Digital Commons Network^™

Psychiatric Nurses' Perceptions Of Their Social Support, Elizabeth V.L. Howell

Masters Theses

This study investigated psychiatric nurses’ perceptions of their social support while working in a public psychiatric hospital. A descriptive correlational research design using a mailed self-administered questionnaire was employed for this study. Data collection and measurement of the phenomenon of perceived social support was done using the Norbeck Social Support Questionnaire (Norbeck, Lindsey, & Carrieri, 1995). The sample consisted of 57 registered nurses who had been employed for at least six months.

Data analyses consisted of reporting means, standard deviations, percentages, and range of scores for perceived social support. Results indicated emotional support (affect and affirmation) rated the highest among …

The Effect Of An Environment Modification On Fear Of Falling In Institutionalized Older Persons, Joann L. Munski

Masters Theses

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effect of an environmental modification on fear of falling in institutionalized older persons. A pretest-post-test experimental design was used to analyze data collected on 40 residents of a long term care facility. The subjects were randomly assigned to either experimental or control groups. Fear of falling was measured by Dayhoflf Baird, Bennett, & Backer’s Falling Questionnaire (1994). The experimental group received an environmental modification. The Pull, in their living area for six weeks while the control group did not receive any intervention. T-test and analysis of covariance were used to test …

Evaluation Of A Cardiac Home Care Program, Donna Mayo-Rosa

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a cardiac home care program in promoting self-care through supportive-educative nursing. Orem's self-care model served as the conceptual model for this study. Self-care was measured in this study by evaluating the patient's level of cardiac knowledge and functional ability.

This study was conducted at a home care agency in Midwest Michigan. A convenience sample of seven was obtained from patients admitted to a cardiac home care program following coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABO).

A descriptive design with a one group paired t-test was used to analyze the differences …

Environmental Stress Effects On Vigor, Mortality, And Growth In Northern Hardwood Forests Along A Pollution-Climate Gradient, Neil W. Macdonald, John A. Witter, David R. Reed, Andrew J. Burton, Kurt S. Pregitzer, Hal O. Liechty

Peer Reviewed Publications

Concern exists over the effects of interacting environmental stresses on the ecological integrity of temperate forests. Coincidence of sensitivity to drought, increasing occurrence of defoliation, and elevated pollutant deposition has produced speculation that northern hardwood forests may be susceptible to the increased climatic stresses projected for the Great Lakes region. The objective of our study was to examine relationships among environmental stress factors, vigor, mortality, and growth in northern hardwood forests located along a pollution-climate gradient in the Great Lakes region. Between 1987 and 1993, we quantified climatic variables, pollutant deposition, insect defoliation, and tree vigor and growth at five …

Children's Hospital Magazine

Children’s Hospital Magazine

No abstract provided.

The Court Upholds A State Law Prohibiting Physician-Assisted Suicide, Brett Feinberg

Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology

No abstract provided.

Temporal Variation In Larval Fish Condition Indices., Michael John Burger

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

A sensitive methodology for the determination of RNA and DNA concentrations was developed which allowed for the quantification of nanogram amounts of both DNA and RNA. The method uses a combination of thiazole orange, a non-specific nucleic acid stain, and the RNA degrading enzyme RNase. Thiazole orange had high fluorescence yield. The fluorescence was additive for combinations of RNA and DNA. The addition of proteinase-K increased the fluorescence of the tissue sample by 100%. Recovery of nucleic acid standards added to tissue extracts yielded $\sim$100% recovery. The method is compatible with assays for protein concentration and electron transport system (ETS) …

Evaluation Of The Toxicological Consequences Of Dietary Exposure To Individual Classes Of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Or A Mixture In The Fischer-344 Rat., Mary Durand Boudreau

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

There is special concern about the potential health effects of by-products released into the environment after combustion or conversion of fossil fuels. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), while initially released largely into the atmosphere, are subsequently deposited in soil and water and on foods. Although the significance of PAH contamination with regard to environmentally caused diseases and cancer in humans is difficult to estimate, it is suggested that the potential hazards may be underestimated. In an effort to understand the potential adverse health effects of PAHs, a comprehensive study was undertaken to determine the metabolic fate of selected PAHs as individual …

