Definition Of Set Research Articles

Contextual Hospital Conditions and the Risk of Nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Matched Case-Control Study with Density Sampling in a Large Portuguese Hospital.

Objective: Knowledge of the role of hospital conditions in SARS-CoV-2 transmission should inform strategies for the prevention of nosocomial spread of this pathogen and of similarly transmitted viruses. This study aimed to identify risk factors for nosocomial acquisition of SARS-CoV-2. Methods: We ran a nested case-control study with incidence density sampling among adult patients hospitalized for >7 days (August-December 2020). Patients testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 after the 7th day of hospitalization were defined as cases and matched with controls (1:4) by date of admission, hospitalization duration until index date, and type of department. Individual and contextual characteristics were gathered, including admission characteristics and exposures during the risk period. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) with respective 95% confidence intervals (CI) separately for probable (diagnosed on day 8-13) and definitive (diagnosed after day 14) nosocomial sets. Results: We identified 65 cases (31 probable; 34 definitive) and 219 controls. No individual characteristic was related to nosocomial acquisition of SARS-CoV-2. Contextual risk factors for nosocomial acquisition were staying in a non-refurbished room (probable nosocomial: OR = 3.6, 1.18-10.87), contact with roommates with newly diagnosed SARS-CoV-2 (probable nosocomial: OR = 9.9, 2.11-46.55; definitive nosocomial: OR = 3.4, 1.09-10.30), and contact with roommates with a first positive test 21-90 days before the beginning of contact (probable nosocomial: OR = 10.7, 1.97-57.7). Conclusions: Hospital conditions and contact with recently infected patients modulated nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 transmission. These results alert us to the importance of the physical context and of agile screening procedures to shorten contact with patients with recent infection.

A study on the division and determination of characteristic indexes of underground reservoirs under inclined bottom plates

ABSTRACT In recent years, the slope of the bottom plate of the underground reservoir in the loose porous medium constructed in the middle and upper reaches of the river is relatively large, which makes the underground water surface incline to a certain slope as a whole, near-horizontal section will appear in front of the underground dam during continuous recharge. Given this situation, the definition and calculation of the characteristic index of the underground reservoir in line with the actual changes are carried out. The characteristic water level of the underground reservoir is defined based on the groundwater surface with a certain slope at the inclined level in the case of the lower dam (single dam) impoundment. The characteristic capacity is calculated through the water level at the typical section defined by the inclined surface. A new set of definition and calculation method based on the characteristic index of the underground reservoir with a dam on the inclined bottom plates is proposed and applied to the Rushan River underground reservoir, which more accurately reflects the water level change and the corresponding actual reservoir capacity during the operation of the underground reservoir.

Predictive fault-tolerant control for nonlinear batch processes with small time delays via iterative learning control: A Lyapunov–Razumikhin approach

For batch processes with small time delays and actuator partial fault, the existing methods based on iterative learning control still have some limitations, including the conservative and computationally burdensome of stability conditions and the limited fault-tolerant control capabilities. For this background, an iterative learning robust predictive fault-tolerant control method is developed, which integrates the Lyapunov–Razumikhin function method and derives stability conditions based on robust positive definite invariant set and terminal constraint set. With small time delays, the stability conditions of the system deduced using the Lyapunov–Razumikhin function are solved at a lower computational cost, which is due to the fact that the dimensionality of the stabilization condition is directly related to the size of the time delay, and thus the small time delay implies a lower dimensionality. Especially, the computational effort for solving the stability conditions online is reduced, allowing real-time control law gains to be obtained and combined with historical batches of control inputs, reducing the learning cycles of the system, and realizing stable tracking of the setpoints within shorter operating batches. Moreover, the robust positive invariant set and the set of terminal constraints are able to constrain the state of the system within a safe range for all possible uncertainties, bounded disturbances, and faults. This makes the proposed methods based on them more robust and fault tolerant. Finally, a nonlinear batch reactor is used as an example to demonstrate the effectiveness and feasibility of the developed method.

Lysine-36 of Drosophila histone H3.3 supports adult longevity.

