Additional Monitoring Devices Research Articles

Design and development of SiteHive MEMS based system for real-time vibration monitoring

Construction projects need to proactively manage their works that may cause vibration impacts to nearby structures and stakeholders. Risks of vibration include cosmetic and structural damage to buildings and threats to human comfort. The advent of MEMS accelerometers offers significant opportunities to improve on traditional vibration monitoring practices based on geophones. Geophones measure velocity which preclude acceleration based measurements and calculations like vibration dose value (the measure for human comfort), groundborne noise, and auto-levelling. The inability to capture these results means additional monitoring devices are required to capture all key measurements. MEMS-based vibration monitoring systems can be much cheaper, smaller, and more power efficient than traditional vibration monitoring systems. This enables easier installation, greater mobility, and more monitoring to be conducted. SiteHive has worked extensively with the National Measurement Institute (NMI) and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) to test and validate the efficacy of the MEMS-based accelerometers and develop a calibration system for MEMS-based devices. This paper will outline the design research and findings that have gone into this development, results from field testing, and details on the value offered by this innovation.

Motion Detectors as Additional Monitoring Devices in the Intensive Care Unit—A Proof-of-Concept Study

Background: Monitoring the vital signs of delirious patients in an intensive care unit (ICU) is challenging, as they might (un-)intentionally remove devices attached to their bodies. In mock-up scenarios, we systematically assessed whether a motion detector (MD) attached to the bed may help in identifying emergencies. Methods: We recruited 15 employees of the ICU and equipped an ICU bed with an MD (IRON Software GmbH, Grünwald, Germany). Participants were asked to replay 22 mock-up scenes of one-minute duration each: 12 scenes with movements and 10 without movements, of which 5 were emergency scenes (“lying dead-still, with no or very shallow breathing”). Blinded recordings were presented to an evaluation panel consisting of an experienced ICU nurse and a physician, who was asked to assess and rate the presence of motions. Results: Fifteen participants (nine women; 173 ± 7.0 cm; 78 ± 19 kg) joined the study. In total, 286 out of 330 scenes (86.7%) were rated correctly. Ratings were false negative (FN: “no movements detected, but recorded”) in 7 out of 180 motion scenes (3.9%). Ratings were false positive (FP: “movements detected, but not recorded”) in 37 out of 150 scenes (24.7%), more often in men than women (26 out of 60 vs. 11 out of 90, respectively; p < 0.001). Of note, in 16 of these 37 FP-rated scenes, a vibrating mobile phone was identified as a potential confounder. The emergency scenes were correctly rated in 64 of the 75 runs (85.3%); 10 of the 11 FP-rated scenes occurred in male subjects. Conclusions: The MD allowed for identifying motions of test subjects with high sensitivity (96%) and acceptable specificity (75%). Accuracy might increase further if activities are recorded continuously under real-world conditions.

Direct Adaptive SSDV Circuit for Piezoelectric Shunt Damping

Piezoelectric shunt damping is widely studied to suppress vibration of thin structures via shunting an attached piezoelectric transducer with an electrical impedance. The SSDV (synchronized switch damping on voltage) technique can be used to enhance the damping effect. However, SSDV is not stable in the weak excitation. Although some adaptive SSDV circuits have been developed to tackle the stability problems, additional monitoring devices are required to feed back the vibration strength signal for adjusting the series voltage sources. We here present a new direct adaptive SSDV (DA-SSDV) method without additional excitation level monitoring module, based on the ratio of the maximum piezovoltage and the value of the series voltage sources. A compact DA-SSDV circuit is designed with low-cost off-the-shelf discrete components. The close-loop control of the series voltage sources is realized simply through a passive envelope detector and a resistive voltage divider. Experimental results show the DA-SSDV circuit avoids the stability problems and possesses a good displacement transmissibility around 6.2, a fast voltage adjustment response speed above 5 V/s and a high operation sensitivity with the open-circuit piezovoltage of 540 mV. The DA-SSDV shows great application value in the compact and low-power vibration control systems.

