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  1. Book ; Online: On the Strength and Duration of Solar Cycle 25

    Riley, Pete

    A Novel Quantile-based Superposed Epoch Analysis

    2022  

    Abstract: Sunspot number (SSN) is an important - albeit nuanced - parameter that can be used as an indirect measure of solar activity. Predictions of upcoming active intervals, including the peak and timing of solar maximum can have important implications for ... ...

    Abstract Sunspot number (SSN) is an important - albeit nuanced - parameter that can be used as an indirect measure of solar activity. Predictions of upcoming active intervals, including the peak and timing of solar maximum can have important implications for space weather planning. Forecasts for the strength of solar cycle 25 have varied considerably, from it being very weak, to one of the strongest cycles in recorded history. In this study, we develop a novel quantile based superposed epoch analysis that can be updated on a monthly basis, and which currently predicts that solar cycle 25 will be a very modest cycle (within the 25th percentile of all numbered cycles), with a monthly-averaged (13-month average) peak of - 130 (110) likely occurring in December, 2024. We validate the model by performing retrospective forecasts (hindcasts) for the previous 24 cycles, finding that it out performs the baseline (reference) model (the average cycle) 75% of the time.
    Keywords Physics - Space Physics ; Astrophysics - Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
    Subject code 621
    Publishing date 2022-10-25
    Publishing country us
    Document type Book ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  2. Article ; Online: Enhancing seasonal influenza projections: A mechanistic metapopulation model for long-term scenario planning.

    Turtle, James / Ben-Nun, Michal / Riley, Pete

    Epidemics

    2024  Volume 47, Page(s) 100758

    Abstract: In temperate regions, annual preparation by public health officials for seasonal influenza requires early-season long-term projections. These projections are different from short-term (e.g., 1-4 weeks ahead) forecasts that are typically updated weekly. ... ...

    Abstract In temperate regions, annual preparation by public health officials for seasonal influenza requires early-season long-term projections. These projections are different from short-term (e.g., 1-4 weeks ahead) forecasts that are typically updated weekly. Whereas short-term forecasts estimate what "will" likely happen in the near term, the goal of scenario projections is to guide long-term decision-making using "what if" scenarios. We developed a mechanistic metapopulation model and used it to provide long-term influenza projections to the Flu Scenario Modeling Hub. The scenarios differed in their assumptions about influenza vaccine effectiveness and prior immunity. The parameters of the model were inferred from early season hospitalization data and then simulated forward in time until June 3, 2023. We submitted two rounds of projections (mid-November and early December), with the second round being a repeat of the first with three more weeks of data (and consequently different model parameters). In this study, we describe the model, its calibration, and projections targets. The scenario projection outcomes for two rounds are compared with each other at state and national level reported daily hospitalizations. We show that although Rounds 2 and 3 were identical in definition, the addition of three weeks of data produced an improvement to model fits. These changes resulted in earlier projections for peak incidence, lower projections for peak magnitude and relatively small changes to cumulative projections. In both rounds, all four scenarios presented conceivable outcomes, with some scenarios agreeing well with observations. We discuss how to interpret this agreement, emphasizing that this does not imply that one scenario or another provides the ground truth. Our model's performance suggests that its underlying assumptions provided plausible bounds for what could happen during an influenza season following two seasons of low circulation. We suggest that such projections would provide actionable estimates for public health officials.
    Language English
    Publishing date 2024-03-07
    Publishing country Netherlands
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 2467993-8
    ISSN 1878-0067 ; 1755-4365
    ISSN (online) 1878-0067
    ISSN 1755-4365
    DOI 10.1016/j.epidem.2024.100758
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  3. Article ; Online: Consistent pattern of epidemic slowing across many geographies led to longer, flatter initial waves of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Ben-Nun, Michal / Riley, Pete / Turtle, James / Riley, Steven

    PLoS computational biology

    2022  Volume 18, Issue 8, Page(s) e1010375

    Abstract: To define appropriate planning scenarios for future pandemics of respiratory pathogens, it is important to understand the initial transmission dynamics of COVID-19 during 2020. Here, we fit an age-stratified compartmental model with a flexible underlying ...

