Response Actions Research Articles

Tracking emergency response actions during COVID-19 leads to development of an innovative public health evaluation tool

SettingEarly in the pandemic, KFL&A Public Health needed a way to capture, organize, and display COVID-19-related events to be accountable for and evaluate our actions.InterventionWe used accessible software (Microsoft Office 365 suite, Microsoft PowerBI) to develop a data collection and visualization system. The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) developed a timeline and categorization approach for provincial and national COVID-related interventions, which was used to develop a regional version for local events using similar categories. We collected and displayed qualitative data alongside epidemiological data that allowed users to display different timelines of actions and outcomes and evaluate our response.OutcomesIn developing the timeline, we took stock of the information and data we wanted to collect, sort, and display locally. Next, we collected information on response actions, case and contact tracing, and staffing changes in a database that we displayed on a timeline. We included CIHI’s data set to provide insight into pandemic response across all jurisdictions.ImplicationsOur timeline tool has many advantages for public health authorities beyond responding to a rapidly evolving emergency. By collecting information on events as they occur, decisions and actions are documented that may otherwise be overlooked. This enables decision-makers to visualize the impact of public health actions on health outcomes over time. The tool is completely customizable and scalable depending on the project scope and we plan to apply this method to other public health programming. Finally, we include lessons learned from quickly developing these tools in a real-time pandemic setting, both locally at KFL&A Public Health and nationally at CIHI.

Negotiating the capacities and limitations of sensor-mediated care in the home

Abstract In-home sensor systems supported by machine learning are increasingly used to enhance communication between those living with long-term conditions such as dementia and healthcare professionals and carers who support them. Perspectives from the sociology of infrastructures are used to explore the development and deployment of such a system of smart care, drawing on interviews with researchers and developers, healthcare professionals and service users, and carers. The analysis finds that labor of various forms is required to manage the production of useful sensor data, including parsing the reasons for missing data and organizing appropriate actions in response. The analysis highlights active processes of deriving meaning from that data in ways that participants find useful, ethical, and sustainable. The conclusion emphasizes the usefulness of an infrastructural approach in order to recognize the heterogeneous forms of labor involved in developing ethically sensitive, person-centered forms of remote-monitoring-enabled care.

Role Identity Transition: A Conceptual Framework for Being the Spouse of a Person With Early Onset Dementia.

Informal caregivers of persons with early onset dementia (PWEOD) are usually the spouses of affected individuals. These caregivers face unique challenges related to the unexpected nature of disease onset at this early life stage along with the accompanying symptoms, which can be different from those in late onset dementia. The current study explores the meanings these caregivers make of their situations and actions in response to their experiences. Findings provide a basis for development of a conceptual framework illustrating the basic, psychosocial processes underlying their shared situation. Grounded theory methodology was used. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 15 participants. Data were analyzed using constant comparative techniques and situational analysis. A distinction was made across participants between identifying as spouse versus caregiver for their PWEOD. Each participant had made or was making an identity transition from viewing their role as becoming more caregiver-like toward an eventual, complete shift to that of caregiver in a stepwise fashion. Incremental shifts in identity reflected challenges to the notion held of what it means to be a spouse. Results support prior research highlighting the unique experiences of caregivers of PWEOD while providing a framework for understanding the unique situations of these care-givers. Findings also inform nursing interventions tailored for spouses of PWEOD. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 49(8), 27-34.].

Game Over for Russian Athletes? Human Rights Aspects of Measures Adopted by International Sports Organisations as a Response to the Russian Aggression against Ukraine

Summary The Russian invasion of Ukraine has tested the mettle of the international community, prompting not only States but also non-state actors to take deterrent action in response. Indeed, international sports organisations, namely the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the Federation of European Football Associations (UEFA), have been relatively successful in shifting the power dynamics by introducing a complete ban on the Football Union of Russia (FUR), i.e., the Russian national and club teams. This article investigates the human rights implications of such actions by international sports organisations. First, the article departs from an assessment of the legal status of FIFA and UEFA under international law. It reflects how a legal link could be established vis-à-vis their human rights obligations. Second, it examines the human rights aspects of the impugned measures by FIFA and UEFA on the part of the Russian athletes, further scrutinising them against the international human rights law principle of non-discrimination through a proportionality test. Finally, it draws basic pathways for how possible human rights violations committed in the context of measures adopted by such organisations could be remedied, outlining the challenges of arbitration and litigation in Switzerland.

