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At least 1,423 records · Page 79Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Vector coding in slow goal-directed arm movements.

It has been found that the estimate of relative target direction is consistently biased. Relative target direction refers to the direction in which a target is located relative to another location in space (e.g., a starting position in the case of goal-directed movements). In this study, we have tested two models that could underlie this biased estimate. The first proposed model is based on a distorted internal representation of locations (i.e., we perceive a target at the "wrong" location). We call this the distorted location model. The second model is based on the idea that the derivation of target direction from spatial information about starting and target position is biased. We call this the biased direction model. These two models lead to different predictions of the deviations that occur when the distance between the starting position and the target position is increased. Since we know from previous studies that the initial direction of slow arm movements reflects the target direction estimate, we tested the two models by analyzing the initial direction of slow arm movements. The results show that the biased direction model can account for the biases we find in the target direction estimate for various target distances, whereas the distorted location model cannot. In two additional experiments, we explored this model further. The results show that the biases depend only on the orientation of the line through starting position and target position relative to the plane through longitudinal head or body axis and starting position. We conclude that the initial part of (slow) goal-directed arm movements is planned on the basis of a (biased) target direction estimate and not on the basis of a wrong internal representation of target location. This supports the hypothesis that we code displacements of our limbs in space as a vector.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Effect of an agreement on means to achieve smoking cessation goals among college student smokers].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the degree of attaining a smoking cessation goal when an agreement on means to achieve smoking cessation among male college student smokers was established. METHOD: This study was planned as a nonequivalent control group non-synchronized design and the sample was divided into an agreement group and a comparison group by convenience sampling in a college of G city. The data was analysed with SPSS Win10.0 using a Likelihood chi2-test, Odds ratio, Paired t-test and ANCOVA. RESULT: The theory that the degree of smoking cessation will be higher in the agreement group than the Comparison group was rejected (delta = 2.567, p = .055). The theory that nicotine dependency will be lower in the agreement group than the comparison group was supported (F = 3.965, p = .049); however, the theory that the number of cigarettes smoked per day will be lower in the agreement group than the comparison group was rejected (F = 1.342, p = .252). CONCLUSION: It has been shown that an agreement on means to achieve smoking cessation goals is a key factor to success in quitting smoking.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

The Carter Center's assistance to river blindness control programs: establishing treatment objectives and goals for monitoring ivermectin delivery systems on two continents.

Periodic mass treatment with ivermectin in endemic communities prevents eye and dermal disease due to onchocerciasis. As part of an international global partnership to control onchocerciasis, The Carter Center's Global 2000 River Blindness Program (GRBP) assists the ministries of health in ten countries to distribute ivermectin (Mectizan, donated by Merck & Co.). The GRBP priorities are to maximize ivermectin treatment coverage and related health education and training efforts, and to monitor progress through regular reporting of ivermectin treatments measured against annual treatment objectives and ultimate treatment goals (e.g., full coverage, which is defined as reaching all persons residing in at risk villages who are eligible for treatment). Since the GRBP began in 1996, more than 21.2 million ivermectin treatment encounters have been reported by assisted programs. In 1999, more than 6.6 million eligible persons at risk for onchocerciasis received treatment, which represented 96% of the 1999 annual treatment objective of 6.9 million, and 78% of the ultimate treatment goal in assisted areas.

Africa↗
PubMed1994

[Effects of goal setting and real-time feedback on performance and time estimation during VDT operation].

The problem of serious occupational fatigue of software operators has come up for discussion. Along with the outcome of a survey showing that their working hours are longer than those of other types of workers, with the former reporting for duty unconsciously early in the morning, it is pointed out that their time estimation and crookedness of time cognition are reduced. As a result of the survey, it was also found that in visual display terminal task, the work is carried on while receiving real-time feedback, and those engaged in development work, set their goal to complete a specific amount of work within a specific time-limit. Thus, in order to examine the effects of these two factors on these workers' performance and their subjective time estimation, 76 subjects (undergraduate students) were asked to engage in task of six terms. The results indicated that the group with its goal set and real-time feedback given had higher performance and motivation for task, and showed more time reduction than did other groups to a significant extent. It is noteworthy that it was proved that the subjects were not conscious of this time reduction.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

The millennium development goals and road traffic injuries: exploring the linkages in South Asia.