    Abstract To define appropriate planning scenarios for future pandemics of respiratory pathogens, it is important to understand the initial transmission dynamics of COVID-19 during 2020. Here, we fit an age-stratified compartmental model with a flexible underlying transmission term to daily COVID-19 death data from states in the contiguous U.S. and to national and sub-national data from around the world. The daily death data of the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic was qualitatively categorized into one of four main profile types: "spring single-peak", "summer single-peak", "spring/summer two-peak" and "broad with shoulder". We estimated a reproduction number R as a function of calendar time tc and as a function of time since the first death reported in that population (local pandemic time, tp). Contrary to the diversity of categories and range of magnitudes in death incidence profiles, the R(tp) profiles were much more homogeneous. We found that in both the contiguous U.S. and globally, the initial value of both R(tc) and R(tp) was substantial: at or above two. However, during the early months, pandemic time R(tp) decreased exponentially to a value that hovered around one. This decrease was accompanied by a reduction in the variance of R(tp). For calendar time R(tc), the decrease in magnitude was slower and non-exponential, with a smaller reduction in variance. Intriguingly, similar trends of exponential decrease and reduced variance were not observed in raw death data. Our findings suggest that the combination of specific government responses and spontaneous changes in behaviour ensured that transmissibility dropped, rather than remaining constant, during the initial phases of a pandemic. Future pandemic planning scenarios should include models that assume similar decreases in transmissibility, which lead to longer epidemics with lower peaks when compared with models based on constant transmissibility.
    MeSH term(s) COVID-19/epidemiology ; Forecasting ; Government ; Humans ; Pandemics ; Seasons
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-08-15
    Publishing country United States
    Document type Journal Article ; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. ; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
    ZDB-ID 2193340-6
    ISSN 1553-7358 ; 1553-734X
    ISSN (online) 1553-7358
    ISSN 1553-734X
    DOI 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010375
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  4. Article ; Online: COVID-19 deaths: Which explanatory variables matter the most?

    Riley, Pete / Riley, Allison / Turtle, James / Ben-Nun, Michal

    PloS one

    2022  Volume 17, Issue 4, Page(s) e0266330

    Abstract: More than a year since the appearance of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), many questions about the disease COVID-19 have been answered; however, many more remain poorly understood. Although the situation continues to evolve, ... ...

    Abstract More than a year since the appearance of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), many questions about the disease COVID-19 have been answered; however, many more remain poorly understood. Although the situation continues to evolve, it is crucial to understand what factors may be driving transmission through different populations, both for potential future waves, as well as the implications for future pandemics. In this report, we compiled a database of more than 28 potentially explanatory variables for each of the 50 U.S. states through early May 2020. Using a combination of traditional statistical and modern machine learning approaches, we identified those variables that were the most statistically significant, and, those that were the most important. These variables were chosen to be fiduciaries of a range of possible drivers for COVID-19 deaths in the USA. We found that population-weighted population density (PWPD), some "stay at home" metrics, monthly temperature and precipitation, race/ethnicity, and chronic low-respiratory death rate, were all statistically significant. Of these, PWPD and mobility metrics dominated. This suggests that the biggest impact on COVID-19 deaths was, at least initially, a function of where you lived, and not what you did. However, clearly, increasing social distancing has the net effect of (at least temporarily) reducing the effective PWPD. Our results strongly support the idea that the loosening of "lock-down" orders should be tailored to the local PWPD. In contrast to these variables, while still statistically significant, race/ethnicity, health, and climate effects could only account for a few percent of the variability in deaths. Where associations were anticipated but were not found, we discuss how limitations in the parameters chosen may mask a contribution that might otherwise be present.
    MeSH term(s) COVID-19/epidemiology ; Humans ; Pandemics ; Physical Distancing ; Population Density ; SARS-CoV-2 ; United States/epidemiology
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-04-21
    Publishing country United States
    Document type Journal Article ; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
    ZDB-ID 2267670-3
    ISSN 1932-6203 ; 1932-6203
    ISSN (online) 1932-6203
    ISSN 1932-6203
    DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0266330
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  5. Article ; Online: COVID-19 deaths

    Pete Riley / Allison Riley / James Turtle / Michal Ben-Nun

    PLoS ONE, Vol 17, Iss

    Which explanatory variables matter the most?

