Expert View Research Articles

An Expert View on Data and Modelling for Planning Domestic Retrofit

The transition to Net Zero rests partly on the widespread adoption of energy-efficient retrofit measures for domestic dwellings. The scale of retrofit efforts is extensive, as up to 80% of the UK’s domestic housing stock for 2050 has already been built. To address the scope, data and models will play a crucial role in informing design decisions and optimising retrofit strategies. While new methods and tools for data and modelling in retrofit continue to be developed, the perspectives of professionals using these tools on their quality remain mainly absent from discussion across academia and practice. This study investigated the experiences and perceptions of data and modelling from professionals working in the planning stages of domestic retrofit, serving as a needs-finding exercise driving retrofit planning. Through semi-structured interviews and qualitative coding, the results highlight a critical trade-off between precision, confidence, and the burden of data collection. These findings underscore the need to balance precision, ease of use, and adaptability in data and modelling retrofit tools. Issues around data availability and wider access to data and modelling results across stakeholders emerged as a missed opportunity.

Predictive Role of Progesterone Levels for IVF Outcome in Different Phases of Controlled Ovarian Stimulation for Patients With and Without Endometriosis: Expert View.

The study aimed to review the role of basal, trigger, and aspiration day progesterone levels (PLs) as predictors of in vitro fertilization (IVF) success for patients with and without endometriosis. A non-systematic review was conducted by searching papers published in English during the period of 1990-2023 in MEDLINE and PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Methodology Register), and Web of Science. The most widely used IVF predictor success was the trigger day progesterone serum level. Many studies utilize the threshold level of 1.5-2.0ng/ml. However, the predictive power of only progesterone level failed to show high sensitivity and specificity. Contrary, progesterone level on the trigger day combined with the number of mature retrieved oocytes had the highest predictive power. High baseline progesterone level was associated with poor IVF outcomes. Research on progesterone and IVF success in patients with endometriosis is limited but indicates that endometriosis patients seem to benefit from higher progesterone concentrations (≥ 37.1ng/ml) in IVF cycles. Currently, there is limited data for a definitive insight into the mportance of progesterone in the estimation of IVF success. Nonetheless, this summarized evidence could serve as up-to-date guidance for the role of progesterone in the prediction of IVF outcomes, both in patients with and without endometriosis.

The Circadian Clock And Thermal Regulation In Plants: Novel Findings On The Role Of Positive Circadian Clock-Regulators In Temperature Responses.

The impact of rising global temperatures on crop yields is a serious concern, and developing heat-resistant crop varieties is crucial for mitigating the effects of climate change on agriculture. To achieve this, a better understanding of the molecular basis of the thermal responses in plants is necessary. The circadian clock plays a central role in modulating plant biology in synchrony with environmental changes including temperature fluctuations. Recent studies have uncovered the role of transcriptional activators of the core circadian network in temperature responses. This expert view highlights key novel findings regarding the role of RVE and LNK gene families in regulating gene expression patterns and plant growth under different temperature conditions, ranging from regular diurnal oscillations to extreme stress temperatures. These findings reinforce the essential role of the circadian clock in plant adaptation to changing temperatures and provide a basis for future studies on crop improvement.

Expert view: Nicholas Graham Beacher.

Expert view: Nicholas Graham Beacher.

Humanization and sovereignization as a strategy for reforming and development of Russian education. Part 1. Russia's sovereign path in education

