Tolerance Criteria Research Articles

Efficacy and tolerability of contemporary antidepressants: results of network meta-analyses and Russian experience

The objective of this review is to compare results of network metaanalyses of the efficacy and tolerability of different antidepressants for treatment of unipolar depression in adults. An analysis of different criteria of antidepressant efficacy and tolerability showed the benefits of agomelatine. Results of using this drug in national clinical practice and multicenter studies of depression of different nosology with heterogeneous psychopathological symptoms support this notion.

Effect of moisture stress on growth and yield of cucumber genotypes

The experiment was conducted during spring-summer season with twenty five cucumber genotypessubjected to four levels of drought stress (control, 75%, 50% and 25% of recommended irrigation) in the openfield experiment using completely randomized design with three replications to assess the effects of droughton vegetative growth and fruit yield. Star flow meter instrument used to measure the amount of irrigation wateras calculated to induce an artificial drought stress levels on the plants. ANOVA revealed significant differences amongst genotypes and genotype × drought stress level interaction for all the traits indicating differential response of the genotypes. Decreased amount of water levels resulted in progressive reduction in number ofleaves (19.7, 15.3, 12.4 and 9.0), vine length (55.8, 55.4, 46.7 and 41.3 cm) and fruit yield per vine (0.982, 0.645, 0.546 and 0.487 kg), while increased in affected leaves at 18.8, 58.8, 67.2 and 84.6%, respectively in control(100%), 75%, 50% and 25% of recommended irrigation. Thus, these above phenotypic traits appeared to bepromising as selection criteria for drought tolerance at morphological level. As a result, the genotypes DGC-1and WBC-13 observed drought tolerant, whereas DGC-8 and GS-3 were drought susceptible.

Interpretation of Gamma Index for Quality Assurance of Simultaneously Integrated Boost (SIB) IMRT Plans for Head and Neck Carcinoma

Abstract Objective: The Gamma Index is prerequisite to estimate point-by-point difference between measured and calculated dose distribution in terms of both Distance to Agreement (DTA) and Dose Difference (DD). This study aims to inquire what percentage of pixels passing a certain criteria assure a good quality plan and suggest gamma index as efficient mechanism for dose verification of Simultaneous Integrated Boost Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy plans. Method: In this study, dose was calculated for 14 head and neck patients and IMRT Quality Assurance was performed with portal dosimetry using the Eclipse treatment planning system. Eclipse software has a Gamma analysis function to compare measured and calculated dose distribution. Plans of this study were deemed acceptable when passing rate was 95% using tolerance for Distance to agreement (DTA) as 3mm and Dose Difference (DD) as 5%. Result and Conclusion: Thirteen cases pass tolerance criteria of 95% set by our institution. Confidence Limit for DD is 9.3% and for gamma criteria our local CL came out to be 2.0% (i.e., 98.0% passing). Lack of correlation was found between DD and γ passing rate with R2 of 0.0509. Our findings underline the importance of gamma analysis method to predict the quality of dose calculation. Passing rate of 95% is achieved in 93% of cases which is adequate level of accuracy for analyzed plans thus assuring the robustness of SIB IMRT treatment technique. This study can be extended to investigate gamma criteria of 5%/3mm for different tumor localities and to explore confidence limit on target volumes of small extent and simple geometry.

Surface applicator of a miniature X-ray tube for superficial electronic brachytherapy of skin cancer.

We designed and fabricated a surface applicator of a novel carbon nanotube (CNT)-based miniature X-ray tube for the use in superficial electronic brachytherapy of skin cancer. To investigate the effectiveness of the surface applicator, the performance of the applicator was numerically and experimentally analyzed. The surface applicator consists of a graphite flattening filter and an X-ray shield. A Monte Carlo radiation transport code, MCNP6, was used to optimize the geometries of both the flattening filter and the shield so that X-rays are generated uniformly over the desired region. The performance of the graphite filter was compared with that of conventional aluminum (Al) filters of different geometries using the numerical simulations. After fabricating a surface applicator, the X-ray spatial distribution was measured to evaluate the performance of the applicator. The graphite filter shows better spatial dose uniformity and less dose distortion than Al filters. Moreover, graphite allows easy fabrication of the flattening filter due to its low X-ray attenuation property, which is particularly important for low-energy electronic brachytherapy. The applicator also shows that no further X-ray shielding is required for the application because unwanted X-rays are completely protected. As a result, highly uniform X-ray dose distribution was achieved from the miniature X-ray tube mounted with the surface applicators. The measured values of both flatness and symmetry were less than 5% and the measured penumbra values were less than 1 mm. All these values satisfy the currently accepted tolerance criteria for radiation therapy. The surface applicator exhibits sufficient performance capability for their application in electronic brachytherapy of skin cancers.

