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Adolescent High-Risk Behavior And Individual Resilient Qualities, Beth J. Zavalney

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Long-Term Consequences Of West Nile Virus In Virginia., Diana Cruz Ocampo

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to describe the long-term effects and functional outcomes of patients in Virginia who were reported to the Virginia Department of Health with West Nile virus (WNV) non-neuroinvasive and neuroinvasive disease. The study identified the duration of symptoms after initial illness, the number of persons who fully recovered versus the number who continue to be symptomatic and how patients' quality of life differed after illness.Methods: The study population was drawn from 60 human cases that met the surveillance case definition for non-neuroinvasive and neuroinvasive WNV illness in Virginia between 2002-2004. Information was collected during …

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Performance And Perceptions: Use Of A Handheld, Computerized, Decision Making Aid During Critical Events In A High-Fidelity Human Simulation Environment, Vicki C. Coopmans

Theses and Dissertations

With the increasing focus on patient safety and human error, understanding how practitioners make decisions during critical incidents is important. Despite the move towards evidence-based practice, research shows that much decision making is based on intuition and heuristics (“rules of thumb”). The purpose of this study was to examine and evaluate the methodologic feasibility of a strategy for comparing traditional cognition versus the use of algorithms programmed on a personal digital assistant (FDA) in the management of unanticipated critical events by certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs).

A combined qualitative-quantitative methodology was utilized. The quantitative element consists of a pilot study …

Erythrocyte-Associated Transients In Capillary Po2 In The Rat Spinotrapezius Muscle During Hemodilution With Hespan And A Hemoglobin-Based Oxygen Carrier, Matthew Barker

Theses and Dissertations

Hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers for use as transfusion fluids have emerged as a leading technology directed at stemming shortages of a safe blood supply and providing a readily available resuscitation fluid in various trauma situations. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of isovolemic hemodilution with Hespan and a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (HBOC) on erythrocyte-associated transients (EATs) in capillary PO2. The particulate nature of blood flow in capillaries, when observed from a stationary observation point, results in fluctuations of PO2 as alternating red blood cells and plasma gaps move through the detection region. Therefore, through experimental methods which …

Infant Oral Health: A Survey Of General Dentists, Pediatric Dentists, And Pediatricians In Virginia, Rhea Delcastillo Davis

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the knowledge, attitudes, and experiences related to infant oral health for both dental and medical providers.Methods: A survey of infant oral health care was sent to 300 randomly selected general dentists, 300 randomly selected pediatricians, and all pediatric dentists in Virginia. The survey contained questions regarding the providers' routine infant oral health care regimen. In addition demographic data from the provider was collected. Responses to the questionnaire were tabulated and percent frequency distributions for responses to each item computed. Percents for all items were based on the total number of respondents …

Genetic Variability, Pathogen Susceptibility, Subspecies Identity And Conservation Of The Endangered Northern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys Sabrinus) In Virginia, James Lincoln Sparks Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

I examined the population genetic structure of three known subspecies of Glaucomys sabrinus from Appalachia, Washington State, and two previously unexamined populations from Mount Rogers National Recreation Area (MRNRA) in Southwestern Virginia. Mean FST (0.107) and an AMOVA (P G. sabrinus subspecies populations in the southern Appalachians are genetically differentiated. Glaucomys sabrinus at MRNRA were less inbred than expected. Gene flow, a consensus tree based on Nei's genetic distance, elevated heterozygosity and morphometric data suggest that the MRNRA G. sabrinus population is an intergrade of the two recognized Appalachian subspecies, G. s. fuscus and G. s. coloratus. I compared inbreeding …

The Relationship Between Breastfeeding And The Development Of Asthma In Early Childhood, River Anne Pugsley

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: Asthma can have significant adverse effects on the health and quality of life of children, and the prevalence of this condition continues to rise. Breastfeeding may protect against asthma, but some uncertainty remains. The purpose of this study was to further examine the relationship between breastfeeding and the risk of developing asthma in early childhood. Methods: Data were collected from the State and Local Area Integrated Telephone Survey: National Survey of Children's Health, 2003. The study population consisted of 33,315 children ages 0 to 5 years. Prevalence rates of asthma and breastfeeding ,were calculated, as were crude and Mantel-Haenszel …

