Last data update: May 06, 2024. (Total: 46732 publications since 2009)
Records 1-30 (of 36 Records) |
Query Trace: Rowland A[original query] |
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Evaluation of detection and response times of fire sensors using an atmospheric monitoring system
Rowland JH 3rd , Litton CD , Thomas RA . Trans Soc Min Metall Explor Inc 2016 340 (1) 104-112 Atmospheric monitoring systems (AMS) are required when using air from conveyor belt entries to ventilate working sections in U.S. underground coal mines. AMS technology has the potential to increase fire safety mine-wide, but research is needed to determine the detection and response times for fires of a variety of combustible materials. To evaluate the potential of an AMS for fire detection in other areas of a coal mine, a series of full-scale fire experiments were conducted to determine detection and response times from fires of different combustible materials that are found in U.S. underground coal mines, including high- and low-volatility coals, conveyor belts, brattice materials, different types of wood, diesel fuel, and a foam sealant. These experiments were conducted in the Safety Research Coal Mine (SRCM) of the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) located in Pittsburgh, PA, using a commercially available AMS that is typical of current technology. The results showed that through proper selection of sensors and their locations, a mine-wide AMS can provide sufficient early fire warning times and improve the health and safety of miners. |
Evaluation of individual and ensemble probabilistic forecasts of COVID-19 mortality in the US (preprint)
Cramer EY , Ray EL , Lopez VK , Bracher J , Brennen A , Castro Rivadeneira AJ , Gerding A , Gneiting T , House KH , Huang Y , Jayawardena D , Kanji AH , Khandelwal A , Le K , Mühlemann A , Niemi J , Shah A , Stark A , Wang Y , Wattanachit N , Zorn MW , Gu Y , Jain S , Bannur N , Deva A , Kulkarni M , Merugu S , Raval A , Shingi S , Tiwari A , White J , Abernethy NF , Woody S , Dahan M , Fox S , Gaither K , Lachmann M , Meyers LA , Scott JG , Tec M , Srivastava A , George GE , Cegan JC , Dettwiller ID , England WP , Farthing MW , Hunter RH , Lafferty B , Linkov I , Mayo ML , Parno MD , Rowland MA , Trump BD , Zhang-James Y , Chen S , Faraone SV , Hess J , Morley CP , Salekin A , Wang D , Corsetti SM , Baer TM , Eisenberg MC , Falb K , Huang Y , Martin ET , McCauley E , Myers RL , Schwarz T , Sheldon D , Gibson GC , Yu R , Gao L , Ma Y , Wu D , Yan X , Jin X , Wang YX , Chen Y , Guo L , Zhao Y , Gu Q , Chen J , Wang L , Xu P , Zhang W , Zou D , Biegel H , Lega J , McConnell S , Nagraj VP , Guertin SL , Hulme-Lowe C , Turner SD , Shi Y , Ban X , Walraven R , Hong QJ , Kong S , van de Walle A , Turtle JA , Ben-Nun M , Riley S , Riley P , Koyluoglu U , DesRoches D , Forli P , Hamory B , Kyriakides C , Leis H , Milliken J , Moloney M , Morgan J , Nirgudkar N , Ozcan G , Piwonka N , Ravi M , Schrader C , Shakhnovich E , Siegel D , Spatz R , Stiefeling C , Wilkinson B , Wong A , Cavany S , España G , Moore S , Oidtman R , Perkins A , Kraus D , Kraus A , Gao Z , Bian J , Cao W , Lavista Ferres J , Li C , Liu TY , Xie X , Zhang S , Zheng S , Vespignani A , Chinazzi M , Davis JT , Mu K , Pastore YPiontti A , Xiong X , Zheng A , Baek J , Farias V , Georgescu A , Levi R , Sinha D , Wilde J , Perakis G , Bennouna MA , Nze-Ndong D , Singhvi D , Spantidakis I , Thayaparan L , Tsiourvas A , Sarker A , Jadbabaie A , Shah D , Della Penna N , Celi LA , Sundar S , Wolfinger R , Osthus D , Castro L , Fairchild G , Michaud I , Karlen D , Kinsey M , Mullany LC , Rainwater-Lovett K , Shin L , Tallaksen K , Wilson S , Lee EC , Dent J , Grantz KH , Hill AL , Kaminsky J , Kaminsky K , Keegan LT , Lauer SA , Lemaitre JC , Lessler J , Meredith HR , Perez-Saez J , Shah S , Smith CP , Truelove SA , Wills J , Marshall M , Gardner L , Nixon K , Burant JC , Wang L , Gao L , Gu Z , Kim M , Li X , Wang G , Wang Y , Yu S , Reiner RC , Barber R , Gakidou E , Hay SI , Lim S , Murray C , Pigott D , Gurung HL , Baccam P , Stage SA , Suchoski BT , Prakash BA , Adhikari B , Cui J , Rodríguez A , Tabassum A , Xie J , Keskinocak P , Asplund J , Baxter A , Oruc BE , Serban N , Arik SO , Dusenberry M , Epshteyn A , Kanal E , Le LT , Li CL , Pfister T , Sava D , Sinha R , Tsai T , Yoder N , Yoon J , Zhang L , Abbott S , Bosse NI , Funk S , Hellewell J , Meakin SR , Sherratt K , Zhou M , Kalantari R , Yamana TK , Pei S , Shaman J , Li ML , Bertsimas D , Skali Lami O , Soni S , Tazi Bouardi H , Ayer T , Adee M , Chhatwal J , Dalgic OO , Ladd MA , Linas BP , Mueller P , Xiao J , Wang Y , Wang Q , Xie S , Zeng D , Green A , Bien J , Brooks L , Hu AJ , Jahja M , McDonald D , Narasimhan B , Politsch C , Rajanala S , Rumack A , Simon N , Tibshirani RJ , Tibshirani R , Ventura V , Wasserman L , O'Dea EB , Drake JM , Pagano R , Tran QT , Ho LST , Huynh H , Walker JW , Slayton RB , Johansson MA , Biggerstaff M , Reich NG . medRxiv 2021 2021.02.03.21250974 Short-term probabilistic forecasts of the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States have served as a visible and important communication channel between the scientific modeling community and both the general public and decision-makers. Forecasting models provide specific, quantitative, and evaluable predictions that inform short-term decisions such as healthcare staffing needs, school closures, and allocation of medical supplies. In 2020, the COVID-19 Forecast Hub (https://covid19forecasthub.org/) collected, disseminated, and synthesized hundreds of thousands of specific predictions from more than 50 different academic, industry, and independent research groups. This manuscript systematically evaluates 23 models that regularly submitted forecasts of reported weekly incident COVID-19 mortality counts in the US at the state and national level. One of these models was a multi-model ensemble that combined all available forecasts each week. The performance of individual models showed high variability across time, geospatial units, and forecast horizons. Half of the models evaluated showed better accuracy than a naïve baseline model. In combining the forecasts from all teams, the ensemble showed the best overall probabilistic accuracy of any model. Forecast accuracy degraded as models made predictions farther into the future, with probabilistic accuracy at a 20-week horizon more than 5 times worse than when predicting at a 1-week horizon. This project underscores the role that collaboration and active coordination between governmental public health agencies, academic modeling teams, and industry partners can play in developing modern modeling capabilities to support local, state, and federal response to outbreaks.Competing Interest StatementAV, MC, and APP report grants from Metabiota Inc outside the submitted work.Funding StatementFor teams that reported receiving funding for their work, we report the sources and disclosures below. CMU-TimeSeries: CDC Center of Excellence, gifts from Google and Facebook. CU-select: NSF DMS-2027369 and a gift from the Morris-Singer Foundation. COVIDhub: This work has been supported by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (1U01IP001122) and the National Institutes of General Medical Sciences (R35GM119582). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of CDC, NIGMS or the National Institutes of Health. Johannes Bracher was supported by the Helmholtz Foundation via the SIMCARD Information& Data Science Pilot Project. Tilmann Gneiting gratefully acknowledges support by the Klaus Tschira Foundation. DDS-NBDS: NSF III-1812699. EPIFORECASTS-ENSEMBLE1: Wellcome Trust (210758/Z/18/Z) GT_CHHS-COVID19: William W. George Endowment, Virginia C. and Joseph C. Mello Endowments, NSF DGE-1650044, NSF MRI 1828187, research cyberinfrastructure resources and services provided by the Partnership for an Advanced Computing Environment (PACE) at Georgia Tech, and the following benefactors at Georgia Tech: Andrea Laliberte, Joseph C. Mello, Richard Rick E. & Charlene Zalesky, and Claudia & Paul Raines GT-DeepCOVID: CDC MInD-Healthcare U01CK000531-Supplement. NSF (Expeditions CCF-1918770, CAREER IIS-2028586, RAPID IIS-2027862, Medium IIS-1955883, NRT DGE-1545362), CDC MInD program, ORNL and funds/computing resources from Georgia Tech and GTRI. IHME: This work was supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, as well as funding from the state of Washington and the National Science Foundation (award no. FAIN: 2031096). IowaStateLW-STEM: Iowa State University Plant Sciences Institute Scholars Program, NSF DMS-1916204, NSF CCF-1934884, Laurence H. Baker Center for Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics. JHU_IDD-CovidSP: State of California, US Dept of Health and Human Services, US Dept of Homeland Security, US Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, Johns Hopkins Health System, Office of the Dean at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University Modeling and Policy Hub, Centers fo Disease Control and Prevention (5U01CK000538-03), University of Utah Immunology, Inflammation, & Infectious Disease Initiative (26798 Seed Grant). LANL-GrowthRate: LANL LDRD 20200700ER. MOBS-GLEAM_COVID: COVID Supplement CDC-HHS-6U01IP001137-01. NotreDame-mobility and NotreDame-FRED: NSF RAPID DEB 2027718 UA-EpiCovDA: NSF RAPID Grant # 2028401. UCSB-ACTS: NSF RAPID IIS 2029626. UCSD-NEU: Google Faculty Award, DARPA W31P4Q-21-C-0014, COVID Supplement CDC-HHS-6U01IP001137-01. UMass-MechBayes: NIGMS R35GM119582, NSF 1749854. UMich-RidgeTfReg: The University of Michigan Physics Department and the University of Michigan Office of Research.Author DeclarationsI confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained.YesThe details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below:UMass-Amherst IRBAll necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived.YesI understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance).YesI have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines and uploaded the relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material as supplementary files, if applicable.YesAll data and code referred to in the manuscript are publicly available. https://github.com/reichlab/covid19-forecast-hub/ https://github.com/reichlab/covidEnsembles https://zoltardata.com/project/44 |
Developing the role of earth observation in spatio-temporal mosquito modelling to identify malaria hot-spots
Marston C , Rowland C , O’Neil A , Irish S , Wat’senga F , Martín-Gallego P , Aplin P , Giraudoux P , Strode C . Remote Sens 2023 15 (1) Anopheles mosquitoes are the vectors of human malaria, a disease responsible for a significant burden of global disease and over half a million deaths in 2020. Here, methods using a time series of cost-free Earth Observation (EO) data, 45,844 in situ mosquito monitoring captures, and the cloud processing platform Google Earth Engine are developed to identify the biogeographical variables driving the abundance and distribution of three malaria vectors—Anopheles gambiae s.l., An. funestus, and An. paludis—in two highly endemic areas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. EO-derived topographical and time series land surface temperature and rainfall data sets are analysed using Random Forests (RFs) to identify their relative importance in relation to the abundance of the three mosquito species, and they show how spatial and temporal distributions vary by site, by mosquito species, and by month. The observed relationships differed between species and study areas, with the overall number of biogeographical variables identified as important in relation to species abundance, being 30 for An. gambiae s.l. and An. funestus and 26 for An. paludis. Results indicate rainfall and land surface temperature to consistently be the variables of highest importance, with higher rainfall resulting in greater mosquito abundance through the creation of pools acting as mosquito larval habitats; however, proportional coverage of forest and grassland, as well as proximity to forests, are also consistently identified as important. Predictive application of the RF models generated monthly abundance maps for each species, identifying both spatial and temporal hot-spots of high abundance and, by proxy, increased malaria infection risk. Results indicate greater temporal variability in An. gambiae s.l. and An. paludis abundances in response to seasonal rainfall, whereas An. funestus is generally more temporally stable, with maximum predicted abundances of 122 for An. gambiae s.l., 283 for An. funestus, and 120 for An. paludis. Model validation produced R2 values of 0.717 for An. gambiae s.l., 0.861 for An. funestus, and 0.448 for An. paludis. Monthly abundance values were extracted for 248,089 individual buildings, demonstrating how species abundance, and therefore biting pressure, varies spatially and seasonally on a building-to-building basis. These methods advance previous broader regional mosquito mapping and can provide a crucial tool for designing bespoke control programs and for improving the targeting of resource-constrained disease control activities to reduce malaria transmission and subsequent mortality in endemic regions, in line with the WHO’s ‘High Burden to High Impact’ initiative. The developed method was designed to be widely applicable to other areas, where suitable in situ mosquito monitoring data are available. Training materials were also made freely available in multiple languages, enabling wider uptake and implementation of the methods by users without requiring prior expertise in EO. © 2022 by the authors. |
Evaluation of individual and ensemble probabilistic forecasts of COVID-19 mortality in the United States.
