Use Of Thermometers Research Articles

Practical ring-resonator thermometer with an uncertainty of 10 mK

Silicon ring resonators are currently being assessed by several national metrology organizations as thermometers for use in calibration laboratories and in high-accuracy commercial applications. In this paper, we report the improvements to our first prototype of Si ring-resonator thermometer including narrower ring resonances, different light polarization in the ring and smaller-footprint probe housing. We evaluated the second prototype in the stirred liquid bath between 23 °C and 80 °C over the span of 11 months and we present, for the first time, the full uncertainty budget for the packaged ring-resonator thermometer. The combined 10-mK standard uncertainty for our ring-resonator thermometer is not only identical to the repeatability reported previously for an unpackaged ring resonator but it also includes an 11-month long-term stability component. This result heralds a commercial ring-resonator thermometer.

Influence of Atmosphere on Calibration of Radiation Thermometers.

Current process of calibrating radiation thermometers, including thermal imagers, relies on measurement comparison with the temperature of a black body at a set distance. Over time, errors have been detected in calibrations of some radiation thermometers, which were correlated with moisture levels. In this study, effects of atmospheric air on thermal transmission were evaluated by the means of simulations using best available resources of the corresponding datasets. Sources of spectral transmissivity of air were listed, and transmissivity data was obtained from the HITRAN molecular absorption database. Transmissivity data of molecular species was compiled for usual atmospheric composition, including naturally occurring isotopologs. Final influence of spectral transmissivity was evaluated for spectral sensitivities of radiation thermometers in use, and total transmissivity and expected errors were presented for variable humidity and measured temperature. Results reveal that spectral range of measurements greatly influences susceptibility of instruments to atmospheric interference. In particular, great influence on measurements is evident for the high-temperature radiation pyrometer in the spectral range of 2–2.7 µm, which is in use in our laboratory as a traceable reference for high-temperature calibrations. Regarding the calibration process, a requirement arose for matching the humidity parameters during the temperature reference transfer to the lower tiers in the chain of traceability. Narrowing of the permitted range of humidity during the calibration, monitoring, and listing of atmospheric parameters in calibration certificates is necessary, for at least this thermometer and possibly for other thermometers as well.

Co-designed PICU Family Stress Screening and Response System to Improve Experience, Quality, and Safety.

Objective:Evidence for successful and sustainable models that systematically identify and address family stress in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) remains scarce. Using an integrated improvement science and family engagement framework, we implemented a standardized family stress screening tool and response protocol to improve family experience and reduce family crises through the timely coordination of parent support interventions.Methods:We conducted this improvement initiative in the 12-bed PICU of a children’s hospital within a large, urban academic medical center. Our team, which included 2 family advisors, adapted a validated Distress Thermometer for use in pediatric intensive care. A co-designed family stress screening tool and response protocol were iteratively tested, refined, and implemented in 2015–2017. Process and outcome measures included screening and response reliability, parent satisfaction, and security calls for distressed families.Results:Over the 18 months, the percentage of families screened for stress increased from 0% to 100%. Among families who rated stress levels ≥5, 100% received the recommended response protocol, including family support referrals made and completed within 24 hours of an elevated stress rating. From 2015 to 2017, PICU parent satisfaction scores regarding emotional support increased from a mean score of 81.7–87.0 (P < 0.01; 95% CI). The number of security calls for distressed families decreased by 50%.Conclusions:The successful implementation of a co-designed family stress screening tool and response protocol led to the timely coordination of parent support interventions, the improved family perception of emotional support, and reduced family crises in the PICU.

Peptide-directed synthesis of fluorescent gold nanoparticles for mitochondria-targeted confocal imaging of temperature

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with strong red fluorescence (peaking at 657 nm under 365 nm excitation) were synthesized with the assistance of a bifunctional peptide. The peptide was rationally designed with two functional regions: region 1 (CCY) for synthesizing AuNPs and region 2 (MLRAALSTARRGPRLSRLL) for targeting mitochondria. The resulting AuNPs show excellent stability, low toxicity, good biocompatibility, as can target mitochondria. The AuNPs exhibit a temperature dependent fluorescence with high sensitivity and good reversibility. Fluorescence intensity drops to 56% of its initial value on elevating temperature from 20 to 55 °C, while the quantum yield drops from 7.1% to 3.9% and fluorescence lifetime (which is 12.2 μs at 20 °C) drops to 8.96 μs at 55 °C. The AuNPs are shown to be viable mitochondrial thermometers for use in HeLa cells.

