Delta (Denmark)

ABSTRACT Wetlands provide numerous ecosystems services and benefits that are essential for human society and the environment. However, wetlands have suffered significant loss and degradation globally over the past few centuries due to human disturbances and climate change. It is thus critical to monitor wetlands comprehensively and manage effectively. Meanwhile, comprehensive monitoring is challenging due to difficulties in collecting various wetland data (e.g., in situ hydrological and ecological data, remote sensing images), data analysis using diverse models (e.g., physically based and data-driven), and data visualization. Digital twins, which integrate data collection, analysis, visualization, and sharing into a comprehensive platform, are promising for addressing these challenges. While the concepts and technologies of digital twins have been frequently explored for cities and farms, they have been discussed far less for wetlands. This study attempts to explore the concept of wetland digital twins, identify technologies needed, and discuss associated challenges and opportunities. Though technologies from digital twins of cities and farms are transferable, it is essential to recognize the unique challenges of wetlands, such as their remote locations, limited accessibility, and the need to minimize human interventions. This study aims to bring insights to wetland policymakers and practitioners, promoting digital twins for more effective managements.

BackgroundLong-term exposure to road traffic noise is associated with cardiovascular disease, but the evidence on respiratory diseases is just emerging. We aimed to examine the association between long-term exposure to road traffic noise and the incidence of acute lower respiratory infections (ALRIs) in adults. MethodsWe followed 23,141 female nurses (age ≥ 44 years) from the Danish Nurse Cohort from baseline (1993 or 1999) to their first hospital contact (inpatient, outpatient, or emergency room) for ALRI, death, emigration or the end of 2015. The residential annual mean levels of road traffic noise (Lden) during the follow-up were estimated using the Nord2000 model. We applied time-varying Cox models to estimate the association of 3-year mean exposure to Lden with ALRIs incidence and piecewise analysis to estimate the threshold of Lden. We examined the robustness of the results by adjusting for residential exposure to air pollution, and the effect modification by attained age, socioeconomic status (SES), comorbidity, and lifestyle. ResultsDuring 18.5 years of follow-up, 2,004 nurses developed ALRIs. In a linear model, we detected a statistically significant positive association between Lden and ALRI, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.11 (95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.04, 1.17) per 9.2 dB (interquartile range, IQR). We observed non-linear association with a threshold at 57 dB, above which the HR was 1.25 (95 % CI: 1.09, 1.43) per IQR. Further adjustment for PM2.5 reduced the HRs slightly to 1.21 (95 % CI: 1.04, 1.40). The associations were stronger for nurses with asthma, and in those with lowest SES. ConclusionWe present novel findings in support of the association between long-term exposure to road traffic noise and ALRIs, independent of air pollution, suggesting noise as a risk factor for infectious respiratory diseases.

An analysis of twenty (20) Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Technologies was executed in order to investigate how they may be applied to minimise the Cyber-Threats associated with ‘undefined requirements’ pertaining to Contracts, Litigation, Acquisitions & Procurement (CLAP). However, our analysis concludes that only one (1) COTS Technology is capable of achieving this objective (Testimation Technology); as demonstrated utilising four (4) Simplified Examples. One (1) Simplified Example pertaining to Contracts, demonstrates Cyber-Threat minimisation by precisely & unambiguously specifying the minimum level of Cyber-Confidence to be delivered & the maximum level of Cyber-Risk to be tolerated. Three (3) Simplified Examples pertaining to Litigation, Acquisitions & Procurement respectively, demonstrate Cyber-Threat minimisation by the application of a Decision Assistance Table (DAT) generated by this COTS Technology. All four (4) Simplified Examples presented, demonstrate how it is possible to Manage Cyber-Risk utilising a scientifically formulated tool which has been experimentally verified to Predict & Measure all forms of Cyber-Risk to greater than 98.07% accuracy.

Abstract Introduction Tonic motor activation (TOMAC) is a noninvasive medical device therapy that has been shown to reduce symptoms of refractory restless legs syndrome (RLS). Here, we evaluated the effects of TOMAC on subjective sleep quality. Methods One hundred and thirty-three adults with primary moderate-severe refractory RLS were 1:1 randomized to TOMAC or sham control for 4 weeks. Participants were instructed to self-administer a 30-minute TOMAC session bilaterally over the head of the fibula to electrically stimulate the peroneal nerve whenever RLS symptoms presented. Sleep quality was assessed through prespecified analysis of changes to Medical Outcomes Study Sleep Scale (MOS-Sleep) Sleep Problems Index I (MOS-I) and II (MOS-II) scores from baseline to Week 4. Post hoc t-tests were conducted on each MOS-Sleep item included in the MOS-I or MOS-II. Results MOS-I score changed by -11.8 points (48.5 to 36.7) for TOMAC and -2.8 points for sham (44.5 to 41.7), a difference of -9.0 points (p< 0.001). MOS-II score changed by -13.7 points (52.5 to 38.9) for TOMAC and -4.0 points for sham (48.3 to 44.3), a difference of -9.7 points (p< 0.001), which exceeds the proposed minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of 6 points. Post hoc analysis demonstrated statistically significant reductions in trouble falling asleep (item #7; -34.0% for TOMAC vs. -5.8% for sham; p< 0.01) and trouble staying awake during the day (item #9; -33.6% for TOMAC vs. -2.1% for sham; p< 0.05), which exceeded the standard MCID threshold of 30% relative to baseline. Conclusion For adults with refractory RLS, TOMAC improved subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, and daytime somnolence relative to sham control. Each of these improvements represented clinically important improvements. These data demonstrate that TOMAC can provide meaningful improvements to sleep quality and daytime functioning for patients with refractory RLS. Support (if any) Funding was provided by Noctrix Health, Inc.

