bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MEASUREMENTS OF CUSPAL SLOPE INCLINATION ANGLES IN PALAEOANTHROPOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
Authors: Gaboutchian A. V. , Knyaz V. A. , Leybova N. A.
Published: May 2017

Abstract. Tooth crown morphological features, studied in palaeoanthropology, provide valuable information about human evolution and development of civilization. Tooth crown morphology represents biological and historical data of high taxonomical value as it characterizes genetically conditioned tooth relief features averse to substantial changes under environmental factors during lifetime. Palaeoanthropological studies are still based mainly on descriptive techniques and manual measurements of limited number of morphological parameters. Feature evaluation and measurement result analysis are expert-based. Development of new methods and techniques in 3D imaging creates a background provides for better value of palaeoanthropological data processing, analysis and distribution. The goals of the presented research are to propose new features for automated odontometry and to explore their applicability to paleoanthropological studies. A technique for automated measuring of given morphological tooth parameters needed for anthropological study is developed. It is based on using original photogrammetric system as a teeth 3D models acquisition device and on a set of algorithms for given tooth parameters estimation.
MULTI-PATCHES IRIS BASED PERSON AUTHENTICATION SYSTEM USING
PARTICLE SWARM OPTIMIZATION AND FUZZY C-MEANS CLUSTERING
Authors: Shekar B. H. , Bhat S. S.
Published: May 2017

Abstract. Locating the boundary parameters of pupil and iris and segmenting the noise free iris portion are the most challenging phases of an automated iris recognition system. In this paper, we have presented person authentication frame work which uses particle swarm optimization (PSO) to locate iris region and circular hough transform (CHT) to device the boundary parameters. To undermine the effect of the noise presented in the segmented iris region we have divided the candidate region into N patches and used Fuzzy c-means clustering (FCM) to classify the patches into best iris region and not so best iris region (noisy region) based on the probability density function of each patch. Weighted mean Hammimng distance is adopted to find the dissimilarity score between the two candidate irises. We have used Log-Gabor, Riesz and Taylor’s series expansion (TSE) filters and combinations of these three for iris feature extraction. To justify the feasibility of the proposed method, we experimented on the three publicly available data sets IITD, MMU v-2 and CASIA v-4 distance.
DETECTION AND TRACKING OF MOVING OBJECTS WITH REAL-TIME ONBOARD VISION SYSTEM
Authors: Erokhin D. Y. , Feldman A. B. , Korepanov S. E.
Published: May 2017

Abstract. Detection of moving objects in video sequence received from moving video sensor is a one of the most important problem in computer vision. The main purpose of this work is developing set of algorithms, which can detect and track moving objects in real time computer vision system. This set includes three main parts: the algorithm for estimation and compensation of geometric transformations of images, an algorithm for detection of moving objects, an algorithm to tracking of the detected objects and prediction their position. The results can be claimed to create onboard vision systems of aircraft, including those relating to small and unmanned aircraft.
VIDEO COMPLETION IN DIGITAL STABILIZATION TASK USING PSEUDO-PANORAMIC TECHNIQUE
Authors: Favorskaya M. N. , Buryachenko V. V. , Zotin A. G. , Pakhirka A. I.
Published: May 2017

Abstract. Video completion is a necessary stage after stabilization of a non-stationary video sequence, if it is desirable to make the resolution of the stabilized frames equalled the resolution of the original frames. Usually the cropped stabilized frames lose 10-20% of area that means the worse visibility of the reconstructed scenes. The extension of a view of field may appear due to the pan-tilt-zoom unwanted camera movement. Our approach deals with a preparing of pseudo-panoramic key frame during a stabilization stage as a pre-processing step for the following inpainting. It is based on a multi-layered representation of each frame including the background and objects, moving differently. The proposed algorithm involves four steps, such as the background completion, local motion inpainting, local warping, and seamless blending. Our experiments show that a necessity of a seamless stitching occurs often than a local warping step. Therefore, a seamless blending was investigated in details including four main categories, such as feathering-based, pyramid-based, gradient-based, and optimal seam-based blending.
Tracking the imagined audience: A case study on Nike’s use of Twitter for B2C interaction
Authors: Au Duong Jacky , Zeller Frauke
Published: May 2017

Social media platforms have become the new centre of attention in business-to-consumer (B2C) communication. These interactions provide a rich source of information for businesses in terms of their customers’ preferences, backgrounds and behaviour. We introduce a multi-disciplinary theoretical and methodological framework based on studies in marketing, communication and computer-mediated communication, which aims to inform marketing professionals and academic researchers on how social media can facilitate B2C engagement.
Why media companies insist they're not media companies, why they're wrong, and why it matters
Authors: Napoli Philip , Caplan Robyn
Published: May 2017

A common position amongst social media platforms and online content aggregators is their resistance to being characterized as media companies. Rather, companies such as Google, Facebook, and Twitter have regularly insisted that they should be thought of purely as technology companies. This paper critiques the position that these platforms are technology companies rather than media companies, explores the underlying rationales, and considers the political, legal, and policy implications associated with accepting or rejecting this position. As this paper illustrates, this is no mere semantic distinction, given the history of the precise classification of communications technologies and services having profound ramifications for how these technologies and services are considered by policy-makers and the courts.
Negotiating ownership and agency in social media: Community reactions to Amazon’s acquisition of Goodreads
Authors: Albrechtslund Anne-Mette Bech
Published: May 2017

