New algorithms for accurate and efficient de novo genome assembly from long DNA sequencing reads.

Building de novo genome assemblies for complex genomes is possible thanks to long-read DNA sequencing technologies. However, maximizing the quality of assemblies based on long reads is a challenging task that requires the development of specialized data analysis techniques. We present new algorithms for assembling long DNA sequencing reads from haploid and diploid organisms. The assembly algorithm builds an undirected graph with two vertices for each read based on minimizers selected by a hash function derived from the k-mer distribution. Statistics collected during the graph construction are used as features to build layout paths by selecting edges, ranked by a likelihood function. For diploid samples, we integrated a reimplementation of the ReFHap algorithm to perform molecular phasing. We ran the implemented algorithms on PacBio HiFi and Nanopore sequencing data taken from haploid and diploid samples of different species. Our algorithms showed competitive accuracy and computational efficiency, compared with other currently used software. We expect that this new development will be useful for researchers building genome assemblies for different species.

Costs of examinations performed in a hospital laboratory in Chile / Custos de exames em um laboratório clínico hospitalar no Chile / Costos de exámenes en un laboratorio clínico hospitalario de Chile

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the total average costs related to laboratory examinations performed in a hospital laboratory in Chile. Method: Retrospective study with data from July 2014 to June 2015. 92 examinations classified in ten groups were selected according to the analysis methodology. The costs were estimated as the sum of direct and indirect laboratory costs and indirect institutional factors. Results: The average values obtained for the costs according to examination group (in USD) were: 1.79 (clinical chemistry), 10.21 (immunoassay techniques), 13.27 (coagulation), 26.06 (high-performance liquid chromatography), 21.2 (immunological), 3.85 (gases and electrolytes), 156.48 (cytogenetic), 1.38 (urine), 4.02 (automated hematological), 4.93 (manual hematological). Conclusion: The value, or service fee, returned to public institutions who perform laboratory services does not adequately reflect the true total average production costs of examinations.

RESUMO Objetivo: Determinar os custos médios totais associados à realização de exames laboratoriais em um laboratório clínico hospitalar no Chile. Método: Estudo retrospectivo com informações de julho de 2014 a junho de 2015. Foram selecionados 92 exames classificados em dez grupos de acordo com a metodologia de análise. Os custos foram estimados como a soma dos custos diretos e indiretos de laboratório e fatores institucionais indiretos. Resultados: Os valores médios dos custos foram obtidos de acordo com o grupo de exames (em dólares): 1,79 (química clínica), 10,21 (técnicas de imunoensaio), 13,27 (coagulação), 26,06 (cromatografia líquida de alta resolução), 21,2 (imunológicos), 3,85 (gases e eletrólitos), 156,48 (citogenéticos), 1,38 (urina), 4,02 (hematológicos automáticos), 4,93 (hematológicos manuais). Conclusão: O valor retornado às instituições públicas, ou taxas de serviço, que prestam serviços laboratoriais não refletem adequadamente os custos totais reais da produção de exames.

RESUMEN Objetivo: determinar los costos medios totales asociados a la realización de exámenes de laboratorio en un laboratorio clínico hospitalario de Chile. Método: estudio retrospectivo con información del período julio 2104 a junio 2015. Se seleccionaron 92 exámenes clasificados en diez grupos según la metodología de análisis. Los costos se estimaron como la suma de costos directos e indirectos de laboratorio y factores indirectos institucionales. Resultados: se obtuvieron los valores promedio para los costos según grupo de exámenes (en dólares): 1,79 (química clínica), 10,21 (técnicas de inmunoensayos), 13,27 (coagulación), 26,06 (cromatografía líquida de alta resolución), 21,2 (inmunológicos), 3,85 (gases y electrolitos), 156,48 (citogenéticos), 1,38 (orina), 4,02 (hematológicos automatizados), 4,93 (hematológicos manuales). Conclusión: el valor que retorna a las instituciones públicas, o arancel por servicio, que prestan servicios de laboratorio no refleja adecuadamente los verdaderos costos medios totales de producción de exámenes.

