Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Relationships Among The Distribution Of Terminal Fields Of Sensory Afferent Projections To The Deep Layers Of The Superior Colliculus Within The Cat, Wayne Thomas Shaia

Theses and Dissertations

While it is well known that the different sensory modalities are primarily represented at separate locations within the central nervous system, there are numerous sites in which information from the different sensory modalities converge. Perhaps the best known structure where inputs from different sensory modalities converge is the superior colliculus. Here, not only are visual, auditory and somatosensory inputs present, but they also form organized representations of auditory and visual space as well a map of the body surface in addition, neurons that receive inputs from more than one sensory modality (i.e. multisensory) are found here in abundance. Although a …

Subjectivity Of Estimating Blood Loss Among Health Care Providers In The Operating Room, Hugh Andrew Siegel

Theses and Dissertations

This research utilized a descriptive study to establish a relationship between educational background and accuracy of estimating blood loss. The null hypothesis, that the educational background of health care providers in the operating room has no effect on the accuracy of estimating blood loss , was tested. Ten nurse anesthesia students, 8 certified registered nurse anesthetists, 16 operating room registered nurses, 12 anesthesiologists, and 9 surgeons were included in the sample population. A number of different protocols were utilized to assess the relative accuracy of blood volumes estimates. The study was separated into four stations. Station 1 consisted of three …

Comparison Of Succinylcholine Induced Fasciculation Attenuation With Defasciculating Doses Of Vecuronium And Mivacurium Based On Ideal Body Weight, Marvin E. Early

Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted to determine if Mivacurium (Miv) was as effective as Vecuronium (Vec) in attenuating Succinylcholine (Sch)-induced fasciculations with muscle relaxant doses based upon ideal body weight (IBW). A quasi experimental design was used to study 60 patients who were randomly assigned to one of three groups. The two study groups were compared to a control group and each other with regards to the incidence and intensity of fasciculations. Either Vec (0.01 mg/kg (IBW)), Miv (0.02 mg/kg (IBW)), or saline (control) was administered in a double-blinded manner 3 minutes prior an intubating dose of Sch (IBW). Both pretreatment …

The Effects Of Chronic Migraine And Tension Headache On Neuropsychological Functioning, Kerri J. Lamberty

Theses and Dissertations

The present study was designed to examine possible neuropsychological deficits in migraine and tension headache subjects. Past research has been inconclusive, with some studies indicating that chronic migraine headache sufferers do exhibit some neuropsychological deficits such as short-term memory difficulties, gross motor slowing, and verbal memory deficits, while other studies have indicated that no deficits are seen in this group Also examined were headache precipitant and headache-related behaviors that these groups partake in when experiencing headache pain. Past research has suggested that migraine headache sufferers tend to deal with their headache pain differently than tension headache sufferers.

Ninety undergraduate psychology …

Staffing Sources Of Usaf Medical Center Systems Offices: A Study Of Their Relation To Information Systems Quality, William K. Dorr, Shelley D. Christia

Theses and Dissertations

This study measured the relationship between Medical Systems Office staffing source (i.e., military medical, military communications/computer, civilian government, and contractor personnel) and quality of automated information services provided at CONUS USAF medical centers. A literature search determined that information system quality is best measured on eight dimensions: performance, features, reliability, conformance, durability, serviceability, aesthetics, and perceived quality. The CIO at each medical center was surveyed to determine the level of system conformance to Air Force standards and to gather data on each MSO staff. Users at the medical centers were also surveyed in order to measure performance, features, reliability, serviceability, …

Fantasy Proneness And Psychological Coping, Kenneth D. Huff

Theses and Dissertations

In this study, objective measures of self-esteem, satisfaction with life, trait anxiety, and schizotypal psychopathology were administered to 493 subjects representing the full range of fantasy proneness as determined by their scores on the Inventory of Childhood Memories and Imaginings (ICMI); in addition, subjects selected for high, medium, and low levels of fantasy proneness were administered measures of state anxiety and coping skills during a stressful laboratory condition. This was done in order to contribute to the construct validity of fantasy proneness and to provide empirical inquiry into the nature of fantasy proneness as a psychological coping strategy.

