Technology assessment of portable energy RDT and P, phase 1

A technology assessment of transportation energy research, development, technology, and production was undertaken to assess the technical, economic, environmental, sociopolitical issues associated with transportation energy options, and to determine those courses of action impacting aviation and air transportation research and technology. A technology assessment workshop was used to determine the problem statements that would be considered. Study tasks are summarized along with the problem statements

Impact of Gene-Gender Effects of Adrenergic Polymorphisms on Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Activity in Depressed Patients

Objective: There is overwhelming evidence that activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system plays a major role in depression and cardiovascular disease in genetically susceptible individuals. We hypothesized that due to the multiple interactions between the sympathetic and the HPA systems via adrenoceptors, polymorphisms in these genes could have an impact on HPA axis activity in major depression. Methods: Using the dexamethasone/corticotrophin-releasing hormone (DEX/CRH) test, we investigated the association of alpha 2-adrenoceptor (ADRA2A -1291C -> G) and the beta 2-adrenoceptor gene (ADRB2 Arg16Gly) in 189 patients with major depression during the acute state of the disease and after remission. Results: Male ADRA2A -1291G allele homozygotes showed significant pretreatment HPA axis hyperactivity, with increased adrenocorticotropin (ACTH; F = 4.9, d.f. = 2, p = 0.009) and cortisol responses (F = 6.4, d.f. = 2, p = 0.003). In contrast, female ADRB2 Arg/Arg homozygotes had increased pretreatment ACTH (F = 7.17, d.f. = 2, p = 0.001) and cortisol (F = 8.95, d.f. = 2, p = 0.000) levels. Interestingly, in the respective genotypes, the stress hormones remained elevated in the second DEX/CRH test, despite a reduction in depressive symptoms. Conclusions: This study provides evidence that, depending on gender and polymorphisms, there is continuous HPA axis overdrive in a proportion of patients irrespective of the status of depression. Considering the importance of stress hormones for cardiovascular disorders, our data might suggest that these patients are at high risk of comorbidity between depression and cardiovascular disorders. Copyright (c) 2008 S. Karger AG, Base

An exploration of parents’ preferences for foot care in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a possible role for the discrete choice experiment

Background: An increased awareness of patients’ and parents’ care preferences regarding foot care is desirable from a clinical perspective as such information may be utilised to optimise care delivery. The aim of this study was to examine parents’ preferences for, and valuations of foot care and foot-related outcomes in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).<p></p> Methods: A discrete choice experiment (DCE) incorporating willingness-to-pay (WTP) questions was conducted by surveying 42 parents of children with JIA who were enrolled in a randomised-controlled trial of multidisciplinary foot care at a single UK paediatric rheumatology outpatients department. Attributes explored were: levels of pain; mobility; ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL); waiting time; referral route; and footwear. The DCE was administered at trial baseline. DCE data were analysed using a multinomial-logit-regression model to estimate preferences and relative importance of attributes of foot care. A stated-preference WTP question was presented to estimate parents’ monetary valuation of health and service improvements.<p></p> Results: Every attribute in the DCE was statistically significant (p < 0.01) except that of cost (p = 0.118), suggesting that all attributes, except cost, have an impact on parents’ preferences for foot care for their child. The magnitudes of the coefficients indicate that the strength of preference for each attribute was (in descending order): improved ability to perform ADL, reductions in foot pain, improved mobility, improved ability to wear desired footwear, multidisciplinary foot care route, and reduced waiting time. Parents’ estimated mean annual WTP for a multidisciplinary foot care service was £1,119.05.<p></p> Conclusions: In terms of foot care service provision for children with JIA, parents appear to prefer improvements in health outcomes over non-health outcomes and service process attributes. Cost was relatively less important than other attributes suggesting that it does not appear to impact on parents’ preferences.<p></p&gt

Newborn Urinary Metabolic Signatures of Prematurity and Other Disorders: A Case Control Study

This work assesses the urinary metabolite signature of prematurity in newborns by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, while establishing the role of possible confounders and signature specificity, through comparison to other disorders. Gender and delivery mode are shown to impact importantly on newborn urine composition, their analysis pointing out at specific metabolite variations requiring consideration in unmatched subject groups. Premature newborns are, however, characterized by a stronger signature of varying metabolites, suggestive of disturbances in nucleotide metabolism, lung surfactants biosynthesis and renal function, along with enhancement of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle activity, fatty acids oxidation, and oxidative stress. Comparison with other abnormal conditions (respiratory depression episode, large for gestational age, malformations, jaundice and premature rupture of membranes) reveals that such signature seems to be largely specific of preterm newborns, showing that NMR metabolomics can retrieve particular disorder effects, as well as general stress effects. These results provide valuable novel information on the metabolic impact of prematurity, contributing to the better understanding of its effects on the newborn's state of health.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Technology assessment of portable energy RDT and P, phase 1

A technological assessment of portable energy research, development, technology, and production was undertaken to assess the technical, economic, environmental, and sociopolitical issues associated with portable energy options. Those courses of action are discussed which would impact aviation and air transportation research and technology. Technology assessment workshops were held to develop problem statements. The eighteen portable energy problem statements are discussed in detail along with each program's objective, approach, task description, and estimates of time and costs

The Impact of Population Density, Electricity Prices, and Temperature on People's Behaviour towards Energy Efficiency Investments: Insights from Scotland's EPC Registry