Costs of examinations performed in a hospital laboratory in Chile.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the total average costs related to laboratory examinations performed in a hospital laboratory in Chile. METHOD: Retrospective study with data from July 2014 to June 2015. 92 examinations classified in ten groups were selected according to the analysis methodology. The costs were estimated as the sum of direct and indirect laboratory costs and indirect institutional factors. RESULTS: The average values obtained for the costs according to examination group (in USD) were: 1.79 (clinical chemistry), 10.21 (immunoassay techniques), 13.27 (coagulation), 26.06 (high-performance liquid chromatography), 21.2 (immunological), 3.85 (gases and electrolytes), 156.48 (cytogenetic), 1.38 (urine), 4.02 (automated hematological), 4.93 (manual hematological). CONCLUSION: The value, or service fee, returned to public institutions who perform laboratory services does not adequately reflect the true total average production costs of examinations.

Satisfaction with life and with food-related life in central Chile / Satisfacción con la vida y la alimentación en la zona central de Chile

BACKGROUND: Eating is one of the most frequent human behaviors, but there are few studies that relate eating and subjective well-being. Typologies of people were distinguished and characterized according to their level of satisfaction with life and food in central Chile. METHOD: A survey was applied to a sample of 1,277 people in the main municipalities of this area, distributed proportionally by municipality. The questionnaire included the SWLS scales (Satisfaction with Life Scale), SWFL (Satisfaction with Food-related Life), Health-Related Quality of Life Index (HRQOL), Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS), and respondents' demographic characteristics and eating habits were also ascertained. RESULTS: Using hierarchical cluster analysis, three typologies were distinguished with significant differences in the scores on the SWLS, SWFL, SHS, self-perception of health, days with physical or mental problems in the last month, sociodemographic characteristics and frequency with which the family eats together. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that a higher level of general subjective well-being, and eating is associated with better health, greater family interaction around meals, higher levels of happiness, and with some sociodemographic characteristics

ANTECEDENTES: la alimentación es uno de los comportamientos humanos más frecuentes, pero aun son escasos los estudios que relacionan la alimentación y el bienestar subjetivo. Se distinguieron y caracterizaron tipologías según su nivel de satisfacción con la vida y con la alimentación en la zona central de Chile. MÉTODO: se aplicó una encuesta a una muestra de 1.277 personas de las principales comunas de esta zona, distribuidas proporcionalmente por comuna. El cuestionario incluyó las escalas SWLS (Satisfaction with Life Scale), SWFL (Satisfaction with Food-related Life), el índice de calidad de vida relativo a la salud (ICVRS), la escala de felicidad subjetiva (SHS) y, se consultaron características demográficas y hábitos alimentarios de los encuestados. RESULTADOS: mediante análisis de conglomerados jerárquicos se distinguieron tres tipologías con diferencias significativas en los puntajes de la SWLS, SWFL, SHS, auto percepción de la salud, días con problemas físicos o mentales en el último mes, características sociodemográficas y en la frecuencia de comidas junto a la familia. CONCLUSIONES: los resultados sugieren que un mayor nivel de bienestar subjetivo general y con la alimentación se asocia con una mejor salud, superior interacción familiar en torno a la comida, mayor nivel de felicidad y con algunas características sociodemográficas

Satisfaction with life and with food-related life in central Chile.

BACKGROUND: Eating is one of the most frequent human behaviors, but there are few studies that relate eating and subjective well-being. Typologies of people were distinguished and characterized according to their level of satisfaction with life and food in central Chile. METHOD: A survey was applied to a sample of 1,277 people in the main municipalities of this area, distributed proportionally by municipality. The questionnaire included the SWLS scales (Satisfaction with Life Scale), SWFL (Satisfaction with Food-related Life), Health-Related Quality of Life Index (HRQOL), Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS), and respondents' demographic characteristics and eating habits were also ascertained. RESULTS: Using hierarchical cluster analysis, three typologies were distinguished with significant differences in the scores on the SWLS, SWFL, SHS, self-perception of health, days with physical or mental problems in the last month, sociodemographic characteristics and frequency with which the family eats together. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that a higher level of general subjective well-being, and eating is associated with better health, greater family interaction around meals, higher levels of happiness, and with some sociodemographic characteristics.

Valoración eco–sistémica de la naturaleza: hacia una ética emergente en los sistemas socio ecológicos adaptativos / Eco–systemic Assessment: towards an emergent ethics on the socioecologic adaptive systems

Con base en el modelo de la Evaluación de los Ecosistemas del Milenio, que liga la biodiversidad, los servicios eco–sistémicos, el bienestar humano y la libertad de elección, se proponen niveles y fuerzas opuestas de equilibrio que como procesos de auto–organización sustentan un nuevo sistema de valoración de la naturaleza. Las propiedades estabilizadoras y desestabilizadoras en cada nivel, se presentan además como atributos complejos del bien común ambiental, y propiedades emergentes y adaptativas en el propuesto sistema de valoración social de la naturaleza. El conjunto sugiere la emergencia de una nueva normativa de acción socio–ecológica para enfrentar el cambio ambiental global, que a su vez estaría sustentando una ética eco–sistémica.

