Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Building A Bridge Between Physical Therapists And Fitness Professionals: The Development Of A Business Plan For San Luis Sports Therapy Clinics, Ashley August Fittz

Master's Theses

The purpose of this project was to create a business plan for a profitable, self-sustaining, program to build a bridge between physical therapists and fitness professionals.

The Quick Fit Program was a new service for the existing business San Luis Sports Therapy. The program was designed to be implemented within each of the company’s physical therapy clinics in California using existing personnel and resources. The Quick Fit Program is one way in which physical therapy practices can diversify the services they offer to keep pace with the changing landscape of healthcare.

Clients in the Quick Fit Program would receive an …

Documenting The Experience: Creating A Non-Fiction Film As A Resource For Siblings And Parents Of Autistic Children, Carlton W. Gillespie

Psychology and Child Development

No abstract provided.

Learning Sustainable Development: Chimeneas De La Esperanza, Miriam V. Mollan Gundersen

Social Sciences

Social inequality and environmental degradation are motivating informed young people into action and connecting impoverished regions of the world with students in more developed nations. This Social Sciences senior project is to analyze an alternative development model designed by a group of Californian university students. The project, named Chimeneas de la Esperanza, is designed to help impoverished Nicaraguan women start a ceramics business. The major hurdle of this mission is to establish a market for the ceramics product. Energy efficient ceramic stoves and smoke ventilating chimneys would benefit the community and avoid an impacted crafts market. The project encompasses ideas …

Psychometric Properties Of The Psychopathic Personality Inventory In A Non-Criminal Population, Julie Madeleine Woltil

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The Psychopathic Personality Inventory (PPI) is a self-report measure which was created to identify the personality traits of psychopathy in noncriminal populations. These personality traits were grouped into eight subscales in the PPI including Machiavellian Egocentricity, Social Potency, Coldheartedness, Carefree Nonplanfulness, Fearlessness, Blame Externalization, Impulsive Nonconformity and Stress Immunity. The hypothesized relationships and factor structure of this study follow the theory of psychopathy as being a disorder rooted in antisocial behaviors (often aggressive and impulsive in nature) and inappropriate emotional reactivity (characterized as a lack in empathy and anxiety). A confirmatory factor analysis was done with an ethnically diverse undergraduate …

Quality Of Life, Religious/Spiritual Coping, Demoralization And Depression In Heart Failure Patients, Terry Larsen Phd, Rn, Cns

Dissertations

Background: Research suggests that the heart failure (HF) population is particularly vulnerable to depression. Other factors may also affect quality of life such as religious/spiritual coping, and demoralization. Purpose: The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to examine factors that predict health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adults with heart failure. Specific Aims: (1) to examine level of religious/spiritual coping, spiritual distress, demoralization, depression and HRQoL among adults with heart failure; (2) to examine the relationships of religious/spiritual coping, spiritual distress demoralization, depression and selected demographic variables (age, gender, race/ethnicity and length of living with HF) with HRQoL. Methods: …

Tuberculosis Awareness And Public Opinion On Expanding Health Insurance Coverage, Belal A. Saadeh Phd, Msn, Rn

Dissertations

This quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study examined the effect of TB awareness and demographic variables on the level of support for expanding health insurance coverage for all residents, including undocumented immigrants. A modified 13-item tool developed by Morisky et al. (1990) was used to measure TB awareness; a single item created by the researcher assessed personal opinion regarding expansion of health insurance coverage; and a demographic questionnaire was used to collect data from 281 registered voters in San Diego County. The majority of San Diego County voters participating in the study supported at least some expansion of health insurance coverage. ANOVA …

Enhancing Student Usability Of The Osmette, Mitchell Foutz

Biomedical Engineering

Precision Systems' Micro-Osmette located in the St. Jude Lab at Cal Poly SLO is a freezing-point depression osmometer capable of measuring the osmolality, the concentration of hydrated species in osmoles per-kilogram of water, with unrivaled speed and accuracy. The Osmette could be used extensively by students in a wide variety of applications if students are able to become acquainted with the device in an accelerated manner. The amount of time required to safely and effectively operate the micro-Osmette using the operator's manual provided with the device is prohibitive of widespread use by students. Revisions and improvements to the existing operator's …

Art Therapy Support Group For Siblings Of Children With Autism, Christine Mccann Giardina

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

Siblings of children with autism are at an increased risk for psychosocial and adjustment difficulties due to the extra stresses and frustrations they often experience. This qualitative, phenomenological multiple case study explored the unique experiences of siblings of children with autism in an art therapy support group. Seven 40 minute art therapy sessions, occurring approximately once per month, were implemented to address the specific concerns of siblings of children with autism. This study included three participants who agreed to share their experiences and their reactions to the sibling art therapy support group. Case reports were generated from session observations, semi-structured …

Immediate Tooth Replacement With Subepithelial Connective Tissue Graft Using Platform Switching Implants, Seunghwan Chung

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This case series evaluated the facial gingival stability following immediate tooth replacement in conjunction with subepithelial connective tissue graft in the esthetic zone. Implant success rate and peri-implant tissue response were also reported.

