Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

How Do Christian Values, In Comparison To Other Sociocultural Values, Motivate Early Adolescent Girls In Regard To Their Body Image?, Tracy Keizer

Theses and Graduate Projects

The period of adolescence in a young girl's life is a time of differentiation and change, A young girl's journey into adolescence involves several adjustments including physical, moral, social and cognitive changes. All of the unique influences and adjustments affecting a young girl also affect her body image. These influences include the culture, media, family, friends, and a girls own personality and temperament. One influence that has not been studied is the motivation of Christian values on a young girl's body image. Christian values have the strength to positively motivate people to do many constructive things. The purpose of this …

Understanding Teen Pregnancy Through The Younger Sister's Voice: A Focused Ethnography, Bonnie J. Simmons

Nursing Dissertations (PhD)

Each year in the United States between 800,000 and 900,000 adolescents, aged 19 or younger, become pregnant. Over one-half of these pregnancies end in a live birth. Several studies have shown that the younger sisters of adolescent mothers have teenage childbearing rates two to six times higher than childbearing rates of women in the general population. The purpose of this focused ethnography was to gain a better understanding of the influences of a pregnant and parenting adolescent on her younger sister. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit younger sisters of parenting teens. Fifteen (15) African American females, ranging in age …

Illness Representations, Emotional Distress, Coping Strategies, And Coping Efficacy As Predictors Of Patient Outcomes For Type 2 Diabetes, Patricia Lynn Hart

Nursing Dissertations (PhD)

Diabetes mellitus affects 20.8 million Americans in the United States and is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. Acute and chronic disease-related complications can have a devastating effect on the life of individuals with Type 2 diabetes. Reduction in acute and chronic complications can be best achieved by individuals’ adhering to appropriate lifestyle changes and maintaining tight glycemic control through a process of self-regulation. Self-regulation treatment decisions and lifestyle behavioral changes can be influenced by physiological and psychosocial factors. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between illness representations, emotional distress, coping strategies, …

Factors Influencing Surrogate End-Of-Life Healthcare Decision-Making For A Family Member With Alzheimer's Disease, Sharlene Toney

Nursing Dissertations (PhD)

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a chronic terminal disease, progressively impairs cognitive function resulting in deterioration of intellect, memory, and personality. With disease progression, the surrogate decision-maker becomes more involved in intervention choices and end-of-life (EOL) care, which may or may not be based on patients’ wishes or best practice guidelines. Yet surrogate decision outcomes involve important issues of medical futility, quality of life and death. The purpose of this study was to examine factors that influence surrogate health care decision-making for a family member during the terminal stage of AD. A descriptive, predictive design was used to address the research questions: …

A Study Of The Caring Relationship Between Nurses And Culturally Diverse Clients, Carol Phillips

Theses and Graduate Projects

This is a qualitative study that examines the caring relationship between the nurse and the culturally diverse client. The purpose was to gain insight into the process of the delivery of culturally congruent care. A method of Hermeneutic Phenomenological analysis was used to discover the meaning within the stories told by the nurse participants.

Facing Down Death And Moving Beyond: Strategies Utilized By Female Survivors Of Childhood Maltreatment, Tonya Barri Broyles

Doctoral Dissertations

This study is a secondary analysis of a federally funded study of survivors of childhood maltreatment, who now consider themselves to be successful and effective in their current environments as adults. The purpose of this secondary analysis was to identify strategies that female survivors of childhood maltreatment have used as children and as adults to move beyond the effects of the abuse. An in-depth analysis of 27 women who have completed three interviews over the course of a year has revealed a generative theme of “Facing Down Death” and two interconnected themes of “Purposeful Cognitions/ Emotions,” and “Purposeful Actions.” Each …

Promises To Keep: A Phenomenological Study Of Icu Nurses’ Experiences Caring For Dying Patients, Phyllis Ann King