Aging is a multifactorial process that disturbs homeostasis, increases disease susceptibility, and ultimately results in death. Although the definitive set of molecular mechanisms responsible for aging remain to be discovered, epigenetic change over time is proving to be a promising piece of the puzzle. Several post-translational histone modifications have been linked to the maintenance of longevity. Here, we focus on lysine-36 of the replication-independent histone protein, H3.3 (H3.3K36). To interrogate the role of this residue in Drosophila developmental gene regulation, we generated a lysine-to-arginine mutant that blocks the activity of its cognate-modifying enzymes. We found that an H3.3BK36R mutation causes a significant reduction in adult lifespan, accompanied by dysregulation of the genomic and transcriptomic architecture. Transgenic co-expression of wild-type H3.3B completely rescues the longevity defect. Because H3.3 is known to accumulate in nondividing tissues, we carried out transcriptome profiling of young vs aged adult fly heads. The data show that loss of H3.3K36 results in age-dependent misexpression of NF-κB and other innate immune target genes, as well as defects in silencing of heterochromatin. We propose H3.3K36 maintains the postmitotic epigenomic landscape, supporting longevity by regulating both pericentric and telomeric retrotransposons and by suppressing aberrant immune signaling.

A Set of Screening Techniques for a Quick Overview of the Neutrophil Function.

Neutrophils are known as one of the first lines of defense in the innate immune response and can perform many particular cellular functions, such as chemotaxis, reverse migration, phagocytosis, degranulation of cytotoxic enzymes and metabolites, and release of DNA as neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Neutrophils not only have tightly regulated signaling themselves, but also participate in the regulation of other components of the immune system. As fresh neutrophils are terminally differentiated, short-lived, and highly variable among individuals, it is important to make the most of the collected samples. Researchers often need to perform screening assays to assess an overview of the many neutrophil functions that may be affected by specific conditions under evaluation. A set of tests following a single isolation process of normal density neutrophils was developed to address this need, seeking a balance between speed, comprehensiveness, cost, and accuracy. The results can be used to reason and guide in-depth follow-up studies. This procedure can be carried out in an average time of 4 h and includes the evaluation of cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, real-time migration, and phagocytosis of yeast on glass slides, leaving enough cells for more detailed approaches like omics studies. Moreover, the procedure includes a way to easily observe a preliminary suggestion of NETs after fast panoptic staining observed by light microscopy, with a lack of specific markers, albeit enough to indicate if further efforts in that way would be worthwhile. The diversity of functions tested combines common points among tests, reducing the analysis time and expenses. The procedure was named NeutroFun Screen, and although havinglimitations, it balances the aforementioned factors. Furthermore, the aim of this work is not a definite test set, but rather a guideline that can easily be adjusted to each lab's resources and demands.

Definition criteria determine the success of old-growth mapping

Old-growth forests have been widely studied for decades. The extreme diversity of old forest characteristics has inspired an equally diverse set of old-growth definitions, and makes mapping old-growth difficult across large areas and different forest types. While the use of remote sensing in old-growth research is not new, there is a growing need for large scale mapping to improve understanding of old forest processes and to support old-growth conservation. Old-growth mapping requires definitions that are ecologically relevant to old forests while also transferable to remote sensing data. In this paper we develop a conceptual framework to evaluate three dimensions of old-growth—a temporal dimension related to tree ages, a physical dimension related to tree sizes, and a functional dimension related to forest processes. In the first part of our analysis, we classify forests throughout the eastern US as old or not with respect to each old-growth dimension using existing old-growth definitions and data from the US Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program. We estimate the proportion of forest classified as old within a hexagon grid, resulting in a unique map of old forest proportion (OFP) for each dimension. Subsequently, we use spaceborne lidar data from NASA’s Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) to reproduce each OFP map in a modeling framework designed to 1) assess the extent to which each dimension of forest oldness can be mapped at large spatial scales, and 2) identify biophysical GEDI variables related to each dimension of forest oldness. We estimate that only 2% of forest classified as old in any dimension satisfied the old criteria in all three dimensions. We found substantial spatial variation in the mapped OFP estimates across the three dimensions, highlighting how definition criteria impacts old-growth maps. We also found that physically old forests were more effectively mapped using GEDI data than functionally or temporally old forests, and that physically old forests were more structurally similar to one another than temporally or functionally old forests. Our modeling results indicate that while remote sensing may be best suited to mapping physical old-growth characteristics, definitions that rely solely on physical characteristics do not adequately represent old forests throughout the eastern US. We propose that future efforts to map old-growth with spaceborne remote sensing data may maximize utility through collaboration between western and indigenous old-growth experts to determine broad yet nuanced approaches that are appropriately tailored to the target variable of old forests. These efforts should balance explicit and ecologically relevant old-growth definitions specifically for mapping that can be linked to remotely sensed data, 2) appropriate spatial resolutions, and 3) flexible quantitative frameworks that encompass the complexities and heterogeneity of old forests.

