An Autonomous and Adaptable Wireless Device for Flood Monitoring

Wireless devices can be used to monitor and record a broad range of phenomena. Their advantages include ease of installation and maintenance and considerable reduction in wiring costs. The addition of battery power and radio communication to such wireless devices can result in a completely The operating environment of monitoring systems is often hostile, due to temperature fluctuations, humidity, electromagnetic noise, and other interfering phenomena. The system should be able to adapt to changing conditions to maintain dependability in its operations This paper presents the case study of adapting a flood detection device to the environmental threat of submersion

Prenatal Diagnosis of Diaphragmatic Hernia

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a condition characterized by a defect in the diaphragm leading to protrusion of abdominal contents into the thoracic cavity interfering with normal development of the lungs. The pathophysiology of CDH is a combination of lung hypoplasia and immaturity associated with persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn (PPHN) and cardiac dysfunction. Prenatal assessment of lung to head ratio (LHR) and position of the liver by ultrasound are used to diagnose and predict outcomes. However, fetal therapy is indicated in cases where negative prognostic factors are detected in screening investigations (liver herniation, LHR  2 kg with CDH and no associated major lethal anomalies. Prematurity, associated abnormalities, severity of PPHN, type of repair and need for ECMO can affect the survival of an infant with CDH. With advances in the management of CDH, the overall survival has improved

Motor and Postural Patterns Concomitant with General Movements Are Associated with Cerebral Palsy at Term and Fidgety Age in Preterm Infants

General movements (GMs) in combination with neurological examination and magnetic resonance imaging at term age can accurately determine the risk of cerebral palsy. The present study aimed to assess whether 11 motor and postural patterns concomitant with GMs were associated with cerebral palsy. Video recordings performed after birth in 79 preterm infants were reviewed retrospectively. Thirty-seven infants developed cerebral palsy at 2 years corrected age and the remaining 42 showed typical development. GMs were assessed from preterm to fidgety age and GM trajectories were defined. The 11 motor and postural patterns were evaluated at each age and longitudinally, alone and in combination with GM trajectories. A logistic regression model was used to assess the association between GMs, concomitant motor and postural patterns, and cerebral palsy. We confirmed that high-risk GM trajectories were associated with cerebral palsy (odds ratio = 44.40, 95% confidence interval = 11.74-167.85). An association between concomitant motor and postural patterns and cerebral palsy was found for some of the patterns at term age and for all of them at fidgety age. Therefore, at term age, concomitant motor and postural patterns can support GMs for the early diagnosis of cerebral palsy

Valutazione del contenuto di acidi organici, zuccheri e minerali in verdure di largo consumo: effetti della cottura a microonde.

Allo scopo di valutare il comportamento alla cottura di acidi organici, zuccheri e minerali, numerosi campioni di verdure sono stati analizzati prima e dopo cottura a microonde. I dati ottenuti rilevano una larga variabilità che dipende soprattutto dai tipi di verdure analizzati

The flood frog: An autonomous wireless device for flood detection and monitoring

Accurate real time monitoring is gaining critical importance in a broad range of domains. Of particular interest to this research is the development of monitoring and detection systems for environmental and structural phenomena. Transportation infrastructures, in particular bridges, provide examples for both categories. Flooding of low water bridges is one example of rapidly evolving environmental phenomena, while stress and vibration are structural phenomena in need of monitoring. Early warning and advanced preparation for emergency are two of the most effective lines of defense against catastrophic events, where real time monitoring can facilitate containment and recovery efforts. The operating environment of monitoring systems may be hostile or difficult to access, and as such, ease of installation and maintenance are important concerns. Large-scale deployment of such systems necessitates low cost. Other desirable features include low power consumption, compact size, and survivability against accidents and tampering. This thesis describes the design and development of an autonomous wireless monitoring device for structural and environmental monitoring. The main objective is to provide a system capable of monitoring the selected site for several years without human intervention. The device utilizes the GSM mobile network infrastructure for communication with the external world. Robustness, low power consumption, low cost, reliability, and ease of installation and maintenance were key issues of concern in the design and implementation of the system. The device has been implemented and will be deployed at Bagnell Dam in Osage Beach, MO, in November 2006. The hardware and software validation carried out in the course of development will be supplemented with comprehensive field testing --Abstract, page iii