Continuous intraoperative perfusion monitoring of free microvascular anastomosed fasciocutaneous flaps using remote photoplethysmography

Flap loss through limited perfusion remains a major complication in reconstructive surgery. Continuous monitoring of perfusion will facilitate early detection of insufficient perfusion. Remote or imaging photoplethysmography (rPPG/iPPG) as a non-contact, non-ionizing, and non-invasive monitoring technique provides objective and reproducible information on physiological parameters. The aim of this study is to establish rPPG for intra- and postoperative monitoring of flap perfusion in patients undergoing reconstruction with free fasciocutaneous flaps (FFCF). We developed a monitoring algorithm for flap perfusion, which was evaluated in 15 patients. For 14 patients, ischemia of the FFCF in the forearm and successful reperfusion of the implanted FFCF was quantified based on the local signal. One FFCF showed no perfusion after reperfusion and devitalized in the course. Intraoperative monitoring of perfusion with rPPG provides objective and reproducible results. Therefore, rPPG is a promising technology for standard flap perfusion monitoring on low costs without the need for additional monitoring devices.

Cost-Benefit Analysis of Phase Balancing Solution for Data-Scarce LV Networks by Cluster-Wise Gaussian Process Regression

Phase imbalance widely exists in the UK's low voltage (415 V, LV) distribution networks. The imbalances not only lead to insufficient use of LV network assets but also cause energy losses. They lead to hundreds of millions of British pounds each year in the UK. The cost-benefit analyses of phase balancing solutions remained an unresolved question for the majority of the LV networks. The main challenge is data-scarcity – these networks only have peak current and total energy consumption that are collected once a year. To perform a cost-benefit analysis of phase balancing for data-scarce LV networks, this paper develops a customized cluster-wise Gaussian process regression (CGPR) approach. The approach estimates the total cost of phase imbalance for any data-scarce LV network by extracting knowledge from a set of representative data-rich LV networks and extrapolating the knowledge to any data-scarce network. The imbalance-induced cost is then translated into the benefit from phase balancing and this is compared against the costs of phase balancing solutions, e.g., deploying phase balancers. The developed CGPR approach assists distribution network operators (DNOs) to evaluate the cost-benefit of phase balancing solutions for data-scarce networks without the need to invest in additional monitoring devices.

Modeling & analysis of grid-tied PMA based offshore wind energy system using PSCAD/EMTDC

Abstract A comprehensive dynamic model approach of Permanent Magnet Alternator (PMA) based grid tied wind energy system using PSCAD/EMTDC is presented. This paper proposes an improved dynamic system for controlling a Current Source Inverter (CSI) with a Generic Current Controller (GCC) using Voltage Dependent Current Limits (VDCL). This technique is employed to maintain the continuity of DC link current irrespective of the load conditions and grid voltage with real and reactive power transfer capabilities. The proposed controller reduces the complexity and maintains suitable gate pulse distribution for CSI. Furthermore, the proposed controller is independent of external current limiters, additional monitoring devices and grid voltage and frequency. Based on the system model, the dynamic behavior of the WT system to wind speed variation and inverter control scheme were simulated, output performance is analyzed. Simulation results illustrate the proper performance of the developed dynamic model of the wind turbine and control scheme performance.

Tolerability of a comprehensive cardiorespiratory monitoring protocol in an epilepsy monitoring unit

BackgroundRecent reports of fatal or near-fatal events in epilepsy monitoring units (EMUs) and an increasing awareness of the effects of seizures on breathing have stimulated interest in cardiorespiratory monitoring for patients undergoing video-electroencephalography (EEG) recording. Patient and provider acceptance of these extra recording devices has not previously been studied and may represent a barrier to widespread adoption. MethodsWe queried EMU subjects regarding their experiences with a monitoring protocol that included the continuous measurement of oral/nasal airflow, respiratory effort (chest and abdominal respiratory inductance plethysmography), oxygen saturation, and transcutaneous CO2. Surveys were returned by 71.4% (100/140) of eligible subjects. ResultsOverall, 73% of participants reported being moderately to highly satisfied with the monitoring, and 82% reported moderate to strong agreement that advance knowledge of the monitoring would not have changed their decision to proceed with the video-EEG study. Except for nasal airflow, none of the additional monitoring devices caused more discomfort than EEG electrodes. ConclusionPatient acceptance of an EMU comprehensive cardiorespiratory monitoring protocol is high. The information obtained from “multimodality recording” should help clinicians and investigators understand the effect of seizures on both cardiac and respiratory physiology, may enhance safety in the EMU, and may aid in the identification of biomarkers for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP).

