The Integration of Coastal Flooding into an ArcFLOOD Data Model

With the impact of global climate change, the speedy, intelligent and accessible dissemination of coastal flood predictions from a number of modelling tools at a range of temporal and spatial scales becomes increasingly important for policy decision makers. This thesis provides a novel approach to integrate the coastal flood data into an ArcFLOOD data model to improve the analysis, assessment and mitigation of the potential flood risk in coastal zones. This novel methodology has improved the accessibility, dissemination and visualisation of coastal flood risk. The results were condensed into spatial information flows, data model schematic diagrams and XML schema for end-user extension, customisation and spatial analysis. More importantly, software developers with these applications can now develop rich internet applications with little knowledge of numerical flood modelling systems. Specifically, this work has developed a coastal flooding geodatabase based upon the amalgamation, reconditioning and analysis of numerical flood modelling. In this research, a distinct lack of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data modelling for coastal flooding prediction was identified in the literature. A schema was developed to provide the linkage between numerical flood modelling, flood risk assessment and information technology (IT) by extending the ESRI ArcGIS Marine Data Model (MDM) to include coastal flooding. The results of a linked hybrid hydrodynamic-morphological numerical flood model were used to define the time-series representation of a coastal flood in the schema. The results generated from GIS spatial analyses have improved the interpretation of numerical flood modelling output by effectively mapping the flood risk in the study site, with an improved definition according to the time-series duration of a flood. The improved results include flood water depth at a point and flood water increase which equates to the difference in significant wave height for each time step of coastal flooding. The flood risk mapping provided has indicated the potential risk to infrastructure and property and depicted the failure of flood defence structures. In the wider context, the results have been provided to allow knowledge transfer to a range of coastal flooding end-users.Natural Environment Research Counci

The Integration of Coastal Flooding into an ArcFLOOD Data Model

With the impact of global climate change, the speedy, intelligent and accessible dissemination of coastal flood predictions from a number of modelling tools at a range of temporal and spatial scales becomes increasingly important for policy decision makers. This thesis provides a novel approach to integrate the coastal flood data into an ArcFLOOD data model to improve the analysis, assessment and mitigation of the potential flood risk in coastal zones. This novel methodology has improved the accessibility, dissemination and visualisation of coastal flood risk. The results were condensed into spatial information flows, data model schematic diagrams and XML schema for end-user extension, customisation and spatial analysis. More importantly, software developers with these applications can now develop rich internet applications with little knowledge of numerical flood modelling systems. Specifically, this work has developed a coastal flooding geodatabase based upon the amalgamation, reconditioning and analysis of numerical flood modelling. In this research, a distinct lack of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data modelling for coastal flooding prediction was identified in the literature. A schema was developed to provide the linkage between numerical flood modelling, flood risk assessment and information technology (IT) by extending the ESRI ArcGIS Marine Data Model (MDM) to include coastal flooding. The results of a linked hybrid hydrodynamic-morphological numerical flood model were used to define the time-series representation of a coastal flood in the schema. The results generated from GIS spatial analyses have improved the interpretation of numerical flood modelling output by effectively mapping the flood risk in the study site, with an improved definition according to the time-series duration of a flood. The improved results include flood water depth at a point and flood water increase which equates to the difference in significant wave height for each time step of coastal flooding. The flood risk mapping provided has indicated the potential risk to infrastructure and property and depicted the failure of flood defence structures. In the wider context, the results have been provided to allow knowledge transfer to a range of coastal flooding end-users

Multi-centre parallel arm randomised controlled trial to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a group-based cognitive behavioural approach to managing fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis

Abstract (provisional) Background Fatigue is one of the most commonly reported and debilitating symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS); approximately two-thirds of people with MS consider it to be one of their three most troubling symptoms. It may limit or prevent participation in everyday activities, work, leisure, and social pursuits, reduce psychological well-being and is one of the key precipitants of early retirement. Energy effectiveness approaches have been shown to be effective in reducing MS-fatigue, increasing self-efficacy and improving quality of life. Cognitive behavioural approaches have been found to be effective for managing fatigue in other conditions, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, and more recently, in MS. The aim of this pragmatic trial is to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a recently developed group-based fatigue management intervention (that blends cognitive behavioural and energy effectiveness approaches) compared with current local practice. Methods This is a multi-centre parallel arm block-randomised controlled trial (RCT) of a six session group-based fatigue management intervention, delivered by health professionals, compared with current local practice. 180 consenting adults with a confirmed diagnosis of MS and significant fatigue levels, recruited via secondary/primary care or newsletters/websites, will be randomised to receive the fatigue management intervention or current local practice. An economic evaluation will be undertaken alongside the trial. Primary outcomes are fatigue severity, self-efficacy and disease-specific quality of life. Secondary outcomes include fatigue impact, general quality of life, mood, activity patterns, and cost-effectiveness. Outcomes in those receiving the fatigue management intervention will be measured 1 week prior to, and 1, 4, and 12 months after the intervention (and at equivalent times in those receiving current local practice). A qualitative component will examine what aspects of the fatigue management intervention participants found helpful/unhelpful and barriers to change. Discussion This trial is the fourth stage of a research programme that has followed the Medical Research Council guidance for developing and evaluating complex interventions. What makes the intervention unique is that it blends cognitive behavioural and energy effectiveness approaches. A potential strength of the intervention is that it could be integrated into existing service delivery models as it has been designed to be delivered by staff already working with people with MS. Service users will be involved throughout this research. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN7651747