Comparison of a non-contact infrared thermometer with a rectal digital thermometer for use in ewes

The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of measuring body temperature in sheep using a noncontact infrared thermometer on the inguinal area and the eye cornea in comparison with a rectal digital thermometer. The trial for the first comparison was conducted in the milking parlor in 52 ewes in full lactation and 15 dry ewes and for the second one in 51 ewes. The body temperature measured with the noncontact infrared thermometer in the inguinal area, although significantly lower, was strongly linearly correlated with that of the rectal digital one in both ewes in full lactation and dry ewes. In lactating ewes, besides the high precision, the highest accuracy was also recorded and the plotted differences were within clinically insignificant levels. The corneal temperatures were highly correlated but were significantly lower compared to the rectal ones. Due to these differences the cut-off point of 37.9°C was estimated to be adopted for the detection of the hyperthermic animals when noncontact infrared thermometers are applied to the eye cornea for the measurement of body temperature. In conclusion the inguinal area of the dry ewes and the eye cornea cannot be recommended as appropriate sites for body temperature measurement because the temperatures recorded are biased by external factors. The noncontact infrared thermometer evaluated is sufficiently accurate for the measurement of body temperature in sheep only when applied in the inguinal area of sheep in full lactation.

A summer temperature bias in early alcohol thermometers

This paper analyses the response of alcohol thermometers in relation to the departure from linearity and the choice of the calibration points. The result is that alcohol thermometers are affected by large departures that reach a maximum (i.e. −6 °C) at 50 °C ambient temperature. This may have caused a severe bias in early records, when alcohol thermometers were popular, especially during the Little Ice Age. Choosing a lower temperature for the upper point, calibration may substantially reduce this bias. Examples are given with thermometers in use in the 17th and 18th centuries. A careful correction of long series is necessary to avoid misleading climate interpretations.

Development of a Standard Platinum Resistance Thermometer for Use up to the Copper Point

The international temperature scale of 1990 defines temperatures in the range from 13.8 K to 1234.93 K (\(961.78\,^{\circ }\hbox {C}\)) using a standard platinum resistance thermometer (SPRT) as an interpolating instrument. For temperatures above \(660\,^{\circ }\hbox {C}\), the current designs of an SPRT require extreme care to avoid contamination, especially by metallic impurities, which can cause rapid and irreversible drift. This study investigates the performance of a new design of a high-temperature SPRT with the aim of improving the stability of the SPRTs and extending their temperature range. The prototype SPRTs have an alumina sheath, a sapphire support for the sensing element, which are aspirated with dry air and operated with a dc bias voltage to suppress the diffusion of metal-ion contaminants. Three prototype thermometers were exposed to temperatures near or above the copper freezing point, \(1085\,^{\circ }\hbox {C}\), for total exposure times in excess of 500 h and exhibited drifts in the triple-point resistance of less than 10 mK. The new design eliminates some of the problems associated with fused-silica sheaths and sensor-support structures and is a viable option for a high-accuracy thermometer for temperatures approaching \(1100\,^{\circ }\hbox {C}\).

Validation of the distress thermometer for use among adolescents and young adults with cancer in Australia: a multicenter study protocol

