Tool For Long-term Monitoring Research Articles

Testing satellite and ground thermal imaging of low-temperature fumarolic fields: The dormant Nisyros Volcano (Greece)

The Nisyros Volcano (Greece) was monitored by satellite and ground thermal imaging during the period 2000–2002. Three night-scheduled Landsat-7 ETM + thermal (band 6) images of Nisyros Island were processed to obtain land surface temperature. Ground temperature data were also collected during one of the satellite overpasses. Processed results involving orthorectification and 3-D atmospheric correction clearly show the existence of a thermal anomaly inside the Nisyros Caldera. This anomaly is associated mainly with the largest hydrothermal craters and has land surface temperatures 5–10 °C warmer than its surroundings. The ground temperature generally increased by about 4 °C inside the main crater over the period 2000–2002. Ground thermal images of the hydrothermal Stephanos Crater were also collected in 2002 using a portable thermal infrared camera. These images were calibrated to ground temperature data and orthorectified. A difference of about 0–2 °C was observed between the ground thermal images and the ground temperature data. The overall study demonstrates that satellite remote sensing of low-temperature fumarolic fields within calderas can provide a reliable long-term monitoring tool of dormant volcanoes that have the potential to reactivate. Similarly, a portable thermo-imager can easily be deployed for real-time monitoring using telemetric data transfer. The operational costs for both systems are relatively low for an early warning system.

Vocal individuality as a potential long-term monitoring tool for Western Screech-owls, Megascops kennicottii

Recent studies suggest that individually distinctive vocalizations found in many avian species can be used in population monitoring. In this study we assessed whether vocal identification of male Western Screech-owls ( Megascops kennicottii (Elliot, 1867)) was possible, and if it could be applied as a long-term monitoring tool. Recordings were collected between 2001 and 2003 from 28 territories on southern and central Vancouver Island. As a quantitative descriptor of the calls, a total of 17 variables were measured from each of 1125 calls. A discriminant function analysis resulted in 92.3% of calls being correctly classified to individual territories within one season and 87.3% of calls in a cross-validation of the model. Variables that showed the greatest discriminant ability included length of call, internote distance between first note and second note, and number of notes per call. Of the 14 territories that had owl calls recorded over 2 years, 4 appeared to be occupied by a different individual in the 2nd year, 7 had calls that were consistent between years, and 3 had calls that were ambiguously classified between years. Our results suggest that Western Screech-owl calls have enough individually recognizable characteristics to aid in the tracking of individuals both within and between years, allowing for long-term monitoring of individuals.

Telemetric activity monitoring as an indicator of long-term changes in health and well-being of older people

Background Supporting independent living for older people is essential not only for the older people themselves, but also for the social and health care sectors. For this reason, there exists a need for unobtrusive telecare and telehealth solutions enabling independent living of the older adults. In this study, we demonstrate how telemetric activity monitoring offers a promising tool for long term monitoring to detect changes in the health status and over-all well-being of older people. Methods A telemetric activity monitoring system integrated with an intelligent social alarm system was used to monitor circadian activity rhythm of elderly nursing home residents (n=16, mean age 85.1 years, range 58-97) for several months. Changes in the activity rhythm were compared with clinical observations of health status of the subjects. The results are given as case reports. Results The results suggest an association between the changes in the actual health status and the circadian activity rhythm. Conclusion Telemetric activity monitoring offers a practical tool for long term monitoring to detect changes in health status in older adults in their normal environments.

Assessment tools for screening and monitoring bipolar disorder

To review the availability and suitability of tools for screening, diagnosing, and monitoring people with bipolar disorder in both psychiatric and general practice. Currently available assessment tools suitable for use with patients with bipolar disorder were identified through a MEDLINE search using the following key terms: bipolar, screening, diagnosis, monitoring. Only peer-reviewed papers published in English were considered for further review. A review of the current literature revealed a small number of published and appropriately validated clinical tools suitable for the assessment of bipolar disorder in terms of screening, diagnosis, and long-term monitoring. While there are a large number of formal rating scales for the assessment of various clinical aspects of bipolar spectrum disorders, there are currently only a limited number of assessment tools well suited for use in routine clinical practice. Widespread use of brief, clinically validated, and easy to use screening tools could facilitate the early identification of patients with bipolar spectrum disorders. A less structured diagnostic approach should facilitate diagnosis of the more subtle forms of the disease, particularly bipolar II disorder. Long-term monitoring tools should strengthen the therapeutic alliance between the patient and clinician and improve long-term quality of care and assessment of outcomes.

