Who's Googling What? What Internet Searches Reveal about Hurricane Information Seeking

2011 ◽  
Vol 92 (8) ◽  
pp. 975-985 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen Sherman-Morris ◽  
Jason Senkbeil ◽  
Robert Carver
Keyword(s):  
Hurricane Katrina ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Regional Variation ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
National Level ◽  
Track Forecast ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Patterns ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Search Volume ◽  
Free Data

Two freely available, searchable databases that track the normalized interest in specific search queries, Google Trends and Google Insights, were used to illustrate spatial and temporal patterns in hurricane information seeking. Searches for the word “hurricane” showed a seasonal pattern with spikes in hurricane searches that corresponded to the severity of the storms making landfall. Regional variation in “hurricane” searches was largely driven by the location and magnitude of hurricane landfalls. Catastrophic hurricanes such as Hurricane Katrina captured national attention. A great deal of regional variation in search volume existed prior to Hurricane Ike's landfall. Not as much variation was seen before Hurricane Gustav and Tropical Storm Fay. This variation appeared to be related to changes in the 5-day track forecast as well as other factors such as issuance of watches and warnings. Searches from Louisiana experienced a sharp decrease after the 5-day track forecast shifted away from the state, but before Ike made landfall. Normalized daily visits to Weather Underground during August/September 2008 followed the same pattern as the Google searches. The most popular hurricane-related search terms at the national level prior to landfall dealt with forecast track and evacuation information while searches after landfall included terms related to hurricane damage. There are limitations to using this free data source, but the study has implications for the literature as well as practical applications. This study provides new information about online search behavior before a hurricane that can be utilized by those who provide weather information to the public.

scholarly journals Suitability of Google Trends™ for digital surveillance during ongoing COVID-19 epidemic: a case study from India

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-28
Author(s):  
Parmeshwar Satpathy ◽  
Sanjeev Kumar ◽  
Pankaj Prasad
Keyword(s):  
Information Seeking ◽  
Media Coverage ◽  
Time Lag ◽  
National Level ◽  
Google Trends ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
High Burden ◽  
Search Volume ◽  
Digital Surveillance ◽  
Time Lag Correlation

Abstract Objective: Digital surveillance has shown mixed results as supplement to traditional surveillance. Google Trends™ (GT) has been used for digital surveillance of H1N1, Ebola and MERS. We used GT to correlate the information seeking on COVID-19 with number of tests and cases in India. Methods: We obtained data on daily tests and cases from WHO, ECDC and covid19india.org. We used a comprehensive search strategy to retrieve GT data on COVID-19 related information-seeking behaviour in India between 1st January and 31st May 2020 in the form of relative search volume (RSV). We used time-lag correlation analysis to assess the temporal relationships between RSV and daily new COVID-19 cases and tests. Results: GT RSV showed high time-lag correlation with both daily reported tests and cases for the terms “COVID 19”, “COVID”, “social distancing”, “soap” and “lockdown” at national level. In five high-burden states, high correlation was observed for these five terms along with “Corona”. Peaks in RSV both at national level and high-burden states corresponded with media coverage or government declarations on the ongoing pandemic. Conclusion: The correlation observed between GT data and COVID-19 tests/cases in India may be either due to media-coverage induced curiosity or health-seeking.

scholarly journals Increase in searches for erectile dysfunction during winter: seasonal variation evidence from Google Trends in the United States

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Belén Mora Garijo ◽  
Jonathan E. Katz ◽  
Aubrey Greer ◽  
Mia Gonzalgo ◽  
Alejandro García López ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
United States ◽  
Erectile Dysfunction ◽  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Kidney Stones ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
The United States ◽  
Google Trends ◽  
Internet Search ◽  
Search Volume

AbstractSeveral diseases associated with erectile dysfunction (ED), such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and coronary artery disease (CAD), are known to have seasonal variation, with increased incidence during winter months. However, no literature exists on whether this chronological-seasonal evolution is also present within ED symptomatology. We hypothesized ED would follow the seasonal pattern of its lifestyle-influenced comorbid conditions and exhibit increased incidence during winter months. In order to investigate the seasonal variation of ED in the United States between 2009 and 2019, Internet search query data were obtained using Google Trends. Normalized search volume was determined during the winter and summer seasons for ED, other diseases known to be significantly associated with ED (T2DM and CAD), kidney stones (positive control), and prostate cancer (negative control). There were significantly more internet search queries for ED during the winter than during the summer (p = 0.001). CAD and T2DM also had significantly increased search volume during winter months compared to summer months (p < 0.001 and p = 0.011, respectively). By contrast, searches for kidney stones were significantly increased in the summer than in the winter (p < 0.001). There was no significant seasonal variation in the relative search frequency for prostate cancer (p = 0.75). In conclusion, Google Trends internet search data across a ten-year period in the United States suggested a seasonal variation in ED, which implies an increase in ED during winter. This novel finding in ED epidemiology may help increase awareness of ED’s associated lifestyle risk factors, which may facilitate early medical evaluation and treatment for those at risk of both ED and cardiovascular disease.

