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Monitoring Strategies (monitoring + strategy)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	35%
Life Sciences	35%

Selected Abstracts

Presence and Duration of Atrial Fibrillation Detected by Continuous Monitoring: Crucial Implications for the Risk of Thromboembolic Events

JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 3 2009
GIOVANNI L. BOTTO M.D.
Introduction: Asymptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) can expose patients to the risk of stroke. The primary objective of this study was to assess the incidence of thromboembolic events in relationship with CHADS2 (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ,75 years, diabetes mellitus, and prior stroke, or transient ischemic attack) score and AF presence/duration. The secondary objective was to compare intermittent versus continuous monitoring strategies. Methods and Results: Data from patients with an implanted pacemaker and a history of AF were analyzed. Thromboembolic risk was quantified through CHADS2 score. Three AF groups were considered: patients with <5-minutes AF on 1 day (AF-free); patients with >5-minutes AF on 1 day but <24 hours (AF-5 minutes); patients with AF episodes >24 hours (AF-24 hours). Monitoring strategies involving 24-hour Holter, 1-week Holter, and 30-day Holter were simulated. Data from 568 patients continuously monitored for 1 year were analyzed: 171 (30%) had CHADS2 score = 0; 269 (47%) had CHADS2 score = 1; 111 (20%) had CHADS2 score = 2; and 17 (3%) had CHADS2 score , 3. During follow-up, 14 patients (2.5%) had an ischemic thromboembolic event. AF-24 hours patients numbered 223 (39.2%); AF-5 minutes, 179 (31.5%); and AF-free, 29.2%. By combining AF presence/duration with CHADS2 score, two subpopulations with markedly different risks of events (0.8% vs 5%, P = 0.035) were identified, the former corresponding to AF-free with CHADS2,2, or AF-5 minutes with CHADS2,1, or AF-24 hours with CHADS2= 0. The mean sensitivity in detecting an AF episode lasting >5 minutes was 44.4%, 50.4%, and 65.1% for 24-hour Holter, 1-week Holter, and 1-month Holter monitoring, respectively. Conclusion: In patients with recurrent AF episodes, risk stratification for thromboembolic events can be improved by combining CHADS2 score with AF presence/duration. [source]

Strategies for Successful Marine Conservation: Integrating Socioeconomic, Political, and Scientific Factors

CONSERVATION BIOLOGY, Issue 6 2005
CAROLYN J. LUNDQUIST
áreas marinas protegidas; planificación de conservación; reservas marinas Abstract:,As the process of marine-protected-area design and implementation evolves, the incorporation of new tools will advance our ability to create and maintain effective protected areas. We reviewed characteristics and approaches that contribute to successful global marine conservation efforts. One successful characteristic emphasized in most case studies is the importance of incorporating stakeholders at all phases of the process. Clearly defined goals and objectives at all stages of the design process are important for improved communication and standardized expectations of stakeholder groups. The inclusion of available science to guide the size and design of marine protected areas and to guide clear monitoring strategies that assess success at scientific, social, and economic levels is also an important tool in the process. Common shortcomings in marine conservation planning strategies include government instability and resultant limitations to monitoring and enforcement, particularly in developing nations. Transferring knowledge to local community members has also presented challenges in areas where in situ training, local capacity, and existing infrastructure are sparse. Inaccessible, unavailable, or outdated science is often a limitation to conservation projects in developed and developing nations. To develop and maintain successful marine protected areas, it is necessary to acknowledge that each case is unique, to apply tools and lessons learned from other marine protected areas, and to maintain flexibility to adjust to the individual circumstances of the case at hand. Resumen:,A medida que evoluciona el proceso de diseño e implementación de áreas marinas protegidas, la incorporación de nuevas herramientas mejorará nuestra habilidad para crear y mantener áreas protegidas efectivas. Revisamos las características y enfoques que contribuyen a los esfuerzos exitosos de conservación marina global. La importancia de incorporar a los actores en todas las fases del proceso es una característica exitosa enfatizada en la mayoría de los estudios de caso. Es importante que haya metas y objetivos claramente definidos para todas las etapas del proceso de diseño para mejorar la comunicación y estandarizar las expectativas de los grupos interesados. La inclusión de la ciencia disponible para guiar el tamaño y diseño de áreas marinas protegidas y para guiar las estrategias de monitoreo que evalúa el éxito a nivel científico, social y económico también son herramientas importantes en el proceso. Defectos comunes en las estrategias de planificación de conservación marina incluyen la inestabilidad gubernamental y las resultantes limitaciones para el monitoreo y vigilancia, particularmente en países en desarrollo. La transferencia de conocimiento a miembros de la comunidad local también ha enfrentado retos en áreas donde el entrenamiento in situ, la aptitud local y la infraestructura existente son escasos. La ciencia inaccesible, no disponible u obsoleta a menudo es una limitación para los proyectos de conservación en países desarrollados y en desarrollo. Para desarrollar y mantener áreas marinas protegidas exitosas, es necesario reconocer que cada caso es único, aplicar herramientas y lecciones aprendidas en otras áreas marinas protegidas y mantener la flexibilidad para ajustarse a las circunstancias individuales de cada caso. [source]