Validation of the distress thermometer for use among adolescents and young adults with cancer in Australia: a multicenter study protocol Pandora Patterson,1,2 Fiona EJ McDonald,1,2 Antoinette Anazodo,3 Daniel SJ Costa,4 Claire E Wakefield,5,6 Kate White,2 Kate Thompson,7 Michael P Osborn8 1Research, Evaluation and Social Policy, CanTeen Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia; 2Cancer Nursing Research Unit, Sydney Nursing School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; 3Sydney Youth Cancer Service, Sydney Children&#39;s Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia; 4Psycho-oncology Co-operative Research group, School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; 5School of Women&#39;s and Children&#39;s Health, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, Australia; 6Behavioural Sciences Unit, Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children&#39;s Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia; 7Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, VIC, Australia; 8Youth Cancer Service SA/NT, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia Background: Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) diagnosed with cancer commonly experience elevated levels of distress. Routinely administered distress screening tools can be effective in identifying individuals in need of referral to psychosocial services. The distress thermometer and problem checklist are widely used screening tools that have been validated among some cancer populations, but which have not to date been validated for use among AYAs with cancer. The primary aim of this study is to validate the distress thermometer and a modified problem checklist for use with AYA cancer patients, aged 15&ndash;25 years. Specifically, we aim to 1) determine appropriate cutoffs for clinical referral on the distress thermometer; 2) investigate the content validity of the modified problem checklist; and 3) assess the clinical utility of the tool from the perspectives of both patients and health care professionals. The secondary aims of the study are to 4) establish prevalence and predictors of distress in AYA cancer patients and 5) examine the number and character (including uptake) of post-screening referrals made to psychosocial services. Methods: This project is a two-phase, multicenter study to be conducted across all Australian states and territories. At time 1, patients who are either newly diagnosed with cancer and on-treatment (ie, within 4 weeks of diagnosis) or in early survivorship (ie, within 12 weeks of completing treatment) will complete a survey assessing levels of distress as judged by three instruments: the distress thermometer, the Hospital Anxiety and Distress Scale, and the Kessler-10. Patients and administering health care professionals will also complete clinical utility and satisfaction measures in relation to the distress measures. Results will be used to address the primary aims as listed in the background as well as to identify variables associated with distress. At time 2, telephone interviews will be conducted to assess service responsiveness and patient satisfaction. Discussion: This study will provide important validation and clinical utility information for screening for distress among AYA cancer patients and survivors. Additionally, it will generate greater understanding of the prevalence and predictors of distress among this population. Keywords: distress thermometer, validation, cancer, AYA, clinical utility&nbsp

Capsule-Type Standard Platinum Resistance Thermometer for Use in the Intermediate and Higher Temperature Ranges. Its Construction and Calibration

Capsule-Type Standard Platinum Resistance Thermometer for Use in the Intermediate and Higher Temperature Ranges. Its Construction and Calibration

Hydrographic Work of the INGOLF Expedition (1895 and 1896) to Icelandic and West Greenland Waters

The Danish expedition in the summers of 1895 and 1896 on board the cruiser Ingolf to Icelandic and West Greenland waters mainly had zoological tasks, the results of which are treated in the present issue by Wolff. However, the expedition also obtained significant results in physical oceanography. The existence of a vast subsurface ridge, the Reykjanes Ridge, was proved. On the basis of the hydrographic stations worked, the expedition's physicist and chemist Martin Knudsen was able to describe the hydrographic situation of the area. He proved the division of the Irminger Current into an easterly and westerly branch northwest of Iceland, and the extent and magnitude of the East Icelandic Polar Current were established. The existence of an overflow over the Iceland-Faroe Ridge of cold, low-salinity bottom water from the Norwegian Sea into the Atlantic was demonstrated. Knudsen designed a new, reliable reversing thermometer for use on the expedition, and he constructed an instrument that made it possible to measure aboard the ship the content of oxygen and nitrogen dissolved in the water. He showed that the supersaturation of surface water with oxygen might be explained from the photosynthetic processes of phytoplankton.

Can a non-contact infrared thermometer be used interchangeably with other thermometers in an adult Emergency Department?