The risk of large-scale trade bottlenecks due to simultaneous port disruptions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasper Verschuur ◽  
Elco Koks ◽  
Jim Hall
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Hurricane Katrina ◽  
Tropical Cyclones ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Global Analysis ◽  
Stress Test ◽  
National Level ◽  
Trade Network ◽  
Port Infrastructure

&lt;p&gt;Reliable port infrastructure is essential for the facilitation of international trade flows. Disruptions to port infrastructure can result in trade bottlenecks, in particular if multiple key ports are affected simultaneously due to natural disasters with large spatial footprints such as earthquakes and tropical cyclones (Verschuur et al. 2019). For instance, Hurricane Katrina (2005) disrupted port operations in multiple ports in New Orleans, which transport around 45% of the country&amp;#8217;s food and farm products, resulting in more than USD800 million export losses and price spikes of food products (Trepte and Rice, 2014). In order to improve the resilience of the transport and supply-chain network, the risk of large-scale trade bottlenecks need to be quantified on global scale. However, to date, the risk of single and multiple port failures due to large-scale natural disasters, and the resulting consequences, has not yet been explored.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Here, we present a global analysis of the risk of simultaneous port disruptions due to tropical cyclones and the associated risk of bottlenecks in the national and global maritime trade network. To do this, we have combined a new global dataset on the port-to-port trade network with 10,000 years of synthetic tropical cyclone tracks (Bloemendaal et al., 2020) and an impact-module that estimates the duration of the port disruption as a function of cyclone wind speed. We show how certain countries and specific economic sectors within countries are at risk of large-scale trade bottlenecks, mainly due to the concentration of trade in a few key ports that are geographically clustered.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;These results can be used to stress test the global maritime transport network and inform strategies to improve supply-chain resilience (e.g. diversification of transport and import). Moreover, it can support port planning on a national level to make strategic investments to reduce the risk of trade bottlenecks or to design post-disaster emergency response strategies (e.g. rerouting strategies to alternative ports).&lt;/p&gt;

Searching, sharing and singing: understanding the information behaviors of choral directors

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 199-208
Author(s):  
Christine Fena
Keyword(s):  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Behavior ◽  
Information Support ◽  
Information Discovery ◽  
Choral Directors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Other Information ◽  
Information Professionals ◽  
Concert Programs

PurposeThis article aims to help music librarians and other information professionals effectively understand and support communities of choral directors and other groups dependent on networking and serendipitous information encounters. In addition, through discussion and comparison of theories of information behavior, research articles and analysis of events and experiences, the article encourages thoughtful and practical applications of information behavior research.Design/methodology/approachThis conceptual paper uses different theories of information behavior to outline three distinct modes of learning and knowing within communities of choral directors: individual searching, community expertise and serendipitous encounters.FindingsThe choral directing community is one that benefits not only from information support systems that emphasize individual information seeking, but also collaborative networking and serendipitous encounters with other community members. Librarians and other information professionals can best help this group discover new repertoire, plan concert programs, improve rehearsals and support other relevant activities through understanding and helping to provide access to professional music networks and being creative in providing opportunities for serendipitous information discovery.Originality/valueLittle information behavior research and discussion have focused specifically on the information practices of choral directors and how the format and schedule of a professional choral conference illuminate such practices and needs.

scholarly journals Temporal and longitudinal analysis of Danish Swine Salmonellosis Control Programme data: implications for surveillance

2008 ◽  
Vol 136 (11) ◽  
pp. 1511-1520 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. BENSCHOP ◽  
M. A. STEVENSON ◽  
J. DAHL ◽  
R. S. MORRIS ◽  
N. P. FRENCH
Keyword(s):  
National Level ◽  
Sampling Strategy ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Control Programme ◽  
Percentage Error ◽  
Surveillance Strategy ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Targeted Sampling ◽  
Aberration Detection ◽  
Temporal Redundancy

