scholarly journals On the uncertainty of real-time predictions of epidemic growths: A COVID-19 case study for China and Italy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tommaso Alberti ◽  
Davide Faranda
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Asymptotic Distributions ◽  
Quality Of Data ◽  
Asymptomatic Patients ◽  
Italian Regions ◽  
Extreme Care ◽  
Linear Nature

<p>While COVID-19 is rapidly propagating around the globe, the need for providing real-time forecasts of the epidemics pushes fits of dynamical and statistical models to available data beyond their capabilities. Here we focus on statistical predictions of COVID-19 infections performed by fitting asymptotic distributions to actual data. By taking as a case-study the epidemic evolution of total COVID-19 infections in Chinese provinces and Italian regions, we find that predictions are characterized by large uncertainties at the early stages of the epidemic growth. Those uncertainties significantly reduce after the epidemics peak is reached. Differences in the uncertainty of the forecasts at a regional level can be used to highlight the delay in the spread of the virus. Our results warn that long term extrapolation of epidemics counts must be handled with extreme care as they crucially depend not only on the quality of data, but also on the stage of the epidemics, due to the intrinsically non-linear nature of the underlying dynamics. These results suggest that real-time epidemiological projections should include wide uncertainty ranges and urge for the needs of compiling high-quality datasets of infections counts, including asymptomatic patients.</p><p>Alberti T. and Faranda D. (2020) <span>On the uncertainty of real-time predictions of epidemic growths: A COVID-19 case study for China and Italy. <em>Commun. Nonlin. Sci. Num. Sim.</em>, <strong>90</strong>, 105372.</span></p>

Measuring patient engagement among cancer patients in eHealth and mHealth interventions on symptom management: an integrated review (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juqing Zhao ◽  
Pei Chen ◽  
Guangming Wan
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Patient Engagement ◽  
Symptom Management ◽  
Subjective Experience ◽  
Participation Rate ◽  
Sensor Data ◽  
Quality Of Data ◽  
Mhealth Intervention

BACKGROUND There has been an increase number of eHealth and mHealth interventions aimed to support symptoms among cancer survivors. However, patient engagement has not been guaranteed and standardized in these interventions. OBJECTIVE The objective of this review was to address how patient engagement has been defined and measured in eHealth and mHealth interventions designed to improve symptoms and quality of life for cancer patients. METHODS Searches were performed in MEDLINE, PsychINFO, Web of Science, and Google Scholar to identify eHealth and mHealth interventions designed specifically to improve symptom management for cancer patients. Definition and measurement of engagement and engagement related outcomes of each intervention were synthesized. This integrated review was conducted using Critical Interpretive Synthesis to ensure the quality of data synthesis. RESULTS A total of 792 intervention studies were identified through the searches; 10 research papers met the inclusion criteria. Most of them (6/10) were randomized trial, 2 were one group trail, 1 was qualitative design, and 1 paper used mixed method. Majority of identified papers defined patient engagement as the usage of an eHealth and mHealth intervention by using different variables (e.g., usage time, log in times, participation rate). Engagement has also been described as subjective experience about the interaction with the intervention. The measurement of engagement is in accordance with the definition of engagement and can be categorized as objective and subjective measures. Among identified papers, 5 used system usage data, 2 used self-reported questionnaire, 1 used sensor data and 3 used qualitative method. Almost all studies reported engagement at a moment to moment level, but there is a lack of measurement of engagement for the long term. CONCLUSIONS There have been calls to develop standard definition and measurement of patient engagement in eHealth and mHealth interventions. Besides, it is important to provide cancer patients with more tailored and engaging eHealth and mHealth interventions for long term engagement.

scholarly journals By Slow Degrees: Two Centuries of Social Reproduction and Mobility in Britain

2007 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Lambert ◽  
Kenneth Prandy ◽  
Wendy Bottero
Keyword(s):  
Social Mobility ◽  
Social Reproduction ◽  
Linear Trend ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Quality Of Data ◽  
Term Change ◽  
Parental Background ◽  
Long Term Trends

This paper discusses long term trends in patterns of intergenerational social mobility in Britain. We argue that there is convincing empirical evidence of a small but steady linear trend towards increasing social mobility throughout the period 1800-2004. Our conclusions are based upon the construction and analysis of an extended micro-social dataset, which combines records from an historical genealogical study, with responses from 31 sample surveys conducted over the period 1963-2004. There has been much previous study of trends in social mobility, and little consensus on their nature. We argue that this dissension partly results from the very slow pace of change in mobility rates, which makes the time-frame of any comparison crucial, and raises important methodological questions about how long-term change in mobility is best measured. We highlight three methodological difficulties which arise when trying to draw conclusions over mobility trends - concerning the extent of controls for life course effects; the quality of data resources; and the measurement of stratification positions. After constructing a longitudinal dataset which attempts to confront these difficulties, our analyses provide robust evidence which challenges hitherto more popular, politicised claims of declining or unchanging mobility. By contrast, our findings suggest that Britain has moved, and continues to move, steadily towards increasing equality in the relationship between occupational attainment and parental background.

