Monitoring Practices Research Articles

The Cathay Pacific Incident under Public Opinion Monitoring: A Case Study of Discrimination against Mainland Passengers and Public Opinion Leadership

This thesis analyzes the Cathay Pacific Airways incident in depth, and reveals the important role of public opinion monitoring in corporate crisis management in the new media era through a detailed analysis of the background of the incident, the mechanism of public opinion monitoring, and the response of the enterprise, with a view to providing theoretical guidance and inspiration for the practice of public opinion monitoring in the future through an in-depth analysis of the case. Through the revelation and reflection of the incident, the thesis emphasizes the positive impact of public opinion monitoring on corporate information transparency, public relations team building and staff training. The Cathay Pacific incident provides valuable experience for enterprises, emphasizing the importance of strengthening interaction with the public, responding quickly, and building a professional team in crisis management. In the era of new media, the power of public opinion monitoring cannot be ignored. Enterprises need to treat the public opinion environment with prudence and continuously improve their crisis management level in order to ensure sound public relations and sustainable development of the enterprise.

The role of healthcare providers and caregivers in monitoring critically ill children: a qualitative study in a tertiary hospital, southern Malawi

BackgroundCritically ill children require close monitoring to facilitate timely interventions throughout their hospitalisation. In low- and middle-income countries with a high disease burden, scarce paediatric critical care resources complicates effective monitoring. This study describes the monitoring practices for critically ill children in a paediatric high-dependency unit (HDU) in Malawi and examines factors affecting this vital process.MethodsA formative qualitative study based on 21 in-depth interviews of healthcare providers (n = 12) and caregivers of critically ill children (n = 9) in the HDU along with structured observations of the monitoring process. Interviews were transcribed and translated for thematic content analysis.ResultsThe monitoring of critically ill children admitted to the HDU was intermittent, using devices and through clinical observations. Healthcare providers prioritised the most critically ill children for more frequent monitoring. The ward layout, power outages, lack of human resources and limited familiarity with available monitoring devices, affected monitoring. Caregivers, who were present throughout admission, were involved informally in monitoring and flagging possible deterioration of their child to the healthcare staff.ConclusionBarriers to the monitoring of critically ill children in the HDU were related to ward layout and infrastructure, availability of accurate monitoring devices and limited human resources. Potential interventions include training healthcare providers to prioritise the most critically ill children, allocate and effectively employ available devices, and supporting caregivers to play a more formal role in escalation.

Report of the 2022 Perfusion Perspectives of Waste Anesthetic Gas Exposure Survey

To describe perfusionist perspectives regarding waste anesthetic gas (WAG) management during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and compare results to existing American Society of Extracorporeal Technology (AmSECT) guidelines and the 2016 National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health Survey of healthcare workers and anesthesia care providers. We developed a questionnaire with 26 questions covering institutional demographics, use of anesthetic gases, scavenging systems, and air monitoring practices. Web-based survey. Self-identified board-eligible perfusionist members of AmSECT, the American Academy of Cardiovascular Perfusion, and the Maryland and Wisconsin State Perfusion Societies in 2022. None. Of the 4,303 providers sent the survey, 365 (8.5%) participated. Although 92% of the respondents (335/364) routinely administered inhaled anesthetics via the oxygenator, only 73.2% (259/354) routinely scavenged WAG during CPB cases. Only 6.6% of the respondents (22/336) conducted environmental monitoring for WAG levels. Cited reasons for not scavenging waste gases included a lack of applicable protocols and waste gas scavenging systems, excessive cost, and no need for scavenging. Our findings identify a gap between AmSECT guidelines and current perfusionist behavior and suggest potential strategies for reducing WAG leakage during CPB. Effective management should incorporate hazard awareness training, availability of standard procedures to minimize exposure, scavenging systems, regular equipment inspection, and prompt attention to spills and leaks. In high-risk environments, environmental surveillance for waste gas levels would also contribute to waste gas safety. A comprehensive approach to managing waste anesthetic gases will reduce WAG leakage, help improve health care worker safety, and prevent potential adverse effects of exposure.