This paper presents an in-depth study and a discussion of Goodreads users’ reactions to the acquisition of the popular social network site for readers by Amazon in 2013. The purpose is to provide an empirical and critical examination of the negotiations over agency and ownership evident in the discussions ensuing the acquisition. The boundaries and norms of Goodreads are negotiated by its users, and the threats to withdraw their active contributions in the wake of the Amazon acquisition are seen as a way to negotiate a definition of what the site should be. Goodreads is shown to be an example of the way online social spaces become contested because of different interpretations of their purpose and functions, and it is argued that its success is ultimately dependent on users’ self-understanding as a community.
How do Saudi youth engage with social media?
Authors: Stanger Nigel , Alnaghaimshi Noorah , Pearson Erika
Published: May 2017

With the global growth of social media platforms, there are questions as to how regional cultural factors shape online engagement. Focusing on young Saudi Arabian users of some of the more popular platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat, this article uses Hofstede’s cultural dimensions to assess how cultural and religious factors are shaping and constraining online social media engagements. Using interviews, questionnaires, and analysis of individual profiles, this paper discusses some of the intertwined cultural and religious factors that influence how Saudi youth negotiate their use of social media platforms that are developed in completely different cultural contexts. In particular, this article highlights gendered concerns and the strong influence of the social collective on how these sites are used and how users manage the information they share. Through the development of “personas” as representative young Saudi users, this article concludes with some recommendations for platform developers as to how to meet the needs of this growing market.
Examining the UK higher education sector through the network of institutional accounts on Twitter
Authors: Jordan Katy
Published: May 2017

Web link mining has been previously used as a way of gaining insight into how the Internet may be replicating or reshaping connections between institutions within the higher education sector. Institutions are increasingly active on social media platforms, and these connections have not been studied. This paper presents an exploratory analysis of the network of UK higher education institutional accounts on Twitter. All U.K. institutions have a presence. Standing in recent university rankings is found to be a significant predictor of several network metrics. In examining the communities present within the network, a combination of ranking and geolocation play a role. Analysis of a sample of tweets which mention more than one U.K. higher education institution provides an indication of why the topics of tweets would reinforce prestige and location in the network structure.
Intentions to use an online restaurant review Web site and purchase behavior after reading reviews
Authors: Fogel Joshua , Kumar Mohit
Published: May 2017

The purpose of this paper is to study associations of variables with intentions to use an online restaurant review Web site and variables associated with purchase behavior at a restaurant after reading restaurant reviews. Participants were 613 college students who answered questions about demographics, trust, knowledge, and Internet experience. Hispanic and Asian/Asian American race/ethnicity, increased trust, and Internet experience variables were significantly associated with intentions. Intentions, knowledge about review fraud, and Internet experience variables were significantly associated with visiting and purchasing at restaurants. Restaurant managers should consider expanding their online presence by responding professionally to reviews.
Emanations of the informational state: Cyber operations and the difficulties
Authors: Braman Sandra
Published: May 2017

>The Tallinn Manual of 2013 and its second edition, the Tallinn Manual 2.0 of 2017, are NATO-funded analyses of how existing international laws of war apply to cybersecurity and cyberwarfare. The difficulties faced by the groups of legal experts who produced these works often involve fundamental aspects of what it is to be a state altogether, challenging the survival of the state as a dominant political form altogether. These developments, in turn, provide significant challenges to the survival of the Westphalian system within which states have been defined for almost 500 years. This article thinks through the Tallinn manuals from the lens of what debates over the appropriate legal treatment of cyber operations under international law tells us about how the state is being experienced and understood in the second decade of the twenty-first century. Comparative analysis of the first and second editions of the Manual shows that just what the informational state is, what it can do, and what it should be allowed to do is becoming less clear, not more, over time.
The Science Behind G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) and Their Accurate Visual Representation in Scientific Research
Authors: Sojka Amy , Brennan Kevin , Maizels Evelyn , Young Christine
Published: May 2017

G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) are transmembrane (TM) proteins that span the cell membrane seven times, and contain intracellular and extracellular domains, comprised of connecting loops, as well as terminal extension sequences. GPCRs bind ligands within their transmembrane and/or extracellular domains. Ligand binding elicits conformational changes that initiate downstream intracellular signaling events through arrestins and G proteins. GPCRs play central roles in many physiological processes, from sensory to neurological, cardiovascular, endocrine, and reproductive functions. This paper strives to provide an entry point to current GPCR science, and to identify visual approaches to communicate select aspects of GPCR structure and function with clarity and accuracy. The overall GPCR structure, primary sequence and the implications of sequence for membrane topology, ligand binding and helical rearrangements accompanying activation are considered and discussed in the context of visualization strategies, including two-dimensional topological diagrams, three-dimensional representations, and common errors that arise from these representation.
25 Years Ago in the JBPA/JBP
Authors: St. John Merrill Thomas
Published: May 2017

