Digital Commons Network^™

The Relationship Of Perceived Touch And Self-Concept In Elders, Marilyn Hubbard

MSN Research Projects

The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between perceived touch and self-concept in elders. Johnson's Behavioral Model provided the theoretical framework for this descriptive correlational study. Thirty subjects, who were 60 years or older, and lived in either a nursing home, a retirement home, or an independent living center participated in this study. Data were collected using the Touch Questionnaire and the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale and were analyzed using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation. Data analysis revealed a significant relationship between beliefs about touch and self-concept. Thus, the higher the scores on the Beliefs About Touch, the …

Relationship Among Self-Esteem, Blame And Guilt, And Sexuality Of Infertile Young Women, Alva H. Jordan

MSN Research Projects

This descriptive correlational study purported to ascertain the relationships among self-esteem, blame and guilt, and sexuality of infertile young adult women, and to explore the basis for the study the Roy Adaptation Model (1976) was utilized. The convenience sample was comprised of 31 infertile women with diverse conditions who had undergone medical treatments for at least one year. The Infertility Questionnaire (IFQ) of Bernstein, Potts, and Mattox (1985) and researcher-developed questions were used in data collection to assess adaptation of the women to infertility. Quantitative data were analyzed using Pearson's Product Moment Correlation while content analysis was used to describe …

The Relationship Between Depression, Dyspnea, And Physical Activity In Patients With Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Carolyn J. Calhoun

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This correlational descriptive study investigated the relationship between depression, degree of dyspnea, and performance of daily activities in male and female patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The problem was to determine (a) the influence of depression on the degree of dyspnea experienced and performance of daily activities, and (b) the relationship between the degree of dyspnea experienced and the performance of daily activities by male and female patients with severe COPD.

This study contained a convenience sample of 49 patients who met the research criteria (38 males, 10 females, and one patient unidentified as to gender). All …

Continuous Passive Motion After Knee Arthroscopy, Lisa Bauman

Masters Theses

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of continuous passive motion (CPM) after arthroscopy. A CPM machine was used one hour following knee surgery. Statistical analysis was performed to determine differences in knee range of motion (ROM), strength and circumference, at time intervals preoperatively, one, seven, and twenty-eight days following surgery. The analysis of variance revealed no significant difference between the CPM and control groups for any parameter. A significant interaction effect between treatment and time was demonstrated one day after surgery for extension, joint line circumference, and midthigh circumference; and 28 days after surgery for the …

An Investigation Of Pitch Perturbation And Vocal Intensity Characteristics Of Stutterers And Nonstutterers, Carmen M. Bamberg

Masters Theses

Pitch and amplitude perturbation values were compared for nine adult stutterers and nine adult nonstutterers. Each subject produced ten sustained phonations of the vowels /a/ and /i/. An automatic pitch-synchronous autocorrelation fundamental frequency tracker was used to extract period and amplitude measures.

Findings revealed that: (a) stutterers had significantly more vocal shimmer than nonstutterers (p = .01), (b) F-ratios for percent jitter between groups approached (p = .07) but did not reach significance, and (c) the vowel /a/ was produced with higher levels of jitter and shimmer than the vowel /i/. Results support the notion that instability of the …

The Effects Of Added Purpose On Fine Motor Performance In Learning Disabled Children, Sarah Lynn Austin

Masters Theses

The idea that occupations which offer added levels of purpose elicit a high quality of performance is widely accepted within occupational therapy. In this experiment involving fine motor performance, fifty-three learning disabled children were randomly assigned to two groups. It was hypothesized that children cutting out a circle, presented as a wheel which would complete a paper truck, would cut more accurately than those who cut out the same circle without the suggestion of it being used as a wheel. Accuracy was assessed by measuring the area of the children's cutting errors. The experimental design included the use of a …