Cramer EY , Ray EL , Lopez VK , Bracher J , Brennen A , Castro Rivadeneira AJ , Gerding A , Gneiting T , House KH , Huang Y , Jayawardena D , Kanji AH , Khandelwal A , Le K , Mühlemann A , Niemi J , Shah A , Stark A , Wang Y , Wattanachit N , Zorn MW , Gu Y , Jain S , Bannur N , Deva A , Kulkarni M , Merugu S , Raval A , Shingi S , Tiwari A , White J , Abernethy NF , Woody S , Dahan M , Fox S , Gaither K , Lachmann M , Meyers LA , Scott JG , Tec M , Srivastava A , George GE , Cegan JC , Dettwiller ID , England WP , Farthing MW , Hunter RH , Lafferty B , Linkov I , Mayo ML , Parno MD , Rowland MA , Trump BD , Zhang-James Y , Chen S , Faraone SV , Hess J , Morley CP , Salekin A , Wang D , Corsetti SM , Baer TM , Eisenberg MC , Falb K , Huang Y , Martin ET , McCauley E , Myers RL , Schwarz T , Sheldon D , Gibson GC , Yu R , Gao L , Ma Y , Wu D , Yan X , Jin X , Wang YX , Chen Y , Guo L , Zhao Y , Gu Q , Chen J , Wang L , Xu P , Zhang W , Zou D , Biegel H , Lega J , McConnell S , Nagraj VP , Guertin SL , Hulme-Lowe C , Turner SD , Shi Y , Ban X , Walraven R , Hong QJ , Kong S , van de Walle A , Turtle JA , Ben-Nun M , Riley S , Riley P , Koyluoglu U , DesRoches D , Forli P , Hamory B , Kyriakides C , Leis H , Milliken J , Moloney M , Morgan J , Nirgudkar N , Ozcan G , Piwonka N , Ravi M , Schrader C , Shakhnovich E , Siegel D , Spatz R , Stiefeling C , Wilkinson B , Wong A , Cavany S , España G , Moore S , Oidtman R , Perkins A , Kraus D , Kraus A , Gao Z , Bian J , Cao W , Lavista Ferres J , Li C , Liu TY , Xie X , Zhang S , Zheng S , Vespignani A , Chinazzi M , Davis JT , Mu K , Pastore YPiontti A , Xiong X , Zheng A , Baek J , Farias V , Georgescu A , Levi R , Sinha D , Wilde J , Perakis G , Bennouna MA , Nze-Ndong D , Singhvi D , Spantidakis I , Thayaparan L , Tsiourvas A , Sarker A , Jadbabaie A , Shah D , Della Penna N , Celi LA , Sundar S , Wolfinger R , Osthus D , Castro L , Fairchild G , Michaud I , Karlen D , Kinsey M , Mullany LC , Rainwater-Lovett K , Shin L , Tallaksen K , Wilson S , Lee EC , Dent J , Grantz KH , Hill AL , Kaminsky J , Kaminsky K , Keegan LT , Lauer SA , Lemaitre JC , Lessler J , Meredith HR , Perez-Saez J , Shah S , Smith CP , Truelove SA , Wills J , Marshall M , Gardner L , Nixon K , Burant JC , Wang L , Gao L , Gu Z , Kim M , Li X , Wang G , Wang Y , Yu S , Reiner RC , Barber R , Gakidou E , Hay SI , Lim S , Murray C , Pigott D , Gurung HL , Baccam P , Stage SA , Suchoski BT , Prakash BA , Adhikari B , Cui J , Rodríguez A , Tabassum A , Xie J , Keskinocak P , Asplund J , Baxter A , Oruc BE , Serban N , Arik SO , Dusenberry M , Epshteyn A , Kanal E , Le LT , Li CL , Pfister T , Sava D , Sinha R , Tsai T , Yoder N , Yoon J , Zhang L , Abbott S , Bosse NI , Funk S , Hellewell J , Meakin SR , Sherratt K , Zhou M , Kalantari R , Yamana TK , Pei S , Shaman J , Li ML , Bertsimas D , Skali Lami O , Soni S , Tazi Bouardi H , Ayer T , Adee M , Chhatwal J , Dalgic OO , Ladd MA , Linas BP , Mueller P , Xiao J , Wang Y , Wang Q , Xie S , Zeng D , Green A , Bien J , Brooks L , Hu AJ , Jahja M , McDonald D , Narasimhan B , Politsch C , Rajanala S , Rumack A , Simon N , Tibshirani RJ , Tibshirani R , Ventura V , Wasserman L , O'Dea EB , Drake JM , Pagano R , Tran QT , Ho LST , Huynh H , Walker JW , Slayton RB , Johansson MA , Biggerstaff M , Reich NG . Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022 119 (15) e2113561119 SignificanceThis paper compares the probabilistic accuracy of short-term forecasts of reported deaths due to COVID-19 during the first year and a half of the pandemic in the United States. Results show high variation in accuracy between and within stand-alone models and more consistent accuracy from an ensemble model that combined forecasts from all eligible models. This demonstrates that an ensemble model provided a reliable and comparatively accurate means of forecasting deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic that exceeded the performance of all of the models that contributed to it. This work strengthens the evidence base for synthesizing multiple models to support public-health action. |
Evaluation of carbon monoxide and smoke sensors at a low ventilation velocity
Rowland JHIII , Yuan L , Thomas RA . Min Metall Explor 2020 38 (1) 603-608 This paper presents the results of large-scale fire experiments on evaluating the performances of carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke sensors at low ventilation velocities. Experiments using three different combustibles—conveyor belt, coal, and diesel fuel—were conducted in the Experimental Mine at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Bruceton Research Facility. A total of eight sensor stations were located downstream of the fire with each station containing CO, smoke, carbon dioxide, oxygen, humidity, barometric pressure, temperature sensors, and two airflow sensors. The airflow velocity ranged from 0.22 to 0.26 m/s (44 to 51 fpm) in the tests. The response times were recorded for the CO and smoke sensors at each sensor station when smoke and gaseous products of combustion of each burning combustible reached the station. The response times of the CO sensors were used to determine the appropriate sensor spacing in the belt entry with a low air velocity. The performance of the smoke sensor was found to be affected by the high humidity in the experiments. The results on proper selection of sensors and the determination of sensor spacing at a low ventilation velocity can be helpful for ensuring sufficient early fire warning for underground workers, thereby improving the health and safety of miners. |
An improved method to calculate the heat release rate of a mine fire in underground mines
Zhou L , Yuan L , Thomas R , Bahrami D , Rowland J . Min Metall Explor 2020 37 (6) 1941-1949 Continuous monitoring of carbon monoxide and other fire-related parameters by means of an atmospheric monitoring system (AMS) has been used by the mining industry for early fire detection in underground mines. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) initiated a project to integrate real-time AMS sensor data with NIOSH’s mine fire simulation program, MFIRE 3.0, to simulate and predict the spread of smoke that would provide assistance to mine fire emergency response personnel. Determining the heat release rate of a fire using the monitored sensor data was a critical component of the successful completion of this project. NIOSH researchers developed a direct method to calculate the heat release rate when a fire is within close range of sensors. However, this method is only applicable to the case where a fire occurs in AMS-monitored airways. This paper presents an improved method for determining the fire heat release rate for complicated scenarios where a fire is distant from sensors and airflow splits and merges are present. The method was validated using a full-scale diesel fuel fire test conducted in the Safety Research Coal Mine at the Pittsburgh Mining Research Division and can help mine operators and safety personnel make informed decisions during a fire emergency. |
Electrocardiographic responses following live-fire firefighting drills
Smith DL , Horn GP , Fernhall B , Kesler RM , Fent KW , Kerber S , Rowland TW . J Occup Environ Med 2019 61 (12) 1030-1035 OBJECTIVE: Firefighting-related environmental and physiological factors associated with cardiovascular strain may promote arrhythmias and myocardial ischemia, which induce sudden cardiac events (SCE) in susceptible individuals. The present study evaluated electrocardiographic (ECG) changes that may reflect increased SCE risk following simulated live-firefighting. METHODS: Using a repeated measures design, ECG tracings from 32 firefighters were recorded 12-hours post-firefighting in a residential structure and compared with a 12-hour control period. RESULTS: Ventricular arrhythmias were present in 20%, and ST segment changes indicative of myocardial ischemia in 16%, of firefighters 12-hours post-firefighting that were not detected in the control period. CONCLUSION: Live-firefighting induces significant ECG changes that include ventricular arrhythmias and ST segment changes, which may reflect myocardial ischemia. The implications of such ECG changes explaining increased cardiovascular risk in firefighters warrants further research. |
The haematological consequences of Plasmodium vivax malaria after chloroquine treatment with and without primaquine: a WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis.