Corrigendum.

Plant, Cell & EnvironmentVolume 40, Issue 12 p. 3143-3143 ERRATUMFree Access Corrigendum This article corrects the following: Reassessment of tissue Na+ concentration as a criterion for salinity tolerance in bread wheat YUSUF GENC, GLENN K. MCDONALD, MARK TESTER, Volume 30Issue 11Plant, Cell & Environment pages: 1486-1498 First Published online: August 31, 2007 First published: 17 November 2017 https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.13055AboutSectionsPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Reassessment of tissue Na+ concentration as a criterion for salinity tolerance in bread wheat YUSUF GENC, GLENN K. MCDONALD & MARK TESTER Plant, Cell and Environment (2007) 30: 1486–1498 Version of Record online: 31 AUG 2007 | DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3040.2007.01726.x Corrigendum in Table 5 The figures reported for grain yield under control and salt are not spatially adjusted means, while ST data were based on spatially adjusted means. The author would like to correct the figures for grain yield under control and salt by presenting spatially adjusted means to which wald statistic was applied The Table 5 should appear like this: Table 5. Grain yield production and salinity tolerance (ST) in 21 bread wheat genotypes Grain yield (g plant−1) Genotype Control Salt ST (%) Yecora Rojo 2.96 2.12 72 Pitic 62 10.60 6.81 64 Janz 4.54 3.07 68 Berkut 7.68 4.73 62 Wentworth 3.59 2.34 65 Sakha 61 3.31 1.36 41 Sonora 64 3.94 2.29 58 Sakha 8 5.18 3.22 62 A25 9.59 4.34 45 Anza 5.52 2.98 54 Westonia 3.57 2.10 59 VM506 3.38 1.69 50 Shasta 6.34 2.76 44 Drysdale 5.31 3.59 68 Kharchia 65 10.66 4.36 41 Nainari 9.47 2.28 24 Stylet 3.65 1.67 46 W4909 28.03 10.82 39 Krichauff 4.59 1.85 40 Baart 46 20.68 3.92 19 Yitpi 5.41 2.84 52 Treatment effect SED Probability* Genotype 0.66 P < 0.001 Salt 0.68 P < 0.001 Genotype x salt 1.03 P < 0.001 * Based on Wald statistic. Genotypes were arranged in descending order of ST based on shoot dry matter at the vegetative stage. SED, standard error of difference. The authors apologize for the error. REFERENCE Genc, Y., McDonald, G. K., & Tester, M. (2007). Reassessment of tissue Na+ concentration as a criterion for salinity tolerance in bread wheat. Plant, Cell and Environment, 30, 1486– 1498. Volume40, Issue12December 2017Pages 3143-3143 ReferencesRelatedInformation

Tolerance in Internet gaming disorder: A need for increasing gaming time or something else?

Background and aimsThe criterion of tolerance in DSM-5 Internet gaming disorder (IGD) refers to a need for increasing time spent gaming. However, this focus on “need for gaming time” may overlook some of the broader motivations, outcomes, or effects of gaming that underlie excessive play. This study aimed to explore regular and problematic gamers’ experiences and perceptions of tolerance in IGD.MethodsAn online survey of 630 adult gamers yielded 1,417 text responses to open-ended questions. A thematic analysis of 23,373 words was conducted to extract dominant themes.ResultsParticipants reported that they increasingly desired game items, status, or story progress as they became more involved or invested in games. As players develop higher standards of play in games, an increasing number of potential reward outcomes may have diminishing mood-modifying effects. None of the participants, including those with self-reported IGD, explicitly referred to a need for increasing time spent gaming.Discussion and conclusionsThese results suggest that players may be motivated by preferences for specific goals or reinforcers in games rather than wanting an amount of time spent gaming. Thus, problematic gaming may involve a need for completion of increasingly intricate, time-consuming, or difficult goals to achieve satisfaction and/or reduce fears of missing out. Further research is needed to determine whether these cognitive and motivational factors related to gaming stimuli should extend or replace the concept of tolerance in IGD or be considered as separate but related processes in disordered gaming.

