#healthcare data infrastructure

[vivekguptahal]

A Data-Driven Approach to Healthcare - Brain Injury and Disease Research

Cloud adoption & data pipeline automation in healthcare

Traditionally, healthcare advancements have progressed slowly due to siloed research and delayed results. However, with cloud application modernization, all that is changing for good. A unique collaboration between life sciences organizations and digital solution providers is offering an unprecedented level of insight into managing conditions and achieving optimal patient outcomes. Cloud modernization is expanding healthcare organizations’ ability to use data pipeline automation to effectively diagnose patients.

A prime example of cloud adoption is a nonprofit research organization dedicated to biomedical research and technology. The organization has been instrumental in facilitating advances in brain injury and disease research through its launch of the first cloud-based and interactive platform that supports information and idea exchange to further progress in neuroscience research. It uses big data to promote computational innovation discovery in brain diseases.

Co-created by Hitachi and other partners, this platform is a trusted portal where clinical researchers, physicians, and organizations can collaborate on research and the validation of emerging therapeutics.

The context of merging human and artificial intelligence for analyzing health data

Medical research data is becoming siloed, diverse, and complex. To break this complexity, a robust IT infrastructure with the capacity to aggregate data across multiple studies is required along with harnessing patients’ data to improve the healthcare system.

The organization needed an interactive and scalable platform that would be capable of integrating diverse cohorts and investigators and equipped with a high computing speed that is essential in machine learning and artificial intelligence applications.

These new capabilities would empower users to gain a comprehensive understanding of signature patterns within existing and emerging large-scale datasets and to foster collaboration to promote the efficient use of the research community’s collective knowledge of brain injuries and diseases.

With time, the organization recognized that meeting these challenges would require the expertise of specialists in data pipeline automation and healthcare data solutions to meet the steep requirements of the healthcare industry. Having heard of Hitachi, the organization turned to us for our Cloud Managed Services.

Leveraging healthcare data analytics solutions to build more sophisticated infrastructure

The organization wanted to collaborate with Hitachi to upgrade the user interface and augment the platform’s experience for researchers and the virtual analytical environment to ensure secure data management.

Hitachi was able to deliver an integrated solution that encompassed each component of the build-out. This streamlined project management made the process more efficient and data-driven healthcare innovation helped to further modernize, streamline, and simplify the health diagnostic system for the research organization.

Infrastructure that enables innovation

Cloud modernization was central to helping the organization maximize value in its transformation journey and boost the lives of people. While the organization began with a vision, advances in cloud-based data management, storage, and security brought that to fruition. The interactive platform now allows the organization to leverage best practices to tap into the potency of data pipeline automation and utilization.

Hitachi’s commitment to social innovation 

For Hitachi, this project has particular resonance because it is aligned with its commitment to social innovation. To have played a role in accelerating this process and in bringing life-changing drugs and therapies to patients more quickly is always rewarding.

Discover how Hitachi is unlocking value for society with Social Innovation and Digital Transformation in Healthcare :

[jcmarchi]

Unveiling Neural Patterns: A Breakthrough in Predicting Esports Match Outcomes

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/unveiling-neural-patterns-a-breakthrough-in-predicting-esports-match-outcomes/

Unveiling Neural Patterns: A Breakthrough in Predicting Esports Match Outcomes

In a groundbreaking discovery, NTT Corporation, a leading global technology company providing services to consumers and businesses as a mobile operator, infrastructure, networks, applications, and consulting provider has identified neural oscillation patterns that are closely linked to the outcomes of esports matches, achieving prediction accuracy of approximately 80%. This innovative research marks a significant advancement in understanding the brain’s role in competitive performance and opens new avenues for individualized mental conditioning.

Key Findings:

Patterns in Pre-Match EEG Linked to Outcomes: Specific neural oscillations were found to be strongly associated with match results.

High Accuracy in Predicting Match Outcomes: Including the prediction of upsets, the research achieved an 80% accuracy rate.

Potential for Personalized Mental Conditioning: Insights from neural oscillation patterns can be used to optimize brain states for improved performance.

Figure: Pre-round EEG correlates with match outcomes in fighting video game.

The Research Journey

NTT’s Communication Science Laboratories have long focused on how the brain regulates mind and body to enhance individual capabilities. Athletes, especially, strive to reach optimal mental states under competition pressure, a practice known as mental conditioning. Despite advancements in sports analytics, accurately predicting outcomes of “similar-level matches” or “upsets” has remained elusive.

Breakthrough in Esports

By focusing on a fighting video game in esports, researchers could observe and analyze players’ brain states during matches using electroencephalography (EEG). This method allowed for the identification of pre-match brain activity patterns strongly linked to winning or losing. Esports, a rapidly growing field, provides a unique opportunity to study these brain patterns due to its emphasis on mental over physical skill.

Discovery of Brain Activity Patterns

The study measured the neural oscillations of skilled esports players during real competition conditions. Results indicated that left frontal gamma oscillations, related to strategic decision-making, and left frontal alpha oscillations, associated with emotional control, were significantly increased in winning matches. These findings highlight the brain’s critical role in determining competitive outcomes and suggest that certain neural states can predict success.