In a major summit of the members of the United Nations (UN) in 2000, a Millennium Declaration was adopted which called for making the elimination of poverty and promotion of sustainable development a global priority. A road map was agreed upon to operationalize the declaration, and the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) were integrated within the document. The MDGs are now increasingly being used to assess the performance of countries, institutions and the global community. WHO declares that the MDGs provide "a set of outcomes that are relevant to the development of national health policy frameworks". It also states that although MDGs do not cover all the components of public health, when broadly interpreted "the goals provide an opportunity to address important cross-cutting issues and key constraints to health". Consistent with WHO's call for a broad interpretation of the MDGs, and building on the health linkages identified by WHO, this paper explores the linkages between the MDGs and the impact of road traffic injuries (RTI). This is done in the context of South Asia, one of the poorest and populated regions of the developing world.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The interaction of facility design with management goals.

While medical groups have different goals based on their mission, size and market, they all seek to propagate and maintain a financially sound enterprise. Author William Lindeman, AIA, writes that a primary factor in achieving this goal is excellent facility design. While facility design is no guarantee for success, exceptionally poor design can make success all but impossible.

Architecture↗
PubMed1990

Capital management balances charitable, financial goals.

Effective capital management allows not-for-profit healthcare organizations to make investment decisions that fulfill their missions and meet financial goals. The process involves identifying components of the hospital's value and creating policies aimed at maximizing it; determining the hospital's ability to produce financial capital; and developing a process for allocating this financial capability among the components of value. Once this is completed, hospitals should determine criteria that balance charitable and financial goals, enabling them to pursue sound investments.

Capital Expenditures↗
PubMed1991

Decision making, goal consensus, and effectiveness in university hospitals.

This article examines changes in the influence of several key actors (state and university officials, board members, and hospital and medical school administrators) in management and policy decisions for university hospitals (UHs). We propose that the decreasing influence of external actors in UH decision making and the increasing influence of UH and medical school actors as well as UH-medical school goal consensus will be related to higher levels of UH performance. Data are drawn from a national sample of 52 UHs that participated in a study of UH decision making in 1981 and 1985. Results indicate that state and university actors lost influence in UH policy decisions between 1981 and 1985, while actors internal to academic health centers (AHCs) gained influence in such decisions. The data indicate a similar trend, although not as strong, regarding influence in UH management decisions. Results from regression analyses indicate that decreasing levels of external influence on UH decision making are related to UH effectiveness, but increasing levels of AHC influence and goal consensus have weak or inconsistent relationships with UH effectiveness. Implications for improving the performance of UHs are discussed.

Chief Executive Officers, Hospital↗
PubMed1994

It's not the goal ... it's the journey.

His first real odyssey began 18 years ago in Alaska. The goal was Ecuador. He got as far as the Panama Canal. Traveling man John Glaser, now vice president of Information Systems at Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital, learned long ago that the actual goal sometimes matters less than what happens along the way.

Boston↗
PubMed1998

As others see us, Part 2. Goals and the annual report: a system for performance evaluation.

This systematic approach to an annual performance report can show that laboratory professionals are active outside the physical laboratory as a vital part of the healthcare team. The annual report also provides an opportunity to show the many dimensions of clinical laboratory science and presents evidence of the multifaceted role of the laboratory manager. The annual report shows that employees can be self-directed and creative in goal setting and in achieving goals. In addition, the annual report is helpful should a laboratorian decide to apply for a promotion or other position. Also, the annual report documents a track record and demonstrates abilities and qualifications to prospective employers for expanded careers outside the laboratory. But most importantly, the annual report can be used as a road map for insight into professional growth and development.

Annual Reports as Topic↗
PubMed1999

On the role of feedback in promoting conflicting goals of the adaptive immune system.

We explored here the implications of two premises. 1) In their response over days or weeks to pathogen invasion, cells of the immune system combine several overlapping and perhaps contradictory goals. 2) The immune system has ways to monitor progress toward these goals via receptors that bind chemicals whose concentrations are related to such progress. We illustrate with simple mathematical models how such monitoring can lead to feedbacks that improve the efficiency of a given effector type in accomplishing its specialized task, and also how feedbacks can shift the balance among a variety of effectors toward a preponderance of the more effective. Specific suggestions are given for feedback molecules.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Structural goals in craniofacial surgery.

Major craniofacial abnormalities can be considered as a group for purposes of operative planning. Known normal relations define what is abnormal and indicate goals to be achieved with the craniofacial operative procedures. The principle syndromes with significant facial structural changes amenable to such surgical corrective procedures are craniofacial stenoses, hypertelorism, mandibulofacial dysostoses, median facial clefts, residua of encephaloceles, and trauma. Deformities primarily involve the middle and upper thirds of the face. In planning, abnormal relations and structures must be clearly defined utilizing patient examination, x-rays, dental study models, and photography. Standards of norm indicating goals for the corrective procedure are also based on studies using these tools, data from previous publications, and measurements directly from skulls. Precise measurements about the orbits and maxillary-mandibular relation are the keystone for planning. Soft tissue, nose, and ear alterations are based on already widely known concepts of norm and symmetry. Bony interocular distance, medial intercanthal distance, height and width at the orbital rim of the bony orbits, orbital shape, orbital axis, and orbital volume as determined by measurement with an exophthalmometer are useful in determining what is to be done about the orbits. Cribiform plate level, anterior cranial base, length and contour, and size of the zygomatic arches are important dimension considerations. Paranasal sinus size and location is important. These considerations are essential prior to any major facial structural changes.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Equity as a goal for health care: an operational inquiry.