    2022  Volume 4

    Abstract: More than a year since the appearance of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), many questions about the disease COVID-19 have been answered; however, many more remain poorly understood. Although the situation continues to evolve, ... ...

    Abstract More than a year since the appearance of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), many questions about the disease COVID-19 have been answered; however, many more remain poorly understood. Although the situation continues to evolve, it is crucial to understand what factors may be driving transmission through different populations, both for potential future waves, as well as the implications for future pandemics. In this report, we compiled a database of more than 28 potentially explanatory variables for each of the 50 U.S. states through early May 2020. Using a combination of traditional statistical and modern machine learning approaches, we identified those variables that were the most statistically significant, and, those that were the most important. These variables were chosen to be fiduciaries of a range of possible drivers for COVID-19 deaths in the USA. We found that population-weighted population density (PWPD), some “stay at home” metrics, monthly temperature and precipitation, race/ethnicity, and chronic low-respiratory death rate, were all statistically significant. Of these, PWPD and mobility metrics dominated. This suggests that the biggest impact on COVID-19 deaths was, at least initially, a function of where you lived, and not what you did. However, clearly, increasing social distancing has the net effect of (at least temporarily) reducing the effective PWPD. Our results strongly support the idea that the loosening of “lock-down” orders should be tailored to the local PWPD. In contrast to these variables, while still statistically significant, race/ethnicity, health, and climate effects could only account for a few percent of the variability in deaths. Where associations were anticipated but were not found, we discuss how limitations in the parameters chosen may mask a contribution that might otherwise be present.
    Keywords Medicine ; R ; Science ; Q
    Subject code 630
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  6. Article ; Online: COVID-19 deaths

    Pete Riley / Allison Riley / James Turtle / Michal Ben-Nun

    PLoS ONE, Vol 17, Iss 4, p e

    Which explanatory variables matter the most?

    2022  Volume 0266330

    Abstract: More than a year since the appearance of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), many questions about the disease COVID-19 have been answered; however, many more remain poorly understood. Although the situation continues to evolve, ... ...

    Abstract More than a year since the appearance of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), many questions about the disease COVID-19 have been answered; however, many more remain poorly understood. Although the situation continues to evolve, it is crucial to understand what factors may be driving transmission through different populations, both for potential future waves, as well as the implications for future pandemics. In this report, we compiled a database of more than 28 potentially explanatory variables for each of the 50 U.S. states through early May 2020. Using a combination of traditional statistical and modern machine learning approaches, we identified those variables that were the most statistically significant, and, those that were the most important. These variables were chosen to be fiduciaries of a range of possible drivers for COVID-19 deaths in the USA. We found that population-weighted population density (PWPD), some "stay at home" metrics, monthly temperature and precipitation, race/ethnicity, and chronic low-respiratory death rate, were all statistically significant. Of these, PWPD and mobility metrics dominated. This suggests that the biggest impact on COVID-19 deaths was, at least initially, a function of where you lived, and not what you did. However, clearly, increasing social distancing has the net effect of (at least temporarily) reducing the effective PWPD. Our results strongly support the idea that the loosening of "lock-down" orders should be tailored to the local PWPD. In contrast to these variables, while still statistically significant, race/ethnicity, health, and climate effects could only account for a few percent of the variability in deaths. Where associations were anticipated but were not found, we discuss how limitations in the parameters chosen may mask a contribution that might otherwise be present.
    Keywords Medicine ; R ; Science ; Q
    Subject code 630
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  7. Article ; Online: Consistent pattern of epidemic slowing across many geographies led to longer, flatter initial waves of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Michal Ben-Nun / Pete Riley / James Turtle / Steven Riley

    PLoS Computational Biology, Vol 18, Iss 8, p e

    2022  Volume 1010375

    Abstract: To define appropriate planning scenarios for future pandemics of respiratory pathogens, it is important to understand the initial transmission dynamics of COVID-19 during 2020. Here, we fit an age-stratified compartmental model with a flexible underlying ...