Kawasaki disease and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging: A tool for long-term monitoring of left ventricular performance

Kawasaki disease and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging: A tool for long-term monitoring of left ventricular performance

Bioassessment of Fish Communities of the Upper Delaware River

We assessed the biotic integrity of the middle-to-upper Delaware River. We sampled fish and assembled water quality data for eight stations and three habitat types (pool, riffle, and submerged aquatic vegetation [SAV]) of the Delaware River and applied an existing index of biotic integrity (IBI) recently developed for the northern mid-Atlantic slope drainages. We used Spearman's correlation to test IBI scores against measures of water quality (WQI) and cultural pollution. IBI scores were not significantly correlated with WQI, but were significantly negatively correlated with sewage load of adjacent tributaries (rs = −0.647, p = 0.08). Sites ranged from good to fair in biotic integrity. Fish assemblage composition from all three habitat types was necessary in order to accurately characterize biotic integrity. Of the three habitat types, fish assemblages from SAV habitats had the greatest positive effect on biotic integrity. Continued application of the IBI may be useful as a long-term monitoring tool as this river corridor becomes increasingly urbanized.

Analysis of Tawny Owl (Strix Aluco) Food Remains as a Tool for Long-Term Monitoring of Small Mammals

Data on the Tawny Owl diet from the prey remains found in nestboxes after a breeding period in 1997–2004 in Kėdainiai district and in 1999–2003 in the Kamanos State Strict Nature Reserve are compared with the results of small mammal monitoring in these territories. The number of small mammal species found in the owl prey remains as well as their diversity was always greater, than that obtained by trapping. On average, 12.1 ± 0.9 species were recovered from prey remains in Kėdainiai, 11.3 ± 1.9. in Kamanos State Strict Nature Reserve, while the number of species trapped was 7.0 ± 0.6 and 6.8 ± 1.7 accordingly. Shannon.s H in prey remains was 2.62 ± 0.11 and 2.80 ± 0.14 vs. 1.97 ± 0.13 and 1.65 ± 0.33. It is obvious, that quite a lot of small mammals that are seldom trapped are found in owl prey. Analysis of prey remains may be used as a method for small mammal monitoring.

Differential expression of 9-O-acetylated sialoglycoconjugates on leukemic blasts: a potential tool for long-term monitoring of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Earlier studies have demonstrated overexpression of 9-O-acetylated sialoglycoconjugates (9-O-AcSGs) on lymphoblasts, concomitant with high titers of anti-9-O-AcSG antibodies in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Our aim was to evaluate the correlation between expression of different 9-O-AcSGs during chemotherapeutic treatment. Accordingly, expression of 9-O-AcSGs on lymphoblasts of ALL patients (n = 70) were longitudinally monitored for 6 years (1997-2002), using Achatinin-H, a 9-O-acetylated sialic acid (9-O-AcSA) binding lectin with preferential affinity for 9-O-AcSGs with terminal 9-O-AcSA alpha 2-->6GalNAc. Western blot analysis of patients (n = 30) showed that 3 ALL-specific 9-O-AcSGs (90, 120 and 135 kDa) were induced at presentation; all these bands disappeared after treatment in patients (n = 22) who had disease-free survival. The 90 kDa band persisted in 8 patients who subsequently relapsed with reexpression of the 120 kDa band. FACS analysis revealed that at presentation (n = 70) 90.1 +/- 5.0% cells expressed 9-O-AcSGs, which decreased progressively with chemotherapy, remained <5% during clinical remission and reappeared in relapse (80 +/- 10%, n = 18). Early clearance of 9-O-AcSG(+) cells, during 4-8 weeks of treatment showed a good correlation with low risk of relapse. Sensitivity of detection of 9-O-AcSG(+) cells was 0.1%. Numbers of both high- and low-affinity binding sites were maximum at presentation, decreased with treatment and increased again in clinical relapse. We propose that close monitoring of 90 and 120 kDa 9-O-AcSGs may serve as a reliable index for long-term management of childhood ALL and merits therapeutic consideration.