The role of monitoring skills in mediating the association between parent's hazardous alcohol consumption and adolescents' drinking.

This study aimed to investigate whether parental monitoring skills mediate the effect of hazardous parental alcohol consumption on adolescents' lifetime alcohol use. This three wave longitudinal study was conducted with 884 families (n = 1,768 participants) to evaluate the effectiveness of a family-based drug prevention program for adolescents and parents across 12 Brazilian cities. We used structural equation mediation modeling to analyze the effect of hazardous parental alcohol consumption at baseline on adolescents' lifetime alcohol use at 12-month follow-up, mediated by parental monitoring skills latent dimension at 6-month follow-up. We found a significant indirect effect of parents' hazardous alcohol use on adolescents' alcohol use through parental monitoring (OR:1.18, 95%CI:1.02;1.36). Our finding underscores the importance of comprehensive preventive family alcohol approaches targeting adolescent alcohol use, which should consider both parental drinking behavior and monitoring practices.

Inferior vena cava filter use at a large community hospital: a retrospective cohort study

Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are considered when patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) develop a contraindication to anticoagulation. Use of IVC filters is increasing, despite associated complications and lack of data on efficacy in reducing VTE-related mortality. We characterized the pattern of IVC filter use at a large community hospital between 2018 and 2022. Specifically, we assessed the indications for IVC filter insertion, filter removal rates, and filter-associated complications. Indications for IVC filters were compared to those outlined by current clinical practice guidelines. We reviewed 120 consecutive filter placement events. The most common indications included recent VTE and active bleeding (40.0%) or need for anticoagulation interruption for surgery (25.8%). Approximately one-third (30.0%) of IVC filters were inserted for indications either not supported or addressed by guidelines. Half (50.0%) of patients had successful removal of their IVC filter. At least 13 patients (10.8%) experienced a filter-related complication. In a large community-based practice, nearly one-third of IVC filters were inserted for indications not universally supported by current practice guidelines. Moreover, most IVC filters were not removed, raising the risk of filter-associated complications, and supporting the need for development of comprehensive guidelines addressing use of IVC filters, and post-insertion monitoring practices.

Multiplexed ImmunoSpot™ enables streamlined assessment of antigen-specific B cells; lessons toward maximizing cell utilization and increasing sample throughput

Abstract There are few techniques capable of detecting rare antigen-specific B cells while also providing information regarding their abundance, Ig class/subclass usage and functional affinity. The ImmunoSpot™ assay approach is suited for such antigen-specific B cell assessments since it provides information at single-cell resolution for individual ASC. Moreover, recently introduced innovations in the implementation of this assay modality have opened the door to testing larger sample sets. Towards this objective, multiplexed B cell FluoroSpot assays reduce the cell material requirement through parallel assessment of multiple Ig classes or IgG subclasses. Nevertheless, accurate determination of ASC frequencies, especially in the context of diverse antigen panels and complex exposure histories, is best achieved through evaluating multiple cell inputs to accommodate the inherent variability present within and amongst individual donors. The scope of this research effort was to further optimize the assay pipeline to facilitate high-throughput suitable assessment of antigen-specific ASC. This goal has been achieved through introducing advancements in the image analysis software component, improving both the time requirement and precision of downstream data analysis. Collectively, implementation of these assay optimizations serves to increase the feasibility of making high-throughput assessment of antigen-specific ASC using the ImmunoSpot™ approach a routine practice in immune monitoring.

FEASIBILITY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF A RING-TYPE BLOOD PRESSURE MEASUREMENT DEVICE COMPARED WITH 24-HOUR AMBULATORY BLOOD PRESSURE MONITORING DEVICE

