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Local Measures (local + measure)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	61%
Life Sciences	23%

Selected Abstracts

Management of third molar removal with a single dose of recombinant Factor IX (BeneFIX) and local measures in severe haemophilia B

AUSTRALIAN DENTAL JOURNAL, Issue 3 2010
ID Hewson
Abstract Background:, Patients with inherited bleeding disorders have historically had factor cover for oral surgery. Factor support is expensive, time consuming and places the patient at a potential risk of blood-borne diseases. This case describes the use of a significant reduction in factor support for a severe haemophilia B patient having third molars surgically removed. Methods:, Local measures were used after a single preoperative dose of Factor IX to obtain good postoperative haemostasis. Results:, Excellent haemostasis was achieved using local measures of 5% tranexamic acid solution, Surgicel® and Monocryl® sutures after a single preoperative dose of Factor IX. Conclusions:, Oral surgery may be performed on patients with inherited bleeding disorders using minimal factors and local haemostatic measures. A study of this patient population has commenced at The Alfred Hospital. [source]

Range-wide patterns of greater sage-grouse persistence

DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS, Issue 6 2008
Cameron L. Aldridge
ABSTRACT Aim, Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), a shrub-steppe obligate species of western North America, currently occupies only half its historical range. Here we examine how broad-scale, long-term trends in landscape condition have affected range contraction. Location, Sagebrush biome of the western USA. Methods, Logistic regression was used to assess persistence and extirpation of greater sage-grouse range based on landscape conditions measured by human population (density and population change), vegetation (percentage of sagebrush habitat), roads (density of and distance to roads), agriculture (cropland, farmland and cattle density), climate (number of severe and extreme droughts) and range periphery. Model predictions were used to identify areas where future extirpations can be expected, while also explaining possible causes of past extirpations. Results, Greater sage-grouse persistence and extirpation were significantly related to sagebrush habitat, cultivated cropland, human population density in 1950, prevalence of severe droughts and historical range periphery. Extirpation of sage-grouse was most likely in areas having at least four persons per square kilometre in 1950, 25% cultivated cropland in 2002 or the presence of three or more severe droughts per decade. In contrast, persistence of sage-grouse was expected when at least 30 km from historical range edge and in habitats containing at least 25% sagebrush cover within 30 km. Extirpation was most often explained (35%) by the combined effects of peripherality (within 30 km of range edge) and lack of sagebrush cover (less than 25% within 30 km). Based on patterns of prior extirpation and model predictions, we predict that 29% of remaining range may be at risk. Main Conclusions, Spatial patterns in greater sage-grouse range contraction can be explained by widely available landscape variables that describe patterns of remaining sagebrush habitat and loss due to cultivation, climatic trends, human population growth and peripherality of populations. However, future range loss may relate less to historical mechanisms and more to recent changes in land use and habitat condition, including energy developments and invasions by non-native species such as cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) and West Nile virus. In conjunction with local measures of population performance, landscape-scale predictions of future range loss may be useful for prioritizing management and protection. Our results suggest that initial conservation efforts should focus on maintaining large expanses of sagebrush habitat, enhancing quality of existing habitats, and increasing habitat connectivity. [source]

Detecting spatial hot spots in landscape ecology

ECOGRAPHY, Issue 5 2008
Trisalyn A. Nelson
Hot spots are typically locations of abundant phenomena. In ecology, hot spots are often detected with a spatially global threshold, where a value for a given observation is compared with all values in a data set. When spatial relationships are important, spatially local definitions , those that compare the value for a given observation with locations in the vicinity, or the neighbourhood of the observation , provide a more explicit consideration of space. Here we outline spatial methods for hot spot detection: kernel estimation and local measures of spatial autocorrelation. To demonstrate these approaches, hot spots are detected in landscape level data on the magnitude of mountain pine beetle infestations. Using kernel estimators, we explore how selection of the neighbourhood size (,) and hot spot threshold impact hot spot detection. We found that as , increases, hot spots are larger and fewer; as the hot spot threshold increases, hot spots become larger and more plentiful and hot spots will reflect coarser scale spatial processes. The impact of spatial neighbourhood definitions on the delineation of hot spots identified with local measures of spatial autocorrelation was also investigated. In general, the larger the spatial neighbourhood used for analysis, the larger the area, or greater the number of areas, identified as hot spots. [source]

Benthic macroinvertebrates in Swedish streams: community structure, taxon richness, and environmental relations

ECOGRAPHY, Issue 3 2003
Leonard Sandin
Spatial scale, e.g. from the stream channel, riparian zone, and catchment to the regional and global scale is currently an important topic in running water management and bioassessment. An increased knowledge of how the biota is affected by human alterations and management measures taken at different spatial scales is critical for improving the ecological quality of running waters. However, more knowledge is needed to better understand the relationship between environmental factors at different spatial scales, assemblage structure and taxon richness of running water organisms. In this study, benthic macroinvertebrate data from 628 randomly selected streams were analysed for geographical and environmental relationships. The dataset also included 100 environmental variables, from local measures such as in-stream substratum and vegetation type, catchment vegetation and land-use, and regional variables such as latitude and longitude. Cluster analysis of the macroinvertebrate data showed a continuous gradient in taxonomic composition among the cluster groups from north to south. Both locally measured variables (e.g. water chemistry, substratum composition) and regional factors (e.g. latitude, longitude, and an ecoregional delineation) were important for explaining the variation in assemblage structure and taxon richness for stream benthic macroinvertebrates. This result is of importance when planning conservation and management measurements, implementing large-scale biomonitoring programs, and predicting how human alterations (e.g. global warming) will affect running water ecosystems. [source]