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to describe the experience of nurses caring for dying patients in the critical care unit. Using a phenomenological approach based on the works of Merleau-Ponty, the researcher completed 14 interviews in which ICU nurses were asked to describe experiences of caring for patients who died while in their care. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a hermeneutical approach developed by Pollio and applied to nursing research by Thomas. Each interview was examined within the context of all the interviews to identify themes found throughout. The world of the ICU was grounded in …

Biomechanical Testing Of Two-Level Cervical Disc Arthroplasty, Laura J. Gilmour

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

In vitro biomechanical studies comparing two-level cervical disc arthroplasty with two-level fusion were completed using an established cadaveric cervical spine model. Three conditions were tested: non-instrumented, instrumented with two-level fusion (C5-C6 and C6-C7), and instrumented with two-level arthroplasty (C5-C6, C6-C7) using the Prestige Low-Profile (Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Memphis TN) or ProDisc-C (Synthes Spine, West Chester PA) prosthetic disc. Specimens were tested non-destructively in physiologic flexion-extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation to an end-limit load of 3-Nm or 45o rotation. Rotations at the superior, implanted, and inferior motion segment units (MSU) of the instrumented conditions were normalized to the non-instrumented condition …

Tyrosine Phosphorylation Of Villin: Effects On Actin Dynamics, Cell Morphology And Cell Migration, Alok Tomar

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Cell migration is a key aspect of many normal and abnormal biological processes, including embryonic development, defense against infections, wound healing, and tumor cell metastasis. In this study we demonstrate that an epithelial cell actin-binding protein, villin, plays a crucial role in the process of cell migration. Overexpression of villin in doxycyline-regulated HeLa Tet-off and MDCK Tet-off cells enhanced cell migration. We further demonstrate that tyrosine phosphorylation of villin by c-src is required for villin-induced cell migration. Previously, we identified four tyrosine phosphorylation sites in the amino-terminal domain of villin. I further identified six new sites in the carboxylterminal region …

A Computer Simulation Model Of The Human Head-Neck Musculoskeletal System, Jun Yan

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Objective. The objective of this research was to develop a muscle-driven biomechanical model of the human head-neck system that could be used to simulate neck movements under muscle control. This model can further be modified to enable input from an external stimulus, such as EMG data.

Summary of background data. Utilizing computer aided design (CAD) and dynamic simulation software programs, the Joint Implant Biomechanics Laboratory at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center developed a virtual model of the human cervical spine to simulate the in vitro biomechanical experiments. This in vitro model did not include any muscle …

A National Estimate Of The Cost Of Illness In Parkinson's Disease Using Retrospective Data Analysis, Katherine Anderson

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to estimate the cost of illness of Parkinson’s disease in the United States. Direct medical expenditures, with the exception of nursing home costs, were estimated using data from the 1999-2003 Medical Expenditures Panel Survey Household Component (MEPS-HC). Nursing home costs were estimated using the Medical Expenditures Panel Survey Nursing Home Component (MEPS-NHC). Indirect costs for lost productivity due to missed work or bed-days (morbidity) were estimated using the MEPS-HC and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Indirect costs for lost productivity due to death (mortality) were estimated using the National Vital Statistics System.

Direct …

Resilience And Depressive Symptoms In Midlife Women, Keverne L. Lehman

Masters Theses

Rates of depression are increasing throughout the world, with women experiencing depression twice as often as men. This study utilized the Neuman Systems Model to examine the relationship in midlife women between depressive symptoms and resilience. Women ages 35-55, selected from four health care settings, completed written surveys on demographic information, life events, depression, and resilience. Results supported depressive symptoms as a health concern for mid-life women: 32% reporting current or previous treatment for depression, and 24% screening positive for depression. Resilience, measured by the Polk Resilience Patterns Scale, was related to education, perceived health, conflict in the living situation, …

Molecular Screening Of Azoreductase Gene And Its Activity In Human Intestinal Bacteria, Syndia S. Todd

McCabe Thesis Collection

The intestinal microflora are capable of performing a wide variety of metabolic transformations. "The intestinal bacteria can enhance the function of the entire gastrointestinal tract, protect against pathogenic, maintain the vital chemical balance of the gastrointestinal system, and produce needed vitamins and hormones" (http;//www.upwardquest.com/crit2.html). Some of the products of this metabolism have been associated with carcinogenic processes, such as cancer, tumor formation, gastrointestinal disease, and infections. The ability of human intestinal microbes to interact with metabolites directly or after recirculation may contribute toward different toxicological disorders and disease.

