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Transition From Health Maintenance Organizations To Consumer Driven Health Plans: Measurement Of Initial Impacts For Members With Chronic Conditions, Carl F. Goff

Theses and Dissertations

New consumer driven health insurance products are designed to contain health care costs by making consumers more accountable for the care they receive through being responsible for more cost sharing, making decisions regarding health care providers they will use, and increasing exposure to and use of health information for services and providers. Potential benefits of consumer driven products include increased information regarding personal health and a more knowledgeable patient base. Potential drawbacks of consumer driven products include negative impacts on consumers with chronic and complex health conditions.

The purpose of this study was to ascertain differences in health services utilization …

2007 Meeting Minutes (January - April), Morehead State University. Staff Congress.

Staff Congress Records

Staff Congress meeting minutes from January to April of 2007.

Lets Make It Outback Tonight, Michael Douglas Erickson

Theses and Dissertations

When I was younger, shortly after my father died, my mother bought me a t-shirt that I loved and wore till it was worn out. On the shirt there was an image of a man, strapped into an electric chair, holding pieces of bread in each hand. A sign above him read, "Making the best of a bad situation." That statement became a mantra I held onto in the early years after my father's death. It still guides my personal philosophy---humor is key to survival. Particularly a type of humor that celebrates the fact that "shit happens", while highlighting and …

Roles And Attitudes Of Males And Females In The Anarchist Punk Community, Donna M. Manion

Theses and Dissertations

Sexism is a widespread social problem that exists throughout the world today. It persists within the dominant culture, as well as in various subcultures, including the punk subculture (Daugherty 2002; Leblanc 1999; McRobbie 1991; Rosenberg and Garofalo 1998). Nijole Benokraitis and Joe Feagin's (1995) theory of sexism posits that subtle sexism is the unequal and harmful treatment of women that is typically less visible than blatant sex discrimination. This particular type of sexism may often go unnoticed, as society has internalized subtle sexist behaviors. Empirical research on subtle sexism has been conducted in various settings, such as the employment, academic, …

Infant Mortality Trends Among Georgia Residents, 1995-2003: Targeting Healthy People’S 2010 Goals, Diana Sturges, Laura H. Gunn, Padmini Shankar, Shrikrishna Shroff

Health Sciences & Kinesiology: Faculty Publications

Population-based trends in infant mortality among Georgia Residents between 1995 and 2003 were assessed on characteristics such as race, birth weight, neonatal and post-neonatal periods, and cause of death. A statistical analysis was conducted to show that the Georgia infant mortality rate (IMR) remained constant throughout the study period and averaged 8.67 per 1,000 live births. The analysis revealed racial disparities, with an IMR ranging from 6.03 in white infants to 13.76 in black infants, with less than one percent (0.86%) change, on average, among the differences between black and white mortality rates across the nine-year period. The disparities were …

Modeling Racial Differences In Colorectal Cancer Screening: Evidence From A Nationally Representative Sample, Ryan J. Ehrensberger

Theses and Dissertations

Despite strong evidence that screening for Colorectal cancer (CRC) can reduce cancer incidence and mortality, screening adherence remains low. Racial differences in CRC incidence and mortality are well documented in the literature. Racial differences in CRC screening use remain mixed with most studies using race as an independent variable and focusing on racial differences in CRC screening rates. Few studies have examined correlates of CRC screening use, stratifying by race. The purpose of this study was to determine if there are racial differences in correlates of CRC screening, using the Health Belief Model as the theoretical framework. Data analyzed in …

On The Binding Of N1-Substituted Tryptamines At H5-Ht6 Receptors, Abner Nyamwaro Nyandege

Theses and Dissertations

Serotonin was first discovered in the late 1940s as a vasotonic factor and is now considered a principal neurotransmitter in the nervous system. 5-HT6 receptors are one of the most recently identified members of the serotonin receptor family which consists of seven classes (5-HT1-5-HT7). 5-HT6 receptors are G-protein coupled, positively coupled to an adenylate cyclase second messenger system and are primarily found in the central nervous system (CNS). The exact functional role of 5-HT6 receptors has not been determined, but is implicated to have possible involvement in certain neuropsychiatric disorders and cognition. To investigate the functional role of these receptors, …

