scholarly journals Validation testing to determine the sensitivity of lateral flow testing for asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 detection in low prevalence settings: Testing frequency and public health messaging is key

PLoS Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. e3001216
Author(s):  
Jack Ferguson ◽  
Steven Dunn ◽  
Angus Best ◽  
Jeremy Mirza ◽  
Benita Percival ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Population Surveillance ◽  
Lateral Flow ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Testing Frequency ◽  
Scale Population ◽  
Surveillance Programs ◽  
Low Prevalence ◽  
The University

Lateral flow devices (LFDs) are quickly being implemented for use in large-scale population surveillance programs for SARS-CoV-2 infection in the United Kingdom. These programs have been piloted in city-wide screening in the city of Liverpool and are now being rolled out to support care home visits and the return home of University students for the Christmas break. Here, we present data on the performance of LFDs to test almost 8,000 students at the University of Birmingham between December 2 and December 9, 2020. The performance is validated against almost 800 samples using PCR performed in the University Pillar 2 testing lab and theoretically validated on thousands of Pillar 2 PCR testing results performed on low-prevalence care home testing samples. Our data show that LFDs do not detect infections presenting with PCR Ct values over 29 to 30 as determined using the Thermo Fisher TaqPath asssay. This may be of particular importance in detecting individuals that are either at the early, or late stages of infection, and reinforces the need for frequent, recurrent testing.

scholarly journals Validation testing to determine the effectiveness of lateral flow testing for asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 detection in low prevalence settings

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack Ferguson ◽  
Steven Dunn ◽  
Angus Best ◽  
Jeremy Mirza ◽  
Benita Percival ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Population Surveillance ◽  
Lateral Flow ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Scale Population ◽  
Surveillance Programs ◽  
Low Prevalence ◽  
The University ◽  
Flow Devices

AbstractLateral flow devices are quickly being implemented for use in large scale population surveillance programs for SARS-CoV-2 infection in the United Kingdom. These programs have been piloted in city wide screening in the city of Liverpool, and are now being rolled out to support care home visits and the return home of University students for the Christmas break. Here we present data on the performance of Lateral Flow devices to test almost 8,000 students at the University of Birmingham between December 2nd and December 9th 2020. The performance is validated against almost 800 samples using PCR performed in the University Pillar 2 testing lab, and theoretically validated on thousands of Pillar 2 PCR testing results performed on low-prevalence care home testing samples. Our data shows that Lateral Flow Devices do not detect infections presenting with PCR Ct values over 29-30, meaning that only 3.2% (95% CI 0.6% to 15.6%) of total cases in the student population were detected, but that as many of 85% of cases tested in the Pillar 2 PCR lab would have been detected theoretically

scholarly journals Improving COVID-19 Testing Efficiency using Guided Agglomerative Sampling

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fayyaz Minhas ◽  
Dimitris Grammatopoulos ◽  
Lawrence Young ◽  
Imran Amin ◽  
David Snead ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Resource Constraints ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Sampling Strategy ◽  
Population Surveillance ◽  
Large Scale Testing ◽  
Scale Population ◽  
Simulation Results ◽  
The Given ◽  
Test Outcomes

AbstractOne of the challenges in the current COVID-19 crisis is the time and cost of performing tests especially for large-scale population surveillance. Since, the probability of testing positive in large population studies is expected to be small (<15%), therefore, most of the test outcomes will be negative. Here, we propose the use of agglomerative sampling which can prune out multiple negative cases in a single test by intelligently combining samples from different individuals. The proposed scheme builds on the assumption that samples from the population may not be independent of each other. Our simulation results show that the proposed sampling strategy can significantly increase testing capacity under resource constraints: on average, a saving of ~40% tests can be expected assuming a positive test probability of 10% across the given samples. The proposed scheme can also be used in conjunction with heuristic or Machine Learning guided clustering for improving the efficiency of large-scale testing further. The code for generating the simulation results for this work is available here: https://github.com/foxtrotmike/AS.