Leisure Satisfaction Of Alcoholics And Cocaine Addicts, Tamera F. Stanback

Masters Theses

A role for occupational therapists is to help substance abuse clients achieve a healthy balance across occupational performance areas, including leisure. The literature suggests that alcoholics have deficits in leisure, but cocaine addicts have not yet been studied systematically in terms of leisure. This study compared twenty alcoholics from two Midwestern in-patient treatments centers to fourteen unmatched cocaine addicts at the same centers in terms of their leisure satisfaction. Then, nine male subjects from each group were matched in terms of age and family status, and t-test comparisons were made once again. The Leisure Satisfaction Scale was used as a …

A Model Of Registered Nurse Intent To Stay In Southern California Childrens' Hospitals, Linda Diann Urden Dnsc, Mn, Rn, Cna

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the interrelationships of professional image, organizational climate or domains thereof, professional commitment, organizational commitment, position satisfaction, and the influence of these variables on intent to stay employed. The path analytic model of intent to stay was temporally ordered and proposed that professional image and organizational climate affect intent to stay through professional commitment, organizational commitment, and position satisfaction. Subjects (n = 232) were both male and female registered nurses who worked per diem, part-time, or full-time on all shifts. They held clinical positions, delivered direct care, and had been employed in one …

Effect Of Disulfiram On The Urinary Excretion Of 5-Hydroxytryptophol And 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid In Subjects Consuming Serotonin Rich Foods, Amy G. Tordecilla

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The effect of disulfiram and/or serotonin rich foods (SRF) on the urinary excretion of 5-hydroxytryptophol (5-HTOL) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in normal male subjects was investigated. Urine collections were obtained on 1) regular serotonin free diet, 2) SRF, 3) serotonin free diet with disulfiram, and 4) SRF with disulfiram. Urinary excretion of 5-HTOL in ug/gm creatinine during disulfiram administration was 112.0 ± 24.1. Five HTOL (ug/gm creatinine) with disulfiram and SRF increased to 1532 ± 352.0 (p < 0.001). Five-HIAA (mg/g creatinine) before and after SRF was 3.4 ± .44 and 33.1 ± 6.1 respectively, p < 0.001. With disulfiram and SRF the excretion of was 24.2 ± 3.2 mg/g creatinine which was significantly greater than when on the regular diet (p < 0.001) than the excretion on SRF alone (p < 0.05)

Key words: Disulfiram, serotonin, 5-hydroxytryptophol, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, urinary excretion, high performance liquid chromatography, alcoholism

Hourly Fluctuation Of Middle Ear Pressure As A Function Of Age In School-Age Children, Susan Hogue Henry

Dissertations and Theses

Tympanometry is a useful means of evaluating the status of the middle ear. For the pediatric population, tympanometry is particularly valuable for determining the presence of middle ear effusion. The test has been incorporated in many school hearing conservation programs because of its ease of administration, objectivity, and diagnostic value.

In a study by deJonge and Cummings (1985), the hourly fluctuation of middle ear pressure was reported in a group of kindergarten-age children. The variability of middle ear pressure for that group of children averaged 150 daPa. In the present study, a maturational effect of this hourly fluctuation was observed …

Productivity Measurement For Home Health Care Registered Nurses, Lazelle Emminizer Benefield

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Management

The purpose of this study is to develop a productivity measurement applicable to home health registered nurses (RNs) by identifying and quantifying the knowledge and ability variables that define productive nurse practice.

A preliminary set of knowledge and ability variables was identified based on content analysis of interviews with local nurse managers and round I of a three round Delphi procedure, using a purposive sample of nurse managers from nationally preeminent agencies. A randomized national sample of 337 nurse managers was then surveyed to determine the relative value and rank of the knowledge and ability variables. These variables were refined …

Regulation Of Queuine Insertion Into Transfer Rna: Effects Of Tumor Promoters, Bonnie Jean Brooks

