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Nonprescription Drug Use Among Community-Residing Elderly, Roberta Joan Montgomery

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Comparative Study Of Emergency Medical Services In North Dakota, Deborah L. Moreno

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Parent Satisfaction With And Participation In Their Children's Special Education Programs, Marcia C. Gums

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Relation Between The Nutritional Status And The Acute Respiratory Infections In Children Younger Than Five Years Of Age In The Indigenous, Black, And Mestizo Ethnic Groups Of The Rural Area In The Imbabura Province, 1998-1999, Sandra Chiles

Theses and Dissertations

The problems of social-economics, culture, politics, and health, among those, are factors that influence both directly and indirectly the style of life of hundreds of thousands of people, due to the lack of economic resources, unemployment, poverty, their own culture can lead to a more serious state of health, consequently causing problems of their nutritional state, such as obesity in its varying degrees of malnutrition, in addition to the presence of preventable illnesses such as acute respiratory disease (IRA), that seriously affect the infant population. Factors, consequences, everything becomes one vicious circle that can be broken thereby preventing more deaths …

The Structural Response And Performance Of General Hospitals In A Managed Care Environment, Denise M. Mccollum

Theses and Dissertations

The study purpose is to link hospital structure, represented by each hospital’s professional contingent, service mix, and inpatient capacity; and its environment, characterized by the penetration of managed care enrollees. The secondary purpose is to test the relationship between hospital structural change and subsequent hospital performance.

The study employs a non-experimental panel design, with a sample of 1882 community hospitals (service type: general medical and surgical). Environmental variables are measured for the base year 1989. Hospital structural variables are measured for 1989 and 1994, with change variables computed. Performance variables are measured for 1989 and 1995, with change computed for …

Adenosine 3', 5'-Cyclic Monophosphate Activation Of Islet Chloride Channels, Anjali Varandani

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this thesis was to understand the regulation of islet Cl⁻ current by cAMP. This current, known as I_cl,islet flew is the first Cl⁻ channel current characterized in pancreatic �� cells. I_cl,islet has been hypothesized to modulate insulin secretion through changes in islet electrical activity. Both 5 ��M forskolin and 100 ��M IBMX (3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine), agents that increase intracellular cAMP, were shown to activate an outwardly-rectifying ionic current in HIT cells that closely resembled I_cl,islet. The current was blocked when iodide was substituted for external Cl⁻ or when the Cl⁻ channel blocker niflumic acid was …

Changes In Gabaa̳ Receptor Expression And Alterations In Ca⁺⁺/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Ii Activity In A Hippocampal Neuronal Culture Model Of Epilepsy, Robert Eagan Blair

Theses and Dissertations

Expression levels of GABAA receptor subunits and activity of the Ca++ /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM kinase II) enzyme system were evaluated in an in vitro hippocampal neuronal culture model of epilepsy. Treatment of hippocampal neuronal cultures with Mg++-free media for 3 hours results in the induction of an enduring "epileptic" state as evidenced by the expression of spontaneous recurrent seizure (SRS) discharge. The induction of the SRS activity was shown to be a N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, Ca++-dependent mechanism (Sombati and DeLorenzo, J Neurophys., 73 (4), 1995). Significant and long-lasting decreases in mRNA expression for the GABAA α2 and α5 …

The Relationship Between Employers' Perceived Organizational Context And Their Impressions Of The Employability Of Job Applicants With Either A Severe Psychiatric Or Physical Disability, John Constantine Bricout

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the relationship between favorable employability ratings of hypothetical job applicants with a severe disability and two aspects of employers' perceived organizational context: organizational climate and negotiation latitude, using a cross-sectional, correlational design. A survey including a hypothetical job applicant vignette in one of three conditions: non-disabled, severe physical disability (acquired brain injury), severe psychiatric disability (schizophrenia) was mailed out to a random sample of 1,000 employers selected from a national human resource membership list. Responses were received from 248 employers. The chief purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between employers' perceived organizational context and …

