Decision-Theoretic Planning with Person Trajectory Prediction for Social Navigation

Robots navigating in a social way should reason about people intentions when acting. For instance, in applications like robot guidance or meeting with a person, the robot has to consider the goals of the people. Intentions are inherently nonobservable, and thus we propose Partially Observable Markov Decision Processes (POMDPs) as a decision-making tool for these applications. One of the issues with POMDPs is that the prediction models are usually handcrafted. In this paper, we use machine learning techniques to build prediction models from observations. A novel technique is employed to discover points of interest (goals) in the environment, and a variant of Growing Hidden Markov Models (GHMMs) is used to learn the transition probabilities of the POMDP. The approach is applied to an autonomous telepresence robot

De Varsovia a Montreal y de Montreal a Varsovia

As a consequence of a Supreme Court’s ruling that enforces the Warsaw Convention over the Montreal Convention, the author describes the evolution of the legal framework regarding international air carrier liability in the treaties ratified by Peru. Likewise, the author criticizes the arguments on which the ruling relies, defending the enforcement of the Montreal Convention before certain scenarios, and details the possible negative consequences of said judicial decision.A raíz de una casación de la Corte Suprema que aplicó el Convenio de Varsovia sobre el Convenio de Montreal, el autor describe la evolución del marco legal aplicable a la responsabilidad derivada del transporte aéreo internacional en los tratados ratificados por el Perú. Asimismo, critica los fundamentos de la referida casación, defendiendo la aplicación del Convenio de Montreal ante determinados supuestos, y expone las posibles consecuencias negativas de este pronunciamiento judicial

Elevated depressive symptomatology and use of contraceptive methods in health care college students in central Mexico

La depresión es un problema de salud que afecta a universitarios predisponiéndolos a prácticas sexuales de riesgo. El objetivo fue identificar la influencia que hay entre sintomatología depresiva elevada (SDE) con el uso de métodos anticonceptivos y sus fallas. Participaron 1853 estudiantes universitarios de ambos sexos de 18-24 años. Se contrastaron SDE y uso de anticonceptivos por medio de X 2 y Odds Ratio para ajustar por: sexo, edad, estado civil, con quien vive, múltiples parejas e inicio temprano de coito. La SDE fue mayor en mujeres, asociándose con fallas en el uso de anticonceptivos y con el uso del condón. La probabilidad de falla al usar anticonceptivos con SDE fue 40% y no usar condón con SDE fue 38%. La SDE está relacionada con disminución del uso del condón, tener fallas en el uso de métodos anticonceptivos, riesgos para embarazos no planeados y/o para la adquisición de ITS

MAREX: A general purpose hardware architecture for membrane computing

Membrane computing is an unconventional computing paradigm that has gained much attention in recent decades because of its massively parallel character and its usefulness to build models of complex systems. However, until now, there was no generic hardware implementation of P systems. Computational frameworks to execute P systems up to this day rely on the simulation of the parallel working mechanisms of P systems by inherently sequential algorithms. Such algorithms can then be implemented as is or can be parallelized, up to a certain point, to run on parallel computers. However, this is not as efficient as a dedicated parallel hardware implementation. There have been ad hoc implementations of particular P systems for parallel hardware, but they lack to be problem-generic or they are not scalable enough to implement large P systems. In this paper, a first intrinsically parallel hardware architecture to implement generic P system models is introduced. It is designed to be straightforwardly implemented in programmable logic circuits like FPGAs. The feasibility and correct execution of our architecture has been verified by means of a simulator, and several simulation results for different P system examples have been analysed to foresee the pros and cons of this design.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion of Spain and the AEI/FEDER (EU) project TIN2017-89842-P (MABICAP)Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion of Spain and the AEI/FEDER (EU) project PID2019-110455GB-I00 (Par-HoT

Tratamiento del linfoma cutáneo de células T con bexaroteno a dosis bajas en combinación con fototerapia o interferon alfa: comunicación de ocho casos tratados en el Hospital Edgardo Rebagliati Martins, 2003-2007, Lima, Perú

Introducción: bexaroteno es un rexinoide aprobado en el tratamiento de estadios tempranos y avanzados del linfoma cutáneo de células T (LCCT). Caso Clínico: el presente reporte de casos mostramos los resultados del empleo de bexaroteno en dosis bajas más fototerapia o Interferon alfa 9 millones en el tratamiento del LCCT. Ocho pacientes fueron tratados, cinco fueron Micosis fungoides, dos Linfoma Epidermotrópico CD8 agresivo y uno fue un Síndrome Sézary. La respuesta global fue del 62.5% (5/8) y la duración media de respuesta fue de 20 meses. El bexaroteno en dosis bajas en combinación a fototerapia o interferon alfa 2a puede ser efectivo en el tratamiento del LCCT