SUMMARYThe control programme forSalmonellainfection in Danish swine has reduced the number of human cases attributable to pork consumption and the focus is now on cost-effectiveness. We applied time-series and longitudinal analyses to data collected between January 1995 and May 2005 to identify if there were predictable periods of risk that could inform sampling strategy; to investigate the potential for forecasting for early aberration detection; and to explore temporal redundancy within the sampling strategy. There was no evidence of seasonality hence no justification to change to targeted sampling at high-risk periods. The forecast of seropositivity made using an ARIMA (0, 1, 2) model had a root-mean-squared percentage error criterion of 8·4% indicating that accurate forecasts are possible. The lorelogram identified temporal redundancy at up to 10 weeks suggesting little value in sampling more frequently than this on the ‘average’ farm. These findings have practical applications for both farm-level sampling strategy and national-level aberration detection which potentially could result in a more cost-effective surveillance strategy.

scholarly journals Spatial Epidemiology of Salmonellosis in Florida, 2009–2018

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaolong Li ◽  
Nitya Singh ◽  
Elizabeth Beshearse ◽  
Jason L. Blanton ◽  
Jamie DeMent ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Incidence Rate ◽  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Spatial Epidemiology ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Temporal Patterns ◽  
The United States ◽  
The State ◽  
Negative Binomial Regression Model ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Patterns

Non-typhoidal Salmonella enterica infections cause a high disease burden in the United States with an estimated 1.2 million illnesses annually. The state of Florida consistently has a relatively high incidence compared to other states in the United States. Nevertheless, studies regarding the epidemiology of nontyphoidal salmonellosis and its spatial and temporal patterns in Florida were rarely reported. We examined the spatial and temporal patterns of 62,947 salmonellosis cases reported to FL Health Charts between 2009 and 2018. Dominant serotypes circulating in Florida were also explored using whole genome sequencing (WGS) based serotype-prediction for 2,507 Salmonella isolates sequenced by the Florida Department of Health during 2017 and 2018. The representativeness of laboratory-sequenced isolates for reported cases was determined by regression modeling. The annual incidence rate of salmonellosis decreased from 36.0 per 100,000 population in 2009 to 27.8 per 100,000 in 2016, and gradually increased in 2017 and 2018. Increased use of culture-independent testing did not fully explain this increase. The highest incidence rate was observed in children, contributing 40.9% of total reported cases during this period. A seasonal pattern was observed with the incidence peaking in September and October, later than the national average pattern. Over these 10 years, the Northeast and Northwest regions of the state had higher reported incidence rates, while reported rates in the Southeast and South were gradually increasing over time. Serotypes were predicted based on WGS data in the EnteroBase platform. The top-five most prevalent serotypes in Florida during 2017–2018 were Enteritidis, Newport, Javiana, Sandiego and Braenderup. The highest percentage of isolates was from children under 5 years of age (41.4%), and stool (84.7%) was the major source of samples. A zero-inflated negative binomial regression model showed that the reported case number was a strong predictor for the number of lab-sequenced isolates in individual counties, and the geospatial distribution of sequenced isolates was not biased by other factors such as age group. The spatial and temporal patterns identified in this study along with the prevalence of different serotypes will be helpful for the development of efficient prevention and control strategies for salmonellosis in Florida.

scholarly journals Information Needs and Information Seeking Behaviours of Elementary and Middle School Social Studies and Cultural Heritage Teachers in Taiwan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shan-Ju Lin Chang
Keyword(s):  
Middle School ◽  
Social Studies ◽  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Library System ◽  
Collection Data ◽  
Questionnaire Surveys ◽  
Elementary And Middle School

Employing both qualitative and quantitative approaches, this study seeks to systematically analyze the information needs, seeking, and use behaviors of elementary and middle school social studies and cultural heritage teachers in Taiwan, and to relate the findings to digital library system design. In-depth interviews and questionnaire surveys were used for data collection. Data was analyzed qualitatively and statistically in order to answer a number of questions regarding: the information needs for teaching social studies courses, information seeking and collecting behaviors, difficulties encountered while searching for information for teaching, factors influencing information needs and seeking behaviors, and teacher expectations of educational websites covering related subjects. Our results suggest practical applications and implications for education policy makers and library system designers.