scholarly journals Upscaling non-residential bio-based circular construction in the United Kingdom

2021 ◽  
Vol 855 (1) ◽  
pp. 012015
Author(s):  
B Dams ◽  
D Maskell ◽  
A Shea ◽  
S Allen ◽  
V Cascione ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Distribution Centre ◽  
Vested Interests ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University

Abstract Non-residential circular construction projects using bio-based materials have been realised in the United Kingdom. Case studies include the Adnams Distribution Centre, the University of East Anglia’s Enterprise Centre and the British Science Museum’s hempcrete storage facility. The bio-based buildings utilise the natural properties of bio-based materials to insulate and regulate internal environments, particularly with reducing fluctuations in temperature and relative humidity, which can be harmful to sensitive stored products and artefacts. Projects have been successful on both on environmental and physical performance levels; however, they have not led to a subsequent proliferation of non-residential large-scale circular projects within the UK using emerging bio-based materials. This study examines why and uses analysis based upon exclusive interviews with key figures associated with bio-based case studies. Challenges faced include the ability to upscale production by manufacturers of bio-based materials, problems surrounding initial costs, gaining accreditation for materials, the vested interests present in the construction industry and levels of knowledge among clients and construction professionals. Potential upscaling solutions identified include long-term financial savings on running costs and high staff productivity, policies regarding grants, incentives and planning applications and local economic regeneration.

scholarly journals How useful are survey data for analyzing immigration policy?

Data & Policy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madeleine Sumption
Keyword(s):  
Survey Data ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Legal Status ◽  
Policy Changes ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Scale Population ◽  
Mobile Population ◽  
The Government ◽  
Different Characteristics ◽  
Key Questions

Abstract Large-scale population surveys have been an important source of data for the study of migration, and in many countries provide the only widely accessible data on migrants’ characteristics and outcomes after they arrive. For immigration policymakers, however, official survey data have some important limitations. Nonresponse to surveys is particularly likely to affect newly arrived migrants, biasing analysis toward more settled populations who have different characteristics (e.g., different fiscal costs), and hindering analysis of how integration outcomes evolve after arrival. Survey data are not well suited to capturing the dynamics of a mobile population, particularly among groups of migrants who spend substantial periods outside the country. And perhaps most importantly, official survey data usually identify migrants by country of birth and nationality (and sometimes self-reported reason for migration) but rarely include information on a person’s legal status either at arrival or at the time of data collection. This significantly limits the possibilities for evaluating policy and the impacts of policy changes: the characteristics of migrants coming for different reasons can vary enormously, so policymakers should be cautious about assuming that aggregate evidence on migrants or migration will be relevant to the specific routes on which they are taking decisions. This article illustrates some of these problems in practice showing how official survey data in the United Kingdom have been unable to answer one of the key questions facing the government, namely how many and which EU citizens need to apply to secure their residence rights after Brexit.

scholarly journals Evaluating efficiency of pooling specimens for PCR-based detection of COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Supaporn Wacharapluesadee ◽  
Thongchai Kaewpom ◽  
Weenassarin Ampoot ◽  
Siriporn Ghai ◽  
Worrawat Khamhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Risk ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
The World ◽  
Positive Specimen ◽  
Scale Population ◽  
Limited Supply ◽  
Low Incidence ◽  
Low Prevalence ◽  
Paired T Test

ABSTRACTIn the age of a pandemic, such as the ongoing one caused by SARS-CoV-2, the world faces limited supply of tests, PPE and reagents, and factories are struggling to meet the growing demands. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of pooling specimen for testing of SARS-CoV-2 virus, to determine whether costs and resource savings could be achieved without impacting the sensitivity of the testing. Ten specimens were pooled for testing, containing either one or two known positive specimen of varying viral concentrations. Pooling specimens did not affect the sensitivity of detecting SARS-CoV-2, and the PCR cycle threshold (Ct) between testing of pooling specimen and subsequent individual testing was not significantly different using paired t-test. This study also identified cost savings garnered from pooling of specimen for testing at 4 differing prevalence rates, ranging from 0.1-10%. Pooling specimens to test for COVID-19 infection in low prevalence areas or in low risk population can dramatically decrease the resources burden on lab operations by up to 80%. This paves the possibility for large-scale population screening, allowing for assured policy decisions by governmental bodies to ease lockdown restrictions in areas with low incidence of infection, or with lower risk populations.

