Data problems in Iowa caucus results

It wasn’t just issues with an app. There appears to be many more problems with the Iowa caucus results. The Upshot broke it down with a closer look at the data:

Some of these inconsistencies may prove to be innocuous, and they do not indicate an intentional effort to compromise or rig the result. There is no apparent bias in favor of the leaders Pete Buttigieg or Bernie Sanders, meaning the overall effect on the winner’s margin may be small.

But not all of the errors are minor, and they raise questions about whether the public will ever get a completely precise account of the Iowa results. With Mr. Sanders closing to within 0.1 percentage points with 97 percent of 1,765 precincts reporting, the race could easily grow close enough for even the most minor errors to delay a final projection or raise doubts about a declared winner.

When did voting get so complicated?

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Q&A with Iowa lab’s safety officer, Drew Fayram: How the CDC/APHL biosafety and biosecurity program created a culture of safety

Q&A with Iowa lab’s safety officer, Drew Fayram: How the CDC/APHL biosafety and biosecurity program created a culture of safety | www.APHLblog.org

APHL recently checked in with Drew Fayram, the safety officer at the State Hygienic Laboratory at the University of Iowa, to get his perspective on the progress of the CDC/APHL biosafety and biosecurity program. Initiated in 2016 with support from the Domestic Ebola Supplement to the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases Cooperative Agreement, the program aims to strengthen biosafety and biosecurity practices at public health and clinical laboratories nationwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and APHL are collaborating as partners in this initiative.

Prior to becoming the safety officer, Drew served at the Iowa laboratory as an Emerging Infectious Disease Fellow and as the first manager of the Center for the Advancement of Laboratory Science.

Tell us about laboratory biosafety and biosecurity risk management prior to the CDC/APHL program.

Prior to the CDC/APHL program, there was great variation in biosafety and biosecurity staffing at public health laboratories. Many labs had someone who worked on biosafety part-time in addition to other roles, while a few larger labs had several biosafety specialists and added another to conduct outreach to clinical laboratories when funding became available through the CDC/APHL program.

At Iowa, we had a safety officer who had other extensive management duties. After she retired, we hired another individual to oversee safety, security and building operations. In 2015 when we received funding from the CDC/APHL program, I assumed all of the biosafety roles at the Hygienic Lab, along with outreach to clinical labs. A year later, our Safety and Security Officer retired and I took on all safety duties, including but not limited to biosafety.

How has the CDC/APHL biosafety and biosecurity program benefited you as a laboratory safety officer?

Q&A with Iowa lab’s safety officer, Drew Fayram: How the CDC/APHL biosafety and biosecurity program created a culture of safety | www.APHLblog.orgThe CDC/APHL program has benefited me professionally and personally. Historically, there was no formal entry point into the field of laboratory biosafety and biosecurity. As far as I know, no US colleges offer a major in biosafety. But now the field is becoming more standardized with common resources and language, which has made it easier to bring you up to speed on regulations and best practices. The CDC/APHL program has played a big role in this, along with other groups like the American Biological Safety Association International (ABSA).

For me, the CDC/APHL program has helped advance my skills and build professional connections through in-person training, online meetings and networking opportunities. Through the program, I have connected with staff from other public health labs, CDC, ABSA International, USAMRIID and the Eagleson Institute, as well as laboratory scientists from other countries. The connections with ABSA are particularly valuable, as people there have spent their careers helping scientists conduct laboratory science safely. Without the support of the CDC/APHL program, I would never have been able to meet so many people in such a short time and so early in my career, nor would I have received the quantity or quality of training made possible by the program.

Has the program led to improvements in biosafety and biosecurity practice at the State Hygienic Laboratory in Iowa?

The trainings offered through the CDC/APHL program have better prepared me to serve as a resource for staff to help identify tools and best practices in biosafety and biosecurity. As a matter of fact, I was a few minutes late to this interview because someone stopped me in the hall to ask a question about a biosafety issue. I believe my efforts to serve in this role encourage staff to remain more alert to biosafety and biosecurity considerations. It’s becoming part of our culture. I also work closely with our Safety Committee, which brings together staff from all areas of the lab to proactively address safety issues at our facility before they cause anyone potential harm.