Predicting Match Outcomes with High Accuracy

Machine learning models trained on pre-match EEG data were constructed to predict match outcomes. These models achieved an 80% accuracy rate, outperforming traditional models based on past match data. The high predictive accuracy was consistent for both similar-level matches and upsets. This breakthrough demonstrates the potential of EEG-based predictions in fields where traditional data analytics fall short.

Implications for Mental Conditioning and Performance Enhancement

This research not only reveals the existence of an ideal brain state in competitive situations but also suggests that mental conditioning based on bio-information can enhance performance across various fields such as sports, healthcare, and education. By understanding and optimizing the brain states associated with peak performance, individuals can improve their outcomes in high-pressure environments.

Applications Beyond Esports

The implications of this research extend far beyond esports. The ability to predict performance based on brain activity can be applied to traditional sports, where mental conditioning plays a crucial role. In healthcare, understanding brain patterns associated with optimal performance can aid in the treatment of mental health conditions. In education, insights from this research can help develop techniques to improve learning and cognitive performance.

Future Research Directions

NTT Corporation plans to continue exploring the applications of neural oscillation patterns in various fields. Future research will focus on refining the prediction models and expanding their use to other competitive environments. Additionally, the potential for transferring skills through digital twin computing represents an exciting avenue for further investigation.

The Digital Twin Concept

The digital twin concept involves creating a virtual representation of an individual’s brain state, which can be used to transfer skills and knowledge. By digitizing the brain states of experts, this technology can facilitate skill transfer and training in various fields. This approach has the potential to revolutionize how we learn and acquire new skills, making advanced training more accessible and efficient.

Enhancing Well-Being Through Bio-Information

NTT Corporation aims to enhance well-being by using bio-information-based mental conditioning techniques. By providing feedback on optimal brain states, individuals can learn to manage stress and improve their performance in various aspects of life. This approach aligns with the broader goal of improving mental health and cognitive function through innovative technological solutions.

Conclusion

NTT Corporation’s pioneering work in identifying neural patterns linked to esports match outcomes represents a significant leap forward in both neuroscience and competitive gaming. By harnessing these insights, there is potential to revolutionize mental conditioning and performance optimization in multiple domains. As research continues, the applications of this technology will expand, offering new opportunities to enhance human capabilities and well-being.

The discovery of neural oscillation patterns associated with competitive performance opens new possibilities for understanding and improving the brain’s role in various activities. With continued research and development, these findings could lead to significant advancements in mental conditioning, skill transfer, and overall performance enhancement across a wide range of fields.

[luckyonexcel]

Exploring the Future of IoT | Internet of Things

Internet of Things (IoT) has already transformed the way we perceive and interact with technology connecting everyday objects to the digital world. As we navigate through a rapidly evolving technological landscape it becomes crucial to delve deeper into the future of IoT and the endless possibilities it holds. Let’s explore the exciting advancements and emerging trends that will shape the future…

[gavstech]

Social engineering is a form of psychological manipulation used to gain access to confidential information or resources. This tactic is often used by criminals and hackers who use deception, manipulation, and influence tactics to exploit people’s trust in order to gain access to sensitive data in IT operations.

[nolijconsulting]

RPA in Healthcare- How RPA is Changing the Healthcare Industry

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is among the most promising and efficient solutions across the world. It helps in reducing expenses from financial institutions to manufacturing sectors and also decreases overall production time. It is software that can automate tasks in the healthcare industry and provide better services to patients.

RPA is changing the way healthcare is provided. It has been seen as a solution for hospitals and clinics to improve their efficiency and reduce costs. It has been used in hospitals, clinics, and research centers to automate tasks such as scheduling appointments, ordering lab tests, and even patient monitoring. With the help of RPA, it has now become possible to streamline the healthcare system.

How Is RPA Changing the Healthcare Industry

1. Enhancing patient satisfaction

A satisfied patient is a key part of any thriving healthcare system. Without being able to effectively schedule appointments and process check-ins, patients will become frustrated, which can lead to other issues. With an automated healthcare process, patients can schedule their appointment anytime they want through their devices, without waiting around in a waiting room. RPA or robotic process automation improves efficiency by eliminating human error, allowing staff to focus on patient-centered activities, and increasing the quality of the job.

2. Improving Healthcare Cycles

Healthcare institutions collect a lot of data from patients, which is stored in databases. They're important to digest and analyze, as extracting & optimizing such data can be difficult. By implementing RPA emerging technology services in healthcare, bots can collect and keep track of all patients’ data. Additionally, automation in medical records has made it incredibly easy for doctors by eliminating the need to handle data manually and letting automated bots do this. That time allows doctors more time to attend to things like human assistance with patients.

3. Cutting human-labor costs

Once healthcare service providers automated repetitive tasks, they could reduce the cost of labor and make processes more efficient. Apart from reduced cost, repetitive tasks are being vastly simplified in the healthcare industry due to the implementation of RPA. Automation can help improve efficiency and productivity for healthcare professionals and make them focus on higher-value portions of their tasks.