In replication …

Neutron Fluence And Dose From A Varian Clinic 1800 Accelerator, Richard A. Jackson

Theses and Dissertations

The goals of this study were (1) to verify calibration factors determined by previous experiment for relating counts from activated gold foils to neutron fluences, and (2) to use the method to determine neutron fluences under various operating conditions of the Varian Clinac 1800 (18-MeV) electron accelerator at the WPAFB Medical Center. For comparison similar measurements were made of the CGM Saturne 1 at Kettering Memorial Hospital, Dayton, Ohio. Cadmium-difference pairs in a standard graphite pile were employed to verify the counting efficiency of the Geiger-Mueller beta counting system used to count the foil activity. They were also used to …

Sequence Specificity Of Teniposide-Induced Deletion And Insertion Mutations At The Aprt Locus Of Chinese Hamster Cells, Yi-Hong Han

Theses and Dissertations

Previous studies suggested that teniposide is a strong clastogen, and that the DNA breakage effect of this drug is mediated by the nuclear enzyme topoisomerase II. Ripley et al found evidence for a correspondence between sites of acridine-induced frameshift mutations in bacteriophage T4 and sites of in Vitro DNA cleavage by T4 topoisomerase II. To identify the sequence specificity of teniposide-induced deletion and insertion mutations in mammalian cells, the CHO-D422 cell line, which is hemizygous at the aprt locus, was employed in this study. Sixty-eight teniposide-induced and 42 spontaneous aprt mutants were analyzed at the DNA sequence level. Compared with …

The Effect Of Body Position Changes On Arterial Oxygen Saturation In Obesity As Measured Noninvasively By Pulse Oximetry, Anna Marie Angela Klosterman

Theses and Dissertations

This study utilized a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design that compared the effect of body position changes on arterial oxygen saturation in obesity as measured noninvasively by pulse oximetry. The null hypothesis, that there would be no difference between oxygen saturation values measured by pulse oximetry with position change from sitting to supine in obese subjects as compared to nonobese subjects, was tested. Fourteen obese, American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) physical class status II subjects and 14 nonobese ASA physical class status I subjects were included in the sample population. Thirteen of the obese subjects were further classified as morbidly obese. After …

Evaluation Of Quantitative Electroencephalography For Assessment Of Central Nervous System Stimulant Response, Patricia W. Slattum

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this investigation was to evaluate quantitative electroencephalography (EEG) as a measure of CNS stimulation. The reproducibility and sensitivity of quantitative EEG was compared to neuroendocrine, mood, and psychomotor performance measures.

The study was conducted in two parts. The first part investigated the inter- and intra-individual variability associated with a series of pharmacological response measures under baseline (no drug) conditions. It was an open-label pilot study in which eight healthy male volunteers underwent a series of tests (EEG, visual continuous performance task (CPT), a finger tapping task, and self-rated mood scales) repeated eight times over a 12 hour …

An Analysis Of The Values Influencing Neonatal Nurses' Perceptions And Behaviors In Selected Ethical Dilemmas, Deborah A. Raines

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to identify the values influencing the nurse's perception and choice of behavior in a hypothetical clinical situation. The theoretical framework was Rokeach's (1973) Theory on the Nature of Human Values and Value Systems. A descriptive study using a mailed survey was conducted on a random sample of 331 members of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses. Data on individual nurses' values, perception of information and behavioral choices were collected with an investigator developed questionnaire, consisting of a values scale (alpha =.82) and an information scale and choice alternatives related to three hypothetical vignettes: a …

The Effect Of Tourniquet Application On Systemic Coagulation, Christa Choate Hudalla

Theses and Dissertations

Seven orthopedic surgery patients requiring the use of a tourniquet were studied. The hypothesis stated that tourniquet application does not affect coagulation. A total of 5 blood samples were drawn perioperatively (preoperative, 5 minutes after induction of anesthesia, 30 minutes after tourniquet inflation, 2 - 5 minutes after tourniquet deflation, and 30 minutes after tourniquet deflation. For each sample, TEG parameters (R, R + k, MA and α) were measured.