How has the CDC/APHL program changed biosafety and biosecurity practices at clinical labs in Iowa?

Our lab has offered workshops on rule-out of bioterrorism agents to clinical labs in our state for many years, and we have always emphasized biosafety practices at these workshops. The CDC/APHL program has allowed us to offer additional workshops specifically focused on biosafety and biosecurity to train clinical labs on how to conduct a biosafety risk assessment to make sure that they are taking appropriate steps to mitigate risks associated with infectious agents. The assessment is theirs, not mine. I share an assessment template, but advise them to adjust it to meet their needs. The staff then conduct the assessment at their facility themselves.

For some staff, the assessment is a new experience. Many are familiar with quality risk assessment, but not biosafety risk assessment. But regardless of past experience, staff have successfully identified potential, actionable risks, such as biosafety cabinets that require replacement or procedures that should be performed inside a biosafety cabinet.

As a result of the assessments, I’ve started to see a change in attitude at clinical laboratories. Before, staff accepted risks because they recognized the importance of fast test results for ensuring the best patient outcome possible. They may have thought, “That extra step is going to slow me down, and our patients aren’t going to get their treatment as quickly.” Now through the CDC/APHL program, risk assessment is becoming a part of daily operations, and labs are finding ways to mitigate risk while still getting test results quickly.

What’s more, our relationship with these laboratories continues beyond the risk assessment. I usually get around one phone call and several emails each week from clinical laboratories asking biosafety-related questions. Many clinical labs now have staff who, as part of their regular duties, are paying additional attention to biosafety issues and engaging in conversations about best practices. I believe the consideration of biosafety issues in every day practice is an even more valuable outcome of the CDC/APHL program than putting a checkmark in a box on a risk assessment form.

If Congress does not reauthorize funding for the CDC/APHL biosafety and biosecurity program in 2018, how would this affect public health labs and their clinical laboratory partners?

If the program is not continued, we risk losing our investment in highly trained laboratory biosafety officers in public health labs. There is a tight market for this skill set. If federal funding does not continue to support these positions, many biosafety officers could be scooped up by universities and research centers, leaving the public health system without their expertise.

Q&A with Iowa lab’s safety officer, Drew Fayram: How the CDC/APHL biosafety and biosecurity program created a culture of safety | www.APHLblog.org

Likewise, clinical labs could lose training resources provided by biosafety officers, such as training on packaging and shipping infectious substances. Each clinical lab should have a minimum of two staff trained for this purpose, and frequent turnover at these labs means that new staff often must start from the beginning.

Unfortunately, we’re already experiencing some challenges. The number of packaging and shipping trainings offered by APHL contractor Dr. Pat Payne has been reduced, and we are on the waiting list to get her back. She is a true expert on this highly complex topic who keeps up on the latest IATA and DOT requirements, and other developments affecting shipping of hazardous agents. The reduction in trainings results from cuts to the cooperative agreement that supports APHL training.

In Iowa, our lab has made a commitment to continue the biosafety program regardless of federal funding. If need be, we may offer fewer workshops, develop fewer resources and contract for fewer third-party developed courses, but we will continue to serve as a resource for clinical labs in our state. However, I expect that many – if not most – public health labs may not have the capacity to make this kind of commitment.

What would you say to legislators who discounted the value of the CDC/APHL biosafety and biosecurity program?

I would say that the duty of the public health system is to protect the health of the public. This includes their constituents. The CDC/APHL biosafety/biosecurity program was initiated to address issues identified during the US response to domestic Ebola cases in 2014 and other biosafety mishaps that occurred in the United States around that same time. You’ll remember that several US health professionals contracted Ebola Virus Disease. They and their families, along with those who provided care for these patients, lived with the associated stigma. Some people were hesitant to be around them out of fear for their own safety. Some, like Nina Pham, the Vietnamese nurse who contracted Ebola from a patient, continue to battle ongoing health problems as well.

US laboratory scientists are exposed routinely to hazardous pathogens, and the risks associated with this work must not be ignored. The CDC/APHL program is crucial to ensuring the nation’s public health system responsibly and vigilantly safeguards the health of their laboratory staff and communities during future public health emergencies. We must continue to take steps to proactively mitigate risks to healthcare and public health laboratory professionals.

