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Results for “Program Efficiency”

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At least 901 records · Page 50Linked to original sources
PubMed2006

Efficient prediction of siRNAs with siRNArules 1.0: an open-source JAVA approach to siRNA algorithms.

RNAi interference and siRNA have become useful tools for investigation of gene function. However, the discovery that not all siRNA are equally efficient made necessary screens or design algorithms to obtain high activity siRNA candidates. Several algorithms have been published, but they remain inefficient, obscure, or commercially restricted. This article describes an open-source JAVA program that is surprisingly efficient at predicting active siRNAs (Pearson correlation coefficient r = 0.52, n = 526 siRNAs). Furthermore, this version 1.0 sets the stage for further improvement of the free code by the open-source community (http://sourceforge.net/).

Algorithms↗
PubMed2002

[Early dissemination of information: an essential ingredient in the prevention of biological warfare].

A primary prevention program is the most efficient component in the protection against biological warfare. This paper presents the early dissemination of information to the public and the interpretation of the biological threat as an essential ingredient in such a prevention program. This critical ingredient may dictate the success or failure of the protective actions. Early exposition of the threat to the public and explanation of its traits and direction to the coping process leads the public to adaptive coping behavior, thus ensuring lower prevalence of somatic and psychological casualties. The lack of such early detailed information about both the threat and the direction for coping behavior may lead to unadaptive behavior and a potential high prevalence of physical and psychic casualties, far beyond the treatment capacity of the medical system. Furthermore, it may lead to mistrust in the leadership, followed by the disintegration of the social system and the democracy.

Biological Warfare↗
PubMed2004

Acceleration risk in student fighter pilots: preliminary analysis of a management program.

Despite advances in G-protection, F-16 student pilots continue to demonstrate G-performance inadequacies. The G-Risk Indicator Management (GRIM) Program was introduced at Luke Air Force Base in 2000 to facilitate early detection of G-related problems and to aid in the establishment of tailored ground training programs designed to enhance a student's performance under G. Assessment of anthropomorphic data, previous G-performance, anaerobic fitness, and centrifuge qualification scores comprise the initial assessment in the GRIM Program. Observations from these assessments are used to qualitatively determine the level of risk for the student. In the absence of any historical controls, no conclusions could be drawn with regards to the overall efficiency of the GRIM program. Significant differences were found between groups for anaerobic test scores, centrifuge scores, and gradebook comments. The results from this non-experimental study suggest the need for future studies to better determine the validity of G-risk indicators.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Baseline (laser) eye examination program.

Eye injury is the primary hazard associated with laser use. A baseline laser eye examination program allows for pre-injury examination and preventive early diagnosis of eye problems (glaucoma). Using portable equipment and a simplified exam format, and staffed by corpsmen and eye care providers, a rapid and accurate large-scale program that is cost efficient can be instituted. A single location for ophthalmic information coupled with recent refraction data will enhance readiness for deployment. For service members and their providers, a new and well-run eye care program will foster a strong and positive bond with the medical department.

Continuity of Patient Care↗
PubMed1991

Program evaluation as a measure of the quality of a new approach to community psychiatric care.

The effectiveness of a new approach to providing psychiatric rehabilitation services in community settings will be assessed using a combination of quality assurance principles and program evaluation techniques. A new Assertive Community Rehabilitation Program (ACRP) is evaluated and compared with existing hospital rehabilitation programs. Measures of service efficiency, admission, discharge and readmission rates, and service costs are made for 100 new referrals, 99 inpatients and 117 outpatients. Follow-up interviews use standardized measures of clients' quality of life, clinical status, client and staff satisfaction, and community resource utilization. After 19 weeks of operation, the ACRP has prevented more admissions, and discharged more inpatients than the comparison programs. Readmission rates have not differed. Results at the end of the one-year project using this program-based quality assurance approach will facilitate managerial decisions about the future of rehabilitation services.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Dairy Herd Management Program.