Population Dynamics Of Three Amphibian Species Across The Sheyenne National Grassland Of Southeastern North Dakota, Bartholomew L. Bly

Theses and Dissertations

Concerns over worldwide declines of amphibians, including some to extinction, has increased the urgency for understanding how amphibians interact within local environments and across regional landscapes. Hypotheses for declines include anthropogenic destruction and fragmentation of amphibian habitat, introduction of exotic predators and competitors, increased ultraviolet (UV-B) irradiation, acid precipitation, environmental contamination by pollutants, harsh climatic conditions, over harvesting, and infectious disease. Three different types of models were developed for the northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens), gray tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum diaboli), and gray tree frog (Hyla versicolor/chrysoscelis complex) populations inhabiting the Sheyenne National Grassland (SNG) in southeastern North Dakota. The …

The Efficacy Of Palivizumab Prophylaxis On Respiratory Syncytial Virus Hospitalization, Elizabeth A. Ankeny

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of The Hayes E. Willis Health Center In South Richmond -- Has It Served Its Targeted Population?, Shannon Nicole Shaw

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: The Hayes E. Willis Health Center (HWHC) was opened in a neighborhood of South Richmond in October 1993 to remove the barriers that prevented South Richmond residents from accessing primary healthcare services. The major objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the HWHC in providing primary care to the South Richmond Community deemed to be in need. An additional objective was to describe the changes in characteristics of clinic users and illnesses seen over time.Methods: Patient data was compared from the HWHC�s first full year of operation in which patient data was collected (1995) to the …

A Structural Equation Model Examining The Effects Of Gulf War Stress Exposure On Subsequent Mental And Physical Health Problems Among Gulf War Veterans, Frank J. Kenny

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this dissertation is to better understand the complex relationship between the stresses encountered by US. service personnel during the Gulf War and eventual physical and psychological health outcomes among its veterans. By developing and validating a stress model using structural equation modeling techniques, it is hoped that knowledge regarding wartime stress and its potential impact on the health of veterans will be gained. This knowledge can be used to guide future policy decisions on how to minimize the deleterious health consequences associated with deployment and combat, as well as furnishing a basis for future studies that examine …

C-Reactive Protein Levels In Generalized Aggressive Periodontitis Patients, Trang Nguyen Salzberg

Theses and Dissertations

Background: There is mounting evidence to indicate that periodontitis may be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Periodontitis may be linked to CVD as either an etiologic mechanism or a predisposing factor that can hasten disease progression. Proinflammatory cytokines, elevated fibrinogen, and platelet aggregation are all potential mechanisms. The purpose of this study is to compare and review the serological differences in subjects with severe periodontitis, some of which involve established risk factors for atherosclerosis, particularly heightened C-reactive protein levels. Methods: A total of 184 subjects, comprising of two periodontal subgroups, non-periodontal (NP = 91) and generalized aggressive periodontitis …

Effect Of Heavy Metals On Bacteria, Elena Vratonjic

Theses and Dissertations

Heavy metals have become devastating environmental contaminants due to their widespread use in the manufacture of electronics, plastics, batteries and dyes. The discharge of heavy metals into the environment has caused concern about their effects on the ecosystem. Many metals are essential for growth in small amounts. However, at higher concentrations heavy metals are toxic because they bind to organic compounds. This accounts for their effects on some important parts of the cell structure, like their ability to denature protein molecules. The initial objective of this study was to find out the growth rate of E.coli and M.roseus in the …

Predictors Of General Medical Use Among Individuals Seeking Therapy For Marital And Family Problems, Jacob D. Christenson

Theses and Dissertations

A number of studies have examined variables associated with medical use. However, most of the studies deal with samples that are not easily generalizable to other populations. In particular, no study is known to have looked at general medical use among people seeking services for marital and family problems. In this study, medical use of participants from the marriage and family therapy services at Brigham Young University Comprehensive Clinic was investigated to determine the best predictors of general medical use. Best subsets multiple linear regression showed that the best overall predictors of general medical use were anxiety and hostility.