The value for each TEG parameter was compared by analysis of variance (ANOVA), then the samples were contrasted and examined by repeated measures ANOVA. None of the TEG parameters showed …

Oculomotor Deficits In Diseases Of The Basal Ganglia: Parkinson's And Huntington's Diseases, Todd B. Baird

Theses and Dissertations

Oculomotor deficits are now recognized as being present in several neurological diseases of the basal ganglia. The present report will focus primarily on those observed in Huntington's and Parkinson's diseases. Neuronal cell loss in the pars compacta of the substantia nigra, degeneration of the nigrostriatal pathway, and consequent depletion of the neurotransmitter dopamine is the most obvious etiological abnormality in Parkinson's disease. Huntington's disease, on the other hand, involves the selective genetically-driven atrophy of the striatum (caudate and putamen). In order to attempt to understand oculomotor dysfunction, as a component of basal ganglia disease, it is necessary to first establish …

Regulation Of Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase Activity In Rat Pancreatic Acini, Bruce R. Conway

Theses and Dissertations

The present report describes the characteristics and regulatory properties of phosphatidylinositol (Ptdlns) 4-kinase activity in rat exocrine pancreas. The membrane associated Ptdlns 4-kinase displayed a broad pH profile with optimal activity at neutral to alkaline pH. Carbachol (CCh) elicits a concentration- and time-dependent increase in Ptdlns 4-kinase activity in homogenates derived from agonist-stimulated acini. This effect was blocked by N-methylscopolamine and mimicked by muscarine. The enzyme had an apparent Km for Ptdlns and ATP of 4 and 60 uM, respectively. CCh caused no discernible change in the Km for either Ptdlns or ATP, but did produce a modest increase in …

A Comparative Study Of Dod And Civilian Hospital Inventory Management Systems, Karen A. Lemay

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to determine if one method of inventory management would standardize procedures and minimize costs for Department of Defense and civilian hospitals. This was accomplished by conducting a comparative analysis of inventory management systems, used at Wright-Patterson Medical Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio; Kettering Medical Center, Kettering, Ohio; and Evans US Army Community Hospital, Ft. Carson, Colorado. The literature review examined various inventory management methods used for both general and hospital specific inventories. The thesis concluded that, although different automated systems were used at the three hospitals studied, the basis of each inventory …

An Expert System Advisor For Medical Evaluation Boards, Jerry S. G. Harrington

Theses and Dissertations

Expert system technology has proven itself to be able to improve productivity and decision making in a variety of fields of endeavor. The purpose of this study was to determine if an expert system for medical evaluation boards (MEBs) could improve upon the processing of medical evaluation board cases. Research was conducted to develop an expert system and measure the capabilities of the system, both in terms of accuracy and timeliness of case completion of the medical evaluation administrators/clerks who were assisted by the system. The research methodology involved a three - phase approach. The objective of phase one was …

Heuristics For Hospital Inventory Management, Thomas G. Hibson

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the reasoning strategies used by hospital logistics management experts and was conducted at the Wright-Patterson AFB (WPAFB) Medical Center. An expert system was developed to verify the captured strategies. The particular area of interest of this study was the reasoning strategies involved in the reconciliation of the Monthly Stock Status Report within the Medical Logistics Branch. A literature review revealed there were few guidelines as to when and what action to pursue when reconciling the Monthly Stock Status Report. Though there were no references in the literature on expert systems that dealt with this particular report, there …

Geriatic Nurse Practitioner's Health Promotive Behaviors: A Test Of Theory Of Reasoned Action, Sandra L. Venegoni

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was to develop an instrument to test the theory of reasoned action (Fishbein & Ajzen, 1975) in a new behavioral domain the health promotive behaviors of geriatric nurse practitioners (GNPs). The two behavioral categories included in the study were health assessment and health teaching, each with its individual index of actions.