4. Enhancing Precision and Speedy Medical Diagnosis

Time is vital in healthcare. If a problem is not diagnosed quickly, it can lead to a less-than-optimal outcome. With RPA emerging technology services in healthcare, it's easy for doctors to make an appointment for a patient and make quick diagnoses. They also can get a patient's medical history, current diagnosis, and personal preferences to help them diagnose what the patient might be facing.

Technology has made it much easier to save time, minimize errors, & make sure accuracy. This is why hospitals are turning to RPA.

Conclusion:

Technology is improving healthcare which saves time, effort, and money. Robotic Process Automation (RPA) provides emerging technology services that can help healthcare providers focus on the right people, tackle problems more quickly, and increase patient satisfaction. In addition, it helps to enhance data collection and analysis, which supports evidence-based data in a healthcare organization.

[covidsafecosplay]

The People’s CDC COVID-19 Weather Report: September 16, 2024

The People's CDC has released another updated report on COVID-19 data and action items for the United States of America.

Highlights:

According to the Wastewater COVID-19 National and Regional Trends dashboard, COVID wastewater levels have plateaued, remaining between high and very high in all regions except for the West, which is having a slight increase. The highest levels remain in the West as of 9/7/2024 (data captured on 9/13/2024). 

As of September 10, 2024, COVID levels are “likely growing” in 3 states and territories according to the CDC Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics dashboard. Thirteen states have reached “stable or uncertain” levels, and 31 states are seeing “declining” or “likely declining”, while levels are “not estimated” in 4 states. 

According to the CDC's COVID Data Tracker, there has been an increase to nearly 1,000 deaths and slightly more than 1,000 deaths per week from COVID during the entire month of August 2024. The last time this occurred was during the winter months of 2024. This total count of weekly COVID deaths is likely to be an underestimate due to limited COVID testing and reporting. The loss of these lives could have been prevented if layers of protections were consistently implemented in preventing infections. 

Although the Bridge Access Program, covering the updated vaccines for uninsured and underinsured adults, has ended, several states including California’s Bridge Access Program and other departments of health have taken steps to partially address this major gap by either providing funding for no-cost access to COVID vaccines or using budgets to acquire a limited supply for their residents. Ultimately, the federal government must contribute resources to ensure no-cost access for all who are uninsured or underinsured. We continue to demand from the federal government to provide continued funding for the Bridge Access Program as well as the Vaccines for Adults Program. As people access the updated COVID vaccines, it is notable that a longer 1.5 inch needle may be needed for adults with higher body weights, in order to pass through subcutaneous tissue into muscle. Complete guidelines for vaccine administration in consideration of age, weight, and injection site can be found on the CDC's website.

This is a reminder that another batch of no-cost COVID rapid antigen tests can be ordered and sent to your home address at the end of   September 2024. Through the CDC’s Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) program, no-cost access to COVID testing access is limited to those who are uninsured or underinsured at places including CVS, Walgreens, eTrueNorth, and other local sites as well as in New York City, which is supported by the NY Department of Public Health.

Read the rest of the report here:

Please note that the CovidSafeCosplay blog and its admin are unaffiliated with the People's CDC or its management, and are simply sharing the resource.

Via the People's CDC About page:

The People’s CDC is a coalition of public health practitioners, scientists, healthcare workers, educators, advocates and people from all walks of life working to reduce the harmful impacts of COVID-19.  We provide guidance and policy recommendations to governments and the public on COVID-19, disseminating evidence-based updates that are grounded in equity, public health principles, and the latest scientific literature. Working alongside community organizations, we are building collective power and centering equity as we work together to end the pandemic. The People’s CDC is volunteer-run and independent of partisan political and corporate interests and includes anonymous local health department and other government employees. The People’s CDC is completely volunteer run with infrastructure support being provided by the People’s Science Network

[workersolidarity]

[ 📹 An Israeli warplane fired three missiles into a United Nations school sheltering thousands of displaced Palestinian families in Camp 2 of the Nuseirat Refugee Camp, in the central Gaza Strip, late on Wednesday night, resulting in more than 100 casualties in total. The casualties included more than 40 civilians who were killed, including 14 children and 9 women, while another 74 citizens were wounded, including 23 children and 18 women. The strikes come after weeks of fighting in Gaza's north and south have driven tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of civilians into the central areas of the enclave. ]

🇮🇱⚔️🇵🇸 🚀🏘️💥🚑 🚨

ISRAELI GENOCIDE OPERATION CONTINUES IN GAZA FOR DAY 244: MORE THAN 100 CASUALTIES IN ISRAELI AIRSTRIKE ON A UN SCHOOL HOUSING DISPLACED CIVILIANS IN GAZA, SPAIN TO JOIN SOUTH AFRICA'S LAWSUIT AT ICJ, MEDICAL EXPERTS SAY 25'000 SEVERELY SICK AND WOUNDED MUST LEAVE GAZA FOR TREATMENT ABROAD, ISRAELI OCCUPATION INVADES CENTRAL GAZA

On 244th day of the Israeli occupation's ongoing special genocide operation in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) committed a total of 6 new massacres of Palestinian families, resulting in the deaths of no less than 68 Palestinian civilians, mostly women and children, while another 235 others were wounded over the previous 24-hours.

