Integration of intrusive and non-intrusive methods for corrosion and sand/erosion monitoring

Integration of intrusiveand non-intrusive methods for corrosionand sand/erosion monitoringK. Wold, R. Stoen, M. RaponeThere is an increased focus today on corrosion and sand/erosion monitoring in both upstream oil and gasproduction as well as in plant/refinery operations. The objectives for such monitoring include processoptimization, increased production, the reduced use of chemicals, and the improved integrity and safety offacilities. A range of intrusive and non-intrusive methods are available today both for corrosion andsand/erosion monitoring. There are also a wide range of data communication options, and wirelesstechnologies which are making on-line monitoring more attractive and less costly. This paper briefly providesan overview of the different monitoring methods alongside their advantages and limitations, and how they canbe integrated within one system, using the same software and infrastructure.The paper also presents data examples of non-intrusive corrosion monitoring for high temperatureapplications in refineries as well as sand/erosion data from an offshore North Sea field, using intrusivesensors and data management software

White Matter Injury and General Movements in High-Risk Preterm Infants

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Very preterm infants (birth weight, MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study of 47 preterm infants of 24-30 weeks' gestation, brain MR imaging was performed at term-equivalent age. Infants underwent T1- and T2-weighted imaging for volumetric analysis and DTI. General movements were assessed at 10-15 weeks' postterm age, and neurodevelopmental outcomes were evaluated at 2 years by using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development Ill. RESULTS: Nine infants had aberrant general movements and were more likely to have adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes, compared with infants with normal movements. In infants with aberrant movements, Tract-Based Spatial Statistics analysis identified significantly lower fractional anisotropy in widespread white matter tracts, including the corpus callosum, inferior longitudinal and fronto-occipital fasciculi, internal capsule, and optic radiation. The subset of infants having both aberrant movements and abnormal neurodevelopmental outcomes in cognitive, language, and motor skills had significantly lower fractional anisotropy in specific brain regions. CONCLUSIONS: Aberrant general movements at 10-15 weeks' postterm are associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes and specific white matter microstructure abnormalities for cognitive, language, and motor delays

Preclinical Amyloid-beta and Axonal Degeneration Pathology in Delirium

BACKGROUND: The clinical relevance of brain β-amyloidosis in older adults without dementia is not established. As delirium and dementia are strongly related, studies on patients with delirium may give pathophysiological clues. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the Alzheimer’s disease (AD) cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers amyloid-β 1-42 (Aβ42), total tau (T-tau), and phosphorylated tau (P-tau) are associated with delirium in hip fracture patients with and without dementia. METHODS: CSF was collected in conjunction to spinal anesthesia in 129 patients. Delirium was assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method once daily in all patients, both pre- and postoperatively. The diagnosis of dementia at admission was based upon clinical consensus. CSF levels of Aβ42, T-tau, and P-tau were analyzed. RESULTS: In patients without dementia, we found lower CSF Aβ42 levels (median, 310 ng/L versus 489 ng/L, p = 0.006), higher T-tau levels (median, 505 ng/L versus 351 ng/L, p = 0.02), but no change in P-tau in patients who developed delirium (n = 16) compared to those who remained lucid (n = 49). Delirious patients also had lower ratios of Aβ42 to T-tau (p < 0.001) and P-tau (p = 0.001) relative to those without delirium. CSF Aβ42 and T-tau remained significantly associated with delirium status in adjusted analyses. In patients with dementia, CSF biomarker levels did not differ between those with (n = 54) and without delirium (n = 10). CONCLUSION: The reduction in CSF Aβ42, indicating β-amyloidosis, and increase in T-tau, indicating neurodegeneration, in hip fracture patients without dementia developing delirium indicates that preclinical AD brain pathology is clinically relevant and possibly plays a role in delirium pathophysiology

Brown bear attacks on humans : a worldwide perspective

The increasing trend of large carnivore attacks on humans not only raises human safety concerns but may also undermine large carnivore conservation efforts. Although rare, attacks by brown bears Ursus arctos are also on the rise and, although several studies have addressed this issue at local scales, information is lacking on a worldwide scale. Here, we investigated brown bear attacks (n = 664) on humans between 2000 and 2015 across most of the range inhabited by the species: North America (n = 183), Europe (n = 291), and East (n = 190). When the attacks occurred, half of the people were engaged in leisure activities and the main scenario was an encounter with a female with cubs. Attacks have increased significantly over time and were more frequent at high bear and low human population densities. There was no significant difference in the number of attacks between continents or between countries with different hunting practices. Understanding global patterns of bear attacks can help reduce dangerous encounters and, consequently, is crucial for informing wildlife managers and the public about appropriate measures to reduce this kind of conflicts in bear country.Peer reviewe

Motion of a Rigid Body Supported at One Point by a Rotating Arm

This article details a scheme for evaluating the stability of motions of a system consisting of a rigid body connected at one point to a rotating arm. The nonlinear equations of motion for the system are formulated, and a method for finding exact solutions representing motions that resemble a state of rest is presented. The equations are then linearized and roots of the eigensystem are classified and used to construct stability diagrams that facilitate the assessment of effects of varying the body's mass properties and system geometry, changing the position of the attachment joint, and adding energy dissipation in the joint