Disaster Early Warning Systems: The Potential Role and Limitations of Emerging Text and Data Messaging Mitigation Capabilities

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 709-712 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Goniewicz ◽  
Frederick M. Burkle
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Networks ◽  
Early Warning ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Specific Area ◽  
Early Warning Systems ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Disaster Communications

ABSTRACTObjectiveThe increased risk of mass accidents or major catastrophes taking place necessitates the organization of remedial measures to help protect against these unusual events and adequate preparation in order to minimize their effects. One such initiative is the early notification of residents within a specific area about the risk of a particular calamity. Nowadays, the prevalence of mobile devices enables the installation of various mobile applications allowing for the communication and receiving of information about potential dangers. In many countries there are variously developed systems of notification in place based specifically on text messages.MethodsCurrently, new laws introduced in Poland establish that it is the obligation of operators of mobile networks to send text messages to all customers of these networks who are within the area where there is a serious risk of a catastrophe. Such messages are in the form of a short alert, to be sent only in extraordinary situations when there is an immediate threat to health or life. The alert is intended to help in the avoidance of danger or to mitigate its impact.ResultsThis article presents the potential implementation of the early warning system based on text message alerts in Poland, and in particular focuses on decreasing the risks associated with natural disasters.ConclusionsWhile early text messaging is essential to disaster communications and mitigation, the article further states that means must be found to ensure equal access to the most vulnerable populations and all those, vulnerable and not, who do not have immediate access to text messaging systems. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:709–712)

scholarly journals Financial Early Warning System Model Combining Hybrid Semantic Hierarchy with Group Method of Data Handling Neural Network for Detection of Banks’ Risks

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Guangju Li
Keyword(s):  
Neural Network ◽  
Early Warning ◽  
Financial System ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Early Warning Systems ◽  
Group Method ◽  
Financial Risks ◽  
Semantic Hierarchy ◽  
Risk Detection ◽  
Increased Risk

Banks, financial, and credit institutions encountering the weakening financial system and increased risk factors cause high inflation and great losses for an economy. Detecting financial risks in advance could help financial institutions avoid losses, and the financial system could be eventually affected less. Early warning systems for banks could be helpful to identify financial risks and take measures to deal with hazardous situations. Various approaches have already been put forward. However, inaccuracy issues in risk detection are one of the main issues. Combining semantic hierarchy with the GMDH neural network to predict financial risks is proposed. A semantic hierarchy approach based on converting risk-related values and picking influential variables could be practical in risk detection. Besides, the GMDH algorithm utilizing neural networks based on available data has the capability of predicting possible risks that could occur in the future. The outcomes of the proposed method when compared to non-data mining methods suggest that it improves accuracy by almost 20%.

scholarly journals Development and Preliminary Feasibility of iByte4Health: A Mobile Health (mHealth) Pediatric Obesity Prevention Intervention to Engage Parents with Low-Income of Children 2–9 Years

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 4240
Author(s):  
Gina L. Tripicchio ◽  
Melissa Kay ◽  
Sharon Herring ◽  
Travis Cos ◽  
Carolyn Bresnahan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Prevention Intervention ◽  
Sugary Drinks ◽  
Increased Risk

This research describes the development and preliminary feasibility of iByte4Health, a mobile health (mHealth) obesity prevention intervention designed for parents with a low-income of children 2–9 years of age. Study 1 (n = 36) presents findings from formative work used to develop the program. Study 2 (n = 23) presents a 2-week proof-of-concept feasibility testing of iByte4Health, including participant acceptability, utilization, and engagement. Based on Study 1, iByte4Health was designed as a text-messaging program, targeting barriers and challenges identified by parents of young children for six key obesity prevention behaviors: (1) snacking; (2) physical activity; (3) sleep; (4) sugary drinks; (5) fruit and vegetable intake; and (6) healthy cooking at home. In Study 2, participants demonstrated high program retention (95.7% at follow-up) and acceptability (90.9% reported liking or loving the program). Users were engaged with the program; 87.0% responded to at least one self-monitoring text message; 90.9% found the videos and linked content to be helpful or extremely helpful; 86.4% found text messages helpful or extremely helpful. iByte4Health is a community-informed, evidenced-based program that holds promise for obesity prevention efforts, especially for those families at the increased risk of obesity and related disparities. Future work is warranted to test the efficacy of the program.

