Automatic Hypercube Acquisition with high spatial and spectral resolution using a HSI Linescan Camera

Push-broom HSI-cameras have a high spectral resolution but require scanning and stitching to get a correct spatial and spectral representation of a scene. The conventional approach is to calculate a scanning velocity that matches the camera’s frame rate so that the stitching becomes trivial. For this to work one needs to be able to apply the velocity steadily and know the distance between camera and subject. This contribution presents a feature-based approach that directly determines the distance the subject was moved between the images and uses it to correctly stitch the images. It is used in a self-contained environment consisting of a lightprotected box with a light source inside and a linear guide unit that moves the object under examination. The distance between camera and object can be altered to increase the spatial resolution for small objects. It is shown that our stitching approach works even if the velocity changes during scanning. If the distance of the camera is altered, e. g. to scan a larger object, the stitching is adjusted automatically without the need for manual intervention.

Hydro-Economics Tradeoff Surfaces to Guide Unit Commitment in Production Cost Models

<p>This paper aims to assess the discrepancy in hydropower representation between conventional PCMs and hydro scheduling tools and propose a new method to account for hydrological and environmental aspects in PCMs. To achieve this, three scenarios are simulated. The first scenario simulates hydropower operations using a conventional PCM. The second scenario uses an iterative method to integrate into a PCM the hydropower operations modeled by a hydro scheduling tool. The third scenario explores a hybrid alternative in which hydropower operations are simulated based on dynamic hydropower parameters calculated from detailed environmental constraints. These dynamic hydropower parameters are calculated via “surfaces”, or bivariate functions, generated in advance by the hydro scheduling tool used in scenario 2 under numerous hydrological conditions.</p>

Group Electronic Monitoring of Hand Hygiene on Inpatient Units: A Multicenter Cluster Randomized Quality Improvement Study

Background: The current approach to measuring hand hygiene (HH) relies on human auditors who capture <1% of HH opportunities and rapidly become recognized by staff, resulting in inflation in performance. Our goal was to assess the impact of group electronic monitoring coupled with unit-led quality improvement on HH performance and prevention of healthcare-associated transmission and infection. Methods: A stepped-wedge cluster randomized quality improvement study was undertaken across 5 acute-care hospitals in Ontario, Canada. Overall, 746 inpatient beds were electronically monitored across 26 inpatient medical and surgical units. Daily HH performance as measured by group electronic monitoring was reported to inpatient units who discussed results to guide unit-led improvement strategies. The primary outcome was monthly HH adherence (%) between baseline and intervention. Secondary outcomes included transmission of antibiotic resistant organisms such as methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other healthcare-associated infections. Results: After adjusting for the correlation within inpatient units, there was a significant overall improvement in HH adherence associated with the intervention (IRR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.47–1.99; P < .0001). Monthly HH adherence relative to the intervention increased from 29% (1,395,450 of 4,544,144) to 37% (598,035 of 1,536,643) within 1 month, followed by consecutive incremental increases up to 53% (804,108 of 1,515,537) by 10 months (P < .0001). We identified a trend toward reduced healthcare-associated transmission of MRSA (0.74; 95% CI, 0.53–1.04; P = .08). Conclusions: The introduction of a system for group electronic monitoring led to rapid, significant, and sustained improvements in HH performance within a 2-year period.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

Introduction of Group Electronic Monitoring of Hand Hygiene on Inpatient Units: A Multicenter Cluster Randomized Quality Improvement Study

Background The current approach to measuring hand hygiene (HH) relies on human auditors who capture &lt;1% of HH opportunities and rapidly become recognized by staff, resulting in inflation in performance. Group electronic monitoring is a validated method of measuring HH adherence, but data demonstrating the clinical impact of this technology are lacking. Methods A stepped-wedge cluster randomized quality improvement study was performed on 26 inpatient medical and surgical units across 5 acute care hospitals in Ontario, Canada. The intervention involved daily HH reporting as measured by group electronic monitoring to guide unit-led improvement strategies. The primary outcome was monthly HH adherence (percentage) between baseline and intervention. Secondary outcomes included transmission of antibiotic-resistant organisms such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other healthcare-associated infections. Results After adjusting for the correlation within inpatient units and hospitals, there was a significant overall improvement in HH adherence associated with the intervention (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 1.73 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.47–1.99]; P &lt; .0001). Monthly HH adherence relative to the intervention increased from 29% (1 395 450/4 544 144) to 37% (598 035/1 536 643) within 1 month, followed by consecutive incremental increases up to 53% (804 108/1 515 537) by 10 months (P &lt; .0001). There was a trend toward reduced healthcare-associated transmission of MRSA (IRR, 0.74 [95% CI, .53–1.04]; P = .08). Conclusions The introduction of a system for group electronic monitoring led to rapid, significant improvements in HH performance within a 2-year period. This method offers significant advantages over direct observation for measurement and improvement of HH.

Efficacy of Do-It-Yourself Whitening as Compared to Conventional Tooth Whitening Modalities: An In Vitro Study

SUMMARY Aim To evaluate the efficacy of do-it-yourself (DIY) whitening as compared to conventional tooth whitening modalities using different shade assessment tools. Methods and Materials Extracted human molars (120) were randomly distributed to six groups (n=20). Whitening was performed according to manufacturer's directions for over-the-counter, dentist-dispensed for home use, and in-office whitening. DIY whitening consisted of a strawberry and baking soda mix. Additionally, negative and positive controls were used. Two evaluators used the Vita Classical (VC) and Vita Bleachedguide 3D-Master with interpolated numbers (BGi) for visual assessment at baseline and one-week, one-month, and three-month postwhitening. Instrumental measurements were performed with a spectrophotometer. Kruskal-Wallis procedure was used to assess color changes among groups and intraclass correlation (ICC) to evaluate agreement between evaluators. Results DIY exhibited lower color change (ΔSGUVC, ΔSGUBGi, ΔE*, where SGU = shade guide unit and E = overall color change) compared to other whitening groups at all time points (p&lt;0.05). ICC demonstrated very good agreement between evaluators with VC and BGi at each time point. Both shade guides were related with each other and strongly related to instrumental measurements (p&lt;0.05). Conclusions DIY whitening was the least effective whitening modality. Both VC and BGi are related with each other and have good correlation with instrumental measurements.