    Abstract To define appropriate planning scenarios for future pandemics of respiratory pathogens, it is important to understand the initial transmission dynamics of COVID-19 during 2020. Here, we fit an age-stratified compartmental model with a flexible underlying transmission term to daily COVID-19 death data from states in the contiguous U.S. and to national and sub-national data from around the world. The daily death data of the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic was qualitatively categorized into one of four main profile types: "spring single-peak", "summer single-peak", "spring/summer two-peak" and "broad with shoulder". We estimated a reproduction number R as a function of calendar time tc and as a function of time since the first death reported in that population (local pandemic time, tp). Contrary to the diversity of categories and range of magnitudes in death incidence profiles, the R(tp) profiles were much more homogeneous. We found that in both the contiguous U.S. and globally, the initial value of both R(tc) and R(tp) was substantial: at or above two. However, during the early months, pandemic time R(tp) decreased exponentially to a value that hovered around one. This decrease was accompanied by a reduction in the variance of R(tp). For calendar time R(tc), the decrease in magnitude was slower and non-exponential, with a smaller reduction in variance. Intriguingly, similar trends of exponential decrease and reduced variance were not observed in raw death data. Our findings suggest that the combination of specific government responses and spontaneous changes in behaviour ensured that transmissibility dropped, rather than remaining constant, during the initial phases of a pandemic. Future pandemic planning scenarios should include models that assume similar decreases in transmissibility, which lead to longer epidemics with lower peaks when compared with models based on constant transmissibility.
    Keywords Biology (General) ; QH301-705.5
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-08-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  8. Book ; Online: Which Upstream Solar Wind Conditions Matter Most in Predicting Bz within Coronal Mass Ejections

    Riley, Pete / Reiss, M. A. / Mostl, C.

    2023  

    Abstract: Accurately predicting the z-component of the interplanetary magnetic field, particularly during the passage of an interplanetary coronal mass ejection (ICME), is a crucial objective for space weather predictions. Currently, only a handful of techniques ... ...

    Abstract Accurately predicting the z-component of the interplanetary magnetic field, particularly during the passage of an interplanetary coronal mass ejection (ICME), is a crucial objective for space weather predictions. Currently, only a handful of techniques have been proposed and they remain limited in scope and accuracy. Recently, a robust machine learning (ML) technique was developed for predicting the minimum value of Bz within ICMEs based on a set of 42 'features', that is, variables calculated from measured quantities upstream of the ICME and within its sheath region. In this study, we investigate these so-called explanatory variables in more detail, focusing on those that were (1) statistically significant; and (2) most important. We find that number density and magnetic field strength accounted for a large proportion of the variability. These features capture the degree to which the ICME compresses the ambient solar wind ahead. Intuitively, this makes sense: Energy made available to CMEs as they erupt is partitioned into magnetic and kinetic energy. Thus, more powerful CMEs are launched with larger flux-rope fields (larger Bz), at greater speeds, resulting in more sheath compression (increased number density and total field strength).
    Keywords Physics - Space Physics ; Astrophysics - Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
    Subject code 520 ; 621
    Publishing date 2023-03-30
    Publishing country us
    Document type Book ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  9. Article ; Online: Accurate influenza forecasts using type-specific incidence data for small geographic units.

    Turtle, James / Riley, Pete / Ben-Nun, Michal / Riley, Steven

    PLoS computational biology

    2021  Volume 17, Issue 7, Page(s) e1009230

    Abstract: Influenza incidence forecasting is used to facilitate better health system planning and could potentially be used to allow at-risk individuals to modify their behavior during a severe seasonal influenza epidemic or a novel respiratory pandemic. For ... ...

