Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Examination Of Benefits Of Binaural Auditory Stimulation For Children With A Cochlear Implant And A Hearing Aid In The Contralateral Ear, Evonne Nicol Altesleben

Dissertations and Theses

Congenital or acquired hearing impairments put children at risk of delayed language development. Today the cochlear implant (Cl) is a viable amplification option for some children with profound hearing losses. Audiologists often recommend that children with hearing impairments be fitted with binaural hearing aids in the hope that maximum stimulation will occur and that auditory deprivation will be lessened. An area lacking investigation is whether binaural stimulation will be beneficial to the cochlear implant recipient.Controversy also exists regarding the use of a hearing aid in the non-implanted ear.

The focus of this study was to compare binaural auditory stimulation benefits …

Wheels At Camp, Judith A. Medlin

Master's Projects

Students with special needs are being included into regular education classrooms in increasing numbers. Teachers in these classrooms are often reluctant to include students with special needs on overnight field trips. This reluctance stems from the teacher's concern for the associated responsibilities. The purpose of this project is to demonstrate the process developed and used to successfully send a fully included student with disabilities to camp with his non-disabled peers. Dorthea Orem' s theory of nursing provided the conceptual framework for this case example. Overnight field trips (e.g., science camp) that are fun and safe learning experiences for the student …

Alterations In Calcium Homeostasis And The Insulin-Like Growth Factor Signaling Pathway Induced By Carcinogenic Polycyclic And Halogenated Aromatic Hydrocarbons In Human Mammary Epithelial Cells, Stacey L. Tannheimer

Pharmaceutical Sciences ETDs

Breast cancer is a major health concern for women, with only a small percent of the risk factors currently identified. It has been estimated that environmental factors may contribute to up to 80% of breast cancer cases. Many environmental carcinogens, such as polycyclic and halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs and HAHs), are proven mammary carcinogens in animal models. Therefore, these studies were conducted to elucidate potential roles of PAHs and HAHs in alterations in known signaling pathways in human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC). Carcinogenic PAHs have previously been shown to produce sustained alterations in the calcium (Ca2') homeostasis of lymphocytes Therefore, …

A Comparative Study Of Nursing And Non-Nursing Majors Knowledge And Attitudes Toward Hiv And Aids At The Sophomore And Senior Level, Diana R. Lubandi

Electronic Dissertations and Theses

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a baccalaureate nursing program on the knowledge and attitudes of United States nursing students towards HIV/AIDS. Mathematics and engineering majors were used as a comparison group and to control the threats to internal validity of history and maturation. Data for this study was obtained using an AIDS Knowledge Scale and an AIDS Attitude Scale in the form of questionnaires. A convenience sample of 103 students comprised of 30 sophomore nursing students, 34 senior nursing students, 16 sophomore Non nursing students and 23 senior non-nursing students was utilized. The …

The Relationship Between Childhood Aggression And Impulsiveness, Mary Gail Glover

Student Dissertations & Theses

Previous research on the relationship between children's levels of aggression and impulsivity have been inconclusive. Studies of each of these behaviors independently have shown that they are correlated with many of the same factors. However, no studies have been found in which aggression and impulsivity have correlated specifically with each other. The purpose of the present study was to determine if a relationship exists between aggression and impulsivity in children. The participants of this study consisted of 115 children who had been tested at a center for behavioral analysis to determine diagnoses of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. They had been referred for …

Collegiate Activities That Influence Adult Physical Fitness Habits, Linda L. King

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This descriptive/correlational study analyzed the perception of recent graduates regarding the effectiveness of the college environment at Milligan College in influencing adult fitness habits. Graduates were divided into five activity level groups through a self-report of physical activity. The purposes of the research were to determine if significant differences existed between the dependent variable, activity level, and the independent variables such as: (a) participation in specific college activities, (b) preferences for types of exercise, (c) social influence, (d) influence of a required freshman fitness course, and (e) environmental barriers. A profile of the student most likely to exercise after graduation …

Comparison Of Beta-Adrenoceptor Coupled Camp Production In Cultured Human Mononuclear Leukocytes And Myometrial Cells, Yu-Li Liu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

$\beta\sb2$-Adrenoceptor ($\beta\sb2$-AR) agonists, such as terbutaline, are used as tocolytic agents in the treatment of preterm labor. $\beta$-Adrenoceptor stimulation relaxes myometrium through specific receptors coupled through Gs to adenylyl cyclase (AC) that catalyzes the conversion of ATP to cAMP. The purpose of this study was to compare $\beta$-adrenoceptors and cAMP production in cultured human leukocytes and myometrial cells, and to determine the importance of $\beta$-adrenoceptors and cAMP production in isoproterenol-induced myometrial relaxation. $\sp{125}$I-iodopindolol was used to assess $\beta$-adrenoceptor affinity and number cAMP levels were analyzed before and after stimulation by isoproterenol, AlF$\sb4\sp-$, forskolin, and PGE$\sb1$. Isometric recording was used to …