Commons RJ , Simpson JA , Thriemer K , Chu CS , Douglas NM , Abreha T , Alemu SG , Anez A , Anstey NM , Aseffa A , Assefa A , Awab GR , Baird JK , Barber BE , Borghini-Fuhrer I , D'Alessandro U , Dahal P , Daher A , de Vries PJ , Erhart A , Gomes MSM , Grigg MJ , Hwang J , Kager PA , Ketema T , Khan WA , Lacerda MVG , Leslie T , Ley B , Lidia K , Monteiro WM , Pereira DB , Phan GT , Phyo AP , Rowland M , Saravu K , Sibley CH , Siqueira AM , Stepniewska K , Taylor WRJ , Thwaites G , Tran BQ , Hien TT , Vieira JLF , Wangchuk S , Watson J , William T , Woodrow CJ , Nosten F , Guerin PJ , White NJ , Price RN . BMC Med 2019 17 (1) 151 BACKGROUND: Malaria causes a reduction in haemoglobin that is compounded by primaquine, particularly in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. The aim of this study was to determine the relative contributions to red cell loss of malaria and primaquine in patients with uncomplicated Plasmodium vivax. METHODS: A systematic review identified P. vivax efficacy studies of chloroquine with or without primaquine published between January 2000 and March 2017. Individual patient data were pooled using standardised methodology, and the haematological response versus time was quantified using a multivariable linear mixed effects model with non-linear terms for time. Mean differences in haemoglobin between treatment groups at day of nadir and day 42 were estimated from this model. RESULTS: In total, 3421 patients from 29 studies were included: 1692 (49.5%) with normal G6PD status, 1701 (49.7%) with unknown status and 28 (0.8%) deficient or borderline individuals. Of 1975 patients treated with chloroquine alone, the mean haemoglobin fell from 12.22 g/dL [95% CI 11.93, 12.50] on day 0 to a nadir of 11.64 g/dL [11.36, 11.93] on day 2, before rising to 12.88 g/dL [12.60, 13.17] on day 42. In comparison to chloroquine alone, the mean haemoglobin in 1446 patients treated with chloroquine plus primaquine was - 0.13 g/dL [- 0.27, 0.01] lower at day of nadir (p = 0.072), but 0.49 g/dL [0.28, 0.69] higher by day 42 (p < 0.001). On day 42, patients with recurrent parasitaemia had a mean haemoglobin concentration - 0.72 g/dL [- 0.90, - 0.54] lower than patients without recurrence (p < 0.001). Seven days after starting primaquine, G6PD normal patients had a 0.3% (1/389) risk of clinically significant haemolysis (fall in haemoglobin > 25% to < 7 g/dL) and a 1% (4/389) risk of a fall in haemoglobin > 5 g/dL. CONCLUSIONS: Primaquine has the potential to reduce malaria-related anaemia at day 42 and beyond by preventing recurrent parasitaemia. Its widespread implementation will require accurate diagnosis of G6PD deficiency to reduce the risk of drug-induced haemolysis in vulnerable individuals. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered with PROSPERO: CRD42016053312. The date of the first registration was 23 December 2016. |
Evaluation of post-blast re-entry times based on gas monitoring of return air
Bahrami D , Yuan L , Rowland JH , Zhou L , Thomas R . Min Metall Explor 2019 36 (3) 513-521 Blasting is the main method of production in many non-coal underground mining operations and produces multiple toxic gases as a result. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) requires mine operators to measure the level of toxic gases in mines as frequently as necessary to ensure they are below regulatory safety limits. The current practice uses portable gas monitors to check the concentrations of toxic gases after a fixed post-blast time. This paper studies the application of a gas monitoring system in the return entry of a limestone mine to determine a safe re-entry time. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted such a monitoring program in a limestone mine from September 2016 through May 2018. NIOSH/PMRD (Pittsburgh Mining Research Division) is endeavoring to develop workplace solutions to improve detection of and reduce the risk of hazardous conditions. This study showed that the use of gas monitoring in the return air can be a useful tool at the mine operator's disposal to detect and reduce the risk of hazardous conditions and also to reliably estimate the re-entry time. |
Evaluation of different carbon monoxide sensors for battery charging stations
Rowland JH , Yuan L , Thomas RA , Zhou L . Min Metall Explor 2019 36 (2) 245-255 Hydrogen (H2) gas released during battery charging can result in cross-interference for carbon monoxide (CO) sensors used for early fire detection and compromise the integrity of the mine atmospheric monitoring system (AMS). In this study, a series of laboratory-scale and full-scale experiments were conducted to evaluate the responses of different CO sensors to H2 gas. In the laboratory-scale experiments, constant H2concentrations in the airflow, from 100 to 500 ppm, pass through sensors. While in the full-scale experiments, increasing H2concentrations generated as a byproduct from charging the batteries at the battery charging station rise to the sensors under different ventilation scenarios. The H2 concentrations at the CO sensor location were measured using H2 sensors and were correlated with the CO sensor response. The effects of ventilation and sensor location on the CO sensors responses were also analyzed. The results of this study can help mining companies to select appropriate CO sensors and improve the deployment of these sensors to ensure the safeguard of underground miners. |
Long-term survivorship care after cancer treatment - summary of a 2017 National Cancer Policy Forum Workshop
Kline RM , Arora NK , Bradley CJ , Brauer ER , Graves DL , Lunsford NB , McCabe MS , Nasso SF , Nekhlyudov L , Rowland JH , Schear RM , Ganz PA . J Natl Cancer Inst 2018 110 (12) 1300-1310 The National Cancer Policy Forum of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine sponsored a workshop on July 24 and 25, 2017 on Long-Term Survivorship after Cancer Treatment. The workshop brought together diverse stakeholders (patients, advocates, academicians, clinicians, research funders, and policymakers) to review progress and ongoing challenges since the Institute of Medicine (IOM)'s seminal report on the subject of adult cancer survivors published in 2006. This commentary profiles the content of the meeting sessions and concludes with recommendations that stem from the workshop discussions. Although there has been progress over the past decade, many of the recommendations from the 2006 report have not been fully implemented. Obstacles related to the routine delivery of standardized physical and psychosocial care services to cancer survivors are substantial, with important gaps in care for patients and caregivers. Innovative care models for cancer survivors have emerged, and changes in accreditation requirements such as the Commission on Cancer's (CoC) requirement for survivorship care planning have put cancer survivorship on the radar. The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation's Oncology Care Model (OCM), which requires psychosocial services and the creation of survivorship care plans for its beneficiary participants, has placed increased emphasis on this service. The OCM, in conjunction with the CoC requirement, is encouraging electronic health record vendors to incorporate survivorship care planning functionality into updated versions of their products. As new models of care emerge, coordination and communication among survivors and their clinicians will be required to implement patient- and community-centered strategies. |
Numerical and experimental investigation of carbon monoxide spread in underground mine fires
Zhou L , Yuan L , Bahrami D , Thomas RA , Rowland JH . J Fire Sci 2018 36 (5) 406-418 The primary danger with underground mine fires is carbon monoxide poisoning. A good knowledge of smoke and carbon monoxide movement in an underground mine during a fire is of importance for the design of ventilation systems, emergency response, and miners escape and rescue. Mine fire simulation software packages have been widely used to predict carbon monoxide concentration and its spread in a mine for effective mine fire emergency planning. However, they are not highly recommended to be used to forecast the actual carbon monoxide concentration due to lack of validation studies. In this article, MFIRE, a mine fire simulation software based on ventilation networks, was evaluated for its carbon monoxide spread prediction capabilities using experimental results from large-scale diesel fuel and conveyor belt fire tests conducted in the Safety Research Coal Mine at The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The comparison between the simulation and test results of carbon monoxide concentration shows good agreement and indicates that MFIRE is able to predict the carbon monoxide spread in underground mine fires with confidence. The Author(s) 2018. |
Early fire detection for underground diesel fuel storage areas
