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Monitoring Device (monitoring + device)
Selected AbstractsAssessment of blood pressure in patients with Type 2 diabetes: comparison between home blood pressure monitoring, clinic blood pressure measurement and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoringDIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 6 2001M. G. Masding Abstract Aims To compare a home blood pressure (BP) monitoring device and clinic BP measurement with 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods Fifty-five patients with type 2 DM had BP measured at three consecutive visits to the DM clinic by nurses using a stethoscope and mercury sphygmomanometer (CBP). Twenty-four-hour ambulatory BP was measured using a Spacelabs 90207 automatic cuff-oscillometric device (ABPM). Subjects were then instructed in how to use a Boots HEM 732B semiautomatic cuff-oscillometric home BP monitoring device and measured BP at home on three specified occasions on each of 4 consecutive days at varying times (HBPM). Results Correlations between HBPM and ABPM were r = 0.88, P < 0.001 for systolic BP and r = 0.76, P < 0.001 for diastolic BP, with correlations between CBP and ABPM being systolic r = 0.59, P < 0.001, diastolic r = 0.47, P < 0.001. HBPM agreed with ABPM more closely compared with CBP (CBP +10.9/+3.8 (95% confidence intervals (CI) 6.9, 14.8/1.6, 6.1) vs. HBPM +8.2/+3.7 (95% CI 6.0, 10.3/2.0, 5.4)). The sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of HBPM in detecting hypertension were 100%, 79% and 90%, respectively, compared with CBP (85%, 46% and 58%, respectively). Conclusions In patients with Type 2 DM, home BP monitoring is superior to clinic BP measurement, when compared with 24-h ambulatory BP, and allows better detection of hypertension. It would be a rational addition to the annual review process. Diabet. Med. 18, 431,437 (2001) [source] A simulation tool for designing nutrient monitoring programmes for eutrophication assessments,ENVIRONMETRICS, Issue 1 2010Janet Heffernan Abstract This paper describes a simulation tool to aid the design of nutrient monitoring programmes in coastal waters. The tool is developed by using time series of water quality data from a Smart Buoy, an in situ monitoring device. The tool models the seasonality and temporal dependence in the data and then filters out these features to leave a white noise series. New data sets are then simulated by sampling from the white noise series and re-introducing the modelled seasonality and temporal dependence. Simulating many independent realisations allows us to study the performance of different monitoring designs and assessment methods. We illustrate the approach using total oxidised nitrogen (TOxN) and chlorophyll data from Liverpool Bay, U.K. We consider assessments of whether the underlying mean concentrations of these water quality variables are sufficiently low; i.e. below specified assessment concentrations. We show that for TOxN, even when mean concentrations are at background, daily data from a Smart Buoy or multi-annual sampling from a research vessel would be needed to obtain adequate power. Copyright © 2009 Crown Copyright [source] Perceived Fitness Predicts Daily Coping Better Than Physical ActivityJOURNAL OF APPLIED BIOBEHAVIORAL RESEARCH, Issue 1 2000Thomas G. Plante One hundred sixty-six participants (70 males, 96 females) completed a series of questionnaires measuring perceived fitness, social desirability, self-esteem, hope, and perceived stress levels and coping abilities. Participants were then given an activity monitoring device to wear for 1 week. Participants recorded daily measures of physical activity, perceived fitness, and perceived stress and coping over 7 days. Results revealed that although perceived physical fitness was reliably associated with coping, actual physical activity was not. These associations remained even after statistically controlling for gender, social desirability, self-esteem, hope, perceived stress, and anxiety. Findings suggest that perceived physical fitness may be a better predictor of daily coping than actual physical activity. [source] Monitoring free flaps using laser-induced fluorescence of indocyanine green: A preliminary experienceMICROSURGERY, Issue 7 2002C. Holm M.D. In a prospective, clinical study, the clinical utility of indocyanine green for intraoperative monitoring of free tissue transfer was evaluated. The study comprised 20 surgical patients undergoing elective microsurgical