scholarly journals Review on the Use of ICT Driven Solutions Towards Managing Global Pandemics

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 207-224
Author(s):  
Navod Neranjan THilakarathne

A pandemic is a contagious disease outbreak that happens over a large geographic area and affects a great portion of the population while new pathogens appear for which people have less immunity and no vaccines are available. The disease can spread from person to person in a very short time. Health workers are at greater risk of infection because of patients who are carriers. In the 21st century, where everyone is connected through digital technologies, information and communication technology (ICT) plays a critical role in improving healthcare for individuals and larger communities. ICT can be divided into a wide variety of application domains that signify its importance as a major technological paradigm. It is currently drawing large attention because of its potential to alleviate the burden on healthcare systems caused by the rise in chronic diseases, aging populations and pandemic situations. This study surveyed substantial knowledge on how effective ICT healthcare solutions can be used towards managing global pandemics. In order to make it more comprehensive, we also present a four-phase strategic framework that can be deployed to alleviate the strain on healthcare resources during a pandemic, which was derived from the reviewed literature. Further, we also discuss how ICT technologies can be used towards managing pandemic situations chronographically during the transformation from a simple disease outbreak into a global pandemic.

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 83-97
Author(s):  
Murat Danisman ◽  
Erkut Akkartal

This research aims to examine the covid-19 pandemic measurements taken in maritime transport and their possible effects on the supply-demand equilibrium and consequently on the freight market. Covid-19 virus which infected quite large geographic area and people within very short time affects negatively not only every part of our life but also the production and service sector within the globalised world.  This is mainly because the future tendency and further effects of this virus are unpredictable. Because of that, most countries are focused firstly on measurements to be taken to reduce the spreading speed of the virus. Although measurements and restrictions seem reduced spreading speed in some countries in short term, those measurements increase the operating costs of production and service companies. On the one hand reduction on cargo movements due to low demand and increasing operation cost due to measurements, have effected the supply-demand equilibrium of maritime transportation. This research examined the effects of already taken and could be revised measurements due to the present situation and possible future tendency of covid-19, and its consequential results on the freight market.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ikeoluwa Ayomiposi Akintujoye

Healthcare workers play an essential and critical role in mitigating the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on the population. In the United States, estimated confirmed cases are over 3million as of July 8, 2020. Healthcare workers have increased risk of infection and, likewise, their close contact. Healthcare workers are the frontline heroes in this battle with their families as collateral damage. During the outbreak, healthcare workers have taken drastic steps to reduce the risk of infecting their family members. Some have moved out of their homes, staying in hotels, in makeshift tents in their garage, or staying with fellow healthcare workers while having decided to stay home not just because they want to get infected but mainly because they do not want to infect their loved ones and families. This paper explains how to encourage health workers to work during a disease outbreak, such as the current coronavirus called COVID-19. It is an eye-opener to what the Government can do to keep health workers encouraged to continue to render services by providing the necessary medical equipment, disposable and non-disposable gears, continuous education on proper hand hygiene, and regular check on the stockpile. The suggestion is for health workers to shower and change into a different cloth when going back home at the end of every shift, and the clothes wore at work will be recycled at the disinfecting unit within the hospital. The hospital should provide scrub that can be recycled. It will reduce the rate at which infection spread out of the hospital.Keywords: Coronavirus, COVID-19, disinfecting, and recycling work outfit, healthcare workers.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aristides Moustakas

Abstract Disease spread is a complex phenomenon requiring an interdisciplinary approach. Covid-19 exhibited a global spatial spread in a very short time frame resulting in a global pandemic. Data of new Covid-19 cases per million were analysed worldwide at the spatial scale of a country and time replicated from the end of December 2019 to late May 2020. Data driven analysis of epidemiological, economic, public health, and governmental intervention variables was performed in order to select the optimal variables in explaining new Covid-19 cases across all countries in time. Sequentially, hierarchical variance partitioning of the optimal variables was performed in order to quantify the independent contribution of each variable in the total variance of new Covid-19 cases per million. Results indicated that from the variables available new tests per thousand explained the vast majority of the total variance in new cases (51.6%) followed by the governmental stringency index (15.2%). Availability of hospital beds per 100k inhabitants explained 9% extreme poverty explained 8.8%, hand washing facilities 5.3%, the fraction of the population aged 65 or older explained 3.9%, and other disease prevalence (cardiovascular diseases plus diabetes) explained 2.9%. The percentage of smokers within the population explained 2.6% of the total variance, while population density explained 0.6%.