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) as a biomarker for Cancer Associated Thrombosis: a meta-analysis

Cancer-associated thrombosis affects between 1 and 20% of all patients diagnosed with cancer and is associated with significant morbidity and poorer prognosis. VEGF is a potent angiogenic factor, produced by tumour cells, and released by platelets and is essential for tumour growth and progression as well as the promotion of thrombosis. Therefore, the potential of VEGF to be used as a biomarker to predict cancer-associated thrombosis requires further investigation. PubMed and OVID databases were systematically searched up to July 2023, and inclusion and exclusion criteria applied. Seven papers (1528 participants) were identified and included in the meta-analysis, three of which (922 participants) measured VEGF before a thrombotic event, and the remaining four (606 participants) which measured VEGF at the time of the thrombosis. Our results showed that although plasma and serum VEGF levels tended to be higher in those who subsequently developed thrombosis than those who did not (mean difference 70.2 pg/mL for serum, and 11.44 pg/mL for plasma VEGF, 95% CI -2.39 – 25.73, p= 0.10), this was not found to be statistically significant. However, analysis of VEGF following blood sampling at the time of thrombosis, showed a stronger statistically significant association between increased VEGF levels and presence of thrombosis (mean difference 117.02 pg/mL for serum, and 116.6 pg/mL for plasma VEGF, 95% CI 55.42 - 190.82, p = 0.0004). Based on current studies, whilst it is increased at the time of thrombosis, VEGF is not effective as a predictive biomarker of CAT

A comprehensive approach to assessing the future persistence of the endangered rainforest tree,

The Endangered Macadamia jansenii (C.L. Gross &amp; P.H. Western, 1992) was known only from one small populationand a reintroduction program was implemented from 2009 to increase the number of populations. Recently, new subpopulations were discovered. However, in 2019, fire directly affected M. jansenii and the surrounding habitat. This study aimed to examine the abundance and distribution of M. jansenii in the wild pre- and post-fire, as well as to assess the success of the reintroduction program and species population viability. We undertook genetic analysis, population viability analysis (PVA) and updated the existing habitat models. The known wild M. jansenii population increased in abundance from 59 in a single population to 200 individuals (including seedlings), across three subpopulations. Results from the post-fire survey suggest that 83% of the wild plants have survived, with many plants resprouting. The newly discovered subpopulations were within predicted suitable habitat in the Bulburin National Park. These subpopulations are genetically similar to the original known population. Novel alleles suggest the potential for more plants to be located. The reintroduction program successfully established 20 individuals. PVA results indicate that even with the effects of fire, the species is unlikely to become extinct in the next 150 years.</jats:p

Surface Patterning Using Two-Phase Laminar Flow and In Situ Formation of Aryldiazonium Salts

International audienceIn the reaction zone: Reaction of an aryltriazene with acid generates the corresponding aryldiazonium ion. When this reaction takes place in the mixing zone, at the interface between two streams flowing laminarly and in parallel through a 100 μm microchannel, a submicrometer line of organic film is grafted at the substrate surface

A Simple Approach to Patterned Protein Immobilization on Silicon via Electrografting from Diazonium Salt Solutions

International audienceA highly versatile method utilizing diazonium salt chemistry has been developed for the fabrication of protein arrays. Conventional ultraviolet mask lithography was used to pattern micrometer sized regions into a commercial photoresist on a highly doped p-type silicon (100) substrate. These patterned regions were used as a template for the electrochemical grafting of the in situ generated p-aminobenzenediazonium cation to form patterns of aminophenyl film on silicon. Immobilization of biomolecules was demonstrated by coupling biotin to the aminophenyl regions followed by reaction with fluorescently labeled avidin and visualization with fluorescence microscopy. This simple patterning strategy is promising for future application in biosensor devices