Difference in health status, allocation of resources, provision of services and development of basic health infrastructure, both within and between countries raise questions of fairness. The means for assessing this differential, developing strategies to overcome them and documenting changes become crucial. This paper will explore the concepts of equity and justice from an operational perspective, present a number of scenarios in dealing with the health of populations and assess the impact of using equity as a goal for health care in those cases. The objective is to present an analysis of how the same goal in health care may result in different actions with variable results. An evaluation of the potential conflict between equity and utility is presented. Implications for further work on the means of assessing inequities, use of indicators and measuring the result of interventions is discussed.

Community Health Planning↗
PubMed2000

Is pseudophakic astigmatism a desirable goal?

PURPOSE: To determine whether pseudophakic astigmatism is a desirable goal, and if so, which one is better: against-the-rule (ATR) or with-the-rule (WTR). METHOD: Eyes were included only if they had an uncorrected vision > or = 6/18 and N/18. Three groups, of 40 patients each were evaluated: group 1, pseudophakes with neutral astigmatism; group 2, with ATR and group 3, with WTR astigmatism Unaided distance and near visual acuity was recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test for independence. RESULTS: Unaided distance vision of > or = 6/7.5 was achieved in 19 eyes (47.5%) of group 1 (neutral), 12 eyes (30%) in group 2 (ATR), and 5 eyes (12.5%) in group 3 (WTR) (p = 0.0133, significant). Unaided near vision of > or = N/9 was achieved in 17 eyes (42.5%) in group 1 (neutral), 34 eyes (85%) in group 2 (ATR), and 10 eyes (25%) in group 3 (WTR) (P < 0.001, significant). Group 1 (neutral) fared the best for unaided distance visual acuity. Group 2 (ATR) was better than in group 3 (WTR) for distant vision. Group 2 (ATR) fared the best for unaided near vision. CONCLUSION: ATR astigmatism could be a desirable goal after cataract extraction in selected populations because the largest proportion of these cases achieved good unaided near vision with acceptable distant vision.

Astigmatism↗
PubMed1974

ZPG goals.

1. Zero Population Growth (ZPG) believes that the present population of the U.S. exceeds the optimum level for the continued well-being of its citizens. ZPG therefore advocates the achievement, by voluntary means, of an end to U.S. population growth by 1990, and a reduction in U.S. population size thereafter. Among the conditions necessary to achieve this goal, ZPG stresses: freedom of access for every person to all means of voluntary birth control; a major research effort to develop safer and more effective means of birth control; complete equality of opportunity for all women and men; and removal of all legal and societal pronatalist pressures. The population size should stabilize at a substantially reduced level which will maximize diversity, freedom of choice, and the quality of life for all. 2. ZPG believes that land is a resource too important to human survival to be subjected to misuse. Ecological land use planning is essential in determining the appropriate patterns of distribution of people on the land, and of migration between states and regions. Thoughtful land use planning at all levels of government is necessary to assure the long-range stewardship of the land and well-being of mankind. 3. ZPG believes that human activities are causing the rapid depletion of the world's available stock of mineral resources. Simultaneously those activities are resulting in increased pollution of land, air, and water resources. ZPG therefore recommends 1) reduction in the rate of growth and eventual stabilization of U.S. consumption of nonrenewable resources; and 2) rapid stabilization of total national energy consumption at least until environmentally sound sources are developed. ZPG recognizes that none of its goals can be justified unless concurrently with their achievement adequate levels of income, health care, and educational opportunity are assured to all persons.

Americas↗
PubMed2002

[Continuous challenges in Japanese forensic toxicology practice: strategy to address specific goals].