Photographer-guided attributes for underwater image aesthetics

Automated aesthetic assessment of photographs is an active research area with applications in image editing and retrieval. There are many suggestions on the various factors of importance in making an image ‘good’ or ‘aesthetically pleasing’. However, there is no consensus in the literature on a definitive set of attributes that contribute to image aesthetics for underwater images, which include features specific to an aquatic environment. In this research we interview underwater photographers and apply thematic analysis to their responses with the aim of determining which attributes are important for an aesthetically-pleasing underwater image. The results define a set of nine key attributes (i.e. Aesthetics, Aquatic features, Colour, Composition, Image precision, Lighting, Novelty, Subject(s), and Technical competence). These findings will guide future work in automated assessment of underwater image aesthetics.

CONCEPTE FUNDAMENTALE PENTRU O FENOMENOLOGIE A TRANSFORMĂRII EXPERIENȚEI

In this paper, I aim to phenomenologically analyze the transformation of experience, which can be epitomized both by religious conversion and phenomenological reduction. In so doing, I propose a definite set of concepts such as: self-dislodgement and relodgement (dislocare-relocare), open and closed experience, consolidation of experience, hierarchy of relevance and others. I show the clarifying potential of this terminology by putting it at work in a phenomenological reading of some excerpts from Augustine’s Confessions. Moreover, I argue that this conceptuality is deeply rooted both in the medieval tradition of self-understanding of the believer—such as Hildegard of Bingen—and in the Romanian phenomenological tradition, exemplified by Alexandru Dragomir.

The rising tide of the autonomous ships market

The rising tide of the autonomous ships market Anastasiya Azarko, Junior Innovation Consultant and Marco Molica Colella, Managing Consultant at CiaoTech – PNO Group, tell us about the autonomous ships market and some of the initiatives that are broadening capabilities within the maritime industry. In 2020, analysts valued the autonomous ship market close to 90 billion with a steady growth (ca. 7% annually) for the next decade. Almost 18% of this market was accounted for in Europe, with the chance to double by 2030. This upward trajectory is primarily attributed to the ongoing emergence of autonomous ships, which include a whole set of definitions, like smart ships. These ships are equipped with advanced software and hardware systems that allow operating, or being operated, without human direct intervention on board, adopting different levels of autonomy in different phases of the journey.

Patterns of failure after radiosurgery for WHO grade 1 or imaging defined meningiomas: Long-term outcomes and implications for management

BackgroundWe analyzed long-term control and patterns of failure in patients with World Health Organization Grade 1 meningiomas treated with definitive or postoperative stereotactic radiosurgery at the authors’ affiliated institution. Methods96 patients were treated between 2004 and 2019 with definitive (n = 57) or postoperative (n = 39) stereotactic radiosurgery. Of the postoperative patients, 17 were treated adjuvantly following subtotal resection and 22 were treated as salvage at time of progression. Patients were treated to the gross tumor alone without margin or coverage of the dural tail to a median dose of 15 Gy. Median follow up was 7.4 years (inter-quartile range 4.8–11.3). Local control, marginal control, regional control, and progression-free survival were analyzed. ResultsLocal control at 5 and 10 years was 97 % and 95 %. PFS at 5 and 10 years was 94 % and 90 % with no failures reported after 6 years. Definitive and postoperative local control were similar at 5 (95 % [82–99 %] vs. 100 %) and 10 years (92 % [82–99 %] vs. 100 %). Patients treated with postoperative SRS did not have an increased marginal failure rate (p = 0.83) and only 2/39 (5 %) experienced recurrence elsewhere in the cavity. ConclusionsStereotactic radiosurgery targeting the gross tumor alone provides excellent local control and progression free survival in patients treated definitively and postoperatively. As in the definitive setting, patients treated postoperatively can be treated to gross tumor alone without need for additional margin or dural tail coverage.

