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Enalaprilat Improves Systemic and Mesenteric Blood Flow During Normotensive Resuscitation from Hemorrhagic Shock in Dogs
v, 38 leaves. Advisor: Charisse Buising.Resuscitative interventions that improve systemic and mesenteric perfusion without causing instability in systemic arterial pressures may be helpful for improving trauma patient outcomes. Blocking angiotensin II formation with enalaprilat may be such an intervention. In this study involving resuscitation fiom hemorrhagic shock in dogs, the systemic and mesenteric cardiovascular effects of administering enalaprilat during resuscitation were investigated. Thermodilution-based and ultrasound-based methods of monitoring the systemic blood flow were also examined. Animals were hemorrhaged to a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 40-45mmHg for 30min then 30-35mmHg for 30min followed by resuscitation with intermittent lactated Ringer's solution (200ml/kg/hr during first 4Omin, 60ml/kg/hr during following 130min) to reach and maintain a mean arterial pressure of 75-80mmHg for 170min. A constant rate infusion of saline vehicle with or
without enalaprilat (0.02mgkglhr) was initiated after 40min of resuscitation. Systemic and mesenteric blood flows declined with hemorrhage, increased in all dogs with resuscitation, and then declined during the initial 40min of resuscitation. Enalaprilat administration resulted in increases in systemic and mesenteric blood flows not seen in the controls. The greater flows with enalaprilat appeared to be due to prevention of the increases in afterload noted in the controls. Comparison of monitoring techniques,
showed stronger correlation between the ultrasonically determined descending thoracic
aortic blood flow and celiac artery flow than between thermodilution determined cardiac output and celiac artery flow. It can be concluded that administration of a constant rate infusion of enalaprilat during resuscitation can be used to improve systemic and mesenteric blood flow and that passive methods of monitoring systemic blood flow, such as transesophageal ultrasound, may more accurately represent flow parameters than do
bolus requiring methods, such as intermittent thermodilution
An Exploration of The Art of Nursing in Nursing Educational Programs in Iowa
76 leavesUsing Peplau's interpersonal relations theory (1991), this study explored how nursing educational programs located in Iowa, that prepare students for the NCLEX-RN
examination conceptualize the art of nursing, teach the art of nursing, and integrate the
art of nursing within the nursing educational curricula. In addition, the study explored
whether complementary therapies are taught to emphasize the art of nursing within the
educational curricula. All twenty-nine nursing educational programs in Iowa, that prepare
students for the NCLEX-RN examination, were surveyed, using a three-page
questionnaire developed by the researcher. Both quantitative and qualitative methods
were used to analyze and evaluate the data obtained from six baccalaureate degree and
six associate degree nursing educational programs. Analysis of the data revealed that the themes of interpersonal relations and caring were included most frequently in the
definitions of the art of nursing. There were no statistically significant differences
between baccalaureate and associate degree nursing programs related to the integration of
the art of nursing within the curriculum or the extent of integration of the possible
dimensions of the art of nursing (p>.05). Planned classroom learning experiences and
clinical experiences to teach the art of nursing varied between the two types of programs. Differences between the types of programs and the teaching of complementary therapies were found, with baccalaureate degree nursing programs emphasizing the importance of complementary therapies more frequently. A lack of specific evaluation criteria and methods related to the art of nursing also were found in both types of programs. The findings of this study revealed that nurse educators in Iowa are making an effort to incorporate the art of nursing into the nursing curriculum. These programs need to
continue to find ways to integrate the art of nursing throughout the curriculum and
evaluate the art of nursing. Future research needs to focus on how other types of nursing
educational programs define, integrate, and evaluate the art of nursing, as well as the use
of complementary therapies as a means to teach the art of nursing. Criteria and methods
to evaluate the art of nursing also need to be explored. This study can be used to assist
nursing educational programs to examine their curricula and develop creative strategies
for teaching the art of nursing
"Evaluation of high-dose estrogen and high-dose estrogen plus methyltestosterone treatment on cognitive task performance in postmenopausal women"