A Digital Signal-based Prognostic Approach to Factory Automation

A data network from a control system is usually consist of complex wiring systems to communicate with manufacturing lines. The electrical connections by the wiring systems can be deteriorated by wire faults such as chafing in the wiring system. During the life cycle of the wiring system, field stress conditions such as mechanical stress condition often cause and intensify the wire faults. The progress of wire fault can cause other wire failures such as cutoff or arcing. Furthermore, failures in the connected wires may eventually cause malfunctions in facilities of manufacturing lines. In order to prevent serious failures, health of the wiring system can be monitored in real time to repair or replace the damaged wires before the time to failure. However, the conventional approaches to wire health monitoring often require additional connections to the wiring system due to additional monitoring devices. Thus, the operation of the facilities may be interfered when the monitoring devices monitor wires. As a result, the conventional approaches, which require additional devices, have difficulty detecting the extent of wire damages in real time, and may end up neglecting the progress of chafing. In this study, a method for wire health monitoring is developed to prevent wire failures by monitoring wiredamages in real time. Digital signal is affected adversely by impedance discontinuity on the transmission line. By monitoring the integrity of digital signal continuously, time to failure can be predicted in real time depending on the extent of wire damage. In addition, an accelerated wire abrasion test was designed to damage wires gradually. During the abrasion test, the integrity of the transmitted digital signal was continuously deteriorated. The monitored signal makes it possible to extrapolate the degradation pattern of the signal parameters depending on the extent of wire damage. Thus, the results in this study validate that the proposed method is capable of monitoring the wire damage to diagnose a wiring system with real-time information.

Feasible attack on detector-device-independent quantum key distribution

Recently, to bridge the gap between security of Measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution (MDI-QKD) and a high key rate, a novel protocol, the so-called detector-device-independent QKD (DDI-QKD), has been independently proposed by several groups and has attracted great interest. A higher key rate is obtained, since a single photon bell state measurement (BSM) setup is applied to DDI-QKD. Subsequently, Qi has proposed two attacks for this protocol. However, the first attack, in which Bob’s BSM setup is assumed to be completely a “black box”, is easily prevented by using some additional monitoring devices or by specifically characterizing the BSM. The second attack, which combines the blinding attack and the detector wavelength-dependent efficiency, is not explicitly discussed, and its feasibility is not experimentally confirmed. Here, we show that the second attack is not technically viable because of an intrinsically wavelength-dependent property of a realistic beam splitter, which is an essential component in DDI-QKD. Moreover, we propose a feasible attack that combines a well-known attack—detector blinding attack with intrinsic imperfections of single-photon detectors. The experimental measurement and proof-of-principle test results confirm that our attack can allow Eve to get a copy of quantum keys without being detected and that it is feasible with current technology.

Initial assessment and treatment of refugees in the Mediterranean Sea (a secondary data analysis concerning the initial assessment and treatment of 2656 refugees rescued from distress at sea in support of the EUNAVFOR MED relief mission of the EU).