The Continuous Plankton Recorder in the Southern Ocean: a comparative analysis of zooplankton communities sampled by the CPR and vertical net hauls along 140 E

A repeat transect was run south of Tasmania, along ∼140°E, during November and December 2001. NORPAC nets were deployed during a CTD transect on the southern leg, sampling four depth zones at each of 19 stations: 0–20, 20–50, 50–100 and 100–150 m. A Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) was deployed on the northern leg (average sampling depth = 10.5 m). Both net systems were harnessed with 270 μm mesh and all sampling was conducted between 47°S and the Southern Polar Front (S-PF) at ∼61°S. Zooplankton in the top 150 m of the water column demonstrated strong, small-scale, vertical distribution patterns. Species richness and diversity increased with depth, and were lowest for CPR samples. Conversely, dominance decreased with depth and was highest for CPR samples. Evenness was similar for all sample groups, indicating that all communities had a similar distribution of abundance amongst species. There was little variation in abundance between NORPAC depth zones (average = 82 ± 47 individuals m−3), while abundance was substantially higher in the CPR samples (average = 144 ± 103 individuals m−3), despite it under-sampling fast-moving and delicate components of the plankton community. The higher CPR abundance was due to significantly higher abundance levels of Appendicularia, Oithona similis and Rhincalanus gigas nauplii. The NORPAC samples showed that these three taxa were most abundant in the surface waters. The significant increase in abundance in the CPR samples was attributed to the growth in size during the period between the NORPAC and CPR surveys (minimum 15 days) increasing their catchability. Both the NORPAC nets and CPR surveys identified distinct communities to the north and south of the Southern Sub-Antarctic Front. Owing to its shallow towing depth, the CPR focuses on species with surface distributions. Despite under-sampling some components of the zooplankton, the CPR provided sufficient taxonomic resolution to identify biogeographic zones in the Southern Ocean. The utility of the CPR as a long-term monitoring tool in the Southern Ocean is discussed.

Effects of liming and tillage systems on microbial biomass and glycosidases in soils

This study was undertaken to investigate the long-term influence of lime application and tillage systems (no-till, ridge-till and chisel plow) on soil microbial biomass C (Cmic) and N (Nmic) and the activities of glycosidases (α- and β-glucosidases, α- and β-galactosidases and β-glucosaminidase) at their optimal pH values in soils at four agroecosystem sites [Southeast Research Center (SERC), Southwest Research Center (SWRC), Northwest Research Center (NWRC), and Northeast Research Center (NERC)] in Iowa, USA. Results showed that, in general, the Cmic and Nmic values were significantly (P β-glucosaminidase>β-galactosidase>α-galactosidase>α-glucosidase. Lime application did not significantly affect the specific activities (g p -nitrophenol released kg–1 soil organic C h–1) of the enzymes. Among the glycosidases studied, β-glucosidase and β-glucosaminidase were the most sensitive to soil management practices. Therefore, the activities of these enzymes may provide reliable long-term monitoring tools as early indicators of changes in soil properties induced by liming and tillage systems.

Retrieval of bare soil and vegetation parameters from wind scatterometer measurements over three different climatic regions

Medium to low resolution (1–50 km) active microwave sensors such as spaceborne scatterometers and wide-swath mode synthetic aperture radars have great potential as tools for long term monitoring over land and ice. To optimise the use of this kind of data, the heterogeneity of the target and its effects on the radar measurements need to be investigated and modelled, particularly in the view of retrieving geophysical parameters. In this paper, wind scatterometer measurements over three different test sites, the NOPEX region in Sweden, the HAPEX-Sahel site in Niger and the Niger delta area in Nigeria, are analysed. For these regions, a forward model is developed by considering the backscatter contributions of the bare surface, the seasonal and evergreen vegetation and the open water areas. Colocated high spatial resolution SAR data and ground information are used to characterise the target scene. The model is then inverted to retrieve monthly soil roughness, dielectric properties and vegetation parameters. It is shown that the measurements contain enough information to characterise these three different regions and to monitor their temporal evolution. The retrieved values obtained for the bare surface and the vegetation parameters are consistent with ground measurements collected in these areas. Further improvements are achieved by incorporating the time scale variability of the variables investigated into the retrieval scheme.

Validation of surface scattering models across large footprints for global scatterometer applications

Medium- to low-resolution active microwave sensors such as spaceborne scatterometers and wide-swath mode synthetic aperture radars have great potential as tools for long-term monitoring over land and ice. Their large area coverage and low data cost make them ideal for measuring mesoscale land-surface changes. One approach to the interpretation of such data is to employ a theoretical backscatter model that can be inverted to estimate some representative surface parameters. To optimize such a method, it is necessary to use scattering models that are applicable to large (>1 km) footprints that inevitably contain a range of surface characteristics. This paper investigates the validity of a number of surface scattering models for such a task. The analysis is carried out both from a theoretical modeling approach as well as through comparison with real data from the European Remote Sensing (ERS) scatterometer over nonvegetated areas. Modified models that incorporate surface heterogeneity through probability distributions are also introduced. It is shown than the ERS scatterometer data are better represented using these modified models than the standard theoretical models. Good results are also obtained using the semiempirical model by Oh et al. (1992) that seems to implicitly incorporate target heterogeneity.

