Smart sensors for utility assets

This dissertation presents the concept of a small, low-cost, self-powered smart wireless sensor that can be used for monitoring current, temperature and voltage on a variety of utility assets. Novel energy harvesting approaches are proposed that enable the sensor to operate without batteries and to have an expected life of 20-30 years. The sensor measures current flowing in an asset using an open ferromagnetic core, unlike a CT which uses a closed core, which makes the proposed sensor small in size, and low-cost. Further, it allows the sensor to operate in conjunction with different assets having different geometries, such as bus-bars, cables, disconnect switches, overhead conductors, transformers, and shunt capacitors, and function even when kept in the vicinity of an asset. Two novel current sensing algorithms have been developed that help the sensor to autonomously calibrate and make the sensor immune from far-fields and cross-talk. The current sensing algorithms have been implemented and tested in the lab at up to 1000 A. This research also presents a novel self-calibrating low-cost voltage sensing technique. The major purpose of voltage sensing is detection of sags, swells and loss-ofpower on the asset; therefore, the constraint on error in measurement is relaxed. The technique has been tested through several simulation studies. A voltage sensor prototype has been developed and tested on a high voltage bus at up to 35 kV. Finally, a study of sensor operation under faults, such as lightning strikes, and large short circuit currents has been presented. These studies are conducted using simulations and actual experiments. Based on the results of the experiments, a robust protection circuit for the sensor is proposed. Issues related to corona and external electrical noise on the communication network are also discussed and experimentally tested. Further, optimal design of the energy harvester and a novel design of package for the sensor that prevents the circuitry from external electrical noise without attenuation of power signals for the energy harvester are also proposed.PhDCommittee Chair: Deepak M. Divan; Committee Member: Carlos S. Grijalva; Committee Member: J. Rhett Mayor; Committee Member: Manos M. Tentzeris; Committee Member: Ronald G. Harle

Barriers to Medication Adherence in Patients Undergoing Recovery

This study was conducted at an urban transitional housing facility, which also has a free primary care clinic staffed by physicians from the Department of Family & Community Medicine at TJU. The aim of the study was to investigate the factors that relate to medication adherence among patients living in an urban recovery residence and undergoing recovery from substance abuse. Research conducted on medication adherence in this patient population is sparse; furthermore, none of the available medication adherence tools have been studied in this population. Research methods in this study included a validated questionnaire, chart reviews, and in-depth interviews. The study was conducted in two phases: 1) The Adherence-Starts-with Knowledge (ASK), a 12-item questionnaire, was administered to 16 patients and a medication use audit was conducted; and 2) Eight patients were interviewed individually to discuss their medication taking habits and results of the ASK-12 questionnaire in detail. All patients had co-occurring psychiatric illnesses; eight of the 16 had chronic conditions such as cardiovascular, pulmonary, hepatic, and neurologic diseases. The scheduled medication adherence rates ranged from 0% to 97% in patients with chronic conditions. Of the eight patients who were interviewed, six received full benefits from the Veteran\u27s Administration, while two patients were on state medical assistance; an impact on healthcare satisfaction was observed. Patients whose medication adherence rates were \u3e 80% were more likely to be engaged in their own care, concerned about their health, and had more dialog with their health care professional. The limitations of this study were that medication administration records were not complete and missing data; conducting pill counts other than the current month was challenging due to retrospective data. Incorporating medication adherence questionnaires may be a helpful tool in this patient population, and will be investigated for its widespread use

Meet an IPE Champion from Thomas Jefferson University: Rohit Moghe

I work in various capacities at the hospital that are interprofessional in nature. I bring these experiences to JCIPE as a facilitator for the student groups in the Health Mentors Program (HMP) as well as serving on the JCIPE HMP curricular committee. Both levels of involvement within JCIPE have been rewarding experiences

Use of Apheresis and Insulin for Hypertriglyceridemia-induced Pancreatitis and Diabetic Ketoacidosis

CLINICAL RELEVANCE Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common gastrointestinal disease that may result in multiple organ failure and death1 – Gallstones & alcohol are the most common causes of AP1 – Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) causes 1-4% of cases, and should be suspected if triglycerides (TG) are \u3e 1,000 mg/dL in the absence of gallstones or history of significant alcohol use1 – Clinical management of hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis (HTGP) is based primarily on anecdotal evidence and case reports Concurrent diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and AP have been described in the literature – DKA may be a risk factor for AP, but it is uncertain if AP triggers DKA or vice-versa2 – The optimal management of patients that present with AP, HTG, and DKA is unknown2,

Pharmacist Consult Service in Geriatric Trauma Patients

Introduction • Geriatric patients (\u3e 65 years of age) have a 3-5% incremental increase in annual occurrence of trauma making it a top five leading cause of death in this population. • The mortality rate ranges from 15-30%, which is 4-5 times higher than younger patients. • In 2011, data from the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation (PTSF) demonstrated nearly 32% of injured patients statewide and nearly 50% of the trauma patients at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (TJUH) were \u3e 65 years. • Most geriatric patients have comorbidities that are treated with many medications, which may predispose them for falls. • Although there are many methods to assess safety of medication regimens in this population, the Screening Tool for Older Persons’ Prescriptions (STOPP), Screening Tool to Alert doctors to Right Treatment (START), and American Geriatrics Society (AGS)-endorsed Beer’s List 2012 are most utilized in current clinical practice. • Both the STOPP and Beer’s 2012 tool identify potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) in this population