We present a method for rapid calculation of coronavirus growth rates and R -numbers tailored to publicly available UK data. We assume that the case data comprise a smooth, underlying trend which is differentiable, plus systematic errors and a non-differentiable noise term, and use bespoke data processing to remove systematic errors and noise. The approach is designed to prioritize up-to-date estimates. Our method is validated against published consensus R -numbers from the UK government and is shown to produce comparable results two weeks earlier. The case-driven approach is combined with weight–shift–scale methods to monitor trends in the epidemic and for medium-term predictions. Using case-fatality ratios, we create a narrative for trends in the UK epidemic: increased infectiousness of the B1.117 (Alpha) variant, and the effectiveness of vaccination in reducing severity of infection. For longer-term future scenarios, we base future R ( t ) on insight from localized spread models, which show R ( t ) going asymptotically to 1 after a transient, regardless of how large the R transient is. This accords with short-lived peaks observed in case data. These cannot be explained by a well-mixed model and are suggestive of spread on a localized network. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Technical challenges of modelling real-life epidemics and examples of overcoming these’.
We present a method for rapid calculation of coronavirus growth rates and R-numbers tailored to the publicly available data in the UK. The R-number is derived from time-series of case data, using bespoke data processing to remove systematic and errors and stochastic fluctuations. In principle, growth rate can be obtained by differentiating the reported case numbers, but in fact daily stochastic fluctuations disqualify this method. We therefore assume that the case data comprises a smooth, underlying trend which is differentiable and a noise term. The approach produces, up-to-date estimates of the R-number throughout the period of data availability. Our method is validated against published consensus R-numbers from the UK government, and shown to produce comparable results. A significant advantage of our method is that it is stable up to the most recent data, this enables us to make R-number estimates available over two weeks ahead of the published consensus. The short-lived peaks observed in the R-number and case data cannot be explained by a well-mixed model and are suggestive of spread on a localised network. Such a localised spread model tends to give an Rt number close to 1, regardless of how large R0. The case-driven approach is combined with Weight-Shift-Scale (WSS) methods to monitor trends in the epidemic and for medium term predictions. Using case-fatality ratios, we create a narrative for trends in the UK epidemic increased infectiousness of the alpha and delta variants, and the effectiveness of vaccination in reducing severity of infection.
This work surveys over 14,000 respondents in seven countries to assess support for government action to protect the environment, and for different policies at the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow. Baseline results reveal overwhelming support for action. At least nine out of ten respondents in six countries, and 79% in the USA, agree that all governments should do more. In each country, at least 50% of respondents express support for four policies: protecting wildlife; planting trees; spending more on clean technologies; and reducing the production of greenhouse gases over thirty years. A surveyexperiment tests whether support changes when respondents are exposed to short texts framed in different ways. On average, exposure to a patriotism or public health text signi cantly raises support for action, albeit by only 1.6 and 1.3 percentage points respectively. On policies, exposure to either a public health text or a text based on current UN messaging increases support for tree-planting by 2.3 and 2.9 percentage points respectively. These results suggest that international public opinion is overwhelmingly in favour of government action at COP26. They highlight policies that are likely to attract majority support, and suggest that message-framing can have a very small impact.
The Tillaux fracture is an uncommon injury to the anterolateral distal tibial epiphysis. It occurs during a distinct time period when adolescent patients are transitioning to skeletal maturity. Owing to its rarity, the optimal management strategy for this fracture is not well-described. The aim of this review was to assess the outcomes of operatively and nonoperatively managed displaced adolescent Tillaux fractures. We analysed articles from The Cochrane Library, PubMed, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases that met our predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statements. A descriptive data analysis was performed. A total of 461 articles were identified from the data search, of which 13 articles were included for full-text analysis. Five of these studies reported recognised patient outcome measures and the remaining eight reported on radiographic follow-up. The reported studies included a total of 114 patients with Tillaux fractures; 58.8% of patients were female and 34.2% were male. Mean ages ranged from 12.5 to 15 years, with the youngest patient being 12 years old and the oldest 17 years old. Overall mean follow-up was 42.8 months. Of the patients, 40.4% were treated with open reduction internal fixation (ORIF), 14.9% with closed reduction internal fixation (CRIF), and 1.8% arthroscopically. The remainder were treated nonoperatively. Outcome measures were excellent for all patients irrespective of operative management choice. Follow-up radiographic deformity was only evident in Tillaux fractures that were managed nonoperatively; deformity included poor joint congruity, angular deformity, and tibial shortening. These nonoperative patients have a residual fracture displacement of 2 mm. There were no reported instances of premature physeal closure for any patient. This review shows that excellent patient outcomes have been reported for different methods of operative fixation, however, study sizes are small and data is sparse. Further robust comparative studies are required to identify definitive conclusions. The use of established clinical and radiographic outcome measures will help improve the quality of future studies for this relatively rare injury.
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