Adverse Anesthesia Outcomes: A Retrospective Study Of An Ambulatory Surgical Center Versus A Dental Office Setting, Gaurav Agarwal

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the adverse events that occur with general anesthesia for dental rehabilitation between a hospital setting and dental clinic setting. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed examining patients who had received dental rehabilitation with general anesthesia at the Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Pediatric Dentistry. Subjects were either treated in the Pediatric Dental Clinic or the Hospital Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) from July 2005 to December 2006. Anesthesia records of induction, intubation, maintenance, emergence and recovery were compared between the two settings.Results: There were a total of 422 charts reviewed with …

Familial And Self Systems As Contributors To Sexual Decision-Making Patterns Of Young African American Women, Christina M. Grange

Theses and Dissertations

This study utilized a is a two-phase mixed methods design to examine partner-based expectations and perceptions of factors that affecting condom use among African American women recruited at a sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic. Phase One utilized qualitative methods to analyze interviews from 25 unmarried, African American women between ages 18--26. Interviews explored the following two research questions: (1) How do young adult African American women conceptualize relationships as illustrated by their expectations of their partner and their expectations of themselves in the relationship? (2) What messages do women recall receiving from their family members about sexual opportunities, intercourse, consequences …

Analgesic Use In U.S. Emergency Departments For Patients Reporting Moderate To Severe Pain: Diagnosis And Select Patient Characteristics Influencing Narcotic Analgesic Prescribing Practices, Hassan Zakaria

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: This study aims to examine the relationship between emergency department patient encounter characteristics and narcotic analgesic prescribing practices in order to determine what patient characteristics, if any, influence the decision to prescribe narcotics.Methods: Cross sectional data on patients presenting to U.S. emergency departments from the 2003 and 2004 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey were analyzed. Patients reporting moderate to severe pain were included in the sample and analysis. Chi square tests of significance were used to assess the association between individual demographic and encounter characteristics to narcotic prescription or administration. Separate multiple logistic regressions were then performed on …

Electrospun Blends Of Polydioxanone And Fibrinogen For Urological Applications, Joshua Ford Grant

Theses and Dissertations

The need for tissue and organ replacements cannot be satisfied by autograft and allografts alone. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of electrospinning a blend of polydioxanone and fibrinogen to produce an engineered tissue scaffold. Fiber diameter and pore size of blends were characterized, as well as mechanical strength. Cell proliferation assays for 1 and 7 day cultures were preformed, and a histological evaluation was performed to determine how favorable the various blends were to cell infiltration and proliferation. Some ratios of blends were identified that contained both acceptable mechanical properties and properties that facilitated cell …

Characterization Of The Factors Associated With Sccmec Mobility In Staphylococcus Aureus, Michael James Noto

Theses and Dissertations

The gene encoding resistance to β-lactam antibiotics in the staphylococci is found on the chromosome in a genomic island designated Staphylococcal Chromosome Cassette mec or SCCmec. In addition to the resistance gene, mecA, SCCmec also contains site specific recombinase genes, ccrAB, that are capable of catalyzing the chromosomal excision and integration of SCCmec. The increasing prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections may be due, in part, to the transfer of SCCmec into successful methicillin-sensitive S. aureus lineages. In this work we attempt to better characterize the factors associated with SCCmec transfer, beginning with CcrAB-mediated SCCmec excision in a collection of …

Determination Of Size Fractions And Concentrations Of Airborne Particulate Matter Generated From Construction And Demolition Waste Processing Facilities, Jason M. Young

