Spatial predictions of tree density and tree height across Mexico forests using ensemble learning and forest inventory data.

The National Forestry Commission of Mexico continuously monitors forest structure within the country's continental territory by the implementation of the National Forest and Soils Inventory (INFyS). Due to the challenges involved in collecting data exclusively from field surveys, there are spatial information gaps for important forest attributes. This can produce bias or increase uncertainty when generating estimates required to support forest management decisions. Our objective is to predict the spatial distribution of tree height and tree density in all Mexican forests. We performed wall-to-wall spatial predictions of both attributes in 1-km grids, using ensemble machine learning across each forest type in Mexico. Predictor variables include remote sensing imagery and other geospatial data (e.g., mean precipitation, surface temperature, canopy cover). Training data is from the 2009 to 2014 cycle (n > 26,000 sampling plots). Spatial cross validation suggested that the model had a better performance when predicting tree height r 2 = .35 [.12, .51] (mean [min, max]) than for tree density r 2 = .23 [.05, .42]. The best predictive performance when mapping tree height was for broadleaf and coniferous-broadleaf forests (model explained ~50% of variance). The best predictive performance when mapping tree density was for tropical forest (model explained ~40% of variance). Although most forests had relatively low uncertainty for tree height predictions, e.g., values <60%, arid and semiarid ecosystems had high uncertainty, e.g., values >80%. Uncertainty values for tree density predictions were >80% in most forests. The applied open science approach we present is easily replicable and scalable, thus it is helpful to assist in the decision-making and future of the National Forest and Soils Inventory. This work highlights the need for analytical tools that help us exploit the full potential of the Mexican forest inventory datasets.

[BARRIERS ASSOCIATED WITH BREAST SELF-EXAMINATION AMONG WOMEN 18 TO 50 YEARS OLD: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY]. / BARRERAS ASOCIADAS A LA REALIZACIÓN DEL AUTOEXAMEN DE SENO EN MUJERES DE 18 A 50 AÑOS DE EDAD: UN ESTUDIO DESCRIPTIVO.

INTRODUCTION: breast cancer is the most common female malignancy and is commonly associated with high levels of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Breast self-examination (BSE) it is a fundamental method for early detection of the disease. The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence and barriers associated to BSE in women between 18 to 50 years old. METHODS: a cross sectional study in 627 healthy women between 18 50 years old from Pamplona, Colombia, was performed. Barriers to the practice of BSE (age, marital status, religion, family history for cancer disease, healthcare professionals counseling and social media), were collected by a structured questionnaire. Prevalence was calculated for each factor and associated barriers were established through a multivariate logistic regression models. RESULTS: at the time of the survey, about 72% of women stated they did not practice BSE in the last month and 45% in the last six months. Regression models show that women who belong to the age group between 30 and 39 years old, women who did not have any counseling from a health professional and those who did not report breast cancer in their family history; were associated as barriers for practicing BSE. CONCLUSIONS: the BSE in the study population was low. These data could be used to provide educational intervention programs about the importance of early diagnosis of breast cancer.

Introducción: el cáncer de mama es la neoplasia maligna más común entre las mujeres y se asocia con altos niveles de morbilidad y mortalidad en países en desarrollo. El autoexamen de mama es un método fundamental de diagnóstico precoz del cáncer mamario. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la prevalencia y evaluar las barreras asociadas a la realización del autoexamen de mama, en mujeres de 18 a 50 años. Métodos: estudio descriptivo, transversal, en 627 mujeres sanas entre los 18 y 50 años de edad, de Pamplona, Colombia. Las barreras para la práctica del autoexamen (edad, estado civil, religión, antecedentes familiares y asesoría profesional o medios de comunicación), se recogieron mediante encuesta estructurada. Se calcularon prevalencias de cada factor y se establecieron asociaciones mediante la construcción de modelos de regresión. Resultados: en el momento de la encuesta, cerca del 72 % de las mujeres acusaron no haberse practicado el autoexamen de mama en el último mes, y el 45 % en los últimos seis meses. Los modelos de regresión muestran que las mujeres pertenecientes al grupo etáreo de 30 a 39 años, las que no tuvieron asesoría por parte de un profesional de la salud y quienes no presentaron antecedentes familiar de cáncer de mama; se asociaron como barreras para el auto-examen de mama. Conclusión: la realización del autoexamen de mama en la población estudiada fue baja. Estos datos podrían utilizarse para ofrecer programas de intervención educativa acerca de la importancia del diagnóstico temprano del cáncer de mama.

Estudio del perfil biofísico fetal en la Maternidad del Hospital San Juan de Dios / Fetal biophysical profile in the San Juan de Dios Hospital

Se estudia el perfil biofísico fetal en 165 embarazadas, 105 de ellas con algún factor de alto riesgo obstétrico. Se realiza una modificación del perfil biofísico original, incluyendo, como factor determinante de puntaje, el tiempo de duración de la evaluación de los parámetros ecográficos, en reemplazo de los movimientos corporales fetales