scholarly journals The Use of GIS Technology to Optimize COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution: A Case Study of the City of Warsaw, Poland

Author(s):  
Sylwia Krzysztofowicz ◽  
Katarzyna Osińska-Skotak

The COVID-19 pandemic is a global challenge, and the key to tackling it is vaccinating a specified percentage of the population to acquire herd immunity. The observed problems with the efficiency of the vaccination campaigns in numerous countries around the world, as well as the approach used at the initial stage of the National Immunization Program in Poland, prompted us to analyse the possibility of using GIS technology to optimize the distribution of vaccines to vaccination sites so as to minimize the period needed to vaccinate individual population groups. The research work was carried out on the example of Warsaw, the capital of Poland and the city with the largest population in the country. The analyses were carried out for the 60–70 and 50–60 age groups, in various approaches and for vaccines of different companies (Moderna, BioNTech, AstraZeneca), used to vaccinate people in Poland. The proposed approach to optimize vaccine distribution uses Thiessen’s tessellation to obtain information on the number of people in a given population group living in the area of each vaccination site, and then to estimate the time needed to vaccinate that group. Compared to the originally used vaccination scenario with limited availability of vaccines, the proposed approach allows practitioners to design fast and efficient distribution scenarios. With the developed methodology, we demonstrated ways to achieve uniform vaccination coverage throughout the city. We anticipate that the proposed approach can be easily automated and broadly applied to various urban settings.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tarcisio Rocha Filho ◽  
José Mendes ◽  
Carson Chow ◽  
James Phillips ◽  
Antônio Cordeiro ◽  
...  

Abstract We introduce a compartmental model with age structure to study the dynamics of the SARS-COV−2 pandemic. The contagion matrix in the model is given by the product of a probability per contact with a contact matrix explicitly taking into account the contact structure among different age groups. The probability of contagion per contact is considered as time dependent to represent non-pharmaceutical interventions, and is fitted from the time series of deaths. The approach is used to study the evolution of the COVID−19 pandemic in the main Brazilian cities and compared to two good quality serological surveys. We also discuss with some detail the case of the city of Manaus which raised special attention due to a previous report of three-quarters attack rate by the end of 2020. We discuss estimates for Manaus and all Brazilian cities with a total population of more than one million. We also estimate the attack rate with respect to the total population, in each Brazilian state by January, 1 st 2021 and May, 23 2021.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tarcisio Rocha Filho ◽  
José Mendes ◽  
Carson Chow ◽  
James Phillips ◽  
Antônio Cordeiro ◽  
...  

Abstract We introduce a compartmental model with age structure to study the dynamics of the SARS-COV-2 pandemic. The contagion matrix in the model is given by the product of a probability per contact with a contact matrix explicitly taking into account the contact structure among different age groups. The probability of contagion per contact is considered as time dependent to represent non-pharmaceutical interventions, and is fitted from the time series of deaths. The approach is used to study the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic in the main Brazilian cities and compared to two good quality serological surveys. We also discuss with some detail the case of the city of Manaus which raised special attention due to a previous report of three-quarters attack rate by the end of 2020. We discuss estimates for Manaus and all Brazilian cities with a total population of more than one million. We also estimate the attack rate with respect to the total population, in each Brazilian state by January, 1st 2021 and May, 23 2021.


Blood ◽  
1950 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 278-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. W. HAWKINS ◽  
DOROTHY K. KLINE

Abstract In May and June of 1948 a survey of hemoglobin values was carried out on 842 girls and 827 boys, ages 7 tO 14 inclusive, in Saskatoon public schools, who represented about a third of this population group in the city. Values for girls ranged from 10.0 to 16.3 Gm. per 100 ml. of blood, with an average of 13.5. The corresponding values for boys were 11.2. tO 16.7, and 13.7. The average for the whole group was 13.6, which is among the highest even reported for children of these ages. The average values for children in the different age groups were slightly higher than those reported for comparable groups in other parts of Canada. Values for boys and girls of the same age were similar. There was an increase from near 13 in the 7 year old group to near 14 in the 14 year old group. The similarity in hemoglobin values for both boys and girls of these ages, and the small increase from 7 tO 14 years of age, are in agreement with observations of other workers. Eleven per cent of the children had been subject to more than the usual degree of illness. No significant differences appear when the above figures are corrected by removing this group.


