Learning disability prediction tool using ANN and ANFIS

Learning Disability (LD) is a neurological condition that affects a child’s brain and impairs his ability to carry out one or many specific tasks. LD affects about 15 % of children enrolled in schools. The prediction of LD is a vital and intricate job. The aim of this paper is to design an effective and powerful tool, using the two intelligent methods viz., Artificial Neural Network and Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System, for measuring the percentage of LD that affected in school-age children. In this study, we are proposing some soft computing methods in data preprocessing for improving the accuracy of the tool as well as the classifier. The data preprocessing is performed through Principal Component Analysis for attribute reduction and closest fit algorithm is used for imputing missing values. The main idea in developing the LD prediction tool is not only to predict the LD present in children but also to measure its percentage along with its class like low or minor or major. The system is implemented in Mathworks Software MatLab 7.10. The results obtained from this study have illustrated that the designed prediction system or tool is capable of measuring the LD effectively

Public and student awareness science: recreational science as a catalyst

When discussing the traditional and new missions of higher education (1996 Report to UNESCO of the International Commission on Education for the 21st Century) Jacques Delors stated that "Excessive attraction to social sciences has broken equilibrium of available graduates for workforce, thus causing doubts of graduates and employers on the quality of knowledge provided by higher education". Likewise, when discussing the progress of science and technology, the 1998 UNESCO World Conference on Higher Education concluded that "Another challenge concerts the latest advancements of Science, the sine qua non of sustainable development"; and that “with Information Technology, the unavoidable invasion of virtual reality has increased the distance between industrial and developing countries". Recreational Science has a long tradition all over the Educational World; it aims to show the basic aspects of Science, aims to entertain, and aims to induce thinking. Until a few years ago, this field of knowledge consisted of a few books, a few kits and other classical (yet innovative) ways to popularize the knowledge of Nature and the laws governing it. In Spain, the interest for recreational science has increased in the last years. First, new recreational books are being published and found in bookstores. Second the number of Science-related museums and exhibits is increasing. And third, new television shows are produced and new short science-based, superficial sketches are found in variety programs. However, actual programs in Spanish television dealing seriously with Science are scarce. Recreational Science, especially that related to physical phenomena like light or motion, is generally found at Science Museums because special equipment is required. On the contrary, Science related mathematics, quizzes and puzzles use to gather into books, e.g. the extensive collections by Martin Gardner. However, lately Science podcasts have entered the field of science communication. Not only traditional science journals and television channels are providing audio and video podcasts, but new websites deal exclusively with science podcasts, in particular on Recreational Science. In this communication we discuss the above mentioned trends and show our experience in the last two years in participating at Science Fairs and university-sponsored events to attract students to science and technology careers. We show a combination of real examples (e.g., mathemagic), imagination, use of information technology, and use of social networks. We present as well an experience on designing a computational, interactive tool to promote chemistry among high school, prospective students using computers ("Dancing with Bionanomolecules"). Like the concepts related to Web 2.0, it has been already proposed that a new framework for communication of science is emerging, i.e., Science Communication 2.0, where people and institutions develop new innovative ways to explain science topics to diverse publics – and where Recreational Science is likely to play a leading role

Morphological awareness intervention : does severity play a role in spelling-reading improvement?

Resumen tomado de la publicaci??n

Comprensión del sistema del mercado laboral para personas con discapacidad en la ciudad de Bogotá D.C.

La presente investigación hace parte de un proyecto llamado “Inclusión de las personas con discapacidad en el mercado laboral en la Localidad de La Candelaria en Bogotá D.C.”, que busca conocer la situación actual de dicho mercado, definir las variables del macro y micro entorno que lo componen, establecer la dinámica que hay entre ellas y entre los actores que participan en el sistema, para estructurar planes de acción que aborden problemáticas clave identificadas y así garantizar la inclusión de las personas con discapacidad en el mercado laboral en particular de la localidad de la Candelaria en Bogotá D.C. Este estudio hace una identificación inicial de las variables que componen el Sistema de Mercado Laboral para Personas con Discapacidad a partir de las opiniones de actores directamente involucrados en el sistema tales como: personas con discapacidad y representantes de organizaciones e instituciones en Bogotá que propenden por los derechos de estas personas. A través del software MICMAC y con las opiniones de quienes participaron en esta identificación se hizo una extracción de las variables más significativas y problemáticas y se estructuró una propuesta de sensibilización a la sociedad sobre la problemática estudiada.