Locus Of Control, Activity Level, And Living Situation Among The Elderly, Jennifer L. Birchenough

Masters Theses

The focus of this study was to investigate the relationships among locus of control, activity level, and living situation in the elderly. The participants in this study consisted of 62 elderly individuals who resided in one of three living situations: (1) independent living, (2) assisted living, and (3) comprehensive care centers. All participants were screened for cognitive status using the Mini-Mental State Assessment (Folstein, M., Folstein, S., & McHugh, 1975). Individuals who scored in the normal range then completed a Locus of Control Scale (Rotter, 1966) and the Index of Occupational Behavior (Gregory, 1983) to address the meaningfulness of, and …

Cultural Considerations In Clinical Reasoning: An Occupational Therapy Case Study, Sandra M. Winter

Masters Theses

This study looked at an occupational therapist's work with clients from varied cultural backgrounds. Qualitative research strategies and a phenomenological approach were used to gather data through interviews with a single respondent and observation of treatment. This methodology was used to examine the process utilized to acquire cultural knowledge and integrate that knowledge into treatment planning. Research focused on: (a) how the cultural background of a client influenced an occupational therapist as she planned and implemented treatment, (b) how the treatment process was influenced by cultural differences between the therapist and the client, and (c) how training or education helped …

The Relationship Between Health Locus Of Control And Health Behaviors Of Women Who Have Undergone Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting, Heather Ferrillo

Nursing Master’s Theses and Projects

Due to the increasing number of women who are diagnosed with heart disease and who are undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, it is important to explore the psychosocial aspects involved in the recovery process of these women. This study examined the relationship between locus of control and health behaviors of women who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting.

A Cytochemical Evaluation Of Blood-Brain Barrier Sodium, Potassium- And Calcium-Adenosine Triphosphatase Polarity, Panya Steve Manoonkitiwongsa

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is formed by cerebral vascular endothelial cells. Brain ion and fluid homeotasis essential for proper neural functioning is due to the BBB. Sodium-potassium and calcium-activated adenosine triphosphatase (Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase and Ca²⁺-ATPase) serve as one of the main mechanisms controlling brain Na⁺, K⁺, and Ca²⁺ concentrations. The present accepted concept is that both of these enzymes are localized to the abluminal plasma membrane of endothelial cells although there have been contrary results from some studies. Because of these discrepancies, further work was needed. Various cytochemical procedures …

Perceived Differences Between Male And Female Occupational Therapists’ Treatment And Other Related Gender Issues, Dennis Robert Jones

Masters Theses

This study explored how occupational therapy clients perceive the treatment they receive from male and female occupational therapists. The study was conducted in a qualitative manner. Occupational therapy supervisors who have supervised both female and male occupational therapists were interviewed to gain an initial understanding of the relevant issues. More structured interviews were then conducted with clients who have been treated by both a female and a male occupational therapist. Therapists and clients were also observed during four treatment sessions.

Analysis of the data collected through interviews revealed that supervisors and clients do notice some behavioral differences in male and …

Patient Satisfaction With A Nurse Managed Lipid Clinic, Memuna Ali

Master's Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine patient satisfaction with a nurse managed lipid clinic. This study investigated the effect of gender, age, level of education, and physical health on patient satisfaction. Measuring patient satisfaction has been regarded as the method of choice for obtaining patient views about their care. Fifty patients completed a survey rating various aspects of the lipid clinic. The results provided evidence that high level of satisfaction existed with the nurse managed clinic and there was no significant variation with gender, age, level of education or physical health of patients. Nurse Practitioners have been successfully …

A Comparison Of Listener And Speaker Perception Of Stuttering Events, Anne Jocelyn Schagen

Dissertations and Theses

Stuttering identification, measurement, research, and treatment have for many years had their basis in listener judgment of stuttering, but the covert aspects of stuttering are not behaviorally observable, and inter-rater reliability has repeatedly been shown to be low. Perkins (1990) has emphasized the importance of consulting the speaker for the most reliable perspective on stuttering identification. The question raised in this study is whether there is a significant correlation between stuttering identification based upon internal perception by a speaker who stutters, and identification based upon external perception of listeners, with points of inter-rater disagreement removed. Six adult males, aged 18 …

First Language And Gesture Acquisition In Children With Cerebral Palsy, Ann Christine Friel

Dissertations and Theses

Many children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) will receive speech and language intervention throughout their lives. However, there is a lack of descriptive data for language and gesture development of children with CP. When assessing the skills of children with CP, standardized tests and clinical observations have several inherent faults due to time constraints, normative data, and physical constraints. An alternative method used to gather data in the area of language and gesture development is parent questionnaire. The MacArthur Communicative Development Inventory: Words & Gestures was chosen for this study because it has been shown to be an efficient, valid, and …