2012 ◽  
Vol 174-177 ◽  
pp. 2191-2195
Author(s):  
Ji Zhong Shao

With the information system greatly influencing on the city, the traditional urban design method has appeared some negatives so that the practice needs to rethink conventional approaches to new urban design and management challenges. This paper discusses the ‘before and after’ and several key elements for the future development of the urban design based GIS-technology. The research work outlines how various softwares might form a tool kit to aid its process. Finally, the result concludes with speculations on the future of GIS for urban design.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e043228
Author(s):  
Lu Wang ◽  
Dongjie Xie ◽  
Jingrong Yu ◽  
Mark Momoh Koroma ◽  
Mengsi Qiu ◽  
...  

IntroductionNoroviruses are the leading cause of viral acute gastroenteritis affecting all age groups. Since 2014, the previous rarely reported GII.P17-GII.17 and recombinant GII.P16-GII.2 norovirus emerged, replacing GII.4 predominant genotype, causing increased outbreaks in China and other countries. Meanwhile, GII.4/2012 Sydney strain has re-emerged as the dominant variant in many places in 2015–2018. The role of herd immunity as the driving force during these new emerging or re-emerging noroviruses is poorly defined. Serological surveillance studies on community-based prospective cohort on norovirus are highly needed.Methods and analysesThis study will include 1000 out of 9798 participants aged 18 years and above from Caofeidian district, Tangshan city, northern China. Baseline data on sociodemographic characteristics and blood samples were collected in 2013–2014. Blood collection will be replicated annually throughout the cohort until 2023. Saliva samples were also collected in 2016. The seroprevalence and seroincidence of blockade antibodies against norovirus genotypes of GII.P17-GII.17, GII.P16-GII.2, the re-emerged GII.4/2012 and potential novel pandemic variants will be evaluated by ELISA. Associations between genotype blockade antibodies and sociodemographic factors and human histo-blood group antigens will be evaluated using univariate and multivariate analysis. The dynamics of herd immunity duration will be estimated in this longitudinal surveillance.Ethics and disseminationThe study has been approved by the Ethical Committees of the Staff Hospital of Jidong oil-field of China National Petroleum Corporation. This study will provide insight into the seroprevalence and seroincidence of noroviruses, and their relationships with sociodemographic characteristics and genetic susceptibility. It will also explain herd immunity of the emerged and re-emerged genotypes or variants. The study will further enable an understanding of the mechanism driving the replacement of norovirus genotypes. Research findings will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and at scientific meetings.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Justine Güldenpfennig ◽  
Marion Schmicke ◽  
Martina Hoedemaker ◽  
Ursula Siebert ◽  
Oliver Keuling

AbstractHunting can easily be linked to stress in wildlife. Drive hunts performed two to three times in one area during the respective hunting period, are thought to decrease the pressure hunting places on wildlife. Nevertheless, the expression of cortisol—one of the main mammalian stress hormones—is considered to have negative impacts on animals’ well-being if expressed excessively, which may occur during some (especially repeated) hunting events. We explored the effect of drive hunts on cortisol levels in wild boar in Lower Saxony, Germany, compared these cortisol levels to reference values given by a similar study, and investigated the effect of age, sex, and pregnancy. Blood collected from wild boar shot on drive hunts was analysed using a radioimmunoassay. As expected, we observed elevated cortisol levels in all samples, however, we still found significant differences between age groups and sexes, as well as an influence of pregnancy on cortisol levels. The effect of drive hunts on cortisol levels appears to be weaker than predicted, while the effects of other variables, such as sex, are distinct. Only half of the evaluated samples showed explicitly increased cortisol levels and no significant differences were found between sampling months and locations. Group living animals and pregnant females showed significantly higher cortisol levels. The impact of hunting is measurable but is masked by natural effects such as pregnancy. Thus, we need more information on stress levels in game species.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-172
Author(s):  
David C. Geddis ◽  
Ian C. Appleton

The method of operation of a pilot car seat rental scheme is described. It is unique in that there are sufficient seats to accommodate every newborn infant in the city. Both infant and child seats are available. The pattern of use since the establishment of the scheme in December 1981 is reported. Currently 60% to 70% of parents rent infant seats and 35% to 40% rent child seats. Yearly roadside observations have shown a steady increase in the number of restrained children. In 1981 no infants traveled in approved restraints. In 1984 66% did so. The 1984 results for other age groups were: 6 to 18 months of age, 88%; 18 months to 2½ years of age, 82%; 2½ to 3½ years of age, 66%; 3½ to 4½ years of age, 62%. At this time no legislation applied to children less than 8 years of age. The success of this pilot scheme suggests it should be expanded on a national scale.