 

 

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Q&A with Iowa’s Environmental Laboratory Director

Q&A with Iowa’s Environmental Laboratory Director | www.APHLblog.org

We talked with Michael Wichman, PhD, environmental laboratory director at the State Hygienic Laboratory at the University of Iowa, about what makes environmental labs unique. Learn more about environmental laboratories on APHL’s website and blog.

How did you first come to work at the State Hygienic Laboratory at the University of Iowa?

That was nearly 29 years ago. I was working in Cincinnati, Ohio at the time as a research chemist at a small inorganic pigment manufacturing company, and I saw an ad posted in the February 1, 1987 edition of the Kansas City Star for a chemist at the University Hygienic Laboratory (later renamed the State Hygienic Laboratory (SHL)). I still have a copy of the original ad. I grew up in Iowa, almost attended the University of Iowa and followed Iowa State and University of Iowa sports. I was also a Kansas City Royals and Chiefs fan which is why I was subscribed to the Kansas City Star. Returning to Iowa to be closer to my family for a position with the University of Iowa was quite appealing. (Note, my family also noticed the same ad in the Council Bluffs, Iowa and Omaha, Nebraska newspapers. They sent the ad to me via U.S. Mail — 1987 was way before email.) I submitted a typed (anyone remember typewriters?) application letter and resume on February 19th to the laboratory, had a telephone interview on Good Friday, an in-person interview the Monday after Mother’s Day and started my position at the laboratory that July.

How does an environmental health lab fit into the state public health system? What is the environmental lab’s role?

Environmental health is public health. One could argue that the origins of public health were founded in response to environmental issues. Testing performed by the state environmental health laboratory is a valuable source of objective information to determine the effect of environmental exposures on human and animal health. This can range from determination of asbestos, metals, nutrients, environmental and blood lead, as well as numerous organic compounds such as pesticides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These analytical services may support local, state and federal compliance monitoring requirements (Safe Drinking Water Act, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, etc.), as well as local or state monitoring programs such as monitoring rivers, lakes and ambient air.

That’s just a portion of their work. Many state labs play an essential role in local, state and national environmental emergency response programs. Labs test various matrices (water, soil, food and plants) in response to chemical threat incidents, radiological exposure, contaminants in the food supply or water emergencies due to instances such as flooding or chemical spills. Unbiased, quality data allows government officials to remediate the emergency situation accordingly, protecting the public.

How are environmental labs unique? What makes them different from other types of PHLs?

Environmental laboratories are required to maintain a variety of certifications and accreditations for their various testing services, but these can vary vastly between states. Labs may need to be accredited by either the state, EPA or the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP). Additional accreditations may be required for asbestos, lead and industrial hygiene testing. The only certification consistent across the United States is for drinking water analysis under the Safe Drinking Water Act, and the State Principal Drinking Water Laboratory (which is generally the state environmental laboratory) which is certified by the EPA Regional Office.

Environmental laboratories also require unique equipment when compared to public health and clinical labs. This highly specialized instrumentation, coupled with a multitude of testing methods, allow labs to detect environmental contaminants at incredibly low levels.

What is an example of a situation early in your time at the Hygienic Lab where you really felt the value of your work?

There have been many incidents over the years. One example that comes to mind is when there was a diesel fuel spill in the Lucas Building where the Department of Health is located. A new fuel tank had been installed in the basement of the building, but not attached to the fill valve outside the building. Before the valve was attached to the tank, a diesel fuel tanker truck stopped by and began to fill the tank. Fuel went directly into the basement and eventually into floor drains and the wastewater treatment plant. Due to the potential toxicity of fumes, the building was evacuated and staff were not allowed to return until testing determined that the indoor air was safe. Laboratory staff worked most of the night to analyze samples to determine if the building was safe to reoccupy

Another example occurred Memorial Day weekend when the shredded tire lining at the Iowa City landfill caught fire. The smoke could be seen and smelled for many miles. SHL staff came into the laboratory that Saturday, Sunday and Monday. They deployed air samplers, collected and analyzed samples all weekend. Data was provided to local emergency management and local public health to develop and distribute public health announcements.

What’s the wildest thing that you have seen or heard of coming through your lab?