Processing Strategies And Recall Performance For Narrative Passages And Word Lists Of Negative And Neutral Affective Valence In Depression, Lora L. Sloan

Theses and Dissertations

Depressed individuals have been found to exhibit memory deficits on tasks that require effortful processing. They have also been found to remember negative materials better than their nondepressed cohorts. While these findings are well-documented, there have been few studies designed to examine how and why these differences in recall occur. The present study examined prose passage and word list recall in depressed and nondepressed college students. Processing times and structure of recall were also examined to assist in determining how material was processed and remembered. Half of the passages and word lists utilized were of negative affective valence and half …

The Effect Of Systemic Doxycycline On Alveolar Bone Loss Following Periradicular Surgery, G. Reed Cummings

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Studies have shown an average of 0.5 mm to over 1.0 mm of bone loss following full thickness flap reflection. Recent investigations have revealed that the tetracycline family of antibiotics can prevent bone loss. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of systemic Doxycycline on crestal alveolar bone loss following periradicular surgery in Beagle dogs.

The experiment was divided into two phases. The first phase served as the control (Non-Doxycycline), the second phase as the experiment (Doxycycline). Full thickness flaps were reflected in the mandibular left or right quadrant (control side) of five Beagle dogs. Using a …

The Effect Of Root End Demineralization On Cementogenesis : A Long Term Investigation, Hamid R. Abedi

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Craig and Harrison¹² examined the effect of demineralization of resected root ends on wound healing following periradicular surgery. Based on its microscopic evaluations from 4-45 days, it was proposed that demineralization of resected root ends enhances cementogenesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the longer term effects of demineralization on cementogenesis using Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) or amalgam as root end filling materials. After completion of root canal therapy and endodontic surgery on seventy-two roots of mandibular second, third and fourth premolars of six beagle dogs, 32/72 of the root ends at random were etched with 50% …

The Effects Of Animal Assisted Therapy When Used As An Adjunct To Occupational Therapy In The Rehabilitation Of Persons Who Have Had Cerebral Vascular Accidents, Alice Arlene Briggs

Masters Theses

Occupational therapists can use animals to assist their clients in achieving goals in treatment. Most often dogs are used as they are more easily trained. The dog may fetch a ball thrown by the client or stand still and allow the client to brush it. These activities with the animal increase the client's range of motion, endurance and strength. Dogs as well as other animals are used in various ways to elicit the desired response from the client. No studies were found in the literature that examined the use of animals as adjuncts to, or as modalities in occupational therapy …

Critical Thinking Attributes Of Undergraduate Nursing Faculty, Julie A. Coon

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the critical thinking skills of undergraduate nursing faculty to determine how these skills compared with the established critical thinking skill norms for undergraduate nursing students and if the critical thinking skills of nursing faculty were related to the type of program they teach in, their years of experience in nursing education, their level of formal education, their preferred methods of instruction, and their level of formal training in critical thinking. Nursing faculty from 17 Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) programs and 11 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs in the State of …

Evaluation Of Accelerated Plethysmography As A Measure Of Health And Fitness, Angela Marie Humble

Dissertations and Theses

Plethysmography is a technique used for measuring alterations in the volume of organs or limbs. Japanese researchers have developed a relatively new application of plethysmography (accelerated plethysmography) that uses information from the pulse wave measured at the fingertip to make inferences about health and fitness status. The instrument used to collect data -- the Precaregraph (accelerated plethysmograph) -- provides an accelerated pulse waveform and APG index, a mathematical representation of the waveform. It was the purpose of this study to evaluate the validity of the Precaregraph by examining the relationship between the APG index and previously validated measures of health …

The Availability Of Inferences In Children And Young Adults, Gerilyn A. Katz

Student Work

Much of the research on age-related differences in the ability to inhibit irrelevant information in a given task has been on the study of younger and older adults. Only a minimal amount of research has focused on the developmental differences in children and young adults. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to examine whether age-related differences exist between children and young adults in processes consistent with inhibition.