Climate change affects us all, so it is crucial to prioritise efforts to mitigate its impact. Improving building energy efficiency is a cost-effective solution to reduce CO2 emissions, which has significant influence on climate change. Our study examines how external factors, specifically population density, temperature, and energy prices, influence people's behaviour towards investing in energy efficiency. By using multiple linear regression, we analyse these variables against the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of dwellings in Scotland to understand people's decision-making. Our results show that higher population density is positively associated with energy performance rating, indicating greater energy efficiency in densely populated areas. Additionally, low temperature also positively influences energy performance rating, most likely driven by people's desire for comfort, cost savings from energy efficiency upgrades, and improved heat retention through house insulation. Regarding energy prices, we observed a mixed relationship depending on the type of energy fuel. Overall, our research demonstrates that external factors have an impact on energy performance rating, i.e., on people's decisions towards energy efficiency

The Impact of Population Density, Electricity Prices, and Temperature on People's Behaviour towards Energy Efficiency Investments: Insights from Scotland's EPC Registry

Climate change affects us all, so it is crucial to prioritise efforts to mitigate its impact. Improving building energy efficiency is a cost-effective solution to reduce CO2 emissions, which has significant influence on climate change. Our study examines how external factors, specifically population density, temperature, and energy prices, influence people's behaviour towards investing in energy efficiency. By using multiple linear regression, we analyse these variables against the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of dwellings in Scotland to understand people's decision-making. Our results show that higher population density is positively associated with energy performance rating, indicating greater energy efficiency in densely populated areas. Additionally, low temperature also positively influences energy performance rating, most likely driven by people's desire for comfort, cost savings from energy efficiency upgrades, and improved heat retention through house insulation. Regarding energy prices, we observed a mixed relationship depending on the type of energy fuel. Overall, our research demonstrates that external factors have an impact on energy performance rating, i.e., on people's decisions towards energy efficiency

Newborn Urinary Metabolic Signatures of Prematurity and Other Disorders: A Case Control Study

This work assesses the urinary metabolite signature of prematurity in newborns by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, while establishing the role of possible confounders and signature specificity, through comparison to other disorders. Gender and delivery mode are shown to impact importantly on newborn urine composition, their analysis pointing out at specific metabolite variations requiring consideration in unmatched subject groups. Premature newborns are, however, characterized by a stronger signature of varying metabolites, suggestive of disturbances in nucleotide metabolism, lung surfactants biosynthesis and renal function, along with enhancement of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle activity, fatty acids oxidation, and oxidative stress. Comparison with other abnormal conditions (respiratory depression episode, large for gestational age, malformations, jaundice and premature rupture of membranes) reveals that such signature seems to be largely specific of preterm newborns, showing that NMR metabolomics can retrieve particular disorder effects, as well as general stress effects. These results provide valuable novel information on the metabolic impact of prematurity, contributing to the better understanding of its effects on the newborn's state of health.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Qualitätssicherung von Operationen bei diabetischer und nicht- diabetischer Neuroosteoarthropathie (DNOAP, Charcot-Fuß)

Die diabetische Neuroosteoarthropathie (DNOAP; sog. Charcot-Fuß) stellt eine schwere Ausprägung des diabetischen Fußsyndroms dar. Die Zerstörungen von Knochen und Gelenken können im Verlauf zu Deformitäten, Ulzerationen, Infektionen und einem massiven Funktionsverlust des Fußes führen. Ziel dieser retrospektiven Studie war es, die Erfolgsrate und die Langzeitergebnisse der Stellungskorrektur mit Fixateur externe bei 115 Personen, die zwischen Juli 2008 und Dezember 2012 operiert wurden, zu bestimmen. Hauptuntersuchungsparameter waren dabei der Fußerhalt, die Gehfähigkeit und die Mortalität. In die Studie wurden 115 konsekutive Teilnehmer, 78 (68%) Männer und 37 (32%) Frauen, aufgenommen. Als Einschlusskriterium galt die zwischen 1. Juli 2008 und 31. Dezember 2012 durchgeführte rekonstruktive Stellungskorrektur unter Verwendung eines Hoffmann II Fixateur externe bei diabetischer und nicht diabetischer Neuroosteoarthropathie. Der durchschnittliche Nachbeobachtungszeitraum lag bei 5,7 Jahren (SD 3,2). Von den nachuntersuchten Patienten waren 97% in der Lage nach der Operation mit Maßschuh oder Orthese zu gehen. Zum Zeitpunkt der Nachuntersuchung waren noch 77% gehfähig und 51% waren außerhalb ihres Hauses uneingeschränkt mobil. Es wurden 29 Personen (26%) nach dem operativen Eingriff amputiert, davon waren 17 (15%) Minoramputationen und 12 (11%) Majoramputationen. Im Nachuntersuchungszeitraum starben 47 Teilnehmer, die Mehrheit (53%) aufgrund von kardiovaskulären Ereignissen. Die durchschnittliche Überlebenszeit nach der Operation betrug 4,5 Jahre (SD 2,9). Die rekonstruktive Stellungskorrektur unter Verwendung eines Fixateur externe ist eine erfolgversprechende Methode zur Wiederherstellung und zur Aufrechterhaltung der Gehfähigkeit bei Personen mit konservativ nicht behandelbarer Neuroosteoarthropathie. Diese Personen mit einer schweren Verlaufsform des Charcot-Fußes hatten eine niedrige Majoramputationsrate. Osteomyelitis war die Hauptursache für Majoramputationen