Comparison of Normalization Techniques on Data Sets with Outliers

With the fast growing of data-rich systems, dealing with complex decision problems with skewed input data sets and respective outliers is unavoidable. Generally, data skewness refers to a non-uniform distribution in a dataset, i.e. a dataset which contains asymmetries and/or outliers. Normalization is the first step of most multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) problems to obtain dimensionless data, from heterogeneous input data sets, that enable aggregation of criteria and thereby ranking of alternatives. Therefore, when in presence of outliers in criteria datasets, finding a suitable normalization technique is of utmost importance. As such, in this work, we compare seven normalization techniques (Max, Max-Min, Vector, Sum, Logarithmic, Target-based, and Fuzzification) on criteria datasets, which contain outliers to analyse their results for MCDM problems. A numerical example illustrates the behaviour of the chosen normalization techniques and an (ongoing) evaluation assessment framework is used to recommend the best normalization technique for this type of criteria.

SARS-CoV-2 Delta vaccine breakthrough transmissibility in Alachua, Florida

Background SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant has caused a dramatic resurgence in infections in the United Sates, raising questions regarding potential transmissibility among vaccinated individuals. Methods Between October 2020 and July 2021, we sequenced 4,439 SARS-CoV-2 full genomes, 23% of all known infections in Alachua County, Florida, including 109 vaccine breakthrough cases. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted to evaluate associations between viral load (VL) level and patient characteristics. Contact tracing and phylogenetic analysis were used to investigate direct transmissions involving vaccinated individuals. Results The majority of breakthrough sequences with lineage assignment were classified as Delta variants (74.6%) and occurred, on average, about three months (104 +- 57.5 days) after full vaccination, at the same time (June-July 2021) of Delta variant exponential spread within the county. Six Delta variant transmission pairs between fully vaccinated individuals were identified through contact tracing, three of which were confirmed by phylogenetic analysis. Delta breakthroughs exhibited broad VL values during acute infection (IQR 1.2-8.64 Log copies/ml), on average 38% lower than matched unvaccinated patients (3.29-10.81 Log copies/ml, p<0.00001). Nevertheless, 49-50% of all breakthroughs, and 56-60% of Delta-infected breakthroughs exhibited VL above the transmissibility threshold (4 Log copies/ml) irrespective of time post vaccination. Conclusions Delta infection transmissibility and general VL patterns in vaccinated individuals suggest limited levels of sterilizing immunity that need to be considered by public health policies. In particular, ongoing evaluation of vaccine boosters should address whether extra vaccine doses might curb breakthrough contribution to epidemic spread.

Decision analysis support for evaluating transmission risk of COVID-19 in places where people gather

Background: The coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has presented an unprecedented public health challenge. Prior to vaccination, non-pharmaceutical interventions, including closures, were necessary to help control the epidemic. With the arrival of variants of concern and insufficient population vaccination coverage, ongoing evaluation of transmission risk in settings and the use of non-pharmaceutical interventions are necessary to help control the epidemic. This study aimed to produce a framework for evaluating transmission risk in settings where individuals gather and inform decision-making. Methods: A multi-criteria decision analysis process was used to structure the framework. Fifteen criteria were identified as important to consider for COVID-19 transmission risk based on the literature. This list was ranked by experts and then categorized. The analysis was structured by the consensus list of criteria and relative positioning of each criteria within the list to produce sets of factors to consider when assessing transmission risk at gatherings. Results: Fifteen experts from across Canada participated in ranking the criteria. Strong consensus was found on the relative importance of criteria and this relative consensus was used to create four categories: critical (3 criteria); important (6 criteria); good to consider (5 criteria); and if time permits (1 criterion). Conclusion: The resulting consensus list and categories constitutes a set of important elements that can be applied to any setting as an objective and transparent framework to assess transmission risk in the venue. In conjunction with further consideration of the local epidemiology of COVID-19, an overall risk of transmission assessment can be established and uniformly implemented.

A site assessment tool for inpatient controlled human infection models for enteric disease pathogens

The use of the controlled human infection model to facilitate product development and to advance understanding of host-pathogen interactions is of increasing interest. While administering a virulent (or infective) organism to a susceptible host necessitates an ongoing evaluation of safety and ethical considerations, a central theme in conducting these studies in a safe and ethical manner that yields actionable data is their conduct in facilities well-suited to address their unique attributes. To that end, we have developed a framework for evaluating potential sites in which to conduct inpatient enteric controlled human infection model to ensure consistency and increase the likelihood of success.

