Young users accept NoMix toilets--a questionnaire survey on urine source separating toilets in a college in Switzerland.

We studied user behavior and acceptance of NoMix toilets by collecting 271 questionnaires from young adults. We discriminated between short- and long-term users (months of habituation). Most respondents noticed that the NoMix toilet is different. Nevertheless, the existing NoMix technology was well accepted regarding design, hygiene and smell in this institutional setting. Only few respondents changed their sitting or flushing behavior. The necessity to sit when urinating might be slightly problematic (62% sit), but it seems possible that people adopt this new behavior required by the NoMix toilet. General acceptance of the NoMix toilet was high: 70% of respondents found the idea convincing--many for environmental reasons--87% were willing to move into an apartment with a NoMix toilet, and 20% would pay substantially more for a NoMix toilet. We informed about the NoMix toilet with instructions for use in the toilet cabin, an information poster, and an information leaflet that we distributed after questioning. Our information was noted by most respondents and significantly increased the knowledge about and the acceptance of the NoMix toilet. We recommend that future pilot projects with NoMix toilets consider a well devised information policy to support decision making and acceptance of this new technology.

[Submillimeter 3D coronary MR angiography with real-time navigator correction in 107 patients with suspected coronary artery disease]. / Hochauflösende 3D-MR-Koronarangiographie inEcht-Zeit-Navigatortechnik: Ergebnisse aus107 Patientenuntersuchungen.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical value of high-resolution coronary MR angiography (coronary MRA) in a large group of patients with suspected coronary artery disease. METHODS AND MATERIAL: 107 patients with suspected coronary artery disease underwent free-breathing coronary MRA (Intera, 1.5 T, Philips Medical Systems). To compensate for artefacts due to respiratory motion, a right hemidiaphragmatic navigator with real time-time slice correction was used. An ECG-gated, fat-suppressed, 3D segmented-k-space gradient echo sequence (in plane resolution 0.70 x 0.79 mm(2)) was used. Cardiac catheterization with selective coronary angiography was performed in all patients. Visualization of the coronary arteries (CA) was qualitatively assessed using a four-point grading scale. RESULTS: Image quality of grade 1 was achieved in 24 %, grade 2 in 48 %, grade 3 in 24 % and grade in in 4 % of patients. Based on an evaluation of the coronary MRAs of all patients (n = 107) sensitivity and specificity for the detection of stenoses > 60 % in the proximal and middle main coronary arteries were 74 % and 63 %, respectively. In coronary MRAs with good quality [grade 1 and 2, n = 77/107 (72 %)] sensitivity and specificity for the detection of coronary stenoses were 88 % and 91 %, respectively. CONCLUSION: Submillimeter 3D coronary MRA with real-time navigator correction allows high quality imaging of the proximal and middle main coronary arteries with good sensitivity and specificity for detection of stenoses > 50 % in selected patients. However, in about 28 % of patients image quality is severely impaired.

Social stories, written text cues, and video feedback: effects on social communication of children with autism.

This study investigated the effects of written text and pictorial cuing with supplemental video feedback on the social communication of 5 students with autism and social deficits. Two peers without disabilities participated as social partners with each child with autism to form five triads. Treatment was implemented twice per week and consisted of 10 min of systematic instruction using visual stimuli, 10 min of social interaction, and 10 min of self-evaluation using video feedback. Results showed increases in targeted social communication skills when the treatment was implemented. Some generalized treatment effects were observed across untrained social behaviors, and 1 participant generalized improvements within the classroom. In addition, naive judges reported perceived improvements in the quality of reciprocal interactions. These findings support recommendations for using visually cued instruction to guide the social language development of young children with autism as they interact with peers without disabilities.

A multifaceted educational approach to increasing awareness and use of physician data query (PDQ).

BACKGROUND: PDQ is a database developed by the National Cancer Institute that provides state-of-the-art information about cancer. A study was conducted to raise healthcare professionals' and patients'/families' awareness and use of PDQ's patient information file (PIF). METHODS: Educational presentations and poster displays were presented for health care staff to inform them of PDQ/PIF's attributes and how to access it. To expand awareness among patients and families, poster displays were presented in high-traffic areas; PDQ/PIF statements were redesigned and displayed in patient information racks. RESULTS: Among health care professionals, a 54% increase was observed in awareness of the PIF. A ninefold increase in the number of PDQ/PIF statements distributed to patients/families was reported. CONCLUSIONS: To maintain a level of awareness among health care professionals, a consistent educational strategy should be implemented. The number of PDQ/PIF statements distributed to patients and families increased, especially those redesigned for visual appeal.

Importance of format and design in print patient information.

PURPOSE: The purposes of this descriptive study were to: identify characteristics of print education materials that healthcare providers report as important to patients; compare whether Physician Data Query (PDQ) information that was provided in its original form, or was redesigned in color and black and white, influenced the distribution of this information; and explore whether providing PDQ information via patient information racks would increase patients' awareness of and use of PDQ information. DESCRIPTION OF STUDY: Forty-four oncology healthcare professionals were asked to complete a survey identifying characteristics that they believed important for effective print educational materials. PDQ statements were reformatted and placed in brochure racks for a 6-month period. The number of statements distributed before and after this time period were compared. Subsequently, PDQ statements were placed sequentially for a 3-week period in brochure racks in the following formats: original form as printed from the computer, redesigned with color print; and redesigned with black ink only. RESULTS: The following characteristics were rated "very important" aspects of print educational materials by oncology healthcare professionals: appropriate reading level; clarity; credibility of the information; whether information is current/up-to-date; and patient acceptance of material. The characteristic receiving the fewest "very important" marks was attractiveness/eye appeal. The reported low marks on attractiveness/eye appeal contradict the concurrent findings that, after the redesign of PDQ statements (change in booklet size, use of color, increase in foot size for text and headings, and inclusion of a vertical bar to separate columns), there was a ninefold increase in the number PDQ statements distributed. Eighty-nine percent of the statements distributed were the redesigned version. The use of color, however, did not appear to make a difference in the number of PDQ statements disseminated after the redesign. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: In developing print education materials for cancer patients, the format, design, and placement of materials for patient access need to be considered. There are many valuable educational materials available on computer databases. Downloading the information and placing it in a brochure format may be an ideal approach for providing access to this information. Furthermore, because physicians and nurses have different priorities for printed patient education materials, it is important to involve both groups in the developments of the brochures.