Mental health in Europe: problems, advances and challenges

ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2001
W. Rutz
Objective:,To describe mental health care needs and challenges across the WHO European region of 51 nations. Method:,Based on morbidity and mortality data from HFA Statistical Database and Health21, the policy framework of WHO Europe, major trends in mental health care needs, psychiatric reform and mental health promotion are discussed. Results:,There is a mortality crisis related to mental ill health in Eastern European populations of transition. Destigmatization is required to improve early intervention and humanization of services, and national mental health audits are needed to create the basis for national mental health planning, implementation and monitoring. There are both problems and advances in service restructuring, and comprehensive mental health promotion programmes, preventive and monitoring strategies are required. Conclusion:,Partnerships between national and international organizations, especially WHO and the European Union, have to be strengthened to make progress on the way to integrated community mental health services. [source]

Planning Environmental Sanitation Programmes in Emergencies

DISASTERS, Issue 2 2005
Peter A. Harvey
Environmental sanitation programmes are vital for tackling environmental-related disease and ensuring human dignity in emergency situations. If they are to have maximum impact they must be planned in a rapid but systematic manner. An appropriate planning process comprises five key stages: rapid assessment and priority setting; outline programme design; immediate action; detailed programme design; and implementation. The assessment should be based on carefully selected data, which are analysed via comparison with suitable minimum objectives. How the intervention should be prioritised is determined through objective ranking of different environmental sanitation sector needs. Next, a programme design outline is produced to identify immediate and longer-term intervention activities and to guarantee that apposite resources are made available. Immediate action is taken to meet acute emergency needs while the detailed programme design takes shape. This entails in-depth consultation with the affected community and comprehensive planning of activities and resource requirements. Implementation can then begin, which should involve pertinent management and monitoring strategies. [source]

Engineered measles virus as a novel oncolytic viral therapy system for hepatocellular carcinoma,

HEPATOLOGY, Issue 6 2006
Boris Blechacz
The oncolytic measles virus Edmonston strain (MV-Edm), a nonpathogenic virus targeting cells expressing abundant CD46, selectively destroys neoplastic tissue. Clinical development of MV-Edm would benefit from noninvasive monitoring strategies to determine the speed and extent of the spread of the virus in treated patients and the location of virus-infected cells. We evaluated recombinant MV-Edm expressing carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) or the human sodium iodide symporter (hNIS) for oncolytic potential in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and efficiency in tracking viruses in vivo by noninvasive monitoring. CD46 expression in human HCC and primary hepatocytes was assessed by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. Infectivity, syncytium formation, and cytotoxicity of recombinant MV-Edm in HCC cell lines were evaluated by fluorescence microscopy, crystal violet staining, and the MTS assay. Transgene expression in HCC cell lines after infection with recombinant MV-Edm in vitro and in vivo was assessed by CEA concentration, 125I-uptake, and 123I-imaging studies. Toxicology studies were performed in IfnarKO×CD46 transgenic mice. The CD46 receptor was highly expressed in HCC compared to nonmalignant hepatic tissue. Recombinant MV-Edm efficiently infected HCC cell lines, resulting in extensive syncytium formation followed by cell death. Transduction of HCC cell lines and subcutaneous HCC xenografts with recombinant MV-Edm resulted in high-level expression of transgenes in vitro and in vivo. MV-Edm was nontoxic in susceptible mice. Intratumoral and intravenous therapy with recombinant MV-Edm resulted in inhibition of tumor growth and prolongation of survival with complete tumor regression in up to one third of animals. In conclusion, engineered MV-Edm may be a potent and novel cancer gene therapy system for HCC. MV-Edm expressing CEA or hNIS elicited oncolytic effects in human HCC cell lines in vitro and in vivo, enabling the spread of the virus to be monitored in a noninvasive manner. (HEPATOLOGY 2006;44:1465,1477.) [source]