Hypofractionated Radiotherapy in Gynecologic Malignancies-A Peek into the Upcoming Evidence.

Radiotherapy (RT) has a fundamental role in the treatment of gynecologic malignancies, including cervical and uterine cancers. Hypofractionated RT has gained popularity in many cancer sites, boosted by technological advances in treatment delivery and image verification. Hypofractionated RT uptake was intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic and has the potential to improve universal access to radiotherapy worldwide, especially in low-resource settings. This review summarizes the rationale, the current challenges and investigation efforts, together with the recent developments associated with hypofractionated RT in gynecologic malignancies. A comprehensive search was undertaken using multiple databases and ongoing trial registries. In the definitive radiotherapy setting for cervical cancers, there are several ongoing clinical trials from Canada, Mexico, Iran, the Philippines and Thailand investigating the role of a moderate hypofractionated external beam RT regimen in the low-risk locally advanced population. Likewise, there are ongoing ultra and moderate hypofractionated RT trials in the uterine cancer setting. One Canadian prospective trial of stereotactic hypofractionated adjuvant RT for uterine cancer patients suggested a good tolerance to this treatment strategy in the acute setting, with a follow-up trial currently randomizing patients between conventional fractionation and the hypofractionated dose regimen delivered in the former trial. Although not yet ready for prime-time use, hypofractionated RT could be a potential solution to several challenges that limit access to and the utilization of radiotherapy for gynecologic cancer patients worldwide.

Nomogram to predict risk of early mortality following definitive or adjuvant radiation and systemic therapy for head and neck cancer

Purpose/ObjectivesWe sought to create nomograms to predict individual risk of early mortality, which can identify patients who require interventions to prevent early death. MethodsWe included patients in the National Cancer Database with non-metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck who received radiation and systemic therapy between 2004 and 2017 in the definitive or adjuvant setting. Early mortality was defined as any death less than 90 days after starting radiation. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between covariates and early mortality. Nomograms to predict the risk of early death were created for both the definitive and adjuvant settings. ResultsAmong 84,563 patients in the definitive group and 18,514 patients in the adjuvant group, rates of early mortality were 3.5 % (95 % CI 3.4–3.7 %) and 2.2 %, (95 % CI 1.9–2.4 %), respectively. Patients above the age of 70 had an early mortality rate of 7.8 % (95 % CI 7.3–8.2 %) in the definitive group and 4.4 % (95 % CI 3.6–5.4 %) in the adjuvant group. In the multivariable analysis, age, comorbidity, T and N category, and tumor site were associated with early mortality in both cohorts (p < 0.05 for all). Nomograms including age, comorbidity, T and N category and tumor site performed better than age alone at predicting early mortality (AUC for definitive group: 0.70 vs 0.66; AUC for adjuvant group: 0.71 vs 0.61). ConclusionNomograms including age, comorbidity, T and N category and tumor site were developed to predict the risk of early death following definitive or adjuvant chemoradiation.