Electron localization and the second moment of the exchange hole,

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF QUANTUM CHEMISTRY, Issue 11 2009
J. G. ÁngyánArticle first published online: 16 APR 200
Abstract The localization tensor, which is a global measure of the itinerant character of the electrons, has been defined by Resta as the second cumulant moment of the position operator per electron. It seems to be a meaningful parameter not only for solids but also for finite molecular systems. In the independent-particle limit, this quantity can be interpreted as the density-weighted average of the second moment of the exchange hole. After examining several possible local measures based on the moment analysis of the exchange hole, it turns out that the density weighted squared exchange hole dipole moment might be a useful local indicator of electron localization. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009 [source]

Langerhans cell histiocytosis: oral/periodontal involvement in adult patients

ORAL DISEASES, Issue 8 2009
S Annibali
Objective:, Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a clonal proliferative multisystem disease. Although bone and mucosae have been classified as non-risk organs, their involvement may increase the risk of disease progression. Oral and periodontal lesions are burdened with a significant impairment of quality of life for associated signs, symptoms and loss of function. Most of information regards paediatric disease; the disease in adults has received limited attention. Subjects and Methods:, A total of 31 adult patients affected by immuno-histopathology confirmed LCH have been prospectively examined; attention was paid to the occurrence and characterization of oral lesions. Results:, Twelve patients developed oral lesions. Posterior regions of jawbones were always affected; the involvement of anterior regions was not constant. Unifocal oral involvement was significantly associated with multisystemic disease while multifocal lesions were associated with unisystemic disease. Oral disease presented with soft tissue ulcers (50% of cases), gingival bleeding (66.7%), pain (83.4%), periodontal damage (50%), tooth mobility (16.7%), non-healing extraction socket (8.3%); 41.6% of patients complained of negative outcomes on quality of life. Oral lesions were easily handled with local measures. Conclusions:, Posterior regions require attention; single oral lesions may be part of multisystemic disease; oral and periodontal lesions may be early signs of disease reactivation. [source]

Spatial segregation, segregation indices and the geographical perspective

POPULATION, SPACE AND PLACE (PREVIOUSLY:-INT JOURNAL OF POPULATION GEOGRAPHY), Issue 2 2006
Lawrence A. Brown
Abstract What could be more inherently geographical than segregation? However, the richness of the spatial variations in segregation is seldom captured by the dominant genre of empirical research. Returning the ,geography' to segregation research, we argue that local areas need to be given considerably more attention, using measures that explicitly reveal the spatial fabric of residential clustering along racial/ethnic lines. We first critique global measures such as the Dissimilarity Index and its spatial counterparts. Attention then turns to local measures such as the Location Quotient and Local Moran's I, applying them to Franklin County, Ohio, the core of Columbus MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area). Our interpretation of the findings also employs local knowledge concerning neighbourhood characteristics, ongoing urban processes, historical occurrences, and the like. Thus, while local indices based on secondary data expose the terrain of clustering/segregation, follow-up fieldwork and/or secondary data analysis in a mixed-methods framework provides a better understanding of the ground-level reality of clustering/segregation. Tangible evidence of the gain from this approach is provided by our evaluation of conventional frameworks for understanding racial/ethnic aspects of residential patterning , assimilation, stratification and resurgent ethnicity , and in our proposal for a new framework, ,market-led pluralism', which focuses on market makers who represent the supply side of housing. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Three-dimensional surface maps link local atrophy and fast ripples in human epileptic hippocampus,

ANNALS OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 6 2009
Jennifer A. Ogren PhD
Objectives There is compelling evidence that pathological high-frequency oscillations (HFOs), called fast ripples (FR, 150,500Hz), reflect abnormal synchronous neuronal discharges in areas responsible for seizure genesis in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE). It is hypothesized that morphological changes associated with hippocampal atrophy (HA) contribute to the generation of FR, yet there is limited evidence that hippocampal FR-generating sites correspond with local areas of atrophy. Methods Interictal HFOs were recorded from hippocampal microelectrodes in 10 patients with MTLE. Rates of FR and ripple discharge from each microelectrode were evaluated in relation to local measures of HA obtained using 3-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) hippocampal modeling. Results Rates of FR discharge were 3 times higher in areas of significant local HA compared with rates in nonatrophic areas. Furthermore, FR occurrence correlated directly with the severity of damage in these local atrophic regions. In contrast, we found no difference in rates of ripple discharge between local atrophic and nonatrophic areas. Interpretation The proximity between local HA and microelectrode-recorded FR suggests that morphological changes such as neuron loss and synaptic reorganization may contribute to the generation of FR. Pathological HFOs, such as FR, may provide a reliable surrogate marker of abnormal neuronal excitability in hippocampal areas responsible for the generation of spontaneous seizures in patients with MTLE. Based on these data, it is possible that MRI-based measures of local HA could identify FR-generating regions, and thus provide a noninvasive means to localize epileptogenic regions in hippocampus. Ann Neurol 2009;66:783,791 [source]