Age, Sex, And Socioeconomic Status: Related Factors In Motivations For Exercise, David G. Rochholz

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this study were (a) to determine if age, sex, and socioeconomic status were related factors in motivations for exercise in adults who participated in planned regular physical activity/exercise (b) to ascertain the differences in motivations/reasons given for participating in planned regular physical activity/exercise, during leisure time, between the regular exerciser and the non-regular exerciser, and (c) to gather demographic data pertinent to adult males and adult females who engage in planned regular physical activity/exercise, during their leisure time, and those who do not. A sample of 692 adults who identified themselves as regular exercisers (87.4%) or nonregular …

Has Technology Created A Safer School Environment?, Mark Leung

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was two-fold. It was to determine and evaluate the effectiveness of technological advances on the maintenance operations of a school district's facilities. It was also to determine and evaluate the types, amounts, and locations of technology equipment implementations in school districts and how these implementations have affected the school environment's overall safety.

Forty-two school districts in Burlington County, New Jersey were surveyed using a questionnaire with twenty-two queries. The survey targeted Directors of Buildings and Grounds and the surveys were distributed and collected via electronic-mail or facsimile. The survey data was analyzed using the SPSS …

A Value Focused Thinking Approach To Software Interface In A Complex Analytical Domain, Christopher M. Mcgee

Theses and Dissertations

The intelligence community is faced with an extensive amount of data. Software programs are being developed to examine this issue of data overload and to develop solutions. The responsibility of making the final software decision lies on the analyst, therefore, the interface is the key to linking the intelligence data to the processing and results, If the interface is difficult and complex, the software will be less likely to be used. A methodology must be created which can objectively evaluate the effectiveness of the interface, This methodology will also measure the improvements in the interface's effectiveness that result when various …

Hospital Re-Engineering : Unintended Effects On Nurse Staffing And Patient Outcomes, Marlene E. Brisson

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Children's Environmental Health : A Review Of The Research And A Survey Of Residents Of Grand Forks, North Dakota, Michelle L. Bowles

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Survey Attitudes Toward Stem Cell Research, Ejinkonye C. Anekwe

Theses and Dissertations

In the following research study, a self-administered questionnaire was utilized to assess opinions regarding embryonic stem cell research based on three objectives: willingness to accept stem cells, educational background, and religion. A total of 1 13 fixed-alternative questionnaires were distributed to a diverse group of respondents. Nonprobability sampling using the accidental approach was performed. Support of stem cell research was dependent on Question 9, which asked what people thought about the cloning of human embryonic stem cells. The data revealed that most respondents from all groups surveyed opposed stem cell research. Neither education nor religion was a major determinant in …

Msl: Michif Sign Language-The Noun Phrases, Jacqueline Foster Ferraro

Theses and Dissertations

By focusing on the noun portion of the conventional Michif sentence, consisting of Cree verb phrases with the intertwining of French noun phrases, the objective of this research is to attempt to reveal some novel parallels in languages, as an initial step in the process of understanding more about the genesis of Michif and American Sign Language. In examining the separate and individual histories and applications of French Sign Language (FSL), American Sign Language (ASL), North American Indian Sign Language (NAISL), and the Amerindian Michif Language, certain commonalities and parallels are indeed present, even transcending the boundaries of diverse races, …

Memory Functioning In Children Exposed To Domestic Violence Trauma, Deanna Cosgrove

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis describes the memory functioning in children exposed to domestic violence trauma. Research findings suggest that adult participants with a clinical diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as defined by the Diagnostic Statistical Manual-IV (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) suffer from impairments in memory associated with reductions in hippocampal volume. However, a question arises as to whether children who have been exposed to domestic violence trauma will differ from controls in their memory functioning. A question also arises as to the relationship between the children's parent-reported behaviors and their memory functioning. The Children's Memory Scale (CMS) (Cohen, 1997) was administered …

