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L Hickey

Publications and source records attributed to L Hickey.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2025

Optimising parent selection in plant breeding: comparing metaheuristic algorithms for genotype building.

Stacking desirable haplotypes across the genome to develop superior genotypes has been implemented in several crop species. A major challenge in Optimal Haplotype Selection is identifying a set of parents that collectively contain all desirable haplotypes, a complex combinatorial problem with countless possibilities. In this study, we evaluated the performance of metaheuristic search algorithms (MSAs)-genetic algorithm (GA), differential evolution (DE), particle swarm optimisation (PSO), and simulated annealing (SA) for optimising parent selection under two genotype building (GB) objectives: Optimal Haplotype Selection (OHS) and Optimal Population Value (OPV). Using a diverse wheat population of 583 lines genotyped for 29,972 SNPs, forming 7645 haplotype blocks and phenotyped for stripe rust scores, we assessed each algorithm's performance across fitness optimisation, convergence speed, and computational efficiency. GA consistently achieved high fitness and rapid convergence, while DE showed robustness but required longer runtime and careful tuning. PSO performed well under the OHS criterion but was less effective for OPV. SA, although computationally lighter, was less consistent in finding optimal solutions. Simulation over 100 breeding cycles showed that OHS outperformed both OPV and GEBV-based selection in long-term genetic gain and diversity retention. OHS maintained heterozygosity and additive variance, which are key for sustainable improvement, while GEBV selection led to early allele fixation. Our findings underscore the potential of GB strategies that prioritise the collective performance of parent sets rather than individual ranking to enhance selection outcomes in genomic-assisted breeding programmes.

Plant Breeding↗
PubMed2004

Bladder perforation during laparoscopic donor nephrectomy.

We present two cases of bladder perforation during laparoscopic donor nephrectomy at our institution. Neither of the surgeries was otherwise complicated, and the diagnoses were made post-operatively. The kidneys were extracted through a Pfannenstiel incision and used blunt dissection to penetrate the peritoneum. Both patients had previous tubal ligations, adhesions from which may have increased the chance of injury. We believe that this is a previously unreported complication that merits attention. Care should be taken with the peritoneal incision and dissection as the bladder may be susceptible to injury.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Deliberate self-harm patients who leave the accident and emergency department without a psychiatric assessment: a neglected population at risk of suicide.

OBJECTIVES: Deliberate self-harm (DSH) patients, despite their risk of suicide, are often discharged directly from accident and emergency (A&E) departments without undergoing a psychiatric assessment. The aims of this study were to determine the characteristics and outcome of these patients. METHODS: The characteristics of DSH patients who were discharged directly from an A&E department over a 2-year period were investigated, comparing those who had a psychiatric assessment with those who did not. In a matched control design, the outcome of a group of patients who did not receive a psychiatric assessment was compared with that of a group of patients who were assessed. RESULTS: Of DSH patients who were discharged directly from the A&E department 58.9% (145/246) did not have a psychiatric assessment. Nonassessed patients were more likely to have a past history of DSH, to be in the 20-34 year age group, and to have exhibited difficult behaviour in the A&E department. Patients presenting between 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. were less likely to be assessed than those attending between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Further DSH during the subsequent year occurred in 37.5% of the nonassessed patients compared with 18.2% of matched assessed patients. They were also more likely to have psychiatric treatment. CONCLUSION: A substantial proportion of DSH patients discharged directly from A&E departments do not receive a psychiatric assessment. Nonassessed patients may be at greater risk of further DSH and completed suicide than those who are assessed. Hospital services need to be organised such that DSH patients managed in A&E departments can receive an assessment of psychosocial problems and risk.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

The functional and psychological outcomes of juvenile chronic arthritis in young adulthood.

The functional and psychological outcome of 43 patients with polyarticular juvenile arthritis was assessed in order to evaluate the impact of disease on their quality of life. Mean disease duration was 19.7 yr (range 10-39 yr), mean age 26.7 yr (range 18-54 yr) with sex ratio 1:3 (male:female). Severe disability was present in 8% of systemic onset, 34% of RF negative (Rh-P), 38% of RF positive (Rh+P) and 86% of extended pauci-articular (ExP) juvenile arthritics-this last high percentage was due to ocular impairment. The Rh+P had more hip (100% of the group) and knee prostheses (31%) compared with Rh-P (77 and 11% respectively). The Rh+P and ExP groups were the most disabled with the highest proportions of patients with currently active disease (85 and 71% respectively). Psychological testing showed that 21% of the patients were clinically depressed and the rate increased (P = 0.06) with the degree of disability. The proportion of patients demonstrating an anxious preoccupation with their disease increased (P = 0.002) with the degree of disability. Despite this, 66% of patients were employed and 38% felt that their arthritis had no effect on their ability to form relationships.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Bedside computerization of the ICU, design issues: benefits of computerization versus ease of paper & pen.

This paper describes the design considerations for the implementation of a bedside computer system in an intensive care environment. Specific issues discussed include application design, implementation problems, design revisions, and design solutions. Specific examples of the above issues include passive data acquisition from bedside devices and computer systems, automated nursing assessments, respiratory therapy assessments and integrated reports.

Consumer Behavior↗