AimsTo explore the current and potential role for UK pharmacists in the transition to adult services (TAS) for young people with chronic health problems.MethodsUK hospital pharmacists were surveyed using an online questionnaire with closed and open questions covering their involvement in a transition programme, demography and scope of work, experiences of TAS and the barriers encountered in providing an effective transition service.ResultsOverall, 74 pharmacists completed the questionnaire. Most were female (70% [52/74]), had ≥6 years of experience (62% [46/74]), were paediatric pharmacists (74% [55/74]) and were based in a teaching hospital practice setting (70% [52/74]). Many participants (57% [42/74]) had a transition program in place in their hospital; of these, 55% (23/42) were not a part of the service. Respondents identified unique skills that pharmacists could contribute to the transition service, including knowledge of medications (including formulations and unlicensed medications), awareness of medication services beyond paediatrics, commissioning of medications and familiarity with adult services. Most commonly identified barriers to transition included ‘time constraints’, ‘pharmacists not involved as part of the wider multi-disciplinary team’, ‘lack of engagement between different services’. Pharmacists noted that their ideal transition service would include specific medication related transition, e.g., adherence, counselling, and supply of medications.ConclusionThese findings support the role of hospital pharmacists as crucial members of the multidisciplinary team required for TAS. The skills and knowledge of the hospital pharmacist is under-utilised within the transition service, yet pharmacists are motivated and uniquely skilled healthcare professionals who have the potential to improve medicines transition.

This chapter looks at the use of optical filters in spectroscopy. The use of optical filters includes spectrometers that detect electromagnetic radiation from the ultraviolet to the mid-infrared part of the spectrum. Optical filters have two main uses in spectroscopy. They can either be the primary wavelength-selective elements or serve as auxiliary filters for different purposes. Optical bandpass filters that are centred at the selected wavelengths of the excitation or emission gratings can help suppress most of the scattered light. During a wavelength scan, a series of bandpass filters needs to be moved sequentially into the beam path – either on a slider or filter wheel. Optical filters are often found in bench-top spectroscopic instruments, such as micro-plate readers, as wavelength-selective elements. They are mounted on sliders or in filter wheels to facilitate wavelength selection in the excitation or emission channel.

This study aimed to compare time-to-boundary and sample entropy during a single-leg balance task between individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI), lateral ankle sprain copers, and healthy controls. Twenty-two participants with CAI, 20 lateral ankle sprain copers, and 24 healthy controls performed a single-leg balance task during an eyes-closed condition. Participants with CAI exhibited lower time-to-boundary values compared with lateral ankle sprain copers and healthy controls. However, we did not find differences in sample entropy variables between cohorts. A decrease in time-to-boundary values in participants with CAI indicated that CAI may constrain the ability of the sensorimotor system to maintain the center of pressure within the boundaries of the base of support. However, the regularity of the center of pressure velocity time series appears not to be altered in the CAI cohort in this study.

Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) has been used for a couple of decades in applications such as satellite imaging, air reconnaissance and other not overly price sensitive markets. Still, there is no clear definition of the term hyperspectral imaging. Sometimes techniques that produce 2D images with more than the typical three RGB colours (or spectral channels) – for example by inclusion of a near-infrared channel – are already called hyperspectral. Mostly though, this is not considered sufficient. Typically, even ten spectral channels are still to be called multi-spectral rather than hyperspectral.

The benefit of using individual head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) in binaural audio is well documented with regards to improving localization precision. However, with the increased use of binaural audio in more complex scene renderings, cognitive studies, and virtual and augmented reality simulations, the perceptual impact of HRTF selection may go beyond simple localization. In this study, the authors develop a list of attributes which qualify the perceived differences between HRTFs, providing a qualitative understanding of the perceptual variance of non-individual binaural renderings. The list of attributes was designed using a Consensus Vocabulary Protocol elicitation method. Participants followed an Individual Vocabulary Protocol elicitation procedure, describing the perceived differences between binaural stimuli based on binauralized extracts of multichannel productions. This was followed by an automated lexical reduction and a series of consensus group meetings during which participants agreed on a list of relevant attributes. Finally, the proposed list of attributes was then evaluated through a listening test, leading to eight valid perceptual attributes for describing the perceptual dimensions affected by HRTF set variations.