Comparación de la severidad y extensión de la enfermedad coronaria multivaso por Syntax Score en una poblaciòn de las Antillas Holandesas vs controles nacionales

En la Enfermedad Coronaria (EC) existen factores genéticos, socioculturales, medioambientales y raciales adicionales a los factores de riesgo cardiovascular mayores que podrían influir en su presentación. Se desconoce el impacto de la raza en la severidad de la enfermedad coronaria en los pacientes extranjeros que son enviados a nuestro Servicio. Objetivos: Comparar la severidad de la EC multivaso en una población de pacientes de las Antillas y Nacionales, pareados por la escala Framingham. Metodología: Realizamos un estudio de corte transversal, comparando pacientes colombianos contra pacientes provenientes de las Antillas holandesas con similares factores de riesgo según escala de Framingham, catalogándolos por grupos de riesgo bajo, intermedio, alto y muy alto. Todos con EC severa multivaso documentada por angiografía coronaria desde enero del 2009 hasta Junio de 2011. Se excluyeron pacientes con antecedentes de intervención percutánea o quirúrgica previa. Resultados: Ingresaron 115 pacientes internacionales y 115 pacientes nacionales. La relación hombres/mujeres 3:1. La proporción de grupos de riesgo fue de bajo riesgo 2.5%, intermedio 15%, alto 19.3%, y muy alto 63.4%. El Syntax Score en pacientes nacionales fue 14.3+/-7.4 y en internacionales 22.2+/-10.5 p: 0.002. Conclusiones: En pacientes provenientes de las Antillas Holandesas, valorados en nuestra institución, se observó una mayor severidad de la enfermedad coronaria comparada con una población nacional con factores de riesgo similares. Estos hallazgos sugieren la influencia de la raza y factores genéticos en la severidad y extensión de la EC

Disability as a determinant of access to health care services in Colombia

The relationship between disability and poverty has been described in different contexts. Nevertheless, the basic characteristics of this relationship have not yet been fully established. The social exclusion and discrimination against people with disabilities increase the risk of poverty and reduce the access to basic opportunities such as health and education. This study examines the impact of a health limitation and poverty in the access to health care services in Colombia. Data from the Colombian National Health Survey (2007) was used in the analysis. Variables related with health condition and socio economic characteristics were first generated. Then interactions between health limitations and the lower levels of the asset index were created. This variable gave information related to the relationship between disability and poverty. A probabilistic model was estimated to examine the impact of a health condition and the relation between poverty and disability on the access to health care. The results suggest that living with a physical limitation increases by 10% the probability of access to health care services in Colombia. However, people with a disability and in the lowest quartile of the asset index have a 5% less probability of access to health care services. We conclude that people who live with a physical, mental or sensorial limitation have a higher probability of access to health care services. However, poor and disabled people have a lower probability in access, which increases the risk of having a severe disease and become chronically poor.

INFO2009 Disability and Legislation Guest Lecture by EA Draffan

Slides from guest lecture, provides an overview of current UK legislation, explores perceptions and attitudes and how legislation affects the role of the IT professional.

INFO2009 2012-13 Resource Group 25 video, website future awareness

Web 3.0 - Future Technology Awareness By Team "Time Management": Alejandro Saucedo - Video & Flyer Stephen Griffith - Website James Crickmere - Research Jack Kanani - Dictionary In this era you cannot afford being tech-illiterate as it is literally everywhere! This is why we did thorough research on the future of technology - Web 3.0! You can find all our resources at http://web3.hackasoton.com

INFO2009 2012-13 Resource Group 27 & 31: The public awareness of science

Resources for coursework 2 of INFO 2009. A video made to promote the public awareness of science as a topic. It goes through interesting facts and explains what you can do to make a difference. A flyer made to advertise the video, explaining what it is and how it can be used.

COMP1205 Disability and legislation

Slides from expert lecturer, provides an overview of current UK legislation, explores perceptions and attitudes and how legislation affects the role of the IT professional. Includes links to additional material.

Vignettes and self-reported work disability in the United States: Correction of report heterogeneity

Subjective measures of health tend to suffer from bias given by reporting heterogeneity. however, some methodologies are used to correct the bias in order to compare self-assessed health for respondents with different sociodemographic characteristics. One of the methods to correct this is the hierarchical ordered probit (hopit), which includes rates of vignettes -hypothetical individuals with a fixed health state- and where two assumptions have to be fulfilled, vignette equivalence and response consistency. this methodology is used for the self-reported work disability for a sample of the united states for 2011. The results show that even though sociodemographic variables influence rating scales, adjusting for this does not change their effect on work disability, which is only influenced by income. the inclusion of variables related with ethnicity or place of birth does not influence the true work disability. however, when only one of them is excluded, it becomes significant and affects the true level of work disability as well as income.