Objective: This investigation aimed to assess the feasibility and accuracy of the CART-I Plus, a novel ring-type cuffless blood pressure (BP) measuring device and compare its performance with standard 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). Design and method: The study recruited 40 patients, of which 33 were included in the final analysis. Participants were instructed to wear both the CART-I Plus and the ABPM devices on the same arm for a duration of approximately 24 hours. The BP readings obtained from the CART-I Plus, which utilizes photoplethysmography (PPG) signals for measurement, were compared against those from the ABPM. Results: In terms of systolic/diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP) readings, the CART-I Plus recorded values of 131.4±14.1 / 81.1±12.0 mmHg, 132.7±13.9 / 81.9±11.9 mmHg, and 128.7±14.6 / 79.3±12.2 mmHg for the 24-hour, daytime, and nighttime periods, respectively. In comparison, the ABPM showed readings of 129.7±11.7 / 84.4±11.2 mmHg, 131.9±11.6 / 86.3±11.1 mmHg, and 124.5±13.6 / 80.0±12.2 mmHg for the same intervals. The mean variances in SBP/DBP between the CART-I Plus and ABPM were 1.74±6.69 / -3.24±6.51 mmHg, 0.75±7.44 / -4.41±7.42 mmHg, and 4.15±6.15 / -0.67±5.23 mmHg for the 24-hour, daytime, and nighttime measurements, respectively. Furthermore, a significant correlation was observed between the devices, with correlation coefficients of r=0.725 for SBP and r=0.750 for DBP during the transition from daytime to nighttime (both p <0.001). Conclusions: The CART-I Plus device, with its innovative ring-type design, demonstrates considerable accuracy in BP measurement, aligning closely with the established ABPM method. These findings indicate that the CART-I Plus could be an effective tool for continuous BP monitoring in clinical settings. Its ability to provide consistent and reliable measurements, along with the convenience of its cuffless design, highlights its potential as a valuable addition to current BP monitoring practices.

Evaluation of a Clinical Decision Support Tool to Guide Adoption of the American Heart Association Telemetry Monitoring Practice Standards.

The objectives of this study were to (1) evaluate telemetry use pre- and postimplementation of clinical decision support tools to support American Heart Association practice standards for telemetry monitoring and (2) understand the factors that may contribute to variation of telemetry monitoring in practice. First, we captured overall variability in telemetry use pre- and postimplementation of the clinical decision support intervention. We then conducted semistructured interviews with telemetry-ordering providers to identify key barriers and facilitators to adoption. During the study period, 399 physicians met criteria for inclusion and were divided into excessive and nonexcessive orderers. Distribution of telemetry use was bimodal. Among nonexcessive users, 24.4% of patient days were with telemetry compared with 51.6% among excessive users. On average, both excessive (6.1% reduction) and nonexcessive users (2.8% reduction) decreased telemetry use postimplementation, and these reductions were sustained over a 16-month period. Sixteen interviews were conducted. Physicians believed that the tool was successful because it caused them to more closely consider if telemetry was indicated for each patient. Physicians also voiced frustration with interruptions to their workflow, and some noted that they commonly use telemetry outside of practice standards to monitor patients who were acutely but not critically ill. Embedding telemetry practice standards into the electronic health record in the form of clinical decision support is effective at reducing excess telemetry use. Although the intervention was well received, there are persistent barriers, such as preexisting views on telemetry and existing workflow habits, that may inhibit higher adoption of standards.

Nuteen: Langkah Awal Mendukung Program 8000 Hari Pertama Kehidupan

Adolescents are an age group from children to adults who need good nutrition to create quality humans. The nutritional status of adolescents plays an essential role in the 8000 HPK and the future of the next generation. Based on previous studies in RT 007 Dusun Demangan, Ponogaran, Banguntapan, Bantul, there is no youth posyandu, only Paguyuban Muda Mudi. This association was formed to be involved in social activities. The formation of Nuteen is one way to form peer education or peer educators, which is expected to accelerate changes in healthy living behavior in anemia-free teenagers in preparation for 8000 HPK. Activities are carried out every Saturday afternoon. Activities will be carried out during June-December 2023. Providing education about anemia and the importance of maintaining food intake and nutritional monitoring practices for adolescents in preparation for 8000 HPK and independent calcal and outdoor discussions. Introduction of healthy, cheap, and nutritious local food with a demonstration and snack cooking competition to prevent anemia by teenagers. Giving pre and posttests to measure the level of knowledge of adolescents regarding anemia. The activity went well; 2 teenagers were anemic. Physical symptoms of anemia are felt by most teenagers. Local food ingredients can be applied in creating snack menus during competitions. Activities must be carried out routinely and continuously to improve adolescents' nutritional status and anemia status. The introduction of local food ingredients impacts references for healthy snacks for teenagers.