procedures. Indocyanine green angiography was performed intraoperatively, immediately after flap inset, and the operating team was blind to the fluoremetric findings. Thereafter, postoperative monitoring was done exclusively by clinical examination (color, temperature, time for recapillarization, and bleeding after puncture). Final outcome was compared with results of perioperative indocyanine (ICG)-imaging, and classified either as total flap loss, partial flap loss, or successful tissue transplantation. A total of 2 (10%) complications was recorded, and included one partial and one total flap loss. Both complications were detected by intraoperative ICG imaging. Another case of intraoperative subclinical arterial spasm at the place of microvascular anastomosis was revealed by dynamic ICG-videography. This flap did not develop postoperative complications. In conclusion, evaluation of perfusion by ICG imaging is feasible in all kinds of microsurgical flaps, irrespective of the type of tissue. Even though not meeting all the criteria of an ideal monitoring device, significant additional information can be obtained. In this study, cases with arterial spasm, venous congestion, and regional hypoperfusion were revealed by intraoperative ICG-videography. There was a strong correlation between intraoperative findings and clinical outcome. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 22:278,287 2002 [source] Left Atrial Ablation at the Anatomic Areas of Ganglionated Plexi for Paroxysmal Atrial FibrillationPACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 10 2010EVGENY POKUSHALOV M.D., Ph.D. Background:,Modification of left atrial ganglionated plexi (GP) is a promising technique for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) but its therapeutic efficacy is not established. This study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of anatomic GP modification by means of an implantable arrhythmia monitoring device. Methods:,In 56 patients with paroxysmal AF, radiofrequency ablation at anatomic sites, where the main clusters of GP have been identified in the left atrium, was performed. In all patients, an electrocardiogram monitor (Reveal XT, Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA) was implanted before (n = 7) or immediately after (n = 49) AF ablation. Results:,Average duration of the procedure was 142 ± 18 min and average fluoroscopy time 20 ± 7 min. In total, 53,81 applications of RF energy were delivered (mean of 18.2 ± 3.8 at each of the four areas of GP ablation). Heart rate variability was assessed in 31 patients. Standard deviation of RR intervals over the entire analyzed period, the root mean square of differences between successive RR intervals, and high frequencies decreased, while HRmin, HRmean, and LF to HF ratio increased immediately postablation; these values returned to baseline 6 months after the procedure. At end of 12-month follow-up, 40 (71%) patients were free of arrhythmia recurrence. Ten patients had AF recurrence, two patients had left atrial flutter, and four patients had episodes of flutter as well as AF recurrence. Duration of episodes of AF after ablation gradually decreased over the follow-up period. Conclusions:,Regional ablation at the anatomic sites of the left atrial GP can be safely performed and enables maintenance of sinus rhythm in 71% of patients with paroxysmal AF for a 12-month period. (PACE 2010; 33:1231,1238) [source] Non-adherence to medications following pediatric liver transplantationPEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 6 2004Eyal Shemesh Abstract:, Non-adherence to medications is a leading cause of organ loss and morbidity in children and adolescents who had a liver transplant. Yet there are very few published studies about ways to detect whether patients are taking their medications or not, and about treatment options to improve adherence. The Pediatric Liver/Liver Transplant Program at Mount Sinai developed clinical and research programs that evaluate adherence. We review initial results from these programs. Clinic patients participate in an adherence-monitoring program that involves standardized assessments by patients, parents, clinicians, and routine examinations of medication blood levels. A research program adds an electronic monitoring device (MEMS-caps©, AARDEX/APREX, Switzerland) and examines the use of azathioprine metabolites as predictors for non-adherence. Patients receive a thorough psychosocial evaluation to identify potential risk factors