We have received many interesting samples over the years including a water sample in a Sioux Bee Honey® container, a tennis shoe, an actual bee hive, lead wheel weights, candy, various toys and more for testing.

What is something you think most people don’t know about environmental labs?

Environmental laboratories perform considerably more testing than the general public may realize and it goes well beyond drinking and wastewater. Staff at our laboratory and other environmental laboratories are incredibly dedicated and eager to provide analytical testing services to help ensure that our environment is safe.

 

 

Iowa’s public health lab is a Blue Zones organization — What does that mean?

Article by Bill Christensen, environmental supervisor and Blue Zones Organization member, State Hygienic Laboratory at the University of Iowa

Admit it. You want to get paid for working and having fun, too. Who wouldn’t? You get that when you work at the State Hygienic Laboratory (Iowa’s public health lab), the nation’s healthiest laboratory as awarded in 2015 by the Association of Public Health Laboratories. Now we’ve added a new dimension to workplace satisfaction – our designation as a Blue Zones Organization.

Blue Zones Organizations are groups that support the Blue Zones Project, which helps people make healthier choices more easily through permanent changes to the work environment, policies and social networks.

Many of us take our health for granted and never know what the future holds. Sometimes we imagine ourselves doing something about it, but just don’t know where to begin or can’t sustain it with a lifestyle change. We spend over a third of our daily lives at work, so why shouldn’t we turn that into something better for us, our employer and our co-workers? That’s where the Wellness Workgroup for the State Hygienic Lab comes in.

“The workgroup regularly meets together utilizing a holistic approach to provide people healthier options at the workplace,” says Rick Bonar, chair of the Wellness Workgroup and admin services specialist. “We are looking for an engaged workforce to model public health,” he adds.

To do this, the workgroup sets up diverse activities at different times to get as many participants as possible, and is open to suggestions. Events include after-work bike rides, skin cancer screenings, organized walks, wellness speakers, massages and yoga, to name a few.

“Yoga is taking off beautifully,” says Amanda Hughes, another workgroup member, event participant/organizer and environmental manager.

Blue Zones Organizations work through environmental and program checklist items to make healthy choices easier for participants. “We are pursuing the designation of a Blue Zones Organization within the University of Iowa’s Blue Zones Worksite designation to further demonstrate our laboratory’s dedication to creating a healthy and supportive workplace,” says Drew Fayram, workgroup member bicycle ride organizer/enthusiast and coordinator of the lab’s Center for the Advancement of Laboratory Science.

In the end, the decision to live a healthy lifestyle is a personal one, but the support of those around us may be the little nudge we need to make lasting changes and improve our own state of wellness. Overall, we may become more resilient and productive people. Who wouldn’t want that?

Photo: Gathered with gear used for wellness activities are (back row, from left) Barb Shirazi, Maternal Screening clinical lab technical specialist; Bill Christensen, Air Quality environmental supervisor; Rick Bonar, Admin services specialist; Sherri Marine, Client Services manager; and Kristi Rotzoll, CLIA compliance specialist; (kneeling, from left) Drew Fayram, coordinator of the Center for the Advancement of Laboratory Science, and Amanda Hughes, Air Quality environment manager.  These seven represent State Hygienic Laboratory staff who participate in wellness activities that qualify the Coralville location as a Blue Zones Organization.

Iowa liquor sales data, 3m rows

Iowa released liquor sales data for weekly purchases at the store level.

This dataset contains the spirits purchase information of Iowa Class "E" liquor licensees by product and date of purchase from January 1, 2014 to current. The dataset can be used to analyze total spirits sales in Iowa of individual products at the store level.

There are over three million rows that contain a store name, address, liquor category, liquor vendor, and cost. I imagine this could be a fun spatial time series dataset to play with. Look for seasonal trends, when stores expect to sell more rum or vodka, brand bestsellers, or regional favorites. Even though it's just for Iowa, there's probably a close relationship to national sales.

See some preliminary documentation by Dan Nguyen on how to get started.

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This mare won a blue ribbon at a horse show in Wateloo, Iowa,…



This mare won a blue ribbon at a horse show in Wateloo, Iowa, August 1939.Photograph by J. Baylor Roberts, National Geographic