Physiological Factors Associated With The Alteration Of Reproductive Performance Of Commercial Egg Laying Chickens Infected With F-Strain Mycoplasma Gallisepticum, Matthew Rex Burnham

Theses and Dissertations

The F-strain of Mycoplasma gallisepticum (FMG) is commonly used in vaccination programs to displace infections by more virulent natural or wild type Mycoplasma gallisepticum strains. However, a better understanding of the mechanisms responsible for altered egg production (EP) and egg quality in commercial layers infected with FMG is important, as these alterations can cause economic loss to the United States layer industry. This study was designed to examine potential mechanism(s) responsible for alterations in EP and egg quality by FMG-inoculation. The effects of FMG on production parameters and physiological characteristics of commercial laying hens were evaluated. In isolation units, 12 …

Crossing The Gender Barrier - A History Of Male Nurses In Manitoba, Canada, 1960-1980, Carolyn M. Van Mackelberg

Theses and Dissertations

This paper, Crossing the Gender Barrier - a History of Male Nurses in Manitoba, Canada, will examine the role of men in a female-dominated profession. There is a distinct lack of historical writing on male nurses. Nursing historiography has generally focused on the women who constitute the majority of nurses. Indeed, much of the literature comes from within the nursing profession and the field of sociology, most of which lack an historical emphasis.

The development of the modem healthcare system is important to this work as it illustrates the evolution of the gender constructs that determined that physicians were male …

Infant And Toddler Child Care Management Handbook, Mary E. Barrett

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Pbp 5: Characterization Of An Escherichia Coli Morphogene., David Emmet Nelson

Theses and Dissertations

The penicillin binding proteins (PBPs) are a group o f enzymes responsible for the latter stages o f peptidoglycan synthesis. Our major research objective in this study was to determine the physiological roles o f the low molecular weight (LMW) PBPs of the Gram negative bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli). During extensive screening of a set o f mutant strains that lack different combinations of LMW PBP genes we determined that PBP 5 played a role in maintaining E. co li’s normal rod shape. However, loss of PBP 5 did not cause severe morphological alterations unless the cells were also …

Determination Of Protein Profile And Presence Of Antibodies In Llama Seminal Plasma (Llama Glama), Francisco Flores Lópes

Theses and Dissertations

Internationally, Bolivia has the largest llama population followed by Peru. This makes our country a power in this renewable resource for working and generating economic development. This is mainly because of the quality of llama meat, which has nutritional properties superior to other animal species. The development and research in our country of llamas is not very significant. But in other countries advanced studies have been done for years, specifically in the area of reproduction, which represents problems for intensive repopulation because of singular characteristics of semen and copulation. The present research work was done at the UAC in Tiahuanacu …

The Experience Of First Nations Canadian Women With A Present Or Past Diagnosis Of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Sheila O'Leary

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Institutionalization On Romanian Children When Adopted Into Families In The United States, Dawn M. Roy

Theses and Dissertations

This study attempts to research the dynamic factors involved in the assessment of children placed in adoptive homes in the United States who were taken from large institutional orphanages in Romania. This paper will discuss various aspects of problems that were encountered by children who lack the stimulation, stability and love that are crucial during the early years of development. It also endeavors to provide interventions that will enable these children to progress along more developmentally appropriate guidelines.

This project utilized a single subject design. The analysis was descriptive in nature. It measured the improvement of mean utterance length. The …

The Genetic Mating System And Population Structure Of The Green -Rumped Parrotlet., Rebecca Renae Melland

Theses and Dissertations

The population genetic structure and extra-pair paternity were investigated using microsatellite markers in a Neotropical parrot, the Green-rumped Parrotlet (Forpus pesserinus). Blood samples were taken from adults at 6 natural populations from the Llanos of Venezuela and 160 families from the Hato Masaguaral population. Adult samples were screened at 10 microsatellite loci. Offspring were screened at 3 loci. Parentage analysis of 827 offspring revealed an extra-pair fertilization (EPF) rate of 7.7% young (n = 64) in 14.4% of nests (n = 23). No offspring resulted from intra-specific parasitism. Identification of genetic paternity was attempted for all extra-pair young. Comparisons of …