Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Faculty And Student Perceptions Of Effective Clinical Teachers, Patricia Frontczak

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to identify ADN faculty and ADN student perceptions of the most effective clinical teaching characteristics (ECTC). An exploratory, descriptive design was implemented. ADN faculty and ADN students were surveyed using the Clinical Teacher Characteristics Instrument (CTCI). The CTCI consists of 20 characteristics of clinical teachers that are ranked on a five point Likert-type scale according to importance. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Significant differences in perceptions of the most ECTC between the two groups were identified by a Mann Whitney U procedure. A t-test was performed to identify differences of perceptions …

A Study Of Nursing Students And Intrinsic Spirituality, Christine Anderson Madsen

Master's Projects

This paper describes some theoretical perspectives of spirituality, the concepts of spiritual care and spiritual needs, and barriers to providing spiritual care as described in the literature. The two most frequently described barriers are lack of comfort with the topic and lack of education. Because there is so little written about the discussion of spirituality in schools of nursing, a descriptive study using nursing students on the central coast of California was conducted. The Spiritual Involvement and Beliefs Scale (SIBS) was used to measure intrinsic spirituality. This study looked for relationships between the scores on this scale, and the students' …

Genetic Control Of Eye Development, A Case Study Focused On The Murine Mutation Belly Spot And Tail (Bst), Qing Tang

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Development of the eye is controlled by a network of genes, often conserved, that regulate the timing and location of cellular differentiation. One approach to understanding this network of genes and their interaction is to focus on mutations, spontaneous or induced, that predictably disrupt the proper function of such networks, and by examining the effect of such disruption on the function of other genes.

The Belly spot and tail (Bst) semi-dominant mutation, mapped to mouse Chromosome 16, leads to developmental defects of the eye, skeleton, and coat pigmentation. In the eye, the mutant phenotype is characterized by the presence of …

The Relationship Between African Self Consciousness And Attitudes In Heterosexual Relationships Among African American College Students In Two Different Settings, Rhonda M. Dalrymple

Electronic Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between African Self-Consciousness and attitudes toward interpersonal relationships among African American college students ending classes at a predominantly white university, Northwestern State University, and at a predominantly black university, Southern University. The ASC scale was used to assess the Black personality construct of African self-consciousness. The BHR survey was used to assess the subjects' perceptions concerning heterosexual relationships. The findings support the hypothesis that ASC is directly related to whether the individual possesses Afrocentric or Eurocentric beliefs and attitudes. A direct relationship was found between the environment and attitudes of …

Stress Experienced By Respite Care Workers And Family Caregivers When Caring For Alzheimer's Patients, Monica D. Minewiser

Theses & Dissertations

Changing demographics and cost containment in health care in caring for the Alzheimer's Disease (AD) patient has given birth to a growing need for respite care workers. The purpose of the study was to determine whether the stress level of a respite care worker who works with an AD patient in a noninstitutionalized setting on a daily basis will be significantly less than that of a family caregiver when caring for an AD patient. The Revised Memory and Behavior Problem Checklist (RMBPC) was the instrument used to measure stress. This is a questionnaire consisting of 24 questions and allows 5 …

Officer Involved Shooting: The Emotional Impact And The Effective Coping Strategies, Patrick P. Charoen

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The emotional impact of a shooting incident on the individual police officer has been recognized and detailed by both police and mental health professionals (Lippert & Ferrara, 1984). The human cost and financial costs to Police Departments as a result of "post shooting" trauma has sensitized many departments to the need for professional support for officers involved in shootings. Recent survey research has provided information about the percentage of officers who experienced great, moderate, or no emotional impact after being involved in shootings (Stratton, 1982). However, information about the degree to which police departments have responded to this need has …

The Effect Of Pain Management Education On Nurses' Knowledge And Attitudes Regarding Opioids And Adjuvants, Lynne Hopper Mccoy

Master's Projects

The purpose of this research was to determine if a pain management class improved nurses' knowledge and influenced nurses' attitudes regarding pain management. The design was quasi-experimental using pretest-posttest intervention. 83 participants completed the Nurses Knowledge and Attitude Survey Regarding Pain twice. Those who attended a class showed improvement in their pain management knowledge and attitude scores on the survey. Implications for staff development and inservice educators are that continuing education increases nurses knowledge about pain management and must include opportunities for class members to apply concepts.

