Modular automation cabinet for proactive monitoring in ATEX Zone 2

The paper presents an automation system dedicated to oil & gas machinery applications, such as electrical gas compressors. The future aim is to introduce it into the Romanian oil & gas industry. The system consists of a low size cabinet and its dependencies, which can be used in ATEX Zone 2. The electronic equipment is dimensioned and chosen according to the standards in force, so that the limited current and voltage requirements for methane gas to be met. The key feature is that this system complies with all ATEX standards for Zone 2. Moreover, it can also be a mobile and modular solution if needed, for a versatile and easy use in proactive monitoring of multiple locations across various compressor plants. The design, wireless transmission and possible implementation of this cabinet are presented. Remote data transmission via Wi-Fi and RS-485 communication interfaces between the devices is considered, due to several advantages: mobility, versatility, wide compatibility, environmentally friendly, as well as higher resources efficiency (reducing time and costs).

Doing the Right Things Through Operator Proactive Monitoring

Operator Proactive Monitoring is one of the critical paths to Ensure Safe Production. The objective is to ensure that facilities are proactively monitored to retain the best possible level of situational awareness. It is achieved by monitoring and control the unit and equipment to avoid exceeding a safe limit while meeting all operational and business targets. It promotes early detection & appropriate intervention to an arising abnormal situation. Operator Proactive Monitoring covers a wide range of activities from a control room and field operation. ADNOC Gas Processing, in line with the digital transformation program, has enterprise assets/equipment through implementing Operator Proactive Monitoring for control room and field operator. Operator rounds play an essential role in improving plant reliability and safety. This research aims to measure the effectiveness of the Operator Proactive Monitoring by the Ruwais NGL Operation division at ADNOC Gas Processing. By "doing the right thing," Operator Proactive Monitoring effectively supports and improves process safety culture in the operation business of Ruwais Plant division of ADNOC Gas Processing.

SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination and Immune Thrombocytopenia in de novo and pre-existing ITP patients

Cases of de novo immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) - including a fatality - following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in previously healthy recipients led to studying its impact in pre-existing ITP. In this study, four data sources were analyzed: the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) for cases of de novo ITP; a ten-center retrospective study of adults with pre-existing ITP receiving SARS-CoV-2 vaccination; and surveys distributed by the Platelet Disorder Support Association (PDSA, United States) and the United Kingdom (UK) ITP Support Association. Seventy-seven de novo ITP cases were identified in VAERS, presenting with median platelet count of 3 [1-9] x109/L approximately 1-week post-vaccination. Of 28 patients with available data, 26 responded to treatment with corticosteroids and/or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and/or platelet transfusions. Among 109 patients with pre-existing ITP who received a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, 19 experienced an ITP exacerbation (any of: ≥50% decline in platelet count, nadir platelet count <30x109/L with >20% decrease from baseline, and/or use of rescue therapy) following the first dose and 14 of 70 after a second dose. Splenectomized persons and those who received 5 or more prior lines of therapy were at highest risk of ITP exacerbation. Fifteen patients received and responded to rescue treatment. In surveys of both 57 PDSA and 43 UK ITP patients, prior splenectomy was associated with worsened thrombocytopenia. ITP may worsen in pre-existing ITP or be identified de novo post-SARS-CoV2-vaccination; both situations responded well to treatment. Proactive monitoring of patients with known ITP, especially those post-splenectomy and with more refractory disease, is indicated.

Risk factors related to Streptococcosis disease of tilapia in freshwater aquaculture

The risk factors related to the occurrence of Streptococcosis disease in cultured freshwater tilapia in Hai Duong, Bac Giang, An Giang, Vinh Long, and Dong Thap provinces, were determined based on results obtained by proactive monitoring approach, including observing and analysing water quality and disease occurrence in tilapia during the period 2012 to 2019. The results showed that NO2-N>0.25 mg/l is the most risk related to Streptococcosis disease in tilapia with odds ratio OR=37.4, followed by temperature ≥30oC (OR=16.5), H2S>0.02 mg/l (OR=10), NH3>1 mg/l (OR=8.2), the density of Streptococcus spp. ≥1000 cfu/ml (OR=6.9), and the lowest was pH>8.5 (OR=2.5). Chemical oxygen demand (COD)>10 mg/l, NH4-N>1 mg/l are positively correlated, but not risk factors related to Streptococcosis in tilapia. Dissolved oxygen (DO), Aeromonas spp., and total aerobic bacteria density in cultured water were not correlated and associated with the appearance of Streptococcosis in tilapia.