In this paper, the status quo of forensic toxicology in Japan and the West is surveyed and a strategy to address future goals of Japanese forensic toxicology is proposed. Forensic toxicology in the West consists of three main areas--post-mortem forensic toxicology, human-performance forensic toxicology and forensic urine drug testing. In Japan, post-mortem forensic toxicology is practiced in university forensic medicine departments while most of the human-performance forensic toxicology is carried out in police laboratories. However, at least at present, strictly controlled workplace urine drug testing is not being performed, despite the abuse of drugs even by uniformed members of the National Defence Forces and police. For several years, the author has been introducing Western forensic toxicology guidelines and recommendations, translated into Japanese with the help of Western forensic toxicologists, to Japanese forensic toxicologists. Western forensic toxicology practice is at an advanced stage, whereas Japanese practice is in a critical condition and holds many problems awaiting solution, as exemplified by the urine drug testing in police laboratories. There is never any sample left for re-examination by the defence in all cases, though the initial volume of the urine sample available for examination is 30-50 ml. Only one organisation carries out everything from sampling to reporting and, in addition, the parent drug and its metabolites are not quantified. It is clear that the police laboratories do not work within good laboratory practice guidelines, nor do they have quality manuals or standard operating procedures manuals. A basic change in Japanese forensic toxicology practice is now essential. The author strongly recommends that, first of all, Japanese toxicologists should prepare forensic toxicology guidelines based on the Western models. The guidelines would progress the following objectives for forensic toxicology laboratories: 1) to have documented good laboratory practice standards; 2) to have a quality control system including a quality manual and standard operating procedures manual; 3) to have some degree of compulsion to implement quality assurance both through their own internal efforts and by appropriate remedial actions based on the results of an external proficiency testing scheme. For forensic toxicologists, the implications are that they should be: 1) responsible for ensuring that laboratory practices are performed under satisfactory conditions and 2) required to be certified as a forensic toxicology specialist in order to prove their forensic toxicology ability. For their part, governments should: 1) carry out administrative reforms related to forensic toxicology; 2) simplify the procedure for obtaining certified reference materials; 3) introduce a strict workplace urine drug testing programme for government employees, at least for those related to law enforcement. When all of these objectives have been realised, the specific goal will be achieved through which Japanese forensic toxicology is able, in practice, to fulfill its responsibility to society.

Forensic Medicine↗
PubMed2002

New goals in the treatment of depression: moving toward recovery.

Depression is associated with marked suffering, morbidity, and high risk of recurrence and/or chronicity. As a result, the disorder represents a considerable public health problem and economic burden on society. Treatment of patients with depression to a state of remission is associated with a significantly improved long-term outcome, including a reduced risk of relapse and improved functioning. Thus, remission (which can be defined as attainment of a total score < or = 7 on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression) should be the goal of the acute phase of pharmacotherapy. Although it is widely assumed that available antidepressants are comparably effective, comparisons of the efficacy of antidepressants in clinical trials are flawed by a number of factors. Most notable problems are higher-than-expected placebo effects and low statistical power. Double-blind, comparative studies are also compromised by relatively high attrition rates and the often underestimated effects of patient nonadherence. Large study groups (in the order of 300 patients per treatment group) are needed to differentiate between a good and a potentially better antidepressant. The statistical technique of meta-analysis has been used to examine the results of studies of various antidepressants; these meta-analyses have shown that the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have overall "within group" comparability and, overall, an efficacy profile comparable to the previous standard, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). However, in studies of hospitalized patients, TCAs affecting both serotonergic and noradrenergic systems (eg, amitriptyline or clomipramine) have been found to have greater efficacy when compared with SSRIs. Results of some individual studies, as well as a pooled analysis of the outcomes of more than 2,000 depressed patients, indicate that venlafaxine, a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, may have a similar advantage relative to SSRIs across a broader range of patients. These findings suggest antidepressants that affect both serotonergic and noradrenergic neurotransmission may be more likely to accomplish the goal of remission. Compared with TCAs, the better safety profile of venlafaxine has established the drug as a more appropriate first-line treatment option.

Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic↗
PubMed2002

Critical alarms and patient safety. ECRI's guide to developing effective alarm strategies and responding to JCAHO's alarm-safety goal.

Alarm-safety issues are nothing new in healthcare. ECRI, for example, has emphasized the importance of alarm safety for many years. Yet patients continue to be injured or killed because of ineffective alarm coverage, inappropriate alarm use, and failure to hear alarms. And countless "near miss" incidents occur that are never reported. In July of this year, the U.S. Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) intensified the focus on this topic in U.S. hospitals by making alarm safety one of its National Patient Safety Goals for 2003. Hospitals addressing JCAHO's recommendations for meeting this goal need to know what to do and what not to do. This special Guidance Article provides advice on just what JCAHO expects, how U.S. hospitals should respond to its initiative, and how much in the way of time and resources will be required. In addition, we detail our broad-based recommendations on improving alarm safety, which cover issues that are common to healthcare institutions around the world.

Equipment Failure↗