scholarly journals Taken Together: Conceptualizing Students’ Concurrent Course Enrollment across the Post-Secondary Curriculum using temporal analytics

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Brown ◽  
R. Matthew DeMonbrun ◽  
Stephanie Teasley
Keyword(s):  
Academic Success ◽  
Early Warning ◽  
Structural Complexity ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Early Warning Systems ◽  
Course Enrollment ◽  
Academic Difficulty ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Course Difficulty

In this study, we develop and test four measures for conceptualizing the potential impact of co-enrollment in different courses on students’ changing risk for academic difficulty and recovery from academic difficulty in a focal course. We offer four predictors, two related to instructional complexity and two related to structural complexity (the organization of the curriculum) that highlight different trends in student experience of the focal course. Course difficulty, discipline of major, time in semester, and simultaneous difficulty across courses were all significantly related to entering a moderate and high-risk classification in the early warning system (EWS). Course difficulty, discipline of major, and time in semester were related to exiting academic difficulty classifications. We observe a snowball effect, whereby students who are experiencing difficulty in the focal course are at increased risk of experiencing difficulty in their other courses. Our findings suggest that different metrics may be needed to identify risk for academic difficulty and recovery from academic difficulty. Our results demonstrate what a more holistic assessment of academic functioning might look like in early warning systems and course recommender systems, and suggest that academic planners consider the relationship between course co-enrollment and student academic success.

Text Messaging as a Mental Health Treatment Intervention: A Corpus-Based Study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Partch ◽  
Cass Dykeman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Treatment Session ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Health Treatment ◽  
Emotional Tone

Mental health treatment providers seek high-impact and low-cost means of engaging clients in care. As such, text messaging is becoming more frequently utilized as a means of communication between provider and client. Research demonstrates that text message interventions increase treatment session attendance, decrease symptomology, and improve overall functioning. However, research is lacking related to the linguistic make up of provider communications. Text messages were collected from previously published articles related to the treatment of mental health disorders. A corpus of 39 mental health treatment text message interventions was composed totaling 286 words. Using Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) software, messages were analyzed for prevalence of terminology thought to enhance client engagement. Clout, demonstrating the writer’s confidence and expertise, and positive Emotional Tone were found to be at a high level within the corpus. Results demonstrated statistical significance for five linguistic variables. When compared with national blog norms derived from Twitter, Clout, Emotional Tone, and use of Biological terminology were found to be at higher rates than expected. Authenticity and Informal terminology were found at significantly lesser rates.

scholarly journals Quit Experiences among Primary Care Patients Enrolled in a Smoking Cessation Pilot RCT Early in the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 1011
Author(s):  
Andrea A. Joyce ◽  
Grace M. Styklunas ◽  
Nancy A. Rigotti ◽  
Jordan M. Neil ◽  
Elyse R. Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Primary Care Patients ◽  
The Impact ◽  
At Home

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on US adults’ smoking and quitting behaviors is unclear. We explored the impact of COVID-19 on smoking behaviors, risk perceptions, and reactions to text messages during a statewide stay-at-home advisory among primary care patients who were trying to quit. From May–June 2020, we interviewed smokers enrolled in a 12-week, pilot cessation trial providing text messaging and mailed nicotine replacement medication (NCT04020718). Twenty-two individuals (82% white, mean age 55 years), representing 88% of trial participants during the stay-at-home advisory, completed exit interviews; four (18%) of them reported abstinence. Interviews were thematically analyzed by two coders. COVID-19-induced environmental changes had mixed effects, facilitating quitting for some and impeding quitting for others. While stress increased for many, those who quit found ways to cope with stress. Generally, participants felt at risk for COVID-19 complications but not at increased risk of becoming infected. Reactions to COVID-19 and quitting behaviors differed across age groups, older participants reported difficulties coping with isolation (e.g., feeling disappointed when a text message came from the study and not a live person). Findings suggest that cessation interventions addressing stress and boredom are needed during COVID-19, while smokers experiencing isolation may benefit from live-person supports.