BackgroundAs a part of the European Union Naval Force – Mediterranean Operation Sophia (EUNAVFOR Med), the Federal Republic of Germany is contributing to avoid further loss of lives at sea by supplying two naval vessels. In the study presented here we analyse the medical requirements of such rescue missions, as well as the potential benefits of various additional monitoring devices in identifying sick/injured refugees within the primary onboard medical assessment process.MethodsRetrospective analysis of the data collected between May – September 2015 from a German Naval Force frigate. Initial data collection focused on the primary medical assessment and treatment process of refugees rescued from distress at sea. Descriptive statistics, uni- and multivariate analysis were performed. The study has received a positive vote from the Ethics Commission of the University of Ulm, Germany (request no. 284/15) and has been registered in the German Register of Clinical Studies (no. DRKS00009535).ResultsA total of 2656 refugees had been rescued. 16.9 % of them were classified as “medical treatment required” within the initial onboard medical assessment process. In addition to the clinical assessment by an emergency physician, pulse rate (PR), core body temperature (CBT) and oxygen saturation (SpO2) were evaluated. Sick/injured refugees displayed a statistically significant higher PR (114/min vs. 107/min; p < .001) and CBT (37.1 °C vs. 36.7 °C; p < .001). There was no statistically significant difference in SpO2-values. The same results were found for the subgroup of patients classified as “treatment at emergency hospital required”. However, a much larger difference of the mean PR and CBT (35/min resp. 1.8 °C) was found when examining the subgroups of the corresponding refugee boats. A cut-off value of clinical importance could not be found. Predominant diagnoses have been dermatological diseases (55.4), followed by internal diseases (27.7) and trauma (12.1 %). None of the refugees classified as “healthy” within the primary medical assessment process changed to “medical treatment required” during further observation.ConclusionsThe initial medical assessment by an emergency physician has proved successful. PR, CBT and SpO2 didn’t have any clinical impact to improve the identification of sick/injured refugees within the primary onboard assessment process.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13049-016-0270-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Introduction of new monitors into clinical anesthesia

There are an increasing number of monitors being developed to measure physiological parameters during the perioperative period. This review provides an overview of some of these new monitors developed for use in clinical anesthesia and outlines the potential advantages of each device. Pitfalls concerning the introduction of additional monitoring devices and the research gaps for introducing these monitors into clinical practice are discussed. Many novel monitoring technologies have been developed, with invasive and noninvasive cardiac output monitoring devices and advanced display technologies being especially prominent. Most of the published literature focuses on monitor efficacy, whereas issues of technology integration and acceptability are given less emphasis. Research on novel display technologies is not integrated with the monitor development, nor is the display of new information considered during the development of new monitors. More research is needed on how to integrate the newly developed monitors into the clinical context to assist information-overloaded anesthesiologists. This is essential to achieve the potential benefit of new monitoring devices.

Management of head injury in the intensive-care unit

Approximately one million patients present to hospital in the UK each year having suffered a head injury. The vast majority of these patients have minor (GCS 13–15) or moderate injuries (GCS 9–12) and approximately half are less than 16 yrs old. In adults the age distribution is bimodal, comprising young people (15–29 yrs) involved in road traffic accidents (responsible for approximately 50% of head injuries) and elderly people involved in domestic accidents. Overall, males are 2–3 times more likely to have a head injury than females. Head injury is associated with tremendous mortality and morbidity. One percent of all deaths in the UK are attributed to head injury; up to 85% of all severely head-injured patients remain disabled after 1 yr and only 15% have returned to work at 5 yrs. Even after apparently mild head injury, nearly 50% of patients have moderate or severe disability 1 yr later and only 45% return to full functional activity. Therefore, for both individual and economic reasons, small improvements in the management of head-injured patients may have a great effect on outcome. This article will address the main principles of head-injury management in the intensive-care unit (ICU) after severe isolated traumatic brain injury, the use of additional monitoring devices and alternative management protocols. Some of the pitfalls and failures of head-injury research and some of the potential areas of future development are discussed. The management of patients with multiple trauma will not be addressed.