Introduction. Russia defends its humanitarian sovereignty when upbringing, education, culture, politics, films are built on our traditions and values, which are not outside, but inside a person, in his mind, since these are mental components, worldview components.Purpose setting. The education system should work for the formation and development of the country's human capital. Without solving this problem, the country will not have a sovereign education, which means there will be no future. It is necessary to change the paradigm of higher education, we need a new Russian national model. A professional school should be not just a «forge of personnel», but a center for the spiritual transformation of a specialist's personality, a source of spirituality for his thoughts, words and deeds. It is necessary to educate a real citizen, a patriot who knows the history and culture of his country well.Methodology and methods of the study. Based on the key points of the sovereignization of Russian education, which naturally abandoned the Bologna system of education. Methodology for understanding the current situation in education, analytical report «The Future of Higher Education in Russia: an Expert View. Foresight-study-2030».Results. Russian education until recently, with the implemented Bologna system, developed exclusively as an extractive social institution. For more than twenty years, this most important sphere of social life, the importance of which in maintaining and developing the sovereignty of the country cannot be overestimated, was literally «broken over the knee» to please the West. The main changes in the system of higher education caused by this participation are outlined. Joining the Bologna process has received an ambiguous and even contradictory assessment in the professional community.Conclusions. Now a situation has developed in society that makes the problem of finding a new semantic component of the fundamentalization of education, the essence of which is the realization that the future fate of human civilization will be determined not only by the intellectual and educational, but also by the spiritual and moral potential of society and people, i. e. by humanization and sovereignization. This is the value of Russia.

What is wellness? Investigating the importance of different domains of wellness among laypeople and experts: A survey study.

Lack of consensus on wellness has led to a vast number of different conceptualisations, which hinder international efforts to monitor individual-level wellness and social progress comparably. This study aimed to aid in the harmonisation of the concept by contributing to the scarce research on laypeople's views on wellness. The study investigates whether the importance of different areas of wellness varies depending on age, gender, education or socio-economic position. Furthermore, considering that wellness models are often constructed by expert panels, this study aimed to shed light on how experts' and laypeople's views on wellness vary. Altogether, 1152 laypeople and 23 Finnish experts rated the importance of 61 systematic review-based wellness domains. Each domain received an ordinal number, which, together with the Mann-Whitney U-test or Kruskal-Wallis test, was used to examine the differences between the groups. Thirteen wellness domains were found at the top of the lists, regardless of whether the results were analysed based on gender, age, education or socio-economic position. When looking at the priority order of different domains, we were able to identify several differences between the expert panel and laypeople. To ensure the relevance of wellness models, it is vital to understand the areas that laypeople consider to be important for their comprehensive wellness. This study offers 13 domains that could be combined with an expert view on wellness and used as a starting point for creating a more comprehensive, inclusive and better-suited wellness instrument.

The European Polysaccharide Network of Excellence (EPNOE) research roadmap 2040: Advanced strategies for exploiting the vast potential of polysaccharides as renewable bioresources

Polysaccharides are among the most abundant bioresources on earth and consequently need to play a pivotal role when addressing existential scientific challenges like climate change and the shift from fossil-based to sustainable biobased materials. The Research Roadmap 2040 of the European Polysaccharide Network of Excellence (EPNOE) provides an expert's view on how future research and development strategies need to evolve to fully exploit the vast potential of polysaccharides as renewable bioresources. It is addressed to academic researchers, companies, as well as policymakers and covers five strategic areas that are of great importance in the context of polysaccharide related research: (I) Materials & Engineering, (II) Food & Nutrition, (III) Biomedical Applications, (IV) Chemistry, Biology & Physics, and (V) Skills & Education. Each section summarizes the state of research, identifies challenges that are currently faced, project achievements and developments that are expected in the upcoming 20 years, and finally provides outlines on how future research activities need to evolve.

Optimal use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor prophylaxis to improve survival in cancer patients receiving treatment : An expert view.

Febrile neutropenia (FN) is arelatively common complication of cytotoxic chemotherapy. Prophylaxis with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) can prevent FN and chemotherapy dose delays and enable the use of the higher dose intensities associated with asurvival benefit; however, G‑CSF is not always used optimally. Five medical oncologists with aspecial interest in supportive care met to discuss the evidence for prophylaxis with G‑CSF to improve survival in cancer patients, identify reasons why this is not always done, and suggest potential solutions. The dose intensity of chemotherapy is critical for maximizing survival in cancer patients but may be reduced as aresult of hematological toxicity, such as FN. Use of G‑CSF has been shown to increase the chances of achieving the planned dose intensity in various cancers, including early-stage breast cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. All physicians treating cancer patients should consider the use of G‑CSF prophylaxis in patients receiving chemotherapy, paying particular attention to patient-related risk factors. Strategies to optimize G‑CSF use include educating medical oncologists and pharmacists on the appropriate use of G‑CSF and informing patients about the efficacy of G‑CSF and its potential adverse effects. It is hoped that the evidence and opinions presented will help to encourage appropriate use of G‑CSF to support cancer patients at risk of FN in achieving the best possible outcomes from chemotherapy.

