Digital Commons Network^™

Humor And Its Relationship To Cohesion Of Work Group Members In The Acute Care Setting, Marla J. Niedzwiecki

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the relationship between the use of humor and cohesion of work groups. It was hypothesized that individuals with a high value and use of humor to cope would have a tendency to use humor with others. Additionally, groups with more members who value and use humor to cope would exhibit more group cohesion than groups consisting of members with minimal or no humor use. A descriptive correlational design was used. A convenience sample of hospital based staff nurses was studied. The participants completed three surveys measuring individuals’ use of humor to …

The Effect Of Cancer Diagnosis Information On The Anxiety Of Patients With An Initial Diagnosis Of First Cancer, Kim S. Allen

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of differing educational programs on state anxiety of patients with an initial diagnosis of first cancer. The Neuman Systems Model was used as the conceptual framework. The convenience sample included 40 patients in an outpatient chemotherapy clinic. The control group (n=21) received the standard cancer education, the experimental group (n=19) received additional cancer diagnosis information. The dependent variable, state anxiety, was measured using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Two-way ANCOVA demonstrated that, after controlling for pre-test trait and state anxiety, the experimental group who received additional cancer diagnosis information had …

An Investigation Of Psychological Distress And Self-Destructive Behavior In Adult Victims Of Childhood Sexual Abuse, Susan Christine Wood

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study is to determine the differences in psychological distress exhibited between adult victims and non-victims of childhood sexual abuse, both of which are acting out in a self-destructive manner.

This study investigates the damaging effects that childhood sexual abuse has on its adult victims. The Brief Symptom Inventory (ESI) was used to measure current psychological symptom status and is designed to detect internal distress, often not visible externally. Childhood sexual abuse produces an hyperarousal state which overwhelms the limbic system, leading to developmental dysfunction and restricted cognition. Due to the dysfunctional development produced by childhood sexual …

Utilizing The Ryder's And The Thigh-Foot Angle Tests To Establish Normal Values Of Femoral Anteversion And Tibiofibular Torsion In Children Aged 5 Through 10 Years, Timothy M. Dahlke, Wendi L. Jabs

Masters Theses

The purpose of this research was to begin to establish normative data for femoral anteversion and tibiofibular torsion using the Ryder's and the Thigh-Foot Angle (TEA) tests. A secondary purpose was to establish the intertester and intratester reliability of the authors' measurements. Thirty-three normal children within the ages of 5 through 10 years volunteered for this study. All subjects' data were separated into the appropriate age groups. All data were pooled and mean/standard deviations and intertester/intratester reliability coefficients were determined. A small decreasing general trend in femoral anteversion with increasing age was found. However, no significant trend was noted in …

The Effect Of Upper Extremity Immobilization Following Surgical Rotator Cuff Repair On Balance In Elderly Individuals, Edward S. Gagné, Rebecca L. Schneider

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship exists between upper extremity immobilization following surgical rotator cuff repair and balance in elderly individuals. Twenty-eight healthy volunteers (nine with rotator cuff repair, nineteen without) aged 53 to 74 participated in the study. Balance was measured using the Berg Balance Measure, Modified Berg Balance Measure, Functional Reach Test, and force plate analysis. Results were analyzed using t-tests for paired and independent samples, Mann Whitney U (Wilcoxon Rank Sum W) tests and Wilcoxon Matched-Pairs Signed- Ranks tests. Significant differences were found between the post-rotator cuff surgery and control groups for …

A Social Work Assessment Of Interventions With The Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Population With Regards To Intimacy, Beverly Rushlow

Masters Theses

Social work by nature has always been a hands on type of profession. With the explosion of new technology, social workers are being called upon to utilize technology to intervene with clients. Telecommunication is technology which can bring programs and images of people from one place to another with the use of television screens and phone lines.

This study explored the effectiveness of the utilization of interactive video within a classroom setting for the purpose of social work intervention. The study examined the impact social work intervention has upon a sample of individuals diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease participating …

Multimedia Presentations In Nutrition: College Students' Attitudes And Perceptions, Lisa Brooks

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Environmental Requirements For Sporocarp Germination In Marsileaceae, Kevin J. Kruep

Masters Theses

Experiments were conducted on sporocarps of Marsilea quadrifolia L. to determine whether temperature had any influence on the length of the reproductive period and initial sperm emergence from microgametophytes. Data were then compared to results of similar studies undertaken with the species M. vestita Hooker and Greville to determine whether there was any variation between them. A slight variation was recorded, ranging from 1 to 1.5 hours for initial emergence.

