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Biomedical subjects

I Dyer

Publications and source records attributed to I Dyer.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Acoustically derived ice-fracture velocity in central Arctic pack ice.

Sounds radiated by fractures in Arctic ice (called acoustic events) are used to estimate fracture velocity. Both speed and orientation are obtained by measuring Doppler shifts induced by source motion. Data from the SIMI experiment of 1994 in the central Arctic are used in the frequency window 10 to 350 Hz. The estimation procedure assumes that each fracture propagates unilaterally, i.e., unidirectionally. Results for a population of 186 events show fracture propagation speed to be mostly subsonic, in the range 100 to 1100 m/s, significantly lower than the Rayleigh wave speed (1700 m/s for sea ice) assumed in previous studies. The wide range of speeds observed indicates either the presence of distinct multiple fractures in each event, or of a single mechanism at different stages in its propagation.

Acoustics↗
PubMed2000

Cognitive behavioural group anger management for out-patients: a retrospective study.

This study proposes that anger as the "forgotten emotion" (DiGiuseppe 1994), can cause distress and hardship for the individual who experiences dysfunctional anger in the form of high levels of intensity, duration and rapid onset as well as causing distress to those who observe or are victims of the behavioural responses to anger It is very difficult to calculate the cost of dysfunctional anger to an individuals physical well being and relationships, or to society in general. The author suggests the costs are immense. With this in mind anger management training has gradually emerged in differing forms and from different psychotherapeutic alliances. However, very little outcome data is available to clinicians which may highlight the benefits or deficits of such programmes. To this aim, and using Novaco's (1994) model of anger the author has attempted to address this issue. Twenty three subjects (Ss) attended for screening assessment six group treatment sessions and a three month follow-up session of anger management based on Cognitive Behavioural approaches. The groups were small in number of between 3-6 Ss. All the Ss were from the out-patient, primary care setting, and none of them were compulsory required to attend the sessions. Quantitative data was collected using the 1994 Novaco Anger Scale, (NAS), and scientifically analysed. Qualitative data was collected using a semi-structured post treatment interview, and some of the comments are discussed. The quantitative data showed significant gains across all measures from pre to post treatment. No gains were made during the period spent (3-6 months) on the waiting list. The results and findings are discussed in relation to therapeutic value and service planning.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1998

The significance of statistical significance.

Currently, much nursing practice is based on limited evidence, for example, small-scale research, case studies and clinical experience. In a mature science this would be undesirable, but nursing is in the early stages of development as a science, and many of its practices depend on relatively informal knowledge. To encourage the spread of potentially valuable ideas, nurses must be willing to share their clinical experience and journal editors should consider publishing this information. High-quality research is essential to the long-term development of 'evidence-based practice', but it is crucial at the present stage of nursing science that we do not become too concerned with perfect research methodology at the expense of good ideas. This particularly applies to tests of statistical significance. If we accept only information that has demonstrated statistical significance, we risk the dismissal of qualitative research and other information which may be extremely valuable but which have not yet been fully investigated. The aim of this paper is to convince practitioners and journal editors that statistical significance is not the only way to judge clinical importance and to suggest that decisions on what should be submitted and accepted for publication should be based on potential clinical relevance as well as statistical analysis.

Bias↗
PubMed1998

Etiology of genital ulcers and prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus coinfection in 10 US cities. The Genital Ulcer Disease Surveillance Group.

To determine the etiology of genital ulcers and to assess the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in ulcer patients in 10 US cities, ulcer and serum specimens were collected from approximately 50 ulcer patients at a sexually transmitted disease clinic in each city. Ulcer specimens were tested using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay to detect Haemophilus ducreyi, Treponema pallidum, and herpes simplex virus (HSV); sera were tested for antibody to HIV. H. ducreyi was detected in ulcer specimens from patients in Memphis (20% of specimens) and Chicago (12%). T. pallidum was detected in ulcer specimens from every city except Los Angeles (median, 9% of specimens; range, 0%-46%). HSV was detected in >/=50% of specimens from all cities except Memphis (42%). HIV seroprevalence in ulcer patients was 6% (range by city, 0%-18%). These data suggest that chancroid is prevalent in some US cities and that persons with genital ulcers should be a focus of HIV prevention activities.

Female↗
PubMed1997

The significance of statistical significance.

Currently, much nursing practice is based on limited evidence, for example, small-scale research, case studies and clinical experience. In a mature science this would be undesirable, but nursing is in the early stages of development as a science, and many of its practices depend on relatively informal knowledge. To encourage the spread of potentially valuable ideas, nurses must be willing to share their clinical experience and journal editors should consider publishing this information. High-quality research is essential to the long-term development of 'evidence-based practice', but it is crucial at the present stage of nursing science that we do not become too concerned with perfect research methodology at the expense of good ideas. This particularly applies to tests of statistical significance. If we accept only information that has demonstrated statistical significance, we risk the dismissal of qualitative research and other information which may be extremely valuable but which have not yet been fully investigated. The aim of this paper is to convince practitioners and journal editors that statistical significance is not the only way to judge clinical importance and to suggest that decisions on what should be submitted and accepted for publication should be based on potential clinical relevance as well as statistical analysis.

Data Interpretation, Statistical↗
PubMed1995

A student reflects.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1995

Preventing the ITU syndrome or how not to torture an ITU patient! Part 2.