Beyond Deweyian perspective! Applicability of Experience-Based Cyclical Curriculum Design

ABSTRACT In the ever-evolving realm of educational research, the design and validation of curricula is gaining prominence. Ensuring both the internal and external validity of such designs is vital, with external validity, specifically applicability, highlighting the practical feasibility and relevance in real-world educational contexts. Drawing on Dewey’s views of experience, this study builds on our previous work, introducing the principles of the Experience-Based Cyclical Curriculum Design. This research aims to ascertain the Experience-Based Cyclical Curriculum Design’s external validity, specifically its applicability in real-world settings, through expert views. The data were collected through the ‘Expert View Form’ and ‘Semi-Structured Interview Form’ by applying design-based research. Our results indicated a consensus among experts regarding the applicability of the ‘Stages and Elements’ of the design, with particular emphasis on its coherent integration of theory and practice. The ‘Implementation Plan’ of the design was also perceived as well-grounded, clear, and applicable, reaffirming the design’s readiness for practical deployment.

Uncovering root compaction response mechanisms: new insights and opportunities.

Compaction disrupts soil structure, reducing root growth, nutrient and water uptake, gas exchange, and microbial growth. Root growth inhibition by soil compaction was originally thought to reflect the impact of mechanical impedance and reduced water availability. However, using a novel gas diffusion-based mechanism employing the hormone ethylene, recent research has revealed that plant roots sense soil compaction. Non-compacted soil features highly interconnected pore spaces that facilitate diffusion of gases such as ethylene which are released by root tips. In contrast, soil compaction stress disrupts the pore network, causing ethylene to accumulate around root tips and trigger growth arrest. Genetically disrupting ethylene signalling causes roots to become much less sensitive to compaction stress. Such new understanding about the molecular sensing mechanism and emerging root anatomical traits provides novel opportunities to develop crops resistant to soil compaction by targeting key genes and their signalling pathways. This expert view discusses these recent advances and the molecular mechanisms associated with root-soil compaction responses.

Beyond the Session: Centering Teleoperators in Socially Assistive Robot-Child Interactions Reveals the Bigger Picture

Socially assistive robots play an effective role in children's therapy and education. Robots engage children and provide interaction that is free of the potential judgment of human peers and adults. Research in socially assistive robots for children generally focuses on therapeutic and educational outcomes for those children, informed by a vision of autonomous robots. This perspective ignores therapists and educators, who operate these robots in practice. Through nine interviews with individuals who have used robots to deliver socially assistive services to neurodivergent children, we (1) define a dual-cycle model of therapy that helps capture the domain expert view of therapy, (2) identify six core themes of teleoperator needs and patterns across these themes, (3) provide high-level guidelines and detailed recommendations for designing teleoperated socially assistive robot systems, and (4) outline a vision of robot-assisted therapy informed by these guidelines and recommendations that centers teleoperators of socially assistive robots in practice.

Transforming Care in Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: An Expert View

Across the globe, millions of people live with chronic respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. Despite treatment advances, many patients do not always receive a timely diagnosis, impacting optimal care for their condition, which is a situation that must be addressed. Scientific and medical innovation has brought patients a variety of treatments, such as combination therapies and biologics. In clinical practice, this translates to healthcare professionals being able to offer patients more options to manage their condition, including therapies that treat the underlying biology of the disease. While there has been progress in the respiratory community in achieving earlier diagnosis and initiating appropriate treatment, there is still more to be done. EMJ interviewed Celeste Porsbjerg, Professor of Severe Asthma in the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark, where they head the severe asthma clinic, and chair the Respiratory Research Unit; and COPD expert John Hurst, Professor of Respiratory Medicine at University College London (UCL), UK, to hear their perspectives on where the respiratory community is going in terms of aiming for asthma remission and more proactive treatment of COPD, and what the focus should be in the future.