Gene Expression Following Traumatic Brain Injury, Rajiv Malhotra

Theses and Dissertations

The pathology which results from traumatic brain injury (TBI) have long been believed to be immediate and irreversible. However, recently it has been shown that, although the primary effects are virtually unavoidable, the secondary effects manifest themselves through biochemical processes set in motion at the time of the injury. These events are frequently mediated through the process of excitotoxicity, which results from a widespread release of excitatory neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters go on to activate both ionotropic and metabotropic receptors. The signal transduction initiated through these receptor populations gives rise to changes in gene expression.

One result of this release of …

Immunocytochemical Study Of Apoptosis Signaling In Nb2 Lymphoma Cells, Angelo P. Guanzon

Theses and Dissertations

In the absence of mitogen, administration of Dexamethasone (Dex) induces apoptosis, or programmed-cell death in the Nb2 lymphoma cell. Addition of prolactin (Prl), on the other hand, blocks this effect. As a model for apoptosis, we were able to investigate this Dex-Prl interaction by means of a morphological approach: one that could be visualized under a light microscope. This approach allowed us to achieve several aims. First, we were able to develop a method of cell quantification befitting a morphological study based upon the hemacytometer. Second, with Trypan Blue exclusion, we were able to verify Dex/Prl-responsiveness in the Nb2 cells. …

A Qualitative Study Of Dietetic Students Completing Internship In A Dietetic Technician Program, Sharon Spicer Stewart

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the view of dietetic students and their preceptors concerning the supervised practice experience. Guiding questions for this study were: (1) dynamics of learning in the work place setting, (2) dietetic students' technical ability to complete the activities expected of them in the work place, (3) dietetic students' socialization into the field site experience, including how well the students were accepted by other staff, (4) expectations of the preceptor prior to working with student dietetic technicians, (5) students' and preceptors' expectations of the DT program coordinator, (6) students' and preceptors' satisfaction with the …

Minnesota Graduation Standards And Their Impact On The Midde School Philosophy, Leslie Nordheim

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Metabolic Inhibition Of A Toluene-Enriched Microbial Population Due To Lead (Pb2+): Verification Of A Free Metal Ion Toxicity Model, Patrick J. S. Marbas

Theses and Dissertations

A dissolved oxygen probe and an ion specific electrode were used to study the lead-induced metabolic inhibition in a toluene-enriched microbial population. Predicted toxicity values were compared to the actual toxicity responses using a free metal ion toxicity model (TM) which linked metabolic inhibition with lead activity. Experimentally derived values for the model parameters (lead activity and a lead distribution coefficient) were used in the TM. It was postulated that cellular metabolism is disrupted by the conformational changes to the cell's plasma membrane produced by lead ion adsorption. The predicted toxicity values were higher than the actual toxicity response. This …

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 …

Adolescent Depression In The Secondary School Setting: A Guide For Teachers?, Virginia Stauss

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Feeding Method And Maternal-Infant Bonding At One Month Postpartum, Yvonne M. Nelson

Theses and Dissertations

Bonding is an important health outcome for mothers and infants during the postpartum period. The method of feeding an infant, whether by breast or bottle, provides variation in opportunities for frequency and duration of maternal-infant interaction that is thought to be necessary for the bonding to occur. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there was a difference in bonding at six weeks postpartum among mothers who breast-fed, combined breast and bottle-feedings or bottle-fed. Pregnant women of al ages including those who were less than 18 years and married were invited to participated during the third trimester of …

Department Of Defense Hazardous Waste Site Remediation Issues In The Republic Of Korea, Edwin H. Oshiba