Admission to an intensive therapy unit (ITU) has been described as a 'necessary evil' (Barrie-Shevlin 1987), and some of the 'tortures' described in Part I of this article (Dyer 1995) may be an inevitable result of ITU care. This does not mean that the development of the ITU syndrome should be regarded as inevitable. Many potential causes of the syndrome can be avoided or at least ameliorated. Some suggested means of preventing the syndrome include designing ITUs with windows (Keep et al 1980), use of noise reducing materials when building ITUs (Hopkinson 1994, Topf & Davis 1993), using noise level as a criterion when purchasing equipment (Dracup 1988) or using remote telemetry for monitoring (Fisher & Moxham 1984). These would undoubtedly be beneficial but they are not practical propositions for nurses who wish to improve psychological care in the short term. For this reason, this article, concentrates mainly on immediately applicable, relatively cost-free interventions. Methods of preventing the syndrome should begin, whenever possible, before admission and should continue throughout the patients' stay. The main emphasis should be placed on prevention, but early detection and treatment of problems should also be given high priority. If a patient exhibits symptoms of psychological disturbance physical causes should be considered, but at the same time the ITU syndrome should be suspected and attempts made to alleviate possible causes of this. Nurses play a vital role in any attempts to alleviate problems and in 'humanising' the technical ITU environment (Ashworth 1987, Mackellaig 1990).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Communication↗
PubMed1995

Preventing the ITU syndrome or how not to torture an ITU patient! Part I.

Staff working in intensive therapy units (ITUs) have known about the 'ITU syndrome' for many years. In spite of this the syndrome continues to occur. It is suggested that one of the reasons for this continued occurrence is that ITU staff place a lower priority on psychological care than they do on physical care. In this paper the potential seriousness of the ITU syndrome is emphasised by describing it as a form of torture. Publications from Amnesty International which describe methods of psychological torture are provided to support this suggestion. The analogies between psychological torture and ITU care are explored, and this is followed by consideration of ways of reducing the incidence of the syndrome and a suggested method of auditing an ITU in order to identify potential problem areas.

Critical Care↗
PubMed1991

How to pass a nasogastric tube.

The passage of a nasogastric tube may be met with some difficulty. The indications and contraindications for, and the method of insertion of, the tube are described, as are the difficulties that may be encountered, their solutions, and the complications that may result from the procedure.

Auscultation↗
PubMed1988

Structure of 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine, AZT.

C10H13N5O4, Mr = 267.2, monoclinic, P2(1), a = 5.716 (3), b = 11.998 (8), c = 17.658 (10) A, beta = 94.26 (4) degrees, V = 1208 A3, Z = 4, D chi = 1.47 g cm-3, lambda (Mo K alpha) = 0.71069 A, mu = 7.5 cm-1, F(000) = 560, T = 293 K. R = 0.060 for 2138 unique observed [F greater than 4 sigma (F)] reflections. The N-glycosidic torsion angles chi have values -125.9 (5) and -172.0 (5) degrees, in the anti range. (Molecule-A values are given first throughout.) The sugar puckers are 2(3)T (C3'-exo/C2'-endo), with P = 171 (1) degrees and psi m = 14 (1) degrees, and 4(3)T (C4'-endo/C3'-exo), with P = 213 (1) degrees and psi m = 11 (1) degrees. The C4-C5 conformations, with gamma = 49.7 (5) and 173.7 (5) degrees, are + sc (gauche-gauche) and ap (gauche-trans). The conformational parameters used follow the guidelines of the IUPAC-IUB Joint Commission on Biochemical Nomenclature [Pure Appl. Chem. (1983), 55, 1273-1280]. The molecules in the asymmetric unit form a hydrogen-bonded, base-paired dimer. The bonding is as follows: N3A-0.973 A-H3A... 1.790 A...O2B, N3A...O2B 2.747 (8) A, angle at H3A 167 degrees and N3B-0.992 A-H3B...1.916 A...O2A, N3B...O2A 2.894 (8) A, angle at H3B 168 degrees. The propeller twist between the bases is 5 degrees [Wilson & Tollin (1987). Nucleosides Nucleotides, 6, 643-653].

Molecular Structure↗
PubMed1983

Geometric determination of left ventricular volume from gated blood-pool studies using a slant-hole collimator.

A geometric method of measuring absolute left ventricular volumes from gated blood-pool studies obtained in a single-plane modified left anterior oblique view was evaluated prospectively in 30 patients who also underwent single-plane contrast ventriculography. The gated studies used a 30 degrees straight-bore slant-hole collimator with the holes slanted caudally. Left ventricular end-diastolic volume was calculated using the area-length method, with semiautomatic definition of the left ventricular region of interest and the maximum length of the left ventricle. Ejection fraction was determined from the left ventricular time/activity curve. The left ventricular end-systolic volume was derived using the end-diastolic volume and ejection fraction. Correlation coefficients between the two methods were 0.93 for end-diastolic volume, 0.95 for end-systolic volume, and 0.91 for ejection fraction. This method provided accurate and highly reproducible measurements of actual left ventricular volumes and was easily applicable in routine clinical studies.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Research into visitor needs using Molter's tool--time to move on.

Modern research into the needs of intensive care unit visitors was pioneered by Molter in 1979. Much of the published research does not build on the methodology developed by Molter but simply repeats her work with minor modifications. Repetition does not always provide new information and may simply replicate methodological shortcomings. Methods of improving research in the area are described and future directions suggested.

Critical Care↗