Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Disaster And Emergency Communications Prior To Computers/Internet: A Review, John W. Farnham

Faculty Publications and Other Works -- Nursing

When communications are needed the most desperately and most urgently, the difficulty of effecting the desired communications increases exponentially. Recent natural disasters in different parts of the world have provided eloquent testament to this. The history of disaster or emergency communications can provide us with a foundation for understanding the problems encountered today, and can offer us insight into how we might improve the systems and processes for communications. The first applications of communication technology that allowed messages to be sent more rapidly than the fastest form of transportation were mainly military in origin. This review takes us from the …

Trapped In A State Of Mitigating Danger: Forgotten Process, Forgotten Women, Alva Hunt Reid

Doctoral Dissertations

Women who are in intimate partner abusive relationships undergo a change process, which is a spectrum of emotional and behavioral responses to violence that is identifiable in stages. The end result is that women terminate their relationships or renegotiate their circumstances to halt the violence: Treatment protocol for abused women is shifting to individualized intervention based on these stages. Leaving and returning to an abusive relationship is a predominant theme in the change process that has not been investigated.

The present study examined this forgotten leave-return process in a sample of forgotten women. Grounded theory methodology was utilized to describe …

Chlorpyrifos In Human Breast Milk?, Karyn Ann Casey

Doctoral Dissertations

The widespread use of pesticides by farmers, pest control operators and even the general public can pose significant risks to children's health. One particular pesticide, chlorpyrifos, was the most widely used pesticide in the United States with total use estimated at approximately 30 million pounds per year. Young children and the developing fetus are far more susceptible to the effects of pesticide exposure as a result of unusual exposure patterns and developmental immaturities. Transplacental transfer and lactational exposure are the pathways exclusive to the developing fetus and infant. Chlorpyrifos exposure is of special concern in this population because of its …

The Only Way Out Is To Die: Perceptions And Experiences Of Rural, Homebound, Older Diabetics, Sharon Robbins George

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to investigate the meaning of diabetes, as perceived and experienced by rural, homebound, 65-year and older, diabetics requiring insulin. The sixty-five year and older persons are disproportionately affected by diabetes. They are more likely than younger diabetics to have co-morbidities, disabilities and difficulty preventing diabetic complications. Guidelines for diabetes management and treatment developed by the American Diabetes Association are not specifically targeted for the 65-year and older population. Phenomenological research was used to examine and describe the understanding of diabetes from perspectives of older diabetics.

A purposive sample of participants was recruited from …

Effect Of Dietary Treatment With Stearidonic Acid And Eicosapentaenoic Acid On Membrane Phospholipid Fatty Acid Composition And Glycogen-Elicited Peritoneal Neutrophil Survival In Absence Or Presence Of Bacterial Endotoxin, Jonathan Earl Phipps

Masters Theses

We previously found that enteral nutrition with diets containing elevated levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5 n-3) reduced the number of neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and improved clinical outcome of patients with or at risk for adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We have also shown that the treatment of the neutrophil-like cell line, HL-60, with EPA can induce apoptosis. It is not known, however, if the addition of EPA to the diet would result in similar occurrences in neutrophils.

It has been suggested that the use of diets enriched with stearidonic acid (SDA; 18:4 n-3) may provide a novel …

A Newly Identified Hantavirus: The Development Of Immunologic Diagnostic Assays And Phylogenetic Analysis For Detection And Characterization, Shawn Lee Lewis

Doctoral Dissertations

Hantaviruses are the etiologic agents of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Europe and Asia and hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) in the Americas. As of July 2005, 396 HCPS cases in 30 U.S. states with a 36% mortality rate have been confirmed since reporting began in 1993.

The primary rodent host of numerous U.S. hantaviruses in Peromyscus maniculatus (deer mouse) although other strains have been found in association with a district rodent host and geographical region. Reservoir hosts are asymptomatically, persistently infected and shed virus particles intermittently in urine, saliva and feces. Thus, the primary transmission route for hantavirus …

Leydig Stem Cell Differentiation In The Prepubertal Hamster (Mesocricetus Auratus), Michael W. Hance

Masters Theses

Leydig cells in the testis are the primary source of androgens in the adult male mammal. Therefore, the process of Leydig cell differentiation during the prepubertal period is essential to establish the Leydig cell population in the adult. Little has been published regarding the factors that regulate the postnatal Leydig cell differentiation in hamsters. However, it has been observed in adult male hamsters that Leydig cells regress under reduced photoperiods, but recrudesce with re-exposure to normal photoperiods. In the present investigation, the effects of light, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and melatonin treatment on Leydig cell differentiation in the neonatal-prepubertal hamster are investigated. …

Phonological Process Use In The Speech Of Children Fitted With Cochlear Implants, Rhonda Gale Parker

Masters Theses

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the use of both developmental and non-developmental phonological processes in a group of young children using cochlear implants.