Ten patients (6 males, 4 females), with a mean age of 52.1 (range = 22.7 to 67.1) years, underwent immediate implant placement and provisionalization with SCTG and were evaluated clinically and radiographically at pre-surgery (T0), immediately after immediate tooth replacement and SCTG (T1), 3-months (T2), 6-months (T3), and 12-months (T4) after surgery. Data was analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed-Ranks Test and Friedman Test at the significance level …

Evaluation Of Solid Breast Masses Using Sonographic Acr Bi-Rads Lexicon Descriptors, Brian N. Bwombuna

Master of Medicine in Imaging and Diagnostic Radiology

Purpose of the study: To which of the ACR sonographic BIRADS lexicon descriptors can be used reliably to differentiate benign from malignant solid breast masses. Objectives: 1.Main Objective: To determine the association of sonographic ACR BI-RADS descriptors and solid breast masses 2. Specific Objective: To determine the predictive probabilities of sonographic BI-RADS lexicon descriptors Methodology: This was a 15 months prospective cross sectional study in which 125 consecutive patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled. The study was carried out at theAga KhanUniversity hospitalradiology department between October 2008 and December 2009 inclusive. The scans were performed in ourradiology department …

Nurse To Nurse Communication: Conveying The Patient's Story, Cheryl Fisher Laine

Theses and Graduate Projects

The focus of this project is to gain a better understanding of report given from nurse to nurse at the change of shift, in an effort to make this process more efficient and satisfactory to the nursing staff. The importance of precise shift-to-shift communication is essential to safe care for the patient. Shift report can be a multi-faceted process that serves to provide nurses with vital patient information to facilitate clinical decisions and patient care planning. A shift report also provides nurses a forum for functions, such as patient problem-solving and collaboration. The author conducted a literature review which indicates …

Recapitulating Osteoblastogenesis With Electrospun Fibrinogen Nanofibers And Adipose Stem Cells And Electrospinning Adipose Tissue-Derived Basement Membrane, Michael Francis

Theses and Dissertations

To repair, replace, or regenerate damaged or diseased tissue has been a long-standing, albeit elusive, goal in medical research. Here, we characterize patient-derivable mesenchymal stem cell types, termed adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs). These cells, which can be derived from liposuction fat and lipoaspirate saline, are sources for patient-derivable extracellular matrix (ECM), fibrinogen (Fg) and adipose tissue extracellular matrix, and may prove useful for synthesizing new bone tissue analogues in vitro. Traditionally and rapidly isolated ASCs were thoroughly characterized as multipotent, having osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic differentiation potential, and they exhibited comparable proliferative lifespans. These ASCs also shared an indistinguishable immunophenotype …

An Investigation Of Humeral Stress Fractures In Racing Thoroughbreds Using A 3d Finite Element Model In Conjunction With A Bone Remodeling Algorithm, Ryan James Moore

Master's Theses

The humerus of a racing horse Thoroughbred is highly susceptible to stress fractures at a characteristic location as a result of cyclic loading. The propensity of a Thoroughbred to exhibit humeral fracture has made equines useful models in the epidemiology of stress fractures. In this study, a racing Thoroughbred humerus was simulated during training using a 3D finite element model in conjunction with a bone remodeling algorithm. Nine muscle forces and two contact forces were applied to the 3-dimensional finite element model, which contains four separate load cases representing fore-stance, mid-stance, aft-stance, and standing. Four different training programs were incorporated …

The Effects Of Peer Training Social Intervention On Social Interactions Of Children With Autism, Mindy Leigh Krebs

Student Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the effects of a peer training intervention on social interactions among two subjects with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and four typically developing peers. A multiple probe (Horner & Baer, 1978) across tasks, replicated across participants design, was used to evaluate these effects. Prior to data collection, a task sequence analysis was created to identify and describe the specific behavioral steps and sequence needed for successful acquisition of attention maintenance. Sub-behaviors selected for acquisition included: 1) maintaining eye contact or directional gaze; 2) maintaining close proximity to peer while interacting; 3) directing or initiating conversation with the peer; …