Dietary Nitrogen And Energy Metabolism In The Ruminant: Effect Of Source Of Nitrogen., Angelica Maris Chapa

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Three experiments were conducted to determine the effects of dietary nitrogen on the energy status of ruminants and the feasibility of using L-carnitine to prevent the negative effects associated with overfeeding nitrogen. The objectives of the first experiment were to monitor the nitrogen and energy status of cows grazing ryegrass pastures through the measurement of key blood metabolites and insulin and to determine the protein supplementation scheme which would maximize milk yield and maintain plasma urea nitrogen levels below dangerous levels. In the first experiment, the protein supplement that supplied excess total protein exerted negative effects on body condition and …

Using Academic And Demographic Variables To Predict Success In The General Education Curriculum., Steven Giles Horton

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Student success and attrition in all levels of education is becoming a more important issue in an age where education dollars are diminishing while various schools of higher learning are increasing. As a result, schools are reevaluating their current programs of study in an attempt to determine if both students and universities are fulfilling their respective goals. This process of reevaluation has several fundamental considerations, one of these which is addressed in this study--the effectiveness of prerequisite requirements and other demographic variables on predicting the success of students in courses in the general education curriculum. The purpose of this study, …

Characterization And Biodegradation Of Crawfish And Agricultural Processing By-Product Compost., Mounir Yehia Minkara

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Disposal of crawfish processing wastes poses a challenging problem to the rapidly expanding crawfish industry. Co-composting is examined as a waste management alternative to landfill disposal. Wood chips, rice hulls, bagasse, and bark were evaluated for use as bulking agents in composting crawfish processing residuals. Use of bagasse as a bulking agent led to the largest reduction in volatile solids, organic-C, particle size, and compost volume. Finished compost using bagasse contained the greatest concentration of N. Self-heating patterns and decomposition of crawfish residuals were satisfactory using all four bulking agents. The finished products of all compost mixtures were stable and …

Leisure-Time Physical Activity As A Moderator Of The Association Between Stress And Depression Among Low-Income Primary Care Female Population., Isabel Cristina Scarinci

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

The present study used a longitudinal design in an attempt to answer the following questions: (a) what is the prevalence of sedentary lifestyle in a low-income primary care female population? (b) does minor stress predict depressive symptoms after controlling for major stress? and (c) does leisure-time physical activity moderate the association between stress and depressive symptoms? The sample included 150 randomly selected adult female patients recruited from primary care clinics at a public hospital in the state of Louisiana. This sample consisted predominantly of uninsured, African American, low-income, middle-aged females. The results indicated that prevalence of sedentary lifestyle (58%) was …

Psychological Adjustment In Children Of Mothers With Eating Disorders., Jane Marie Barbin

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

In recent years, there have been a few reports of the relationship between eating disorders in mothers and the psychological adjustment of their children. Most of these reports have been based upon anecdotal case studies, however a wide range of prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal complications, including behavioral and feeding difficulties in children of these mothers has been described. This study advanced research in this area by incorporating both normal and depression comparison groups. The relationship between group membership of 65 mothers and responses on several child and parent dependent variables was evaluated by having mothers complete self-report measures. Overall it …

Quantifying Sustainability In Aquaculture Production., Rex Hall Caffey

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Despite increasing institutional focus in aquaculture, sustainability remains an amorphous and much debated concept. Little consensus has been identified on the issue beyond the general recognition that the concept should contain environmental, economic, and sociological considerations. This study addressed the specific, relevant question of whether politically diverse aquacuiture interests can collectively develop and agree on production-level goals and indicators of aquaculture sustainability. The research partitioned sustainability into its three subcategories: environmental, economic and social. This division facilitated the use of existing conventions of measurement and expression in each subcategory. Employing a modified Delphi technique, over 100 aquaculture stakeholders in the …

Apoptosis, Pcna, And P53, In Fundulus Grandis Fish Liver After In-Vivo Exposure To Mnng And 2-Af., Uriel Blas-Machado