A ROLE OF AYURVEDA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF APASMARA (EPILEPSY): A CASE STUDY

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 24-29
Author(s):  
Shruti . ◽  
C V Rajashekhar ◽  
Manjunatha Adiga
Keyword(s):  
Antiepileptic Drugs ◽  
Palliative Treatment ◽  
Cognitive Level ◽  
Frequent Seizure ◽  
Seizure Attack ◽  
Seizure Attacks

Apasmara (epilepsy) is defined as the apagama (deterioration) of smriti (memory) associated with bibhasta cheshta (seizures) due to derangement of dhi and satwa, mainly related to vata and rajo dosha vitiation, which effects both Sharira (body) and Mana (mind). The present antiepileptic drugs control the seizure attack, but long-term use generates adverse effect at cognitive level and leads to behavioral disorders, hence there is need of safe and effective treatment which not only controls seizure attack but helps to cure the disease. A 44-year-old man approached Kayachikitsa OPD with the complaints of frequent seizure attacks, since from at the age of one and half year with regular oral antiepileptic drugs medications (allopathic), the dose of medications increasing yearly and he was not satisfied with treatment, so he was advised with Panchakarma treatment starting from Deepana, Pachana, Vamana (medicated emesis), Virechana (medicated purgation), Basti (medicated enema), Shirodhara along with palliative treatment. After each treatment it was observed that the patient was satisfied with treatment and the complaints of seizure attack reduced in frequency and duration with improved quality of life. Palliative treatment was advised to continue along with modern medications.

scholarly journals QoS Management for Embedded Databases in Multicore-Based Embedded Systems

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Woochul Kang ◽  
Jaeyong Chung
Keyword(s):  
Embedded Systems ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Control Method ◽  
Network Connectivity ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Quality Of Data ◽  
Multiple Control ◽  
Data Intensive ◽  
Real Time Data

With ubiquitous deployment of sensors and network connectivity, amounts of real-time data for embedded systems are increasing rapidly and database capability is required for many embedded systems for systematic management of real-time data. In such embedded systems, supporting the timeliness of tasks accessing databases is an important problem. However, recent multicore-based embedded architectures pose a significant challenge for such data-intensive real-time tasks since the response time of accessing data can be significantly affected by potential intercore interferences. In this paper, we propose a novel feedback control scheme that supports the timeliness of data-intensive tasks against unpredictable intercore interferences. In particular, we use multiple inputs/multiple outputs (MIMO) control method that exploits multiple control knobs, for example, CPU frequency and the Quality-of-Data (QoD) to handle highly unpredictable workloads in multicore systems. Experimental results, using actual implementation, show that the proposed approach achieves the target Quality-of-Service (QoS) goals, such as task timeliness and Quality-of-Data (QoD) while consuming less energy compared to baseline approaches.

scholarly journals Lessons For Toronto From Melbourne’s City Centre Revitalization

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brent Gilliard
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Public Life ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
City Centre ◽  
Physical Quality ◽  
Social Quality

Public space is important to a city’s economic and social quality. Downtown Toronto is not known for its public spaces but Melbourne is widely recognized for recently revitalizing its city centre with improved public spaces. A case study of Melbourne investigates its comparability to Toronto as well as the details of its "renaissance." It is concluded that Melbourne is, in fact, highly comparable to Toronto. Interventions in Melbourne were characterized by the principles: long-term vision, emphasizing local strengths, investment in quality, making space for people on foot, and using effective arguments and evidence. To emulate Melbourne’s city-centre revitalization, Toronto first should facilitate a civic conversation about the long-term vision for its downtown; second, it should initiate a public life survey of the downtown; third, it should invest is the physical quality of downtown public spaces; and fourth, it should begin an incremental program to reclaim roadway space from cars in locations of high pedestrian use.

scholarly journals Radio Planning Considerations in TETRA to LTE Migration for PPDR Systems: A Radioelectric Coverage Case Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego del Rey Carrión ◽  
Leandro Juan-Llácer ◽  
José-Víctor Rodríguez
Keyword(s):  
Radio Communications ◽  
The Real ◽  
Lte Network ◽  
Real Scenario ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Areas Of Interest ◽  
Radio Planning

Transitioning a Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) network to a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network in public protection and disaster relief (PPDR) systems is a path to providing future services requiring high radio interface throughput and allowing broadband PPDR (BB-PPDR) radio communications. Users of TETRA networks are currently considering how to deploy a BB-PPDR network in the coming years. This study offers several radio planning considerations in TETRA to LTE migration for such networks. The conclusions are obtained from a case study in which both measurements and radioelectric coverage simulations were carried out for the real scenario of the Murcia Region, Spain, for both TETRA and LTE systems. The proposed considerations can help PPDR agencies efficiently estimate the cost of converting a TETRA network to an LTE network. Uniquely in this study, the total area is divided into geographical areas of interest that are defined as administrative divisions (region, municipal areas, etc.). The analysis was carried out using a radio planning tool based on a geographic information system and the measurements have been used to tune the propagation models. According to the real scenario considered, the number of sites needed in the LTE network—for a specific quality of service (90% for the whole region and 85% for municipal areas)—is a factor of 2.4 higher than for TETRA network.