A questionnaire was developed to examine the beliefs of a sample of 200 certified geriatric nurse practitioners and to test the relationships of the theoretical model. Names of the subjects were randomly selected from the American Nurses' Association 1989 list of certified GNPs. Ninety-four …

Mechanisms Of Regulation Of The Human C-Myb Proto-Oncogene During Myelomonocytic Differentiation, Lawrence H. Boise

Theses and Dissertations

Control of hematopoiesis is a complex set of events that is currently being dissected at the molecular level. To determine factors that may be crucial for commitment to terminal differentiation of myelomonocytic cells, a mutant of the HL-60 cell line was characterized at the cellular and molecular level. This clone, termed DMSOr, was shown to differentiate in a similar fashion as parental HL-60 in response to 1.3% DMSO at the morphologic and functional level. The anti-proliferative aspects of differentiation were also present in DMSOr as evidenced by decreased 3H-thymidine incorporation and an increased percentage of cells in the G0/G1 phase …

Identification Of Dq Alpha Polymorphism Using The Polymerase Chain Reaction, Richard Mello

Theses and Dissertations

This was a study of detection systems for DQ alpha HLA polymorphism that could be exploited for the demonstration of simulated chimerism. Polymorphic segments of DO alpha DNA were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Simulated chimerism was represented by a mixture of minor and major component DNA. The goal was to detect minor component DNA in the presence of major component DNA utilizing various laboratory techniques. Techniques studied included probe strip typing with the AmpliType HLA-DO Alpha test kit, allele-specific amplification, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, restriction enzymes, and Southern transfer combined with a peroxidase detection system.

The AmpliType HLA-DO …

The Effects Of Concentric And Eccentric Contractions Performed At Equal Power Levels On Skeletal Muscle Fiber Hypertrophy, Thomas Philip Mayhew

Theses and Dissertations

There are no data available as to whether training with eccentric contractions are more effective than concentric contractions for producing skeletal muscle fiber hypertrophy. To better understand the effects of training with different contraction types two related studies were performed.

In the first study a device which is frequently used by clinicians for concentric and eccentric exercise, the Kin-Com^R, was tested for accuracy and reliability. The measurements obtained from the force, angle, and speed transducers of this device were found to be accurate and reliable between days.

The purpose of the second study was to determine if there …

Executive Information Systems For Usaf Hospital Administrators: A Feasibility Assessment, Alan R. Constantian

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigated the feasibility of implementing an executive information system (EIS) for hospital administrators at CONUS-based USAF inpatient medical facilities. A literature search determined that successful system implementation would require that such an EIS be found technically, economically, operationally, and motivationally feasible. Failure to meet any of these feasibility factors would jeopardize successful implementation. Surveys were mailed to each of the administrators and medical systems officers of CONUS- based USAF inpatient medical facilities in order to gather data on these feasibility issues. Approximately eighty percent of the survey population of 66 in each group responded to the survey. There …

Security And Involvement In The Parent-Adolescent Relationship, Susan J. Thompson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was the investigation of the dynamics which occur in relationships between parents and their adolescent children. Two hundred and eighty-four adolescents from local high schools were surveyed using the Acquaintance Description Form for Adolescents. They were also asked to take home the Parental Response Questionnaire for their parents to complete. Of these, responses were received from one hundred and seven parents.

Previous research has suggested that differences exist between relationships maintained by adolescent children and their mothers and fathers, particularly on the variables of security and involvement. Fathers have traditionally been described as less secure …

A Procedure For Performance Assessment Of Drugs Hypothesized To Be Effective In Controlling Motion Sickness, Zainab N. Ahmed

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) is conducting research into the effectiveness of certain drugs for controlling motion sickness. If the drugs are found to be useful, they must still be proven to have no harmful effects on the operator's performance abilities. There are many methods for assessing performance effects of drugs but very little standardization exists. The Unified Tri-Services Cognitive Performance Assessment Battery (UTC-PAB) is a performance assessment method designed to be used by all military branches. This will encourage standardization of drug testing, exchange of data, and comparability of methods. Five tests were chosen from the UTC-PAB …

