Monitoring Routines Research Articles

Interaction between regional and magma-induced stresses and their impact on volcano-tectonic seismicity

Recent seismological observations have reported volcano-tectonic (VT) earthquakes with fault-plane solutions exhibiting a change of ~90° in their pressure axes relative to the regional stress field. Interestingly, they are recorded mainly during periods preceding eruptive activity and coexisting with those VTs showing a regional trend. This study explains the occurrence of such trends in VT seismicity and discusses the possible patterns of earthquake locations related to the interaction of regional and magma-induced stresses caused by pressurization or depressurization of magmatic sources. Our analysis shows that in the presence of a dominant regional stress field, faulting will occur on faults whose associated slip direction is close to or in agreement with the background regional stress. Failure on faults with an opposite slip direction is unlikely to occur. As magma pressure starts counter-acting the regional stresses, the likelihood of faults to slip in either a regional or opposite sense of slip relative to regional maximum compression increases, allowing the co-existence of possible failure with both slip tendencies, however the spatial distribution of possible faulting differs. As the pressure is progressively increased, the stress patterns gradually approach those corresponding to the absence of a regional stress field. The presented modeling results have implications for volcanic monitoring routines aiming to detect changes in stress patterns. They will ultimately help to improve the correct interpretation of volcano-tectonic seismicity.

Contamination monitoring in the forensic DNA laboratory and a simple graphical model for unbiased EPG classification

Monitoring presence and level of background DNA in forensic DNA laboratory environments can be used to control work routines and cleaning procedures and to follow changes in these, as well as being an indicator for increased/decreased contamination risk. Previous monitoring routines as sampling and interpretation have not been standardised, making it difficult to compare between different sampling events and observe potential trends. Factor analysis was used to generate a simple graphical classification model for unbiased ranking of electropherograms, which can be modified according to user's need, taking into account number of detected alleles, markers and peak height.

East-Side story: The standardisation of psychotropic drugs at the Charité Psychiatric Clinic, 1955–1970

The present article illustrates the history of psychotropic drugs introduced in the German Democratic Republic (GDR) from 1945 onwards. We begin by examining the introduction of an anti-depressant and a tranquilizer at the university psychiatric clinic, Charité, in East Berlin. On the basis of patient files, we consider the monitoring routines, altered by the use of psychotropic drugs, and the difficulties that arose when these routines were translated into existing research programs. In the 1960s, attempts to evaluate the psychiatric practice were based on psychopathology whereas at the end of the 1960s there was a shift to “target symptoms”.

Comparison of echolocation clicks from geographically sympatric killer whales and long-finned pilot whales (L)

The source characteristics of biosonar signals from sympatric killer whales and long-finned pilot whales in a Norwegian fjord were compared. A total of 137 pilot whale and more than 2000 killer whale echolocation clicks were recorded using a linear four-hydrophone array. Of these, 20 pilot whale clicks and 28 killer whale clicks were categorized as being recorded on-axis. The clicks of pilot whales had a mean apparent source level of 196 dB re 1 μPa pp and those of killer whales 203 dB re 1 μPa pp. The duration of pilot whale clicks was significantly shorter (23 μs, S.E.=1.3) and the centroid frequency significantly higher (55 kHz, S.E.=2.1) than killer whale clicks (duration: 41 μs, S.E.=2.6; centroid frequency: 32 kHz, S.E.=1.5). The rate of increase in the accumulated energy as a function of time also differed between clicks from the two species. The differences in duration, frequency, and energy distribution may have a potential to allow for the distinction between pilot and killer whale clicks when using automated detection routines for acoustic monitoring.

Machine condition prognosis based on sequential Monte Carlo method

Machine condition prognosis is an important part of the decision-making in condition-based maintenance. By predicting the degradation of working conditions of machinery, it can organize a predictive maintenance program and prevent production loss. For complex systems, the trending data of the performance degradation is nonlinear over time known as a time series. This paper proposes a prognosis algorithm applied in a real dynamic system. Sequential Monte Carlo method, also known as a particle filter, can be used in nonlinear systems without any assumption of linearity. It is based on the sequential important sampling and resampling algorithm, which represents the posterior probability density function by a set of randomly drawn samples (called particles) and their associated weights. The prediction estimations are computed based on those samples and their weights. The real trending data of low methane compressors acquired from condition monitoring routines is employed for evaluating the proposed method. The results show that the proposed method offers a potential to predict the trending data in real systems of machine condition prognosis.