Regulation Of Telomerase Expression In Stem Cell Reprogramming, Patrick Sachs

Theses and Dissertations

A great need exists for an abundant, easily accessible source of patient-specific cells that will function for use in regenerative medicine. One promising source is the adult stem cell derived from adipose tissue (ASCs). Isolated from waste lipoaspiration, these cells could serve as a readily available source for the regeneration of damaged tissues. To further define the biology of ASCs, we have isolated multiple cell strains from different adipose tissue sources, indicating wide-spread distribution in the body. We find that a widely used set of cell surface markers fail to distinguish ASCs from normal fibroblasts. However, our ASC isolations are …

The Effect Of Implicit Stereotypes On The Physical Performance In Older Adults, Gabriele R. Moriello

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore how stereotypes affect physical performance in older adults. A multigroup pretest post test design was utilized to determine whether implicit activation of positive or negative stereotypes has an effect on physical performance. Ninety six community dwelling older adults 65 years of age or older were included in the sample. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: exposure to positive stereotypes of aging, exposure to negative stereotypes of aging, or a control condition. In order to simulate how older adults are exposed to stereotypes in real world settings, participants were primed …

What Is The Experience Of Emergency Department Nurses With Lateral Verbal Aggression?, Wendi Harper-Lonabaugh

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

This descriptive study investigated the incidence of lateral verbal aggression among emergency department nurses. A sample of registered emergency department nurses currently working in western North Carolina with more than one year of full time work experience was surveyed (N=68). Roy's adaptation model was used as a theoretical framework for this qualitative study. A survey was utilized to collect the frequency, source, and incidences of reporting the lateral verbal aggression that occurred. Nurses also reported personal and professional ramifications to the lateral verbal aggression. Aggregate data was examined; no specific individual data was analyzed. The most common perpetrators of lateral …

Reorientation Of The Experienced General Medical/Surgical Nurse To A Progressive Care Medical/Surgical Nurse Utilizing Benner's Novice To Expert Theory, Barbara Radford

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

The decisive factor for this project was the Health Care Organization's decision to combine the medical/surgical units from two campuses into one department. This process required the Registered Nurses to reapply for their positions, merge into one unit, and transition to a different physical location. The next major process to occur will be the changing of patient acuity-levels from general medical/surgical to medical/surgical progressive care.

This project will provide a cost effective educational plan based on Benner's novice to expert theory which will ensure efficient transition for the expert medical/surgical nurse to an expert progressive care nurse. A structured orientation …

Molecular Characterization Of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ: Pilot Studies, Neil Bipinchandra Desai

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS); is thought directly to precede invasive breast cancer (IBC). Screening mammography has driven the incidence of this key precursor lesion to >65,000 cases per year. However, little is known about the factors controlling the natural history or risk for recurrence following treatment of a particular patients DCIS. Though the heterogeneity of the disease is well established, no histologic or demographic criteria have been able to stratify DCIS for treatment. We hypothesize that at initial diagnosis there exist biologically distinct subsets of DCIS with associated prognoses that may be recognized by molecular markers. Molecular approaches have …

Age- And Sex-Associated Changes In Mrna Expression Of Neurodegenerative Disorder-Related Molecules In The Hippocampus And Cerebellum Of Rat Brain, Srinivasarao Thulluri

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Age-associated oxidative stress is involved in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, and sex-associated differences may also affect the risk for these neurodegenerative diseases. We compared the effects of aging and sex on the mRNA expression of five molecules that are closely related to oxidative stress, along with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases in the hippocampus of both male and female Fischer 344xBrown Norway (F344BN) rats. The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the mRNA expression level of superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), heme oxygenase 1 (HO1), amyloid precursor protein (APP), -site APP-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1), and …

Genetic And Environmental Factors Suggest That Dietary Fatty Acid Content, Lipid Metabolism, And Bone Properties Are Key Regulators Of Myeloid Progenitor Cell Frequency, Melinda E. Varney

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and its precursors are the result of the dysregulation of hematopoiesis. Hematopoiesis proceeds in a stepwise manner, beginning with hematopoietic stem cells, continuing to develop into various stages of progenitor cells, and finally becoming fully functional blood cells. As this process goes awry, immature, functionless cells of the myeloid lineage proliferate out of control. Discerning how myeloid progenitor frequency is regulated allows for a better understanding of how the process may lose control. Hematopoiesis has been shown to depend on genetic and environmental factors. In this work, I have added to this knowledge base by providing …

Modeling Super-Spreading Events For Sars, Thembinkosi P. Mkhatshwa

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

One of the intriguing characteristics of the 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemics was the occurrence of super spreading events (SSEs). Super-spreading events for a specific infectious disease occur when infected individuals infect more than the average number of secondary cases. The understanding of these SSEs is critical to under- standing the spread of SARS. In this thesis, we present a modification of the basic SIR (Susceptible - Infected - Removed) disease model, an SIPR (Susceptible - Regular Infected - Super-spreader - Removed) model, which captures the effect of the SSEs.