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Dysfunction in homeostatic mechanisms of cell death and proliferation are considered to be important in carcinogenesis. The p53 gene has been implicated in the regulation of cell death and proliferation. The host response was measured through sequential immunohistochemical (IHC) detection of apoptosis, PCNA, and p53 in livers of Fundulus grandis fish exposed to MNNG or to 2-AF, two known carcinogens. Studies performed determined the stability of MNNG in saltwater, the suitability of different fixatives on IHC detection of apoptosis, PCNA-PC10, and p53 (various clones), and frequencies of expression of apoptosis, PCNA, and p53. A total of 996 fish specimens were …

Prevention Of Hydrolytic And Oxidative Rancidity And Nutrient Losses In Rice Bran During Storage., Fatemeh Malekian Ramezanzadeh

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Freshly milled raw rice bran was stabilized with microwave heat for 3 min. Half of raw and treated bran were packed in Ziplock(c) bags and the other half vacuum packed. Half of the samples were stored at 4--5°C and the other half at 25°C for 16 weeks. The free fatty acid (FFA) content increased rapidly in raw rice bran samples vacuum packed and samples packed in Ziplock(c) bags store at 25°C from an initial amount of 2.5% to 54.3% and 48.1%, respectively. FFA level increased significantly in raw samples vacuum packed and packed in Ziplock (c) bags stored 4--5°C from …

Association Of Environmental And Climatic Factors In The Epidemiology Of American Visceral Leishmaniasis In Northeast Brazil Using Remote Sensing And Geographical Information System Methods., Roland Alexander Thompson

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

This study associated climatic and environmental factors with the incidence of visceral leishmaniasis (calazar) in Northeast Brazil. Remote sensing (RS) techniques permitted evaluation of spatial and temporal landscape features to stratify the region and define the target population for this vector-borne disease. The Municipality of Caninde, Ceara, Brazil was divided into 873-- 2 x 2 km2 squares centered on coordinates from a Universal Transverse Mercator projection (scale 1:100,000, 1994) and geo-referenced with 2 Landsat T.M. (TM) scenes (September 26, 1976 and July 2, 1996). The assignment of squares into foothills, plains or city strata was based on vegetative categories determined …

A Study To Determine The Attitudes Of A Coast Guard Unit Towards Gender-Integrated Training In The United State Coast Guard, Elaine Anne Hughes

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The objectives of this study were to explore the following questions: 1. How was gender-integrated basic and advanced training perceived by officers and enlisted members of the unit? 2. Was gender-integrated basic and advanced training perceived differently by male and female members of the unit? 3. What percentage of the unit favored a change to how gender-integrated basic training is structured?

Sensitizing Students To Functional Limitations In The Elderly: An Aging Simulation, Sherry Allen, Viki Lorraine, Anne Lockett, Carolyn M. Rutledge

Ellmer School of Nursing Faculty Publications

Background and Objectives: Using activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) as a focus, faculty at Eastern Virginia Medical School provide an aging simulation exercise for a mandatory fouth-year clerkship in geriatrics. The specific aims of the simulation are to 1) experience the physical frailties of aging, 2) develop creative problem-solving techniques, 3) identify feelings regarding the experience of functional loss, and 4) develop proactive clinical approaches to the care of the elderly.

Methods: Students are assigned one of four diagnoses (Parkinson's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, advanced diabetes, or stroke) and are then impaired to simulate …

Permanent Versus Rotating Staff Assignment And Quality Of Care In The Nursing Home., Kay Marie Scilley

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

Bioelectrical Correction Of Chloride Secretion In Cystic Fibrosis Cells, Tissues, And Mouse Models., Julie Renee Jones

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

Hslic Annual Report Fy1997-98, Health Sciences Library And Informatics Center

HSLIC Annual Reports

No abstract provided.

Heidi Peterson On Behalf Of Markelle Frei-Peterson V. Utah Department Of Health, Division Of Health Care Financing : Brief Of Appellee, Utah Court Of Appeals

Utah Court of Appeals Briefs (1996–2006)

Appeal from Final Agency Order entered January 15, 1998, by the Director of the Division of Health Care Financing, Utah Department of Health, which adopted the Recommended Decision of the administrative law judge to deny Medicaid benefits.