Third-, sixth-grade children, and college undergraduates listened to twenty-four garden path passages containing either expected or unexpected, but acceptable, conclusions. The twenty-four passages were divided into four subsets, with each subset containing …

Modulation Of The Rat Potassium Channel Kv1.5, Daniel Benjamin Saal

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

1. Kv1.5 is a delayed rectifier-type potassium channel. We have examined the localization of the channel protein using a polyclonal antibody against Kv1.5. This channel is expressed in numerous regions of the brain, primarily in glial cells. Its expression is particularly intense in the endfoot processes which abut the microvasculature of the brain. It is also expressed in the cell bodies and cellular processes in the pituitary.2. Immunoprecipitation of the Kv1.5 protein, from HEK 293 cells which were transformed with the Kv1.5 gene, revealed that the channel is phosphorylated and that treatment of cells with dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dibcAMP) or …

An Evaluation Of The Efficacy Of Selected Nonpharmacologic Pain Interventions In Infants, Cindy Smith Greenberg Dnsc, Ms, Rn, Cpnp

Dissertations

Infants subjected to painful stimuli respond with deleterious physiologic and metabolic effects, behavioral changes, and potentially long term effects on painful stimuli processing and response. There are few studies that address effective pain interventions for infants, particularly those interventions that staff nurses can implement independently. Interventions must be identified and their effectiveness must be validated for this vulnerable population. Pharmacologic management of pain may cause deleterious side effects and needs to be ordered by physicians or nurse practitioners. Nonpharmacologic methods to manage pain can usually be implemented by staff nurses independently. This study evaluated the efficacy of two nonpharmacologic pain …

Comparison Of Cardiovascular Disease Risk In Japanese Natives And Japanese Americans, Mayumi Takeda

Dissertations and Theses

This research examined potential differences in cardiovascular disease risk (CVR) in two groups: Japanese Natives living in Saga, Japan and Japanese Americans living in or near Portland, Oregon. It explored data gathered in an effort to build a theoretical framework for future studies. Environmental, nutritional, and lifestyle differences were also examined to compare the health status of Japanese residents in the two countries. The history of Japan from World War II to present, and the history of Japanese Americans both first and second generation, are discussed in the literature review.

Accelerated plethysmography (APG) is a technique which presumably allows the …

The Effectiveness Of Planned Transitions Therapy In The Treatment Of Three Children With Developmental Verbal Dyspraxia, Emily M. Campbell

Dissertations and Theses

The intent of this investigation was to note whether use of Planned Transitions Therapy (PTT) would help to improve the intelligibility of 3 children with developmental verbal dyspraxia (DVD). PTT is an approach that emphasizes the sequencing of lingual movements from one place of articulation to the next for the production of speech. Rather than focusing on the production of sounds, exercises with PTT focus on transitions between sounds.

Three male subjects presenting characteristics of DVD received 30-minute treatment sessions with a traditional intervention approach for 6 weeks. Each subject also received periods of intervention with PTT. Subject A received …

The Relationship Of Health-Promoting Behaviors To Hospital Admissions In Adults With Congestive Heart Failure, Debbie Mcfalls

MSN Research Projects

Successful medical treatment for acute health conditions has precipitated an increase in the number of chronic health problems. One such chronic condition is congestive heart failure. Heart failure is the number one discharge diagnosis among Medicare recipients. The financial burden for the management of this chronic condition is astronomical. Health care providers are commissioned to manage this chronic illness prudently. The purpose of this correlational descriptive study was to determine if there was any relationship between health-promoting behaviors and readmission rates of adults with congestive heart failure. A convenience sample of participants was obtained from a hospital facility. Subjects were …

Alternative Health Care Practices Of Patients Who Attend Nurse Practitioner Clinics In North Mississippi, Wesley Barrett

MSN Research Projects

As many as one out of three Americans uses alternative health therapies. The purpose of this study was to describe the type and frequency of alternative health care practices and sociodemographics of patients in nurse practitioner clinics in North Mississippi in order to determine implications for nurse practitioners. Leininger's Theory of Cultural Care Diversity and Universality served as the conceptual framework for this study. The researcher, using a descriptive study design, sought to answer the following questions: 1) What are the characteristics of patients who use alternative health care practices? 2) What types of alternative health care practices are being …

Nurse Practitioners' Attitudes Toward Substance Abuse, Anabel P. Pereda

MSN Research Projects

Substance abuse is a major health problem in the United States today. The prevalence of the problem in primary health care settings mandates examination of the nurse practitioner's attitudes toward substance abuse. Research has demonstrated that the attitude of the health care provider toward the substance abuser can affect the level and quality of care rendered. This descriptive study was designed to examine the attitudes of nurse practitioners certified and practicing in Mississippi. Pender's revised Health Promotion Model was utilized as the theoretical framework for the study. The research question asked in this study was : What are the attitudes …

Risk Factors Associated With Coronary Artery Disease In Individuals After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery, Deborah Benderman King

MSN Research Projects

Since the early 1960s coronary artery disease (CAD) has been the nation's leading killer of middle-aged men. Even with development of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, the recurrence rate remains high. The research question addressed in this descriptive study was what risk factors associated with CAD can be identified in individuals after CABG surgery? Using Becker's Health Belief Model as a theoretical framework, a convenience sample of 69 postoperative CABG clients from a rural Mississippi cardiac rehabilitation program completed researcher-developed surveys. Descriptive analysis identified the following risk factors in the sample : Forty-three (63%) of subjects reported eating fried …