2017 ◽  
Vol 142 (3) ◽  
pp. 369-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoya Volynskaya ◽  
Hung Chow ◽  
Andrew Evans ◽  
Alan Wolff ◽  
Cecilia Lagmay-Traya; ◽  
...  

Context.— The critical role of pathology in diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction demands high-quality subspecialty diagnostics that integrates information from multiple laboratories. Objective.— To identify key requirements and to establish a systematic approach to providing high-quality pathology in a health care system that is responsible for services across a large geographic area. Design.— This report focuses on the development of a multisite pathology informatics platform to support high-quality surgical pathology and hematopathology using a sophisticated laboratory information system and whole slide imaging for histology and immunohistochemistry, integrated with ancillary tools, including electron microscopy, flow cytometry, cytogenetics, and molecular diagnostics. Results.— These tools enable patients in numerous geographic locations access to a model of subspecialty pathology that allows reporting of every specimen by the right pathologist at the right time. The use of whole slide imaging for multidisciplinary case conferences enables better communication among members of patient care teams. The system encourages data collection using a discrete data synoptic reporting module, has implemented documentation of quality assurance activities, and allows workload measurement, providing examples of additional benefits that can be gained by this electronic approach to pathology. Conclusion.— This approach builds the foundation for accurate big data collection and high-quality personalized and precision medicine.


2012 ◽  
Vol 69 (8) ◽  
pp. 1255-1260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Randall M. Peterman ◽  
Brigitte Dorner

We used data on 64 stocks of sockeye salmon ( Oncorhynchus nerka ) from British Columbia (B.C.), Washington, and Alaska to determine whether recent decreases in abundance and productivity observed for Fraser River, B.C., sockeye have occurred more widely. We found that decreasing time trends in productivity have occurred across a large geographic area ranging from Washington, B.C., southeast Alaska, and up through the Yakutat peninsula, Alaska, but not in central and western Alaska. Furthermore, a pattern of predominantly shared trends across southern stocks and opposite trends between them and stocks from western Alaska was present in the past (1950–1985), but correlations have intensified since then. The spatial extent of declining productivity of sockeye salmon has important implications for management as well as research into potential causes of the declines. Further research should focus on mechanisms that operate at large, multiregional spatial scales, and (or) in marine areas where numerous correlated sockeye stocks overlap.


2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S99-S100
Author(s):  
Lyndsay Deeter ◽  
Rebecca Garber

Abstract Introduction Support group for burn survivors is immensely beneficial for reintegration and normalization of the burn recovery. The corona virus pandemic, however, limited in-person interactions significantly and decreased the travel capabilities. Our regional burn center serves an 8-state region, and as such, our every other month in-person support group consisted of survivors and family members from a large geographic area. Methods Support group volunteers and staff members recognized the need for continued support of survivors during the pandemic. Limitations of large, in-person meetings were implemented by our host organization to comply with pandemic safety guidelines. Evaluation of resources available led to development of a virtually supported meeting space. Email addresses were gathered to schedule. This allowed for interaction of survivors from an unlimited geographic area. Results Support group survivor volunteers and staff met to develop parameters, topics, IT support and logistics. Every other month support group was converted to a monthly gathering virtually due to easier access by survivors. Attendees completed a survey to evaluate and make recommendations for opportunities for improvement. The same number of survivors were present for in person and virtual meetings. Conclusions During this pandemic, limitations were placed that further isolate survivors. A virtually based support group has allowed for more frequent interactions between volunteers and new survivors. Various topics were discussed including survivor preparedness for public reintegration, worker’s compensation and care giver burnout. Speakers from multiple disciplines have been able to address issues requested by survivors. In this format, we have been able to continue the support of our survivors as they continue to recover. Social distancing has isolated many people during the pandemic; virtual support group has been paramount in continuing to connect our survivor family.