for non-adherence. Preliminary results indicate that an objective adherence detection method has to be incorporated into practice if non-adherence is to be reliably detected (clinicians' impressions and patients' reports are not sufficient). A risk factor for non-adhernce, post-traumatic stress disorder, emerges as a potential target for intervention. It is possible to integrate a formal mechanism to assess adherence into the work of a liver/liver transplant clinic. We hope that the presented program will inspire clinicians in the community and other programs to regard the assessment and improvement of adherence to medications as an important goal in the management of children who had a transplant. [source] Potential impact of a new blood glucose monitoring device: the GlucoWatch® BiographerPRACTICAL DIABETES INTERNATIONAL (INCORPORATING CARDIABETES), Issue 4 2002NN Chan Abstract Home blood glucose monitoring may be laborious, time-consuming, inconvenient and painful. Failure to test may preclude optimisation of glycaemic control. We aimed to evaluate the potential usefulness of a new noninvasive automatic glucose monitor, the GlucoWatch® Biographer. Eight patients with type 1 diabetes and two with type 2 diabetes (4M:6F) aged between 23 and 65 years participated in this study. All participants were given 1 hour of instruction prior to provision of the GlucoWatch®. They were given contact numbers and reviewed weekly. Several disadvantages were encountered by the participants, which included the daily 3 hour calibration period (n = 10), skin irritations (n = 6) and skipped measurements (n = 2) due to unsatisfactory probe contact due to skin temperature or sweats. Several patients, however, found it invaluable to have their daily profile monitored to allow insulin dosage adjustment and detection of hypoglycaemia. The GlucoWatch® Biographer is an invaluable tool that allows noninvasive detection of glucose trends, which contributes to glycaemic control. However, it is not suitable for every patient. Self-motivation and ability to learn how to use the device are the key factors. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Thermal Sensor to Monitor Mechanical Properties in Polymer/Fiber Composite MoldingTHE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 5 2002David Rouison Abstract Multi-layered samples of 1) continuous fiber axially aligned and 2) random oriented mat glass fiber composites were manually prepared for a fiber content ranging from zero to 20% (vol.). The uniaxially aligned samples displayed linear relations between both normalized elastic modulus and normalized thermal conductivity, and fiber content, for axially applied load and heat flux. For the random mat composite samples, similar results were obtained, with symmetry displayed in the plane of the mat. In both cases, measured axial thermal conductivity permits an evaluation of the axial elastic modulus. The Mathis surface probe used (US patent #5,795,064) is demonstrated as a non-intrusive indirect method of obtaining thermal conductivity for heat flux parallel (i.e. axial or transverse) to the plane of a sample. The method shows potential for use as an in-line monitoring device for the mechanical properties of molded composites. Des échantillons multicouches de composites (1) de fibres continues alignées dans le sens axial et (2) de fibres de verre en natte orientées aléatoirement, ont été préparés manuellement pour une teneur en fibre comprise entre 0 et 20 % (vol.). Pour les échantillons alignés dans le sens uniaxial, on montre l'existence de relations linéaires entre la teneur en fibre et le module élastique normalisé et entre la teneur en fibre et la conductivité thermique normalisée, pour une charge et un flux de chaleur appliqués dans le sens axial. Pour les échantillons de composite en natte aléatoire, des résultats similaires ont été obtenus, avec une symétrie observée dans le plan de la natte. Dans les deux cas, la conductivité thermique axiale mesurée permet une évaluation du module élastique axiale. On démontre que la sonde de surface Mathis utilisée (brevet US # 5,795,064) constitue une méthode indirecte non intrusive pour obtenir la conductivité thermique pour un flux de chaleur parallèle (c.