Whole-body bone scintigraphy provides a measure of the total-body burden of osteoarthritis for the purpose of systemic biomarker validation

ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 11 2009
Shelby Addison
Objective To evaluate the association of serum and synovial fluid cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) with systemic and local measures of osteoarthritis (OA) activity by bone scintigraphy. Methods Samples of serum and knee joint synovial fluid (275 knees) were obtained from 159 patients with symptomatic OA of at least 1 knee. Bone scintigraphy using 99mTc-labeled methylene diphosphonate was performed, and early-phase knee scans and late-phase whole-body bone scans of 15 additional joint sites were scored semiquantitatively. To control for within-subject correlations of knee data, generalized linear modeling was used in the correlation of the bone scan scores with the COMP levels. Principal components analysis was used to explore the contribution of each joint site to the variance in serum COMP levels. Results The correlation between synovial fluid and serum COMP levels was significant (r = 0.206, P = 0.006). Synovial fluid COMP levels correlated most strongly with the early-phase knee bone scan scores (P = 0.0003), even after adjustment for OA severity according to the late-phase bone scan scores (P = 0.015), as well as synovial fluid volumes (P < 0.0001). Serum COMP levels correlated with the total-body bone scan scores (r = 0.188, P = 0.018) and with a factor composed of the bone scan scores in the shoulders, spine, lateral knees, and sacroiliac joints (P = 0.0004). Conclusion Synovial fluid COMP levels correlated strongly with 2 indicators of knee joint inflammation: early-phase bone scintigraphic findings and synovial fluid volume. Serum COMP levels correlated with total-body joint disease severity as determined by late-phase bone scintigraphy, supporting the hypothesis that whole-body bone scintigraphy is a means of quantifying the total-body burden of OA for systemic biomarker validation. [source]

Management of third molar removal with a single dose of recombinant Factor IX (BeneFIX) and local measures in severe haemophilia B

Current concepts of the management of dental extractions for patients taking warfarin

AUSTRALIAN DENTAL JOURNAL, Issue 2 2003
G. Carter
Abstract Background: Controversy has surrounded the correct management of patients therapeutically anticoagulated with warfarin who require dental extractions. The risk of bleeding must be weighed up against the risk of thromboembolism when deciding whether to interfere with a patient's warfarin regimen. An improved understanding of the importance of fibrinolytic mechanisms in the oral cavity has resulted in the development of various local measures to enable these patients to be treated on an outpatient basis. Methods: A review of the literature was undertaken. This was supplemented by the authors' clinical trials and extensive clinical experience with anticoagulated patients. Results: Various protocols for treating patients taking warfarin have been reviewed and summarized and an overview of the haemostatic and fibrinolytic systems is presented. A protocol for management of warfarinized patients requiring dental extractions in the outpatient setting is proposed. Conclusions: Patients therapeutically anticoagulated with warfarin can be treated on an ambulatory basis, without interruption of their warfarin regimen provided appropriate local measures are used. [source]

Age-dependent normative values for differential luminance sensitivity in automated static perimetry using the Octopus 101

ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 4 2008
Agnes Hermann
Abstract. Purpose:, To determine age-dependent normative differential threshold values for the Octopus 101 instrument and to create a smooth mathematical model characterizing the age-dependency and asymmetry of the hill of vision. Methods:, Static automated perimetry within the central 30° visual field (VF) was conducted with the Octopus 101 (background luminance 10 cd/m2) in 81 eyes of 81 ophthalmologically healthy subjects (11,12 per decade of age) aged 10,79 years. A 4-2-2 staircase strategy with three reversals was run. The test point grid consisted of 68 concentrically arranged points with test point condensation towards the VF centre, representing the approximately rotation-symmetrical 30° hill of vision. Thresholds of differential luminance sensitivity (DLS) were estimated by the maximum likelihood method. A smooth mathematical model was fitted to the normative data. Results:, The model fit was satisfactory (r2 = 0.74). Covariables were: age, eccentricity, angle and subject. Total random standard deviation (SD) was 1.75 dB. The residual SD exceeded 1.75 dB in the border region, was 1.5 dB within the centre and fell below 1.25 dB in a ring around the centre. Average thresholds of DLS varied with age quadratically. It is close to constant for the 10,40,year-old age group and declines ever more steeply thereafter. The effect of age on DLS in the VF increased with eccentricity. The greatest drop was located in the peripheral superior hemifield: at 25° eccentricity the superior DLS was estimated to be 5.5 dB higher in 10-year-olds than in 75-year-olds. Conclusions:, This new smooth model allows for the prediction of age-related normal threshold values for any stimulus location within the 30° VF and thus for the calculation of global and local measures of defect such as mean defects or p-values for any type of stimulus. [source]