EVOLUÇÃO QUALITATIVA DOS PROCESSOS AVALIATIVOS EM UM CURSO DE PEDAGOGIA NA MODALIDADE DE EDUCAÇÃO A DISTÂNCIA

O presente trabalho tem por objetivo apresentar a investigação da evolução qualitativa de processo normativo e instrumental da avaliação em um curso de pedagogia a distância de uma instituição privada. Trata-se de meta-avaliação das normas sobre a avaliação e dos instrumentos na avaliação dos estudantes. A metodologia de trabalho considerou analisar até que ponto as normas de avaliação, bem como os próprios instrumentos de avaliação utilizados contribuem na evolução gradativa do desempenho dos estudantes no período de 2004 a 2017. Principais resultados: elaboração de novos instrumentos de avaliação e reelaboração de outros permite visualizar a evolução na melhoria de desempenho de estudantes; normas orientadoras de avaliação facultam perceber evolução da aprendizagem.Palavras-chave: meta-avaliação; avaliação formativa; instrumentos de avaliação; pedagogia; educação a distância. Qualitative developments in the current evaluation process of distance pedagogyAbstractThe objective of this study is to investigate the qualitative evolution of the normative and instrumental process of the ongoing evaluation of pedagogy at a distance from a private institution. This is a meta-evaluation of the norms on evaluation and the instruments in the evaluation of the students. The work methodology considered the extent to which the evaluation standards as well as the evaluation instruments used contribute to the gradual evolution of student performance in the period from 2004 to 2017. Main expected results: development of new evaluation tools and re-elaboration of others allows visualizing evolution in student performance improvement; norms of evaluation make it possible to perceive the evolution of learning.Keywords: meta-evaluation; assessment tools; pedagogy; distance education. Evolución cualitativa del procedimiento evaluado en curso de pedagogía a distanciaResumen El trabajo tiene por objetivo investigar la evolución cualitativa de proceso normativo e instrumental de la evaluación en curso de pedagogía a distancia de institución privada. Se trata de la meta-evaluación de las normas sobre la evaluación y los instrumentos en la evaluación de los estudiantes. La metodología de trabajo consideró analizar hasta qué punto las normas de evaluación, así como los propios instrumentos de evaluación utilizados, contribuyen a la evolución gradual del rendimiento de los estudiantes en el período 2004 a 2017. Principales resultados previstos: elaboración de nuevos instrumentos de evaluación y reelaboración otros permiten visualizar evolución en la mejora de desempeño de estudiantes; las normas orientadoras de evaluación permiten percibir la evolución del aprendizaje.Palabras clave: meta-evaluación; instrumentos de evaluación; pedagogía; educación a distancia.

Being Lost to Follow-Up to Healthcare Appointments: A Concept Analysis

The concept of being lost to follow-up is very common in healthcare. Though its meaning might seem literal, its use, particularly in healthcare, requires detailed analysis, to understand factors surrounding its incidence and ways of curtailing its detrimental consequences. Walker and Avant’s eight-step concept analysis was used to identify the antecedents, attributes, empirical referents, and consequences of this concept. The attributes of the concept include a clinical starter event suffered by a patient that requires ongoing evaluation by an event tracker at a given location and frequency. However, despite a mutual agreement between the patient and the event tracker, the evaluation suffers a hiatus due to several modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors (antecedents of the concept), consequences which might include morbidity and death. Early identification and intervention are critical to avoid the occurrence of being lost to follow-up, and nurses need to be cognizant of such knowledge.

The Past, Present, and Future of Online Dispute Resolution

This article chronicles the evolution of the field of online dispute resolution from its inception in the mid-1990s to its current application in and outside the court system. While originally ODR played a modest role in the limited domain of e-commerce, over the years its application has expanded significantly, as have its form and function: from processes that have sought to replicate online equivalents to ones that reimagine the design of procedures to better fit party needs and to address the justice system’s longstanding problems. The article predicts that the future of ODR lies in increased automation, which includes artificial intelligence and various forms of structured negotiation, and, consequently, a reduced role for human third parties. This will require a rethinking of the ways in which access to justice, procedural justice and substantive justice can be realized. The key for realizing the values and goals of the justice system lies in the careful design and ongoing evaluation of online systems, activities that have themselves been transformed by technology and the availability of big data.

We Cannot Return to “Normal”: A Post-COVID Call for a Systems Approach to Implementing Restorative Justice in Education (RJE)

Given the collective trauma caused by COVID-19 global pandemic, it is more important than ever that schools look for ways to create safe, trauma-sensitive, and restorative learning environments. This article presents implementation science, readiness assessments, and ongoing evaluation as central and integral to all efforts that seek to transform punitive schools into restorative schools. The author first presents five elements of a school’s relational ecology as a framework for comparing a punitive school to a restorative school: structure, leadership, staff, students, and response to behavioral incidents. Then, the author calls upon school administrators, as well as restorative justice trainers who work with schools, to utilize a systems change approach that supports whole-school change. Without a full commitment to systems change, restorative justice in education (RJE) will continue to fall short of expectations and the educational system itself will continue to cause the same harm to marginalized students as it did prior to the pandemic.

Activity-Based Online Learning: A Response to Dyslexia and COVID

Dr. Charles Potter’s Reading Fluency Programme implements individual learning programmes focusing on children’s learning needs. The methods and materials can be used in the treatment of dyslexia, as well as for working with children with reading, writing, and spelling difficulties or difficulties with rate of work at school. The programmes are activity-based, and are introduced through online sessions related to the child’s individual learning needs as identified through initial assessment and ongoing evaluation. Based on assessment, an individual programme is developed for the child, focusing on areas of need. The programme then uses electronic books, activity books and materials for treatment of phonological and phonemic difficulties, phonic difficulties, as well as linked problems with reading, writing, spelling, reading comprehension and working memory development. This chapter provides theoretical background on the neurolinguistic basis of the programme’s methods and materials, which have been developed internationally and implemented pre COVID with both first and second language speakers of English. It also provides information on how the materials have been implemented post COVID using activity-based online learning formats, and the results of children based on pre and post assessments.