Promising outcome of patients with recurrent glioblastoma after Gamma Knife-based hypofractionated radiotherapy

BackgroundThe role of Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) in recurrent glioblastoma remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of GKRS in a group of patients with recurrent glioblastoma, focusing on survival and safety. MethodsPatients undergoing GKRS for recurrent glioblastoma between September 2014 and April 2019 were included in this study. Relevant clinical and radiosurgical data, including GKRS-related complications, were recorded and analyzed. Overall survival (OS), local progression free survival (LPFS) and prognostic factors for outcome were thoroughly evaluated. ResultsFifty-three patients were analyzed (24 female, 29 male). The median age was 50 years (range, 19–78 years). The median GKRS treatment volume was 35.01 cm3 (range, 2.38-115.57 cm3). Twenty patients (38%) were treated with single fraction GKRS, while 33 (62%) were treated with GKRS-based hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (HSRT). The median prescription dose for single fraction GKRS, 3-fractions HSRT and 5-fractions HSRT were 16 Gy (range, 10−20 Gy), 27 Gy (range, 18−33 Gy) and 25 Gy (range, 25−30 Gy), respectively. The median LPFS and OS times were 8.1 months and 11.4 months after GKRS, respectively. HSRT and Bevacizumab were associated with improved LPFS, while HSRT alone was associated with longer OS. ConclusionOur findings suggested that HRST would likely improve LPFS and OS in definite settings; the addition of Bevacizumab to GKRS was associated with increased rates of local control. No major complications were reported. Further prospective studies are warranted to confirm our findings.

The Inherent Political Current in Arun Gupto's Culture Thought

The human society has different religion, thought and cultures. The religion is to make the human race as more civilized and disciplined than other beings. The different human societies have their peculiarities in these manners but the similarity among different cultures and communities brings harmony in the society. This article objectifies to have a great respect to all the culture and religions without any biasness. It is notable that the two perspectives of seeing a thing or event in our culture give different meanings which are purely a cultural perspective, and the political perspective. Despite having good ideas on these two heads, sometimes an excellent author even can slip erroneously to blend the pure event with the politics. This article selects a very recent Nepali literary text, Culture Thought, as an experimental material to examine the question raised here. This qualitative research renders throughout the text as per the set of definition of culture and its traits to bring out the political manner as crystal clear from the mixed ideas. It is essential for a healthy relation among religions, countries and their diversified cultures. As this selected experimental book, Culture Thought, has richness in cultural matter, it has some political ideas underlying throughout it which draw a line among nations of South Asia.

Words to find common ground for action. Bridging social and health services through concertation on accessibility to vulnerable groups in Brussels

Introduction: Linking general primary care, health and social services with non-profit organisations dedicated to vulnerable groups is the aim of an ongoing concertation process hosted by Brusano, the regional organisation aimed at fostering person-centred health and social-integrated services in Brussels.&#x0D; In the Belgian Capital, the most vulnerable people are often attended to by non-profit organisations dedicated to a specific target group or problem. These organisations are often overwhelmed, with people not moving towards general services as intended at some point. General primary care and social services remain insufficiently accessible to vulnerable people. Considering the integrated health and social policy reforms currently taking place at national and regional levels, health and social professionals felt the need to better understand each other and build common ground in order to work together and participate in the reform process. &#x0D; Targeted population and stakeholders: The targeted population is care providers from all levels of care, home helpers and social workers in all kinds of settings. End beneficiaries are vulnerable groups - e.g. migrants, sex workers, people with addictions, prisoners and former inmates, isolated persons, homeless people... - and people who are at a high risk of exclusion when facing problems mixing health and social situations – low income, precarious housing, language barriers... The premise is that if services can include such vulnerable groups, they might achieve broader accessibility for all. &#x0D; Participants: The concertation gathers professionals from multiple health sector disciplines- primary care, hospital, mental health - as well as from the social sector and dedicated non-profits. Nearly 150 professionals participate, with a mean attendance of 30 per meeting.&#x0D; Description of the initiative: In 2021-2022, the concertation resulted in an online publication, co-written by two partners, reviewed by 5 others, presented and discussed in 3 meetings, then further adjusted accordingly. The paper provides an overview of the organisation of the health and social systems, as well as a set of definitions. It acknowledges that different levels of care operate as first contact and often lack the means and skills to be fully inclusive and accessible to vulnerable groups. &#x0D; Results / Impact: Stakeholders coined a new phrase - “inclusive practices” - to fully capture the expertise of the dedicated non-profits and to bring about inclusivity in different settings through collaborations. The definitions were included in the glossary used as a reference for the upcoming Regional Health and Social Policy Plan.&#x0D; &#x0D; Learning for the international audience: Building a common language for health and social professionals, while fully recognizing the expertise of non-profits dedicated to vulnerable groups bridges the gap between health and social services. It is a step towards better integration of health and social organisations, which is a major challenge to integrated care.&#x0D; Next steps: In the coming months, the concertation process will continue identifying and supporting inclusive practices whatever the service or level of care. It will be fully part of the Regional Health and Social Integrated Plan. &#x0D; It develops as a model where a specific expertise supports services to the general population.&#x0D;