In this column, we look back at the content and imagery found in the Journal of the Biological Photographic Association (JBPA), later renamed the Journal of Biological Photography (JBP). This column examines important articles from 25 years ago. In doing so, we gain some insight into those legacy photography techniques of that time.This issue marks the Silver Anniversary of this column.
Visualizing Morphogenesis with the Processing Programming Language
Authors: Patel Avik , Bains Amar , Millet Richard , Elul Tamira
Published: May 2017

We used Processing, a visual artists’ programming language developed at MIT Media Lab, to simulate cellular mechanisms of morphogenesis – the generation of form and shape in embryonic tissues.  Based on observations of in vivo time-lapse image sequences, we created animations of neural cell motility responsible for elongating the spinal cord, and of optic axon branching dynamics that establish primary visual connectivity.  These visual models underscore the significance of the computational decomposition of cellular dynamics underlying morphogenesi.
Design of Customized Mobile Application for Patient Adherence to Oral Anticancer Medications Utilizing User-Centered Design
Authors: Hsu Grace , Crawford Stephanie , Paolella Gennaro , Cuellar Sandra , Wirth Scott , Venepalli Neeta , Wang Edward , Hughes Donna , Boyd Andrew
Published: May 2017

Oral anticancer medications (OAMs) can be challenging for patients due to their complex regimen. The goal of this research is to design a customized mobile application that can empower low health literacy patients taking OAMs and increase adherence and satisfaction with clinical care. A User-Centered Design approach was implemented by consulting with clinicians and patients at an early stage of development. Animations were incorporated to distill complex medical concepts and information. An iterative design process ensures that the tool is customized for patient engagement.
Publisher's Comments
Authors: Schnitz Gary
Published: May 2017

Journal of Biocommunication 41-1 represents the second issue of the JBC published within the University of Illinois Chicago's Open Journal System. This issue combines traditionally licensed and copyrighted content with other content published under open-access (OA) Creative Commons licensing.
Evaluation of DoD Syndrome Mapping and Baseline for ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM Transition
Authors: Deerin Jessica , Chretien Jean-Paul , Lewis Paul
Published: May 2017

ObjectiveThe transition from ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM requires evaluationof syndrome mappings to obtain a baseline for syndromic surveillancepurposes. Two syndrome mappings are evaluated in this report.IntroductionThe Department of Defense conducts syndromic surveillanceof health encounter visits of Military Health System (MHS)beneficiaries. Providers within the MHS assign up to 10 diagnosiscodes to each health encounter visit. The diagnosis codes are groupedinto syndrome and sub-syndrome categories. On October 1, 2015,the Health and Human Services-mandated transition from ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM required evaluation of the syndrome mappingsto establish a baseline of syndrome rates within the DoD. The DoDdata within the BioSense system currently utilizes DoD ESSENCEsyndrome mappings. The Master Mapping Reference Table (MMRT)was developed by the CDC to translate diagnostic codes across theICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM encoding systems to prepare for thetransition. The DoD ESSENCE and MMRT syndrome definitions arepresented in this analysis for comparison.MethodsDoD data was pulled from the BioSense Platform through aRStudio server on October 11, 2016, querying data from October1, 2014 to September 30, 2016. This time period provides twelvemonths of ICD-9-CM data and twelve months of ICD-10-CM data.The ICD codes were binned to both DoD ESSENCE syndromes andMMRT macro syndromes for comparison. Although a patient visitmay contain up to 10 ICD codes, only the first four were includedfor this analysis. Providers are trained to prioritize diagnosis codesby position. Only 2.2% of visits had greater than 4 diagnostic codes.Each ICD code in a visit is binned to an applicable syndrome. Thetotal number of visits includes visits that binned and did not bin toa syndrome. Multiple syndromes may be assigned to one patient’shealth encounter visit if multiple ICD codes are binned. Additionally,more than one code per visit may bin to the same syndrome; however,only unique syndromes are counted in the total syndrome rate. Thetotal syndrome rate was calculated by total unique syndrome visitsas the numerator and total number of visits during the ICD-9-CM orICD-10-CM time period as the denominator. The rates per 1000 totalvisits were calculated.ResultsAmong the DoD ESSENCE syndromes, the ICD-9-CM ratefor ILI was 36.3 per 1,000 compared to the ICD-10-CM rate of38.6 per 1,000. The ICD-9-CM rate for neurological was 18.1 per1,000 compared to the ICD-10-CM rate of 0.2 per 1,000.Among the MMRT syndromes, the ICD-9-CM rate for ILI was16.7 per 1,000 compared to the ICD-10-CM rate of 38.4 per 1,000.The ICD-9-CM rate for mental disorders was 73.8 per 1,000 comparedto the ICD-10-CM rate of 73.2 per 1,000.ConclusionsThis analysis provides baseline rates of MMRT syndromes andsub-syndromes for syndromic surveillance during the ICD-9-CM toICD-10-CM transition. These data will serve for future comparisonand tracking of syndrome-specific trends for military-relevant healththreats.
“That was then, this is now” improving public health syndromic surveillance baselines
Authors: Morbey Roger , Elliot Alex J. , Loveridge Paul , Hughes Helen , Harcourt Sally , Smith Sue
Published: May 2017