Participants: 6 preschool children with severe to profound binaural hearing loss with cochlear implants

Method: 15-25 minute conversational speech samples from six children were collected at three-month intervals over a period of 12-21 months for a prior study. These samples were then transcribed and analyzed using Natural Phonological Analysis (NPA) and a data collection form created solely for the purpose of this study.

Data Analysis: Pearson correlations were used to determine relationships among …

How Accurate Are Athletes' Perceptions Of Their Coaches' Expectations?, Angela Marathakis

Masters Theses

The purpose of the present study was to determine the extent to which there is a correspondence between athletes' perceptions of their coach's expectations and the coach's actual expectations. It was predicted that a significant difference would exist between the coach's expectations of high and low expectancy athletes (Solomon et. al, 1996a; Solomon, 2002; Solomon et. al 1996b). In addition, for both groups of athletes, it was predicted that there would be no difference between athletes' perceptions of their coach's expectations and the coach's actual expectations, supporting the notion that both groups of athletes accurately perceive the expectations their coach …

Expression Of G-Protein Inwardly Rectifying Potassium Channels (Girks) In Lung Cancer Cell Lines, Howard Plummer 3rd, Madhu Dhar, Maria Cekanova Ms, Rndr, Phd, Hildegard Schuller

Faculty Publications and Other Works -- Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology

BACKGROUND: Previous data from our laboratory has indicated that there is a functional link between the beta-adrenergic receptor signaling pathway and the G-protein inwardly rectifying potassium channel (GIRK1) in human breast cancer cell lines. We wanted to determine if GIRK channels were expressed in lung cancers and if a similar link exists in lung cancer. METHODS: GIRK1-4 expression and levels were determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and real-time PCR. GIRK protein levels were determined by western blots and cell proliferation was determined by a 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) assay. RESULTS: GIRK1 mRNA was expressed in three of six small …

Expression Of G-Protein Inwardly Rectifying Potassium Channels (Girks) In Lung Cancer Cell Lines, Howard K. Plummer, Madhu S. Dhar, Maria Cekanova, Hildegard M. Schuller

Faculty Publications and Other Works -- Large Animal Clinical Sciences

Background

Previous data from our laboratory has indicated that there is a functional link between the β-adrenergic receptor signaling pathway and the G-protein inwardly rectifying potassium channel (GIRK1) in human breast cancer cell lines. We wanted to determine if GIRK channels were expressed in lung cancers and if a similar link exists in lung cancer.

Methods

GIRK1-4 expression and levels were determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and real-time PCR. GIRK protein levels were determined by western blots and cell proliferation was determined by a 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) assay.

Results

GIRK1 mRNA was expressed in three of six small …

Hsv-1 Induced Ocular Angiogenesis: Antiangiogenic Strategies To Prevent Herpetic Stromal Keratitis Pathogenesis, Bum Seok Kim

Doctoral Dissertations

Herpetic stromal keratitis (SK) is an immunopathological and tissue destructive corneal lesion caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection, which induces an intense autoimmune inflammatory response and finally leads blindness. Accumulating evidence using the murine model has shown that Th-1 phenotype CD4⁺ T cells orchestrating the inflammation mainly contribute the immunopathological reaction in HSV-1 infected cornea. However, prior to CD4⁺ T cell infiltration into corneal lesions, various innate immune cells recruit and produce numerous inflammatory molecules into the corneal stroma. Interestingly, one prominent event early in the pathogenesis of SK is neovascularization of the usually avascular cornea. It …

Inequalities In Neighbourhood Socioeconomic Characteristics: Potential Evidence-Base For Neighbourhood Health Planning., Agricola Odoi, R Wray, M Emo, S Birch, B Hutchison, J Eyles, T Abernathy

Faculty Publications and Other Works -- Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences

BACKGROUND: Population health planning aims to improve the health of the entire population and to reduce health inequities among population groups. Socioeconomic factors are increasingly being recognized as major determinants of many aspects of health and causes of health inequities. Knowledge of socioeconomic characteristics of neighbourhoods is necessary to identify their unique health needs and enhance identification of socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. Careful integration of this knowledge into health planning activities is necessary to ensure that health planning and service provision are tailored to unique neighbourhood population health needs. In this study, we identify unique neighbourhood socioeconomic characteristics and classify the …

Components Of Auditory Closure, Steven Glen Madix

Doctoral Dissertations

Auditory closure (AC) is an aspect of auditory processing that is crucial for understanding speech in background noise. It is a set of abilities that allows listeners to understand speech in the absence of important information, both spectral and temporal. AC is evaluated using monaural low-redundancy speech tasks: low-pass filtered words (LPFW), time-compressed words (TCW), and words-in-noise (WiN). Although not previously used, phonemic restoration with words (PhRW) is also a speech task that has been proposed as a measure of AC. In the present study, four tasks of AC, that are listed above, were used to evaluate AC skills in …

Transitioning From Teammate To Coach: Effects On The Coach-Athlete Relationship, Ashwin Patel

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate how the experience of transitioning from a teammate to a coach affected the relationship between a coach and his players. A semi-structured qualitative interview guide was employed to ask participants broad open ended questions to elicit responses regarding their various experiences in the coach athlete relationship. This allowed me to probe the participant when needed (Kvale, 1996).