Self-report treatment techniques used by dentists to treat dentally anxious children: a preliminary investigation

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY, Issue 1 2003
H. Buchanan
Summary. Objective. To investigate the extent to which dentists report their encouragement to dentally anxious children to blunt (distract from the procedure) or monitor (give information about the procedure) during treatment. Setting. British Society of Paediatric Dentistry conference. Subjects and methods. One hundred and two of 155 delegates (66% response rate) completed a Monitor Blunter Treatment Checklist (MBTC), which was included in their conference pack. Participants were asked to tick all of the 10 statements (five monitoring and five blunting) that reflected how, in general, they would treat a dentally anxious child. Results. Dentists chose significantly more monitoring than blunting statements. Treatment strategies relating to explaining procedures were endorsed by the majority of dentists, while distraction was chosen by less than a third. Conclusion. Dentists tend to use monitoring strategies that adhere generally to the principles of the Tell-Show-Do technique. This may have implications if the anxious child has a ,blunting' coping style. [source]

Presence and Duration of Atrial Fibrillation Detected by Continuous Monitoring: Crucial Implications for the Risk of Thromboembolic Events

Spatio-temporal analysis of plant pests in a greenhouse using a Bayesian approach

AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 3 2010
Christine Poncet
1The present study aimed to propose a method that can improve our understanding of pest outbreaks and spatio-temporal development in greenhouse crops. 2The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse rose crop grown under integrated pest management (IPM) for 21 months. The main pests observed were powdery mildew, two-spotted spider mites and western flower thrips. A quick visual sampling method was established to provide continuous monitoring of overall crop health. 3A Bayesian inferential approach was then used to analyse temporal and spatial heterogeneity in the occurrence of pests. Interactions between pest dynamics and properties of spatial evolutions were exhibited revealing the influence of biotic and abiotic factors on crop health. 4In the context of IPM, this information could be used to improve monitoring strategies by identifying periods or locations at risk. It could also facilitate the implementation of the whole IPM procedure through the identification of key factors that have a negative impact on overall crop health. [source]

Treatment considerations for clinicians in applying evidence-based practice to complex presentations in child trauma,

JOURNAL OF TRAUMATIC STRESS, Issue 4 2007
Lisa Amaya-Jackson
Professionals in the child trauma field, eager to bring best practices to children and their families who have suffered from traumatic life events, have developed a number of evidence-based treatments (EBTs) and promising practices available for adoption and implementation into community practice. Clinicians and researchers alike have raised questions about "if, when, and how" these EBTs can be applied to some of the more complex trauma presentations seen in real world practice. The authors take an evidence-based practice approach, including critical appraisal of clients' unique needs and preferences, utilizing applicable trauma treatment core components and current EBTs, and emphasizing monitoring strategies of client progress, particularly when needing to adapt EBTs for select clients. [source]

Developing recovery and monitoring strategies for the endemic Mount Graham red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis) in Arizona

ANIMAL CONSERVATION, Issue 1 2004
Kate E. Buenau
An important challenge in conservation biology is extracting pertinent information from the available data for endangered species. Rarely do we have enough information to precisely determine an organism's risk of extinction and other factors that affect its management. How, then, can we use limited information to make responsible conservation decisions on controversial species such as the Mount Graham red squirrel? We used several analytical approaches to examine 15 years of abundance data for the Mount Graham red squirrel in order to propose recovery criteria and to evaluate alternative conservation strategies. We analysed the historical population dynamics using a diffusion approximation model and showed that the main threat to the population was not the overall growth rate (which may well be greater than 1) but rather the wide range of variation in annual growth rates. We used information on the distribution of growth rates and abundance to classify the species as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We then presented a simple demographic model to examine the effects of proportional changes in vital rates on the population growth rate (,). The elasticity values obtained for Mount Graham red squirrels indicate that the population is far more sensitive to changes in survival rates (particularly adult survival) compared to reproduction. Our analyses suggest that management should focus on refining monitoring techniques, reducing sources of variability, improving the survival of adult animals and filling the gaps in the currently available data. [source]

A seasonal survey of surface water habitats within the River Spey basin, Scotland: major nutrient properties