scholarly journals Pre-disaster mapping with drones: an urban case study in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. 2039-2051
Author(s):  
Maja Kucharczyk ◽  
Chris H. Hugenholtz
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Urban Area ◽  
Building Collapse ◽  
Real Time Kinematic ◽  
Building Facades ◽  
Building Representation ◽  
Disaster Mapping

Abstract. We report a case study using drone-based imagery to develop a pre-disaster 3-D map of downtown Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. This represents the first drone mapping mission over an urban area approved by Canada's aviation authority. The goal was to assess the quality of the pre-disaster 3-D data in the context of geospatial accuracy and building representation. The images were acquired with a senseFly eBee Plus fixed-wing drone with real-time kinematic/post-processed kinematic functionality. Results indicate that the spatial accuracies achieved with this drone would allow for sub-meter building collapse detection, but the non-gimbaled camera was insufficient for capturing building facades.

scholarly journals Alternatives to groundwater abstraction as a measure to stop land subsidence: a case study of Semarang, Indonesia

2019 ◽  
Vol 125 ◽  
pp. 01003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wesley Beek ◽  
Bart Letitre ◽  
H. Hadiyanto ◽  
S. Sudarno
Keyword(s):  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Drinking Water Treatment ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Groundwater Abstraction ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Treatment Services

The Water as Leverage project aims to lay a blueprint for urban coastal areas around the world that are facing a variety of water-related issues. The blueprint is based upon three real case studies in Bangladesh, India and Indonesia. The case of Indonesia focuses on Semarang, a city that faces issues like flooding, increased water demand, and a lack of wastewater treatment. In this report I summarise the different techniques available to tackling these issues. Along with this I provide a cost-benefit analysis to support decision makers. For a short term it is recommended to produce industrial water from (polluted) surface water as a means to offer an alternative to groundwater abstraction. On a long term it is recommended to install additional wastewater and drinking water treatment services to facilitate better hygiene and a higher quality of life.

scholarly journals Intravenous Honokiol in Drug-Resistant Cancer: Two Case Reports

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 153473542092261
Author(s):  
Isaac Eliaz ◽  
Elaine Weil
Keyword(s):  
Drug Resistance ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Complete Blood Count ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Clinical Results ◽  
Drug Resistant ◽  
Magnolia Officinalis

Context: Long-term patient survival in cancer is affected by drug resistance. Honokiol (HNK) is a small-molecule polyphenol isolated from the bark and seed cones of Magnolia officinalis. HNK has been shown to enhance the effects of chemotherapy and inhibit drug resistance in preclinical models. HNK was well tolerated in multiple animal models when administered orally, intravenously (IV), and via intraperitoneal route. However, there are limited human data on the use of HNK in general, and specifically via IV (HNK-IV) in cancer. Objective: We aim to assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of HNK-IV in patients with drug-resistant tumors. Methods: This is a case study of 2 cancer patients who utilized HNK-IV as part of their cancer treatment regimen. The initial infusion of HNK was 10 mg/kg body weight, and subsequent treatments were increased up to 50 mg/kg according to individual tolerance, over 2 weeks. Results: Positive clinical response was achieved in both patients, including improved symptoms and quality of life. No serious adverse side effects occurred, and there were no adverse effects on laboratory parameters (complete blood count, kidney, and liver function). Transient sedation and minor nausea were noted and resolved postinfusion. Conclusions: This is the first report of HNK-IV in human patients. Given the positive clinical results, safety, and tolerability, the use of HNK-IV warrants further investigation regarding optimum formulation, and its use as adjunctive therapy in cancer patients.

scholarly journals Tradition and Modernity in the Romanian Rural Space. Case Study: the Arges Sub-Carpathian Foothills

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela Manea ◽  
Elena Matei ◽  
Iuliana Vijulie ◽  
Marian Marin ◽  
Octavian Cocos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Spiritual Values ◽  
Rural Settlements ◽  
Rural Space ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Space Case ◽  
Geographical Space

Abstract This paper intends to demonstrate on the basis of a case study that rural people’s access to modern goods and services is not necessarily a relentless source of deculturalisation, because it sometimes allows a better management and valorisation of the main characteristics of the rural space. Despite socio-economic unrest and successive changes of political regimes that took place in Romania during the last century, the human communities within the Arges foothills have defended with dignity their traditional material and spiritual values, passing them down from generation to generation. In the medium and long-term, the valorisation of the Romanian rural space, in general, and of that belonging to the Arges foothills, in particular, will imply the creation of a balance between the valuable cultural potential and the quality of life of the inhabitants, who are the keepers of rural cultural heritage. At present, the best thing to do to pass on the traditions of this area is to proudly accept the affiliation to this geographical space. This is true not only for the permanent inhabitants of rural settlements, but mostly for those who have left the countryside to carry it in their minds and souls. In our opinion, this fact is a pre-requisite for preventing the loss of material and spiritual values of this cultural-historical space.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document