En base a dichas preguntas se formularon 22 recomendaciones (tres recomendaciones fuertes y 19 recomendaciones condicionales) y cuatro flujogramas. Conclusión. Este artículo es el resumen de la GPC de EsSalud, en la cual se valoró la evidencia científica disponible sobre diagnóstico y tratamiento de hemofilia

Charting the course for a Blue Economy in Peru: A Research Agenda

Ocean- and coastal-based economic activities are increasingly recognised as key drivers for supporting global economies. This move towards the “blue economy” is becoming globally widespread, with the recognition that if ocean-based activities are to be sustainable, they will need to move beyond solely extractive and exploitative endeavours, aligning more closely with marine conservation and effective marine spatial planning. In this paper we define the “blue economy” as a “platform for strategic, integrated and participatory coastal and ocean development and protection that incorporates a low carbon economy, the ecosystem approach and human well-being through advancing regional industries, services and activities”. In Peru, while the seas contribute greatly to the national economy, the full potential of the blue economy has yet to be realised. This paper presents the findings of an early career scientist workshop in Lima, Peru, in March 2016. The workshop “Advancing Green Growth in Peru” brought together researchers to identify challenges and opportunities for green growth across three Peruvian economic sectors—tourism, transport and the blue economy with this paper exploring in detail the priorities generated from the “blue economy” stream. These priorities include themes such as marine spatial planning, detailed evaluations of existing maritime industries (e.g. guano collection and fisheries), development of an effective MPA network, support for sustainable coastal tourism, and better inclusion of social science disciplines in understanding societal and political support for a Peruvian blue economy. In addition, the paper discusses the research requirements associated with these priorities. While not a comprehensive list, these priorities provide a starting point for future dialogue on a co-ordinated scientific platform supporting the blue growth agenda in Peru, and in other regions working towards a successful “blue economy”

Zootherapeutics utilized by residents of the community Poço Dantas, Crato-CE, Brazil

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Animals have been used as a source of medicine in Brazil since ancient times, and have played a significant role in healing practices. Specifically in Northeast Brazil, zootherapy is a very common practice, and together with medicinal plants, it plays an important role as a therapeutic alternative. In the state of Ceara, no works have been carried out on rural communities with regard to use of zootherapeutics, even though the practice of zootherapy is common in this region. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the use of medicinal animals in a rural community (Poco Dantas) in the municipality of Crato, Ceara, Brazil.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The field survey was carried out from October 2008 to January 2009 by conducting interviews using structured questionnaires with 72 people (33 men and 39 women), who provided information on animal species used as remedies, body parts used to prepare the remedies, and ailments for which the remedies were prescribed. We calculated the informant consensus factor (ICF) to determine the consensus over which species are effective for particular ailments, as well as the species use value (UV) to determine the extent of utilization of each species.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 29 species, distributed in 17 families were categorized as having some medicinal property. The taxa most represented were: mammals (9), insects (7), reptiles and birds (4). <it>Progne chalybea</it>, a species not previously recorded as being of medicinal use, was cited in the present work, where it is utilized in the treatment of alcoholism. The animals are used in the treatment of 34 diseases or symptoms, where sore throat, inflammations and cough are the ailments with the greatest number of citations.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The data show that zootherapy represents an important therapeutic alternative for the inhabitants of the community. New studies on medicinal fauna should be conducted with the aim of determining the exploitation level of the species utilized, promoting sustainable development of medicinal species that are eventually threatened, and preserving and disseminating the knowledge developed by traditional individuals of the community.</p

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Multiple norovirus infections in a birth cohort in a Peruvian periurban community

Background. Human noroviruses are among the most common enteropathogens globally, and are a leading cause of infant diarrhea in developing countries. However, data measuring the impact of norovirus at the community level are sparse.Methods. We followed a birth cohort of children to estimate norovirus infection and diarrhea incidence in a Peruvian community. Stool samples from diarrheal episodes and randomly selected non-diarrheal samples were tested by polymerase chain reaction for norovirus genogroup and genotype. Excretion duration and rotavirus coinfection were evaluated in a subset of episodes.Results. Two hundred twenty and 189 children were followed to 1 and 2 years of age, respectively. By one year, 80% [95% confidence interval (CI):75-85] experienced at least one norovirus infection and by 2 years, 71% [CI:65-77] had at least one episode of norovirus-associated diarrhea. Genogroup (G)II infections were three time more frequent than GI. Eighteen genotypes were found; GII genotype 4 accounted for 41%. Median excretion duration was 34.5 days for GII versus 8.5 days for GI infection (p=0.0006). Repeat infections by the same genogroup were common but repeat infections by the same genotype were rare. Mean length-for-age Z-score at 12 months was lower among children with prior norovirus infection compared to uninfected children (coefficient: -0.33, 95%CI: -0.65 to -0.01, p=0.04); the effect persisted at 24 months.Conclusions. Norovirus infection occurs early in life and children experience serial infections with multiple genotypes, suggesting genotype-specific immunity. An effective vaccine would have a substantial impact on morbidity, but may need to target multiple genotypes