«New normal» and the Сhinese model of «dual circulation»: To the question of the «present stage» of the global economy’ development

The reserch explores multiple approaches to the term “new normality”, which appeared in the scientific economic community after the 2008 crisis, and became relevant again with the proclamation of a “new economic era” in China, the “entry” of the world community into the era of the Anthropocene, and the collision of the world with a problem of global significance - the COVID-19 virus. The relevance of the topic is also due to modern conditions: the turbulence of the world economy, which it has entered not only since the beginning of the pandemic, but also as a result of those “tectonic” shifts in the system of international economic relations that occurred after Russia launched a special military operation. The need to supplement and expand the term “new normality” comes from the questions: “If the term “new normality” or “norm” arises, then what is the “old norm”? In relation to what phenomena or processes is this term used and what is the set of definitions and approaches to it?”. The purpose of this article is to identify the main features of the “new normality” in the context of the growth and development phase that the Chinese economy entered in 2014, in particular. The “new normality” in Chinese is based on achieving a more diversified structure of the national economy, ensuring sustainable growth and a more even distribution of benefits. The etymology and development of the term “new normality” are considered. Despite the multiplicity of approaches, a single definition for the term in question has not developed, neither within the framework of economic science, nor within the framework of other areas. The prerequisites underlying the “new norm” in Chinese are analyzed in detail, including those that served as the basis for revising the country’s economic development model and implementing the model known today as the “double circulation” model. The author raises the question of the need to develop an approach to the term also in the key of current events, tectonic shifts in the world economy and the system of international economic relations, which, objectively, can be characterized as a “crisis” of the modern stage of the development of the world economy, known as globalization, or a transitional period, a transitional stage to a new, a completely different stage in the development of the world economy. The main conclusion of the study is as follows: the current stage of the development of the world economy, that is, globalization, is experiencing an acute phase of turbulence, which obviously began long before the last economic crisis of 2008. The events of the last few years show that the effects of globalization to a certain extent cease to justify themselves: increased international competition, increased protectionism policies and an increase in the number of trade disputes within the WTO, escalation of “trade wars”, COVID-19 and its impact on the entire system of international economic relations, disruption and restructuring of production and logistics chains, as well as the exit of TNCs from the Russian market as a result of a special military operation, all this indicates that the current stage of development of the world economy is now a transitional period not because of the effects and processes that occur under the influence of certain events, but because of the restructuring of the entire global economic and geopolitical architecture. All of the above, in turn, requires an adequate response from the economic schools in the form of the need to develop theoretical approaches to the question of the transitive nature of the current stage of the development of the world economy and the transition to another stage.

Clinical decision pathway and management of locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A multidisciplinary consensus in Asia-Pacific