Differentiation In Roles Of School Nurse And Unlicensed Assistive Personnel, Lynn Shieh

Master's Projects

School nurses provide a vast number of health services for students, teachers, and staff. Despite school nurses' important contributions to the health status of students, through the years their positions have been gradually supplemented by Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP)/ Health Clerks. With the number of UAPs increasing in the school setting, roles and responsibilities of school nurses and UAPs need to be clearly differentiated in order to utilize the UAP's services legally and efficiently. This research used a descriptive survey to investigate the perceptions that differentiate the role of school nurses and UAPs among school administrators, nurses, UAPs, secretaries, and …

Diagnostic Issues With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Conditional Probabilities And A Measure Of Symptom Ratings, Margo Adams Larsen

Dissertations

Current assessment taxonomy, including the DSM -IV and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) (World Health Organization, 1990) editions, have provided semistructured criteria sets to aid professionals in making a diagnosis of ADHD or ADD. The diagnostic taxonomy criteria, however, have resulted in a very heterogeneous population of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disordered (ADHD) individuals. Several studies have attempted to assess the behavioral syndromes— Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)/Conduct Disorder (CD)/ Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)—in terms of test or symptom sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive power, and negative predictive power (Landau, Milich, & Widiger, 1991; Milich, Widiger, & Landau, 1987; Waldman & …

The Role Of Brn-3.2 In Retinal Ganglion Cell Differentiation, Jerin Marie Wright

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Within the retina, the POU domain of transcription factors brn-3.0, brn-3.1, and brn-3.2 are present only in retinal ganglion cells. These genes are believed to be involved in establishing neural cell lineages in mammals. In this study brn-3.2 was examined by comparing the number of ganglion cells present during postnatal development in normal mice (+/+), in mice homozygous (-/-) for the brn-3.2 gene, and in adult mice with a heterozygous gene deletion (+/-) for brn-3.2. Optic nerve cross sections were imaged by electron microscopy, and axon profiles counted systematically by hand. These counts were then related to the nerve cross …

Psychological Correlates Of Pain Perception: An Assessment Of False Biofeedback, Tobie Jay Escher

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Effects of suggestion and placebos in pain therapy have become a modern theme in pain management. This study was designed to investigate whether suggestive false biofeedback, compared with a true biofeedback control condition, would have an effect on pain perception ratings in a simplified version of a cold pressor task (CPT). Psycho-physiological measures of electrical cortical activity (EEG) and muscle tension (EMG) combined with psychological correlates (verbal and visual pain ratings) were also assessed.

A separate 2 (gender) x 2 (feedback condition) x 6 (time segment) mixed-design ANOVA was performed for (a) EEG frontal and (b) parietal lobe alpha activity, …

Self-Esteem: The Impact Of A Course In Growth And Development On Fifth Grade Students, Mary Jang

Master's Projects

Teens in the United States have the highest pregnancy, abortion, and sexually transmitted disease rates among the developed countries. The social and financial costs of teen births are staggering. Research shows that high self-esteem is significantly related to resistance to group pressures, willingness to express unpopular opinions, family adjustment, creativity, and effective communication between parents and youth. The research question is: Will a 5-hour course in growth and development increase the level of self-esteem in fifth grade students? A convenience sample of 20 students (13 girls and 7 boys) who attend a public elementary school in San Jose, California, comprised …

A Preclinical Model Of Ionizing Radiation And Tnf-Alpha Gene Therapy For Cancer, Jun Li

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Long term control of high-grade brain tumors is rarely achieved with current therapeutic regimens. This study sought to determine if pretreatment with plasmid DNA expressing Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) could enhance the effect of ionizing radiation in an aggressive, rapidly growing glioma tumor (C6) model. Plasmid DNA is an attractive vector system for delivery of foreign genes into eukaryotic cells due to its advantages including low immunogenicity in vivo, lesser toxicity and relatively low cost. We have constructed a plasmid-based mammalian expression vector (pGL1-TNF) to secrete human TNF-α from cancer cells. Plasmid DNA was successfully transfected into C6 cells …

Family And Child Psychosocial Functioning Of Infant Heart Transplant Recipients, Kimberly R. Freeman

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

With the advancement of medical procedures, heart transplantation has become a viable alternative for infants born with congenital or acquired heart disease. Although these children are thought to experience much improvement in their overall physical functioning post-transplantation, the long-term psychological functioning of these children and their families is currently unknown. This study examines the long-term family functioning and psychosocial development of infant heart transplant recipients in comparison to children with congenital heart disease (CHD) and non-clinical control children. Results indicate that infant heart transplant recipients and their families experience fewer overall problems as compared to the CHD group, and more …

Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of A Health Education Program For Classroom Assistants, Patricia A. Robinson

Master's Projects

Classroom Instructional Assistants are being used more frequently to provide care for medically fragile children who are mainstreamed into the regular education setting. The purpose of this evaluative study was to develop a beginning health curriculum that could be provided as an inservice program for classroom Instructional Assistants. Content for the inservice consisted of handwashing, medication administration, asthma, and seizures. This study used a pretest and posttest design to look at the effectiveness of the educational inservice. There were 17 participants, 16 of whom completed the pretest and posttest. A pretest was administered prior to the inservice followed by a …

Comparing Outcome O F Residential And Intensive Outpatient Treatment Services For Substance Dependence, Shawn E. Channell