-à-d. axial ou transversal) au plan de la surface de l'échantillon. La méthode montre du potentiel en tant que dispositif de surveillance en ligne pour les propriétés mécaniques des composites moulés. [source] Assessment of different techniques for subcutaneous glucose monitoring in Type 1 diabetic patients during ,real-life' glucose excursionsDIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 3 2010J. K. Mader Diabet. Med. 27, 332,338 (2010) Abstract Aims, To compare the accuracy of two marketed subcutaneous glucose monitoring devices (Guardian RT, GRT; GlucoDay S, GDS) and standard microdialysis (CMA60; MD) in Type 1 diabetic patients. Methods, Seven male Type diabetic patients were investigated over a period of 26 h simulating real-life meal glucose excursions. Catheters of the three systems were inserted into subcutaneous adipose tissue of the abdominal region. For MD, interstitial fluid was sampled at 30- to 60-min intervals for offline glucose determination. Reference samples were taken at 15- to 60-min intervals. All three systems were prospectively calibrated to reference. Median differences, median absolute relative differences (MARD), median absolute differences (MAD), Bland,Altman plot and Clark Error Grid were used to determine accuracy. Results, Bland,Altman analysis indicated a mean glucose difference (2 standard deviations) between reference and interstitial glucose of ,10.5 (41.8) % for GRT, 20.2 (55.9) % for GDS and 6.5 (35.2) % for MD, respectively. Overall MAD (interquartile range) was 1.07 (0.39; 2.04) mmol/l for GRT, 1.59 (0.54; 3.08) mmol/l for GDS and 0.76 (0.26; 1.58) mmol/l for MD. Overall MARD was 15.0 (5.6; 23.4) % (GRT), 19.7 (6.1; 37.6) % (GDS) and 8.7 (4.1; 18.3) % (MD), respectively. Total sensor failure occurred in two subjects using GRT and one subject using GDS. Conclusions, The three investigated technologies had comparable performance. Whereas GRT underestimated actual blood glucose, GDS and MD overestimated blood glucose. Considerable deviations during daily life meal glucose excursions from reference glucose were observed for all three investigated technologies. Present technologies may require further improvement until individual data can lead to direct and automated generation of therapeutic advice in diabetes management. [source] Glucose sensors: a review of current and emerging technologyDIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 3 2009N. S. Oliver Abstract Glucose monitoring technology has been used in the management of diabetes for three decades. Traditional devices use enzymatic methods to measure glucose concentration and provide point sample information. More recently continuous glucose monitoring devices have become available providing more detailed data on glucose excursions. In future applications the continuous glucose sensor may become a critical component of the closed loop insulin delivery system and, as such, must be selective, rapid, predictable and acceptable for continuous patient use. Many potential sensing modalities are being pursued including optical and transdermal techniques. This review aims to summarize existing technology, the methods for assessing glucose sensing devices and provide an overview of emergent sensing modalities. [source] Are Debt and Incentive Compensation Substitutes in Controlling the Free Cash Flow Agency Problem?FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, Issue 3 2009Yilei Zhang This paper investigates the governance implications of a firm's capital structure and managerial incentive compensation in controlling the free cash flow agency problem. The results suggest: debt and executive stock options act as substitutes in attenuating a firm's free cash flow problem; failure to incorporate the substitutability and endogeneity leads to underestimates of the magnitude and economic implication of the disciplinary role of both mechanisms; firm characteristics differ across the prevalence of debt usage versus option usage, suggesting the heterogeneity in the costs and benefits of the monitoring devices; and all the above effects are more pronounced in firms that tend to have more severe agency problem. [source] A New Depth-Discrete Multilevel Monitoring Approach for Fractured RockGROUND WATER MONITORING & REMEDIATION, Issue 2 2007John A. Cherry A new approach for monitoring in fractured rock was demonstrated in a contaminated (trichloroethylene and metolachlor) dolostone aquifer used for municipal water supply. The system consists of two related technologies: a continuous packer for temporary borehole seals (Flexible Liner Underground Technologies Ltd. [FLUTe] blank liner) and a depth-discrete multilevel monitoring system (MLS) (the Water FLUTe) for temporary or permanent monitoring. The continuous borehole liner consists