The Verification & Validation of the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover Surface Mission Operations System

Leading up to its landing on Mars on February 18, 2021, the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover Surface Mission Operations System (MOS) underwent a verification and validation (V&V) campaign consisting of a series of Super Thread Tests and Operational Readiness Tests. This V&V campaign emphasized incremental testing, mission scenario and capability coverage, and the Test-As-You-Fly approach wherever possible. Although the elements that comprise the Surface System underwent their own internal V&V campaigns, the system-level tests were vital in uncovering findings observable only through the integrated and flight-like nature of these Surface Mission Operations System V & V tests. The COVID-19 pandemic posed additional challenges, including limited facility access, constrained in-person activities, changes to operations paradigms, and evolving safety protocols in the midst of the testing campaign and preparation for surface operations. This paper describes the Verification and Validation campaign of the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover Surface Mission Operations System that led to the readiness for rover operations on Mars. © 2023 IEEE.

Comparing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on training of public health Specialty Registrars starting before or after its onset.

Objectives: To capture and compare the differences in experiences of public health Specialty Registrars who commenced training prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (pre-pandemic Registrars) and those who commenced training during the pandemic (post-pandemic Registrars). Study design: This is a mixed methods study comprising a cross-sectional survey and participatory action research. Methods: A questionnaire of 10 open and 5 closed questions exploring participants experience of training during the pandemic was sent to East Midlands Specialty Registrars. Thematic analysis and double coding were undertaken, coded based on pre- or post-pandemic Registrar status. Participatory action research was then undertaken in 2 rounds with 2 groups, based on pre/post-pandemic status to consolidate themes. Results: The survey was completed by 17 Registrars (8 pre-pandemic, and 9 post-pandemic) and 19 Registrars took part in participatory action research. The findings showed pre-pandemic Registrars noted the importance of negative impacts on their mental health whilst post-pandemic Registrars were more positive and felt well supported in their training. Conclusions: There is a stark difference in the impact of the pandemic for Registrars who started training before compared to during the pandemic. The training programme was not resilient to the impact of the pandemic. Robustness could be increased by encouraging early leadership experience and providing wellbeing support, particularly for post pandemic Registrars now and in future.

Bupropion for Treatment-Resistant Depression

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common and disabling illness and 1 of the most common mood disorders. It affects the entire body and mind, leading to reductions in quality of life and significant costs to the health care sector and society.1 MDD is associated with a high risk of mortality with a relative risk of 1.81 compared with persons without depression.2 According to Statistics Canada's 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey on Mental Health, it is estimated that 5.4% of the Canadian population aged 15 years and older have reported mood disorders in the previous 12 months, including 4.7% for major depression.1 A recent survey on COVID-19 and mental health during the last 3 months of 2020 found that 1 in 5 Canadians had a positive screening for at least 1 of the 3 mental disorders: MDD, generalized anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.3 MDD was the most prevalent mental disorder, with 15% Canadians screening positive with moderate or severe symptoms.3 A variety of antidepressant agents have been used for the treatment of patients with MDD including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), tricyclic antidepressant (TCA), monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), glutamate antagonist, and atypical antidepressants such as bupropion.4 Despite advances in understanding the efficacy and safety of those pharmacological agents, 10% to 15% of patients do not respond to their first course of antidepressant pharmacotherapy, and 30% to 40% achieve only partial remission.5 After proper diagnosis and adequate treatment of MDD with antidepressants, individuals who are still nonresponders or partial responders are considered to have treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Although there is no universally accepted definition of TRD, approximately half of clinical trials required a minimum of 2 treatment failures to be considered TRD.6 The pharmacological options for treating TRD are not well-established and remain a challenge for physicians.7 Options for treatment of TRD include augmentation and switching of the initial antidepressant.7 Bupropion is an atypical antidepressant which inhibits the reuptake of noradrenaline and dopamine and has been used for treatment of MDD.8 It is generally well-tolerated but can cause weight loss and low rates of sexual dysfunction.8 However, its clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness in the treatment of TRD is less well understood. The current report aims to review the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of bupropion for the treatment of adults with TRD.