Non-suicidal self-injury and suicidal ideation among Chinese college students of childhood emotional abuse: associations with rumination, experiential avoidance, and depression.

Prior studies have proved the relationships between childhood emotional abuse (CEA) histories and suicidal thoughts or behaviors in adulthood, however, how emotion regulation strategies work as the mediating mechanism is necessary to be investigated. This study aimed to further verify the impacts of rumination, experiential avoidance (EA) and depression on the associations between CEA and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicidal ideation (SI) on a sample of Chinese college students. The Childhood Emotional Abuse Questionnaire, the Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Questionnaire, the Symptom Checklist, the Ruminative Response Scale, the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II and the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale were completed by 1,317 college students. The rates of NSSI and SI of students with CEA experiences were 31.70 and 7.90% respectively, both higher than those without such experiences. The mediating roles of rumination, EA and depression between CEA and NSSI and SI were significant (p < 0.01). The current study shed light on the linking roles of rumination, EA and depression in the relations between CEA and NSSI and SI. It is suggested that developing adaptive emotion-regulating strategies may be helpful to the intervention of suicidal thoughts or behaviors among individuals with CEA experiences.

Situation analysis of research ethics governance in Pakistan.

Mapping of ethical governance structures is very useful in identifying strengths and weaknesses in order to uphold integrity and ensure standardization. However, reliable countrywide data about ethical review committees (ERCs) is unavailable in Pakistan. To evaluate the research ethics governance mechanisms at national level and at key healthcare institutions in Pakistan. This pilot mapping exercise used a mixed-methods approach, involving a cross-sectional survey of 19 key healthcare research institutions, and structured in-depth interviews with the chairs of the National Bioethics Committee and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan. Eighteen institutions responded to the ethics mapping survey. Twelve public sector ERCs had a permanent structure and 17 had formal terms of reference. Seven ERCs claimed accreditation, although no central accreditation agency exists in Pakistan. Eight ERCs were chaired by the heads of the institutions. There was no fixed tenure for the heads in 13 committees, and 14 committees allowed multiple terms. Six ERCs had follow-up mechanisms for ethical approvals, and 6 took punitive actions in response to any deviation from an approved protocol, or to a scientific misconduct. Two respondents recalled situations where applicants pressured committee members for favourable approvals. Survey respondents mentioned the lack of central research ethics guidelines as a weakness of the national governance system. Structured interviews revealed the need for formal training of committee members and capacity strengthening, particularly for administrative staff. There is a need to develop guidelines for local ethics governance in Pakistan, and ensure accreditation of ERCs through the National Bioethics Committee to uphold the integrity of the ethics governance structure.

Forensic Evidences made Tamper-Proof using Block Chain

Abstract: In today's digital environment, data is essential at every level of the creative process. Every application field has to store and process data securely. Data must be impervious to manipulation because changes may be made. Data can be represented and stored in heterogeneous formats. An organization's critical information may be under threat. In an effort to alter those data, attackers take deliberate action in response to the growth in cybercrime. But it has a big impact on the forensic proof required for provenance. Therefore, as digital evidence moves through several forensic investigative stages, it is crucial to maintain its validity and provenance. This process involves passing the prepared report through several levels or intermediaries, such as a pathology lab, a doctor, a police department, etc. For the development of transparent systems with unalterable forensic evidence, block chain technology is more suitable. The movement of assets and evidence reports can be done transparently and decentralized thanks to block chain technology. In this work, a secure, Block Chain-based approach of forensic evidence storage is suggested. Anyone in the forensic chain can quickly determine if forensic evidence has been tampered with at any point. The security of the evidence is improved by implementing the storing and processing of forensic data utilizing block chains, which have excellent integrity, traceability, and immutability

PENGARUH MANAJEMEN SARANA KESEHATAN TERHADAP KEPUASAN PASIEN DI KLINIK PRATAMA PTPN VII KANTOR DIREKSI BANDAR LAMPUNG

The purpose of conducting this research is to find out how much influence the management of health facilities has on patient satisfaction at PTPN VII Primary Clinic Office of the Board of Directors. The method used in this research is quantitative with the concept of cross-sectional study. The population in this research is all outpatient PTPN VII Pratama Clinic Office of the Board of Directors in 2022 and the sample collection method uses non-probability sampling with the accidental sampling method. So that a sample of 315 people was obtained. Based on the research results it is known that the P-Value simultaneously is 0.000. As for the partial infrastructure facilities (X1), location (X2), personnel (X3), and pharmacy (X4) variables have a P-Value 0.05, if the probability value is 0.05 so it can be concluded that infrastructure, location, personnel, and pharmacy influence simultaneously and partially on patient satisfaction (Y). Primary Clinics can maintain and improve aspects of manpower related to service and attitudes of officers such as through continuous briefings and outreach regarding a culture of responsive, mutual respect, and empathetic actions.