An additional set of experiments was performed with 58 year old sporocarps and approximately two-year-old sporocarps of M. quadrifolia. A difference of 2-6.5 hours for initial sperm emergence occurred between …

Analysis And Comparison Of Title I Programs In Rural School Districts In Central Illinois, Rebecca K. Kuhn

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare Title I programs in small, rural school districts in Central Illinois. The reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, referred to as the Improving America's Schools Act of 1994, has been a significant factor in redesigning Title I programs. The new trend in Title I programming focuses on accountability for maximum student achievement rather than the traditional issues concerning fiscal record keeping and detailed documentation that money was used to supplement, rather than supplant, existing programs. The coordination of funding sources and programs is encouraged by the reauthorization to …

Addressing Spirituality In Occupational Therapy Treatment, Barbara R. Howe

Masters Theses

Literature review identified confusion in the definitions of spirituality with religion. However, there have been attempts to separate the two definitions by professionals who consider holism an important concept of clinical practice. This · study was designed to identify occupational therapists' definitions of spirituality in clinical practice. Also under investigation was the therapist's assessment and use of spirituality for treatment purposes.

A survey was sent to a random sample of occupational therapists in order to gather data about their spiritual activities, their personal definitions of spirituality and their use of spirituality in evaluation and treatment of clients.

Occupational therapists who …

Rapid Method For Determination Of Iodine Numbers Of Vegetable Oils, Ondrej Hendl

Masters Theses

There is a great deal of interest by the public about the total unsaturation of fats and oils used in commercial products as an indication of nutritional value. Dealers in fats and oils are extremely interested in characterizing these products. The unsaturation is a guide to the expected stability of food additives, such as edible oils and foods in which they are used. Unsaturation is typically evaluated as an iodine number (IN), calculated for these additives based on their consumption of iodine through addition across the carbon-carbon double bonds. The classical titration method can typically take 45 minutes.

The investigation …

An Investigation On Nonenzymatic Autoxidation Of Phenolic Compounds In Natural Waters, Lei Jiang

Masters Theses

The nonenzymatic autoxidation of the phenolic compounds chlorogenic acid in aqueous solution was studied. The study demonstrated that the oxidation rate of chlorogenic acid was strongly dependent on pH. The higher the pH, the faster the rate of oxidation. The involvement of phenolate ions and radicals in oxidation reactions are two possible reasons for the pH dependency. The presence of a trace amounts of reducible transition metal ions, such as copper(II), dramatically increases the oxidation rate of chlorogenic acid. Light also increases the oxidation rate of chlorogenic acid. However, the photochemical reaction was a much slower process.

The TLC and …

A Comparison Of The Physical Activity, Body Composition And Self-Esteem Levels Of 5th And 6th Grade Students In Southwest Michigan, Rebevva C. Coady

Masters Theses

The problem of this study was to compare the physical activity levels, body fat percentage and self-esteem levels for children 1 O to 12 years of age. Subjects were 5th and 6th grade students who attended Schoolcraft or Lawton Middleschools in Southwest Michigan. The instruments used for this study consisted of the Lohman 2-site skinfold test, the Harter "What I am Like" self-esteem questionnaire, and a physical activity checklist. Subjects were grouped according to body fat percentage and physical activity level. Significant differences were found for males body fat groups for 4 of the 6 subscales of self-esteem: (1) . …

The Effects Of Chromium Picolinate Supplementation On Body Fat, Lean Body Mass, And Respiratory Exchange Ratio, Matthew K. Beaty

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects, on college-age males, of ingesting chromium picolinate over a 6-week period when administered as a supplement to their diet. Fifty males, ages 18 to 25 years, had their respiratory exchange ratio (R), body fat percentage, and lean body mass measured prior to and following a 6-week supplementation period. Subjects were randomly placed into a chromium, placebo, or control group. All subjects were instructed to maintain daily activities. Analysis of variance revealed no significant differences in R values, body fat percentage, or lean body mass among the chromium, placebo, or control …

Effects Of Insulin And Insulin-Mimetics On Mrna Levels Of C-Fos And C-Jun In Primary Rat Hepatocytes In Culture, Guangmin Li

Masters Theses

Insulin is capable of regulating cellular and metabolic processes as well as gene expression. Selenate and vanadate are two compounds that have been found to mimic the action of insulin in several tissue and cell types. cFos and cJun are the products of immediate early responsive genes c-fos and c-jun. They are members of the family of the AP-1 (Activator Protein-1) transcription factors. AP-1 transcription factors bind as cJun.cJun homodimer or cJun.cFos heterodimer to the TRE found in the promoter regions of several genes. AP-1 is characterized by its ability to alter gene expression in response to various peptide …