It should be noted that as a result of the constant Israeli bombardment of Gaza's healthcare system, infrastructure, residential and commercial buildings, local paramedic and civil defense crews are unable to recover countless hundreds, even thousands, of victims who remain trapped under the rubble, or who's bodies remain strewn across the streets of Gaza.

This leaves the official death toll vastly undercounted as Gaza's healthcare officials are unable to accurately tally those killed and maimed in this genocide, which must be kept in mind when considering the scale of the mass murder.

Spain will join South Africa's lawsuit before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague, according to an announcement made by Spanish Prime Minister, José Manuel Albarez.

Albarez is quoted as saying that “It seems that the application of the International Court of Justice’s precautionary measures towards Israel is still far away," adding that he hoped the decision would help the Court.

Spain becomes the second European country to join the South African lawsuit at the ICJ, while Ireland has also joined the suit. Chile and Mexico also recently joined the South African suit.

In other news, 90%, or nine out of ten children in the Gaza Strip, suffer from deficiencies in the nutrients that ensure their healthy growth and development. That's according to the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, also known as UNICEF.

In a statement issued on Thursday, UNICEF cautioned that “in the Gaza Strip, months of hostilities and restrictions on humanitarian aid have led to the collapse of the food and health systems, leading to catastrophic consequences for children and their families.”

The United Nations Children's Fund stated that data collected between December 2023 and April 2024 discovered that 9 out of 10 children from the Gaza Strip suffer from extreme food poverty and food insecurity, which means they consume two or fewer food groups each day to survive.

"This is evidence of the horrific impact of conflict and restrictions on families' ability to meet children's nutritional needs and the rapid rate at which children are at risk of life-threatening malnutrition," UNICEF warned, adding that "27 percent of children worldwide suffer from severe food poverty in early childhood, which amounts to 181 million children under the age of five."

Similarly, medical personnel in the Gaza Strip warned on Thursday that as many as 25'000 sick and wounded Palestinians in Gaza must travel outside the besieged enclave to receive treatment in foreign countries.

This comes as the Israeli occupation forces continue the closure of the Rafah and Karm Abu Salem border crossings, south of Gaza, preventing thousands of trucks loaded with humanitarian aid supplies from reaching desperate civilians, and also preventing the thousands of sick and wounded citizens from leaving Gaza for treatment abroad.

The medical sources pointed out that thousands of lives could be saved by allowing the severely sick and wounded to travel abroad for treatment, while their situation worsens under continued intense bombardment in Gaza, with the vast majority of hospitals in the enclave no longer functioning.

Previously, just 4'895 sick and wounded civilians were allowed by the Israeli occupation to travel to other countries for treatment during the period when the Rafah border crossing was still open.

Since then, the Israeli occupation has not allowed any Palestinians to travel abroad as a result of the closure of the crossings, beginning in early May.

Meanwhile, the Israeli occupation continued its assault on the Gaza Strip, with new ground offensive launched into Central Gaza after many weeks of fighting in the north and south of the enclave drove tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of Palestinian families into the central areas of the enclave.

According to reporting in the occupation media, the Zionist army carried out new ground offensives, launched by the 98th Division, focusing on the areas of the Bureij Refugee Camp, in addition to neighborhoods east of Deir al-Balah, both in the central Gaza Strip.

The occupation army earlier battled Hamas and other Resistance forces in the Bureij Camp back in January, but have not operated in Deir al-Balah until now.

Previously, the 98th Division was deployed to the Jabalia Camp, in the northern Gaza Strip, where occupation forces destroyed the vast majority of the camp's housing and infrastructure, leaving behind a shattered landscape of skeletal building frames and charred remains that included upwards of 70 decomposing bodies scattered around the camp.

The same Division also fought in the city of Khan Yunis, in Gaza's south, in an extraordinarily destructive ground operation that saw large sections of that city obliterated as well.

Although Deir al-Balah has not witnessed ground advances until now, the city has often been targeted by the occupation's bombing, shelling, missile and drone strikes.

The Zionist occupation army says the ground operation was launched in response to "intelligence on operatives and infrastructure" belonging to local Resistance forces in the area, both above and below ground, according to the army's claims.

The occupation army also admitted to launching a large wave of airstrikes against Resistance forces, including a strike that targeted a United Nations School housing displaced Palestinian families in the Nuseirat Camp, killing dozens of civilians and wounding many others.

The latest Zionist army massacre targeted the Al-Sardi prepatory boys' school in Camp 2 of the Nuseirat Camp, in the central Gaza Strip, where thousands of Palestinians were taking shelter from the occupation's bombs and bullets, resulting in the deaths of at least 40 displaced civilians and wounding scores of others.

Initial reports put the number of dead at 32, with at least 50 wounded from the assault, while the death toll continued to rise as the wounded succumbed to their injuries and the true toll of the strike came into focus, raising the number of killed overnight to 40.

Among those killed in the strike were 14 children and 9 women, while another 74 citizens were wounded from the occupation's criminal attack, including the wounding of at least 23 children and 18 women.