Dissertations

The past 20 years have witnessed a significant increase in the number of published studies comparing inpatient with outpatient substance dependence treatment The majority of these studies have reported no benefit for those recipients receiving more intensive treatment However, the outpatient treatment investigated in these studies has typically been day treatment often involving 27 hours a week of participation, and not intensive outpatient treatment (IOP), which involves 12 or fewer hours of participation per week. Additionally, few published studies have compared alcohol and cocaine dependent populations. This study was designed to compare effectiveness of the residential and intensive outpatient levels …

The Validity Of The Adhd Section Of The Diagnostic Interview Schedule For Children, Ann M. Mcgrath

Dissertations

The purpose o f this study was to learn more about the validity o f the ADHD portion of the NIMH-DISCIV. In order to accomplish this goal, 58 youth participants were divided into three groups: (1) subjects who met criteria for ADHD based upon both the youth and the caretaker versions of the DISC; (2) subjects who met criteria for ADHD based upon the caretaker DISC, but not according to the youth DISC; and (3) subjects who did not meet criteria for ADHD according to either the youth or the caretaker DISC. Subjects in these groups were compared across parent …

Portal Imaging Using A Csi (Tl) Scintillator Coupled To A Cooled Ccd Camera, Amit Sawant

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

The purpose of this research was to design a high performance digital portal imaging
system, using a transparent x-ray scintillator coupled to a cooled CCD camera. Theoretical
analysis using Monte Carlo simulation was performed to calculate the QDE, SNR and DQE of
the system. A prototype electronic portal imaging device (EPID) was built, using a 12.7 mm
thick, 20.32 cm diameter, CsI (Tl) scintillator, coupled to an Astromed ® liquid nitrogen cooled
CCD TV camera. The system geometry of the prototype EPID was optimized to achieve high
spatial resolution. Experimental evaluation of the prototype EPID was performed, by
determining its …

The Lived Experience Of Bosnian Refugees Who Have Suffered As A Result Of Genocide, Gazelle Raven Animalia

Masters Theses

In 1992, Bosnian Serbian and Serbian forces launched a campaign of genocide against Muslim and Croatian civilians in Bosnia-Herzegovina. This nightmarish odyssey ended for many non-Serbians when they escaped to other countries. Many of these families chose to come to the United States.

The purpose of this study was to examine the lived experience of Bosnian refugees who suffered as a result of genocide. The research method used for this study was a phenomenological method based on Husserlian philosophy. Four Bosnian refugees, who escaped to a midwestem state during and after the war, were asked to answer the following research …

A Study On The Effects Of The N-Terminal Amino Acid Sequence On The Activation Of Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 Protease, Hidayah Muhammad Kendall

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTL V-1) is dependent upon the enzymatic activity of its protease for maturation. Maturation of the protease is facilitated by cleavage of specific amino acid residues, followed by dimerization. The effects of the amino acid sequence located N-terminally to the cleavage site on the ability of the protease to become active were the focus of the current study. These amino acid sequences were contributed by the plasmid vector into which the protease gene was inserted.

Surface probability analyses (SPAs) of the vectors, as well as for native sequences which produce the mature protease and …

Predicting Aggression And Stress In Law Enforcement Using The Mmpi : A Vulnerability Hypothesis, Byron Earle Greenberg

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This study addresses the use of scales and subscales from prehire MMPI’s to predict levels of aggression and stress among law enforcement professionals in the field (n=75). Multiple regression analysis revealed promising results in support of the MMPI’s predictive utility.

Two scales, Aggression (AGR) and Stress Vulnerability (SYS) were developed as outcome measures through a three step validation process: (a) theoretical-substantive, through a literature review and analysis of pilot data (n = 202); (b) internal-structural, statistical analysis on sample data and (c) criterion-external, through corelational analysis with externally derived departmental assessments of each officer. The final Aggression index (AGR) is …

Various Presentation Styles For Informing Parents About Pediatric Dental Procedures, Tracy Dean Walker

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Purpose: The treatment of pediatric dental patients can only be as effective as the degree to which the parent consents to treatment. This study was designed to A) determine the most effective method of communicating a dental procedure to the parent of a pediatric patient and B) determine the impact that various presentation methods would have on a parent's willingness to give informed consent.

Methods: A Pulpotomy procedure was explained to each parent by one of the following methods; 1) written, 2) written and model, 3) verbal or 4) verbal and model.