The contribution of environmental factors to fish assemblages in the Río Acahuapa, a small drainage in Central America

ABSTRACT The ichthyofauna of the Río Acahuapa was analyzed sampling 17 sites that included the basin main channel and its tributaries. Fish were collected using dip-nets, seine-nets and electrofishing. Fish standard length and species abundance were recorded. Species origin and salinity tolerance criteria were used to classify fish species. Water physicochemical variables, habitat structure and sampling sites elevation were recorded. A total of 33 fish species were registered, 12.1% are primary, 45.5% are secondary and 42.4% are of marine derivation. Fish species richness declined with increase of elevation (R2=0.55, p=0.0006). Two assemblages of fishes were identified: the first one associated to sites of low elevations (19-184 masl), composed mainly of secondary and marine-estuarine fish species related with high temperature, water velocity, river width, dissolved oxygen and low sand and silt substrate cover; the second one associated to sites of middle and higher elevations (185-519 masl), composed by primary and secondary freshwater fishes related with high pH, logs and rocks substrate cover. In summary, elevation and environmental variables contributed to the composition and distribution of fish in the Río Acahuapa.

Abstract ID: 16 Automated Monte Carlo QA system for volumetric modulated arc therapy: Possibilities and challenges

The objective of the work is to develop and implement an automated MC system for patient specific VMAT QA generating treatment planning system (TPS) compliant DICOM objects and including a stand-alone module for 3D analysis of dose deviations based on the normalized dose difference (NDD) method. The MC system developed is based on the EGSnrc code package with modifications [1] . The workflow consists of a number of modules connected to the TPS by means of DICOM exports and imports which are executed sequentially without user interaction. DVH comparison is performed in the TPS. In addition, MC- and TPS dose distributions are imported to the stand-alone analysis module based on the NDD formalism [2] . NDD failure maps and a pass rate for a certain threshold are obtained. 70 clinical plans are selected for analysis; 21 thorax plans, 26 prostate plans, 13 H&N plans and 10 gynecological plans. Agreement within 1.5% has been found between clinical- and MC data for the mean dose to the target volumes. The agreement is within 3% for parameters more sensitive to the shape of the DVH, e.g. D95% PTV or minimum dose to CTV. Tolerance criteria of 2%/3 mm are recommended for NDD analysis of prostate plans and 3%/3 mm for rest of the cases. Evaluation procedure is suggested where NDD analysis is the first step. For pass rate lower than 95% the evaluation continues with comparison of DVH parameters. For deviations larger than 2%, a visual inspection of the clinical- and MC dose distributions is performed. A fully automated evaluation is hindered by artefacts in the CT images, presence of contrast in the bladder, dose to air included in the target volume, interpretation of HU in rectum etc.

Multiresidue Method for the Rapid Determination of Pesticide Residues in Tea Using Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography Orbitrap High Resolution Mass Spectrometry and In-Syringe Dispersive Solid Phase Extraction.

A method based on in-syringe dispersive solid phase extraction (IS-D-SPE) and ultra performance liquid chromatography Orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry for the multiresidue analysis of 117 pesticides in tea was developed. Full scan mode was acquired over an m/z range of 100–800 with Orbitrap resolution at 70000, followed by full scan/dd-MS2 mode for confirmation. The identification criteria of retention time and mass accuracy tolerance was ±0.20 min and ±5.0 ppm, respectively. MS/MS fragment ions obtained dd-MS2 were necessary to identify the pesticides with the same molecular mass weight. The IS-D-SPE technique involved a mixture of 200 mg PSA, 100 mg C18, and 15 mg multiwalled carbon nanotubes for the cleanup of tea matrix. Good linearity (R2 > 0.99) for 117 pesticides was obtained. Satisfactory recoveries in the range of 70–120% were obtained for 105 pesticides, while intraday and interday precisions were below 20%. Limits of quantification were generally 10 μg kg–1. Finally, this method was employed to analyze 117 pesticides in 70 tea samples.