The Expression And Function Of Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1Α In Human Melanoma, Sandeep S. Joshi

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) protein, a key regulator of oxygen homeostasis, is stabilized under hypoxia and degraded under normal oxygen tension. Here, the human melanoma cells were found to express an elevated amount of HIF-1α mRNA and protein relative to normal human melanocytes under normoxic conditions. The amount of HIF-1α expressed is roughly correlated with the stage of melanoma from which the cell line was established. In addition, a splice variant mRNA of HIF-1α785 is expressed at higher levels than full-length HIF-1α mRNA in the more aggressive melanoma cells. This splice variant lacks part of the oxygen regulation domain. Ectopic …

Copd Care Coordination Program, Glenda Mccall

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Several studies confirm only 50% of COPD patients receive optimal care. The disease is greatly under-recognized and generally is not diagnosed until it is clinically apparent and moderately advanced. COPD is also a major resource consuming disease. Considering these facts, Mission Hospitals realized the opportunity to improve evidence based quality care for patients diagnosed with COPD as well as the development of a Care Coordinated Program to improve outcomes for the patient as well as the organization. The goal of the program is to provide correct, comprehensive, and …

Does Medication Error Reporting Increase With Anonymity?, Kristina Mccall

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Medication errors have been a long and growing problem within all health care areas. Prevention and education is the key to prevent the errors from occurring. All efforts must be made to achieve an overall goal of an error-proof health care society. The purpose of this study was to determine if the anonymity of medication error reporting would make a difference in the amount of medication errors reported. Research has shown that many nurses and health care professionals find it stressful to report an error due to fear of disciplinary action or blame; a no-blame culture must be implemented into …

Congregational Health And Wellness Ministry Using Locus Of Control To Develop Teaching Methods, Theresa Lee Trivette

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Faith communities have a unique opportunity to help congregational members modify health-seeking behaviors in order to reduce modifiable health risk factors. Health researchers have increased their use of health locus of control as a preferred method for studying health promotion and sick-role behaviors. Targeted education and activities designed from the context of the subjects' health locus of control may provide an effective method to influence people to make positive healthy behavior modifications with a higher likelihood of success because locus of control beliefs have been shown to have direct relationships with healthy behavior choices. The health locus of control theory …

Sabotage And Workplace Bullying: The Bad And Ugly Of Horizontal Violence, Shelia Jennings Jeter

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Sabotage and workplace bullying, forms of horizontal violence; which occur frequently among healthcare workers, nurses in particular, can have a significant and detrimental effect on professional growth, recruitment and retention, and quality patient care. The root cause of sabotage and workplace violence is not known, but what is known is that sabotage and workplace bullying erode teamwork and undermine the goals of the organization. The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that sabotage and workplace bullying is associated with physical and psychological stress and loss of job productivity, which may affect patient safety. A convenience sample of …

Development Of An Educational Resource Tool To Improve Hospital Wide Knowledge Of Rehabilitation Care And Services, Vickey R. Allen

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Health Care Organizations (HCO) are businesses. In an effort to be successful and to remain viable, HCOs must provide a myriad of services to meet their customer's needs. Included in these services is competent rehabilitation care that manages patients holistically. Utilizing Orem's theory of self care deficit, this project will demonstrate the growing need for rehabilitation services and the importance of all healthcare providers to understand the profession in general. In addition, this project will provide a resource tool to educate healthcare workers and others; students and non-licensed personnel, on the care and services patients receive during their stay in …

Practices And Perceptions Of Delirium Assessment By Critical Care Nurses, Jacqueline M. Meunier

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Delirium has a tremendous impact on the patient, his family, and the health care system. In particular, the elderly patient in the Intensive Care Unit is the most susceptible to this condition. Delirium often results in longer hospital stays, more Intensive Care days, increased likelihood of being placed in a skilled nursing facility, and increases in mortality. For delirium to be treated properly it must first be identified. Critical care nurses are in the best position to identify these patients and initiate treatment. Past studies have shown that nurses do not identify patients that have delirium, and do not know …

Evaluation Of Purposeful Rounding On Patient Falls, Stephanie Spittle

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of routine purposeful rounding on the total number of falls on a medical unit in an acute care hospital. The project was prompted by high fall rates within the hospital and the implementation of the purposeful rounding initiative. Staff training was provided in a two hour educational class which covered the purpose for the initiative as well as the specific functions that must be performed with each round. To evaluate the effectiveness of purposeful rounding on patient falls, pre and post rounding fall rates were compared. These initial results were …