What Can Be Done To Foster Multisectoral Population Policies? Summary Report Of A Seminar, Population Council, Overseas Development Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

The 1994 International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo was a watershed moment in the definition of population policies. The meeting put an end to the unproductive debate on which is more instrumental in achieving voluntary fertility decline: providing family planning (FP) services or improving social and economic development. The answer was that both are essential. The Cairo meeting also defined the most desirable services and the kind of development that was most empowering, particularly with respect to achieving reproductive choice. Despite this strong dual message from Cairo, only the call for a move away from a narrow vision …

Horton Hodsen, As Agent For Nutriphysiology (Previously Known As Nutribionics And Biochem Research Services), And For Himself Personally, As Horton E. Tatarian, And Gail Anderson V. Craig Jackson, Director Of The Division Of Occupational And Professional Licensing, Department Of Commerce, State Of Utah, In His Official Capacity: Appellant's Opening Brief On Appeal, Utah Court Of Appeals

Utah Court of Appeals Briefs (1996–2006)

Appellate No. 981554 — CA Priority* 15 Appeal from the order of the Fifth Judicial District Court, Washington County, The Honorable James L. Shumate

Health Aspects Of Native American Indians And Alaskan Natives, Beverly V. Bennett-Maine

Theses

This thesis will focus on the decline in health of Native Americans and Alaskan Natives in regards to chronic diseases due to changes in their food habits, customs, traditions, and culture.

The purpose of this study is to explore why Native Americans and Alaskans health has deteriorated in relation to diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and alcoholism.

Limitation in access to health care facilities includes geographic location, cul tural, and linguistic barriers.

The studies to be discussed include: the Inter-Tribal Heart Project (ITHP) for cardiovascular disease; the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) for self-reported risk factors; and the Navajo Health …

A Study To Determine Market Acceptability Of A Skin Replacement Therapy For The Treatment Of Chronic Wounds, Henry A. Holzapfel

Theses

This thesis will focus on factors that would determine the market acceptability of a skin replacement therapy for the treatment of chronic wounds.

Because chronic wounds will probably become much more prevalent as the population ages, the best method to treat these wounds needs to be developed . In just the last couple of decades , the treatment of chronic wounds has been changing as new technologies are introduced into the marketplace.

The main purpose of this thesis is to evaluate some of the various therapies from traditional wound treatment to modern wound therapy to the more advanced therapies that …

The Role Of Good Nutrition. Good Physicians And The Advantages Of Alternative Medicine: An Educational Program For Senior Adults, Violet Connoyer

Theses

This study examines previous and forthcoming knowledge of ancient medicinal remedies and solutions which provide and enable]e the acquisition of better and safer health care. Because of political reasons which appear to be dominant over all others, this inherent knowledge continues to seemingly remain obscure within the medical world and within our society. Continued education plays a vital role in the assessment of health care today because statistics stress that too many Eves are daily being snuffed out because of careless and improper drug administration and insidious drug reactions which follow thereafter. As a result, many people are striving to …

A Connection Between Eating Disorder Symptomatology And Guild Or Shame, Deborah J. Kuehnel

Theses

By their own nature Eating Disorders are very self-destructive and potentially life threatening behaviors. They are symptoms which may represent a constellation of underlying problems. This investigation explores the relation of shame-proneness and guilt-proneness to eating disorder symptomatology in a sample of 171 undergraduate women. Participants completed the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 and the Test of Self-Conscious Affect (TOSCA). Shame was significantly and positively correlated with drive for thinness, bulimia, body dissatisfaction, ineffectiveness, interpersonal distrust, lack of interoceptive awareness, asceticism, difficulties with impulse regulation, and social insecurity. Guilt was negatively or negligibly correlated with these symptoms. These two correlative findings impact …

A Connection Between Eating Disorder Symptomology And Guilt Or Shame, Deborah J. Kuehnel

Theses

By their own nature Eating Disorders are very self-destructive and potentially life threatening behaviors. They are symptoms which may represent a constellation of underlying problems. This investigation explores the relation of shame-proneness and guilt-proneness to eating disorder symptomatology in a sample of 171 undergraduate women. Participants completed the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 and the Test of Self-Conscious Affect (TOSCA). Shame was significantly and positively correlated with drive for thinness, bulimia, body dissatisfaction, ineffectiveness, interpersonal distrust, lack of interoceptive awareness, asceticism, difficulties with impulse regulation, and social insecurity. Guilt was negatively or negligibly correlated with these symptoms. These two correlative findings impact …