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Defined Range (defined + range)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	50%

Selected Abstracts

Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Dogs and Cats

JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 1 2008
C.E. Wiedmeyer
Use of continuous glucose monitoring in veterinary medicine is gaining popularity. Through use of a commercially available continuous glucose monitor system, insights into daily glucose changes in dogs and cats are achievable. The continuous glucose monitoring system measures glucose concentrations in the interstitial fluid of the subcutaneous space by use of a small, flexible probe. When placed in the subcutaneous tissue, the probe is connected to a recording device that is attached to the animal and records the interstitial fluid glucose concentration every 5 minutes (288 readings per 24 hours). Once attached and properly calibrated, the instrument can remain in place for several days, hospitalization of the patient is not necessary, and the normal daily routine of the animal can be maintained. The data from the recording device are then downloaded and a very detailed picture of the interstitial fluid glucose concentration over that time period can be obtained. Subcutaneous interstitial fluid glucose concentrations have a good correlation to blood glucose concentrations within a defined range. The continuous glucose monitoring system has distinct advantages over traditional blood glucose curves and is a valuable tool for managing diabetic dogs and cats. In addition, other clinical uses for continuous glucose monitoring are being developed. This review is designed to outline the technology behind the continuous glucose monitoring system, describe the clinical use of the instrument, provide clinical examples in which it may be useful, and discuss future directions for continuous glucose monitoring in dogs and cats. [source]

Noninvasive Activity-based Control of an Implantable Rotary Blood Pump: Comparative Software Simulation Study

ARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 2 2010
Dean M. Karantonis
Abstract A control algorithm for an implantable centrifugal rotary blood pump (RBP) based on a noninvasive indicator of the implant recipient's activity level has been proposed and evaluated in a software simulation environment. An activity level index (ALI),derived from a noninvasive estimate of heart rate and the output of a triaxial accelerometer,forms the noninvasive indicator of metabolic energy expenditure. Pump speed is then varied linearly according to the ALI within a defined range. This ALI-based control module operates within a hierarchical multiobjective framework, which imposes several constraints on the operating region, such as minimum flow and minimum speed amplitude thresholds. Three class IV heart failure (HF) cases of varying severity were simulated under rest and exercise conditions, and a comparison with other popular RBP control strategies was performed. Pump flow increases of 2.54, 1.94, and 1.15 L/min were achieved for the three HF cases, from rest to exercise. Compared with constant speed control, this represents a relative flow change of 30.3, 19.8, and ,15.4%, respectively. Simulations of the proposed control algorithm exhibited the effective intervention of each constraint, resulting in an improved flow response and the maintenance of a safe operating condition, compared with other control modes. [source]

Personality style, psychological adaptation and expectations of trainee clinical psychologists

CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHOTHERAPY (AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF THEORY & PRACTICE), Issue 4 2002
Jeni Brooks
The literature suggests that personality affects how individuals experience stress, cope, utilize social support and psychologically adapt. This study examined the personality style, psychological adaptation and expectations of 364 UK trainee clinical psychologists. Personality traits characterizing the sample were: enhancing, modifying, extraversing, outgoing, and agreeing. Mean overall personality adjustment was significantly better than the normal population. The sample scored significantly poorer on self-esteem, anxiety and depression, but well outside the defined range for poor adaptation. A small percentage (8%, n = 31) had ,poor' personality adjustment scores, scored worse on indicators of psychological adaptation and reported greater shortfall of course aspects compared with expectations. However, 41% scored as having a significant problem on one or more of: anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and work adjustment. About one-third had a probable substance use problem. In regression analyses, poor personality adjustment, and different areas of expectation-shortfall, especially impact of training on life variously predicted anxiety, depression, and poor work adjustment. Satisfaction with social support was not predictive of adaptation after personality adjustment was accounted for. Implications for clinical psychology training include the need for enhanced expectation-management through pre-course marketing, and better attention to trainees' personal and professional development throughout training. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Surrogacy and persistence in reserve selection: landscape prioritization for multiple taxa in Britain

JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 1 2009
Aldina M. A. Franco
Summary 1A principal goal of protected-area networks is to maintain viable populations of as many species as possible, particularly those that are vulnerable to environmental change outside reserves. Ideally, one wants to be able to protect all biodiversity when selecting priority areas for conservation. 2Using the area-prioritization algorithm ZONATION, we identified the locations where UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species of mammals, birds, herptiles, butterflies and plants occur in concentrated populations with high connectivity. Both these features are likely to be correlated with population persistence. The analyses were successful in maintaining a high proportion of the connectivity of narrow-range species, and large total amounts of the connectivity of wider-range species over 10% of the land surface of Great Britain. 3Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP , high priority) species of one taxonomic group were not particularly good surrogates (indicators) for BAP species of other taxonomic groups. Hence, maintaining population concentrations of one taxonomic group did not guarantee doing likewise for other taxa. 4Species with narrow geographic ranges were most effective at predicting conservation success for other species, probably because they represent the range of environmental conditions required by other species. 5Synthesis and applications. This study identifies landscape-scale priority areas for conservation of priority species from several taxonomic groups, using the Zonation software. ,Indicator groups' were only partially successful as predictors of priority areas for other taxonomic groups, and therefore, the identification of priority areas for biodiversity conservation should include information from all taxonomic groups available. Larger areas should be protected to account for species not included in the analyses. Conservation solutions based on data for many different species, and particularly those species with narrowly defined ranges, appear to be most effective at protecting other rare taxa. [source]