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to treat normal human fibroblasts with known tumor promoters and observe queuine modification of tRNA. The queuine insertion enzyme, tRNAguanine ribosyltransferase, was studied in vivo and in vitro. Tumor promoter-treated human fibroblast cultures exhibited variable queuine-insertion rates with a transient inhibition that correlated with variable levels of queuine modified tRNA over time in culture from passages 3 — 8. In contrast the in vitro studies showed that phorbol cetera and saccharin actually increased insertion with strong evidence indicating phosphorylation as a positive modulating force of the enzyme activity. It is proposed that chronic stimulation …

The Determination Of Tamoxifen Citrate In Human Blood Serum And Semen, Karimdad Tahmoresi

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)methodologies for the determination of tamoxifen and its metabolites 4-hydroxytamoxifen and n-desmethyltamoxifen, and using cis-tamoxifen as an internal standard have been developed.

Clinical analyses of tamoxifen and its metabolites in human serum and semen, were performed as follows: The analytes were extracted from serum and semen with hexane, the hexane evaporated, the dried extract then reconstituted with methanol, followed by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography.

Between-run coefficients of variation (CV'S) for tamoxifen and n-desmethyltamoxifen for serum sample analyses, (n = 15) were, 4% and 13% at mean (SD) concentration of 140.2 (6.2) and 71.8 (9.8) …

Developmental Tasks And Abusive Alcohol Use In College-Age Students, Ann M. Gary

MSN Research Projects

The purpose of this correlational study was to deter­ mine the relationship of alcohol abuse and achievement developmental tasks in college-age students. Alcohol abuse is defined by four or more drinks at least 3 or more times a week. Developmental tasks for college students consists of three primary tasks: clarifying purpose, mature inter­ personal relationships, and academic autonomy. The sample was comprised of 30 subjects between the ages of 18 to 24 years, classified as a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior, and who attended a major southeastern university in Central Mississippi. Data were collected using the Student Developmental Task and …

Postpartum Depression And Selected Physiological, Psychological And Sociological Variables; A Correlational Study, Mary W. Jones

MSN Research Projects

Literature on postpartum depression suggests it has long been, and continues to be, a significant emotional disturbance in many newly-delivered mothers. Previous research has identified numerous variables which correlate positively to postpartum depression. The variables were grouped into the following categories; (a) genetic- constitutional, (b) psychological, (c) developmental, and (d ) social-environmental. This descriptive/correlational study was guided by the following research questions: (a) What is the incidence of postpartum depression in a population of newly-delivered Northeast Mississippi mothers, and (b) What is the relationship of postpartum depression and selected personological variables among these women. Neuman’s System Model provided the conceptual …

The Stability Of Mandibular Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomy Advancements Using Rigid Skeletal Fixation, Michael E. Fox

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

[Abstract Not Included]

Aids Prevention Through Printed Media: Knowledge And Communication Behaviors Of Gay College-Aged Males, Cheryl L. Knight

Masters Theses

AIDS prevention research has established the effectiveness of multiple component group interventions. It has not identified whether the effectiveness is due to the format of the intervention (i.e., rehearsal, feedback, etc.) or its instructional content. This study investigates the impact of instructional content delivered in the inexpensive and readily obtained printed medium. Thirteen gay or bisexual college-aged men received an information pamphlet and an AIDS-related communication skills training booklet. Subjects were evaluated on measures of knowledge, safe and risky behaviors, and communication behaviors in each of three assessment sessions. Visual analyses and repeated measures analyses of variance did not support …

Effect Of Photoperiod On Developmental Morphology And Enolase Isoenzyme Immunohistochemistry In Rat And Djungarian Hamster Superficial Pineal Glands, Chalmer D. Mcclure

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The best understood functional activity of the pineal gland is its diurnal production of melatonin in response to environmental lighting cues. Several enzymes of the melatonin pathway respond to daily photoperiod changes, for example hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT) and serotonin N-acetyltransferase (SNAT). Increased levels of the glycolytic enzyme neuron-specific enolase (NSE) are thought to reflect increased physiological demands placed on neurons and neuroendocrine tissues. Homodimer non-neuronal enolase isoenzyme (NNE) is immunolocalized to cells, and the hybrid enolase (consisting of subunits from NSE and NNE) has been seen in cerebellar stellate and basket cells. Although not rate limiting, concentrations of both NSE and …