Gaza's media office says the Israeli occupation's bombing of the UN school was conducted by Israeli combat warplanes, which fired at least three American-made missiles into the school, resulting in over 100 casualties, many of whom were women and children.

At the same time, occupation attacks continued at dawn on Thursday, as occupation forces resumed their genocidal campaign for a 244th day.

In another atrocity, Zionist fighter jets bombed a residential house belonging to the Al-Madani family, also in the Nuseirat Camp, in the central Gaza Strip, killing at least 6 civilians and wounding a number of others.

IOF artillery detatchments also launched a violent bombardment of neighborhoods east of the Bureij Camp, also in central Gaza, while an occupation quadcopter drone opened fire near the Nakheel Hall in the Bureij Camp.

The occupation's artillery shelling also targeted east of the Bureij and Al-Maghazi Camps, in central Gaza, while occupation soldiers stationed along the so-called Netzarim axis fired several artillery shells into residential buildings belonging to civilians in the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood, southwest of Gaza City, as well as towards homes in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood, southeast of the city.

Zionist warplanes similarly launched several raids targeting the eastern and central neighborhoods of the city of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, while the Israeli occupation's armored vehicles fire heavy machine guns towards civilian residences east of Khan Yunis, south of Gaza.

Israeli artillery also shelled residential homes belonging to Palestinian citizens east of Al-Qarara, northeast of Khan Yunis.

Another citizen was killed when occupation warplanes bombed a civilian riding a motorcycle in the Nuseirat Camp, in central Gaza.

Between the series of devestating airstrikes that targeted the Al-Bureij, Al-Nuseirat and Al-Maghazi Camps, as well as east of Deir al-Balah, to Al-Qarara and Khan Yunis, more than 100 civilians were killed in total.

As a result of the occupation's assaults, all hospitals in the Rafah Governate, south of the Gaza Strip, have ceased functioning aside from field hospitals.

The Israeli occupation army also bombed an entire residential square in the center of the Shaboura Refugee Camp, in central Rafah, south of Gaza.

In the meantime, north of Gaza, Zionist occupation forces bombed several residential buildings in the al-Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City, resulting in the deaths of more than four civilians, while another airstrike targeted a residence in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood, southeast of Gaza City, killing another three Palestinians.

Local civil defense personnel said they were able to recover a number of dead and wounded after an assault by Israeli occupation aircraft that targeted a residential building belonging to the Khala family, near the Khalla Station, north of Gaza City.

As a result of the Israeli occupation's ongoing special genocide operation in the Gaza Strip, the endlessly rising death toll now exceeds 36'654 Palestinians killed, including over 15'000 children and at least 10'000 women, while another 83'309 others have been wounded since the start of the current round of Zionist aggression, beginning with the events of October 7th, 2023.

June 6th, 2024.

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#videosource

@WorkerSolidarityNews

[darkmaga-retard]

Examining the Fine Line Between Global Health Initiatives and the Erosion of National Sovereignty

Freedom Travel Alliance

Aug 26, 2024

The recent announcement of a partnership between the African Union, Gavi, and Japan to "bolster health security and universal health coverage" in Africa has raised several red flags for those who value personal freedom, national sovereignty, and the right to make informed health decisions.

At first glance, the partnership appears to be a noble effort to improve healthcare infrastructure across Africa. After all, who wouldn't support better healthcare access for the world's most vulnerable populations? But as WE all now know, with many global initiatives that promise safety and security, the devil is in the details.

A Centralized Agenda

The alliance between Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and Japan's leadership seeks to align Africa's health policies with global standards, a trend that seems to be growing stronger. This raises the question: whose interests are really being served? Gavi's long-standing ties to organizations like the WHO and powerful philanthropic entities make it difficult to ignore the centralized agenda at play. Are African nations being used as a testing ground for global health control measures?

Health Security or Health Surveillance?

The concept of "health security" they want you to believe is a positive step toward a safer, healthier world. But let’s examine, what does it really mean? In the context of this partnership, it could very well translate into more surveillance, data collection, and control over personal health choices. They say Universal health coverage is the goal, but at what cost to individual freedom?

History has shown, that any programs that promise to secure the health of populations will lead to policies that dictate what kind of healthcare people must receive—vaccinations, medical treatments, and other health interventions mandated by those far removed from the realities on the ground.

[mariacallous]

The FBI, working closely with an international team including the Czech and Baltic intelligence services, has helped link a series of international cyberattacks to a shadowy unit associated with the Russian secret service, the GRU.

According to a joint cybersecurity advisory report issued on Friday, the cyberattacks were undertaken by a group tied to Unit 29155 of the GRU.

Previously, the same unit has been blamed for an explosion at an ammunition site in 2014 in Vrbětice, deep in the Czech Republic’s southeast, as well as “attempted coups, sabotage and influence operations, and assassination attempts throughout Europe.”

However, in 2020, Unit 29155 expanded its portfolio “to include offensive cyber operations.”

Among other objectives, this offshoot group was used to collect information for espionage, cause reputational harm by stealing and leaking sensitive information, and destroying data.