2015 ◽  
Vol 773-774 ◽  
pp. 839-844 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohd Idrus bin Mohd Masirin ◽  
Nur Farrina Johari ◽  
Noor Hafiza Nordin ◽  
Abdul Halid Abdullah ◽  
Mohd Isom Azis

Malaysia is a fast developing country which thrives on the growth of its population and economy. Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia with an area of 243 km2 has a population of 1.4 million [1]. From the statistics, the number of passengers using intercity train services in Malaysia in was 187,345,149 in the year 2012 [2]. Comfortability of a service is a major factor that influences the public. The research will be conducted at the City of Kuala Lumpur, PUTRA LRT (Kelana Jaya Line) and MONOREL Line is selected as the main focus of the research. The data collection will be conducted in the train coaches with two parameters. The noise and vibrations in the train coaches will be taken using the Sound Level Meter (NOR118) and Vibration Meter (Movipack 01dB-Steel) respectively. The noise data were obtained from the interior of the train coaches during operation, while the vibrations were obtained from the wall surface of the coach interior. The vibration aspect for this research is more focused on three parameters which are displacement (μm), vibration velocity (mm/s) and vibration frequency (Hz)[7]. Questionnaires were given out to the train passengers in order to obtain public opinions and satisfaction feedbacks relating their experiences on the train coaches. In this paper it also discusses on the outcomes of the field research work conducted and it was found that PUTRA LRT has a lower vibration value when compared to the MONOREL. The public opinion has also showed unanimous agreement to the field observations conducted by the researchers. However, MONOREL records lower noise levels compared to PUTRA LRT which means quieter journey experience to the commuters. It is hoped that this study will enable the operators to enhance their service weaknesses with the public playing a part in improving the urban rail transit in the City of Kuala Lumpur. Keywords:Comfortability,Noise,Vibration,LRT,MONOREL,


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Vijit Deepani ◽  
A.K Kapoor ◽  
Monika Saini

Background: Handwriting is a uniquely human trait which progresses and evolves during lifetime and declines with age. The aim of the present paper is to assess variation in handwriting features with age among female writers of select population groups of Delhi, India (for roman script). Method: A total of 405 handwritten samples were obtained from female (n=405) writers in the age range of 14-60 years. Writers were stratified into three age groups (≤ 18 years, 19-38 years and ≥39 years) in accordance to population group. Macro- and micro-features of handwriting were extracted from the scanned handwritten samples. These features were subjected to statistical analysis in the objective driven research. Result: The mean difference among age groups for pen pressure, height of handwriting and handwriting connectivity was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Significant difference was also observed among age groups for all micro-features of handwriting selected in the present study, namely, nature of ‘i’ – dot (p < 0.001), nature of lower loop of ‘g’ (p < 0.01); nature of‘d’- stem (p < 0.01), nature of ‘m’-hump (p < 0.05) and ‘r’- shape (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The present study showed that there was a significant variation in both macro- and micro- features of handwriting with respect to age of the writer. Pen pressure, height of handwriting and handwriting connectivity were prominent macro-features that addressed age related variation in handwriting. In addition, significant variation was observed among age groups for all micro-features of handwriting selected in the present study. The present study has immense forensic significance as it can assist to analyze age of the writer on the basis of handwriting characteristics.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-268
Author(s):  
Kaushik Halder ◽  
Anjana Pathak ◽  
Mantu Saha ◽  
Som Nath Singh ◽  
Bhuvnesh Kumar

After the initial outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China, the disease spreads rapidly across the whole world. It is observed that there is a rampant rise in the rate of infection in spite of best possible precautionary measures taken into consideration against Corona. As there is no scientifically validated full proofed medicine against COVID-19 till date, the only possible way is prevention against this infection by improving self-immunity, mass immunisation and controlling non-communicable diseases, if suffered from. Another possible way from the prevention from this deadly virus is development of herd immunity, but the process takes time and can be fatal for people with higher age groups and with co-morbidities. Yoga, an Indian way of mind-body purification, has been reported to improve functionality of human physiological systems and to prevent diseases. It is also observed that yoga, being a low to moderate intensity physical activity, breathing maneuvers and meditation, can also be performed by any person irrespective of age, with maximum benefit and having less stress in the vital organs during the practice. Therefore, a yoga package for improving immunity and other physical and physiological capacities and mental function to prevent Corona like disease has been formulated on the basis of knowledge from traditional yogic literature and evidence from available research publications on yoga. The yoga package might be beneficial across all age groups for improving health and wellbeing in this pandemic situation.


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