ObjectiveTo improve the ability of syndromic surveillance systems to detectunusual events.IntroductionSyndromic surveillance systems are used by Public Health England(PHE) to detect changes in health care activity that are indicative ofpotential threats to public health. By providing early warning andsituational awareness, these systems play a key role in supportinginfectious disease surveillance programmes, decision making andsupporting public health interventions.In order to improve the identification ofunusualactivity, wecreated new baselines to modelseasonally expectedactivity inthe absence of outbreaks or other incidents. Although historicaldata could be used to model seasonality, changes due to publichealth interventions or working practices affected comparability.Specific examples of these changes included a major change in theway telehealth services were provided in England and the rotavirusvaccination programme introduced in July 2013 that changed theseasonality of gastrointestinal consultations. Therefore, we needed toincorporate these temporal changes in our baselines.MethodsWe used negative binominal regression to model daily syndromicsurveillance, allowing for day of week and public holiday effects.To account for step changes in data caused by changes in healthcaresystem working practices or public health interventions we introducedspecific independent variables into the models. Finally, we smoothedthe regression models to provide short term forecasts of expectedtrends.The new baselines were applied to PHE’s four syndromicsurveillance systems for daily surveillance and public-facing weeklybulletins.ResultsWe replaced traditional surveillance baselines (based on simpleaverages of historical data) with the regression models for dailysurveillance of 53 syndromes across four syndromic surveillancesystems. The improved models captured current seasonal trends andmore closely reflected actual data outside of outbreaks.ConclusionsSyndromic surveillance baselines provide context forepidemiologists to make decisions about seasonal disease activity andemerging public health threats. The improved baselines developedhere showed whether current activity was consistent with expectedactivity, given all available information, and improved interpretationwhen trends diverged from expectations.
The Evaluation of Triage Notes Using ESSENCE-FL for Active Case Finding of Zika
Authors: Culpepper Allison B. , Atrubin David , Hamilton Janet J.
Published: May 2017

ObjectiveThis study assesses the utilization of triage notes from emergencydepartments (EDs) and urgent care centers (UCCs) for active casefinding in ESSENCE-FL during the Zika response.IntroductionThe Florida Department of Health (DOH) utilizes the ElectronicSurveillance System for the Early Notification of Community BasedEpidemics (ESSENCE-FL) as its statewide syndromic surveillancesystem. ESSENCE-FL comprises of chief complaint data from231 of 240 EDs, representing 96 percent of the total number of EDsin Florida. Historically, syndromic surveillance has categorizedpatient chief complaint data into syndromes for the purpose of diseasesurveillance or outbreak detection. Triage notes are much longer free-text, pre-diagnostic data that capture the presenting symptoms andcomplaints of a patient.MethodsTriage notes are being collected from 24 EDs, representing tenpercent of total reporting EDs, and seven UCCs, representing 17%of total reporting UCCs. Triage notes were made a searchable fieldin ESSENCE-FL during Zika enhanced surveillance efforts, whichfacilitated additional case finding of Zika.During the period of February 3, 2016 – July 25, 2016, a free-textquery was created to run against the concatenated chief complaint-discharge diagnosis (CCDD) and triage note fields:^zika^,or,^ziki^,or,^zica^,or,^zeeka^,or,^zeeca^,or,^microcep^,or,^zyka^Additional queries were created to detect foreign travel visits ofinterest within the CCDD and triage note fields. Results of thesequeries were analyzed and communicated to county and regionalepidemiologists daily for investigation.ResultsThe triage note specific queries identified 18 Zika triage note and11 foreign travel triage note visits of interest. All of these visits werereviewed and investigated by county epidemiologists. These triagenote queries identified one case of Zika that had not been previouslyreported to public health. Of note, seven additional cases of Zikainfection were identified using the CCDD field in ESSENCE-FL (fiveof the seven flagged in both the CCDD and triage note field).ConclusionsResults from this analysis provide evidence that triage notes withinsyndromic surveillance systems play a role in active case finding whenemerging diseases arise. However, only 31 out of 272 total reportingfacilities are submitting triage note to ESSENCE-FL, representingonly 11% of reporting facilities.Relying on chief complaint and discharge diagnosis data onlywould have resulted in an undetected case of Zika that would havenot been captured by our free-text Zika query.The increased detection of Zika cases allows for public healthintervention, including mosquito control response, which in turnreduces the chance of Zika spreading locally in Florida. Triagenotes often provide pertinent information for determining when aflagged CCDD needs to be investigated further. Making triage notesa required data element for Meaningful Use compliance would benefitcase finding conducted through syndromic surveillance.
Using a Bayesian Method to Assess Google, Twitter, and Wikipedia for ILI Surveillance
Authors: Sharpe Danielle , Hopkins Richard , Cook Robert L. , Striley Catherine W.
Published: May 2017