scholarly journals Brief communication "Landslide Early Warning System: toolbox and general concepts"

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Intrieri ◽  
G. Gigli ◽  
N. Casagli ◽  
F. Nadim
Keyword(s):  
Early Warning ◽  
Early Warning System ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Early Warning Systems ◽  
End Users ◽  
Flow Chart ◽  
Warning Systems ◽  
Limited Experience ◽  
Practical Guidelines ◽  
Landslide Early Warning

Abstract. We define landslide Early Warning Systems and present practical guidelines to assist end-users with limited experience in the design of landslide Early Warning Systems (EWSs). In particular, two flow chart-based tools coming from the results of the SafeLand project (7th Framework Program) have been created to make them as simple and general as possible and in compliance with a variety of landslide types and settings at single slope scale. We point out that it is not possible to cover all the real landslide early warning situations that might occur, therefore it will be necessary for end-users to adapt the procedure to local peculiarities of the locations where the landslide EWS will be operated.

Nudge me: tailoring text messages for prescription adherence through N-of-1 interviews

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joy Waughtal ◽  
Phat Luong ◽  
Lisa Sandy ◽  
Catia Chavez ◽  
P Michael Ho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Multiple Chronic Conditions ◽  
Medication Refill ◽  
Interactive Text ◽  
Prompt Action ◽  
Negative Messages

Abstract Almost 50% of patients with cardiovascular diseases face challenges in taking medications and increased morbidity and mortality. Text messaging may impact medication refill behavior and can be delivered at scale to patients by texting mobile phones. To obtain feedback from persons with chronic conditions on the design of interactive text messages and determine language of message for making messages that can motivate patients to refill medications on time. We purposively sampled 35 English and Spanish speaking patients with at least one chronic condition from three large healthcare delivery systems to participate in N-of-1 video-based synchronous interviews. Research assistants shared ideas for theory-informed text messages with content intended to persuade patients to refill their medication. We transcribed recorded interviews and conducted a content analysis to identify strategies to employ generating a dynamic interactive text message library intended to increase medication refill. Those interviewed were of diverse age and race/ethnicity and typical of persons with multiple chronic conditions. Several participants emphasized that personally tailored and positively framed messages would be more persuasive than generic and/or negative messages. Some patients appreciated humor and messages that could evoke a sense of social support from their providers and rejected the use of emojis. Messages to remind patients to refill medications may facilitate improvements in adherence, which in turn can improve chronic care. Designing messages that are persuasive and can prompt action is feasible and should be considered given the ease with which such messages can be delivered automatically at scale.

scholarly journals Communication architecture of an early warning system

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2215-2228 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Angermann ◽  
M. Guenther ◽  
K. Wendlandt
Keyword(s):  
Early Warning ◽  
Early Warning System ◽  
Satellite Communication ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Early Warning Systems ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Warning Systems ◽  
Communication Architecture ◽  
Design And Implementation ◽  
Communication Links

Abstract. This article discusses aspects of communication architecture for early warning systems (EWS) in general and gives details of the specific communication architecture of an early warning system against tsunamis. While its sensors are the "eyes and ears" of a warning system and enable the system to sense physical effects, its communication links and terminals are its "nerves and mouth" which transport measurements and estimates within the system and eventually warnings towards the affected population. Designing the communication architecture of an EWS against tsunamis is particularly challenging. Its sensors are typically very heterogeneous and spread several thousand kilometers apart. They are often located in remote areas and belong to different organizations. Similarly, the geographic spread of the potentially affected population is wide. Moreover, a failure to deliver a warning has fatal consequences. Yet, the communication infrastructure is likely to be affected by the disaster itself. Based on an analysis of the criticality, vulnerability and availability of communication means, we describe the design and implementation of a communication system that employs both terrestrial and satellite communication links. We believe that many of the issues we encountered during our work in the GITEWS project (German Indonesian Tsunami Early Warning System, Rudloff et al., 2009) on the design and implementation communication architecture are also relevant for other types of warning systems. With this article, we intend to share our insights and lessons learned.

scholarly journals On building early-warning systems for preventing the deterioration of financial institutions’ performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 194-202
Author(s):  
Adrian Costea
Keyword(s):  
Financial Institutions ◽  
Early Warning ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Early Warning Systems ◽  
Capital Adequacy ◽  
Self Organizing Map ◽  
Self Organizing Maps ◽  
Performance Dimensions ◽  
Som Model ◽  
Self Organizing

Abstract This paper assesses the financial performance of Romania’s non-banking financial institutions (NFIs) using a neural network training algorithm proposed by Kohonen, namely the Self-Organizing Maps algorithm. The algorithm takes the financial dataset and positiones each observation into a self-organizing map (a two-dimensional map) which can be latter used to visualize the trajectories of an individual NFI and explain it based on different performance dimensions, such as capital adequacy, assets’ quality and profitability. Further, we use the map as an early-warning system that would accurately forecast the NFIs future performance (whether they would stay or be eliminated from the NFI’s Special Register three quarters into the future). The results are promising: the model is able to correctly predict NFIs’ performance movements. Finally, we compared the results of our SOM-based model with those obtained by applying a multivariate logit-based model. The SOM model performed worse in discriminating the NFIs’ performance: the performance classes were not clearly defined and the model lacked the interpretability of the results. In the contrary, the multivariate logit coefficients have nice interpretability and an individual default probability estimate is obtained for each new observation. However, we can benefit from the results of both techniques: the visualization capabilities of the SOM model and the interpretability of multivariate logit-based model.

Recovery Following Peer and Text Messaging Support after Discharge from Acute Psychiatric Care: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reham Shalaby ◽  
Marianne Hrabok ◽  
Pamela Spurvey ◽  
Rabab M. Abou El-Magd ◽  
Michelle Knox ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Peer Support ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Psychiatric Care ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Treatment As Usual ◽  
Usual Condition ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Acute Psychiatric Care

BACKGROUND Peer support (PS) is emotional, social, and practical help that is provided by non-professionals to assist others in sustaining health behaviours. PS is valued in recovery-oriented models of mental health and is becoming implemented increasingly at the organizational level. Text messaging is a relatively low cost, high impact, and easily scalable program that uses existing technology, is devoid of geographic barriers, and is easily accessible to end users. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the effect of an innovative peer support system plus supportive text messaging program on the recovery of discharged patients from acute psychiatric care. METHODS This is a prospective, rater-blinded, pilot randomized controlled trial, including 180 patients discharged from acute psychiatric care. Patients were randomized to one of four conditions: treatment as usual (follow-up care), daily supportive text messages, peer-support only, or peer-support plus daily supportive text messages. A standardized self-report measure of recovery (Recovery Assessment Scale; RAS) was completed at baseline, six weeks, three months, and six months. Descriptive analysis, One-Way ANOVA, and repeated measures MANCOVA were deployed to examine the changes in RAS among the study groups and over the follow-up time points. RESULTS Sixty-five patients completed assessments at each time-point. For the overall sample, higher scores were found for the peer-support plus text message condition compared to the text message only and treatment as usual condition on several scales (i.e., Willingness to ask for help and Personal Confidence and Hope) and total score on the RAS. CONCLUSIONS Peer support plus supportive text messaging results in improved recovery compared to other interventions. It is advisable to incorporate the two interventions as a part of routine practice for patients with psychiatric disorders upon their hospital discharge. CLINICALTRIAL The study received ethical approval from the Health Ethics Research Board of the University of Alberta (Ref # Pro00078427) and operational approval from the Alberta Health Services regional health authority. All patients provided written informed consent. The study was registered with clinicaltrials.gov (Trial registration number NCT03404882).

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document