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to provide information to DoD decision makers regarding factors influencing hazardous waste site remediation policy for South Korea. This study addressed: International agreements and U.S. and South Korean laws and policies relevant to hazardous waste sites; objectives of DoD environmental policy makers; extent and effects of soil and groundwater contamination; cleanup precedents set in other foreign countries; availability of resources and technical capabilities to investigate and remediate hazardous waste sites in South Korea; and opportunities for cooperation between the U.S. and South Korean military with regard to hazardous waste site remediation. Data were collected …

An Investigation Of Plume Rise From Titan Iv Rocket Launches, Joseph D. Brands

Theses and Dissertations

Space launches at Cape Canaveral Air Station (CCAS) and Vandenberg Air Force Base (vAFB) produce exhaust ground clouds from the solid rocket boosters and liquid hypergolic fuels containing several toxic substances. In order to estimate the health effects that would be imposed upon the public by scheduled launches, range safety officials rely on the Rocket Exhaust Effluent Diffusion Model to predict ground level concentrations of these substances. A drawback to the REEDM is its underprediction of the initial ground clouds stabilization height. This underprediction causes an overprediction of the ground level toxic substance concentrations. This thesis focused on increasing the …

Heavy Metal Toxicity In Bioremediation: Microbial Cultures And Microscopy, Jason B. Goodbody

Theses and Dissertations

This research employed a variety of microscopy and spread plating techniques to observe the effects of heavy metal treatments on a toluene-selected bacterial population. Microbial colonies were cultured on spread plates and the resulting numbers were compared to respiration data. The mechanisms of reproduction were demonstrated to be more sensitive to metal treatments than were the mechanisms of respiration. Phase contrast, Gram stain, fluorescent microscopy, were used to compare and document a wide variety of bacteria resulting from different metal treatments as well as from environmental changes within the source bioreactor. The removal of sensitive bacteria and the selection of …

A Cercla-Based Decision Model To Support Remedy Selection For An Uncertain Volume Of Contaminants At A Doe Facility, Christine E. Kerschus

Theses and Dissertations

The Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP) operated by the Department of Energy is challenged with selecting the appropriate remediation technology to cleanup contaminants at Waste Area Group (WAG) 6. This research utilizes value focused thinking and multi attribute preference theory concepts to produce a decision analysis model designed to aid the decision makers in their section process. The model is based on CERCLA's five primary balancing criteria, tailored specifically to WAG 6 and the contaminants of concern, utilizes expert opinion and the best available engineering, cost, and performance data, and accounts for uncertainty in contaminant volume. The model ranks 23 …

An Analysis Of Tactical Military Airlift, James H. Donoho

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines tactical military airlift operations conducted during three historical battles - Stalingrad, Dien Bien Phu, and Khe Sanh. Aspects of tactical military airlift operations are identified from these scenarios. The list of important issues that results can be considered when employing tactical military airlift in the future. Using inductive reasoning, tactical military airlift operations in each scenario, and their success or failure, are examined to develop a pattern for recognizing and describing similar situations in the future. Experiences at Stalingrad, Dien Bien Phu, and Khe Sanh indicated that there are nine elements that should be considered when employing …

Case Studies In The Analysis Of The Dod Migration System Selection Process, Paul E. Boley Ii

Theses and Dissertations

One of the focuses of Corporate Information Management (CIM) initiative in the Department of Defense is the elimination of duplicate automated information systems. This thesis is a case study examination of the selection process in the logistics, transportation, and health functional areas. The case studies were performed through a one-time review of documents relating to system selections in each functional area. A review of strategic information systems planning and systems implementation literature is used to examine the results in the three areas. The thesis concludes with three suggestions for improving the selection process with an emphasis on systems implementation.