The Dairy Herd Management Program has served both dairymen and veterinarians very well over the past several years under a variety of conditions. A number of veterinarians have used the Dairy Herd Management Program to provide computerized dairy record service to their clients. In many of these situations, clients have decided to purchase a computer system of their own after discovering the value of having improved, computerized dairy records. The Dairy Herd Management Program is able to efficiently handle data from large dairies without disrupting daily record-keeping routines. With this data, useful reports are generated that measure actual reproductive performance against target levels or goals. Because the Dairy Herd Management Program focuses on specific time intervals and includes data from culled cows, trends or drops in reproductive performance are more quickly detected so that corrective action can be taken to minimize economic losses. The Dairy Herd Management Program's strong points include batch entry of data, an inclusive yet flexible Vet Check List of cows to be examined, and a detailed, comprehensive Reproductive Summary report. Its major weakness is the lack of a custom report generator for specific situations or conditions. This problem is being addressed in the new version. With the improvements scheduled for the new version, the Dairy Herd Management Program should be able to meet all of the needs of dairy managers and veterinarians alike, as well as become a powerful tool for conducting dairy reproductive field trials and research.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Pricing specialty carve-outs and disease management programs under managed care.

The drive toward improved efficiency and effectiveness in health care has spawned disease management programs to address the needs of patients with certain conditions. These programs parallel traditional case management programs in monitoring patients, but disease management differs from case management in early assessment of patient risk, with proactive clinical interventions and educational efforts. The most comprehensive programs include a coordinated delivery system that can be "carved out" from other health care benefits. Pricing disease management can benefit from the analysis of detailed, disease-specific and community-specific data from public or private sources.

Capitation Fee↗
PubMed1997

[Neurocognitive treatment for learning disabilities].

The present study examines the viability of an intervention model intended to develop cognitive and metacognitive strategies, by sel-instructional procedures. Furthermore the results of programs that explore the efficiency of this model in the interventions for students with learning disabilities (LD) are discussed. Finally, a number of guidelines for the future research in this area are included, underlining the importance of contextualizing the programs aimed in teaching to thinking.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy↗
PubMed1982

Reduction of submaximal exercise myocardial oxygen demand post-walk training program in coronary patients due to improved physical work efficiency.

To assess the effects of walk training on external work efficiency and the determinants of myocardial oxygen demand (MVO2), we measured total somatic oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rate (HR), and systolic blood pressure (SBP) in eight male coronary (CAD) patients during submaximal treadmill walking before and after at least 14 weeks of prescribed exercise. Each patient was tested before and after training at the individually determined horizontal treadmill speed that induced ischemic ST segment depression in the pretraining test. Although maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) did not increase significantly with training, submaximal exercise HR and the product of HR and SBP were significantly (p less than 0.05) reduced by 10% (120 leads to 108/min) and 16% (185 X 10(2) leads to 156 X 10(2)), respectively, and none of the patients had ischemic ECG changes after training. The reductions in the cardiac response to exercise were due primarily to a 10% decrease (18.9 leads to 17.1 ml/kg/min, p less than 0.05) in somatic oxygen requirements (VO2), indicating that the patients became more efficient walkers and reduced their MVO2 in proportion to the decreased total VO2. Thus, enhancement of external work efficiency, an extracardiac factor, can lessen myocardial energy costs (MVO2) and thereby raise the exercise threshold for cardiac ischemia in CAD patients even when aerobic capacity (VO2 max) is not increased.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Safety and efficiency of pulse charge multiplication for chronic ventricular output programming.