Community-Driven Approach for Youth Health Survey Administration and Data Utilization

2020 ◽  
pp. 152483992091069
Author(s):  
Leonardo Kattari ◽  
Lauren Cikara ◽  
Ming Ma ◽  
Ashley Brooks-Russell
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Population Surveillance ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Youth Survey ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Strategic Approach ◽  
Scale Population ◽  
Survey Administration ◽  
State And Local

Large-scale population surveillance systems may fall short in capturing localized data specifically from rural communities. A three-tiered engagement approach is implemented by survey administrators that focuses on supporting communities and schools to better understand the health of youth locally and identify the most effective interventions. This community-driven approach to survey administration addresses the locality gap and evolves a statewide youth survey to better meet the needs of the state and local communities, as well as alleviates survey burden in schools through a unified, strategic approach.

scholarly journals Consequences of the emergency response to COVID-19: a whole health care system review in a single city in the United Kingdom

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy W. Tankel ◽  
David Ratcliffe ◽  
Martin Smith ◽  
Andrew Mullarkey ◽  
Jennifer Pover ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Emergency Response ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Case Record ◽  
The United Kingdom

Abstract Background The response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom included large scale changes to healthcare delivery, without fully understanding the potential for unexpected effects caused by these changes. The aim was “to ascertain the characteristics of patients, uncertainty over diagnosis, or features of the emergency response to the pandemic that could be modified to mitigate against future excess deaths”. Methods Review of the entire pathway of care of patients whose death was registered in Salford during the 8 week period of the first wave (primary care, secondary care, 111 and 999 calls) in order to create a single record of healthcare prior to death. An expert panel judged avoidability of death against the National Mortality Case Record Review Programme scale. The panel identified themes using a structured judgement review format. Results There were 522 deaths including 197 in hospital, and 190 in care homes. 51% of patients were female, 81% Caucasian, age 79 ± 9 years. Dementia was present in 35%, COVID-19 was cause of death in 44%. Healthcare contact prior to death was most frequently with primary care (81% of patients). Forty-six patients (9%) had healthcare appointments cancelled (median 1 cancellation, range 1–9). Fewer than half of NHS 111 calls were answered during this period. 18% of deaths contained themes consistent with some degree of avoidability. In people aged ≥75 years who lived at home this was 53%, in care home residents 29% and in patients with learning disability 44% (n = 9). Common themes were; delays in patients presenting to care providers (10%), delays in testing (17%), avoidable exposure to COVID-19 (26%), delays in provider response (5%), and sub-optimal care (11%). For avoidability scores of 2 or 3 (indicating more than 50% chance of avoidability), 44% of cases had > 2 themes. Conclusions The initial emergency response had unforeseen consequences resulting in late presentation, sub-optimal assessments, and delays in receiving care. Death in more vulnerable groups was more likely to display avoidability themes.

Lessons from European Population Genetic Databases: Comparing the Law in Estonia, Iceland, Sweden and the United Kingdom

2005 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ants Nõmper ◽  
HörÐur Helgi Helgason ◽  
Lotta Wendel ◽  
Jane Kaye ◽  
Susan Gibbons
Keyword(s):  
Biological Samples ◽  
Population Genetic ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Genetic Research ◽  
European Population ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Benefit Sharing ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Scale Population ◽  
The Law

