Essay on “Social Network Sensors for Early Detection of Contagious Outbreaks”

            The present work evaluates the research “Social Network Sensors for Early Detection of Contagious Outbreaks” and the work was based on collective efforts of “Nicholas A. Christakis” and “James H. Fowler”. The prime objective of the work was to identify the contemporaneous information for the individuals and related to the social network. The map of research was related to the identical monitoring factors that are selected randomly from all the individuals. A group of members was included in the research as 744 students and the time span of research was 13.9 days. The randomly selected group represented the whole population and the significant lead time was considered for the large populations as surveillance. The principle method generated for the work was mentioned in the network and for the different consideration of biological factors, informational, behavioral, and psychological for the spreading process of the network. In the current research, the method for the detection is ideally related to the outbreaks and the indicators were lagging behind the epidemic. The research suggested vaccinating of the central individuals and the population level increased for the optimal placement of some sensors. The sensors were placed in eh physical network. The alternative strategy required global network structure. The relations of the randomly selected people are preferably more as compare to the other and central group members. The network of selected people increases by considering the members having higher relations and with more number of people in society. The structural parameters of the research work increased by considering the time span as initial, mid time duration, and the final time of the analysis. The transitivity of the friends is in contrast to the independent functions and it was not connected with the selected groups. The concept of immunizing the friends was established and the stimulated theory was developed to evaluate the performance and activity fo the social network sensors. The population was affected by the epidemic and the peak of influence was identified during late October 2009. And the vaccination was provided to the affected people during December 2009. In the results of the research, the cumulative incidences for the Flu were based on the identification by the medical staff and the national contemporaneous were estimated by the self-reports.

        I agree with the methodology and theoretical concepts developed in the research work. The focus of the research was to provide full information about the diagnosis process and how to identify the available information. The group and social network showed significant time lag and lead time that was estimated by the graphical peaks. The counts for the self-reported flu was higher as provided by the supporting information. The network information was attributed to the accurate and nominated factors. The empirical difference between the group of friends and randomly chosen individuals were presented by the graphical representation. The probability for the quality and the respondents was higher and iteratively consideration was removed from the research. Here the question arrived in my mind, why the researchers removed the individuals having fewer friends or small circle. If the research considered social group then it may be regardless of the size of social network. After having thoroughly reading and understanding of the work I consider the research as a valuable breakthrough for the identification of health responsibilities. The researchers didn’t mention the impact of previous researches and how the previous research influenced or compatible with the recent outcome. The monitoring process rough the online google trends are worth wordy and should be appreciated. The approach, as well as information, is valuable for further research and even to reduce the medical issues in the public.