A Validation Of Target Heartrate Formulas Used In Swimming, Tasha Kay Litwinski

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore whether procedures used to establish target heart rates (THRs) for running are applicable to front crawl swimming. Eight male and 22 female fitness swimmers from Western Michigan University participated in this study. Their exercise durations under three experimental conditions were compared. The conditions were: (a) Condition 1, a treadmill run at an intensity equal to a THR of 85% of heart rate reserve (HRR); (b) Condition 2, a front crawl swim at an intensity equal to 85% of HRR; and (c) Condition 3, a front crawl swim at an intensity equal to …

Nutrition Facts Label Made Easy: Development, Implementation And Evaluation Of A Label Education Workshop, Kathy Kemper

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Family Planning On Malnutrition In Bangladesh, Ridwan Al-Rahman

Masters Theses

Some of the best historical and archeological evidence has claimed that about a million years was required for the human race to reach the 250 million mark by the beginning of the Christian era. Pestilence, famine and war had then reduced the population increase to a tiny fraction of 1% per year, requiring 16 centuries for the world population to double to 500 million. However, by 1850, 250 years later, the population doubled to the one billion mark. As of 1993, approximately one and a half centuries later, the world population stood at about 5.5 billion. According to United Nations …

Ecology And Community Relationships Of The River Cooter, Pseudemys Concinna In A Southern Illinois Backwater, Michael J. Dreslik

Masters Theses

In Illinois the River cooter, Pseudemys concinna, is an enigmatic endangered species. Even throughout its range, ecological studies on the River cooter are rare. During 1994 and 1995 I quantified the: growth rates and trends, population size and structure and dietary habits of a population from floodplain lake in Gallatin county, Illinois. Population estimation (Schnabel method) predicted 136 individuals at a density of 4.6 turtles/ha with a biomass of 3.6 Kg/ha. The sex ratio is slightly male biased (1:1.14). From back-calculated growth data, the von Bertalanffy growth model (Fabens' method) estimates males with a higher growth rate (k) and …

The Effect Of Early Nursing Intervention On Chemotherapy-Induced Fatigue, Jennifer A. Shane

Masters Theses

Chemotherapy-induced fatigue is a common side effect for cancer patients. This experimental study attempted to identify the effects of an early nursing intervention designed to facilitate adaptation to chemotherapy-induced fetigue. Roy’s Adaptation Model was the conceptual framework. A convenience sample (n=49) was randomly assigned to experimental (n= 16) and control (n=19) groups. Each group completed the Piper Fatigue Scale (PFS) during cycle one of chemotherapy. The control group received the standard teaching regarding 6tigue. The experimental group received additional instruction about fatigue. Both groups completed the PFS again during the third chemotherapy cycle (2-3 months later). No significant differences between …

Perceived Barriers And Perceived Motivators To Receiving Prenatal Care, Christine M. Davis

Masters Theses

The Health Belief Model served as the conceptual framework for this retrospective descriptive study that identified women's perceived barriers and perceived motivators to obtaining prenatal care. A 50 item questionnaire, including both forced-choice and open-ended questions, was administered to 29 women who had delivered a healthy infant within the previous 6 to 8 weeks. The sample was predominantly white (82.2%), {dollar}>{dollar}19 years of age (62.1%), single (62.1%), unemployed (51.7%), and receiving Medicaid insurance (69%). Univariate statistics were calculated for each item. Each item was then compared to the timing of the start of prenatal care. The most important motivators …

Relationships Among Role Strain, Hardiness, And Academic Achievement, Evelyn Clare Rutlin

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the relative importance of role strain versus that of hardiness in predicting academic achievement in first semester female ADN students. A convenience sample of 61 students from Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor, Michigan, participated in the study.; The Lengacher Role Strain Inventory and the Cognitive Hardiness Scale were used to assess role strain and hardiness. Academic achievement was determined by the grade received in the nursing fundamentals course.; Correlation coefficients were used to determine correlation among the variables. Multiple regression analysis was used to explain the variance. Neither role strain nor …

Geriatric Knowledge, Attitudes And Interests Of Physical Therapy Alumni Of Grand Valley State University, Elizabeth Johnson

Masters Theses

Gerontologic knowledge, attitudes and interest in working with the elderly were investigated and potential relationships explored. Six years of Grand Valley State University alumni (3 years Bachelor's {dollar}\{lcub} \rm N=63\{rcub}{dollar} and 3 years Master's {dollar}\{lcub} \rm N=84\{rcub} ){dollar} were surveyed. Questionnaires consisted of: a Personal History Questionnaire, to collect demographic data; the Palmore's Facts on Aging Questionnaire Part 2 with a "don't know" option added; and a modified Semantic Differential by Rosencrantz and McNevin. P-values were set at {dollar}\le{dollar}.05 to determine statistical significance. Correlations were also run on the data. Results indicate a fairly high correlation between people who believe …