Cessation Of Chronic Ethanol Intake Reverses Ultrastructural Alterations In Ileal M Cells, Robert Rosback Eversole

Masters Theses

Membranous (M) cells of the dome epithelium of ileal Peyer's patches have been shown to serve an antigen uptake function for mucosa associated lymphoid tissue. Hypergammaglobulinemia is a frequent accompaniment of chronic alcoholism in humans and the elevated antibody titers have been shown to be due in part to bacterial and dietary proteins. This study was conducted to demonstrate the morphological changes induced by chronic ethanol exposure in the ileal M cells in the rat.

Chronic ingestion of ethanol produces marked changes in the ultrastructure of M cells. All experimental animals showed distinct mitochondrial swelling with loss of matrix density, …

Psychophysiological Assessment Of Panic Disorder, Kent A. Koehn

Masters Theses

This study compared physiological and psychological measures between 9 subjects meeting the DSM-III-R criteria for panic disorder (PD) and 9 control subjects to identify psychophysiological differences that might be relevant to the etiology and maintenance of panic attacks. The subjects were assessed through a number of self-report measures and across three laboratory sessions involving five experimental conditions: baseline, role play, relaxation, mental arithmetic, and cold pressor. We measured electrodermal (EDG) and electro-myographic activity (EMG), heart rate (HR), and blood volume pulse (BVP) in terms of absolute values, reactivity, and habituation. Both groups were also assessed in their ability to accurately …

Reliability And Validity Of The Body Mechanics Obstacle Course Evaluation, Louise Sinclair-Eastman

Masters Theses

A review of the literature suggests that the way in which an individual performs activities, or body mechanics, can affect the amount of stress placed on the low back. Several clinical programs treat patients with low back pain by teaching proper body mechanics. Although body mechanics obstacle course evaluations are used by occupational therapists to assess patients, there has been no published information regarding the reliability and validity of these evaluations. The purpose of this study was to establish the validity and reliability of one version, the Body Mechanics Obstacle Course (BMOC).

Content validity was established by reviewing the literature …

The Concentration Of Prostaglandin E2 In Periradicular Lesions, Steve N. Mcnicholas

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Prostaglandins (PG) have been implicated in pathogenesis of periapical lesions. The purpose of this study was to determine the concentrations of PGE₂ in human periapical lesions. Periapical specimens from patients with clinical signs and symptoms of chronic and acute apical periodontitis were obtained and immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen. Periradicular tissues from unerupted third molars were frozen and used as controls. The concentration of PGE₂ was determined by radioimmunoassay. Low levels of PGE₂ were found in the control tissues as compared to those detected in chronic and acute lesions. A significantly higher level of PGE₂ was …

Effects Of Ro 15-4513 On Schedule-Induced Ethanol Intake In Rats And Schedule-Maintained Responding In Pigeons, Dawn D. Delaney

Dissertations

The partial inverse benzodiazepine receptor agonist, Ro 15-4513, is a recently synthesized compound with the ability to antagonize some of the biochemical and behavioral effects of low to moderate doses of ethanol and related CNS depressants. The present investigations sought to explore further the behavioral actions of Ro 15-4513. In Experiment 1, the effects of acute (0.6-5.4 mg/kg) and chronic (5.4 mg/kg) administrations of Ro 15-4513 on rats' schedule-induced consumption of water and 8% ethanol solution were examined. Acute and chronic administrations of Ro 15-4513 slightly reduced consumption of both liquids. No selective effects on ethanol consumption were observed.