The Ascent of GaN [Expert View]

The Ascent of GaN [Expert View]

Pakistan’s Trans-boundary Water-sharing Issues with India: An Expert View

Pakistan’s Trans-boundary Water-sharing Issues with India: An Expert View

Performance analysis of support vector machine for early identification of citrus diseases

Early citrus disease detection is necessary for optimum citrus productivity. But detecting a citrus disease at an early stage requires expert views or laboratory tests. But getting an expert view of all time is impossible for rural farmers. The present study aimed to create a low-cost, intelligent, affordable citrus disease classification system. This study offered a Support Vector Machine (SVM) based smart classification method for categorizing various citrus diseases. Citrus photos were subjected to a variety of image processing techniques to categorize the diseases using SVM and the kernel. Prior to classification, the images were segmented and the hue channel threshold value was used to differentiate the diseased area from the remaining portion of the image. The segmented image’s color and grey domains were used to extract 13 different texture and color features. This study outlined three different SVM kernel types- Linear, Gaussian, and Polynomial, and evaluated their accuracy and confusion matrix performances. The Radial Based Function with a polynomial kernel derived from the SVM outperformed the SVM's linear and Gaussian kernel.

The Minimum Feature Set for Designing Mobile Apps to Support Bipolar Disorder-Affected Patients: Proposal of Essential Functions and Requirements.

Research conducted on mobile apps providing mental health services has concluded that patients with mental disorders tend to use such apps to maintain mental health balance technology may help manage and monitor issues like bipolar disorder (BP). This study was conducted in four steps to identify the features of designing a mobile application for BP-affected patients including (1) a literature search, (2) analyzing existing mobile apps to examine their efficiency, (3) interviewing patients affected with BP to discover their needs, and 4) exploring the points of view of experts using a dynamic narrative survey. Literature search and mobile app analysis resulted in 45 features, which were later reduced to 30 after the experts were surveyed about the project. The features included the following: mood monitoring, sleep schedule, energy level evaluation, irritability, speech level, communication, sexual activity, self-confidence level, suicidal thoughts, guilt, concentration level, aggressiveness, anxiety, appetite, smoking or drug abuse, blood pressure, the patient's weight and the side effects of medication, reminders, mood data scales, diagrams or charts of the collected data, referring the collected data to a psychologist, educational information, sending feedbacks to patients using the application, and standard tests for mood assessment. The first phase of analysis should consider an expert and patient view survey, mood and medication tracking, as well as communication with other people in the same situation are the most features to be considered. The present study has identified the necessity of apps intended to manage and monitor bipolar patients to maximize efficiency and minimize relapse and side effects.

Expert's View on Central Components of the Actional Model of Older People's Coping with Health-Related Declines: A Pilot Study with Professional Caregivers.

Abri & Boll (2022) proposed the "Actional Model of Older People´s Coping with Health-Related Declines" to explain the use of various action alternatives of older persons for dealing with diseases, functional declines, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. It draws on a broad knowledge base: an action-theoretical model of intentional self-development, models of the use of assistive technologies (ATs) and medical services, qualitative studies on reasons for using or not-using ATs, and quantitative studies on older people's health-related goals. The present study aims to gather evidence to further refine this model by additionally relying on expert knowledge from professional caregivers serving older people. Six experienced geriatric nurses working in mobile care services or residential care facilities were interviewed about key components of the above model in relation to 17 older people aged 70 to 95 with stroke, arthrosis, or mild dementia. The results revealed additional goals of reducing or preventing health-related discrepancies beyond those already included in the model (e.g., moving without pain, doing things alone, driving a car again, social return). Moreover, new motivating or demotivating goals for using certain action possibilities were found (e.g., to be at home, to be alone, to rest, to motivate other older people). Finally, some new factors were identified from the biological-functional (e.g., illness, fatigue), technological (e.g., pain inducing ATs, maladaptive devices), and social contexts (e.g., lack of staff time) that are likely to promote or hinder the use of certain action possibilities. Implications for refining the model and future research are discussed.