Meta-Information in Conversational Search

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-44
Author(s):  
Johannes Kiesel ◽  
Lars Meyer ◽  
Martin Potthast ◽  
Benno Stein
Keyword(s):  
Information Seeking ◽  
Practical Significance ◽  
Information Need ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Meta Information ◽  
Formed Part

The exchange of meta-information has always formed part of information behavior. In this article, we show that this rule also extends to conversational search. Information about the user’s information need, their preferences, and the quality of search results are only some of the most salient examples of meta-information that are exchanged as a matter of course in a search conversation. To understand the importance of meta-information for conversational search, we revisit its definition and survey how meta-information has been taken into account in the past in information retrieval. Meta-information has gone by many names, about which a concise overview is provided. An in-depth analysis of the role of meta-information in search and conversation theories reveals that they provide significant support for the importance of meta-information in conversational search. We further identify conversational search datasets are suitable for a deeper inspection with regard to meta-information, namely, Spoken Conversational Search and Microsoft Information-Seeking Conversations. A quantitative data analysis demonstrates the practical significance of meta-information in information-seeking conversations, whereas a qualitative analysis shows the effects of exchanging different types. Finally, we discuss practical applications and challenges of meta-information in conversational search, including a case study of VERSE, an existing search system for the visually impaired.

Seasonality and global public interest in psoriasis: an infodemiology study

2019 ◽  
Vol 96 (1133) ◽  
pp. 139-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qian Wu ◽  
Zhiwei Xu ◽  
Yi-Lin Dan ◽  
Chan-Na Zhao ◽  
Yan-Mei Mao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Public Interest ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Search Volume ◽  
Early Autumn ◽  
Search Data ◽  
Google Search

ObjectiveAlthough patients with psoriasis frequently report seasonal changes in their symptoms, the seasonality of psoriasis has rarely been explored. This study aims to investigate the seasonal pattern of and global public interest in psoriasis using Google search data.MethodsInternet search data were collected from Google Trends. Data on the relative search volume (RSV) from January 2004 to December 2018 were retrieved using the term psoriasis. Cosinor analyses were conducted to examine the seasonality of psoriasis using data from two southern hemisphere countries (Australia and New Zealand) and four northern hemisphere countries (USA, Canada, UK and Ireland).ResultsOverall, searches for psoriasis steadily decreased between 2004 and 2010, and then rose from 2011 to 2018. On cosinor analyses, RSV of ‘psoriasis’ displayed a significant seasonal variation worldwide (p<0.025). Further analyses confirmed the seasonality of psoriasis-related RSV in Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, UK and Ireland (p<0.025 for all), with peaks in the late winter/early spring months and troughs in the late summer/early autumn months. The top 11 rising topics were calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate, ustekinumab, apremilast, shampoo, eczema, guttate psoriasis, seborrhoeic dermatitis, dermatitis, psoriatic arthritis, atopic dermatitis and arthritis.ConclusionThere was a significant seasonal pattern for psoriasis, with peaks in the late winter/early spring and troughs in the late summer/early autumn. Further studies are warranted to confirm the seasonal pattern of psoriasis using clinical data and to explore the underlying mechanisms.

Assimilating Airborne Doppler Radar Observations with an Ensemble Kalman Filter for Convection-Permitting Hurricane Initialization and Prediction: Katrina (2005)

2012 ◽  
Vol 140 (3) ◽  
pp. 841-859 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yonghui Weng ◽  
Fuqing Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Kalman Filter ◽  
Hurricane Katrina ◽  
Ensemble Kalman Filter ◽  
Airborne Radar ◽  
Track Forecast ◽  
Forecast Errors ◽  
Radar Observations ◽  
Uncertainty Estimates ◽  
Hurricane Track ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Through a Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF)-based ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) data assimilation system, the impact of assimilating airborne radar observations for the convection-permitting analysis and prediction of Hurricane Katrina (2005) is examined in this study. A forecast initialized from EnKF analyses of airborne radar observations had substantially smaller hurricane track forecast errors than NOAA’s operational forecasts and a control forecast initialized from NCEP analysis data for lead times up to 120 h. Verifications against independent in situ and remotely sensed observations show that EnKF analyses successfully depict the inner-core structure of the hurricane vortex in terms of both dynamic (wind) and thermodynamic (temperature and moisture) fields. In addition to the improved analyses and deterministic forecast, an ensemble of forecasts initiated from the EnKF analyses also provided forecast uncertainty estimates for the hurricane track and intensity. Also documented here are the details of a series of data thinning and quality control procedures that were developed to generate superobservations from large volumes of airborne radial velocity measurements. These procedures have since been implemented operationally on the NOAA hurricane reconnaissance aircraft that allows for more efficient real-time transmission of airborne radar observations to the ground.

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