Probing questions such as “What was that like for you?”, “How does that make you feel?” and “Talk more about that” were included to help participants explore the dynamics involved in the coach-athlete relationship (Pollio, …

Discovering Strengths Of Homeless Abused Women, Jean Croce Hemphill

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the experience of discovering strengths of homeless abused women. An emancipatory feminist and existential phenomenological research design was used. Seventeen homeless abused women participated in facilitative dialogues that explored experiences of strength, and assisted in consciousness raising and then discovery of each woman’s own strengths. There were four levels of analysis used to identify a thematic structure. The thematic structure was derived from the various themes of strength that were facilitated in the dialogue and expressed in the words of the women. These various themes were clustered and organized within a …

Breast Milk Or Formula: An Existential Phenomenological Study Of Infant Feeding Decisions Made By Wic Recipients In East Tennessee, Jenny Blair Short

Doctoral Dissertations

Research indicates that breast milk is superior to formula as a source of infant nutrition. Research also indicates that infants born to impoverished women and women who are nutritionally at risk are at increased risk of a host of neonatal complications. Despite this evidence, women enrolled in the USDA's Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) are less likely to initiate and continue to breastfeed their infants than women in the general population.

This existential phenomenological research study was performed to explore the experience of making infant nutrition decisions for infants 6 months of age and younger …

Murine Herpetic Stromal Keratitis: Elucidating The Early Events Involved In Its Pathogenesis, Partha S. Biswas

Doctoral Dissertations

Herpes simplex viruses (HSV) infection is a common cause of ocular disease and can result in a chronic inflammatory reaction that impairs vision. This latter manifestation is called herpetic stromal keratitis (HSK) and usually occurs as a consequence of virus reactivation from latency in the trigeminal ganglion. The pathogenesis process involves complex interactions of cellular and molecular events. HSK in humans, and certainly its murine experimental model, appears to be an immunopathologic disease process. The crucial cell type orchestrating the inflammation is a CD4⁺ Tcell that has a Thl cytokineproducing profile. However, prior to this immunoinflammatory phase, multiple events …

Genetic Analysis Of Feline Calicivirus (Fcv) Isolates Associated With A Hemorrhagic-Like Disease, Mohamed Mostafa Abd-Eldaim

Doctoral Dissertations

Feline Calicivirus (FCV) is one of the most common causes of upper
respiratory tract disease in cats. Other disease syndromes associated with
FCV infection have been reported. Recently, calicivirus infections
associated with a hemorrhagic-like disease leading to significant mortality in
cats has been reported. The clinical signs are similar to those observed with
the Calicivirus of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease. This investigation
characterized two FCV isolates associated with hemorrhagic-like disease.
Nucleotide sequencing of the complete genome was done on these two
isolates and four isolates representing other disease syndromes. Previously
reported sequence data for the entire genome of classical FCV (six …

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons From The Chattanooga Creek Flood Plain And Their Effects On Endothelial Cells Via Group Ivc Phospholipase A2, Meghan Scott Mcneilly

Masters Theses

Exposure to environmental pollution can be a contributing factor to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Due to contamination produced by long-term discharge of coal tar wastes into the creek, a 2.5-mile section of the Chattanooga Creek in south Chattanooga was designated as a Superfund site by the USEPA in 1994. In order to further investigate the potential health risks posed by creek contamination, 12 PAHs found in high levels in the sediment of the creek as compared to an uncontaminated control site were evaluated for their effects on the human coronary artery endothelial cell (HCAEC) phospholipase A_{2 (PLA2)/arachidonic …}

An Investigation Of Sponsorships Opportunities In Athletic Training Rooms Of Ncaa Universities, Masaru Ito

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to identify the barriers, avenues, and possibilities for marketing intercollegiate athletic training rooms. In particular, this study examined potential sources of support for athletic training rooms by addressing a) current trends in sponsorship within athletic training rooms; b) market tactics used to substantiate sponsorships in athletic training rooms; c) how existing marketing tactics have the greatest potential for growth; and d) the need for athletic training rooms to acquire and maintain sponsorship.