An Investigation Of Prioritizing Research Topics In Professional Communication, Richard G. Buschagen

Theses and Dissertations

This research explored which areas and methods of research need to be identified and developed to most effectively communicate business and technical information. The research was sparked by the current literature which indicates that a gap exists between academicians, who do most of the research, and practitioners, who utilize the research results. This effort was intended to address possible causes of this problem by establishing the importance of nine research topic areas, six data collection methods/sources, and three data analysis methods for both academicians and researchers and other demographic characteristics. The research concludes that the participants generally agreed on which …

Meeting U.S. Defense Needs In Space: Effects Of A Shrinking Defense Industrial Base On The Satellite Industry, Ronald B. Cole

Theses and Dissertations

U.S. defense industrial base (DIB) deterioration and increased DOD interest in space exploitation highlights the U.S. satellite industry as one DIB sector requiring analysis. Despite DIB problems, this industry must maintain the capability to produce advanced satellites for the DOD. Commercial Military Integration (CMI) will, according to experts, eliminate problems inherent with a separate DIB. This research focused on investigating satellite industry capability to meet DOD space requirements. Through literature review, case study analysis and interviews, effects of a shrinking DIB on the satellite industry were determined. A model for DIB strength was developed and analyzed through literature review. General …

How The Presence Of A Risk Ladder, Time Interval Comparison, And Smoking Comparison Affect Risk Perception, Steve A. Dinzart

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study is to increase the knowledge available on the relative effectiveness of risk ladders as a presentation format for explaining risk magnitudes to the public. An experiment was conducted to test the hypotheses that an individual's risk perception varies with the presence of a risk ladder, time interval comparison, and smoking comparison. Subjects were AFIT Professional Continuing Education students, asked to assume a particular level of a health hazard in their homes, to read a brochure explaining the hazard, and then to complete a questionnaire. Results demonstrated that subjects exposed to a graphical risk ladder perceived …

Comparison Of Effects Of Change From 8 To 12 Hour Shifts On Air Force Aircraft Maintenance Workers, Daniel W. Overland

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the effects of converting from an 8 hour shift system to a 12 hour system on aircraft maintenance personnel. The squadron had converted its 24 hour operations from an 8 hour shift schedule to a 12 hour shift schedule in stages, changing one group first and then another. A smaller third group of workers remained on 8 hour shifts. Individual differences in job related outcomes and situational constraints were measured for all three groups. Results showed that changing from 8 to 12 hour shifts affected worker well-being and morale, as indicated by an increase in hospital visits …

An Interview Study Of Native American Philosophical Foundations In Education, Vivian Delgado

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to focus on oral Native American world views or philosophies. Native world views and philosophies and epistemology deal with the foundation of knowledge of and about aboriginal peoples. In most cases oral traditions are thousands of years old and have maintained their philosophical value. Prior to the establishment of Western education, narratives among indigenous people were used to teach and educate in the most formal sense. Today it serves as a credible and authentic source in Native American education and is weighted with the same importance that it has always had. The re-discovery of …

Political Culture On The Northern Plains : North Dakota And The Nonpartisan Experience, Thomas P. Shilts

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the history of North Dakota during the era of the Nonpartisan League (roughly 1915 through 1921). A significant body of research on the League exists, but no study has yet specifically addressed itself to exploring the political culture of the League and of its opponents in such a way that the full nature of the Nonpartisan "revolt" is made clear. The League was indeed the result of farmers’ perception of economic exploitation at the hands of big business, yet it was more basically a proactive struggle for inclusion. While employing elements of agrarian ideology, the League was …

Four Girls Respond To Young Adult Horror Fiction, Betty Silliman

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study provides insight into the separate reading experience of four adolescent girls as each engaged in the reading and discussion of a popular, self-selected young adult horror novel. The analysis and interpretation of data focused on the appeal of texts and the sociological implications of the reading experience. While questions regarding the appeal of young adult horror fiction grew from work with adolescent female horror readers, the social dimension of the inquiry stemmed from concerns of critical literacy theorists with regard to the ideological content of texts and its potential to shape readers into accepting dominant views.

Data …

Interagency Collaboration: A Firsthand Look At Defining Responsibilities And Roles In Providing Services To Children With Diabilities And Their Families, Deann Donarski

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.