The purpose of this study is to characterize and isolate the azoreductase …

Language Delays And The Influence Of Therapeutic Riding: A Case Study Of An Autistic Child, Nadia Suckarieh

Student Dissertations & Theses

Autism is a Pervasive Development Disorder characterized by stereotype behavior and trouble with communication. One focus of working with this population is increasing the verbal and communication ability of the nonverbal individuals. The present study focused on the effects a six-week therapeutic horseback riding program would have on the stereotypical behaviors present in a six-year-old autistic child, and if this program would help the his verbalization and communication ability. The Psychoeducation Profile, 3rd Edition was used to measure possible changes the intervention might have influenced. The result of the study indicated there was a decrease in the child’s physical stereotype …

Paved With Good Intentions: A Definitional Study On The Issue Of Psychological Child Abuse, Anita Renee Fromm

Student Dissertations & Theses

Definitional issues concerning child abuse have long plagued the identification and treatment of this malady. This study examined the role of perpetrator intention in categorizing adverse parenting skills, as well as psychological child abuse potential. Exploitative parenting styles were displayed and rated in a variety of vignettes. Social service professionals and university students were participants in this vignette style questionnaire study. Results indicated that with a few exceptions, a constant perpetrator intention did not appear to alter subject perceptions that the scenarios presented adverse parenting skills and child abuse potential. The participants were indecisive concerning scenarios that represented excessive athletic …

The Aggression Questionnaire As An Indicator Of Anger Expression By Abused Women In Therapy, Audrey Steakley

Student Dissertations & Theses

The present study examined whether adult women in therapy who have been physically abused express anger differently than their counterparts who have been sexually abused, and whether they are aware that they express anger in noticeable ways. The first hypothesis stated that physically abused women express anger directly and physically, whereas sexually abused women express anger indirectly, avoiding direct confrontation. The second hypothesis proposed that they are not aware how much they express their anger outwardly. Participants were female clients at a local counseling agency, with issues stemming from physical and/or sexual abuse. They voluntarily completed the Aggression Questionnaire (AQ) …

A Delphi Survey Of Experts’ Opinions Regarding Prevention Of Impairment In Professional Psychology Training, Kin-Ming Chan

Dissertations

This study sought to identify the most important measures that may be implemented in professional psychology training to prevent the future impairment of professionals. An adjunctive research question of this study addressed how these important measures can be successfully implemented. A 2-round Delphi method was conducted. Twenty-eight experts in impairment prevention participated in the first round study, and 20 of them continued to participate in the second round. In the first round, the experts rated the importance of an original list of 38 preventive measures, suggested additional important preventive measures, and provided considerations for successful implementation of their most important …

Patient Handling Safety For Nursing Staff, Don Nielsen

Dissertations

The effectiveness of video scoring and feedback about the scoring of the components of safe patient transfers was observed among eight nursing staff members in a skilled nursing department within an acute care hospital.