Author(s):  
Luis Rosa ◽  
Miguel Borges de Freitas ◽  
João Henriques ◽  
Pedro Quitério ◽  
Filipe Caldeira ◽  
...  

In recent years, IACS (Industrial Automation and Control Systems) have become more complex, due to the increasing number of interconnected devices. This IoT (internet of things)-centric IACS paradigm, which is at the core of the Industry 4.0 concept, expands the infrastructure boundaries beyond the aggregated-plant, mono-operator vision, being dispersed over a large geographic area. From a cybersecurity-centric perspective, the distributed nature of modern IACS makes it difficult not only to understand the nature of incidents but also to assess their progression and threat profile. Defending against those threats is becoming increasingly difficult, requiring orchestrated and collaborative distributed detection, evaluation, and reaction capabilities beyond the scope of a single entity. This chapter presents the Intrusion and Anomaly Detection System platform architecture that was designed and developed within the scope of the ATENA H2020 project, to address the specific needs of distributed IACS while providing (near) real-time cybersecurity awareness.


2011 ◽  
pp. 3173-3178
Author(s):  
Marc Holzer ◽  
Tony Carrizales ◽  
Younhee Kim

The opportunities that arise from the practice of digital government continue to increase. Public managers responsible for adopting and implementing such new practices will be searching for existing best practices to incorporate into their respective communities. They may choose to rely on their information and communication technology (ICT) departments to develop necessary digital government applications, but an appealing option for public managers is to familiarize themselves with the most recent digital government applications through Web-based courses. Online education eliminates distances, allows for flexible scheduling and can incorporate current best practices of electronic-government on a timely basis. Public managers play a critical role in the development of digital government initiatives (Halachmi, 2004; Heeks, 1999; Ho, 2002; Melitski, 2003; Weare, Musso & Hale, 1999). Although public managers can refer to numerous individuals within government municipalities, in the case of digital government, the chief administrative officer (CAO) is often the key individual in deciding the direction of government initiatives. By completing Web-based courses, CAOs can assess and strategically plan for effective and efficient digital government in their communities. Melitski (2003) argues that there is a need for public mangers that are “familiar with both IT and the programmatic goals and missions of public organizations” (p. 389). With respect to implementing digital citizen participation in government, Holzer, Melitski, Rho, and Schwester (2004) state, as their primary recommendation, “governments should work harder to identify, study, and implement best practices” (p. 28). The means to study such best practices, however, have generally been scarce, and the literature has been limited to specialized e-government reports and articles. But Web-based courses now offer the means for a CAO or any other public manager to study digital government practices and theories in a more effective and convenient manner.


Author(s):  
Alice S. Etim

Information and communication technology (ICT) adoption is cardinal to the sustainability of all societies, and it is the engine that can transform developing countries. This first chapter for the book uses the theories of poverty, human needs, and information poverty as the lenses to examine the framework for ICT adoption and inclusion. A world pyramid of needs that embodies information needs is developed. Information poverty is discussed along with the case of Coronavirus (COVID-19), the global pandemic that brought to a halt many communities in 2020. A mobile phone technology adoption model (MOPTAM) is presented as the framework to understanding ICT adoption and inclusion in developing countries.


2022 ◽  
pp. 261-278

The formal response to COVID-19 through ICT is presented with a focus on testing COVID-19, ICTs and tracking COVID-19, ICTs and COVID-19 treatment, and policies and strategies. The chapter highlights the critical role of ICTs and e-government for technologies to fight coronavirus. It covers delivery of remote learning, ICT trends, artificial intelligence (AI), and big data in fighting the pandemic, in addition to social media application for awareness of citizens such as emergencies, protection, and pandemic news. The notion of developing an information and communication strategy for redesigning smart city transformation in a pandemic is highlighted.


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