The updated WHO pandemic influenza severity assessment (PISA) framework set out in this document provides a systematic approach for interpreting data collected through existing surveillance systems and improving their usefulness for risk communication and decision-making. The approach enables the severity of current influenza and syndromic respiratory illness activity to be assessed relative to previous years by using historical data to set thresholds that then allow for the qualitative categorization of such activity. PISA is designed to be implemented continuously based on stable/ routine reporting systems, enabling activity during epidemic and pandemic periods to be compared. Information to assess severity especially early and throughout the course of a pandemic will also be provided through investigations, studies and modelling.

In the past several years, there have been significant technological advances in the field of crisis response. However, many aspects concerning the efficient collection and integration of geo-information, applied semantics and situation awareness for disaster management remain open. Improving crisis response systems and making them intelligent requires extensive collaboration between emergency responders, disaster managers, system designers and researchers alike. To facilitate this process, the Gi4DM (GeoInformation for Disaster Management) conferences have been held regularly since 2005. The events are coordinated by the Joint Board of Geospatial Information Societies (JB GIS) and ICSU GeoUnions. This book presents the outcomes of the Gi4DM 2018 conference, which was organised by the ISPRS-URSI Joint Working Group ICWG III/IVa: Disaster Assessment, Monitoring and Management and held in Istanbul, Turkey on 18-21 March 2018. It includes 12 scientific papers focusing on the intelligent use of geo-information, semantics and situation awareness.

This book discusses practical applications of reliability and statistical methods and techniques in various disciplines, using machine learning, artificial intelligence, optimization, and other computation methods. Bringing together research from international experts, each chapter aims to cover both methods and practical aspects on reliability or statistical computations with emphasis on applications. 5G and IoT are set to generate an estimated 1 billion terabytes of data by 2025 and companies continue to search for new techniques and tools that can help them practice data collection effectively in promoting their business. This book explores the era of big data through reliability and statistical computing, showcasing how almost all applications in our daily life have experienced a dramatic shift in the past two decades to a truly global industry. Including numerous illustrations and worked examples, the book is of interest to researchers, practicing engineers, and postgraduate students in the fields of reliability engineering, statistical computing, and machine learning.