ObjectiveTo comparatively analyze Google, Twitter, and Wikipedia byevaluating how well change points detected in each web-based sourcecorrespond to change points detected in CDC ILI data.IntroductionTraditional influenza surveillance relies on reports of influenza-like illness (ILI) by healthcare providers, capturing individualswho seek medical care and missing those who may search, post,and tweet about their illnesses instead. Existing research has shownsome promise of using data from Google, Twitter, and Wikipediafor influenza surveillance, but with conflicting findings, studies haveonly evaluated these web-based sources individually or dually withoutcomparing all three of them1-5. A comparative analysis of all threeweb-based sources is needed to know which of the web-based sourcesperforms best in order to be considered to complement traditionalmethods.MethodsWe collected publicly available, de-identified data from the CDCILINet system, Google Flu Trends, HealthTweets.org, and Wikipediafor the 2012-2015 influenza seasons. Bayesian change point analysiswas the method used to detect change points, or seasonal changes,in each of the web-data sources for comparison to change pointsin CDC ILI data. All analyses was conducted using the R package‘bcp’ v4.0.0 in RStudio v0.99.484. Sensitivity and positive predictivevalues (PPV) were then calculated.ResultsDuring the 2012-2015 influenza seasons, a high sensitivity of 92%was found for Google, while the PPV for Google was 85%. A lowsensitivity of 50% was found for Twitter; a low PPV of 43% wasfound for Twitter also. Wikipedia had the lowest sensitivity of 33%and lowest PPV of 40%.ConclusionsGoogle had the best combination of sensitivity and PPV indetecting change points that corresponded with change points found inCDC data. Overall, change points in Google, Twitter, and Wikipediadata occasionally aligned well with change points captured in CDCILI data, yet these sources did not detect all changes in CDC data,which could indicate limitations of the web-based data or signify thatthe Bayesian method is not adequately sensitive. These three web-based sources need to be further studied and compared using otherstatistical methods before being incorporated as surveillance data tocomplement traditional systems.Figure 1. Detection of change points, 2012-2013 influenza seasonFigure 2. Detection of change points, 2013-2014 influenza seasonFigure 3. Detection of change points, 2014-2015 influenza season
Collecting Infectious Disease Data from LARS and Improving Data Quality in Taiwan
Authors: Yeh Chih-Ting , Li Chai-Lin , Ke Chih-Jung , Chang Chi-Ming
Published: May 2017

ObjectiveTo improve data quality and sustain a good quality data collectedby Laboratory Automated Reporting System (LARS), we use a Three-stage Data Quality Correction (3DQC) strategy to ensure data accuracy.IntroductionTo immediately monitor disease outbreaks, the application oflaboratory-based surveillance is more popular in recent years.Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (TCDC) has developed LARS tocollect the laboratory-confirmed cases caused by any of 20 pathogensdaily via automated submitting of reports from hospital laboratoryinformation system (LIS) to LARS since 2014 [1]. LOINC is usedas standardized format for messaging inspection data [1, 2]. Thereare 37 hospitals have joined LARS, coverage rate about 59% of allhospitals in Taiwan. Recently, more than 10,000 of data are collectedweekly and used in monitoring pathogen activity [3]. Therefore, itis important to ensure data quality that the data will lead to valuableinformation for public health surveillance.MethodsA 3DQC strategy was designed to improve data accuracy andcarried out by teamwork among TCDC, Taiwan Association forMedical Informatics (TAMI) and IT Company (Figure 1). In the firststage of 3DQC, IT Company checked data format. In the second stage,TCDC verified information between hospital inspection reports anddata receiving in LARS. In the third stage, TAMI evaluated LOINCmapping and TCDC monitored stability of data transmission. Aftercorrecting the data, hospitals were approved to join LARS.ResultsDuring the first stage of 3DQC, we observed that some problemswith syntax error in data (e.g. incorrect patient identification number,or lack of residence codes). Because some data were stored in Hospitalinformation system (HIS) but not in LIS, an error may occur whilehospital accessed records from HIS. In the second stage, 50-70%of inspection reports provided by each hospital had problems withsemantic information error. For example, a positive result of influenzaA on a screening flu test recorded in LIS but hospital transferred thewrong result with influenza B positive into LARS. In the third stage,we found that 20-30% of terms mismatched to LOINC code. Thisstudy categorized these terms into two groups (1) the Exceptioncodes, which were considered reasonable and (2) the Error codes, andalso reviewed Error codes and made a modified advice for hospitalsto improve LOINC mapping. Through 3DQC strategy, the LOINCmapping rate raised from 40 to 80%, Exception codes mapping was20%, and the total mapping rate was near 95-99% (Figure 2). Sofar, most hospitals have maintained a good quality data even theyformally participate in LARS.ConclusionsThis study suggested that 3DQC can effectively detect problemsand reduce errors of data collected from LARS, and indicated thateffect of 3DQC can be maintained even hospital formally participatesin LARS. Future research will focus on development of automaticprogramming of 3DQC to ensure high-quality data.Figure 1. A Three-stage Data Quality Correction strategy
Delay between Discharge and Admit Time Delay in ADT-A03 messages via LEEDS
Authors: Serrano Jose
Published: May 2017