Based upon the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment a model which link biodiversity, ecosystem services, human well-being and liberty of choice, levels and opposing self-organization forces are proposed, for a new valuation system of nature. The stabilizing and destabilizing properties in each level area presented as complex attributes or the environmental common good and adaptive emerging properties in the proposed system of valuation of nature. Overall, the emergence of a new action-driven and socio-ecological normative which would help society face up to global environmental changes, and sustain a new eco–systemic ethic.

Taquicardia ventricular incesante en una paciente con miocardiopatiadilatada: a propósito de un caso / Incessant ventricular tachycardia in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy: a case report

La taquicardia ventricular incesante es una patología poco frecuente que habitualmente se presenta en pacientes con cardiopatía estructural, principalmente en aquellos con antecedentes de infarto al miocardio, sin embargo puede presentarse también en enfermos con miocardiopatía dilatada. La amiodarona puede controlar con éxito un 75% de los casos y en aquellos pacientes refractarios al tratamiento antiarrítmico la ablación por radiofrecuencia debe considerarse la terapia de primera elección.

Incessant ventricular tachycardia is a rare disorder that usually occurs in patients with structural heart disease, mainly in those with history of myocardial infarction, but may also occur in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. Amiodarone can successfully treat 75% cases and in patients refractory to antiarrhythmic therapy, radiofrequency ablation should be considered first-line therapy.

[Motivation perception measurement of intermediate directors in three complex hospitals of the Region of the Maule, Chile]. / Percepción de la motivación de los directivos intermedios en tres hospitales de la Región del Maule, Chile.

OBJECTIVE: In this work, a questionnaire was designed and perceptions of motivation and demotivation of middle managers in three hospitals in the Region del Maule, Chile were measured. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The fieldwork was carried out between September and October, 2006. A questionnaire that included 57 statements to measure attitude was administered and qualified according to a five-point Likert-type scale. The population studied included l25 professionals that supervise roughly 3 800 employees. RESULTS: Ten variables were identified, 5 motivational and 5 demotivational. Notable among the motivational variables are vocation and service-oriented spirit; among the demotivational variables are lack of recognition and commitment. DISCUSSION: It is affirmed that both motivational variables as well as demotivational variables are essentially qualitative and that economic and salary variables are less relevant and less hierarchical.

Percepción de la motivación de los directivos intermedios en tres hospitales de la Región del Maule, Chile / Motivation perception measurement of intermediate directors in three complex hospitals of the Region of the Maule, Chile

OBJETIVO: En este trabajo se diseña un cuestionario y se cuantifican las percepciones de motivación-desmotivación de los jefes intermedios de tres hospitales de la Región del Maule, Chile. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: El trabajo de campo se realizó entre septiembre y octubre de 2006, se aplicó un cuestionario con 57 afirmaciones de medición de actitudes que se calificó de acuerdo con una escala tipo Likert de cinco puntos. La población objeto de la investigación fue de 125 profesionales bajo cuya supervisión se encuentran alrededor de 3 800 funcionarios. RESULTADOS: Se identificaron 10 variables, cinco motivacionales y cinco desmotivacionales. Entre las primeras destacan vocación y espíritu de servicio; entre las segundas falta de reconocimiento y falta de compromiso. DISCUSIÓN: Se confirma que tanto las variables motivacionales como las desmotivacionales son esencialmente cualitativas y que las variables económica y de sueldos son menos relevantes y de inferior jerarquía.

OBJECTIVE: In this work, a questionnaire was designed and perceptions of motivation and demotivation of middle managers in three hospitals in the Region del Maule, Chile were measured. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The fieldwork was carried out between September and October, 2006. A questionnaire that included 57 statements to measure attitude was administered and qualified according to a five-point Likert-type scale. The population studied included l25 professionals that supervise roughly 3 800 employees. RESULTS: Ten variables were identified, 5 motivational and 5 demotivational. Notable among the motivational variables are vocation and service-oriented spirit; among the demotivational variables are lack of recognition and commitment. DISCUSSION: It is affirmed that both motivational variables as well as demotivational variables are essentially qualitative and that economic and salary variables are less relevant and less hierarchical.