In …

The Effect Of An Anti-Osteoclastic Agent And A Collagen Sponge On Root Resorption Following Regenerative Periodontal Surgery In The Dog, Rudolf Hahn

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Previous studies indicate that root resorption is a frequent sequela to significant amounts of periodontal repair following experimental regenerative periodontal surgical procedures in animal models. To study if root resorption can be reduced or prevented, periodontal repair was evaluated in large horizontal circumferential defects in the dog in the absence of influence from the oral environment. Diphosphonate (Cl₂ MDP) applied topically to the root surfaces prior to wound closure as well as the use of a collagen sponge membrane (Helistat®) draped over the root surfaces and a control with no additional treatment after defect creation were the modalities employed. …

An Analysis Of Selected Family Life Education Curricula, Phoebe Terry Butler

Community & Environmental Health Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the content of family life education curricula in Virginia's public schools and determine its appropriateness for the mentally handicapped students. It was the intent of this study to determine if existing curricula were designed to address the needs of mentally handicapped students according to a standard curricula designed by the American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation and the Sex Information and Education Council of the United States. The 15 participants of this study were selected from a random sample of 69. The response rate was 20.2%.

A letter soliciting family …

Articulation Of Practical Nursing Programs To Institutes Of Higher Learning, Gwendolyn T. Sweat

Community & Environmental Health Theses & Dissertations

This study investigated the size of the Practical Nursing schools, the student/faculty ratio, the admission process, the number of program hours as well as individual course hours of each program, specific aspects of articulation agreements in place, and the need for a bridge course and its contents. Also collected was demographic information regarding the students. The study involved the aggregate population of 43 Practical Nursing Programs in Virginia. Study findings, based on responses from 28 schools, included the following: the practical nursing schools are or the most part 18 months long, have three faculty members, admit students in late summer …

Mental Status And Time Of Day In Elderly Nursing Home Residents, Lynn S. Lashley

MSN Research Projects

The purpose of this quantitative and qualitative descriptive study was to examine the differences in mental status at morning and evening hours of the day among elderly nursing home residents and to describe behaviors and environmental cues associated with changes in mental status. Residents, aged 70 to 90 years who were mobile, were selected from a sample of convenience at a 100-bed rural nursing home in West Central Alabama. A total of 48 residents, 33 females and 15 males, participated in the study. Demographic data were obtained from the health care records. Mental status of each subject was measured, using …

Relationship Of Family Cohesion And Adaptability To Infant Caretaking Role Patterns Of Rural Black Grandmothers And Their Adolescent Daughters, Sonja Kerlen

MSN Research Projects

This descriptive study e x p l o r e d the r e l a t i o n s h i p between family structure and infant caretaking role patterns in multigenerational rural Black families that included an adolescent mother, her infant, and the grandmother. The variables considered in relation to family structure were family cohesion and adaptability, which were conceptualized by Olson's (1983) Circumplex Model. Smith’s (1983) model of family roles formed the basis for the conceptualization of role sharing behaviors of infant caretaking r e s p o n s i b i l i ­ …

Characteristics Of Low Risk Women Who Experience Infant Mortality, Linda S.' Forte'

MSN Research Projects

This research study described the relationship of risk factors associated with high rates of infant m ortality and age in mothers who have experienced the death o f th e ir infants. The research question which guided this study was what is the relationship of stim u li, focal, contextual, or residual, to mothers who have experienced the death of th e ir infants and are classified as eith er high or low risk as determined by age? The Forte' Questionnaire was administered to 20 subjects selected from health departments in two Northwest Alabama counties. The sample was 70% black …

Relationship Between Social Support And Life Events In Adolescents, Josephine Jackson

MSN Research Projects

he purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of social support and stressful life events in adolescents as they develop into adults. Newman's System Model was the theoretical basis of this study. These six hypotheses were tested: 1. T h e r e is no s ignificant relationship between general support and family life events for adolescents. 2. T h e r e is no s i g n i ficant relationship between general support and autonomy life events for adolescents. 3. There is no significant relationship between general support and sexuality life events for adolescents. 4. There …