When Infections Are Found: A Qualitative Study Characterizing Best Management Practices for Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection and Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection Performance Monitoring and Feedback.

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain a significant patient safety problem that can lead to illness and death, despite the implementation of clinical bundles to prevent HAIs. Management practices can support HAI prevention, but their role in HAI performance monitoring and feedback is not well understood. To address this knowledge gap, we previously conducted semi-structured interviews with staff at 18 hospitals to examine the role of management practices around the prevention of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). Interview transcripts were analyzed to identify themes related to HAI performance monitoring and feedback. The current analysis focuses on 10 higher-performing hospitals that were successful in preventing CLABSIs and CAUTIs. These institutions had robust practices including timely event analysis, leadership engagement, and multidisciplinary participation in HAI reviews. Across these sites, we found common goals including investigating HAIs without blame and identifying opportunities for improvement. Management practices such as timely analysis of HAIs, collaboration between facility leadership and multidisciplinary team members, and a focus on identifying the failure of a procedure or protocol, rather than the failure of staff members, are all approaches that can support infection prevention efforts. These management practices may be especially important as hospitals attempt to address increases in CLABSI and CAUTI rates that may have occurred during the coronavirus pandemic.

Effects of spatial variability in vegetation phenology, climate, landcover, biodiversity, topography, and soil property on soil respiration across a coastal ecosystem

Coastal terrestrial-aquatic interfaces (TAIs) are crucial contributors to global biogeochemical cycles and carbon exchange. The soil carbon dioxide (CO2) efflux in these transition zones is however poorly understood due to the high spatiotemporal dynamics of TAIs, as various sub-ecosystems in this region are compressed and expanded by complex influences of tides, changes in river levels, climate, and land use. We focus on the Chesapeake Bay region to (i) investigate the spatial heterogeneity of the coastal ecosystem and identify spatial zones with similar environmental characteristics based on the spatial data layers, including vegetation phenology, climate, landcover, diversity, topography, soil property, and relative tidal elevation; (ii) understand the primary driving factors affecting soil respiration within sub-ecosystems of the coastal ecosystem. Specifically, we employed hierarchical clustering analysis to identify spatial regions with distinct environmental characteristics, followed by the determination of main driving factors using Random Forest regression and SHapley Additive exPlanations. Maximum and minimum temperature are the main drivers common to all sub-ecosystems, while each region also has additional unique major drivers that differentiate them from one another. Precipitation exerts an influence on vegetated lands, while soil pH value holds importance specifically in forested lands. In croplands characterized by high clay content and low sand content, the significant role is attributed to bulk density. Wetlands demonstrate the importance of both elevation and sand content, with clay content being more relevant in non-inundated wetlands than in inundated wetlands. The topographic wetness index significantly contributes to the mixed vegetation areas, including shrub, grass, pasture, and forest. Additionally, our research reveals that dense vegetation land covers and urban/developed areas exhibit distinct soil property drivers. Overall, our research demonstrates an efficient method of employing various open-source remote sensing and GIS datasets to comprehend the spatial variability and soil respiration mechanisms in coastal TAI. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to modeling carbon fluxes released by soil respiration in coastal TAIs, and our study highlights the importance of further research and monitoring practices to improve our understanding of carbon dynamics and promote the sustainable management of coastal TAIs.

Understanding Symptom Self-Monitoring Needs Among Postpartum Black Patients: Qualitative Interview Study.