Evaluating UNHCR's Actions in Response to the Level 3 Sudan War Refugee Crisis in Ethiopia and Uganda: The Role of the Affected Community in the United Nations Policy and Practice Context

Evaluating UNHCR's Actions in Response to the Level 3 Sudan War Refugee Crisis in Ethiopia and Uganda: The Role of the Affected Community in the United Nations Policy and Practice Context

Satellite reveals a steep decline in China's CO2 emissions in early 2022.

Response actions to the coronavirus disease 2019 perturbed economies and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The Omicron variant that emerged in 2022 caused more substantial infections than in 2020 and 2021 but it has not yet been ascertained whether Omicron interrupted the temporary post-2021 rebound of CO2 emissions. Here, using satellite nitrogen dioxide observations combined with atmospheric inversion, we show a larger decline in China's CO2 emissions between January and April 2022 than in those months during the first wave of 2020. China's CO2 emissions are estimated to have decreased by 15% (equivalent to -244.3 million metric tons of CO2) during the 2022 lockdown, greater than the 9% reduction during the 2020 lockdown. Omicron affected most of the populated and industrial provinces in 2022, hindering China's CO2 emissions rebound starting from 2021. China's emission variations agreed with downstream CO2 concentration changes, indicating a potential to monitor CO2 emissions by integrating satellite and ground measurements.

Rancang Bangun Smart System Pendeteksi Air Layak Minum Pada Sumur di Daerah Pesisir Pantai Berbasis Internet Of Things (IoT)

Water is an important natural resource for human life, but in some coastal areas, the availability of clean water is often a serious problem. One source of water used by communities in these areas is wells, which often do not meet health standards for consumption. Manual methods for detecting well water quality still require long, expensive, and inefficient processes. Therefore, the development of a system that can detect water quality in real-time and provide fast and accurate information to the community is needed. The Internet of Things (IoT) technology, which allows objects to be connected to the internet, provides a solution that can be utilized. In this study, a Smart System was designed using salinity and manganese sensors to monitor the real-time quality of well water in coastal areas. Data from these sensors are sent to a server through the internet and analyzed to provide information to users via the Blynk application on their smartphones. With this system, communities can directly monitor the quality of well water, take appropriate actions, and safeguard the health of local residents. Additionally, this system can also assist relevant government or institutions in monitoring and taking quick actions in response to changes in well water quality in coastal areas

Dynamic Pricing Based on Demand Response Using Actor–Critic Agent Reinforcement Learning

Eco-friendly technologies for sustainable energy development require the efficient utilization of energy resources. Real-time pricing (RTP), also known as dynamic pricing, offers advantages over other pricing systems by enabling demand response (DR) actions. However, existing methods for determining and controlling DR have limitations in managing an increasing demand and predicting future pricing. This paper presents a novel approach to address the limitations of existing methods for determining and controlling demand response (DR) in the context of dynamic pricing systems for sustainable energy development. By leveraging actor–critic agent reinforcement learning (RL) techniques, a dynamic pricing DR model is proposed for efficient energy management. The model’s learning framework was trained using DR and real-time pricing data extracted from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) spanning a period of 17 years. The efficacy of the RL-based dynamic pricing approach was evaluated through two predicting cases: actual-predicted demand and actual-predicted price. Initially, long short-term memory (LSTM) models were employed to predict price and demand, and the results were subsequently enhanced using the deep RL model. Remarkably, the proposed approach achieved an impressive accuracy of 99% for every 30 min future price prediction. The results demonstrated the efficiency of the proposed RL-based model in accurately predicting both demand and price for effective energy management.