Imaging the pancreas: from ex vivo to non-invasive technology

While many recently published reviews have covered non-invasive nuclear imaging techniques, the aim of this review is to focus on current developments in optical imaging technologies for investigating the pancreas. Several of these modalities are being developed into non-invasive, real-time monitoring routines for pancreatic diseases. However, they also provide pre-clinical ex vivo and/or intravital tools for three-dimensional quantitative assessments of cellular and molecular events, with levels of specificity and resolution difficult to achieve with other currently available modalities.

Optimised Routines for Monitoring of Treated Late Latent Syphilis Patients

Optimised Routines for Monitoring of Treated Late Latent Syphilis Patients Highly sensitive and specific tests are needed in monitoring of the serological activity and efficacy of treatment of late latent syphilis. In a retrospective study, the data of 52 patients who had received treatment for late latent syphilis were analysed in the Clinical Centre of Skin and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Latvia. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity was calculated by Syphilis Immunoblot IgG, Treponema Pallidum Immobilisation Reaction (TPIR) and Syphilis Express Diagnosis (SED). The correlation between Treponema Pallidum Immobilisation Reaction (TPIR) and Syphilis Immunoblot IgG, SED and TPIR results were estimated. Syphilis Immunoblot IgG is useful for latent syphilis diagnostics. The values of the synthetic peptide TmpA, TmpN15 and TmpN47 on the Syphilis Immunoblot IgG strip are useful for monitoring of the treatment of late latent syphilis patients.

Avanços na norma brasileira de comercialização de alimentos para idade infantil

To assess the advances in the Brazilian norm for commercialization of infant foods from 1988 to 2002, comparing the different texts with each other and with the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes. This was a descriptive study based on data collected from documents, reports, ordinances and resolutions from the Brazilian Ministry of Health. The versions utilized in the comparison were from 1992 and 2002. Comparative analysis made it possible to identify important advances in the legislation. In 1992, liquid and powdered milk were included in the scope, along with teats and dummies (pacifiers), and also warning phrases in advertising and on product labeling. In 2002, regulations for products were published by the National Agency for Sanitary Surveillance, thereby strengthening supervisory actions and including regulations for baby foods, nutrient formulae for high-risk newborns, and nipple protectors. The phrases used in commercial advertising and on product labeling, including dummies, teats and bottles, became Ministry of Health warnings. The labeling was defined according to product types, on the basis of more restrictive rules. Significant modifications in the control over the marketing of products aimed at mothers during the lactation period. However, there are still some legislative questions that would make it possible to improve the Brazilian norm, in order to protect breastfeeding. There is also a need for the government to implement systematic monitoring routines to supervise this legislation.

2.5D resistivity modeling of embankment dams to assess influence from geometry and material properties

Repeated resistivity measurement is a potentially powerful method for monitoring development of internal erosion and anomalous seepage in earth embankment dams. This study is part of a project to improve current longterm monitoring routines and data interpretation and increasing the understanding when interpreting existing data. This is accomplished by modeling various occurrences typical of embankment structures using properties from two rockfill embankment dams with central till cores in the north of Sweden. The study evaluates the influence from 3D effects created by specific dam geometry and effects of water level fluctuations in the reservoir. Moreover, a comparison between different layout locations is carried out, and detectability of internal erosion scenarios is estimated through modeling of simulated damage situations. Software was especially developed to model apparent resistivity for geometries and material distributions for embankment dams. The model shows that the 3D effect from the embankment geometry is clearly significant when measuring along dam crests. For dams constructed with a conductive core of fine-grained soil and high-resistive rockfill, the effect becomes greatly enhanced. Also, water level fluctuations have a clear effect on apparent resistivities. Only small differences were found between the investigated arrays. A layout along the top of the crest is optimal for monitoring on existing dams, where intrusive investigations are normally avoided, because it is important to pass the current through the conductive core, which is often the main target of investigation. The investigation technique has proven beneficial for improving monitoring routines and increasing the understanding of results from the ongoing monitoring programs. Although the technique and software are developed for dam modeling, it could be used for estimation of 3D influence on any elongated structure with a 2D cross section.

Novel Valve for Automatic Calibration of a Chloride Sensor for River Monitoring

Chloride is the most abundant negatively charged ion in extracellular fluid. Chloride can destroy river habitats and affect cement and steel structures, so its monitoring is required. Remote-sensing water monitoring for detecting pollution points requires of auto-calibrated chloride-ion-sensitive electrodes, as their calibration is lost after 2 h. A valve was designed using two stepper motors, which, depending on their position, allowed calibration reference liquid injection, as well as distilled water and sampling water flow towards the sensor cavity. The stepper motor routines for sensor cleaning, sensor calibration and water monitoring are explained in this paper. Sensor cavity levelling to 0° was essential for proper operation, and the valve can work properly with any sensor using two-point calibration. The automatic device measured continuously for 7 days when the valve was fixed outside the water. Continuous measurements were taken in an effluent of the River Texcoco near Mexico City.