Hospital Quality Assurance And Outcomes Of Hospitalization, Patricia A. Rowell

Theses and Dissertations

This study was undertaken to address the need of professionals responsible for assuring the quality of hospital care for a framework for understanding and evaluating quality assurance mechanisms and their impact on hospital quality of care. Primary data were collected from 70 Virginia short term acute care general hospitals on the design and resources of their quality assurance programs in 1986. Adverse outcome data for 1986 were collected from the Medical Society of Virginia Review Organization. Hospital structural data were obtained from the American Hospital Association computer data base and the Federal Register. The intermediate outcome variables are: rate of …

The Analysis Of 3-Channel "Vector" Visual Evoked Potentials And Possible Neuroanatomical Correlates, Lance Mitchell Siegel

Theses and Dissertations

he use of evoked potentials to evaluate the functional integrity of neuronal pathways has become a useful and accepted practice in clinical medicine. The use of visual evoked potentials for assisting in the diagnosis of such diseases as optic neuritis and multiple sclerosis is also well recognized. However, the visual evoked potential, unlike the auditory evoked potentials, lacks a well defined electrophysiological to neuroanatomical correlation; especially that of a significant non-cortical component. Currently, visual evoked potentials rely principally on the measurement of a cortical (occipital) positive peak of activity at 100ms (P100), recorded with a single channel electrode system, to …

Purification And Characterization Of Two Oxidoreductases Involved In Bile Acid Modification By The Intestinal Anaerobe Eubacterium Sp. Vpi 12708, Clifton Franklund

Theses and Dissertations

Two enzymes, a 7α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (7α-HSDH) and an NADH-dependent flavin oxidoreductase (NADH:FOR), have been purified to apparent electrophoretic homogeneity from the intestinal anaerobe Eubacterium sp. VPI 12708. Using a protocol consisting of four chromatographic separations, the 7α-HSDH was purified by a factor of over 1200-fold with more than a 30% final recovery. Subunit molecular mass was estimated to be 32 Kdal by SDS-PAGE, while native molecular mass estimates from gel filtration were 124 Kdal. The purified 7α-HSDH was able to utilize a variety of bile acids containing an unhindered 7α-hydroxy moiety as substrates, existing either as free acids or glycine …

Adolescent Pregnancy And Loneliness, Estelle M. Brodeur

Theses and Dissertations

This descriptive study explored loneliness among pregnant adolescents in a southeastern metropolitan area. Numerous psychosocial variables of the special population of pregnant teens remain to be studied. One such variable is loneliness, a feeling often experienced by adolescents. The present study hypothesized that loneliness may occur during adolescent pregnancy. To date, one study exists (Diiorio & Riley, 1988) of loneliness and adolescent pregnancy.

The problem statement was: Does loneliness exist among pregnant adolescents? Three research questions were addressed:

Within this sample:

1. To what extent does loneliness exist?

2. Is loneliness more frequent during certain ages?

3. Do pregnant black …

Sensory Regression Time From Subarachnoid Block With Hyperbaric 0.75% Bupivacaine In The Obese Patient, George Leslie Hilton

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if obese patients have a different sensory regression time from subarachnoid block than non-obese patients using hyperbaric 0.75% bupivacaine. A quasi-experimental design was used. Twenty patients were separated into two groups; one group was classified as obese, and the other group was classified as non-obese. The data consisting of age, height, weight, sex, and surgical procedure were recorded preoperatively. All the patients received hyperbaric 0.75% bupivacaine via subarachnoid puncture. The levels of spinal anesthesia were recorded at the highest level achieved. The injection time was also recorded. When the surgery was completed, …

Efficiency Of The Thermal Jacket On The Delivered Temperature Of Prewarmed Crystalloid Intravenous Fluid, Danny R. Bowen

Theses and Dissertations

A quasi-experimental research design was used to determine the relationship between the flow rate and the delivered temperature of prewarmed crystalloid intravenous solutions when using the Thermal Jacket™, an insulation device designed for intravenous fluid bags, as compared to a conventional blood warming apparatus. One control and three experimental groups were used.

Fluids in Group 1 (control group), Group 2, and Group 4 were prewarmed in a microwave oven to 41.45 ± 1.05 ° C. Fluids in Group 3 were left near ambient room temperature and measured at 22.05 ± 0.45 ° C. Fluids in the control group were infused …