Pregnancy-related death is on the rise in the United States, and there are significant disparities in outcomes for Black patients. Most solutions that address pregnancy-related death are hospital based, which rely on patients recognizing symptoms and seeking care from a health system, an area where many Black patients have reported experiencing bias. There is a need for patient-centered solutions that support and encourage postpartum people to seek care for severe symptoms. We aimed to determine the design needs for a mobile health (mHealth) patient-reported outcomes and decision-support system to assist Black patients in assessing when to seek medical care for severe postpartum symptoms. These findings may also support different perinatal populations and minoritized groups in other clinical settings. We conducted semistructured interviews with 36 participants-15 (42%) obstetric health professionals, 10 (28%) mental health professionals, and 11 (31%) postpartum Black patients. The interview questions included the following: current practices for symptom monitoring, barriers to and facilitators of effective monitoring, and design requirements for an mHealth system that supports monitoring for severe symptoms. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. We analyzed transcripts using directed content analysis and the constant comparative process. We adopted a thematic analysis approach, eliciting themes deductively using conceptual frameworks from health behavior and human information processing, while also allowing new themes to inductively arise from the data. Our team involved multiple coders to promote reliability through a consensus process. Our findings revealed considerations related to relevant symptom inputs for postpartum support, the drivers that may affect symptom processing, and the design needs for symptom self-monitoring and patient decision-support interventions. First, participants viewed both somatic and psychological symptom inputs as important to capture. Second, self-perception; previous experience; sociocultural, financial, environmental, and health systems-level factors were all perceived to impact how patients processed, made decisions about, and acted upon their symptoms. Third, participants provided recommendations for system design that involved allowing for user control and freedom. They also stressed the importance of careful wording of decision-support messages, such that messages that recommend them to seek care convey urgency but do not provoke anxiety. Alternatively, messages that recommend they may not need care should make the patient feel heard and reassured. Future solutions for postpartum symptom monitoring should include both somatic and psychological symptoms, which may require combining existing measures to elicit symptoms in a nuanced manner. Solutions should allow for varied, safe interactions to suit individual needs. While mHealth or other apps may not be able to address all the social or financial needs of a person, they may at least provide information, so that patients can easily access other supportive resources.

Calibration and validation of the HydroColor and Citclops smartphone applications for water quality monitoring

Water quality monitoring, essential for safeguarding ecosystems and human health, has gained increasing significance as societies worldwide prioritize environmental awareness and sustainable practices. Therefore, this study evaluates the performance of two smartphone applications (APPs), HydroColor and Citclops (now EyeOnWater), in estimating water quality parameters such as turbidity, the concentration of suspended particulate matter ([SPM]), and colour. By comparing laboratory and hyperspectral sensors measurements with water quality parameters estimated from smartphone images, the study assessed the accuracy and efficiency of the transfer functions employed by these APPs. The study findings revealed varying degrees of accuracy, with HydroColor R2 values of 0.36 and 0.83 for turbidity and [SPM], respectively, while Citclops achieved an R2 value of 0.7 for colour estimation. The study identified limitations in both APPs, particularly in their applicability to different water systems. These insights underscore the importance of proper calibration and validation procedures for smartphone-based water quality monitoring APPs. Also, the findings underscore the growing significance of smartphone APPs in enabling accessible and real-time monitoring of water quality, highlighting their potential to revolutionize the democratization of environmental monitoring practices through citizen science. Ultimately, this research contributes to the advancement of smartphone-based monitoring initiatives to inform decision-making processes in environmental management, and enhancing our understanding of water quality dynamics in diverse environments.

Monitoring Open Science as transformative change: Towards a systemic framework.

Following a flurry of policies for Open Science (OS), there is now a wave of initiatives to monitor its adoption. However, the great diversity of understandings and activities related to Open Science makes monitoring very challenging. There is a danger that by focusing on what can be readily observed (e.g. publications) many other OS activities are overlooked (e.g. participation), with a potential narrowing of OS scope, streetlight effects, and deviation from the values of OS. Since Open Science can be understood as a systemic transformation of the research system, we have borrowed concepts from Transformative Innovation Policies frameworks which aim at evaluating socio-technical transitions. In accordance with this view of OS as a systemic transformation, we propose that the new monitoring efforts should shift towards: (i) systemic perspectives which considers the various actions related to OS, including policies and outputs (e.g. datasets) but also processes (e.g. participatory events), outcomes (e.g. citizen interest in science) and expected impacts (e.g. better scientific contributions to addressing societal problems); (ii) implementation of monitoring as reflexive learning (rather than accountability or benchmarking); (iii) mapping the directionality of the activities and the values associated with the choices in directions. In summary, a monitoring framework for OS requires a profound change in conventional monitoring practices. The scope should broaden from current focus on outputs (such as publications) towards the processes of connection that make science 'open' (usage, co-creation and dialogue), as well as towards outcomes (changes in practices) and the longer-term impacts that reflect the values and normative commitments of OS.