Assessment of Interactions of Drugs Prescribed for Pediatric Patients in Bangladesh

Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) represent an important clinical problem. During inpatient admissions, infants, children, and adolescents are typically exposed to different medications, increasing their risk of potential drug-drug interactions (pDDIs). While drug interactions are reported to be common, there are only few publications of the prevalence of such interactions among pediatric patients in Bangladesh. The present study tries to estimates the prevalence and characteristics of pDDI exposure of pediatric patients treated in children’s hospitals. This observational retrospective study was carried out on 155 patients admitted to a children’s hospital located at Dhaka during January 2019 to August 2019. The medications of the patients were analyzed for pDDIs by using Medscape drug interaction checker. The prescriptions were analyzed for demographic characteristics, medical and detailed drug history. Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) were evaluated for total numbers, types and severity of DDIs. Total 155 prescriptions with mean age 2.12±2.08 years were analyzed and a total of 25 pDDIs were recorded. The prevalence of pDDI was 17%, of which 12 (48%) were pharmacodynamic interactions, 10 (40%) were pharmacokinetic interactions and 3 (12%) of unknown mechanism. According to the severity of interaction, 4 (18%) cases were categorized as serious, 15 (55%) cases as moderate and 6 (27%) cases as minor. The occurrence of DDIs were significantly associated (r=0.912, p<0.05) with the number of drugs prescribed. The present study has identified pDDIs and also documented interactions in pediatrics patients. It has highlighted the need for screening prescriptions of pediatric patients for pDDIs and proactive monitoring of patients who have identified risk factors in order to promote detection and prevention of possible adverse drug interactions. Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 24(2): 91-98, 2021

Efficacy of Telemedicine and Telemonitoring in At-Home Monitoring of Patients with COVID-19

Aim: this work aims to assess if telemedicine and telemonitoring are clinically useful and safe for at-home monitoring of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of all patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in Galicia (Northwestern Spain) between 26 December 2020 and 15 February 2021. The structured, proactive monitoring via telemonitoring (TELEA) of patients considered to be high-risk in the Lugo, A Mariña, and Monforte Healthcare Area (ASLAM) was evaluated compared to other models in the remaining healthcare areas of Galicia. Results: Of the 47,053 COVID-19 patients, 4384 (9.3%) were in ASLAM. Of them, 1187 (27.1%) were monitored via TELEA, and the rest (3197 in ASLAM and 42,669 in the rest of Galicia) were monitored via other methods. Patients monitored in ASLAM via TELEA were older, consulted in the emergency department less frequently (p = 0.05), were hospitalized less frequently (p < 0.01), had shorter hospital stays (p < 0.0001), and had a lower mortality rate in their first hospitalization (p = 0.03). No at-home life-threatening emergencies were recorded. Conclusions: these data suggest that, for COVID-19 patients, a care model involving proactive at-home monitoring with telemedicine and telemonitoring is associated with reduced pressure on hospital services and a lower mortality rate.

Cardio-Pulmonary-Renal Consequences of Severe COVID-19

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has rapidly spread worldwide and resulted in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The disease raised an unprecedented demand for intensive care support due to severe pulmonary dysfunction and multiorgan failure. Although the pulmonary system is the potential target of the COVID-19, recent reports have demonstrated that COVID-19 profoundly influences the cardiovascular system and the kidneys. Research studies on cadavers have shown that direct heart and kidney injury can be frequently seen in patients deceased due to COVID-19 infection. On the other hand, functional or structural dysfunction of the heart may deteriorate the renal function and vice versa. This concept is already known as the cardiorenal syndrome and may play a role in COVID-19. Proactive monitoring of micro- and macrohemodynamics could allow prompt correction of circulatory dysfunction and can be of pivotal importance in the prevention of acute kidney injury. Moreover, type and amount of fluid therapy and vasoactive drug support could help manage these patients either with or without mechanical ventilator support. This brief review outlines the current evidence regarding the COVID-19-related renal and cardiorenal complications and discusses potential hemodynamic management strategies.

Midfrontal theta tACS facilitates motor coordination in dyadic human-avatar motor interactions

Synchronous interpersonal motor interactions require moment-to-moment predictions and proactive monitoring of the partner's actions. Neurophysiologically, this is highlighted by an enhancement of midfrontal theta activity. In the present study we explored the causal role of midfrontal theta for interpersonal motor interactions employing transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS). We implemented a realistic human-avatar interaction task in immersive virtual reality (IVR) where participants controlled a virtual arm and hand to press a button synchronously with a virtual partner. Participants completed the task while receiving theta (Experiment 1) or beta (control frequency, Experiment 2) EEG-informed tACS over the frontal midline, as well as sham stimulation as a control. Results showed that frontal theta tACS significantly improved behavioural performance (by reducing interpersonal asynchrony) and participants' motor strategies (by increasing movement times and reducing reaction times), while beta tACS had no effect on these measures. These results suggest that theta tACS over frontal areas facilitates action monitoring and motor abilities supporting interpersonal interactions.