Amy B. Wisniewski is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa. She can be contacted at [email protected]: To investigate the cognitive effects of high-dose oral estrogen alone or in combination with oral methyltestosterone in postmenopausal women. Methods: Participants were tested with a randomized, double-blind design on the Identical Pictures, Cube Comparisons, Building Memory and Shape Memory tasks before and after 4 months of hormone treatment. Results: Women receiving estrogen and methyltestosterone maintained a steady level of performance on the Building Memory task, whereas those receiving estrogen alone showed a decrease in performance. Conclusions: These results indicate that the addition of testosterone to high-dose estrogen replacement exerts a protective effect on memory performance in postmenopausal women. Copyright © 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel.Portions of this manuscript were presented at the 1999 Endocrine Society Meeting, San Diego, Calif., USA and the 1999 North American Menopause Society Meeting, New York, N.Y., USA This research was partially supported by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine General Clinical Research Center, NIH/NCRR grant M01 RR00052. This research was also funded in part by Solvay
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Marietta, Ga., USA
Through the Eyes of School Personnel Administrators: What Matters in Selecting Elementary School Principals
vii, 179 leaves. Advisor: Annette M. LiggettThe problem: The problem of this study is two-fold: first to describe those characteristics that are most likely to appeal to educators when hiring elementary principals in large sized school districts in Iowa. Second, to describe what a typical hiring process looks like in these districts and whether or not that process has changed over time.
Procedures: Data were collected through two sources: A survey of 58 members of the Iowa Association of School Personnel Administrators (IASPA) and twelve follow up in-depth interviews with selected members of this group.
Findings: The following research questions guide this study: Are there characteristics that are clearly more influential than others in the selection of elementary principals? How does the hiring process typically proceed? Is it different from the past? If it is different, how and why? Four major themes emerged from the survey (76% return rate) and interviews. These included: (a) value and respect for others, (b) knowledge of how schools work, (c) licensure requirements and experience, and (d) organizational fit. Developing specific hiring criteria was found to be the most important hiring item in the hiring process. In addition, participants in this study spoke of increased participation and collaboration among people within the district as well as across the state throughout the entire recruitment and selection process.
Conclusions: Three broad conclusions emerged from the findings of this study: First, a candidate who is hired as an elementary principal in a large district in Iowa must be a "people" person - someone who first and foremost values and respects others. Second, a candidate who is hired as an elementary principal must have a strong working knowledge of both instruction and management.
Finally, data from this study indicated that formal and informal hiring networks are alive and well in Iowa
Electronic Guide to Wildflowers: Maintaining an Online Database for Natural Areas
Richard S. Wacha is Professor of Biology in the Department of Biology at Drake University. He can be contacted at [email protected] online guide to wildflowers of the Saylorville Lake Recreation Area, Des Moines River Basin, Polk Co., Iowa, is maintained as a public information project in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Each wildflower is represented by a digital image and scientific description. Digitally created diagrams of leaf and flower structure are also included. Issues associated with maintenance of the online guide are discussed. These include: (a) collection of data and online delivery methods, (b) features of a traditional guide compared to those of an electronic guide delivered online, (c) an electronic guide as a database, (d) incorporatig online data in CD-ROM and PDF formats, and (e) publishing online data through the peer review process.Funding was received from a Drake University Faculty Research Grant and from the Department of Biology
User Assessments of Glasser-Based Behavioral Management Inservice Programs for Teachers
v, 72 leaves. Advisor: James L. Romig.The problem: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a course which has a foundation based upon Reality Therapy/Control Theory impacts classroom teachers’ perceived effectiveness in responding to disruptive behavior in the classroom.
Procedures: Data was collected for this study using a survey with three groups of teachers who had completed courses in behavior management based on Reality Therapy/Control Theory. In addition, each teacher’s building administrator also completed a survey. The survey groups included: (a) teachers who had received training via a video education course offered through Drake University, (b) a course called “Care to Discipline/Discipline with Care” through an Area Education Agency or (c) a year-long course offered to an elementary school staff. All three groups of teachers had implemented the techniques of Reality Therapy in their classrooms for at least one year. Building administrators were also surveyed regarding their perception of the teachers’ effectiveness with students’ disruptive behavior.