AQUATIC CONSERVATION: MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS, Issue 6 2007
B.O.L. Demars
Abstract 1.Current monitoring strategies of governmental organizations tend to be focused on relatively large flowing and standing waters, and until recently those polluted by point sources. Consequently areas of high conservation interest tend to be understudied, and defining reference conditions, as required by current legislation, is difficult to achieve. 2.In order to address this imbalance, water samples have been collected and analysed once in each of four seasons during 2003 from 72 locations within a 100 km2 area of the oligotrophic River Spey catchment in NE Scotland. The sampling design included examples of running water (headwater streams and the main rivers) and standing water (lochs, lochans, pools, ditches, backwaters, bogs). Altitude ranged from 220 to 980 m and incorporated a climatic regime from cool temperate to sub-alpine. Each sampling campaign targeted low-flow conditions to evaluate steady-state nutrient concentrations. 3.Concentrations of the major soluble nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus demonstrated high spatial and temporal variability, with soluble organic and molybdate unreactive forms generally being dominant. Concentrations of ammonium-N, nitrate-N and soluble reactive phosphorus were extremely small, with 50% of samples falling below 8, 5 and 1 µg L,1, respectively, during spring and summer. 4.Sampling sites were grouped either by water-body type or by the properties of their immediate biophysical zone. Together these two groupings explained 33,38% of the variance in water chemistry. Certain changes were detectable across most habitats and biophysical zones. 5.A decline in the concentration of nitrate that occurred in reaches downstream from certain headwater streams draining the mountain areas indicated the potential for its within-stream utilization. Inorganic N dynamics differed between small streams and large rivers. 6.Landscape-scale patterns were recorded in spring and summer nutrient availability with inorganic N and P thresholds (arbitrarily defined) of 10 and 1 µg L,1, respectively. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Developments in the application of photography to ecological monitoring, with reference to algal beds

AQUATIC CONSERVATION: MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS, Issue 2 2001
Jean-Paul A. Ducrotoy
Abstract 1.,The potential for using photographic methods in ecological monitoring of intertidal rocky shores was investigated at two scales: the scale of a bay, and at sampling quadrat level. 2.,The macroalgal beds at Selwicks Bay, Flamborough Head (north Humberside Coast, England) were used as a case study. 3.,At each station on three 90 m transects, a photograph was taken of a 50 cm2 quadrat. These images were analysed using SigmaScanÔ to measure the cover of algal species. These data were highly correlated with field data collected using a grid quadrat. 4.,Ground techniques were developed for drawing a scaled overhead map of the bay. The potential for a quantitative survey of the extent of the algal beds using cliff top photographs was investigated. The photographs were merged, and rectified using Arc/InfoÔ (a Geographical Information System package) to produce scaled overhead images of the bay. 5.,The two complementary methods developed are suitable for involving amateur naturalists into field-data collection. They were also designed to meet long-term statutory monitoring requirements. They are quick, so are well suited to intertidal areas where field sampling windows are limited. In long-term monitoring strategies, the use of photography produces interactive permanent records of the sample area for back reference. Reporting on the conservation status of sites of European interest could be greatly facilitated by such techniques. 6.,There are obvious applications for overseas monitoring and base-line surveys, which demand large data sets to be collected in limited periods of time. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Connecting patient needs with treatment management

ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2009
R. Kerwin
Objective:, To propose ideas for the development of a core strategy for monitoring patients with schizophrenia to ensure physical health and optimal treatment provision. Method:, A panel of European experts in the field of schizophrenia met in Bordeaux in June 2006 to discuss, ,Patient management optimisation through improved treatment monitoring.' Results:, Key consensus from the discussion deemed that weight gain, oral health and ECG parameters were core baseline parameters to be monitored in all patients with schizophrenia. Further, an identification of a patient's own barriers to treatment alongside local health service strategies might comprise elements of an individualised management strategy which would contribute to optimisation of treatment. Any monitoring strategy should be kept simple to encourage physician compliance. Conclusion:, A practical solution to the difficulties of providing holistic patient care would be to suggest a limited set of physical parameters to be monitored by physicians on a regular basis. [source]

To sample or eradicate?

JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 4 2008
A cost minimization model for monitoring, managing an invasive species
Summary 1Considerable effort is expended by national and local governments to exclude alien species via detection and eradication of invading populations, but these efforts are not necessarily designed in the most economically or biologically efficient manner. 2Using the invasion of the European strain of the gypsy moth Lymantria dispar into the USA as a case study, we develop an analytical model to determine the optimal trap density for detecting isolated infestations. Most models focus on monitoring or eradication costs only; our model considers the costs of both detection and eradication when determining the best monitoring strategy. 3The model assumes that all isolated populations must be located and eradicated by the conclusion of a programme. For programmes lasting longer than 1 year, it is more worthwhile to proactively monitor and manage rather than to wait until the programme is over. 4For a management programme of a given length, optimal trap density is most influenced by the growth rate of the infestation. Optimal trap densities are lowest for infestations with very low growth rates (because they remain small and therefore are less expensive to eradicate) or very high growth rates (because they are easier to detect), and highest for infestations with moderate growth rates (because they are neither inexpensive to eradicate nor easy to detect). 5Our model is useful in setting a baseline level of monitoring for isolated incidents of gypsy moth invasion. Analysis of data in two US states show that actual trap densities are far higher than the optimal densities from the model. The difference suggests risk aversion may play a role in real systems. 6Synthesis and applications. Our model suggests that we can improve the efficiency of detection and eradication programmes for isolated infestations by optimizing detection effort relative to infestation growth rates and management programme duration. It also clearly demonstrates the importance of balancing the costs and benefits of both detection and eradication when developing invasive species monitoring programmes. [source]