Summary Introduction Thermofocus ® (Tecnimed, Italy) is a non-contact thermometer licensed for use in babies and adults. Accuracy of this instrument in adults is uncertain. Objective To perform a pilot study to assess the reliability and validity of Thermofocus ® in an adult Emergency Department (ED) population. Methods Temperatures were measured on a convenience sample of ED and ICU patients. In the ED group, paired Thermofocus ® readings and a single SureTemp ® (Welch Allyn, USA) oral temperature reading were taken a minute apart. In the ICU group, paired Thermofocus ® readings and a single Mon-a-therm Foley-Temp ® catheter (Tyco Healthcare, USA) reading were taken a minute apart. Reliability and validity of Thermofocus ® measurements were assessed. Results Seventy-four SureTemp ® readings in ED ranged from 35.4 to 37.8°C (mean 36.6°C, S.D. 0.5°C). Nineteen Mon-a-therm Foley-Temp ® readings in ICU ranged from 35.0 to 39.5°C (mean 37.7°C, S.D. 0.3°C). The mean difference between paired Thermofocus ® readings was 0.00°C (S.D. 0.15°C) with limits of agreement between −0.30 and +0.30°C. Thermofocus ® read 0.87°C (S.D. 0.58°C) and 1.17°C (S.D. 0.67°C) lower than SureTemp ® and Mon-a-therm Foley-Temp ® catheter, respectively. Conclusion Thermofocus ® measurements were reliable. The study showed poor agreement (i.e. low validity) between temperatures measured by Thermofocus ® when compared to the other thermometers in use currently at our institution.

Superconducting NbSi thermometers for use in TES devices

We present here preliminary results for superconducting NbSi thermometers to be used in TES devices. These thermometers are being made by the CSNSM/IN2P3 in Orsay, France, in parallel to resistive NbSi thermometers, a more common use for this alloy. The critical temperature of these devices is easily tuneable. We present here devices operated and tested at 300 mK using a 3He fridge.

Development of an Impact Thermometer for use in combination with the Distress Thermometer as a brief screening tool for adjustment disorders and/or major depression in cancer patients

Screening cancer patients for adjustment disorders and major depression is important, because both are prevalent and often underrecognized. The purpose of this study was to validate the Distress and Impact Thermometer, a 2-item questionnaire, which we newly developed as a brief screening tool for detection of adjustment disorders and/or major depression. Two hundred ninety-five cancer patients completed the Distress and Impact Thermometer and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and were examined by psychiatrists based on DSM-IV criteria. Using cutoff points for detection of adjustment disorders and major depression of “3/4” on “distress” score and “2/3” on “impact,” the sensitivity and specificity were 0.82 and 0.82, respectively. Screening performance of the Distress and Impact Thermometer was comparable to that of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Its brevity and good performance suggest that the Distress and Impact Thermometer is an effective tool for routine screening in clinical oncology settings.

Current-sensing noise thermometry from [formula omitted] to below [formula omitted] using a DC SQUID preamplifier

We are using a low- T c DC SQUID to perform current-sensing noise thermometry, by measuring the thermal noise currents in a copper resistor. The temperature is obtained from the Nyquist formula. This is a practical thermometer for use from 4.2 K to below 1 mK , with a percentage precision independent of temperature. Using a 0.34 mΩ resistor, the thermometer had an amplifier noise temperature T N of 8 μK . A precision of 1.5% was obtained in 200 s . The thermometer was in good agreement with the PLTS-2000 3 He melting curve scale down to 4.5 mK . We have cooled the thermometer successfully below 1 mK , achieving a minimum electron temperature of 300 μK .

Capacitance thermometer for use at low temperatures and high magnetic fields

We report on the development of capacitance thermometers that are independent of magnetic field, can be made with large capacitances (500–150 000 pf), have a small thermal mass, are temperature sensitive from 300 K to 20 mK, and are relatively easy to fabricate from thin sheets of insulator and metallic foils. Furthermore, we demonstrate that we can move the position of the minimum in capacitance with respect to temperature and vary the sensitivity of the device by changing its construction parameters. Measurements have demonstrated that the thermometers are insensitive to high magnetic fields up to 18 T in the temperature range 20–420 mK.

Evaluation of miniature data loggers for body temperature measurement during sporting activities.