ObjectiveTo explore the difference between the reported date of admissionand discharge date using discharge messages (A03), from hospitalemergency departments participating in the Louisiana Early EventDetection System (LEEDS.IntroductionThe Infectious Disease Epidemiology Section (IDEpi) within theOffice of Public Health (LaOPH) conducts syndromic surveillanceof emergency departments by means of the Louisiana Early EventDetection System (LEEDS). LEEDS accepts ADT (admit-discharge-transfer) messages from participating hospitals, predominately A04(registration) and A03 (discharge), to obtain symptom or syndromeinformation on patients reporting to hospital emergency departments.Capturing the data using discharge messages (A03) only could resultin a delay in receipt of data by LaOPH, considering the variability inthe length of stay of a patient in the ED.MethodsEmergency department data from participating hospitals isimported daily to LEEDS and processed for syndrome classification.IDEpi syndromic surveillance messages received for the period ofCDC week 1632 and 1636 (8/8/16-9/8/16) using MS Access andExcel to calculate the difference (in days) between the reported admitdate and discharge date in A03 messages.Results88.1% of the A03 messages submitted in the 4 week analysisperiod exhibited no delay (delay=0 days) between the admit date andthe reported discharge date, compared to only 10.7% showing a delayof one day (delay = 1 day) and 1.06% showing a delay of 2 days ormore (delay≥2 days). Less than 0.2% of the messages had missinginformation regarding discharge date (Table 1).ConclusionsSyndromic surveillance systems operate under a constant need forimprovement and enhancement. The quality of the data, independentof the quality of the system, should always strive to be of the highestpedigree in order to inform disease-specific programs and detectpublic health aberrations. In order to identify these potential concerns,it is imperative that the data be submitted to public health agenciesin a timely manner. Based on this analysis, the lapse in time betweenadmit and discharge results in little to no patient syndromic data delayfor those hospital ED’s that exclusively send A03 messages. Thisstatement is supported by the finding that close to 99% of messagesdemonstrated a delay between admit date and discharge date of oneday or less.Table 1. Delay between reported Admit and Discharge date in A03 messagessubmitted to LEEDS
Integrating Poison Center Data into Oregon ESSENCE using a Low-Cost Solution
Authors: Laing Robert
Published: May 2017

ObjectiveTo enhance Oregon ESSENCE’s surveillance capabilities byincorporating data from the Oregon Poison Center using limitedresources.IntroductionOregon Public Health Division (OPHD), in collaboration with theJohns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, implementedOregon ESSENCE in 2012. Oregon ESSENCE is an automated,electronic syndromic surveillance system that captures emergencydepartment data. To strengthen the capabilities of Oregon ESSENCE,OPHD sought other sources of health-outcome information, includingOregon Poison Center (OPC). In the past, Oregon’s surveillance staffmanually monitored OPC data on the National Poison Data Service(NPDS) website. Although functional, it was not integrated intoOregon’s syndromic surveillance system and required epidemiologiststo assess alerts on individual calls. To achieve data integration,OPHD pursued an automated solution to deliver OPC data intoOregon ESSENCE. OPHD’s growing interoperability infrastructurefostered development of a low-cost, reliable solution to automate theintegration of these data sources.MethodsOPC facilitated OPHD’s access to the free-of-charge NPDS webservice with an approval request and a data use agreement. OPHDuses the Rhapsody Integration Engine 6.2.1 (Orion Health, Auckland,NZ) as its primary data transfer and translation mechanism. OPHDleveraged its existing Rhapsody installation to automatically requestdata from the NPDS web service daily. Each request contains customsearch parameters that query calls from the previous day (24 hours).The service returns an XML file containing poison center call datawith multiple nodes of related data. Rhapsody uses a JavaScript ‘filter’to parse each call and its related data. The Oregon ESSENCE backendSQL database contains a parent table for the call and child tables forthe related data (Clinical Effects, Routes, Scenarios, Therapies, andGeneric Codes). Rhapsody inserts data into each of these backendSQL tables.ResultsOregon ESSENCE displays OPC data through its web interface forinterpretation by OPHD’s syndromic surveillance epidemiologists.Integrating NPDS data into Oregon ESSENCE allows OPHD staffto timely monitor data in an automated, routine manner. Syndromicsurveillance staff first assess alerts generated by Oregon ESSENCE.Alerts that require follow-up trigger a call between OPHDepidemiologists and OPC. Oregon is the first state to use the NPDSweb service to upload poison center data into Oregon ESSENCE.ConclusionsOregon’s successful integration of the NPDS web service data intoOregon ESSENCE is the first known of its kind. It leverages OPHD’sgrowing infrastructure of interoperability software applications andstaff expertise to create a cost-effective and sustainable solution thatcan be easily adapted by other public health agencies.
NIST Syndromic Surveillance Test Suite 2015 Edition
Authors: Taylor Sheryl L. , Snelick Robert
Published: May 2017