“Unit 29155 cyber actors [are assessed] to be junior active-duty GRU officers under the direction of experienced Unit 29155 leadership,” said the report.

“These individuals appear to be gaining cyber experience and enhancing their technical skills through conducting cyber operations and intrusions,” it continued. Additionally, the report assessed that non-GRU officers had also been recruited, including known cybercriminals.

The unit is believed to be responsible for unleashing WhisperGate, a multi-stage wiper that has been deployed against the Ukrainian government, non-profit and tech organizations since January 2022. In addition to launching WhisperGate against Ukraine, the group has also targeted NATO states as well as countries in Latin America and Central Asia with its activity, including website defacements, infrastructure scanning, data exfiltration, and data leak operations. “Since early 2022, the primary focus of the cyber actors appears to be targeting and disrupting efforts to provide aid to Ukraine,” the report revealed. Furthermore, over 14,000 cases of domain scanning had also been recorded, with these impacting 26 NATO members and several other EU nations. “Whether through offensive operations or scanning activity, Unit 29155 cyber actors are known to target critical infrastructure and key resource sectors, including government services, financial services, transportation systems, energy, and healthcare sectors of NATO members, the EU, Central American, and Asian countries,” said the report. Led by the FBI, the investigative operation also involved teams from Britain, Australia, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Estonia, Latvia, and the Czech Republic. Together, their joint findings have enabled the Cybersecurity Advisory to develop tactics, techniques, and procedures to thwart further actions by Unit 29155.

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Poor Internet Is a Barrier to Greater Access to Healthcare in Brazil's North

Lack of connection hinders everything from basic actions at Basic Health Units to high-complexity care

Despite advances, the lack of internet connection and even electricity remain barriers to access to healthcare and development in the northern region of the country.

Even simple diagnoses, such as diabetes or hypertension, can take months to be detected due to a lack of infrastructure in isolated indigenous or riverside communities.

According to data from Cetic.br (Regional Center for Studies on the Development of the Information Society), in 2009, only 24% of households in the North had an internet connection, a rate that rose to 81% in 2020.

Continue reading.

[satyaranjan7605]

GIS In Our Daily Lives

The involvement of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in our daily lives is pervasive, influencing and enhancing various aspects across different sectors. The integration of GIS into everyday activities has become integral for decision-making, planning, and optimizing resources. GIS helps city planners and transportation experts to provide them with information like maps, satellite pictures, population statistics, and infrastructure data. GIS helps them make better decisions when designing cities and transportation systems that are sustainable and good for the environment.

The following points elucidate the notable involvement of GIS in our daily lives:

Navigation and Location Services: GIS provides monitoring functions through the visual display of spatial data and precise geographical positioning of monitored vehicles, whereas GPS provides accurate, clear, and precise information on the position and navigation of a monitored or tracked vehicle in real-time and at the exact location.GIS is at the core of navigation applications and location-based services on smartphones. It enables accurate mapping, real-time navigation, and geolocation services, assisting individuals in finding locations, planning routes, and navigating unfamiliar areas.

E-Commerce and Delivery Services: GIS software is a powerful tool for supply chain network planning. It helps determine the optimal location for distribution centers, warehouses, or other supply facilities. GIS is utilized in logistics and delivery services for optimizing routes, tracking shipments, and ensuring timely deliveries. E-commerce platforms leverage GIS to enhance the efficiency of their supply chain and last-mile delivery processes.

Weather Forecasting and Disaster Management: Many states are using GIS dashboard to monitor the rainfall across the state, on a real-time basis, from the data shared by rain sensors installed at various locationsGIS plays a crucial role in weather forecasting and disaster management. It assists meteorologists in analyzing spatial data, predicting weather patterns, and facilitating timely responses to natural disasters by mapping affected areas and coordinating emergency services.

Healthcare Planning and Disease Monitoring: Geographic Information Systems enable the visualization and monitoring of infectious diseases. Additionally GIS records and displays the necessary information that health care needs of the community as well as the available resources and materials. GIS supports public health initiatives by mapping the spread of diseases, analyzing healthcare resource distribution, and assisting in the planning of vaccination campaigns. It aids in identifying high-risk areas and optimizing healthcare service delivery.

Social Media and Geo-tagging: GIS also helps in geotagging and other location related information in posts, it’s tools can map and visualize the spatial distribution of social media activity. This analysis can reveal trends, hotspots, and patterns in user engagement across different geographic areas. Many social media platforms incorporate GIS for geo-tagging, allowing users to share their location and experiences. This feature enhances social connectivity and facilitates the sharing of location-specific information.

Smart City Initiatives: The Geographic Information System (GIS) offers advanced and user-friendly capabilities for Smart City projects and allows to capture, store and manipulate, analyze and visualize spatially referenced data. It is used for spatial analysis and modeling. It is the cornerstone of smart city planning, enabling the integration of data for efficient urban management. It supports initiatives related to traffic management, waste disposal, energy consumption, and overall infrastructure development.

Education and Research: GIS is increasingly utilized in education and research for visualizing and analyzing spatial data. It enables students and researchers to explore geographic relationships, conduct field studies, and enhance their understanding of various subjects.