Findings: The findings from this data clearly indicate that Glasser’s Reality Therapy/Control Theory is an effective foundation on which to build a proactive discipline program. Data indicate the majority of the teachers involved in this study felt more confident about their disciplinary skills, student attendance improved, and they felt more confident about their ability to develop their own proactive discipline program.
Conclusions: This study indicates that teachers who have received inservicing with a foundation based on Reality Therapy/Control Theory have more confidence in dealing with students who have disruptive behaviors. In addition, teachers in this study and their building administrators noted improvement in student behavior and attendance.
Recommendations: Parents, teachers, and administrators have reported in the past 10 annual Gallup polls that discipline problems in schools concern them the most (Gallup, 1998). Research finds there are a variety of behavior management strategies that have proven to be
Latina Voices of Des Moines
326 leavesThe purpose: The purpose of this study was to provide Latinas in Des Moines an
opportunity to describe their lives to others: their families, Latinas who followed in their
footsteps, and those in the Des Moines community concerned with fairness and
opportunity for all.
The problem: The study described the lives of Hispanic women living in Des
Moines, Iowa and included the Latina's views of problems and opportunities living in
that city.
Procedures: Twenty-four Latino women who were over the age of 17 and who
had been in the area for over two years were interviewed with a fixed set of five
questions. The interviews were transcribed, coded. and findings developed.
Findings: Decisions to immigrate were often tortuous, but even more of a
challenge was the issue of learning a new language and culture. The Latinas had to
overcome cultural differences, find employment, raise their children, and deal with
discrimination and a way of life that they only faintly understood. But they maintained
both a strong identity as Latinas as well as the ability to adapt to their new environment.
Conclusions: Latinas were restrained by language. culture. and discrimination and
worried about their children's adaptation. The local community did not recognize their
contributions. especially the labor they provided. but also largely unrecognized were their
contributions to the ethnic diversity of that growing city. Latinas added ethnic foods,
festivals, music, and maybe most of all their determination to make it in America.
Despite adversity. however, most Latinas saw success in their effort to make Des Moines
their home.
Recommendations: More opportunities for learning English needed to be made
available as well as centralized location for immigrating Latinas to be able to find useful
information about laws, how to attain citizenship, and an array of issues critical to
emigres . Finally. cultural exchanges with the non-Latino community needed to be made
available to enhance the life of all
Changes in the Distribution of "Acris crepitans blanchardi", with Studies of Nesting Microhabitat and the Possible Impact of Ultraviolet-B Radiation
52 leaves. Advisor: James L. Christiansen.Field surveys were completed to determine the current distribution of "Acris crepitans blanchardi" (cricket frog) in lowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota. These field surveys were unable to locate any populations of cricket frogs in Minnesota, South Dakota, or the northernmost tier of lowa counties. This suggests that the range of the cricket frog has been reduced by approximately seventy miles from its northern extreme. The possible impact of ultraviolet (UV) radiation was tested on six species of amphibian eggs as a possible cause for this decline. These
included "Acris crepitans", "Ambystoma", "Bufo americanus", "Hyla versicolor complex", "Pseudacris triseriata", and "Rana pipiens". The eggs were subjected to three different light treatments, allowing full transmittance of light, blocking out UV-B and lower wavelengths, and blocking out lower than UV-B wavelengths. "Acris crepitans", "Ambystoma", and "Rana pipiens" showed significantly greater susceptibility to these light treatments. Four factors contribute to radiation-linked destruction of cricket frog eggs. They are among the most susceptible to UV radiation. They are unprotected by large egg masses, egg sheaths, or pigment. They are laid closer to the water surface than other species studied. Finally, they are laid later in the year and are therefore exposed to a longer period of solar radiation than are the other frogs
"Effects of Salts on the Clouding and Micellization Behavior of Pluronic F127 (registered trademark) Solutions"
This was presented as a poster session at the Annual Meeting of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists in 2001.We have investigated the effect of NaCl, Na2SO4, Na3PO4 and NaSCN on the cloud point (CP), and critical micellization temperature (cmt) of F127 solutions. Salts have been shown to alter micellization of other non-ionic surfactants, and the gel transition temperatures of F127. Such changes are important to consider in formulation systems with F127