An ABCA (and sometimes ABCDA), multiple baseline across individuals design was utilized in the study. The dependent variable under investigation was the percentage of safe lifting components. Following baseline measures, nursing staff participated in an information phase during which they reviewed and discussed components of safe patient transfers. A video scoring phase was introduced, during which, participants viewed and scored a model video of a patienttransfer. …

Stress Reduction: A Neighborhood Introduction, Barbara D. Johnson

Master's Projects

Responding to reported health concerns a stress reduction program was developed for residents of an urban Latino neighborhood struggling with poverty, crime, and limited access to healthcare. The revised Health Promotion Model (HPM) was used as a framework (Pender, 1996). A qualitative study testing a 5-week Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) intervention was imbedded into the program 18 months after its implementation. Utilizing a pre/post test design participants were predicted to demonstrate significant reductions in post-intervention mean scores for 3 self-report measures, the Cohen Perceived Stress Scale, General Sleep Disturbance Scale, and a modified Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale. A 91% drop …

The Cost Of Negative Perceptions Of The Work Environment Among Intermediate Intensive Care Unit Nurses, Joselyn Peralta

Master's Projects

This descriptive study assessed the perceptions of the work environment and the retention plans among registered nurses (RNs) who worked in the Intermediate Intensive Care Unit at a tertiary university hospital. Results from the Moos Work Environment Scale found that nurses perceived high levels of work pressure and low levels of clarity, coworker cohesion, and supervisor support. Results indicated that the intent to leave the unit was dependent on the nurses having other options in nursing, desiring further education, an undesirable scheduling process and unsafe patient care. The direct and indirect costs to hospitals could be offset by developing strategies …

Patterns Of Relationship Satisfaction And Sexual Behavior As A Function Of Pornography Use Among College Men, Joel David Deloy

Theses and Dissertations

Recent research on sexually explicit materials (SEM), or pornography, has expanded from a focus on sexual violence, and aggression, towards the examination of the influence of SEM on other relationship factors. Available information on how males involved in a romantic relationship use SEM has been limited, and the effect of SEM use on relationship satisfaction and sexual behavior is not well understood. This study examined 245 college men who completed self-report measures of relationship satisfaction, core relationship variables (autonomy, affection, conflict resolution, intimacy, and equality) and SEM use patterns. All participants were in significant romantic relationships of at least three …

African American Father-Child Reproductive Health Communication, Nnenna Ohalete Phd

Dissertations

African-American children have their sexual debut (first voluntary penile-vaginal penetration) earlier thus are at disproportionately greater risk for more sexual partners and sexually transmitted infections. Father-child reproductive health communication was found to influence the timing of sex in other children however, a dearth of studies in African-American fathers existed. In this qualitative study reproductive health communication was explored in tape-recorded interviews of 19 African-American fathers from the perspective of critical theory, with the use of critical ethnography as methodology. How the content and pattern of reproductive health communication influenced sexual debut, and how fathers' moral/ethical stances influenced reproductive health communication …

Minority Adolescents At Risk For Obesity: Health Behaviors And Perceptions, Linda D. Jones

Master's Projects

The purpose of this study was to examine behaviors related to nutrition and physical activity of inner-city minority adolescents, and their perception of normal weight and overweight. The research study used a descriptive, non-experimental design which had a convenience sample of thirty-seven 8th grade minority adolescents who attended a chartered urban K-8 grade school in Northern California. There were no statistically significant differences in the results, however, over 50% of the students reported not eating the recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables. Another 68% reported participating more than 30 minutes in exercising or playing sports during physical education class. …

Depression, Anxiety, Hazardous Drinking, Subjective Burden, And Rewards In Family Caregivers Of Patients With Chronic Liver Disease, Lois Vennesta Bolden

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

This descriptive correlation study had three purposes. The study first described depressive and anxiety symptom levels, prevalence of hazardous drinking, rewards, and subjective burden reported by family caregivers of patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). Second, the investigator compared depressive and anxiety symptom levels, prevalence of hazardous drinking, rewards, and subjective burden reported by African Americans family caregivers with those reported by Caucasian family caregivers of patients with CLD. The third purpose was to determine the predictors of subjective burden and mental health status of family caregivers of persons with CLD.