Agricultural Management and Precision Farming: Farmers leverage GIS to optimize agricultural practices by analyzing soil conditions, crop health, and weather patterns. Precision farming techniques, facilitated by GIS, contribute to increased crop yields and sustainable farming practices.

Real Estate and Property Management: In the real estate sector, GIS aids in property mapping, land valuation, and site selection. It provides real estate professionals with valuable insights into spatial relationships, market trends, and optimal development opportunities.

Tourism and Recreation: GIS enhances the tourism industry by providing interactive maps, route planning, and location-based information. It assists tourists in exploring destinations, finding attractions, and navigating efficiently.

The broad and varied involvement of GIS in our daily lives underscores its significance as a technology that not only facilitates geographic data analysis but also contributes to the efficiency, safety, and interconnectedness of modern society. As GIS applications continue to evolve, their impact on daily activities is expected to further expand and refine.

[jeffhirsch]

Making Money w/ Charles Payne - Fox Business February 27, 2024

Charles and Jeff discuss Fed rate cuts, March and election year seasonality, and four stocks on Jeff's radar.

Path To Fed’s 2% Target Is Quite Optimistic

The path to the Fed’s stated 2% target is a quite optimistic 0.1% or less monthly change. If that ends up being Thursday’s PCE reading, the 12-month rate will be 2.1%. Any monthly change greater will likely only further delay the Fed. Unless January’s PCE is surprisingly lower, I still do not expect the Fed to begin cutting rates until at least around mid-year and likely later.

Beware Ides of March

Stock prices have had a propensity to decline, sometimes rather precipitously, during the latter days of the month. Late March gains in 2009 and 2020 improved 2nd half March performance. March Triple-Witching Weeks have been quite bullish in recent years. But the week after is the exact opposite, DJIA down 22 of the last 36 years—and often down sharply. “Beware the Ides of March” this year also coincides with the seasonal decline during presidential election years where the sitting president is running.

Support Levels to Watch

S&P 500: 4800 old ATH and 4600 near summer 2023 highs.

Stocks I like here on a dip:

Reliance ($RS): Making steel and metal for all the industrial, tech and infrastructure growth.

United Health ($UNH): Everyone is going to still need lots of healthcare.

Assurant ($AIZ): Insurance juggernaut in mobile device, electronics, and appliances as well as homeowner, property, fire, hazard, liability, etc

EMCOR ($EME): Construction behemoth building out the data centers, semiconductor fabricators and biotech facilities.

[theconnecterapp]

The Connecter’s View on Blockchain and Its Real-World Impact!

Introduction

Blockchain technology is more than just a buzzword—it's a revolutionary shift in how we manage digital transactions and data. At The Connecter, we believe in the transformative power of blockchain to create a more secure, transparent, and user-centric digital world. Here’s our take on how blockchain is making a real-world impact.

1. User Empowerment: Full Control Over Digital Assets

Blockchain technology is fundamentally about putting power back into the hands of users. Here's how:

Decentralized Control: Unlike traditional systems that rely on central authorities, blockchain technology distributes control across a network. This decentralization ensures that no single entity has full control over the data, giving users more power and autonomy over their digital assets.

Ownership and Privacy: With blockchain, users own their data outright. Personal information and transaction details are encrypted and stored securely, ensuring that privacy is maintained and users have control over who accesses their information.

2. Enhanced Security: Protecting Your Data

Security is a major concern in the digital age, and blockchain addresses this with several key features:

Immutable Records: Once a transaction is recorded on the blockchain, it cannot be changed or deleted. This immutability ensures that the data remains accurate and tamper-proof, providing a trustworthy record of all transactions.

Advanced Encryption: Blockchain uses sophisticated encryption techniques to protect user data. This means that even if data is intercepted, it cannot be read or altered without the proper decryption key.

3. Financial Services: Decentralized Finance (DeFi)

Decentralized Finance, or DeFi, is one of the most exciting applications of blockchain technology:

Accessible Financial Tools: DeFi provides financial services to anyone with an internet connection, removing the need for traditional banking infrastructure. This opens up financial services to underserved populations around the world.

Lower Transaction Costs: By eliminating intermediaries, DeFi reduces the cost of transactions. This makes financial services more affordable and accessible, particularly for those in developing countries.

4. Global Accessibility: Breaking Down Barriers

Blockchain technology transcends borders, making it a truly global innovation:

Worldwide Reach: Transactions on the blockchain can be conducted anywhere in the world, making financial services accessible to a global audience. This is particularly beneficial for people in regions with limited access to traditional banking services.

Inclusive Platforms: At The Connecter, our digital wallet is designed to be user-friendly and accessible to everyone, regardless of their technical expertise. We believe that financial tools should be simple and intuitive, enabling more people to take advantage of blockchain technology.

5. Practical Applications: Real-World Use Cases

Blockchain technology has a wide range of practical applications that go beyond finance:

Supply Chain Transparency: Blockchain provides a transparent and immutable record of transactions, which is particularly useful in supply chains. By tracking products from origin to destination, blockchain can help reduce fraud, improve accountability, and ensure the authenticity of goods.