Opioid tolerance and urine drug testing among initiates of extended-release or long-acting opioids in Food and Drug Administration's Sentinel System

Objective: A risk evaluation and mitigation strategy for extended-release and long-acting (ER/LA) opioid analgesics was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2012. Our objective was to assess frequency of opioid tolerance and urine drug testing for individuals initiating ER/LA opioid analgesics.Design: Retrospective cohort study.Setting: Sentinel, a distributed database with electronic healthcare data on &gt;190 million predominantly commercially insured members.Patients, participants: Members under age 65 initiating ER/LA opioid analgesics between January 2009 and December 2013.Main outcome measure(s): We examined the proportion of opioid-tolerantonly ER/LA opioid analgesic initiates meeting tolerance criteria: receipt of ≥30 mg oxycodone equivalents per day in 7 days prior to the first opioid-tolerant-only dispensing. We separately examined the proportion of new users of extended-release oxycodone (ERO) and other ER/LA opioid analgesics with a claim for a urine drug test in the 30 days prior to, and separately for the 183 days after, dispensing.Results: We identified 79,824 ERO, 7,343 extended-release hydromorphone, and 91,778 transdermal fentanyl opioid-tolerant-only episodes. Tolerance criteria were met in 64 percent of ERO, 64 percent of extended-release hydromorphone and 40 percent of transdermal fentanyl episodes. We identified 210,581 incident ERO and 311,660 other ER/LA opioid analgesic episodes. Use of urine drug testing for ERO compared with other ER/LA opioid analgesics was: 4 percent vs 14 percent respectively in the 30 days prior to initiation and 9 percent vs 23 percent respectively in the 183 days following initiation.Conclusions: These results suggest potential areas for improving appropriate ER/LA opioid analgesic prescribing practices.

Calcification Volume Reduces Stretch Capability and Predisposes Plaque to Rupture in an in vitro Model of Carotid Artery Stenting

Carotid artery stenting (CAS) in calcified arteries carries a higher peri-operative risk. This study investigates the relationship between the stretching limits of carotid plaque samples and calcification in order to determine a stretch tolerance criterion for endovascular intervention. Seventeen carotid plaque samples were acquired from standard endarterectomy procedures. The maximum stretch capability of the global plaque was determined by circumferentially extending the tissue to complete failure. Quantitative assessment of calcification was performed using high resolution computed tomography, including measures of percent calcification volume fraction (%CVF) and calcification configuration. Maximum stretch properties were then related to calcification measures in order to evaluate the predictive power of calcification for determining plaque stretching limits. A strong negative correlation was found between %CVF and stretch ratio with respect to specific calcification configuration types. All plaques with < 70% stenosis superseded the minimum required stretch threshold. Severe stenosis (> 70%) warrants a stretch of at least 2.33 during revascularisation and only plaques containing concentric calcifications with < 20% CVF successfully reached this minimum required stretch threshold. The addition of calcification measures to the stenosis classification may help in guiding endovascular intervention techniques to achieve a balance between an acceptable residual patency level while avoiding plaque rupture in calcified carotid plaques.

The effect of protrusion density on composite-metal joints with surfi-sculpt reinforcement

The effect of protrusion density on the static mechanical properties of composite-metal joints strengthened by surfi-sculpt protrusions has been experimentally studied with single lap joints. The CFRP composite adherends were constant thickness with a quasi-isotropic layup. The metallic adherends were Ti-6Al-4V alloy with a variable number of protrusions per unit area, manufactured by electron beam surfi-sculpt. Digital image correlation was used to measure the debonding on the overlap during the tests. Although the surfi-sculpt protrusions did not significantly affect the onset of debonding, they did resist the initial unstable failure mechanism and converted it into stable growth. The analysis indicated that the efficiency of the surface protrusions was different at the metal and composite ends of the overlap. This finding opens the possibility to vary the protrusion density across the overlap to meet specific damage tolerance criteria and optimise joint efficiency. Increasing the protrusion density significantly increased the ultimate failure load, joint extension and hence absorbed energy.

General approach for solving the density gradient theory in the interfacial tension calculations

Within the framework of the density gradient theory, the interfacial tension can be calculated by finding the density profiles that minimize an integral of two terms over the system of infinite width. It is found that the two integrands exhibit a constant difference along the interface for a finite planar interface, and this difference becomes smaller as the interface width increases. These findings naturally lead to a solution procedure that consists of an inner loop and an outer loop for calculating the interfacial tension of a planar interface. The outer loop deals with the relationship between the interfacial tension and the interface width, and it permits us to obtain accurate results from finite width calculations. The inner loop minimizes the interfacial tension for a given interface width by adjusting the density profiles, in which the integrals are evaluated by a combination of Gauss-Lobatto quadrature and Lagrange interpolation based polynomial approximation. A better approximation of the interfacial tension is derived by a path integration along the density profiles. These strategies enable us to obtain accurate solutions with looser tolerance criteria and a fewer number of thermodynamic property evaluations compared to other methods. The performance of the algorithm with recommended parameters is analyzed for various systems, and the efficiency is further compared with the geometric-mean density gradient theory, which only needs to solve nonlinear algebraic equations. The results show that the algorithm is only 5–10 times less efficient than solving the geometric-mean density gradient theory.