ObjectiveThe NIST Syndromic Surveillance Test Suite for 2015 EditionONC certification testing was published in February 2016. Keyinformation related to the purpose, development, and use of thisconformance test tool is provided via snapshots on a poster.IntroductionDetails about the ONC 2015 Edition certification criteria forSyndromic Surveillance and the related NIST Test Suite wereexplained previously. We now provide an overview and keyinformation regarding updates to the Test Suite and how it is designedto be used.MethodsSnapshots are provided on a poster and are used by the presenterto explain the steps involved in developing the NIST SyndromicSurveillance Test Suite 2015 Edition, to show key features of andupdates to the Test Suite, and to illustrate the relationship of the TestSuite to various releases of the PHIN Messaging Guide for SyndromicSurveillance.ResultsThe NIST Syndromic Surveillance Test Suite for 2015 EditionONC certification testing was published in February 2016. As thetarget stakeholders began using it and providing feedback, this tooland associated documentation were updated. The Test Suite is beingused by test labs for ONC certification testing of health informationtechnologies, by developers in preparation for certification testing,and ultimately by public health jurisdictions for on-boarding ofprovider organizations that need to submit surveillance data.ConclusionsAutomated conformance test tools enable validation of healthinformation technologies’ ability to support the requirementspublished in the PHIN Messaging Guide for Syndromic Surveillance.Having this standard and the means to validate conformance helpsdrive the industry toward the level of interoperability needed topromote efficient reporting and utilization of syndrome-based publichealth surveillance information.
Utility of Nontraditional Data Sources for Early Detection of Influenza
Authors: Barlow Shari , Temte Jonathan , Zheteyeva Yenlik , Fowlkes Ashley , Reed Carrie , Cummings Derek
Published: May 2017

ObjectiveThis session will provide an overview of the current systemsfor influenza surveillance; review the role of schools in influenzatransmission; discuss relationships between school closures, schoolabsenteeism, and influenza transmission; and explore the usefulnessof school absenteeism and unplanned school closure monitoring forearly detection of influenza in schools and broader communities.IntroductionInfluenza surveillance is conducted through a complex networkof laboratory and epidemiologic systems essential for estimatingpopulation burden of disease, selecting influenza vaccine viruses,and detecting novel influenza viruses with pandemic potential (1).Influenza surveillance faces numerous challenges, such as constantlychanging influenza viruses, substantial variability in the number ofaffected people and the severity of disease, nonspecific symptoms,and need for laboratory testing to confirm diagnosis. Exploringadditional components that provide morbidity information mayenhance current influenza surveillance.School-aged children have the highest influenza incidence ratesamong all age groups. Due to the close interaction of children inschools and subsequent introduction of influenza into households,it is recognized that schools can serve as amplification points ofinfluenza transmission in communities. For this reason, pandemicpreparedness recommendations include possible pre-emptive schoolclosures, before transmission is widespread within a school system orbroader community, to slow influenza transmission until appropriatevaccines become available. During seasonal influenza epidemics,school closures are usually reactive, implemented in response tohigh absenteeism of students and staff after the disease is alreadywidespread in the community. Reactive closures are often too late toreduce influenza transmission and are ineffective.To enhance timely influenza detection, a variety of nontraditionaldata sources have been explored. School absenteeism was suggestedby several research groups to improve school-based influenzasurveillance. A study conducted in Japan demonstrated that influenza-associated absenteeism can predict influenza outbreaks with highsensitivity and specificity (2). Another study found the use of all-causes absenteeism to be too nonspecific for utility in influenzasurveillance (3). Creation of school-based early warning systemsfor pandemic influenza remains an interest, and further studies areneeded. The panel will discuss how school-based surveillance cancomplement existing influenza surveillance systems.
Identifying and Communicating the Importance of the Variable Nature of SyS Data
Authors: Rubino Heather , Atrubin David , Hamilton Janet J.
Published: May 2017

ObjectiveThis roundtable will provide a forum for national, state, and localmanagers of syndromic surveillance systems to discuss how theyidentify, monitor, and respond to changes in the nature of their data.Additionally, this session will focus on the strengths and weaknessof the syndromic surveillance systems for supporting programevaluation and trend analysis. This session will also provide a forumwhere subject matter experts can discuss the ways in which this deepunderstanding of their data can be leveraged to forge and improvepartnerships with academic partners.IntroductionAs syndromic surveillance systems continue to grow, newopportunities have arisen to utilize the data in new or alternativeways for which the system was not initially designed. For example,in many jurisdictions syndromic surveillance has recently becomepopulation-based, with 100% coverage of targeted emergencydepartment encounters. This makes the data more valuable for real-time evaluation of public health and prevention programs. There hasalso been increasing pressure to make more data publicly available –to the media, academic partners, and the general public.
Public Health Surveillance Strengthening in the Kingdom of Swaziland
Authors: Sylverster Joy , Shongwe Siphiwe , Lokotfwako Vusie , Nhlabatsi Nhlanhla , Dlamini Xolisile , Trong Tony , Sahabo Ruben , Shaikh Affan , Ryland Paige , McNabb Scott J. , Nuwagaba-Biribonwoha Harriet
Published: May 2017