Fifty-one patients with Intermedics pacemakers and different chronic (> or = 12 months) ventricular lead models were investigated. Ventricular charge thresholds (microC) were measured telemetrically at 1.0, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.5 V, respectively. Then pulse duration was increased until charge per pulse (microC) was twice the threshold value in patients not being pacemaker dependent (n = 39) and three times the threshold in pacemaker dependent patients (n = 12), thus giving a 2:1 or 3:1 safety factor in terms of charge ("safety charge"). At safety charge settings, the battery current was measured telemetrically for all four pulse amplitudes (PA) in VVI mode at 70 beats/min. For safety purposes, only pulse amplitudes were considered that fulfilled two conditions: (1) pulse duration threshold (PDT) < or = 0.30 ms at PA and (2) PDT < or = 1.00 ms at a pulse amplitude of (PA-0.5 V). The combination of pulse amplitude and pulse duration that yielded the safety charge at the lowest battery current was defined as optimized ventricular output (Copt). It was found at 1.0 V in 27 patients and at 2.0 V in 24 patients. The safety pulse duration (SPD) that yielded a 2:1 safety charge in patients who were not pacemaker dependent was 0.32 +/- 0.12 ms for both, 1.0 V (n = 23) and 2.0 V (n = 16), respectively. In pacemaker dependent patients, the SPD for the 3:1 safety charge was 0.61 +/- 0.25 ms (at 1.0 V, n = 4) and 0.47 +/- 0.11 ms (at 2.0 V, n = 8), respectively. The safety factor for conversion of PDT into SPD was 3.15 (range 3.00-3.38) for pacemaker dependent patients and 2.04 (range 2.00-2.43) for patients who were not pacemaker dependent, respectively. Charge thresholds measured at study entrance, after 24 hours, and again after 6 months showed a median variation of 14% and a maximum individual variation of 55%. On day 0 and 180, 24-hour Holter recordings were obtained from all patients and revealed constant ventricular capture at output settings Copt. When the output was changed from a fixed setting (2.5 V at 0.50 ms) to Copt, the battery current decreased by 17.5% (P < 0.0001). In conclusion, pacing thresholds in patients with chronic ventricular leads are stable enough to permit programming battery-saving low output settings, if pacemakers are followed on a regular basis. Titration of a 2:1 safety charge (a 3:1 safety charge in pacemaker dependent patients) by prolongation of pulse duration is safe, provided that pulse amplitude is chosen carefully. Using this approach, current consumption can significantly be reduced without jeopardizing patient's life.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Creating cost-efficient initiatives in social work practice in the cardiac program of an acute care hospital.

All three cost-saving initiatives--the creation of a one-page application form to streamline the rehabilitation application process, the use of the resource specialist to assist with applications, and the development of an information package on cardiac rehabilitation--reflect a process whereby a creative idea, generating planning, activities, and follow-up resulted in a measurable effective change in practice. This process truly translated strategy into action (Kaplan, 1996) and is vital to the current rethinking in health care of how best to do our work (Coan, 1994). Because of this process, social workers in the cardiovascular surgical division of the cardiac program are better equipped to respond to the psychosocial needs of a growing cardiac population in a fiscally restrained environment.

Cardiac Surgical Procedures↗
PubMed2007

Efficient classification of complete parameter regions based on semidefinite programming.

BACKGROUND: Current approaches to parameter estimation are often inappropriate or inconvenient for the modelling of complex biological systems. For systems described by nonlinear equations, the conventional approach is to first numerically integrate the model, and then, in a second a posteriori step, check for consistency with experimental constraints. Hence, only single parameter sets can be considered at a time. Consequently, it is impossible to conclude that the "best" solution was identified or that no good solution exists, because parameter spaces typically cannot be explored in a reasonable amount of time. RESULTS: We introduce a novel approach based on semidefinite programming to directly identify consistent steady state concentrations for systems consisting of mass action kinetics, i.e., polynomial equations and inequality constraints. The duality properties of semidefinite programming allow to rigorously certify infeasibility for whole regions of parameter space, thus enabling the simultaneous multi-dimensional analysis of entire parameter sets. CONCLUSION: Our algorithm reduces the computational effort of parameter estimation by several orders of magnitude, as illustrated through conceptual sample problems. Of particular relevance for systems biology, the approach can discriminate between structurally different candidate models by proving inconsistency with the available data.

Algorithms↗