Challenges and Opportunities for Process Systems Engineering in a Changed World

Changes have always been taking place on earth. However, the latest changes related to the climate, the COVID-19 pandemic, natural resources, pollution, to name a few, have changed our world and a new normal is emerging. The energy-water-environment-food-health nexus is becoming more complex. These challenges, however, also provide opportunities to tackle them and make scientific and engineering advances. PSE is well-placed through its core and expanding domain as well as its ability to apply a systems approach to meet current and future challenges. Many opportunities exist for the PSE community to take the lead in managing this complexity. This paper will provide an overview on some of the key challenges and opportunities where PSE could make immediate as well as long lasting impacts by developing sustainable and innovative solutions. Focus will be placed on the choice of problems to solve and the solution approaches that could make an impact and help to define the new normal for future generations. © 2022 Elsevier B.V.

NAILFOLD CAPILLAROSCOPY: A SURVEY OF CURRENT UK PRACTICE AND 'NEXT STEPS' TO FACILITATE GENERALISED UPTAKE

Background/Aims Nailfold capillaroscopy has a key role in the assessment of patients with Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) providing a window of opportunity for the early diagnosis of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Anecdotal evidence indicates that this opportunity is not being fully realised across UK rheumatology centres. Reasons for apparent discrepancies in use of capillaroscopy may relate to a lack of expertise, confidence or equipment. Exploratory work has demonstrated the potential for an internet-based standardised system for clinical reporting of nailfold capillaroscopy images to mitigate current inequities in care provision. The overall aim of this study was to understand current practices in the diagnosis of SSc in UK rheumatology centres with specific reference to identifying barriers to the use of nailfold capillaroscopy. A secondary aim was to understand rheumatologists' views on a standardised system to facilitate the timely diagnosis of SSc. Methods An online survey comprising closed and free-text questions was developed using expert (n=7) opinion from clinicians, scientists and health service researchers. The survey was piloted (n=5) and sent to UK-based rheumatologists using established electronic mailing lists between 2nd October 2020 and 8th March 2021. Respondents were asked to describe workloads and practices typically seen before the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Results Survey responses were received from 104 rheumatologists representing centres across the UK. Wide variation in terms of workloads and practices were described (See Table 1). Only 41% (n=43) of respondents reported using nailfold capillaroscopy provided at their centres. Key barriers were access to equipment and a lack of expertise in terms of acquiring and analysing images. Respondents indicated that a centralised internet-based system for storing images and sharing diagnoses would provide access to expertise and the possibility of timely diagnoses Conclusion Substantial variation in approaches to the diagnosis of SSc across the UK was identified. Potential benefits of a standardised system were described by respondents including the improved diagnosis and management of SSc, realising potential patient benefits and reducing current health inequalities. Survey findings provide evidence to help develop future studies to develop and evaluate the proposed new system.

Risk of severe illness from COVID-19 among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults: the construct of 'vulnerable populations' obscures the root causes of health inequities.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the prevalence of known health-related risk factors for severe COVID-19 illness among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults, and their relationship with social determinants. METHODS: Weighted cross-sectional analysis of the 2018-19 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey; Odds Ratios for cumulative risk count category (0, 1, or ≥2 health-related risk factors) by social factors calculated using ordered logistic regression. RESULTS: Of the adult population, 42.9%(95%CI:40.6,45.2) had none of the examined health-related risk factors; 38.9%(36.6,41.1) had 1, and 18.2%(16.7,19.7) had ≥2. Adults experiencing relative advantage across social indicators had significantly lower cumulative risk counts, with 30-70% lower odds of being in a higher risk category. CONCLUSIONS: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples must continue to be recognised as a priority population in all stages of pandemic preparedness and response as they have disproportionate exposure to social factors associated with risk of severe COVID-19 illness. Indigeneity itself is not a 'risk' factor and must be viewed in the wider context of inequities that impact health Implications for public health: Multi-sectoral responses are required to improve health during and after the COVID-19 pandemic that: enable self-determination; improve incomes, safety, food security and culturally-safe healthcare; and address discrimination and trauma.

Mechanisms of thrombosis and cardiovascular complications in COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, responsible for the 2019-2020 global (COVID-19) pandemic, is a respiratory virus associated with the development of thromboembolic complications and respiratory failure in severe cases. Increased risk of pulmonary embolism and thrombosis has been identified in COVID-19 patients, alongside accompanying elevations in potential prognostic biomarkers, including D-dimer, IL-6 and cardiac specific troponins. Our aim was to provide a scoping review of the available literature regarding thrombosis risk, other cardiovascular implications, and their biomarkers in COVID-19 to highlight potential disease mechanisms. METHODS: Authors conducted a literature search in PubMed using MeSH headings "disseminated intravascular coagulation", "pulmonary embolism", "thromb*", "stroke", "myocardial infarction" and "acute lung injury", as well as terms "COVID-19", "SARS-CoV-2", "2019 novel coronavirus" and "2019-nCoV". RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 disease is characterised by the interactions between hyperactive coagulation and complement systems - induced by hyper-inflammatory conditions, resulting in a pro-thrombotic state and diffuse tissue injury. There are several promising prognostic markers of disease severity, with D-dimer the most significant. The presence of thrombocytopenia appears to be a key indicator of patient deterioration. Further research is required to understand the underlying pathophysiology in COVID-19 and its implications in disease progression and patient management. Randomised trials are urgently needed to determine the safety of proposed therapeutic anticoagulation with heparin and the role for anti-platelet agents, such as Ticagrelor, in patient management.