An IoT System and MODIS Images Enable Smart Environmental Management for Mekong Delta

The smart environmental management system proposed in this work offers a new approach to environmental monitoring by utilizing data from IoT stations and MODIS satellite imagery. The system is designed to be deployed in vast regions, such as the Mekong Delta, with low building and operating costs, making it a cost-effective solution for environmental monitoring. The system leverages telemetry data collected by IoT stations in combination with MODIS MOD09GA, MOD11A1, and MCD19A2 daily image products to develop computational models that calculate the values land surface temperature (LST), 2.5 and 10 (µm) particulate matter mass concentrations (PM2.5 and PM10) in areas without IoT stations. The MOD09GA product provides land surface spectral reflectance from visible to shortwave infrared wavelengths to determine land cover types. The MOD11A1 product provides thermal infrared emission from the land surface to compute LST. The MCD19A2 product provides aerosol optical depth values to detect the presence of atmospheric aerosols, e.g., PM2.5 and PM10. The collected data, including remote sensing images and telemetry sensor data, are preprocessed to eliminate redundancy and stored in cloud storage services for further processing. This allows for automatic retrieval and computation of the data by the smart data processing engine, which is designed to process various data types including images and videos from cameras and drones. The calculated values are then made available through a graphic user interface (GUI) that can be accessed through both desktop and mobile devices. The GUI provides real-time visualization of the monitoring values, as well as alerts to administrators based on predetermined rules and values of the data. This allows administrators to easily monitor the system, configure the system by setting alerting rules or calibrating the ground stations, and take appropriate action in response to alerts. Experimental results from the implementation of the system in Dong Thap Province in the Mekong Delta show that the linear regression models for PM2.5 and PM10 estimations from MCD19A2 AOD values have correlation coefficients of 0.81 and 0.68, and RMSEs of 4.11 and 5.74 µg/m3, respectively. Computed LST values from MOD09GA and MOD11A1 reflectance and emission data have a correlation coefficient of 0.82 with ground measurements of air temperature. These errors are comparable to other models reported in similar regions in the literature, demonstrating the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed system.

Costs of preventing and supressing wildfires in Victoria, Australia

Land managers around the world are increasingly under pressure to demonstrate that the actions being used to moderate wildfire risk are effective and cost-efficient. However, little research to date has focused on determining cost-efficiency of management actions or identified the factors which increase the costs of performing such actions. Here, we aimed to identify the key drivers of cost for fuel management (prescribed burning, mulching, and slashing), fuel breaks, and suppression using data from the state of Victoria, Australia. We utilise generalised additive models to understand how environmental factors, terrain, location, and management decisions influence the cost of implementing wildfire management efforts. These models show that cost per unit declines as the area treated or the area of the fire increases for all four management approaches. Therefore, preventative, and responsive management actions represent economies of scale that reduce in cost with larger treatments. We also found that there were regional differences in the cost of fuel management and fuel breaks, potentially related to the structure of resourcing treatments in each region and the availability of land on which it is feasible to implement management. Cost of suppression per fire increased with the number of fire fighters and when there were more fires occurring concurrently in the landscape. Identifying the key drivers of cost for preventative and responsive management actions could enable managers to allocate resources to these actions more efficiently in future. Understanding drivers of cost-efficiency could be critical for adapting management to shifts in wildfire risk, particularly given climate change will alter the window in which it is safe to apply some preventative fuel management actions and reduce suppression effectiveness.

Retracted: Audience Dissemination Response Law and Action Mechanism Based on Internet Rumor Computer Big Data

Retracted: Audience Dissemination Response Law and Action Mechanism Based on Internet Rumor Computer Big Data

Understanding the relationship between safety culture and safety performance indicators in U.S. nuclear waste cleanup operations

The relationship between nuclear safety culture and safety performance remains uncertain due to the limited research directly comparing these two variables. This study aimed to help address that gap in knowledge by evaluating the relationships between safety culture traits and two types of performance measures – personal safety and operations indicators – for a U.S. nuclear waste cleanup contractor.Data for 29 performance indicators were correlated with data measuring workforce perceptions on safety culture traits defined by the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO). Correlation and regression analyses indicated statistically significant relationships between safety culture traits and multiple organizational key performance indicators related to safety, quality and cost savings. Higher scores on safety culture traits were more closely associated with key performance indicators related to the evaluation and resolution of safety concerns, the recognition and accurate categorization of self-revealing and self-identified issues, and emergency response actions. The results suggest that while management strategies to improve safety culture may be linked to key performance indicators that strengthen overall organizational performance, these same strategies may also indirectly degrade the work environment in other areas. These research findings can help managers and safety professionals establish key performance indicators and safety culture metrics that are meaningful indicators of safety performance and inform action plans that improve productivity, enhance workplace safety, and avoid unintended consequences.

The Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenocortical Response to Critical Illness: A Concept in Need of Revision.

Based on insights obtained during the past decade, the classical concept of an activated hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenocortical axis in response to critical illness is in need of revision. After a brief central hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenocortical axis activation, the vital maintenance of increased systemic cortisol availability and action in response to critical illness is predominantly driven by peripheral adaptations rather than by an ongoing centrally activated several-fold increased production and secretion of cortisol. Besides the known reduction of cortisol-binding proteins that increases free cortisol, these peripheral responses comprise suppressed cortisol metabolism in liver and kidney, prolonging cortisol half-life, and local alterations in expression of 11βHSD1, glucocorticoid receptor-α (GRα), and FK506 binding protein 5 (FKBP51) that appear to titrate increased GRα action in vital organs and tissues while reducing GRα action in neutrophils, possibly preventing immune-suppressive off-target effects of increased systemic cortisol availability. Peripherally increased cortisol exerts negative feed-back inhibition at the pituitary level impairing processing of pro-opiomelanocortin into ACTH, thereby reducing ACTH-driven cortisol secretion, whereas ongoing central activation results in increased circulating pro-opiomelanocortin. These alterations seem adaptive and beneficial for the host in the short term. However, as a consequence, patients with prolonged critical illness who require intensive care for weeks or longer may develop a form of central adrenal insufficiency. The new findings supersede earlier concepts such as "relative," as opposed to "absolute," adrenal insufficiency and generalized systemic glucocorticoid resistance in the critically ill. The findings also question the scientific basis for broad implementation of stress dose hydrocortisone treatment of patients suffering from acute septic shock solely based on assumption of cortisol insufficiency.

Challenges in curbing illegal orthodontics: A qualitative study on dental enforcement officers in Malaysia

Abstract Background Illegal orthodontics is on the rise, with ‘fake’ braces being reported mainly in South-East Asia. Health concerns have been raised despite ongoing efforts to increase public awareness. Objectives To explore the perceptions of Dental Enforcement Officers from The Oral Health Legislation and Enforcement Section, Ministry of Health Malaysia regarding the challenges in managing complaints against ‘fake’ braces providers in Malaysia. Methods Three focus group discussions were conducted involving twelve Dental Enforcement Officers (DEOs) who have managed complaints regarding illegal orthodontic practices over the past two years. Participants were asked about their actions in response to complaints and their perceptions of the challenges faced during the incidents. Information collection was concluded once data saturation was achieved. The interviews were transcribed and thematically analysed using NVIVO software. Results The data identified six predominant themes which were: (1) A lack of resources; (2) Emotional strain on DEOs; (3) External support for illegal providers; (4) Difficulty in gathering information; (5) Complex planning and execution of raids; and (6) A lack of online regulation. Conclusion The management of ‘fake’ braces activities is complicated and requires DEOs to work closely with various authorities for a successful outcome. This study may offer some insight into ways of overcoming these challenges.

The innate effects of plant secondary metabolites in preclusion of gynecologic cancers: Inflammatory response and therapeutic action.

Gynecologic cancers can make up the bulk of cancers in both humans and animals. The stage of diagnosis and the type of tumor, its origin, and its spread are a few of the factors that influence how effectively a treatment modality works. Currently, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery are the major treatment options recommended for the eradication of malignancies. The use of several anti-carcinogenic drugs increases the chance of harmful side effects, and patients might not react to the treatments as expected. The significance of the relationship between inflammation and cancer has been underscored by recent research. As a result, it has been shown that a variety of phytochemicals with beneficial bioactive effects on inflammatory pathways have the potential to act as anti-carcinogenic medications for the treatment of gynecologic cancer. The current paper reviews the significance of inflammatory pathways in gynecologic malignancies and discusses the role of plants-derived secondary metabolites that are useful in the treatment of cancer.

Smart Eye Tracker Control System

Abstract: Many people are physically injured or paralyzed as a result of an accident, making it impossible for them to engage in daily activities like watching TV or browsing the internet. Even after becoming paralyzed, individuals can instinctively move their eyes and use it. The primary goal of this is to address the issue of any physically challenged individuals who wish to operate freely on a computer system, without depending on any of the person for the daily activities. It is a system that is accessible for free that uses open-source software and a webcam to take pictures of the user's face and pupil before doing actions in response to their movements.