Yuan L , Thomas RA , Rowland JH , Zhou L . Process Saf Environ Prot 2018 119 69-74 With the increased use of mobile diesel-powered equipment in underground mines, the fire risk posed by underground diesel fuel storage areas is a concern. To reduce the risk associated with the storage and transfer of large quantities of diesel fuel in permanent underground mine storage areas, an experimental study was conducted to investigate the responses of different sensors for early detection of diesel fuel fires in a storage area. Fire sensors tested in this study were four carbon monoxide (CO) sensors, two smoke sensors, and one flame sensor. A series of fire tests were conducted in the NIOSH Safety Research Coal Mine, Bruceton, PA, using various fire sizes at different ventilation airflow velocities and fire locations. Response times for different sensors were analyzed, and the results suggest that the flame sensor and smoke sensors resulted in shorter response times in most tests compared to the CO sensors. Based on the test results, the appropriate sensor locations for early fire detection in a diesel fuel storage area were identified. The results of this study can help mining companies to select appropriate fire sensors for underground diesel fuel storage areas and improve the deployment of these sensors to ensure the safety of underground miners. |
Processes and outcomes of a community-based participatory research-driven health needs assessment: A tool for moving health disparity reporting to evidence-based action
Akintobi TH , Lockamy E , Goodin L , Hernandez ND , Slocumb T , Blumenthal D , Braithwaite R , Leeks L , Rowland M , Cotton T , Hoffman L . Prog Community Health Partnersh 2018 12 139-147 BACKGROUND: The community-based participatory research (CBPR)-driven health needs assessment was a tool used to inform community-led, -implemented, and -sustained research and prevention strategies. METHODS: The Morehouse School of Medicine Prevention Research Center (MSM PRC) research and prevention initiatives are implemented in direct response to priorities identified through this process and tool. Led by a community-majority coalition board, the assessment coupled state and city secondary data with primary survey data collected by and from community residents. RESULTS: Hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and sexually transmitted infections were most frequently cited individual and community health priorities. Lack of social and family cohesion, limited or no opportunities to exercise, poor nutrition and lack of awareness and knowledge about diseases, and insufficient access to affordable health care were cited determinants of health priorities. CONCLUSIONS: The CBPR-driven community health needs assessment (CHNA) informed and established a data-driven community engaged research agenda, policy, systems and environmental change approaches, community-led grants and job creation leveraging neighborhood contexts and strengths. |
The effect of chloroquine dose and primaquine on Plasmodium vivax recurrence: a WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network systematic review and individual patient pooled meta-analysis
Commons RJ , Simpson JA , Thriemer K , Humphreys GS , Abreha T , Alemu SG , Anez A , Anstey NM , Awab GR , Baird JK , Barber BE , Borghini-Fuhrer I , Chu CS , D'Alessandro U , Dahal P , Daher A , de Vries PJ , Erhart A , Gomes MSM , Gonzalez-Ceron L , Grigg MJ , Heidari A , Hwang J , Kager PA , Ketema T , Khan WA , Lacerda MVG , Leslie T , Ley B , Lidia K , Monteiro WM , Nosten F , Pereira DB , Phan GT , Phyo AP , Rowland M , Saravu K , Sibley CH , Siqueira AM , Stepniewska K , Sutanto I , Taylor WRJ , Thwaites G , Tran BQ , Tran HT , Valecha N , Vieira JLF , Wangchuk S , William T , Woodrow CJ , Zuluaga-Idarraga L , Guerin PJ , White NJ , Price RN . Lancet Infect Dis 2018 18 (9) 1025-1034 BACKGROUND: Chloroquine remains the mainstay of treatment for Plasmodium vivax malaria despite increasing reports of treatment failure. We did a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effect of chloroquine dose and the addition of primaquine on the risk of recurrent vivax malaria across different settings. METHODS: A systematic review done in MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews identified P vivax clinical trials published between Jan 1, 2000, and March 22, 2017. Principal investigators were invited to share individual patient data, which were pooled using standardised methods. Cox regression analyses with random effects for study site were used to investigate the roles of chloroquine dose and primaquine use on rate of recurrence between day 7 and day 42 (primary outcome). The review protocol is registered in PROSPERO, number CRD42016053310. FINDINGS: Of 134 identified chloroquine studies, 37 studies (from 17 countries) and 5240 patients were included. 2990 patients were treated with chloroquine alone, of whom 1041 (34.8%) received a dose below the target 25 mg/kg. The risk of recurrence was 32.4% (95% CI 29.8-35.1) by day 42. After controlling for confounders, a 5 mg/kg higher chloroquine dose reduced the rate of recurrence overall (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] 0.82, 95% CI 0.69-0.97; p=0.021) and in children younger than 5 years (0.59, 0.41-0.86; p=0.0058). Adding primaquine reduced the risk of recurrence to 4.9% (95% CI 3.1-7.7) by day 42, which is lower than with chloroquine alone (AHR 0.10, 0.05-0.17; p<0.0001). INTERPRETATION: Chloroquine is commonly under-dosed in the treatment of vivax malaria. Increasing the recommended dose to 30 mg/kg in children younger than 5 years could reduce substantially the risk of early recurrence when primaquine is not given. Radical cure with primaquine was highly effective in preventing early recurrence and may also improve blood schizontocidal efficacy against chloroquine-resistant P vivax. FUNDING: Wellcome Trust, Australian National Health and Medical Research Council, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. |
A survey of atmospheric monitoring systems in U.S. underground coal mines
Rowland JH III , Harteis SP , Yuan L . Min Eng 2018 70 (2) 37-40 In 1995 and 2003, the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) conducted surveys to determine the number of atmospheric monitoring systems (AMS) that were being used in underground coal mines in the United States. The survey reports gave data for the different AMS manufacturers, the different types of equipment monitored, and the different types of gas sensors and their locations. Since the last survey in 2003, MSHA has changed the regulation requirements for early fire detection along belt haulage entries. As of Dec. 31, 2009, point-type heat sensors are prohibited for use for an early fire detection system. Instead, carbon monoxide (CO) sensors are now required. This report presents results from a new survey and examines how the regulation changes have had an impact on the use of CO sensors in underground coal mines in the United States. The locations and parameters monitored by AMS and CO systems are also discussed. |
The impact of introducing malaria rapid diagnostic tests on fever case management: A synthesis of ten studies from the ACT Consortium
Bruxvoort KJ , Leurent B , Chandler CIR , Ansah EK , Baiden F , Bjorkman A , Burchett HED , Clarke SE , Cundill B , DiLiberto DD , Elfving K , Goodman C , Hansen KS , Kachur SP , Lal S , Lalloo DG , Leslie T , Magnussen P , Mangham-Jefferies L , Martensson A , Mayan I , Mbonye AK , Msellem MI , Onwujekwe OE , Owusu-Agyei S , Rowland MW , Shakely D , Staedke SG , Vestergaard LS , Webster J , Whitty CJM , Wiseman VL , Yeung S , Schellenberg D , Hopkins H . Am J Trop Med Hyg 2017 97 (4) 1170-1179 Since 2010, the World Health Organization has been recommending that all suspected cases of malaria be confirmed with parasite-based diagnosis before treatment. These guidelines represent a paradigm shift away from presumptive antimalarial treatment of fever. Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs) are central to implementing this policy, intended to target artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACT) to patients with confirmed malaria and to improve management of patients with nonmalarial fevers. The ACT Consortium conducted ten linked studies, eight in sub-Saharan Africa and two in Afghanistan, to evaluate the impact of mRDT introduction on case management across settings that vary in malaria endemicity and healthcare provider type. This synthesis includes 562,368 outpatient encounters (study size range 2,400-432,513). mRDTs were associated with significantly lower ACT prescription (range 8-69% versus 20-100%). Prescribing did not always adhere to malaria test results; in several settings, ACTs were prescribed to more than 30% of test-negative patients or to fewer than 80% of test-positive patients. Either an antimalarial or an antibiotic was prescribed for more than 75% of patients across most settings; lower antimalarial prescription for malaria test-negative patients was partly offset by higher antibiotic prescription. Symptomatic management with antipyretics alone was prescribed for fewer than 25% of patients across all scenarios. In community health worker and private retailer settings, mRDTs increased referral of patients to other providers. This synthesis provides an overview of shifts in case management that may be expected with mRDT introduction and highlights areas of focus to improve design and implementation of future case management programs. |
Impact of introduction of rapid diagnostic tests for malaria on antibiotic prescribing: analysis of observational and randomised studies in public and private healthcare settings