Quality-by-Design (QbD): An integrated process analytical technology (PAT) approach for real-time monitoring and mapping the state of a pharmaceutical coprecipitation process,

JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 3 2010
Huiquan Wu
Abstract In this work, an integrated PAT approach was developed for monitoring a pharmaceutical (naproxen) and a polymer (eudragit) coprecipitation process: real-time in-line near-infrared (NIR) absorbance monitoring, real-time on-line turbidity monitoring, and in situ crystal size monitoring. The data and information obtained through these three monitoring techniques confirmed the observation of the onsets of three distinct stages: incubation, nucleation, and crystal growth. The process trajectory constructed based on results of applying principal component analysis (PCA) to either process NIR spectra data or process turbidity profile, clearly demonstrated that various distinguishable process events, including incubation, nucleation, and crystal growth, could be accurately tracked and differentiated. These findings were further supported by process knowledge and information, such as process design, process sequence, thermodynamic and mass-transfer analysis. Therefore, this work provides a case study that illustrated a rational approach to develop a science-based and knowledge-based process monitoring strategy, which is essential for establishing both a suitable process control strategy and an operational process space for a pharmaceutical unit operation. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 99: 1516,1534, 2010 [source]

Implications of ,cyclical' population dynamics for the conservation of Irish hares (Lepus timidus hibernicus)

JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY, Issue 3 2006
J. C. Reynolds
Abstract The Irish hare Lepus timidus hibernicus is of priority conservation concern in Northern Ireland, based on a perceived decline in abundance during the 20th century and on two surveys in 1994,1996 and 2002 that suggested low densities. We reanalysed a 10-year time series [Northern Ireland Rabbit Survey (NIRS)] that has been key evidence of decline, to derive an annual index of abundance during 1986,1995. This showed a rise to a double peak followed by a trough. We compared these Northern Ireland data with two datasets for Lepus timidus scoticus. A 40-year annual index derived from hare bags on Scottish shooting estates [National Game-Bag Census (NGC)] showed strong fluctuations, each lasting several years. Autocorrelation analysis of the NGC data showed elements of cyclical behaviour, with distinct phases and a 16-year period. A previously published 30-year survey of introduced L. t. scoticus in northern England also showed large multi-year fluctuations and phasic behaviour, albeit on a shorter time scale. The NIRS index was strongly correlated with NGC data for the same years, suggesting that it too reflected part of a natural population dynamic. The Species Action Plan for L. t. hibernicus in Northern Ireland includes the aims of maintaining the existing range and demonstrating increase by 2005, and of doubling the population by 2010. We suggest that these aims and the supporting monitoring strategy are inappropriate for a species that shows multi-annual fluctuations in abundance throughout its geographical range. It is important to distinguish self-correcting population processes from trends requiring remedial conservation action. [source]

Reading for different goals: the interplay of EFL college students' multiple goals, reading strategy use and reading comprehension

JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN READING, Issue 2 2008
Tung-hsien He
This study explored the effects of achievement goals on English as a foreign language (EFL) college students' reading strategy use and reading comprehension from the perspective of multiple goals. Fifty-seven participants verbalised their thoughts while reading an English expository essay. They also completed assessments on their reading goal profiles and reading proficiency. The results of stimulated recall indicated that participants with profiles characterised by strong mastery and strong performance goals used intra-sentential, inter-paragraph, intra-paragraph and monitoring/evaluating strategies significantly more frequently than did their counterparts. In contrast, participants with profiles characterised by strong mastery but weak performance goals utilised these strategies more often than those participants with weak mastery but strong performance goals. The strong-mastery,strong-performance goal profile served as a significant, positive predictor for degrees of reading comprehension. In line with these findings, suggestions for EFL reading pedagogy are provided. [source]