The disrupt-then-reframe compliance gaining technique (DTR; Davis & Knowles, 1999) uses confusing language and then follows it with an additional reason to comply. The effectiveness of the DTR was meta-analyzed by calculating the weighted mean correlation coefficient (r1⁄4 .28) and the weighted mean odds ratio (OR1⁄4 3.47). Using the DTR in a sales context versus a nonprofit context was a moder...

We developed a new framework for combining 17 Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS) indicators into a single composite score. The resultant scale was highly reliable (coefficient alpha = 0.88). A principal components analysis yielded three components to the scale: effectiveness of disease management, access to preventive and followup care, and achieving medication compliance in ...

Arterial stiffening plays an important role in the development of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. The intrinsically nonlinear (ie, pressure-dependent) elastic behavior of arteries may have serious consequences for the accuracy and interpretation of arterial stiffness measurements and, ultimately, for individual patient management. We determined aortic pressure and common carotid arter...

Arterial stiffening plays an important role in the development of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. The intrinsically nonlinear (ie, pressure-dependent) elastic behavior of arteries may have serious consequences for the accuracy and interpretation of arterial stiffness measurements and, ultimately, for individual patient management. We determined aortic pressure and common carotid arter...

Total respiratory input (Zin) and transfer (Ztr) mechanical impedances were measured from 4-30 Hz in 9 patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and in 12 healthy subjects. Zin was obtained by applying a pressure input around the head to minimize transmural pressure across extrathoracic airway walls, and Ztr was obtained with a pressure input at the chest. In agreement w...

Researchers investigating the genetic component of various disease states rely increasingly on murine models. We have developed a ventilator to simplify respiratory research in small animals down to murine size. The new ventilator provides constant-flow inflation and tidal volume delivery independent of respiratory parameter changes. The inclusion of end-inspiratory and end-expiratory pauses si...

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to develop a computational method for the assessment of brain pressure compensation of cerebrospinal arterial blood inflow. The method was verified using clinical recordings performed during infusion studies in a group of patients diagnosed with hydrocephalus. MATERIALS AND METHODS We studied 27 patients suspected of having normal pressure hydrocephalus. The...

Previous observational measures of healthcare worker (HCW) hand-hygiene behaviour (HHB) fail to provide adequate standard operating procedures (SOPs), accounts of inter-rater agreement testing or evidence of sensitivity to change. This study reports the development of an observational tool in a way that addresses these deficiencies. Observational categories were developed systematically, guided...

Patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), despite successful pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA), can continue to suffer from a limitation in exercise capacity. The objective of this study was to assess whether pulmonary arterial compliance is a predictor of exercise capacity after PEA. Right heart haemodynamics, treadmill incremental exercise test, spirometry, carbon mono...

The Keeler Pulsair non-contact tonometer was compared with the Goldmann applanation tonometer in a series of 48 eyes after operation. A correlation coefficient of 0.92 (p less than 0.001) was found between the two instruments, with the Pulsair having a statistically significant tendency to overread the Goldmann slightly in this situation. The Pulsair was, however, shown to be effective in the i...