Theses and Dissertations

Construction and Demolition (C&D) processing and recycling facilities accept waste materials that are generated during construction and demolition activities. The processing facility sorts, processes, and transfers the material to another operation. A consequence of these processes is the generation of particulate matter.This study involved quantifying and qualifying airborne particulates at three C&D processing facilities. Active stationary particulate sampling devices were employed to quantify the particle sizes of interest. Results were compared to United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Ambient Air Quality Standards(NAAQS) and United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)standards.The results from this study are not valid for …

Design Synthesis And Evaluation Of Diterpenones As Potent Chemopreventive Agents For Aflatoxin B1 Induced Carcinogenesis In Human Liver Cells, Miguel Angel Zuniga

Theses and Dissertations

DESIGN, SYNTHESIS, AND EVALUATION OF DITERPENONES AS POTENT CHEMOPREVENTIVE AGENTS FOR AFB1 INDUCED CARCINOGENISIS IN HUMAN LIVER CELLS By Miguel A. Zuniga, Ph.D. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Major Director: Qibing Zhou, Ph.D Assistant Professor Department of Chemistry Terpene quinone methides (TPQMs) have been isolated from a variety of plants and show broad activities against bacteria, fungi, and cancerous cell lines. The biological activity has been attributed to the reactive electrophilic QM moiety, this structural feature has long been recognized as an intermediate in organic …

The Influence Of Parental Monitoring And Peer Deviance On Substance Use Among Middle School Students, Sally Ann Mays

Theses and Dissertations

Substance use is a significant problem among middle school students in the United States. Research indicates that the early use of substances increases the likelihood of negative outcomes including long-term use and abuse. Both parenting and peer variables exert strong influences on children's decisions to use or abstain from substances. As children age, peers begin to exert a stronger influence, but parenting practices can significantly reduce peers' harmful influences. In this study, three waves of data (collected at the end of 6th grade, and the beginning and end of 7th grade) from a large multi-site study were used to examine …

Improving Life Satisfaction Of Elders Through Oral History: The Narrator's Perspective, Mary B. Ligon

Theses and Dissertations

Oral history is a method of preserving historical information through in-depth interviews. Because the process requires narrators to use remote recall while sharing their life experiences, it can also be considered a reminiscence-related activity. Before this study, the positive effects on narrators of providing an oral history were noted in the research literature but had not been evaluated through quantitative methods. Based on theoretical constructs of Erikson and Butler, it was hypothesized that participation in oral history interviews would improve the life satisfaction of narrators. Life satisfaction was operationalized and measured using the Life Satisfaction Index Version A (LSIA). The …

Sodium Hypochlorite's Effect On Nickel-Titanium Rotary Instruments And Its Effect On Resistance To Fracture, Michael Shane Smith

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of partial and total immersion in sodium hypochlorite on nickel-titanium rotary files and to determine whether resistance to fracture was influenced by the immersion time. One hundred K3™ and 100 ProFile® rotary files were either partially or totally immersed in 5.25% sodium hypochlorite for zero, one, five, thirty, or sixty minutes. After immersion, files were subjected to cyclic fatigue testing. Time to fracture was recorded and analyzed by a two-way ANOVA. Tukey's honest significant difference was used to identify any differences in immersion times. Within all ProFile groups and partial …

Impact Of Combat Stress On Mental Health Outcomes: Brfss Survey Data 2006, Emily Pedneau

Theses and Dissertations

Objectives: This study sought to determine the relationship between combat experience and mental health outcomes. The study sought to determine whether age was a significant factor in poor mental health outcomes. Methods: Multiple logistic regression (n = 195,048) and multiple linear regression (n = 264,154) were performed on the 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey. Veteran status and a host of demographic and health status questions were analyzed in relation to diagnosis of anxiety or depressive disorder (multiple logistic regression) and to number of days poor mental health (multiple linear regression). Results: Diagnosis of anxiety or depression was …

A Descriptive Study Of Military Family Needs Following A Polytraumatic Injury, Anna Lisa Harmon