Healthcare Innovations: In healthcare, blockchain can be used to securely store and manage patient data. This enhances privacy and ensures that medical records are accurate and accessible only to authorized personnel, improving the overall quality of care.

6. Continuous Improvement: Staying Ahead of the Curve

At The Connecter, we are committed to continuous improvement and staying ahead of technological advancements:

User Feedback: We actively seek and integrate user feedback to refine and enhance our platform. Our goal is to create a product that meets the needs of our users and evolves with their changing requirements.

Technology Updates: Our team stays informed about the latest developments in blockchain technology. By continuously updating our platform, we ensure that our users benefit from the most advanced and secure solutions available.

Conclusion

At The Connecter, we see blockchain as a game-changer that empowers users, enhances security, and offers practical, real-world applications. By leveraging this technology, we are committed to creating a digital wallet that is secure, user-friendly, and accessible to all. Join us in exploring the incredible possibilities of blockchain technology and take control of your digital life today.

Subscribe and GET ZERO transaction FEES for 1 WEEK! 👉 https://www.theconnecter.io/zero-fees-week

[gavstech]

Drawing Real Value from Remote Monitoring

Remote monitoring is an integral part of Industry 4.0, the fourth industrial revolution. It is a system that allows companies to remote infrastructure monitoring services. This technology enables companies to improve efficiency, reduce costs and enhance safety in their operations.

[readingsquotes]

"Six hundred and twenty-seven healthcare workers have been killed by Israeli forces so far, according to the WHO. Forty-seven ambulances have been damaged or destroyed through direct targeting, often while bringing victims of the most recent Israeli air strike to the hospital. Women in active labor sometimes rely on donkeys for transport to medical facilities, although even these animals are not safe from targeting."

...

This devastated infrastructure is meant to cope with one of the worst humanitarian crises of modern times. On October 9, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant infamously ordered a “complete siege” of Gaza, adding, “There will be no electricity, no food, no fuel, everything is closed.” As a result, 95 percent of the 600,000 people facing starvation around the world right now are in Gaza, according to the UN. Communicable diseases are rampant due to the measured annihilation of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure, including the most basic means of sanitation and the concentration of millions of people into ever-dwindling pockets of land. ...

In late December, the WHO reported that there was one toilet for every 480 persons in Gaza. Eight thousand new cases of hepatitis A and almost 45,000 new skin rashes have been reported, along with tens of thousands of new respiratory infections and 165,000 new cases of diarrheal infections, including more than 85,000 cases in children less than 5 years old.

Today, because of the Israeli prohibition on diagnostic tools and, more importantly, the prevention of safe access to hospitals, many infectious diseases can’t be formally diagnosed. If people can reach a healthcare facility at all, there is often no available treatment, even for things like cholera (which causes profuse watery diarrhea) whose treatment is fairly simple: rehydration.

Many Gazan hospitals are running out of IV fluids, the most basic essential in a doctor’s resuscitative tool kit. Even if someone were to attempt oral rehydration in Gaza, they’d likely struggle, as Israel is limiting the entry of water into Gaza to around a liter per person (this includes water for showering, cooking, etc.; the WHO recommends a minimum of 15 L per person per day, although 300 L is closer to what the average American consumes daily). Gaza’s three desalination plants were targeted by Israel early in the war, and, even before October, 97 percent of the tap water in Gaza wasn’t fit for consumption.

This is by no means a comprehensive list of the medical horrors in Gaza. For interested readers, the WHO has been publishing this data since the start of the assault against Gaza, with recommendations included at the end of each document.

[covidsafecosplay]

The People’s CDC COVID-19 Weather Report: August 5, 2024

The People's CDC has released another updated report on COVID-19 data and action items for the United States of America.

Highlights:

On August 1, 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid established an official policy requiring healthcare systems to report COVID infections on a weekly basis starting November 1, 2024.

Wastewater data tracking COVID-19 infections continues to show rising viral activity. Wastewater viral activity is "high" or "very high" in 44 US states.

COVID transmission is the highest it has been since the winter surge. As of July 6, 2024, the dominant COVID variant is KP.3, but is expected to be overtaken by KP.3.1.1 by August 3, 2024.

The Bridge Access Program, which provides free COVID vaccines to uninsured US Americans, is set to end this month. Contact your representatives via the Action Network Campaign to help preserve this important medical resource.

Read the rest of the report here:

Please note that the CovidSafeCosplay blog and its admin are unaffiliated with the People's CDC or its management, and are simply sharing the resource.

Via the People's CDC About page:

The People’s CDC is a coalition of public health practitioners, scientists, healthcare workers, educators, advocates and people from all walks of life working to reduce the harmful impacts of COVID-19.  We provide guidance and policy recommendations to governments and the public on COVID-19, disseminating evidence-based updates that are grounded in equity, public health principles, and the latest scientific literature. Working alongside community organizations, we are building collective power and centering equity as we work together to end the pandemic. The People’s CDC is volunteer-run and independent of partisan political and corporate interests and includes anonymous local health department and other government employees. The People’s CDC is completely volunteer run with infrastructure support being provided by the People’s Science Network.