Results: A statistically significant relationship was shown between …

Clinical Debonding Simulation Study Of One Metal And Two Ceramic Brackets, Hyunsup Shim

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study is to compare two mechanical debonding methods on ceramic brackets (TP MXi and 3M Clarity) and a metal bracket (GAC OmniArch) with four different bonding materials (light-cured, one-step chemical-cured, two-step chemical-cured, and Fuji GIC) in clinical simulation, where the diametral force was applied on the handle of the pliers. The effectiveness of mechanical debonding technique was determined by evaluating the following variables: the amount of force required to debond the bracket, the amount of residual adhesive remaining on the enamel surface, the frequency of unexpected bracket failure, and the prevalence of visible enamel damage. The …

The Effect Of Mandibular First Molar Tip Back On Mandibular Incisor Long-Term Stability, Barton L. Soper

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study is to determine if mandibular first molar distal tip back during orthodontic treatment will result in improved long-term alignment of mandibular incisors. Our pre and posttreatment sample consisted of 57 Class I and Class II patients (40 female and 17 male). Incisor irregularity was recorded at T2 and T4 (average of 12.9 years postretention at T4). Molar tipback was evaluated T1 to T2 and T2 to T4. The sample was divided into 3 groups - molars tipped distally 1 degree or more during treatment, molars essentially not tipped, and molars tipped mesially 1 degree or …

Regulation Of Connexin43 By Phosphorylation, Maithili M. Shah

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Gap junctions play a crucial role in embryogenesis, especially of the heart where connexin43 is thought to be important for its formation as well as synchronized contraction. Several reports have shown that connexin43 protein is phosphorylated on serine residues in vitro and in vivo.

Studies performed in our laboratory have demonstrated that cell-to-cell communication in cells expressing connexin43 can be controlled rapidly and reversibly by microinjection of active protein kinases or phosphatases that target serine or threonine residues. Phosphorylation by cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) seems to favor channel opening, whereas the effect of protein kinase C (PKC) on channel gating …

Neuronal And Metabolic Increases In Pedunculopontine Nucleus Of Parkinson's Rats, Jonathan Dennis Carlson

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The theoretical mechanisms underlying the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are based on dysfunctional output from the basal ganglia projected to the cortex via the thalamus. However, the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and substantia nigra pars reticularis (SNr) as part of the basal ganglia, also project to the brainstem, in particular to the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN). Both the STN and SNr have altered neuronal activity in the 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) Parkinson’s model rat. Thus, it is hypothesized that the PPN is altered in this model of Parkinson’s disease.

This hypothesis was examined by comparing the rates of glucose metabolism and spontaneous neuronal activity …

Family Communication And Competence Among Siblings Of Pediatric Oncology Patients, Kimberly Olvera Butler

Master's Projects

Pediatric oncologic diseases are a leading cause of mortality and morbidity among children. The chronicity of the treatment requires the family to adjust their daily routines to care for the ill child. The changes are experienced by all the family members: the ill child, the parents, and the well siblings. The literature reflects variable effects on the well sibling. There has been limited research that evaluates the effects of family interaction patterns. This pilot study examined communication within the family and sought to determine if communication, as measured on the Parent-Adolescent Communication Scale, correlated with competence, as measured on the …

The Effect Of Chelation Therapy Upon The Perceptual Quality Of Life And The Perception Of Pain In Clients Receiving Infusions, Francine Glenn

MSN Research Projects

The use of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) for chelation in patients with diseases of the circulatory system has been a controversial issue for several decades. However, there was a lack of studies substantiating the perceived benefits of patients receiving chelation therapy. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect on pain and perceived benefits related to the quality of life for patients receiving chelation infusions. The theoretical framework that guided this study was the Health Promotion Model developed by Nola J. Pender. The research questions were what are the effects of chelation therapy on the perceptual quality of life …

Current Sexual Behaviors Of Hiv-Positive Women, Nina Sublette

MSN Research Projects

The incidence of HIV among women of childbearing age in the United States continues to rise. Literature and statistics show that the number of new HIV infections continue to increase, despite the fact that the transmission of the disease is preventable. The purpose of this descriptive study was to describe the current sexual practices on HIV-positive women and to determine whether these behaviors had changed since the diagnosis of HIV. A convenience sample (N = 13) of HIV-positive women was obtained from a support group for HIV-positive women in a metropolitan city in the Southeastern United States. Albert Bandura's Social …

Knowledge Level And Teaching Practices Of Hospice Nurses Regarding Terminal Dehydration, Kristi Adams Acker

MSN Research Projects

A current controversy exists whether or not to continue aggressive hydration in the terminally ill patient. Emerging research has suggested that terminal dehydration can be a palliative treatment option in end-of-life care. The purpose of this descriptive study was to explore the teaching practices and knowledge level of hospice nurses regarding terminal dehydration. The Integrated Clinical Judgment Model (Gordon, Murphy, Candee, & Hiltunen, 1994) guided this study. A researcher-developed questionnaire. Teaching Practices of Hospice Nurses Regarding Terminal Dehydration, consisting of six questions asking to identify personal teaching practices regarding terminal dehydration, and a second researcher-developed questionnaire. Terminal Dehydration Knowledge Level …