Theses and Dissertations

Family members of service personnel with polytraumatic injuries face a wide range of challenges. Research has shown that family member adaptation and adjustment to the caregiver role has a significant impact on the well-being of the person with the injuries. The Veterans Health Administration is rapidly developing services to meet the needs of severely injured service personnel and their family members. The purpose of the present study was to test the feasibility of a method of assessment to identify the needs of individual family members of service personnel and veterans receiving inpatient rehabilitation services at the Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center (PRC) …

Trend Analysis Of Automobile Collision Amongst 15-19 Year Olds In Virginia, 2000-2004, Imo F. Ndem

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose. This research study on automobile collision in Virginia amongst fifteen to nineteen (15-19) year olds looked into the trend analysis over a five (5) year period of 2000 to 2004. Trend analysis is usually done for aggregates of all injuries—either intentional or unintentional injuries, or both. The primary objective of this research study was to examine the trend in hospitalization rates and mortality rates for males and females independently. It further looked into the trend, if any, in hospitalization rates, mortality rates, and case-fatality rates, for both males and females combined. The different Tables illustrate the extent and the …

Immunohistochemical Study Of Phenotypes Of Dendritic Cells In Dental Pulps From Non-Carious And Carious Teeth, Melissa A. Harmon

Theses and Dissertations

Mature dendritic cells (DCs) in inflamed tissues may promote inflammation but the status of DCs in pulpitis is not known. We hypothesized that DC maturation would correlate with carious lesion depth and that CD4+ cells would be found in association with mature DCs. Pulps were collected from teeth exhibiting: (I) no caries (n=9), (II) shallow dentinal caries (n=5), and (III) deep caries (n=9). Pulpal tissues were cryo-sectioned and positive cells were examined with immunohistochemistry, Mature DCs (CD83+) were almost exclusively restricted to pulps from deep caries. Furthermore, CD209+ DCs in deep caries were elevated over other groups and CD209+ cells …

An Exploration Of The Influence Of Race And Gender On Sexual Beliefs And Attitudes Of Adolescents, Kristine Marie Vandenberg

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores factors that influence the sexual attitudes and behaviors of adolescents specifically through an examination of social constructs that measure sexual beliefs and attitudes of adolescents and the relationships between race and gender and sexual beliefs and attitudes. As the U.S. has maintained one of the highest rates of unplanned teen pregnancy and births among industrialized nations, schools and community groups have struggled to combat teen pregnancy and worked toward designing effective prevention programs. Through an emphasis either on abstinence or safe sex practices, these programs strive to influence adolescents' sexual behavior. However, studies and reports reveal a …

Induction Of Heme Oxygenase By A Carbon Monoxide-Releasing Molecule, Robert Andrew Kulina

Theses and Dissertations

We have recently demonstrated that heme oxygenase is expressed in both healing wounds and in pressure ulcers. Heme oxygenase has been shown to have important cytoprotective functions in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury and organ allograft survival. The cytoprotective effects of heme oxygenase are multifactorial. Besides reducing levels of pro-oxidant heme, heme oxygenase products (bilirubin, carbon monoxide, and iron) have been demonstrated to possess anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and anti-proliferative properties. These properties make heme oxygenase an attractive therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of chronic wounds. The purpose of this study was two-fold: evaluate the effects of carbon monoxide (CO) on …

Examination Of Birth Outcomes With Mode Of Delivery For Breech Presentation, Kelly Marie Arey

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Approximately 3% to 4% of all pregnancies at term will have a fetus with a breech presentation. Studies have shown that the US has almost completely abandoned vaginal delivery for breech presentation through the influence of the "Term Breech Trial" (TBT) which concluded that a policy of planned caesarian section would reduce perinatal mortality, late neonatal mortality, and serious neonatal morbidity by approximately two-thirds for term fetuses. However, the recommendations are still being challenged by others.Objectives: The purpose of the study was to describe who in Virginia is having a vaginal delivery for a breech presentation and to determine …