ObjectivesTo develop consensus on patient characteristics and disease-related factors considered in deciding treatment approaches for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LA-HNSCC) based on real-world treatment patterns in 4 territories in Asia-Pacific. MethodsA three-round modified Delphi involving a multidisciplinary panel of HN surgeons, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists was used. Of 41 panelists recruited, responses of 26 from Australia, Japan, Singapore, and Taiwan were analyzed. All panelists had ≥five years’ experience managing LA-HNSCC patients and treated ≥15 patients with LA-HNSCC annually. ResultsAll statements on definitions of LA-HNSCC, treatment intolerance and cisplatin dosing reached consensus. 4 of 7 statements on unresectability, 2 of 4 on adjuvant chemoradiotherapy, 7 of 13 on induction chemotherapy, 1 of 8 on absolute contraindications and 7 of 11 on relative contraindications to high-dose cisplatin did not reach consensus. In all territories except Taiwan, high-dose cisplatin was preferred in definitive and adjuvant settings for patients with no contraindications to cisplatin; weekly cisplatin (40 mg/m2) preferred for patients with relative contraindications to high-dose cisplatin. For Taiwan, the main treatment option was weekly cisplatin. For patients with absolute contraindications to cisplatin, carboplatin ± 5-fluorouracil or radiotherapy alone were preferred alternatives in both definitive and adjuvant settings. ConclusionThis multidisciplinary consensus provides insights into management of LA-HNSCC in Asia-Pacific based on patient- and disease-related factors that guide selection of treatment modality and systemic treatment. Despite strong consensus on use of cisplatin-based regimens, areas of non-consensus showed that variability in practice exists where there is limited evidence.

Visual Features for Improving Endoscopic Bleeding Detection Using Convolutional Neural Networks.

The presented paper investigates the problem of endoscopic bleeding detection in endoscopic videos in the form of a binary image classification task. A set of definitions of high-level visual features of endoscopic bleeding is introduced, which incorporates domain knowledge from the field. The high-level features are coupled with respective feature descriptors, enabling automatic capture of the features using image processing methods. Each of the proposed feature descriptors outputs a feature activation map in the form of a grayscale image. Acquired feature maps can be appended in a straightforward way to the original color channels of the input image and passed to the input of a convolutional neural network during the training and inference steps. An experimental evaluation is conducted to compare the classification ROC AUC of feature-extended convolutional neural network models with baseline models using regular color image inputs. The advantage of feature-extended models is demonstrated for the Resnet and VGG convolutional neural network architectures.

Case study: the development of specialist nurse roles in Malta

Specialist nurses play a significant role in healthcare. This study investigated and evaluated the primary and extended roles and the development of specialist nurses in Malta. Methods: A qualitative case study design and purposive sampling techniques were used to gain a deep understanding of the complex issues surrounding specialist nurses from multiple data sets. A survey of the total specialist nurse population in 2013 (n=27), in-depth interviews with a group of specialist nurses (n=9) and four focus groups with key professionals and policy stakeholders (total n=28) were carried out. Data were collected between 2013 and 2015 and analysed using thematic analysis. Findings: Three themes emerged: the roles and attributes of specialist nurses in Malta; the development of specialist nurses; and the influences on the advancement of specialist nursing practice in Malta. Although these data are nearly a decade old, no further research has been carried out. Conclusions: A legally accepted set of definitions as well as preparation and evaluation of the specialist nurse role from a national policy perspective is needed. Attitudes and systems that limit specialist nurses need to be challenged.

An Adaptation of a Sliding Mode Classical Observer to a Fractional-Order Observer for Disturbance Reconstruction of a UAV Model: A Riemann–Liouville Fractional Calculus Approach

This paper proposes a modification of a Sliding Mode Classical Observer (SMCO) to adapt it to the fractional approach. This adaptation involves using a set of definitions based on fractional calculus theory, particularly the approach developed by Riemann–Liouville, resulting in a Sliding Mode Fractional Observer (SMFO). Both observers are used to perform disturbance reconstruction considered additive in a Quadrotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) model. Then, this work presents the fractional-order sliding mode observer’s mathematical formulation and integration into the Quadrotor UAV model. To validate the quality of the disturbance reconstruction process of the proposed SMFO observer scheme, numerical simulations are carried out, where a reconstruction quality indicator (BQR) is proposed based on the analysis of performance indices such as the Mean Square Error (MSE), the First Probability Moment (FPM), and Second Probability Moment (SPM), which were obtained for both the SMCO and the SMFO. The simulation results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed observer in accurately reconstructing disturbances under various environmental conditions. Comparative analyses with SMCO highlight the advantages of the fractional-order approach in terms of reconstruction accuracy and improvement of its transitory performance. Finally, the presented SMFO offers a promising avenue for enhancing the reliability and precision of disturbance estimation, ultimately contributing to the advancement of robust control strategies for Quadrotor UAV systems.