Real-World Monitoring of COVID-19 Vaccines: An Industry Expert View on the Successes, Challenges, and Future Opportunities

Pharmacovigilance leaders from major vaccine developers describe the learnings from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in the area of pharmacovigilance and pharmacoepidemiology. The authors aim to raise awareness of the co-operation among vaccine developers, highlight common challenges, advocate for solutions, and propose recommendations for the future in the areas of real-world safety and effectiveness, safety reporting and evaluation, and regulatory submissions. To enable timely evaluation of real-world safety and effectiveness, multi-sponsor study platforms were implemented, resulting in quicker recruitment over wide geographical areas. Future gains could be derived by developing geographically flexible, common protocols and/or joint company-sponsored studies for multiple vaccines and a collective strategy to build low/middle-income country (LMIC) sentinel sites. Safety reporting, signal detection and evaluation was particularly challenging given the unprecedented number of adverse events reported. New methods were required to manage increased report volume while maintaining the ability to quickly identify and respond to new data that could impact the benefit-risk profile of each vaccine. Worldwide health authority submissions, requests for information and differing regulatory requirements imposed significant burden on regulators and industry. Industry consensus on the safety reporting requirements and joint meetings with regulatory authorities markedly reduced this burden for all stakeholders. The most impactful innovations should be undertaken rapidly and expanded to other vaccines and therapeutics, with a multi-stakeholder approach. The authors of this paper make future recommendations and have launched an initiative named BeCOME (Beyond COVID Monitoring Excellence) with a focus on actions in each of the highlighted areas.

Oral Corticosteroids for Patients with Eosinophilic Diseases: An Expert Panel View on Use, Overuse, and Strategies to Reduce Use

Severe asthma (SA), chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) are three conditions driven by IL-5 and eosinophilic inflammation. As these conditions have high use of healthcare services, as well as lifestyle and psychological burdens, safe treatment to achieve optimal control is key. In all three conditions, as for many other eosinophilic diseases (ED), oral corticosteroids (OCS) are often used for both acute and maintenance treatment where disease activity is high. While, in general, OCS are very effective, their use is limited by a well-recognised high potential for adverse effects (AE). Moreover, cumulative exposure to OCS may not be acknowledged in many patients, especially for those predominantly treated in primary care, exposing patients to potentially damaging long-term OCS-related AEs. To discuss the use of OCS for these eosinophilic diseases, as well as to provide guidance on how to help limit their use, a board of European experts within each field was gathered. The experts completed questionnaires regarding treatment and referral pathways for patients with SA, CRSwNP, or EGPA; then, in an online meeting, discussed a number of issues in regard to OCS use. Here, the authors present the key recommendations from the expert advisory panel alongside some background to these conditions regarding treatment with OCS.

Monolithic Bidirectional WBG Switches Rekindle Power Electronics Technology [Expert View]

There are numerous mass volume power applications where it is necessary to control the flow of bidirectional power, including electric vehicles (vehicle to grid, vehicle to home, and vehicle to vehicle), distributed and grid-tie power systems using regenerated energy and/or energy storage components, and solid-state circuit breaker protection. Silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) based bidirectional power switches can enable these applications with their compelling advantages of high efficiency, high blocking voltage capability, and low system weight and volume. In particular, monolithic switches that allow for bidirectional symmetric conduction and voltage blocking with a chip area close to that of a similarly rated unidirectional switch are ideally suited to fuel a revolution in power electronics technology.