Divergent Roles Of Pi3k And Akt In Rapamycin-Induced Cardioprotection Against Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury, Shivani Kirit Desai

Theses and Dissertations

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is one of the leading causes of death every year with nearly three-fourths of all deaths caused by the disease. The challenge scientists are facing today is discovering new drugs to protect the heart against cellular damage caused by ischemia-reperfusion injury (I-R injury). Rapamycin is one such drug that has been shown to protect the heart against ischemia-induced cellular injury. Rapamycin(sirolimus) inhibits protein synthesis through inhibition of the mammalian target ofrapamycin (mTOR). This property of rapamycin has led to its current clinical applications in drug-eluting stents and in immunosuppresive treatment to organ transplant patients. The mechanism …

Work Hope As A Mediator Between Proactive Coping And Career Planfulness In Domestic And International University Students, Juan Juana Wu

Theses and Dissertations

This study applied proactive coping theory (E. R. Greenglass, 2002; R. Schwarzer, 2000) to the domain of career development in domestic and international student transition-to-university. Participants were recruited from a large southeastern state university. No significant between-group differences were identified in the present study. Within both groups, proactive coping, work hope, and career planfulness were positively correlated. The role of work hope as a mediator between proactive coping and career planfulness was tested in domestic and international students respectively. For domestic students, a partial mediation model was established with a direct effect of proactive coping on career planfulness and an …

Measuring Hispanic/Latino Satisfaction With Health Services In Chesterfield County, Virginia, Lynell H. Mcclinton

Theses and Dissertations

The objectives of this study were to measure and describe the overall satisfaction of Hispanics/Latinos with services they receive from Chesterfield County's Health Department and compare it to that of African Americans and Caucasians. Also, the objectives were to analyze reasons for different levels of satisfaction, assess the nature and degree of satisfaction with particular services, and suggest implications of the Hispanic/Latino opinions for public policy. While the empirical literature revealed that Hispanics/Latinos experience lower levels of satisfaction with health care services, this study did not provide evidence to support this theory.This is a multi-method non-experimental research design combining a …

An Invitro Leakage And Viscosity Analysis Of Root End Filling Materials, Paul D. Clark

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if the viscosity of MTA Angelus Fluid is lower than that of Pro Root MTA and MTA Angelus; and to compare the viscosity, leakage and particle size of these materials to determine whether a relationship exists between these properties. The viscosity of each material was measured and compared with the Student's t test. MTA Angelus Fluid's viscosity was significantly lower than the other two materials tested. Microleakage of root end fillings was assessed in a passive diffusion model. Leakage groups were compared with a one-way ANOVA (p < 0.05). No significant difference was found. Particle size and shape were evaluated with the SEM. MTA Angelus Fluid has a lower viscosity than the other materials tested. There was no significant difference in the sealing ability of the three materials tested and there was no apparent variation in each material's particle size or shape.

Children With Special Needs Oral Health Quality Of Life Survey, Kristin Elizabeth Nelson

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to asses the oral health quality of life of children with special health care needs. This study examined the effects of oral health conditions on general well-being and family life of these children. A secondary aim of the study was to investigate correlations between specific health care conditions, gender, and age of these children and their global ratings of oral health and well-being.Methods: This study was a cross-sectional design with subjects who are members of the Virginia Care Connection for Children program, based at Virginia Commonwealth University. The oral health quality of life …

Victims' Perspectives On The Process Of Seeking A Protective Order: Predictors Of Perceived Empowerment, Sara-Beth Plummer

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined victims' perceived sense of empowerment during the process of seeking a Preliminary Protective Order. A cross sectional survey design with stratified sampling was used to gather information from women seeking Preliminary Protective Orders in Richmond City, Virginia. During a six month period 89 women agreed to participate, for a response rate of 83 percent. In general, the sample consisted of women who identified themselves as African-American, single, with either a high school/GED degree, and/or some college education.Overall, the women found the steps during the process of seeking an Order, either easy or very easy. In general, the …