Nurses' practice of metabolic monitoring for patients on antipsychotics in Lesotho.

Severe mental illness is associated with higher physical health morbidities and reduced life expectancy, with an estimated 14.3% of global deaths attributed to mental disorders. Antipsychotic medications (APs) used in treatment contribute to physical health issues, including metabolic and cardiovascular effects. The aim of this study was to assess nurses' practices regarding metabolic monitoring for patients prescribed antipsychotic medications at Mohlomi Hospital in Lesotho. The study was conducted at Mohlomi Hospital, the primary psychiatric facility in Lesotho. Using a cross-sectional design, 44 nurses from Mohlomi Hospital participated in the study. A structured questionnaire assessed nurses' metabolic monitoring practices. Most of the respondents were female (n = 30, 75%), and minority were male (n = 10, 25%). The academic qualifications of respondents were distributed as follows: 40% (16) held a nursing assistant certificate and 22.5% (9) held an advanced nursing diploma, among others. The average age of all respondents was 39.05 (s.d. 8.9), with an average of 8 years of experience in psychiatry (s.d. 7.6). The overall rate of nurses' practices of metabolic monitoring for patients taking antipsychotic medications showed variability, with a mean score of 2.83 (s.d. 0.524). However, only 20% performed ECG tests, 22.5% measured blood pressure, 27.5% tested for glucose abnormalities and 17.5% conducted lipid profile testing. Results revealed a significant gap in the practice of metabolic monitoring among nurses with various aspects of metabolic monitoring, not being adequately monitored. The study's findings shall inform policy and guidelines for monitoring patients on antipsychotic medications while guiding future research.

Systematic review of predictive maintenance and digital twin technologies challenges, opportunities, and best practices.

Maintaining machines effectively continues to be a challenge for industrial organisations, which frequently employ reactive or premeditated methods. Recent research has begun to shift its attention towards the application of Predictive Maintenance (PdM) and Digital Twins (DT) principles in order to improve maintenance processes. PdM technologies have the capacity to significantly improve profitability, safety, and sustainability in various industries. Significantly, precise equipment estimation, enabled by robust supervised learning techniques, is critical to the efficacy of PdM in conjunction with DT development. This study underscores the application of PdM and DT, exploring its transformative potential across domains demanding real-time monitoring. Specifically, it delves into emerging fields in healthcare, utilities (smart water management), and agriculture (smart farm), aligning with the latest research frontiers in these areas. Employing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria, this study highlights diverse modeling techniques shaping asset lifetime evaluation within the PdM context from 34 scholarly articles. The study revealed four important findings: various PdM and DT modelling techniques, their diverse approaches, predictive outcomes, and implementation of maintenance management. These findings align with the ongoing exploration of emerging applications in healthcare, utilities (smart water management), and agriculture (smart farm). In addition, it sheds light on the critical functions of PdM and DT, emphasising their extraordinary ability to drive revolutionary change in dynamic industrial challenges. The results highlight these methodologies' flexibility and application across many industries, providing vital insights into their potential to revolutionise asset management and maintenance practice for real-time monitoring. Therefore, this systematic review provides a current and essential resource for academics, practitioners, and policymakers to refine PdM strategies and expand the applicability of DT in diverse industrial sectors.