Linfomas cutáneos primarios: estudio retrospectivo clinicopatológico durante el periodo 1997 - 2004 en el Hospital Edgardo Rebagliati Martins, Essalud, Lima, Perú

Introducción: las características clínicopatológicas de los linfomas malignos varían de acuerdo a la geografía. La piel es el segundo lugar de compromiso extranodal de linfoma no Hodgkin .El linfoma primario cutáneo tienen un comportamiento clínico y pronóstico diferente de los linfomas sistémicos Objetivo: el objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la frecuencia relativa de los linfomas cutáneos y examinar la relevancia clínica de la nueva clasificación WHO/EORTC y la sobrevida de los casos peruanos de linfoma primario cutáneo. Material y método:  se realizó un estudio retrospectivo clínicopatológico de 78 casos de linfomas cutáneos, diagnosticados desde 1997 al 2004 en el Hospital Edgardo Rebagliati Martins, Essalud, Lima,Perú. Las historias clínicas, biopsias y pruebas de inmunohistoquímica de los 78 pacientes enrolados fueron revisadas. Resultados: 67/78 (85,9%) fueron linfomas primarios cutáneos y 11/78 (14,1%) fueron linfomas cutáneos secundarios. El linfoma secundario cutáneo más frecuente fue el linfoma /leucemia T del adulto (ATLL) con 72% de los casos. El linfoma primario cutáneo más frecuente fue la micosis fungoide (MF) 30/67 (44,7%) , seguido del ATLL 13/67 (19,4%) y el linfoma T periférico no especificado 4/67 (6%). La sobrevida a 5 años para la MF, ATLL cutáneo y ATLL sistémico fue de 77%. 18% y 0% respectivamente. Conclusión: MF y ATLL cutáneo fueron los linfomas primarios cutáneos más frecuentes en nuestro hospital. La MF posee un buen pronóstico mientras el ATLL cutáneo posee pobre sobrevida