In this study, an online survey and volunteer telephone interview were administered to head athletic trainers representing athletic training rooms at Division …

Expression Of The Α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor In Human Lung Cells, Howard K. Plummer, Madhu Dhar, Hildegard M. Schuller

Faculty Publications and Other Works -- General Biology

Background

We and others have shown that one of the mechanisms of growth regulation of small cell lung cancer cell lines and cultured pulmonary neuroendocrine cells is by the binding of agonists to the α7 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. In addition, we have shown that the nicotine-derived carcinogenic nitrosamine, 4(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), is a high affinity agonist for the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. In the present study, our goal was to determine the extent of α7 mRNA and protein expression in the human lung.

Methods

Experiments were done using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), a nuclease protection assay and western …

Through The Lens Of Merleau-Ponty:Advancing The Phenomenological Approach To Nursing Research, Sandra Thomas

Faculty Publications and Other Works -- Nursing

No abstract provided.

Patterns Of Risk Of Depressive Symptoms Among Hiv-Positive Women In The Southeastern United States, Linda Moneyham, Carolyn Murdaugh, Kenneth D. Phillips, Kirby Jackson, Abbas Tavakoli, Mary Boyd, Medha Vyavaharkar

Faculty Publications and Other Works -- Nursing

Depressive symptoms are a common response to HIV disease, and women appear to be at particularly high risk. The authors report results from a crosssectional analysis of data collected from 280 rural women with HIV/AIDS in the Southeastern United States aimed at identifying risk factors of depressive symptoms. Stress theory provided a framework for identification of potential risk factors. Descriptive statistics, measures of association, and regression analyses were used to systematically identify patterns of risk. The final regression model included 22 factors that accounted for 69% of the variance in depressive symptoms. The majority of variance in depressive symptoms was …

An Exploration Of Problematic Interviewee Behaviors In Qualitative Research, M. Collins, M. Shattell, Sandra Thomas

Faculty Publications and Other Works -- Nursing

The interview is a staple of many qualitative approaches. Although textbooks offer extensive guidance to researchers about conducting interviews, less guidance is available about problematic interviewee behaviors, such as flattery or statements indicative of social desirability response bias. In this study, a secondary analysis of 22 phenomenological interview transcripts, we sought to examine problematic interviewee behaviors. More than 300 pages of typed text were subjected to line-by-line scrutiny, yielding only six potential instances of the phenomenon. Each could be interpreted several ways. What appeared to be flattery could also be perceived as simple gratitude or appreciation. We concluded that problematic …

Women's Anger, Agression, And Violence, Sandra Thomas

Faculty Publications and Other Works -- Nursing

Themes of powerlessness, power, and paradox predominate in this reflection on more than 15 years of research on women's anger. Studies conducted in the United States, France, and Turkey are highlighted. These studies have negated several myths while illuminating the general rationality of women's anger: It is squarely grounded in interpersonal interactions in which people deny women power or resources, treat them unjustly, or behave irresponsibly toward them. The offenders are not strangers; rather they are their closest intimates. But few women learned healthy anger expression while growing up. Anger is a confusing and distressing emotion for women, intermingled with …

Stress Reduction As A Means To Enhance Oral Immunity In Hiv-Infected Individuals, Kenneth D. Phillips

Faculty Publications and Other Works -- Nursing

No abstract provided.

Frontiers (3rd Quarter 2005) - Docs On A Mission; The Cyberknife; Alzheimer's Research, University Of Tennessee Medical Center, University Of Tennessee Graduate School Of Medicine

Frontiers Magazine

No abstract provided.

Frontiers (4th Quarter 2005) - Working Together: Multidisciplinary Approach; Cancer Research; Becoming A Doctor, University Of Tennessee Medical Center, University Of Tennessee Graduate School Of Medicine

Frontiers Magazine

No abstract provided.

Lack Of Antigen-Specific Tissue Remodeling In Mice Deficient In The Macrophage Galactose-Type Calcium-Type Lectin 1/Cd301a., Thandi M. Onami, K. Sato, Y. Imai, N. Higashi, Y. Kumamoto, S. M. Hedrick, T. Irimura

Microbiology Publications and Other Works

Macrophage galactose-type C-type lectins (MGLs), which were recently named CD301, have 2 homologues in mice: MGL1 and MGL2. MGLs are expressed on macrophages and immature dendritic cells. The persistent presence of granulation tissue induced by a protein antigen was observed in wild-type mice but not in mice lacking an endogenous, macrophage-specific, galactose-type calcium-type lectin 1 (MGL1) in an air pouch model. The anti-MGL1 antibody suppressed the granulation tissue formation in wild-type mice. A large number of cells, present only in the pouch of MGL1-deficient mice, were not myeloid or lymphoid lineage cells and the number significantly declined after administration of …