Feature extraction and classification method for switchgear faults based on sample entropy and cloud model

This study proposes a fault diagnosis method for extracting and classifying the fault features of switchgears in accordance with the monitoring data of three-phase voltage and current, temperature, humidity, and flashing from the smart breaker and sensors. The fault features are calculated using multivariate multiscale sample entropy (MMSE) for the data mining of multivariate monitoring process. The similarity measure of the composite delay vectors of multivariate time series in MMSE is improved by introducing a cloud model to soften the similar tolerance criterion. The modified MMSE is defined as multivariate multiscale cloud sample entropy (MMCSE). The MMCSE features of switchgear monitoring data can be achieved in different time scales in describing various switchgear faults. Subsequently, a classification method based on fuzzy support vector machine (FSVM) is further adopted to identify different types of switchgear faults using the MMCSE features. In addition, a dropping semi-normal membership cloud model is applied to modify the uncertainty quantification of the relationship among fault samples in FSVM. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated with the monitoring data in a 10 kV switchboard.

Plan delivery quality assurance for CyberKnife: Statistical process control analysis of 350 film-based patient-specific QAs

PurposeRobotic radiosurgery requires plan delivery quality assurance (DQA) but there has never been a published comprehensive analysis of a patient-specific DQA process in a clinic. We proposed to evaluate 350 consecutive film-based patient-specific DQAs using statistical process control. We evaluated the performance of the process to propose achievable tolerance criteria for DQA validation and we sought to identify suboptimal DQA using control charts. Methods and materialDQAs were performed on a CyberKnife-M6 using Gafchromic-EBT3 films. The signal-to-dose conversion was performed using a multichannel-correction and a scanning protocol that combined measurement and calibration in a single scan. The DQA analysis comprised a gamma-index analysis at 3%/1.5mm and a separate evaluation of spatial and dosimetric accuracy of the plan delivery. Each parameter was plotted on a control chart and control limits were calculated. A capability index (Cpm) was calculated to evaluate the ability of the process to produce results within specifications. ResultsThe analysis of capability showed that a gamma pass rate of 85% at 3%/1.5mm was highly achievable as acceptance criteria for DQA validation using a film-based protocol (Cpm>1.33). 3.4% of DQA were outside a control limit of 88% for gamma pass-rate. The analysis of the out-of-control DQA helped identify a dosimetric error in our institute for a specific treatment type. ConclusionWe have defined initial tolerance criteria for DQA validations. We have shown that the implementation of a film-based patient-specific DQA protocol with the use of control charts is an effective method to improve patient treatment safety on CyberKnife.

Coherent phase transfer function degradation due to wave aberrations of a laser Fizeau interferometer

This paper concerns a numerical technique and associated modeling results for evaluating coherent phase transfer function (CPTF) degradation that is induced by wave aberrations of the imaging train of a laser Fizeau interferometer. The CPTF is defined as the ratio of the Fourier transform of the phase portion of the complex image of a phase object formed by the interferometer to the Fourier transform of the phase object itself. A unit step function is used as the object. The aberrated image is calculated using an optical design program. The traditional instrument transfer function is the amplitude portion of the CPTF. It has been found that the phase portion of the CPTF is needed for properly characterizing the frequency response of the system when a significant amount of coma is involved. Based on the results of the study, an aberration tolerance criterion is proposed for the optical design of a laser Fizeau interferometer.

Benchmarking of essential climate variables: Gamma index theory and results for surface albedo and aerosol optical depth

This paper proposes a benchmarking method for assessing the level of spatio-temporal variability of Essential Climate Variable (ECV) products against a reference taking into account acceptance criteria in terms of intensity and physical distance tolerances. This is based on a modified version of the gamma index that could be suitable for fitness-for-purpose assessment given that one can choose various criteria depending on applications.The method is first presented and then applied to both land and atmospheric ECVs. The terrestrial analysis concerns the global surface albedo, using monthly white-sky surface albedo in the visible, near-infrared and shortwave broadband spectral ranges at a spatial resolution of 0.05° using three sources of products. The latter study is conducted using monthly aerosol optical depth (AOD) products at 550nm at a spatial resolution of 1° with four different datasets at the global scale. The analysis shows how the values of the gamma criteria impact the spatial and temporal results.As an example, if the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) actual target measurements uncertainty is used as an acceptance criteria for the intensity tolerance the results show that: 1) the seasonal agreement for the surface albedo products varies over 20% to 40% of the terrestrial surface in the shortwave and near-infrared broadband and from 10% to 30% in the visible one and 2) the three aerosols optical depth products agree with the reference one for over 50% of the land surface only when the tolerance distance term is at 224km.