Exercise Walking For Obesity Management In Older Adult White Women, Mary I. Dallas

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if a program of exercise walking would lead to any changes in the level of physical fitness for obese white women, aged fifty and over. Twenty-two women were recruited from three sites located in Holland, Michigan. The ten week program consisted of exercise walking three times a week for forty-five minutes at 60% to 70% maximum heart rate capacity. Subjects' weight, mean percentage of body fat, waist to hip ratio, body mass index, and the step test were found to decrease significantly between the pre- and post-test measures. As a result of …

The Effects Of An Eleven-Week Therapeutic Riding Program On Motor Skills As Measured By The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test Of Motor Proficiency, Angela M. Cripe, Angela A. Schmid

Masters Theses

The purpose of this single-case experimental design study was to determine whether or not therapeutic horseback riding was effective in improving motor skills. The subject was a 7-year-old girl with diplegic cerebral palsy. She participated in a therapeutic riding program for 11 weeks. The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-Short Form (BOT-SF) was administered a total of seven times (two pretests, three tests during the riding program, and two posttests). Due to the limited number of testing sessions and only having 1 subject, the results of the study are considered inconclusive. However, based on visual analyses of graphs, some improvements in …

Effect Of Thirty Second Static Stretch On Hamstring Muscle Flexibility In Subjects Over Age 65, Erin Bloomquist

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a thirty second static stretch on hamstring muscle length in a sample of healthy people over age sixty-five. Twelve individuals between the ages of 65 and 89 were randomly assigned to two groups: a treatment group which performed one repetition of a thirty second static stretch of the hamstrings, one time per day for four weeks, and a control group which did not perform a hamstring stretch. ANCOVA results were calculated as p =.046, implying a significant treatment effect. Overall power was calculated as.541. The results suggest that in …

Challenges Of Wellness Programming In Midwest Colleges And Universities, Patricia Vanmierlo

Masters Theses

This study was conducted to investigate challenges associated with programming wellness activities in the university setting. Telephone interviews were conducted with 50 college/university wellness program coordinators in the Midwest United States. Campus Recreation/Recreational Sports employed 72% of the respondents, the remainder were employed by Athletics, Health Services, Physical Education, or a combination of those listed. Likert scales were used to gauge degree of barrier severity and amount of collaboration with various university departments. Ninety-eight percent of coordinators work with professionals outside of the department in which they were employed. The departments that most often collaborate include Campus Recreation, Health Services, …

The Influence Of Environmental Ph And Bicarbonate Concentration On The Excretion Of Nitrogenous Waste Products In Two Species Of Freshwater Teleost, Paul D. Fabsits

Masters Theses

The catabolism of amino acids derived from dietary protein results in the production of ammonia and bicarbonate ion, waste products that an animal must eliminate. Often, animals excrete a nitrogenous waste product that is correlated with water availability: Freshwater fish, living where water is abundant, usually excrete ammonia while terrestrial animals excrete urea or uric acid. Recent studies report that fish inhabiting alkaline waters (pH 10) characterized by high bicarbonate concentrations do not excrete ammonia, instead synthesize urea, an energetically expensive process. The conversion to urea excretion by a normally ammonotelic animal is likely to be stimulated by a specific …

Physical Condition And Reproductive Success Of White-Tailed Deer At Fort Chaffee, Ar: A Five-Year Study, Donald A. Phillips

Masters Theses

A baseline study conducted in 1991 demonstrated that the resident white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) population at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas was in poor condition, with below average reproductive success, body weight, and antler size, and above average parasite load compared to other regional deer populations. Consequently, a management program was initiated in 1991 which included: (1) neutralizing acidic soils, (2) prescribed burning, (3) planting supplemental food plots, and (4) liberalizing the harvest of female adults from the population. The purpose of this study was to monitor changes in the health and reproductive success of the herd as this program was implemented. …

Parental Investment In The Red-Eared Slider Turtle, Trachemys Scripta, Michael D. Marlen

Masters Theses

This study was conducted to determine egg and hatchling components of the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta). In addition, energy components transferred from egg to hatchling were used to determine the level of parental investment in embryogenesis and hatchling care. Eggs of the red-eared slider, collected from central Illinois ponds, were obtained by inducing gravid females to lay by an injection of oxytocin. Egg and hatchling lipids were extracted with petroleum ether while egg and hatchling protein content was determined using the micro-Kjeldahl procedure. Eggs averaged 70.7% water by mass, and dry mass of whole eggs and egg yolks averaged 2.4g …