The Use of Mist-Net Capture Rates to Monitor Annual Variation in Abundance: A Validation Study

Constant-effort mist-netting has become an increasingly popular tool in long-term monitoring of bird populations. Monitoring programs often assume that variation in the capture rates of adults reflects variation in breeding densities of the sampled population. We test this assumption by comparing annual variation in mist-net capture rates to known variation in breeding densities of four species breeding in coastal scrub habitat at Point Reyes National Seashore, California. For the period 1980 to 1992, breeding densities for each species were assessed using spot-mapping observations of color-banded individuals. These were compared to capture rates calculated from constant-effort mist-netting. Capture rates of adults correlated significantly with breeding density for Spotted Towhees (Pipilo maculatus), Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia), and Wrentits (Chamaea fasciata), but not for White-crowned Sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys). Analysis of covariance confirmed that the relationship of mist-net capture rates to breeding density differed among species. Independent of the effects of breeding density on capture rates, adult capture rates of the four species were higher in years with high rainfall. Among Wrentits and Song Sparrows, approximately 50% or more of adults caught were not occupying territories at the study site; the same bias may exist among other species as well. We conclude that relative changes in breeding density over time can be inferred from variation in mist-net capture rates for some, but not all, species. Additional studies are needed to validate the use of mist nets to assess spatial differences in abundance and to monitor temporal changes in abundance in habitats other than coastal scrub.

Development of Tagging Techniques for Monitoring Fish Populations at Texas Artificial Reefs

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has used a broad range of methodologies to monitor the social, economic, and biological impacts of artificial reefs in the Gulf of Mexico. Social and economic issues have been addressed through charter boat and diver mail-in questionnaire surveys and on-site creel surveys. Biological issues have been investigated through hook and line tagging, diver-based visual transects, and video traps. Assessments of hydroacoustic and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) biological survey techniques are also planned for deepwater reef sites. There is also a need to develop inexpensive biological monitoring methods to track target fish populations such as red snapper over time at specific reef sites. The Department has been investigating the use of collapsible traps to tag fish underwater as a potential long-term monitoring tool for assessing reef fish populations. The cost effectiveness and efficiency of this gear type was compared to hook and line capture techniques. During the initial effort, 223 red snapper were tagged underwater by divers after capture by three collapsible traps, and 291 red snapper were tagged on the surface by anglers after capture by hook and line techniques. The collapsible traps appeared to be more size selective for smaller sized red snapper than hook and line techniques. Fish tagged underwater had a higher recapture rate of 25.45 percent compared to the 11.89 percent recapture rate for fish caught and tagged on the surface. Although three recapture periods were used to evaluate tag return data, our findings suggest that future efforts directed at monitoring artificial reef fish populations should use multiple gear types with equal effort applied to account for size-selective capture patterns and logistical constraints.

Monitoring of mixed venous oxygen saturation and pressure from biosensors in the right ventricle A 24 hour study in patients with heart failure

Right ventricle venous oxygen saturation was studied in 10 heart failure patients over 24 h using a lead equipped with an oxygen biosensor inserted temporarily. At the same time a pressure sensor, incorporated in the same lead to measure right ventricular pulse pressure and maximum positive and negative rate of pressure development (RV dP/dt), was tested to see whether it would interfere with the oxygen sensor. Data from the biosensor lead were continuously compared with mixed venous oxygen saturation obtained from a fibreoptic Swan-Ganz catheter with the tip in the pulmonary artery. For reference, blood samples were drawn at regular intervals from this catheter. A provocative protocol was used to cause haemodynamic changes. There was good correlation between oxygen saturation in the right ventricle (biosensor-derived) and mixed venous oxygen saturation in the pulmonary artery (fibreoptic-derived) (r = 0.86) and between sensor-obtained right ventricular oxygen saturation and oxygen saturation in the blood samples from the pulmonary artery (r = 0.90). Changes in central haemodynamics were also well reflected by changes in pulse pressure and dP/dt derived from the pressure sensor. As it was not possible to obtain absolute pressures no attempt was made to compare the pressure changes with conventional haemodynamics. These 24 h haemodynamic measurements suggest that a biosensor-equipped lead placed in the right ventricle could be a valuable tool for long-term monitoring of mixed venous oxygen saturation and pressure in patients with congestive heart failure.