Financial Stability Report - September 2015

From this edition, the Financial Stability Report will have fewer pages with some changes in its structure. The purpose of this change is to present the most relevant facts of the financial system and their implications on the financial stability. This allows displaying the analysis more concisely and clearly, as it will focus on describing the evolution of the variables that have the greatest impact on the performance of the financial system, for estimating then the effect of a possible materialization of these risks on the financial health of the institutions. The changing dynamics of the risks faced by the financial system implies that the content of the Report adopts this new structure; therefore, some analyses and series that were regularly included will not necessarily be in each issue. However, the statistical annex that accompanies the publication of the Report will continue to present the series that were traditionally included, regardless of whether or not they are part of the content of the Report. In this way we expect to contribute in a more comprehensive way to the study and analysis of the stability of the Colombian financial system. Executive Summary During the first half of 2015, the main advanced economies showed a slow recovery on their growth, while emerging economies continued with their slowdown trend. Domestic demand in the United States allowed for stabilization on its average growth for the first half of the year, while other developed economies such as the United Kingdom, the euro zone, and Japan showed a more gradual recovery. On the other hand, the Chinese economy exhibited the lowest growth rate in five years, which has resulted in lower global dynamism. This has led to a fall in prices of the main export goods of some Latin American economies, especially oil, whose price has also responded to a larger global supply. The decrease in the terms of trade of the Latin American economies has had an impact on national income, domestic demand, and growth. This scenario has been reflected in increases in sovereign risk spreads, devaluations of stock indices, and depreciation of the exchange rates of most countries in the region. For Colombia, the fall in oil prices has also led to a decline in the terms of trade, resulting in pressure on the dynamics of national income. Additionally, the lower demand for exports helped to widen the current account deficit. This affected the prospects and economic growth of the country during the first half of 2015. This economic context could have an impact on the payment capacity of debtors and on the valuation of investments, affecting the soundness of the financial system. However, the results of the analysis featured in this edition of the Report show that, facing an adverse scenario, the vulnerability of the financial system in terms of solvency and liquidity is low. The analysis of the current situation of credit institutions (CI) shows that growth of the gross loan portfolio remained relatively stable, as well as the loan portfolio quality indicators, except for microcredit, which showed a decrease in these indicators. Regarding liabilities, traditional sources of funding have lost market share versus non-traditional ones (bonds, money market operations and in the interbank market), but still represent more than 70%. Moreover, the solvency indicator remained relatively stable. As for non-banking financial institutions (NBFI), the slowdown observed during the first six months of 2015 in the real annual growth of the assets total, both in the proprietary and third party position, stands out. The analysis of the main debtors of the financial system shows that indebtedness of the private corporate sector has increased in the last year, mostly driven by an increase in the debt balance with domestic and foreign financial institutions. However, the increase in this latter source of funding has been influenced by the depreciation of the Colombian peso vis-à-vis the US dollar since mid-2014. The financial indicators reflected a favorable behavior with respect to the historical average, except for the profitability indicators; although they were below the average, they have shown improvement in the last year. By economic sector, it is noted that the firms focused on farming, mining and transportation activities recorded the highest levels of risk perception by credit institutions, and the largest increases in default levels with respect to those observed in December 2014. Meanwhile, households have shown an increase in the financial burden, mainly due to growth in the consumer loan portfolio, in which the modalities of credit card, payroll deductible loan, revolving and vehicle loan are those that have reported greater increases in risk indicators. On the side of investments that could be affected by the devaluation in the portfolio of credit institutions and non-banking financial institutions (NBFI), the largest share of public debt securities, variable-yield securities and domestic private debt securities is highlighted. The value of these portfolios fell between February and August 2015, driven by the devaluation in the market of these investments throughout the year. Furthermore, the analysis of the liquidity risk indicator (LRI) shows that all intermediaries showed adequate levels and exhibit a stable behavior. Likewise, the fragility analysis of the financial system associated with the increase in the use of non-traditional funding sources does not evidence a greater exposure to liquidity risk. Stress tests assess the impact of the possible joint materialization of credit and market risks, and reveal that neither the aggregate solvency indicator, nor the liquidity risk indicator (LRI) of the system would be below the established legal limits. The entities that result more individually affected have a low share in the total assets of the credit institutions; therefore, a risk to the financial system as a whole is not observed. José Darío Uribe Governo

Manejo Multidisciplinario del Adenocarcinoma de Páncreas: Guía de Práctica Clínica AUNA

Introduction: This article provides recommendations for the Multidisciplinary Management of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma in the RED AUNA. Methods: A systematic search of clinical practice guidelines (CPG) similar to topics of interest was developed, it was assessed with the AGREE II instrument, a list of questions was elaborated under the PICO structure, a de novo search was carried out prioritizing reviews systematic with or without meta-analysis, followed by primary studies, the elaboration of the evidence tables and the evaluation of the global quality for the outcomes of the clinical questions was carried out following the GRADE methodology. Results: 5 PICO questions corresponding to initial management and systemic management were formulated with 18 recommendations regarding the most effective method for pathological diagnosis, biliary drainage and the most effective and safe systemic treatment in the neoadjuvant, adjuvant and metastatic setting. Conclusions: This article summarizes the methodology and evidence-based recommendations of the CPG for the multidisciplinary management of pancreatic adenocarcinoma of the AUNA Clinic Network.Introducción: Este artículo brinda recomendaciones para el Manejo Multidisciplinario del Adenocarcinoma de Páncreas en la RED AUNA. Métodos: Se desarrolló una búsqueda sistemática de guías de práctica clínica (GPC) similares al tópico de interés, se valoró con el instrumento AGREE II, se elaboró un listado de preguntas bajo la estructura PICO, se realizó una búsqueda de novo priorizando revisiones sistemáticas con o sin meta-análisis, seguida de estudios primarios, la elaboración de las tablas de evidencia y la evaluación de la calidad global para los desenlaces de las preguntas clínicas se realizó siguiendo la metodología GRADE. Resultados: Se formularon 5 preguntas PICO correspondientes al manejo inicial y manejo sistémico con 18 recomendaciones respecto al método más efectivo para el diagnóstico patológico, el drenaje biliar y el tratamiento sistémico más efectivo y seguro en el escenario neoadyuvante, adyuvante y metastásico. Conclusiones: El presente artículo resume la metodología y las recomendaciones basadas en evidencia de la GPC para el manejo multidisciplinario del Adenocarcinoma de páncreas de la Red de Clínicas AUNA

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19-Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19-free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19-free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS: Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19-free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19-free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score-matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION: Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19-free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks