scholarly journals Impact of degree truncation on the spread of a contagious process on networks

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
GUY HARLING ◽  
JUKKA-PEKKA ONNELA
Keyword(s):  
Accurate Information ◽  
Spreading Process ◽  
Social Network Data ◽  
Limited Sampling ◽  
Process Outcomes ◽  
Network Properties ◽  
Sudden Decrease ◽  
Respondent Fatigue ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Spreading Processes

AbstractUnderstanding how person-to-person contagious processes spread through a population requires accurate information on connections between population members. However, such connectivity data, when collected via interview, is often incomplete due to partial recall, respondent fatigue, or study design, e.g. fixed choice designs (FCD) truncate out-degree by limiting the number of contacts each respondent can report. Research has shown how FCD affects network properties, but its implications for predicted speed and size of spreading processes remain largely unexplored. To study the impact of degree truncation on predictions of spreading process outcomes, we generated collections of synthetic networks containing specific properties (degree distribution, degree-assortativity, clustering), and used empirical social network data from 75 villages in Karnataka, India. We simulated FCD using various truncation thresholds and ran a susceptible-infectious-recovered (SIR) process on each network. We found that spreading processes on truncated networks resulted in slower and smaller epidemics, with a sudden decrease in prediction accuracy at a level of truncation that varied by network type. Our results have implications beyond FCD to truncation due to any limited sampling from a larger network. We conclude that knowledge of network structure is important for understanding the accuracy of predictions of process spread on degree truncated networks.

scholarly journals A next step in disruption management: combining operations research and complexity science

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark M. Dekker ◽  
Rolf N. van Lieshout ◽  
Robin C. Ball ◽  
Paul C. Bouman ◽  
Stefan C. Dekker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Operations Research ◽  
Complexity Science ◽  
Rolling Stock ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Disruption Management ◽  
Railway Systems ◽  
Decentralized Decision Making ◽  
Control Situations ◽  
Management Techniques ◽  
The Impact

AbstractRailway systems occasionally get into a state of being out-of-control, meaning that barely any train is running, even though the required resources (infrastructure, rolling stock and crew) are available. Because of the large number of affected resources and the absence of detailed, timely and accurate information, currently existing disruption management techniques cannot be applied in out-of-control situations. Most of the contemporary approaches assume that there is only one single disruption with a known duration, that all information about the resources is available, and that all stakeholders in the operations act as expected. Another limitation is the lack of knowledge about why and how disruptions accumulate and whether this process can be predicted. To tackle these problems, we develop a multidisciplinary framework combining techniques from complexity science and operations research, aiming at reducing the impact of these situations and—if possible—avoiding them. The key elements of this framework are (i) the generation of early warning signals for out-of-control situations, (ii) isolating a specific region such that delay stops propagating, and (iii) the application of decentralized decision making, more suited for information-sparse out-of-control situations.

scholarly journals Integrated, Speckle-Based Displacement Measurement for Lateral Scanning White Light Interferometry

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 2486
Author(s):  
Gert Behrends ◽  
Dirk Stöbener ◽  
Andreas Fischer
Keyword(s):  
White Light ◽  
Lateral Displacement ◽  
Displacement Measurement ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
White Light Interferometry ◽  
Fully Integrated ◽  
Speckle Correlation ◽  
Dsc Measurements ◽  
Scanning White Light Interferometry ◽  
The Impact

Lateral scanning white light interferometry (LSWLI) is a promising technique for high-resolution topography measurements on moving surfaces. To achieve resolutions typically associated with white light interferometry, accurate information on the lateral displacement of the measured surface is essential. Since the uncertainty requirement for a respective displacement measurement is currently not known, Monte Carlo simulations of LSWLI measurements are carried out at first to assess the impact of the displacement uncertainty on the topography measurement. The simulation shows that the uncertainty of the displacement measurement has a larger influence on the total height uncertainty than the uncertainty of the displacing motion itself. Secondly, a sufficiently precise displacement measurement by means of digital speckle correlation (DSC) is proposed that is fully integrated into the field of view of the interferometer. In contrast to externally applied displacement measurement systems, the integrated combination of DSC with LSWLI needs no synchronization and calibration, and it is applicable for translatory as well as rotatory scans. To demonstrate the findings, an LSWLI setup with integrated DSC measurements is realized and tested on a rotating cylindrical object with a surface made of a linear encoder strip.

The Role of Financing Higher Education in Nigerian Universities in Achieving Sustainable Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 551-578
Author(s):  
Samir Mohamad Hassan
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Private University ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Community Initiatives ◽  
Higher Education Financing ◽  
The University ◽  
Financing Higher Education ◽  
The Impact

The current study aims to identify the role of financing higher education in Nigerian universities in the state of Kano and its impact on sustainable development. The study problem lies in the low funding of higher education in Nigerian universities, which will negatively affect the sustainability of higher education and sustainable development. The importance of the study is highlighted by highlighting the importance of financing higher education in Nigerian universities and the sources of obtaining this funding as one of the most important factors through which students can complete their studies. The study followed the qualitative approach with the aim of obtaining more accurate information about traditional higher education financing sources and its impact on the sustainability of education and achieving sustainable development. The study population reached the number of three Nigerian universities, which are a governmental, federal and private university, to learn about the impact of financing higher education in Nigerian universities on sustainable development. The sample of the study was about three out of five of those responsible for financing higher education in Nigerian universities. Also, the study followed unstructured or open interviews in order to obtain more information about financing higher education and whether or not it is suitable for the idea of a monetary endowment. The results of the study showed that the sources of financing for higher education in traditional Nigerian universities are varied, including what can be obtained through the endowment and donations fund that can be made through community initiatives, and the results of the study also indicated that the idea of a monetary endowment faces great challenges in its application, so the idea is subject to acceptance and rejection. According to the nature of the university and the nature of the subjects taught. The study recommended the necessity of expanding the study of the impact of financing higher education in Nigerian universities by expanding the scope of study to include all Nigerian states.

scholarly journals Can the Health-Care System Meet the Challenge of Pandemic Flu? Planning, Ethical, and Workforce Considerations

2007 ◽  
Vol 122 (5) ◽  
pp. 573-578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter J. Levin ◽  
Eric N. Gebbie ◽  
Kristine Qureshi
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Health Care Staff ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Care Delivery Systems ◽  
The Impact

The federal pandemic influenza plan predicts that 30% of the population could be infected. The impact of this pandemic would quickly overwhelm the public health and health-care delivery systems in the U.S. and throughout the world. Surge capacity for staffing, availability of drugs and supplies, and alternate means to provide care must be included in detailed plans that are tested and drilled ahead of time. Accurate information on the disease must be made available to health-care staff and the public to reduce fear. Spokespersons must provide clear, consistent messages about the disease, including actions to be taken to contain its spread and treat the afflicted. Home care will be especially important, as hospitals will be quickly overwhelmed. Staff must be prepared ahead of time to assure their ability and willingness to report to work, and public health must plan ahead to adequately confront ethical issues that will arise concerning the availability of treatment resources. The entire community must work together to meet the challenges posed by an epidemic. Identification and resolution of these challenges and issues are essential to achieve adequate public health preparedness.

scholarly journals Emergent properties in microbiome networks reveal the anthropogenic disturbance of farming practices in vineyard soil fungal communities

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rüdiger Ortiz-Álvarez ◽  
Hector Ortega-Arranz ◽  
Vicente J. Ontiveros ◽  
Charles Ravarani ◽  
Alberto Acedo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small World ◽  
Fungal Communities ◽  
Local Network ◽  
Emergent Properties ◽  
Farming Practices ◽  
Natural Systems ◽  
Vineyard Soil ◽  
Global Agriculture ◽  
Network Properties ◽  
The Impact

AbstractAgro-ecosystems are human-managed natural systems, and therefore are subject to generalized ecological rules. A deeper understanding of the factors impacting on the biotic component of ecosystem stability is needed for promoting the sustainability and productivity of global agriculture. Here we propose a method to determine ecological emergent properties through the inference of network properties in local microbial communities, and to use them as biomarkers of the anthropogenic impact of different farming practices on vineyard soil ecosystem functioning. In a dataset of 350 vineyard soil samples from USA and Spain we observed that fungal communities ranged from random to small-world network arrangements with differential levels of niche specialization. Some of the network properties studied were strongly correlated, defining patterns of ecological emergent properties that are influenced by the intensification level of the crop management. Low-intervention practices (from organic to biodynamic approaches) promoted densely clustered networks, describing an equilibrium state based on mixed (generalist-collaborative) communities. Contrary, in conventionally managed vineyards, we observed highly modular (niche-specialized) low clustered communities, supported by a higher degree of selection (more co-exclusion proportion). We also found that, although geographic factors can explain the different fungal community arrangements in both countries, the relationship between network properties in local fungal communities better capture the impact of farming practices regardless of the location. Thus, we hypothesize that local network properties can be globally used to evaluate the effect of ecosystem disturbances in crops, but also in when evaluating the effect of clinical interventions or to compare microbiomes of healthy vs. disturbed conditions.

scholarly journals Characterization of COVID-19’s Impact on Mobility and Short-Term Prediction of Public Transport Demand in a Mid-Size City in Spain

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (19) ◽  
pp. 6574
Author(s):  
Ana Belén Rodríguez González ◽  
Mark R. Wilby ◽  
Juan José Vinagre Díaz ◽  
Rubén Fernández Pozo
Keyword(s):  
Public Transport ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Monitoring Network ◽  
Traffic Monitoring ◽  
Health Economy ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
The Impact

COVID-19 has dramatically struck each section of our society: health, economy, employment, and mobility. This work presents a data-driven characterization of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on public and private mobility in a mid-size city in Spain (Fuenlabrada). Our analysis used real data collected from the public transport smart card system and a Bluetooth traffic monitoring network, from February to September 2020, thus covering relevant phases of the pandemic. Our results show that, at the peak of the pandemic, public and private mobility dramatically decreased to 95% and 86% of their pre-COVID-19 values, after which the latter experienced a faster recovery. In addition, our analysis of daily patterns evidenced a clear change in the behavior of users towards mobility during the different phases of the pandemic. Based on these findings, we developed short-term predictors of future public transport demand to provide operators and mobility managers with accurate information to optimize their service and avoid crowded areas. Our prediction model achieved a high performance for pre- and post-state-of-alarm phases. Consequently, this work contributes to enlarging the knowledge about the impact of pandemic on mobility, providing a deep analysis about how it affected each transport mode in a mid-size city.

scholarly journals SISTEM INFORMASI GEOGRAFIS PEMETAAN LOKASI BENCANA ALAM DI SUMATERA UTARA BERBASIS WEB

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 138
Author(s):  
Yustria Handika Siregar ◽  
Mardiana Nainggolan
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Geographic Information ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
The Earth ◽  
The Face ◽  
Systems Mapping ◽  
The Impact ◽  
North Sumatra ◽  
The Web

Abstract - Developments in information technology, especially information systems have brought convenience that promises a work efficiency. For example geographic information system is a tool with a computer system that is used to map conditions and events that occur on the face of the earth is a system that is helpful in providing and presenting information needed by users. The development especially in the aspect of environmental needs in order to overcome or reduce the impact of disasters in the Sumatran region, and by improving the performance of the BPBD, it is necessary to have a GIS-based information system that can show BPBD disaster points that already exist in North Sumatra. With the existence of map information, especially in the web system, it is expected to provide fast and accurate information, especially knowing the exact location of the disaster. thus facilitating the work of officers in providing disaster information at the head office. Keywords - Geographic Information Systems, Mapping, Web. 

scholarly journals The impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of Canadian children and youth

FACETS ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 1628-1648
Author(s):  
Tracy Vaillancourt ◽  
Peter Szatmari ◽  
Katholiki Georgiades ◽  
Amanda Krygsman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Stepped Care ◽  
Children And Youth ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Coordinated Care ◽  
Significant Impairment ◽  
The Impact

Children and youth flourish in environments that are predictable, safe, and structured. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted these protective factors making it difficult for children and youth to adapt and thrive. Pandemic-related school closures, family stress, and trauma have led to increases in mental health problems in some children and youth, an area of health that was already in crisis well before COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic. Because mental health problems early in life are associated with significant impairment across family, social, and academic domains, immediate measures are needed to mitigate the potential for long-term sequalae. Now more than ever, Canada needs a national mental health strategy that is delivered in the context in which children and youth are most easily accessible—schools. This strategy should provide coordinated care across sectors in a stepped care framework and across a full continuum of mental health supports spanning promotion, prevention, early intervention, and treatment. In parallel, we must invest in a comprehensive population-based follow-up of Statistics Canada’s Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth so that accurate information about how the pandemic is affecting all Canadian children and youth can be obtained. It is time the Canadian government prioritizes the mental health of children and youth in its management of the pandemic and beyond.

How Does a Reduction in Mandated Medicaid Spending Affect Local Fiscal Behaviors? Evidence from New York State

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 495-547
Author(s):  
Yusun Kim
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Social Insurance ◽  
New York State ◽  
Property Tax ◽  
Effective Property ◽  
Medicaid Spending ◽  
State And Local ◽  
Sudden Decrease ◽  
The Impact

In 2005, New York (NY) state capped the growth of county-level Medicaid spending, which abruptly decreased counties’ Medicaid outlay in both relative and absolute terms. This study exploits this discontinuity in county Medicaid outlay to estimate the impact of the relief mandate policy on county budgets and property tax levies. It bridges a gap in the public finance literature by addressing local government responses to a sudden decrease in the outlay of a large mandatory spending category. We find a compositional change but no income effect on non-Medicaid spending. However, the policy reduced the effective property tax rate significantly by 6.6 to 8.1 percent on average among affected NY counties after the enactment of the policy relative to control counties. This study advances our understanding of local fiscal responses to an intergovernmental fiscal policy that changes how state and local governments share the costs of a large public social insurance program.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document