Tratamiento quirúrgico de las fracturas intertrocantéricas del fémur con placa tornillo dinámico convencional comparado con tornillo dinámico helicoidal

Introducción: Las fracturas intertrocantéricas han llegado a nuestros días con una mayor incidencia dado el envejecimiento de la población, con fracturas más complejas, menos estables y asociadas a osteoporosis, se estima que representan aproximadamente 1,75 millones de años de vida perdidos ajustados a discapacidad es decir 0,1% de la carga de morbilidad a nivel mundial. Existe consenso en el tratamiento quirúrgico de este tipo de fracturas, presentando una incidencia variable de fallos, principalmente cuando son inestables, entre estos el denominado “cuto ut”. La utilización de un método de fijación con placa y tornillo helicoidal (DHHS) aparentemente disminuye la incidencia de dichos fallos con respecto a otras técnicas. Metodología: Por medio de una muestra calculada en 128 de pacientes con fracturas intertrocantéricas operados con DHS y DHHS entre el 2007 y el 2012 en La Clínica San Rafael de la ciudad de Bogotá, Colombia, se realizó un análisis multivariado para determinar si existe o no diferencias significativas en los índices de fallo entre estas dos técnicas. Resultados: Los pacientes incluidos en el estudio 54 (42,1%) fueron hombres y 74 (57,8%) fueron mujeres. 75 fueron operados con DHHS y 53 con DHS; en cuanto a las comorbilidades las principales fueron Hipertensión con 40 pacientes para DHS y 30 para DHHS, para el caso de Diabetes Mellitus fueron 13 y 9 para DHS y DHHS, respectivamente; en cuanto al tipo de fractura más común la principal fue la clasificación Tronzo II con 9 pacientes para DHS y 13 para DHHS. Conclusión. Para el estudios se evidencia que para los 3 desenlaces principales evaluados, 1. El porcentaje de re intervención (p=0,282), 2. La supervivencia en el primer año (p=0,499) y 3. El desempeño funcional con la escala de Oxford (p=0,06); no hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los grupos.

La muerte en la psicoterapia fenomenológico-existencial

El siguiente trabajo pretende, mediante la revisión de diferentes fuentes bibliográficas, mostrar las distintas categorías en las que la muerte se trabaja dentro de la psicoterapia fenomenológico existencial. Es así como se hace un recorrido por los antecedentes filosóficos de este enfoque psicoterapéutico, las diferentes escuelas que dentro de él se desarrollan y sus planteamientos frente a la muerte, las maneras de morir, la muerte y el ciclo vital, y los avances actuales como la Teoría del Manejo del Terror (TMT) . Todos estos elementos se revisan para después ser relacionados y así proponer una serie de acciones prácticas a llevar a cabo dentro del encuentro psicoterapéutico con miras a un trabajo adecuado y productivo con la muerte desde una perspectiva existencial.

Evaluación e intervención interdisciplinaria del dolor en Unidades de Cuidado Intensivo

El dolor es un problema importante para los pacientes hospitalizados en las UCI porque genera malestar y distrés. Además, la investigación ha demostrado que en algunos pacientes críticos el dolor agudo puede persistir después de alta y convertirse en crónico. La gestión eficaz del dolor en pacientes críticos requiere un enfoque interdisciplinario, que incorpore la visión y trabajo de expertos que representan una amplia variedad de especialidades clínicas. Así, la utilización de la intervención psicológica en el tratamiento del dolor es una parte integral de un enfoque global. Basado en una revisión de la evidencia científica, se identifican y señalan: (1) los tipos de dolor más comunes; (2) las características del dolor; (3) las patologías más frecuentes asociadas con la presencia de dolor; (4) los procedimientos que generan dolor en la UCI; (5) los métodos de evaluación del dolor; (6) la intervención del mismo y; (7) la contribución del psicólogo en la evaluación y manejo del dolor con el paciente, los familiares y los profesionales de la salud. La revisión realizada indica que los procesos psicológicos influyen tanto en la experiencia del dolor como en los resultados del tratamiento, por lo tanto la integración de los principios psicológicos en el tratamiento del dolor parecen tener potencial mejora de los resultados beneficiando la salud del paciente.

SIDUR: development of an information system, using controlled vocabulary designed to the characterization and sample of population with and without disability, attended by Rehabilitation programs, University of Rosario

Introduction: the statistical record used in the Field Academic Programs (PAC for it’s initials in Spanish) of Rehabilitation denotes generalities in the data conceptualization, which complicates the reliable guidance in making decisions and provides a low support for research in rehabilitation and disability. In response, the Research Group in Rehabilitation and Social Integration of Persons with Disabilities has worked on the creation of a registry to characterize the population seen by Rehabilitation PAC. This registry includes the use of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) of the WHO. Methodology: the proposed methodology includes two phases: the first one is a descriptive study and the second one involves performing methodology Methontology, which integrates the identification and development of ontology knowledge. This article contextualizes the progress made in the second phase. Results: the development of the registry in 2008, as an information system, included documentary review and the analysis of possible use scenarios to help guide the design and development of the SIDUR system. The system uses the ICF given that it is a terminology standardization that allows the reduction of ambiguity and that makes easier the transformation of health facts into data translatable to information systems. The record raises three categories and a total of 129 variables Conclusions: SIDUR facilitates accessibility to accurate and updated information, useful for decision making and research.