Performance validation for an Internet of Things (IoT)-based Model for hydro-electric monitoring

Globally, hydro-power has been considered the cheapest renewable source of energy. This form of energy production entirely depends on the water levels which in turn causes a major concern of ensuring that the monitoring systems involved are capable of ensuring monitoring in the prevention of disasters. The disasters involved range from floods and drought conditions that would lead to low power production led by lack of enough water draining in the reservoirs'. Several systems have been implemented to come up with a convenient and efficient monitoring system. With the freedom given to software developers in developing the procedures, an evaluation of the system's performance must be performed to enable this transformation. Therefore, the study selected an already existing real-time monitoring system using Lora Technology in hydroelectric monitoring to conduct the performance validation. A total of one hundred and twenty readings were taken to be validated with the other models used. Consistency, accuracy, latency, and throughput were used to validate the IoT-based model's performance. During the performance validation, the study found that the system achieved all the functionalities expected in its assessment. Therefore, IoT-based systems have the potential to inform future hydroelectric monitoring practices.

Best Practice for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Infliximab: Position Statement from the International Association of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and Clinical Toxicology.

Infliximab, an anti-tumor necrosis factor monoclonal antibody, has revolutionized the pharmacological management of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs). This position statement critically reviews and examines existing data on therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of infliximab in patients with IMIDs. It provides a practical guide on implementing TDM in current clinical practices and outlines priority areas for future research. The endorsing TDM of Biologics and Pharmacometrics Committees of the International Association of TDM and Clinical Toxicology collaborated to create this position statement. Accumulating data support the evidence for TDM of infliximab in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases, with limited investigation in other IMIDs. A universal approach to TDM may not fully realize the benefits of improving therapeutic outcomes. Patients at risk for increased infliximab clearance, particularly with a proactive strategy, stand to gain the most from TDM. Personalized exposure targets based on therapeutic goals, patient phenotype, and infliximab administration route are recommended. Rapid assays and home sampling strategies offer flexibility for point-of-care TDM. Ongoing studies on model-informed precision dosing in inflammatory bowel disease will help assess the additional value of precision dosing software tools. Patient education and empowerment, and electronic health record-integrated TDM solutions will facilitate routine TDM implementation. Although optimization of therapeutic effectiveness is a primary focus, the cost-reducing potential of TDM also merits consideration. Successful implementation of TDM for infliximab necessitates interdisciplinary collaboration among clinicians, hospital pharmacists, and (quantitative) clinical pharmacologists to ensure an efficient research trajectory.

The Application of Bridge Monitoring Projects Exploiting Time Series Data of Structural Health Monitoring

Since the first attempts of Structural Health Monitoring the Vienna Consulting Engineers (VCE) have been involved to advance the BRIMOS technology which offers a wide range of services to engineers and operators of infrastructure networks. Over the last decade the dynamic behavior of hundreds of structures has been measured and evaluated. However, the current practice in Structural Health Monitoring is still a case to case approach which needs a lot of experience for proper interpretation and assessment of the investigated objects. The integration of new technologies is wanted to support and automate the evaluation process as well as increase the objectivity within the assessment routines. This paper shall indicate the need for innovate methods and tools from a user’s point of view and gives a short insight to the workflow and infrastructure of BRIMOS. The efforts which are undertaken within the BRIMOS infrastructure show the approach towards the application of data mining instruments to benefit for future and also from past monitoring projects. Datamining, Time Series Analysis, Knowledge Base, Structural Health Monitoring

Statistical Process Monitoring from Industry 2.0 to Industry 4.0: Insights into Research and Practice

Industry 4.0 has emerged as an important era for process monitoring and improvement. Our expository paper provides a historical perspective on research and practice of statistical process monitoring (SPM) from the 1920s to the present to bring a high-level view of current practice and research directions. We focus on the Industry 4.0 era, which began around 2011 with the introduction of cyber-physical systems and the growth of the Internet of Things. These technological changes have brought tremendous challenges and opportunities to SPM that can only be met with new paradigms for the problems we aim to solve and the approaches we use to evaluate SPM methodology. We provide our perspective on these challenges, primarily focusing on industrial applications. We give recommendations on the evaluation and comparison of monitoring methods to improve the usefulness of research in this area.