of a urethane-coated nylon fabric tube custom sized to each hole. The FLUTe MLS consists of the same liner material with many depth-discrete intervals for monitoring hydraulic head and/or ground water quality. The FLUTe blank liner seals the entire borehole, prior to FLUTe multilevel installation, to prevent vertical cross connection while allowing borehole logging and testing. The FLUTe multilevel system also seals the entire borehole with the exception of each monitoring interval where the formation water has direct hydraulic connection to the pumping system via a thin permeable mesh sandwiched between the liner and the formation. The blank sealing liners and the multilevel systems were used in five boreholes ranging in diameter between 9.6 and 14.5 cm in the dolostone aquifer to depths of 150 m. The systems were custom designed for each borehole and included between 12 and 15 monitoring intervals. The application demonstrated the ease of installation and removability and facilitated obtaining large data sets with minimal labor. The system offers unique and versatile design features not possible with other bedrock monitoring devices and has been used at many bedrock contamination sites across North America. [source] The Impact of Corporate Governance and Audit Quality on the Cost of Private Loans,ACCOUNTING PERSPECTIVES, Issue 4 2009Ling Chu ABSTRACT The objective of this paper is to examine whether banks discriminate between firms on the basis of their financial condition when assessing the credit default risk, and to what extent corporate governance and auditor quality mitigate such risks in the pricing of new bank loans. The results indicate that, depending on the probability of bankruptcy, banks rely on different monitoring devices. For firms with a low probability of bankruptcy, banks do not rely on the quality of corporate governance or the auditor's industry specialization. However, auditor tenure and a change in auditor affect the spread. For firms with a high probability of bankruptcy, the spread is adjusted for the quality of corporate governance and the auditor's specialization. These results are robust to alternative specifications and measures. [source] Anaesthetic gas monitoring devices , the new gadget for the motorhome ownerANAESTHESIA, Issue 1 2007G. Park No abstract is available for this article. [source] Überwachung und Analyse der Lebensdauer von TunnelbauwerkenBETON- UND STAHLBETONBAU, Issue 1 2007Konrad Bergmeister Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Im Tunnelbau bildet die Überwachung der signifikanten Einwirkungs- und Strukturparameter während der Bauphase und des Betriebs die Basis für die Bewertung des Zustands und der Sicherheit des Bauwerks. Die erfassten Daten stellen des Weiteren die Grundlage zur nummerischen und mechanischen Modellbildung dar, um eine effiziente Entscheidungsfindung und Maßnahmenplanung zu gewährleisten. Die Überwachung beinhaltet die Erfassung und Bewertung der geologischen Gegebenheiten, der induzierten Auswirkungen während des Vortriebs und die kontinuierliche Kontrolle für den weiteren Betrieb und Unterhalt des Bauwerks. Methoden der Bauwerksüberwachung und Diagnose stellen aufgrund der quantitativ erfassten Systemparameter ein wesentliches Element für die Zuverlässigkeitsanalyse dar. Die geeignete Wahl von Kontroll- und Messinstrumenten ist jedoch nur einen Teilaspekt der Bauwerksüberwachung. Die Auswertung und Interpretation der erhobenen Daten, die Gegenüberstellung mit den normativen Anforderungen und Grenzwerten, die Anpassung der analytischen Modellannahmen aufgrund des Vergleichs von gemessenen und berechneten Daten zeigen die Komplexität dieses Aufgabengebietes. Monitoring and Analysis of Durability of Tunnels Monitoring continuously the decisive parameters, during both the construction and the operation phase, provides the quantitative basis for safety and condition assessment, analytical modelling and decision making. This includes evaluating the conditions and induced effects during excavation and construction, and continues during operation in terms of maintenance decision making and reliability assessment. The utilisation of monitoring devices and measurement elements is however only the start of monitoring field performance. Interpretation of the acquired data is equally important, namely the validation of compliance with normative specifications and the comparison of measured and calculated data in order to evaluate analytical model assumptions. [source] | ||||||||||||||||