Adding another dimension to plan evaluation: visualising the dose–volume histogram band in head and neck radiotherapy and exploring its utility

AbstractBackgroundTo introduce a method to generate a ‘dose–volume histogram (DVH) band’ for plan evaluation of photon therapy and explore its various potentials.Materials and methodsIntensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plans for head and neck cancer patients were analysed, retrospectively, for setup errors noted during treatment. From the maximum observed random errors, absolute displacement was calculated using Euclidian formula. The original plan with same beam parameters and leaf sequence were used to generate six plans with shifts applied in three axes in six directions. The DVH curves from these six plans were superimposed to form the DVH band. Plans were reviewed with set tolerance criteria.ResultsMethod to generate and visualise DVH band was developed. DVH bands were created for 20 patients with head and neck cancer who underwent treatment with IMRT. It was found that seven out these 20 plans were rejected as they crossed the set tolerance criteria using DVH band as an evaluation tool.ConclusionsDVH band in photon therapy can help the clinician visualise the impact of setup errors at planning and may help select the plan with lesser influence of setup errors over another.

Overcoming challenges in using layers of protection analysis (LOPA) to determine safety integrity levels (SILs)

The international standard on safety instrumented systems (SISs), IEC 61511/ISA 84, requires the determination of safety integrity levels (SILs) for safety instrumented functions (SIFs) in SISs. Arguably, this is the most important requirement in the standard. Various methods are used for SIL determination including risk matrices and risk graphs, although layers of protection analysis (LOPA) is used increasingly. In employing these methods, a determination must be made as to whether existing risk levels for a process are tolerable by comparing risk estimates with risk tolerance criteria. If a risk gap is found, the SIL required to close the gap is specified. This determination requires setting risk tolerance criteria and making risk estimates.LOPA is used to calculate the risk of individual hazard scenarios. Consequently, in order to simplify the determination of SILs using LOPA, overall risk tolerance criteria often are allocated to individual hazard scenarios so that risk estimates for scenarios can be compared with the allocated criteria. Sometimes hazardous events are used and the risks of scenarios that involve the same hazardous event are aggregated. Unfortunately, allocation of facility risk tolerance criteria to scenarios or events is fraught with difficulties and use of LOPA with allocated risk tolerance criteria can produce inaccurate results within a facility and inconsistent results across facilities.A procedure is provided in this paper for SIL determination using LOPA in which facility risk tolerance criteria are used meaningfully and justifiably. The procedure entails the calculation of overall facility risk and an examination of contributions to the risks to individuals and groups of people from sources of risk such as different types of hazards, different modes of process operation, and different units and processes. The procedure is illustrated with an example.

Development and Validation of Automated Detection Tools for Vocalizations of Rare and Endangered Anurans

AbstractFor many rare or endangered anurans, monitoring is achieved via auditory cues alone. Human-performed audio surveys are inherently biased, and may fail to detect animals when they are present. Automated audio recognition tools offer an alternative mode of observer-free monitoring. Few commercially available platforms for developing these tools exist, and little research has investigated whether these tools are effective at detecting rare vocalization events. We generated a recognizer for detecting the vocalization of the endangered Houston toad Anaxyrus houstonensis using SongScope© bioacoustics software. We developed our recognizer using a large sample of training data that included only the highest quality of recorded audio (i.e., low noise, no interfering vocalizations) divided into small, manageable batches. To track recognizer performance, we generated an independent set of test data through randomly sampling a large population of audio known to possess Houston toad vocalizations. We analyzed training data and test data recursively, using a criterion of zero tolerance for false-negative detections. For each step, we incorporated a new batch of training data into the recognizer. Once we included all training data, we manually verified recognizer performance against one full month (March 2014) of audio taken from a known breeding locality. The recognizer successfully identified 100% of all training data and 97.2% of all test data. However, there is a trade-off between reducing false-negative and increasing false-positive detections, which limited the usefulness of some features of SongScope. Methods of automated detection represent a means by which we may test the efficacy of the manual monitoring techniques currently in use. The ability to search any collection of audio recordings for Houston toad vocalizations has the potential to challenge the paradigms presently placed on monitoring for this species of conservation concern.