TrackingStorm: Visualization Tool for a Storm Detector Network (SDN) in the LF Spectrum

Abstract During the last year the Group of Atmospheric Electricity Phenomena (FEA/UFPR) developed a short range lightning location network based on a sensor device called Storm Detector Network (SDN), along with a set of algorithms that enables to track storms, determining the Wide Area Probability (WAP) of lightning occurrence, risk level of lightning and Density Extension of the Flashes (DEF), using the geo-located lightning information as input data. These algorithms compose a Dashboard called Tracking Storm Interface (TSI), which is the visualization tool for an experimental short range Storm Detector network prototype in use on the region of Curitiba-Paraná, Brazil. The algorithms make use of Geopandas and clustering algorithms to locate storms, estimate centroids, determine dynamic storm displacement and compute parameters of thunderstorms like velocity, head edge of electrified cloud, Mean Stroke Rate, and tracking information, which are important parameters to improve the alert system which is subject of this research. To validate these algorithms we made use of a simple storm simulation, which enabled to test the system with huge amounts of data. We found that, for long duration storms, the tracking results, velocity and directions of the storms are coherent with the values of simulation and can be used to improve an alert system for the Storm Detector network. WAP can reach at least 75% of prediction efficiency when used 6 past WAP data, but can reach 98.86% efficiency when more data is available. We use storm dynamics to make improved alert predictions, reaching an efficiency of ~87%.

Effects of multicomponent primary care-based intervention on immunization rates and missed opportunities to vaccinate adults.

BACKGROUND: Adult immunization rates are below Healthy People 2020 targets. Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of a multicomponent intervention to improve adult immunization rates. METHODS: This prospective interventional before-and-after non-randomized study was conducted through the American Academy of Family Physicians National Research Network with 43 primary care physicians from a large multi-specialty healthcare organization (multicomponent intervention group n = 23; comparator group n = 20) in the United States. The multicomponent intervention included provider reminders, quarterly provider-level performance reports, provider education, patient visual aid materials, and standing orders on adult pneumococcal, influenza, and zoster immunizations. We assessed individual and comparative provider-level vaccination rates and missed opportunities detailing concordance with targets established by Healthy People 2020 for pneumococcal, influenza, and zoster immunizations. RESULTS: Vaccination rates increased after 12 months in intervention and comparator groups respectively for: a). influenza from 44.4 ± 16.7 to 51.3% ± 12.9% (by 6.9 percentage points, p = 0.001) and from 35.1 ± 19.1 to 41.3% ± 14.2%, (by 6.2 percentage points, p = 0.01); b). pneumococcal vaccinations in older adults from 62.8 ± 17.6 to 81.4% ± 16.6% (by 18.6 percentage points, for p < 0.0001) and from 55.9 ± 20.0 to 72.7% ± 18.4% (by 16.7 percentage points, p < 0.0001); and c). zoster from 37.1 ± 13.4 to 41.9% ± 13.1% (by 4.8 percentage points, p < 0.0001) and from 35.0 ± 18.7 to 42.3% ± 20.9% (7.3 percentage points, p = 0.001). Pneumococcal vaccinations in adults at risk did not change from baseline in intervention group (35.7 ± 19.6 to 34.5% ± 19.0%, p = 0.3) and improved slightly in comparator group (24.3 ± 20.1 to 28.2% ± 20.0%, p = 0.003). Missed opportunities reduced after 12 months, most noticeably, for: a). for influenza from 57.7 to 48.6% (by 9.1 percentage points, p < 0.0001) and from 69.7 to 59.6% (by 10.1 percentage points, p < 0.0001); b). pneumococcal vaccinations in older adults from 18.1 to 11.5% (by 6.6 percentage points p < 0.0001) and from 24.6 to 20.4% (by 4.3 percentage points, p < 0.0001) in intervention and comparator groups respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Multicomponent interventions show promise in improving vaccination rates and reducing missed opportunities in older adults for pneumococcal and zoster vaccines and vaccination against influenza. Provider reminders remain the most effective strategy when delivered either as a component of these interventions or alone.

Optimising computerised decision support to transform medication safety and reduce prescriber burden: study protocol for a mixed-methods evaluation of drug-drug interaction alerts.

INTRODUCTION: Drug-drug interaction (DDI) alerts in hospital electronic medication management (EMM) systems are generated at the point of prescribing to warn doctors about potential interactions in their patients' medication orders. This project aims to determine the impact of DDI alerts on DDI rates and on patient harm in the inpatient setting. It also aims to identify barriers and facilitators to optimal use of alerts, quantify the alert burden posed to prescribers with implementation of DDI alerts and to develop algorithms to improve the specificity of DDI alerting systems. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A controlled pre-post design will be used. Study sites include six major referral hospitals in two Australian states, New South Wales and Queensland. Three hospitals will act as control sites and will implement an EMM system without DDI alerts, and three as intervention sites with DDI alerts. The medical records of 280 patients admitted in the 6 months prior to and 6 months following implementation of the EMM system at each site (total 3360 patients) will be retrospectively reviewed by study pharmacists to identify potential DDIs, clinically relevant DDIs and associated patient harm. To identify barriers and facilitators to optimal use of alerts, 10-15 doctors working at each intervention hospital will take part in observations and interviews. Non-identifiable DDI alert data will be extracted from EMM systems 6-12 months after system implementation in order to quantify alert burden on prescribers. Finally, data collected from chart review and EMM systems will be linked with clinically relevant DDIs to inform the development of algorithms to trigger only clinically relevant DDI alerts in EMM systems. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This research was approved by the Hunter New England Human Research Ethics Committee (18/02/21/4.07). Study results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at local and international conferences and workshops.

Encuesta nutricional pediátrica / Pediatric nutrition survey

Luego de los años setenta, y a partir de la experiencia norteamericana, en varios países, se comienza a medir el estado alimenticio de la población y los cambios a través del tiempo. La encuesta nacional, con el fin de ofrecer información periódica y actualizada, permite desarrollar, monitorear y establecer políticas en relación a la salud y nutrición de la población infantil. Entre los métodos de encuesta nutricional más utilizados están el recordatorio de 24 horas, el registro diario de alimentos, peso directo de los alimentos y frecuencia semi-cuantitativa.

After the seventies, and from the American experience in several countries, begin to measure the nutritional status of the population and changes over time. The national survey, in order to provide regular and updated information, can develop, monitor and develop policies in relation to health and nutrition of children. Among the nutritional survey methods most used are the 24-hour recall, the journal of food, live weight of food and often semi-quantitative.