An Initiative to Improve Depression Recognition and Management in Long-Stay Nursing Home Residents

Nursing home staff are often ill-equipped to recognize and manage depression, especially among persons with dementia. Concerns regarding underdetection of treatable conditions, inadequate care, and unnecessary decline are widespread. This article describes a model developed for the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DoH) Nursing Home Quality Indicator, Outcomes and Best Practices Recommendations project to improve facility depression-related quality outcomes. The model includes systems-based protocols for integration into daily care and monitoring routines. This program assisted staff at participating facilities to utilize Minimum Data Set (MDS) processes in a more structured, systematic way, focusing on depression as a quality problem.

Clinical determinants of severe bleeding complications in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with thrombolytic therapy

The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of bleeding complications in a clinical setting, and to clarify the practise in laboratory monitoring of haemostasis (TT%, APTT, HCR) in patients with acute myocardial infarction who are treated with fibrinolytics. In this clinical, retrospective series we included randomly 301 patients who were treated during the years 2000–2003 due to acute myocardial infarction in the Helsinki University Central Hospital. Two hundred and forty (80%) of the patients were treated with a thrombolytic therapy. Six (3%) patients received thrombolytic therapy despite them having an absolute contraindication, and 75 (31%) received it while having a relative contraindication. The incidence of cerebral bleeding during the first 48 hours was unexpectedly high (2.5%). The incidences of bleeding complications are presented in Table ​Table1.1. The parameters of haemostasis could not predict bleeding complications in our study, probably due to low rate of measurements prior to fibrinolytic therapy. It is therefore important to strictly follow the guidelines of thrombolytic therapy in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Routines for laboratory monitoring of haemostatic variables are to be implemented to improve safety and early detection of bleeding complications. Table 1

Online monitoring with local smoothing methods and adaptive ridging

We consider online monitoring of sequentially arising data as e.g. met in clinical information systems. The general focus thereby is to detect breakpoints, i.e. timepoints where the measurement series suddenly changes the general level. The method suggested is based on local estimation. In particular, local linear smoothing is combined by ridging with local constant smoothing. The procedure is demonstrated by examples and compared with other available online monitoring routines.

Rotinas de cuidados pós-anestésicos de anestesiologistas brasileiros

There are no data on Postanesthetic Care Units (PACU) equipment, monitoring routines and discharge criteria adopted by Brazilian anesthesiologists. This study aimed at obtaining such data. A nationwide survey was conducted with a random sample of 1123 anesthesiologists. Data were analyzed by simple and cross tabulation and logistic regression. Two hundred seventy-one questionnaires (26.59%) were analyzed. The study showed that most anesthesiologists work in institutions with PACUs equipped with resuscitation equipment, oxygen sources, aspirators, cardioscopes, pulse oximeters and with an anesthesiologist on duty. Neuromuscular function monitors and active heating devices are less frequent. In a descending order of frequency, the following parameters are routinely monitored: blood pressure, heart rate, SpO2, consciousness level, airway patency, respiratory rate, nausea and vomiting, postoperative pain and muscle strength. Oxygen therapy, anti-emetics and postanesthetic shivering control are prescribed on a routine or selective basis by most anesthesiologists who also record postoperative data. This study suggests that Brazilian anesthesiologists are concerned about patients safety during postanesthetic recovery, as shown by high equipment availability in the PACU and expressive routine monitoring ratios of isolated parameters. Some monitoring routines should be implemented to comply with new guidelines on postanesthetic care and new discharge criteria for outpatient procedures.

Developments in internal monitoring techniques.

In an effort to increase accuracy and speed, improve detection limits and reduce uncertainties in internal dosimetry, laboratories have developed improved or new internal monitoring techniques in both in vivo measurements and bioassay analyses. Most of these techniques have not yet entered routine monitoring programmes. This paper intends to summarise these new techniques, show their potential improvements compared to the currently employed monitoring routines and discuss the main aspects of the EC-funded IDEA project, which aims at a comprehensive assessment of these techniques and the enhancements necessary to bring them to broader acceptance in the routine monitoring community.

Internal dosimetry: enhancements in application, update on the IDEA project.