A convenience sample of 73 caregivers of patients receiving …

A Continued Investigation Of Craniofacial Growth In Infant Heart Transplant Recipients Receiving Cyclosporine, Gabriel Enriquez

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Since the mid 1980’s, Cyclosporine has proved to be an effective immunosuppressive drug and now has a widespread application in organ transplantation. Several studies, however, have implicated cyclosporine as adversely affecting craniofacial growth in the pediatric population. ^16,18 The purpose of this follow-up study was to continue to evaluate the possible untoward effects of long-term use of cyclosporine on craniofacial growth in a group of infant heart transplantation recipients by re-evaluating as many subjects as possible from the original study and evaluating new subjects. A pediatric group (N=13) was composed of six Caucasian subjects (4 male and 2 female, ages …

Resorbable Barrier Effect In Sinus Graft Using Anorganic Bone, Kyung-Soo Choi

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The effect of a resorbable membrane on new bone formation in human maxillary sinus augmentation using anorganic bovine material is unclear at the present time. As a pilot study, six patients who required bilateral maxillary sinus augmentations for endoessous dental implant treatment were grafted with anorganic bovine bone material. All six patients had a resorbable collagen membrane placed over the graft material on only one side for the sinus augmentation. At the time of implant placement, a minimum of 8 months following sinus graft healing, a biopsy was made of each side to permit histomorphometric analysis.

Similar amounts of new …

An In Vitro Model Of Ovarian Cancer: Studying The Effects Of Talc And Pycnogenol®, Amber Renée Buz'zard

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Ovarian cancer is the sixth most common cancer and accounts for more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. The American Cancer Society has suggested that poor diet, talc and industrial pollutants may increase the risk of developing ovarian cancer. Talc is ubiquitous and concern is raised about its safety, role as a possible carcinogen and known ability to cause irritation and inflammation. Due to the silent nature of ovarian cancer, chemoprevention is a high priority. The most useful chemopreventive compounds will inhibit, delay or reverse carcinogenesis, and can be taken for long periods of time with …

Variability In Selecting Lateral Cephalometric Landmarks In Two Cbct Image Modes, Dana Nguyen

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the variability of lateral cephalometric landmark selection in two cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) lateral cephalometric simulations: 1) a mean projection image (MPI) and 2) a serial sagittal slice image (SSSI).

Methods: A MPI is a two-dimensional (2D) image obtained from the NewTom 3G^TM CBCT that resembles the conventional lateral cephalogram. A SSSI is a 2D image also obtained from CBCT data, but is created by superimposing a series of selected thin sagittal slices containing the required cephalometric landmarks. This study compared the Ricketts and Steiner analysis of the MPI …

An Analysis Of Female Roles In Popular Sports Video Games, Brennan W. Galloway

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the roles and portrayal of female characters in popular sports video games. The 15 best-selling sports games of 2005 were played by the researcher without a time-limit or specified path within the game. Gameplay was videotaped and analyzed using a qualitative, descriptive participant- observation model (Glesne, 2006). This method is unique to video game analysis, as previous studies have used quantitative methods. Gameplay was typically about three hours for each game, and copious notes were taken during gameplay. Roles were then analyzed using a framework from previous work in both sports media …

Identificación Parasitaria De Monos Tití Cabeciblanco Saguinus Oedipus Del Proyecto Tití, Santa Catalina, Bolívar, Diana Marcela Barrera Pinillos

Medicina Veterinaria

Los parásitos de los Saguinus oedipus como los de los primates del nuevo mundo en general, han sido estudiados en primates en cautiverio, pero en vida silvestre son muy poco conocidos, particularmente los que son endémicos de primates en peligro; se presentan algunas limitaciones a la hora de tomar y preservar las muestras las cuales finalmente definen la calidad y confiabilidad de los resultados. Entre estas encontramos, los pequeños volúmenes de las deposiciones en muchas especies, la dificultad de colección dentro del bosque debido a los hábitos arbóreos de los micos, las variaciones de humedad y temperatura en el trópico, …