ObjectiveTo enable coordination of Swaziland Ministry of Health units forpublic health surveillance (PHS).IntroductionIn the Kingdom of Swaziland, a baseline assessment found thatmultiple functional units within the Ministry of Health (MoH) performPHS activities. There is limited data sharing and coordination betweenunits; roles and responsibilities are unclear. The Epidemiology andDisease Control Unit (EDCU) is mandated to coordinate efforts andstrengthen PHS through implementing Integrated Disease Surveillanceand Response (IDSR) to fulfill requirements of International HealthRegulations (2005) (IHR[2005]), and the Global Health SecurityAgenda (GHSA).MethodsA baseline assessment that included key informant interviewsof unit representatives was conducted. Data flows were developed.Results were disseminated at a facilitated stakeholder workshop withunit representatives. A database was then built containing all distinctactivities found within the IDSR Technical Guidelines (2010), IHR[2005], GHSA Action Packages, the baseline assessment, a previousCDC IDSR assessment, and suggestions from the stakeholderworkshop. Activities were categorized by IDSR function (identify,report, analyze, investigate, prepare, respond, provide feedback,and evaluate) and designated as an ongoing “role” or a one-timeimplementation activity. A document containing all PHS roles waspresented at a facilitated consensus workshop; unit representativesdiscussed and designated a lead unit/agency for each role.One-time implementation activities were assigned a lead actor, targetcompletion date, and compiled into a 3-year IDSR Roadmap to guideimplementation.ResultsA Roles and Responsibilities Framework was developed thatpresents a consensus on lead units for all roles within an IDSR-basedPHS system that fulfills requirements of IHR [2005] and GHSA.This document enables coordination by EDCU. The IDSR Roadmapprovides time-bound activities with assigned actors to implementIDSR. EDCU is using these documents to guide coordination ofmultiple MOH units already performing PHS activities.ConclusionsCoordinating well-established programs that already collectepidemiological data increases efficiency and enables more completeepidemiologic analysis. Stakeholder engagement and clarity of rolesis critical for EDCU to coordinate PHS. Consolidating activitiesfor IDSR, IHR [2005], and GHSA in guiding documents enables astreamlined approach for public health surveillance strengthening.Future work aims to achieve data sharing through an electronicplatform and introduce data standards for interoperability among datasets.K
Adoption of Public Health Readiness Guidelines for Meaningful Use
Authors: Santos Eunice R. , McNeely Wesley , Yang Biru , Arafat Raouf R.
Published: May 2017

ObjectiveTo describe the challenges and lessons learned for public healthand providers to successfully implement public health MeaningfulUse readiness guidelines and navigate from intent to submission ofproduction data while simultaneously upgrading surveillance systems.IntroductionThe Syndromic Surveillance Consortium of Southeast Texas(SSCSeT) consists of 13 stakeholders who represent 19 counties orjurisdictions in the Texas Gulf Coast region and receives health datafrom over 100 providers. The Houston Health Department (HHD)maintains and operates the syndromic surveillance system for the GulfCoast region since 2007. In preparation for Meaningful Use (MU) theHHD has adapted and implemented guidance and recommendationsfrom Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of NationalCoordinator for Health Information Technology and others. HHDsgoal is to make it possible for providers meet MU specification byfacilitating the transmission of health related data for syndromicsurveillance. The timing of the transition into MU overlaps with thechange in syndromic surveillance systems.
Acute Flaccid Paralysis Surveillance system Evaluation, Oyo state, Nigeria; 2008-2014
Authors: Anyanwu Maureen
Published: May 2017

ObjectiveWe evaluated the AFP surveillance system in Oyo State to assessits attributes and determine if it was meeting its set objectives.IntroductionIn September, 2015, Nigeria was delisted from the list of polioendemic countries globally. To be certified polio free, the countrymust attain and maintain certification standard Acute Flaccid Paralysis(AFP) surveillance for additional two-years. In Oyo State, no case ofWild Polio Virus (WPV) has been reported since February, 2009.MethodsWe used the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention updatedguidelines for evaluating public health surveillance system.We conducted a retrospective review of AFP surveillance databetween 1stJanuary, 2008 and 31stDecember, 2014. We conductedin-depth interviews with identified stakeholders. Semi-structuredquestionnaires were administered to Disease Surveillance andNotification Officers (DSNOs) and AFP focal persons. Univariateanalysis was performed by calculating frequencies, means andproportions using Microsoft Excel 2010.ResultsThe case definition of AFP and the tools for reporting are simple.Of the 897 AFP cases detected during the period under review(2008-2014), 20 (2.2%) were laboratory confirmed WPV. Thesensitivity of the system between 2008 and 2014 measured by theAnnualized Non-Polio AFP (NPAFP) rate was consistently abovethe target. of≥2/100,000 population(Mean=3.96, Standard deviation(SD): 0.48). The mean NPAFP rate for underperforming LGAs duringthe review period was 1.6, SD: 0.31. The mean Stool adequacy andTimeliness were 91.43% (SD: 18.3) and 91.3% (SD: 20.3) abovethe target of≥80% respectively. The mean Data quality was 90%(target is≥90; SD: 3.8). Positive Predictive Value (PVP) was 2%(2008 -2009), and 0% in 2010-2014.ConclusionsThe Oyo State AFP surveillance system is simple, flexible,sensitive and meeting its set objectives. However, PVP was low andthe system’s operating conditions are not stable. All the LGAs, at onepoint during the period under review did not meet the NPAFP andNPENT rates. We recommended that more logistic support shouldbe provided for non-performing LGAs to improve case reporting,investigation, and response. DSNOs should be re -sensitized onreverse cold chain, so as to improve the NPENT rate