Hopkins H , Bruxvoort KJ , Cairns ME , Chandler CI , Leurent B , Ansah EK , Baiden F , Baltzell KA , Bjorkman A , Burchett HE , Clarke SE , DiLiberto DD , Elfving K , Goodman C , Hansen KS , Kachur SP , Lal S , Lalloo DG , Leslie T , Magnussen P , Jefferies LM , Mårtensson A , Mayan I , Mbonye AK , Msellem MI , Onwujekwe OE , Owusu-Agyei S , Reyburn H , Rowland MW , Shakely D , Vestergaard LS , Webster J , Wiseman VL , Yeung S , Schellenberg D , Staedke SG , Whitty CJ . BMJ 2017 356 j1054 Objectives To examine the impact of use of rapid diagnostic tests for malaria on prescribing of antimicrobials, specifically antibiotics, for acute febrile illness in Africa and Asia.Design Analysisof nine preselected linked and codesigned observational and randomised studies (eight cluster or individually randomised trials and one observational study).Setting Public and private healthcare settings, 2007-13, in Afghanistan, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda.Participants 522 480 children and adults with acute febrile illness.Interventions Rapid diagnostic tests for malaria.Main outcome measures Proportions of patients for whom an antibiotic was prescribed in trial groups who had undergone rapid diagnostic testing compared with controls and in patients with negative test results compared with patients with positive results. A secondary aim compared classes of antibiotics prescribed in different settings.Results Antibiotics were prescribed to 127 052/238 797 (53%) patients in control groups and 167 714/283 683 (59%) patients in intervention groups. Antibiotics were prescribed to 40% (35 505/89 719) of patients with a positive test result for malaria and to 69% (39 400/57 080) of those with a negative result. All but one study showed a trend toward more antibiotic prescribing in groups who underwent rapid diagnostic tests. Random effects meta-analysis of the trials showed that the overall risk of antibiotic prescription was 21% higher (95% confidence interval 7% to 36%) in intervention settings. In most intervention settings, patients with negative test results received more antibiotic prescriptions than patients with positive results for all the most commonly used classes: penicillins, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (one exception), tetracyclines, and metronidazole.Conclusions Introduction of rapid diagnostic tests for malaria to reduce unnecessary use of antimalarials-a beneficial public health outcome-could drive up untargeted use of antibiotics. That 69% of patients were prescribed antibiotics when test results were negative probably represents overprescription.This included antibiotics from several classes, including those like metronidazole that are seldom appropriate for febrile illness, across varied clinical, health system, and epidemiological settings. It is often assumed that better disease specific diagnostics will reduce antimicrobial overuse, but they might simply shift it from one antimicrobial class to another. Current global implementation of malaria testing might increase untargeted antibiotic use and must be examined. |
Normative values for cardiorespiratory fitness testing among US children aged 6-11 years
Gahche JJ , Kit BK , Fulton JE , Carroll DD , Rowland T . Pediatr Exerc Sci 2017 29 (2) 1-23 BACKGROUND: Nationally representative normative values for cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) have not been described for US children since the mid 1980's. OBJECTIVE: To provide sex- and age-specific normative values for CRF of US children aged 6-11 years. METHODS: Data from 624 children aged 6-11 years who participated in the CRF testing as part of the 2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey National Youth Fitness Survey, a cross-sectional survey, were analyzed. Participants were assigned to one of three age-specific protocols and asked to exercise to volitional fatigue. The difficulty of the protocols increased with successive age groups. CRF was assessed as maximal endurance time (min:sec). Data analysis was conducted in 2016. RESULTS: For 6-7, 8-9, 10-11 year olds, corresponding with the age-specific protocols, mean endurance time was 12:10 min:sec (95% CI: 11:49-12:31), 11:16 min:sec (95% CI: 11:00-11:31), and 10:01 min:sec (95% CI: 9:37-10:25), respectively. Youth in the lowest 20th percentile for endurance time were more likely to be obese, to report less favorable health, and to report greater than two hours of screen time per day. CONCLUSION: These data may serve as baseline estimates to monitor trends over time in CRF among US children aged 6-11 years. |
The effectiveness of non-pyrethroid insecticide-treated durable wall lining to control malaria in rural Tanzania: study protocol for a two-armed cluster randomized trial
Mtove G , Mugasa JP , Messenger LA , Malima RC , Mangesho P , Magogo F , Plucinski M , Hashimu R , Matowo J , Shepard D , Batengana B , Cook J , Emidi B , Halasa Y , Kaaya R , Kihombo A , Lindblade KA , Makenga G , Mpangala R , Mwambuli A , Mzava R , Mziray A , Olang G , Oxborough RM , Seif M , Sambu E , Samuels A , Sudi W , Thomas J , Weston S , Alilio M , Binkin N , Gimnig J , Kleinschmidt I , McElroy P , Moulton LH , Norris L , Ruebush T , Venkatesan M , Rowland M , Mosha FW , Kisinza WN . BMC Public Health 2016 16 (1) 633 BACKGROUND: Despite considerable reductions in malaria achieved by scaling-up long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS), maintaining sustained community protection remains operationally challenging. Increasing insecticide resistance also threatens to jeopardize the future of both strategies. Non-pyrethroid insecticide-treated wall lining (ITWL) may represent an alternate or complementary control method and a potential tool to manage insecticide resistance. To date no study has demonstrated whether ITWL can reduce malaria transmission nor provide additional protection beyond the current best practice of universal coverage (UC) of LLINs and prompt case management. METHODS/DESIGN: A two-arm cluster randomized controlled trial will be conducted in rural Tanzania to assess whether non-pyrethroid ITWL and UC of LLINs provide added protection against malaria infection in children, compared to UC of LLINs alone. Stratified randomization based on malaria prevalence will be used to select 22 village clusters per arm. All 44 clusters will receive LLINs and half will also have ITWL installed on interior house walls. Study children, aged 6 months to 11 years old, will be enrolled from each cluster and followed monthly to estimate cumulative incidence of malaria parasitaemia (primary endpoint), time to first malaria episode and prevalence of anaemia before and after intervention. Entomological inoculation rate will be estimated using indoor CDC light traps and outdoor tent traps followed by detection of Anopheles gambiae species, sporozoite infection, insecticide resistance and blood meal source. ITWL bioefficacy and durability will be monitored using WHO cone bioassays and household surveys, respectively. Social and cultural factors influencing community and household ITWL acceptability will be explored through focus-group discussions and in-depth interviews. Cost-effectiveness, compared between study arms, will be estimated per malaria case averted. DISCUSSION: This protocol describes the large-scale evaluation of a novel vector control product, designed to overcome some of the known limitations of existing methods. If ITWL is proven to be effective and durable under field conditions, it may warrant consideration for programmatic implementation, particularly in areas with long transmission seasons and where pyrethroid-resistant vectors predominate. Trial findings will provide crucial information for policy makers in Tanzania and other malaria-endemic countries to guide resource allocations for future control efforts. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02533336 registered on 13 July 2014. |
Does digital ad exposure influence information-seeking behavior online? Evidence From the 2012 Tips From Former Smokers national tobacco prevention campaign
Kim A , Hansen H , Duke J , Davis K , Alexander R , Rowland A , Mitchko J . J Med Internet Res 2016 18 (3) e64 BACKGROUND: Measuring the impact of online health campaigns is challenging. Ad click-through rates are traditionally used to measure campaign reach, but few Internet users ever click on ads. Alternatively, self-reported exposure to digital ads would be prone to recall bias. Furthermore, there may be latency effects whereby people do not click on ads when exposed but visit the promoted website or conduct campaign-related searches later. Online panels that unobtrusively collect panelists' Web behavior data and link ad exposure to website visits and searches can more reliably assess the impact of digital ad exposure. From March to June 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention aired the national Tips From Former Smokers (Tips 2012) media campaign designed to encourage current smokers to quit. Advertisements ran across media channels, and the digital ads directed users to the Tips 2012 campaign website. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to examine whether exposure to Tips 2012 digital ads influenced information-seeking behaviors online. METHODS: ComScore mined its panelists' Web behavior data for unique codes that would indicate exposure to Tips 2012 ads, regardless of whether panelists clicked the ad or not. A total of 15,319 US adults were identified as having been exposed to a Tips 2012 campaign ad. An equal number of unexposed adults (N=15,319) were identified and matched on demographics and Internet use behavior to the exposed group. Panelists' Web behavior data were mined for up to 4 weeks after initial Tips 2012 ad exposure to determine whether they visited the Tips 2012 campaign website or other cessation-related websites (eg, nicotine replacement therapy site) or conducted searches for campaign-related topics (eg, quit smoking). RESULTS: The proportion of exposed adults visiting the Tips 2012 sites increased from 0.4% in Week 1 to 0.9% 4 weeks after ad exposure, and these rates were significantly higher than in the unexposed group (0.1% in Week 1 to 0.4% in Week 4, P<.001) across all weeks examined. The proportion of exposed panelists visiting other cessation websites increased from 0.2% in Week 1 to 0.3% 4 weeks after initial ad exposure, and these rates were significantly higher than in the unexposed group (0.0% in Week 1 to 0.2% in Week 4, P=.001 to P=.019) across all weeks examined. There were no significant differences in searches for campaign-related topics between the exposed and unexposed group during most of the weeks examined. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that online ad exposure is associated with confirmed visits to the Tips 2012 campaign sites and visits to other cessation websites and that these information-seeking behaviors occur up to several weeks after ad exposure. Web behavior data from online panels are useful for examining exposure and behavioral responses to digital campaign ads. |
Huntington disease among the Navajo: a population-based study in the Navajo Nation
Gordon PH , Mehal JM , Rowland AS , Cheek JE , Bartholomew ML . Neurology 2016 86 (16) 1552-3 Huntington disease (HD) has a protracted course that imparts substantial personal and economic burden. Disease rates vary by geographic location. In Western countries, prevalence approximates 5.7/100,000; rates are tenfold lower in Asia. Epidemiologic studies from the United States report on mostly white populations. Few studies give rates of HD among minorities, and there are no comprehensive descriptions of HD in American Indians. Better understanding of how the disease affects discrete populations could produce hypotheses for new approaches to treatment. The goal of this study was to describe the epidemiology of HD among Navajo people living in the Navajo Nation, at 27,000 square miles, the largest reservation for American Indians in the United States. |
Incidence and prevalence of Parkinson's disease among Navajo people living in the Navajo nation
Gordon PH , Mehal JM , Holman RC , Bartholomew ML , Cheek JE , Rowland AS . Mov Disord 2015 30 (5) 714-20 Parkinson's disease (PD) is largely unstudied among American Indians. Unique populations might harbor clues to elusive causes. We describe the incidence and prevalence of PD among Navajo people residing in the Navajo Nation, home to the largest American Indian tribe in the United States. We analyzed 2001-2011 inpatient and outpatient visit data for Navajo people obtained from the Indian Health Service, which provides health care to American Indian people living on the Navajo Reservation. Cases were defined by at least two inpatient or outpatient visits with the diagnosis of PD. Crude and age-adjusted incidence and prevalence rates were calculated overall as well as by age, sex, region of residence, and time period. Five hundred twenty-four Navajo people with median age-at-onset of 74.0 years were diagnosed with PD during the study period, yielding an average annual crude incidence rate of 22.5/100,000. Age-specific incidence was 232.0 for patients 65 years of age or older and 302.0 for 80 years of age or older. Age-adjusted incidence was 35.9 overall (238.1 for ≥65 years), was higher in men than in women (47.5 vs. 27.7; P < 0.001), varied by region (P = 0.03), and was similar between time periods (2002-2004 vs. 2009-2011). The age-adjusted point prevalence rate was 261.0. The rate of PD among Navajo People appears to be as high as or higher than rates reported in many other populations. Rates increased to the highest age group, consistent with population-based studies. Further investigation is warranted to examine risk factors for PD in this remote population. (c) 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. |
An action plan for translating cancer survivorship research into care.
Alfano CM , Smith T , de Moor JS , Glasgow RE , Khoury MJ , Hawkins NA , Stein KD , Rechis R , Parry C , Leach CR , Padgett L , Rowland JH . J Natl Cancer Inst 2014 106 (11) To meet the complex needs of a growing number of cancer survivors, it is essential to accelerate the translation of survivorship research into evidence-based interventions and, as appropriate, recommendations for care that may be implemented in a wide variety of settings. Current progress in translating research into care is stymied, with results of many studies un- or underutilized. To better understand this problem and identify strategies to encourage the translation of survivorship research findings into practice, four agencies (American Cancer Society, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, LIVE STRONG: Foundation, National Cancer Institute) hosted a meeting in June, 2012, titled: "Biennial Cancer Survivorship Research Conference: Translating Science to Care." Meeting participants concluded that accelerating science into care will require a coordinated, collaborative effort by individuals from diverse settings, including researchers and clinicians, survivors and families, public health professionals, and policy makers. This commentary describes an approach stemming from that meeting to facilitate translating research into care by changing the process of conducting research-improving communication, collaboration, evaluation, and feedback through true and ongoing partnerships. We apply the T0-T4 translational process model to survivorship research and provide illustrations of its use. The resultant framework is intended to orient stakeholders to the role of their work in the translational process and facilitate the transdisciplinary collaboration needed to translate basic discoveries into best practices regarding clinical care, self-care/management, and community programs for cancer survivors. Finally, we discuss barriers to implementing translational survivorship science identified at the meeting, along with future directions to accelerate this process. |
Numerical and experimental study on flame spread over conveyor belts in a large-scale tunnel
Yuan L , Mainiero RJ , Rowland JH , Thomas RA , Smith AC . J Loss Prev Process Ind 2014 30 55-62 Conveyor belt fires in an underground mine pose a serious life threat to the miners. This paper presents numerical and experimental results characterizing a conveyor belt fire in a large-scale tunnel. Acomputational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was developed to simulate the flame spread over the conveyor belt in a mine entry. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) tests were conducted for the conveyor belt and results were used to estimate the kinetic properties for modeling the pyrolysis process of the conveyor belt burning. The CFD model was calibrated using results from the large-scale conveyor belt fire experiments. The comparison between simulation and test results shows that the CFD model is able to capture the major features of the flame spread over the conveyor belt. The predicted maximum heat release rate, and maximum smoke temperature are in good agreement with the large-scale tunnel fire test results. The calibrated CFD model can be used to predict the flame spread over a conveyor belt in a mine entry under different physical conditions and ventilation parameters to aid in the design of improved fire detection and suppression systems, mine rescue, and mine emergency planning. |
Changes among US cancer survivors: comparing demographic, diagnostic, and health care findings from the 1992 and 2010 National Health Interview Surveys
Buchanan ND , King JB , Rodriguez JL , White A , Trivers KF , Forsythe LP , Kent EE , Rowland JH , Sabatino SA . ISRN Oncol 2013 2013 238017 BACKGROUND: Differences in healthcare and cancer treatment for cancer survivors in the United States (US) have not been routinely examined in nationally representative samples or studied before and after important Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommendations calling for higher quality care provision and attention to comprehensive cancer care for cancer survivors. METHODS: To assess differences between survivor characteristics in 1992 and 2010, we conducted descriptive analyses of 1992 and 2010 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data. Our study sample consisted of 1018 self-reported cancer survivors from the 1992 NHIS and 1718 self-reported cancer survivors from the 2010 NHIS who completed the Cancer Control (CCS) and Cancer Epidemiology (CES) Supplements. RESULTS: The prevalence of reported survivors increased from 1992 to 2010 (4.2% versus 6.3%). From 1992 to 2010, there was an increase in long-term cancer survivors and a drop in multiple malignancies, and surgery remained the most widely used treatment. Significantly fewer survivors (<10 years after diagnosis) were denied insurance coverage. Survivors continue to report low participation in counseling or support groups. CONCLUSIONS: As the prevalence of cancer survivors continues to grow, monitoring differences in survivor characteristics can be useful in evaluating the effects of policy recommendations and the quality of clinical care. |
Incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis among American Indians and Alaska Natives
Gordon PH , Mehal JM , Holman RC , Rowland LP , Rowland AS , Cheek JE . JAMA Neurol 2013 70 (4) 476-80 IMPORTANCE: More thorough evaluation of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and motor neuron disease in unique populations could provide clues to etiologies for these idiopathic conditions, and educational programs for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people and health care professionals on reservations could improve awareness, understanding, diagnosis, and treatment. In the ongoing search for susceptibility genes, studying particular racial groups, such as AI/ANs,might facilitate the identification of new mutations. OBJECTIVE: To provide better understanding of ALS and secondarily of motor neuron disease among AI/AN people by estimating the incidence and prevalence among AI/ANs served by the Indian Health Service health care system. DESIGN AND SETTING: Analysis of electronic records for AI/ANs with ALS and with motor neuron disease separately for the calendar years 2002-2009 using inpatient and outpatient visit data from the Indian Health Service, which provides health care to eligible AI/ANs nationwide. PARTICIPANTS: Cases were defined by at least 2 inpatient or outpatient visits with the diagnosis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Crude and age-adjusted incidence and prevalence rates were calculated. RESULTS: Seventy-one AI/ANs were diagnosed with ALS, yielding an average annual crude incidence rate of 0.63 cases per 100 000 and an age-adjusted incidence of 0.92. The median age at onset was 56.0 years and was higher among women than men (62.0 vs 55.0 years; P=.06). Age-specific incidence increased to 70 to 74 years. The crude and age-adjusted point prevalence rates were 2.00 and 4.12, respectively. The crude and age-adjusted incidence rates for motor neuron disease were 1.08 and 1.50, respectively. The annual rates were unchanged across the study period. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The incidence of ALS among AI/ANs appears to be lower than that reported for white populations, a finding congruent with reports of other minority populations. Community-based studies are important to confirm these findings and to examine reasons for the low rate of ALS among AI/ANs. |
Receipt of psychosocial care among cancer survivors in the United States
Forsythe LP , Kent EE , Weaver KE , Buchanan N , Hawkins NA , Rodriguez JL , Ryerson AB , Rowland JH . J Clin Oncol 2013 31 (16) 1961-9 PURPOSE: Given the importance of psychosocial care for cancer survivors, this study used population-based data to characterize survivors who reported a discussion with health care provider(s) about the psychosocial effects of cancer and who reported using professional counseling or support groups (PCSG) and tested associations between receipt of psychosocial care and satisfaction with care. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We examined survivors of adult cancers from the 2010 National Health Interview Survey (N = 1,777). Multivariable logistic regression models examined factors associated with receipt of and satisfaction with psychosocial care. RESULTS: Most survivors (55.1%) reported neither provider discussions nor use of PCSG; 31.4% reported provider discussion only, 4.4% reported use of PCSG only, and 8.9% reported both. Non-Hispanic blacks (v non-Hispanic whites), married survivors, survivors of breast cancer (v prostate or less prevalent cancers), those treated with chemotherapy, and survivors reporting past research study/clinical trial participation were more likely to report provider discussion(s) (P < .01). Hispanics (v non-Hispanic whites), survivors age 40 to 49 years (v ≤ 39 years), survivors of breast cancer (v melanoma or less prevalent cancers), those diagnosed ≤ 1 year ago (v > 5 years ago), survivors treated with radiation, and past research participants were more likely to report use of PCSG (P < .05). Survivors reporting any psychosocial care were more likely to be "very satisfied" with how their needs were met (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Many survivors do not report a discussion with providers about the psychosocial effects of cancer, which reflects a missed opportunity to connect survivors to psychosocial services. These data can benchmark the success of efforts to improve access to cancer-related psychosocial care. |
Receipt of cancer treatment summaries and follow-up instructions among adult cancer survivors: results from a national survey
Sabatino SA , Thompson TD , Smith JL , Rowland JH , Forsythe LP , Pollack L , Hawkins NA . J Cancer Surviv 2012 7 (1) 32-43 PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to examine reporting of treatment summaries and follow-up instructions among cancer survivors. METHODS: Using the 2010 National Health Interview Survey, we created logistic regression models among cancer survivors not in treatment (n = 1,345) to determine characteristics associated with reporting treatment summaries and written follow-up instructions, adjusting for sociodemographic, access, and cancer-related factors. Findings are presented for all survivors and those recently diagnosed (≤4 years). We also examined unadjusted associations between written instructions and subsequent surveillance and screening. RESULTS: Among those recently diagnosed, 38% reported receiving treatment summaries and 58% reported written instructions. Among all survivors, approximately one third reported summaries and 44% reported written instructions. After adjustment, lower reporting of summaries was associated with cancer site, race, and number of treatment modalities among those recently diagnosed, and white vs. black or Hispanic race/ethnicity, breast vs. colorectal cancer, >10 vs. ≤5 years since diagnosis, no clinical trials participation, and better than fair health among all survivors. For instructions, lower reporting was associated with no trials participation and lower income among those recently diagnosed, and increasing age, white vs. black race, lower income, >10 vs. ≤5 years since diagnosis, 1 vs. ≥2 treatment modalities, no trials participation, and at least good vs. fair/poor health among all survivors. Written instructions were associated with reporting provider recommendations for breast and cervical cancer surveillance, and recent screening mammograms. CONCLUSION: Many recently diagnosed cancer survivors did not report receiving treatment summaries and written follow-up instructions. Opportunities exist to examine associations between use of these documents and recommended care and outcomes, and to facilitate their adoption. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Cancer survivors who have completed therapy should ask their providers for treatment summaries and written follow-up instructions, and discuss with them how their cancer and therapy impact their future health care. |
Mental and physical health-related quality of life among U.S. cancer survivors: population estimates from the 2010 National Health Interview Survey
Weaver KE , Forsythe LP , Reeve BB , Alfano CM , Rodriguez JL , Sabatino SA , Hawkins NA , Rowland JH . Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2012 21 (11) 2108-17 BACKGROUND: Despite extensive data on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among cancer survivors, we do not yet have an estimate of the percentage of survivors with poor mental and physical HRQOL compared with population norms. HRQOL population means for adult-onset cancer survivors of all ages and across the survivorship trajectory also have not been published. METHODS: Survivors (N = 1,822) and adults with no cancer history (N = 24,804) were identified from the 2010 National Health Interview Survey. The PROMIS(R) Global Health Scale was used to assess HRQOL. Poor HRQOL was defined as 1 SD or more below the PROMIS(R) population norm. RESULTS: Poor physical and mental HRQOL were reported by 24.5% and 10.1% of survivors, respectively, compared with 10.2% and 5.9% of adults without cancer (both P < 0.0001). This represents a population of approximately 3.3 million and 1.4 million U.S. survivors with poor physical and mental HRQOL. Adjusted mean mental and physical HRQOL scores were similar for breast, prostate, and melanoma survivors compared with adults without cancer. Survivors of cervical, colorectal, hematologic, short-survival, and other cancers had worse physical HRQOL; cervical and short-survival cancer survivors reported worse mental HRQOL. CONCLUSION: These data elucidate the burden of cancer diagnosis and treatment among U.S. survivors and can be used to monitor the impact of national efforts to improve survivorship care and outcomes.Impact: We present novel data on the number of U.S. survivors with poor HRQOL. Interventions for high-risk groups that can be easily implemented are needed to improve survivor health at a population level. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(11); 1-10. (c)2012 AACR.) |
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