    Abstract Influenza incidence forecasting is used to facilitate better health system planning and could potentially be used to allow at-risk individuals to modify their behavior during a severe seasonal influenza epidemic or a novel respiratory pandemic. For example, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) runs an annual competition to forecast influenza-like illness (ILI) at the regional and national levels in the US, based on a standard discretized incidence scale. Here, we use a suite of forecasting models to analyze type-specific incidence at the smaller spatial scale of clusters of nearby counties. We used data from point-of-care (POC) diagnostic machines over three seasons, in 10 clusters, capturing: 57 counties; 1,061,891 total specimens; and 173,909 specimens positive for Influenza A. Total specimens were closely correlated with comparable CDC ILI data. Mechanistic models were substantially more accurate when forecasting influenza A positive POC data than total specimen POC data, especially at longer lead times. Also, models that fit subpopulations of the cluster (individual counties) separately were better able to forecast clusters than were models that directly fit to aggregated cluster data. Public health authorities may wish to consider developing forecasting pipelines for type-specific POC data in addition to ILI data. Simple mechanistic models will likely improve forecast accuracy when applied at small spatial scales to pathogen-specific data before being scaled to larger geographical units and broader syndromic data. Highly local forecasts may enable new public health messaging to encourage at-risk individuals to temporarily reduce their social mixing during seasonal peaks and guide public health intervention policy during potentially severe novel influenza pandemics.
    MeSH term(s) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. ; Computational Biology ; Epidemiological Monitoring ; Forecasting/methods ; Geography ; Humans ; Incidence ; Influenza, Human/diagnosis ; Influenza, Human/epidemiology ; Models, Statistical ; Point-of-Care Testing/statistics & numerical data ; Public Health ; Seasons ; Software ; Time Factors ; United States/epidemiology
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-07-29
    Publishing country United States
    Document type Journal Article ; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
    ZDB-ID 2193340-6
    ISSN 1553-7358 ; 1553-734X
    ISSN (online) 1553-7358
    ISSN 1553-734X
    DOI 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009230
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  10. Article ; Online: Accurate influenza forecasts using type-specific incidence data for small geographic units.

    James Turtle / Pete Riley / Michal Ben-Nun / Steven Riley

    PLoS Computational Biology, Vol 17, Iss 7, p e

    2021  Volume 1009230

    Abstract: Influenza incidence forecasting is used to facilitate better health system planning and could potentially be used to allow at-risk individuals to modify their behavior during a severe seasonal influenza epidemic or a novel respiratory pandemic. For ... ...

    Abstract Influenza incidence forecasting is used to facilitate better health system planning and could potentially be used to allow at-risk individuals to modify their behavior during a severe seasonal influenza epidemic or a novel respiratory pandemic. For example, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) runs an annual competition to forecast influenza-like illness (ILI) at the regional and national levels in the US, based on a standard discretized incidence scale. Here, we use a suite of forecasting models to analyze type-specific incidence at the smaller spatial scale of clusters of nearby counties. We used data from point-of-care (POC) diagnostic machines over three seasons, in 10 clusters, capturing: 57 counties; 1,061,891 total specimens; and 173,909 specimens positive for Influenza A. Total specimens were closely correlated with comparable CDC ILI data. Mechanistic models were substantially more accurate when forecasting influenza A positive POC data than total specimen POC data, especially at longer lead times. Also, models that fit subpopulations of the cluster (individual counties) separately were better able to forecast clusters than were models that directly fit to aggregated cluster data. Public health authorities may wish to consider developing forecasting pipelines for type-specific POC data in addition to ILI data. Simple mechanistic models will likely improve forecast accuracy when applied at small spatial scales to pathogen-specific data before being scaled to larger geographical units and broader syndromic data. Highly local forecasts may enable new public health messaging to encourage at-risk individuals to temporarily reduce their social mixing during seasonal peaks and guide public health intervention policy during potentially severe novel influenza pandemics.
    Keywords Biology (General) ; QH301-705.5
    Subject code 310
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-07-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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