Role of Monitoring Devices in Prevention of Anesthetic Mishaps

Anesthesiologist-reviewers examined 1,175 anesthetic-related closed malpractice claims from 17 professional liability insurance companies. The claims were filed between 1974 and 1988. The reviewers were asked to determine if the negative outcome was preventable by proper use of additional monitoring devices available at the time of the review even if not available at the time the incident occurred, and if so, which devices could have been preventative. In 1,097 cases sufficient information was available to make a judgment regarding preventability of the morbidity or mortality by application of additional monitoring devices. It was determined that 31.5% of the negative outcomes could have been prevented by application of additional monitors. Using the insurance industry's scale of 0 (no injury) to 9 (death), the median severity of injury for incidents deemed preventable was 9 compared with 5 for those deemed not preventable (P less than 0.01, scale detailed in text). The severity of injury scores were the same for preventable mishaps occurring during regional or general anesthesia, suggesting that additional monitoring devices may be equally efficacious in preventing serious negative outcomes during either regional or general anesthesia. The judgements or settlements of the incidents judged preventable by additional monitoring were 11 times more costly (P less than 0.01) than those mishaps not judged preventable. The monitors determined by the reviewers to be most useful in mishap prevention were pulse oximetry plus capnometry. Applied together, these two technologies were considered potentially preventative in 93% of the preventable mishaps.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A CAMAC based real-time noise analysis system for nuclear reactors

A CAMAC based real-time noise analysis system was designed for the TRIGA MARK II nuclear reactor at the Institute for Nuclear Energy, Istanbul. The input analog signals obtained from the radiation detectors are introduced to the system through CAMAC interface. The signals converted into digital form are processed by a PDP-11 computer. The fast data processing based on auto/cross power spectral density computations is carried out by means of assembly written FFT algorithms in real-time and the spectra obtained are displayed on a CAMAC driven display system as an additional monitoring device. The system has the advantage of being software programmable and controlled by a CAMAC system so that it is operated under program control for reactor surveillance, anomaly detection and diagnosis. The system can also be used for the identification of nonstationary operational characteristics of the reactor in long term by comparing the noise power spectra with the corresponding reference noise patterns prepared in advance.

Microprocessor control of a small vacuum system

A microcomputer has been used to control the pumping sequence of a small vacuum coating plant. The control panel is operated by four push switch controls labelled start, calibrate, closedown and abort. The operator initially prepares the specimen and the coating material inside the vessel then pushes the start switch. The pumping and coating operations are automatically carried out according to a predetermined time sequence. When the coating operation is completed, the vessel is cooled and returned to atmospheric pressure and the operator is summoned to prepare for the next coating operation. At this stage the calibration push switch allows any drift in the electronic monitoring equipment to be corrected. The closedown push switch will systematically shut down the system when all the coating operations have been completed, whilst the abort push switch allow the system to be immediately shut down at any stage in the event of a system failure. The system software and hardware have been described in detail. The software is based upon the Intel 8080 instruction set and is written in a modular format. The software controls the the pumps, valves and pressure gauges so that they operate in the correct sequence for the required time period. All the input/output interface circuits between the microcomputer and the components of the pumping system have been designed using standard TTL circuits. The overall design is extremely flexible and additional monitoring devices and alternative operating schedules may be readily introduced.

Assessing the therapeutic effects of art: An illustrated case study

Despite the availability of descriptive case material, there is a considerable deficit in attempts to assess the effects of art therapy objectively. The lack of systematic study may indicate the problems of successfully evaluating any therapeutic process. Standard techniques are often inflexible and insensitive in measurement. These problems can be overcome to a certain extent by monitoring change as it occurs. Slater (1976) monitored changes in a patient’s mental state by means of a personal questionnaire. Records were obtained before and after sessions of psychotherapy and occupational therapy and it proved possible to compare the effects of the two treatments. The inherent features of art therapy lend some assistance to problems in its overall evaluation. The efforts of the patient result in some type of art form which potentially forms the basis for an evaluation and analysis by the patient of his own work and achievements. Also, the objects produced in the session are durable and survive in time; both patient and therapist are therefore able to refer back to previous work as an index of and comparison between his past and present mental state. By showing differences in content and quality, paintings can act as sensitive indicators of change and thereby an additional monitoring device of the therapeutic process. This individual case report describes the course of events in a series of art therapy sessions. Progress is monitored by a self-rating questionnaire and simultaneous assessment of the patient’s work. When considered together, these provide clarification and potential for analysis of the immediate effects of each session. This also allows a global view of the overall therapeutic effect.