We recorded body temperatures in four runners, two squash players and one swimmer at 1-min intervals using miniature data loggers. These single-channel loggers are small and light (25 g), and were easily carried by the athletes during their sporting activities. Wide-range loggers (-37 degrees C to +46 degrees C), which had a temperature resolution of 0.4 degrees C, were used to measure thigh skin temperature. Auditory canal temperature and rectal temperature were measured with narrow-range loggers (+34 degrees C to + 46 degrees C) which had a considerably higher resolution (0.04 degrees C). With the aid of visual analogue scales subjects reported that the thermometric equipment caused very little discomfort or impairment of exercise performance. Loggers connected to uncoated bead thermistors (used for skin and auditory canal temperatures) had a thermal time constant of 0.4 s, and that of the coated thermistors (rectal probes) was 6 s. We were able to waterproof the equipment and measure rectal temperature in a swimmer. Hot (35 degrees C) or cold (5 degrees C) ambient temperatures had an insignificant effect on the intrinsic accuracy of the data loggers, even when used without recalibration at those temperatures. We believe that miniature temperature loggers are convenient and accurate thermometers for use during sporting activities and may provide new insights into thermoregulation during exercise.

A High-Resolution Thermometer for the Range 1.6 to 5 K

This paper presents a detailed design, a theoretical analysis, and experimental tests of a high-resolution thermometer for use in the temperature range from 1.6 to 5 K. The device uses a dc-SQUID magnetometer to determine the change in magnetization with temperature of a paramagnetic salt in a magnetic field. The field is provided by a small permanent magnet attached to the thermometer. Measurements of the sensitivity of the device agree well with the theoretical analysis. Near 2.17 K (the superfluid transition of 4 He at saturated vapor pressure) the thermometer has a specific sensitivity of 4000φ 0 /K Gauss. There it achieves a temperature resolution better than 10 −9 K when it is charged with a field of about 300 Gauss. At 4.2 K, the specific sensitivity is smaller by a factor of 50, but should still allow temperature measurements with a resolution better than 10 −7 K. Near 2.17 K, drifts of the device are below the level of 10 −13 K/s. The thermometer has a small mass of about 7 g (excluding the magnet), and thus the advantage of relatively small cosmic radiation heating during microgravity experiments in Earth orbit.

High-Temperature, Oxygen-Resistant Molecular Fluorescence Thermometers

Four strongly emitting fluorescent molecules have been identified as effective liquid-phase thermometers for use at temperatures as high as 175 °C under oxygen-saturated conditions. In each case, the thermometry is based on shifts and/or changes in the shape of the fluorescence emission with temperature. The four molecules and the temperature ranges tested were POPOP [1,4-di(2-(5-phenyloxazoyl)benzene], 25–150 °C; NPO [2-(1-naphthyl)-5-phenyloxazole], 25–173 °C; BTBP [ N,N-bis(2,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)-3,4,9,10-perylene dicarboximide], 25–173 °C; and BPB [benzo(ghi)perylene], 25–171 °C. Six other laser dyes were tested and were found to be unsatisfactory.

A high-resolution susceptibility thermometer for use near 2 K

A relatively small and easily constructed high-resolution thermometer is described. It uses the magnetic salt copper ammonium bromide dihydrate (CAB). The temperature is read out using a dc-SQUID. We determined the sensitivity of the thermometer as a function of temperature from 1.5K to 4.3K and for magnetic fields from 40 to 800 Gauss. Subnano-Kelvin resolution is achievable near 2K. A mathematic model is used to understand the measured sensitivity and to improve the design.

Who comes to a voluntary depression screening program?

The purpose of this study was to describe who comes to a voluntary depression screening program by analyzing findings from the 1992 National Depression Screening Day. Survey results from 5,367 adult volunteers at 345 facilities were analyzed. The authors examined the prevalence of depression detected at the screening test and sociodemographic characteristics and treatment history of the respondents. They also estimated the percentage of these individuals who would actually have a diagnosis of major depression (positive predictive value). The main assessment measure was the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale. Of all participants, 76.6% (N = 4,109) had at least minimal depressive symptoms (score of at least 50 on the Zung depression scale), 53.3% (N = 2,859) had at least moderate symptoms (score of at least 60), and 22.6% (N = 1,214) had severe symptoms (score of at least 70). Few of the depressed respondents were currently in treatment for a mental health problem. The positive predictive value of a screening test diagnosis of depression was between 92.5% and 95.5% when a cutoff score of 60 was used to indicate depression and between 88.7% and 92.3% when a cutoff score of 50 was used. Voluntary screening tests, as exemplified by results from the National Depression Screening Day, provide a good opportunity for identifying previously unidentified and untreated individuals with depression.