Efforts in many internal dosimetry laboratories to increase the accuracy and speed of measurements, to improve detection limits and to reduce uncertainties have resulted in improved or new internal monitoring techniques, both in in vivo measurement and in bioassay analysis. The EC-funded IDEA project (internal dosimetry--enhancements in application) aims to investigate why most of these techniques have not yet entered routine monitoring programmes (a summary of these new techniques is given here, showing their potential improvements compared with the currently employed monitoring routines). The project further aims at a comprehensive assessment of these techniques and the enhancements necessary to bring them to broader acceptance with those performing routine monitoring.

Mirtazapine oral single dose kinetics in patients with different degrees of renal failure

To investigate pharmacokinetic parameters, as well as safety of mirtazapine in patients with renal failure, an open-labelled, single oral dose study was performed in normal healthy controls and in patients with mild, moderate and severe renal failure, as distinguished by glomerular filtration rates (GRFs) of Cr-EDTA (values corrected per 1·73 m2 body surface area). Each group comprised of 10 volunteers (5 males and 5 females). The results show that after a single oral morning dose of 15 mg of mirtazapine, the area under the curve (AUC) for the plasma concentration of this racemic compound was increased in patients with moderate (GFR 22±6 ml/min) and severe (GFR 2±5 ml/min) renal failure compared to controls. The AUCs were, however, unaffected by mild renal failure (GFRs 61±14 ml/min). The oral clearance was found to be lower in patients with moderate or severe renal failure, as well as in females compared to males irrespective of degree of renal failure. The magnitude of renal failure was found not to influence the elimination half-life of mirtazapine (overall mean±SD=36·3±8·1 h). The adverse experiences (AEs) were reported with similar incidences in all groups, and described as being mild or moderate in nature. The most commonly reported AEs were somnolence and tiredness occurring in one half and one third of the subjects, respectively. The single morning 15 mg/day dose of mirtazapine was well tolerated by patients with renal failure, irrespective of degree of severity. Further research is needed to evaluate repeated dose pharmacokinetics and tolerability of mirtazapine in patients with renal failure. An additional option to optimize treatment of an individual, medically compromised patient is to apply Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) routines for dose adjustments. Such a pharmacokinetic postmarketing surveillance program is currently under development for mirtazapine. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Visual routines for real-time monitoring of vehicle behavior

Low-cost, purely visual modules are presented, which are able to reliably perform real-time computation of kinematic quantities relevant for the navigation of commercial vehicles moving along highways or motorways. Taking as input a video stream of b/w images coming from a standard camera mounted aboard the vehicle, the modules return instantaneous measurements for the speed of the vehicle, its lateral position in the lane, and the distance from the preceding vehicle. The modules, which are designed to work in real-time on standard PC platforms, have been tested under typical working conditions. Preliminary results are reported and discussed.

Daily routines of elderly people with diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease suffered by approximately 3% of the adult population. Treatment of the disease may require drug therapy and dietary control. In addition patients’ self-monitoring of the disease, on a daily basis, is fundamental to successful therapy. This paper focuses on the elderly and their monitoring routines. A monitoring regimen which is consistent with patient’s daily routines and places no significant burden either on the patient or their carer must be encouraged. The monitoring equipment used and regimen required should be negotiated with the patient to ensure that compliance with the regimen is adequate to ensure appropriate control of the disease. Practical issues such as the patient’s daily routines, their mental and physical ability, the type of support they receive from formal and informal carers and their general ability to cope with potentially complicated equipment should be addressed alongside the choice of new and more established monitoring equipment.

Disposal of Petrochemical Plant Effluents by Shell UK at Stanlow

The co-disposal of petrochemical plant wastewaters with domestic and industrial effluent is described, with emphasis on pretreatment and effluent management aspects, as conducted by the effluent producer. A brief history of the specific development of co-disposal of Shell Chemicals (Stanlow manufacturing complex) effluent is given, leading to the recently completed investment of £5.2 million in improved pretreatment facilities, allowing full and failure-free advantage to be taken of the sewage-treatment facilities installed by North West Water at Ellesmere Port for the disposal of Shell Chemicals effluent, at a cost of £7.5 million, and commissioned in 1985. Effluent quality problems, and the establishment of dedicated effluent monitoring routines, are described together with the installation of quality and volume monitoring of individual effluents, leading to both processing cost allocation and management accountability. A description is given of the original and redeveloped pretreatment unit for neutralization, de-oiling and clarification of the effluent. Brief reference is made to liaison arrangements between Shell and North West Water and to the training of staff in effluent management.