AbstractThe advent of large-scale, population genetic databases (PGDs) in several countries around the world marks a significant development in human DNA banking and genetic research. The European countries that have led the way in the development of PGDs are Iceland, Sweden, Estonia and the U.K. In legal terms, the emergence of PGDs has been far from straightforward as such projects pose a range of difficult and complex issues for the law to address. This article canvasses the current law in Iceland, Estonia, Sweden and the U.K. on four fundamental issues of principle pertaining to PGDs, in order to illustrate the difficulties that have emerged around PGDs, highlight key areas of legal concern, and shed light on possible ways forward. It compares and contrasts the differing legal positions and lawmakers' responses to date in these four European countries that have established PGDs or are seeking to do so. The four fundamental issues examined are: (1) consent, especially for secondary research purposes; (2) ownership of biological samples, data and databases; (3) the rights of certain third parties to gain access to, and to use, PGD biological samples and data; and (4) benefit sharing, including the provision of feedback and genetic counselling to participants. This analysis may offer some guidance for policymakers in other jurisdictions where PGDs have been proposed or are being established.

scholarly journals Consequences of the emergency response to COVID-19: a whole health care system review in a single city in the United Kingdom

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy Tankel ◽  
David Ratcliffe ◽  
Martin Smith ◽  
Andrew Mullarkey ◽  
Zoe Marsden ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Emergency Response ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Case Record ◽  
The United Kingdom

Abstract Background: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom included large scale changes to healthcare delivery, without fully understanding the potential for unexpected effects caused by change. The aim was “to ascertain the characteristics of patients, uncertainty over diagnosis, or features of the emergency response to the pandemic that could be modified to mitigate against future excess deaths”.Methods: Review of the entire pathway of care of patients whose death was registered in Salford during the 8 week period of the first wave (primary care, secondary care, 111 and 999 calls)) to create a single record of healthcare prior to death. An expert panel judged avoidability of death against the National Mortality Case Record Review Programme scale methodology and identification of themes using a structured judgement review format.Results: There were 522 deaths including 197 in hospital, and 190 in care homes. 51% of patients were female, 81% Caucasian, age 79±9 years. Dementia was present in 35%, COVID-19 was cause of death in 44%.Healthcare contact prior to death was most frequently with primary care (81% of patients). 46 patients (9%) had healthcare appointments cancelled (median 1 cancellation, range 1-9).Fewer than half of NHS 111 calls were answered during this period. 18% of deaths contained themes consistent with some degree of avoidability. In people aged ≥75 years who lived at home this was 53%, in care home residents 29% and learning disability patients 44% (n=9). Common themes were; delays in patients presenting to care providers (10%), delays in testing (17%), avoidable exposure to COVID-19 (26%), delays in provider response (5%), and sub-optimal care (11%). For avoidability scores of 2 or 3 (indicating more than 50% chance of avoidability), 44% of cases had >2 themes. Conclusions:The initial emergency response had unforeseen consequences resulting in late presentation, sub-optimal assessments, and delays in receiving care. Death in more vulnerable groups was quantitatively more likely to display avoidability themes.

SOCIAL PROJECT AS A PLATFORM FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PROFESSIONAL SKILLS OF FUTURE INFORMATICS TEACHERS

2019 ◽  
pp. 16-22
Author(s):  
E. V. Klimenko ◽  
N. S. Buslova
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Professional Competencies ◽  
Future Teachers ◽  
Professional Skills ◽  
Knowledge And Skills ◽  
Theoretical Reasoning ◽  
Social Project ◽  
The University

The article is devoted to the consideration of ways to solve one of the actual problems in theory and methodology of training and upbringing — the problem of developing professional skills of future informatics teacher. As a way to adapt students to the profession, the possibility of their involvement in social designing was chosen. Participation in social projects contributes to the approbation and introduction of new forms and methods in teaching informatics. Expanding the experience of future teachers in carrying out large-scale events contributes to the formation of a socially adapted personality competitive in modern society. The potential of a social project in consolidating the knowledge and skills obtained during the theoretical training at the university is indicated. In the article, theoretical reasoning is accompanied by examples of real social projects and activities aimed at the formation of professional competencies of future informatics teachers.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document