This study presents a method to optimize the sampling design of environmental monitoring networks in a multi-objective setting. We optimize the permanent network of radiation monitoring stations in the Netherlands and parts of Germany as an example. The optimization method proposed combines minimization of prediction error under routine conditions with maximizing calamity detection capability i...

Significant coral reef decline has been observed in Colombia during the last three decades. However, due to the lack of monitoring activities, most of the information about health and changes was fragmentary or inadequate. To develop an expanded nation-wide reef-monitoring program, in 1998 INVEMAR (Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras: "Colombian Institute of Marine and Coastal Resea...

Electric motors are nowadays widely used in all kind of industrial applications due to their robustness and ease of control through inverters. Therefore, any effort, with the aim of improving condition monitoring techniques applied to them, will result in a reduction of overall production costs by means of productive lines stoppage reduction, and increment of the industrial efficiency. In this ...

We reviewed retrospectively the role of monitoring of somatosensory spinal evoked potentials (SSEP) in 99 patients with neuromuscular scoliosis who had had operative correction with Luque-Galveston rods and sublaminar wiring. Our findings showed that SSEP monitoring was useful and that a 50% decrease in the amplitude of the trace optimised both sensitivity and specificity. The detection of true...

Multivariate methods were applied to denoise the gravity and geomagnetic signals continuously recorded by the permanent monitoring networks on the Etna volcano. Gravity and geomagnetic signals observed in volcanic areas are severely influenced by meteorological variables (i.e. pressure, temperature and humidity), whose disturbances can make the detection of volcanic source effects more difficul...

OBJECTIVES Experimental myocardial infarction triggers secretion of Stromal cell-derived factor1 and lead to increase in the expression of its receptor "CXCR4" on the surface of various cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression pattern of CXCR4 in peripheral blood cells following time-course permanent and temporary ischemia in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fourteen male Wistar...

QUESTIONS Atrial ectopic tachycardia (AET) may be difficult to diagnose in neonates and treatment can be complex especially in case of severe heart failure. This study addresses the clinical recognition and drug therapy of AET in neonates. METHODS Retrospective chart and database review of neonates diagnosed with AET between 1994 and 2002. RESULTS AET was diagnosed in 19 neonates at a media...

This randomized clinical trial aimed to assess the efficacy of sealing occlusal carious lesions in permanent teeth. The sample consisted of 54 occlusal carious lesions in permanent molars and premolars of 49 patients aged 8-43 years (median: 19 years). The inclusion criteria comprised the presence of a cavity with no access allowing biofilm control. The maximum depth of the lesion was the middl...

The aims of this study are to raise awareness among paediatricians, neurologists and paediatric neurologists of the potential benefits of permanent cardiac pacing in patients who have severe and disabling reflex anoxic seizures (RAS) associated with reflex asystole, sometimes called ‘pallid syncope’. Up to now pacing was generally held not to be required for RAS as it is self-limiting and safe....

AIM This study seeks to identify the optimal management strategy for patients with syncope in the context of bifascicular block and preserved left ventricular systolic function. METHODS AND RESULTS This multicentre, randomized, open label, parallel group pragmatic randomized trial will test the hypothesis that a strategy of empiric permanent pacemaker implantation in patients with syncope and...