Showing papers by "University of Saint Mary published in 1988"

Job-Related Stress Experienced by Hospital Pharmacists and Nurses

Abstract: Pharmacists' and nurses' perceptions of job-related stress and its relationship to career satisfaction were surveyed. A questionnaire was developed and mailed in 1987 to pharmacists and nurses whose names were randomly selected from national mailing lists. Subjects were asked to rate, on a five-point scale (4 = very often), how often they found 39 situations to be stressful. The first 30 situations composed the Health Professions Stress Inventory (HPSI), which was created for this study; the remaining nine questions were included for validation of the HPSI. Respondents were also asked whether they would choose the same profession again. Usable questionnaires were returned by 107 pharmacists and 263 nurses practicing in hospitals. Of the potentially highest stress score of 120, overall mean scores were significantly higher for nurses (63) than for pharmacists (57). Statistical analysis indicated that the sample size was adequate and the HPSI was valid and reliable. Both pharmacists and nurses found situations that dealt with interruptions, poor opportunities for advancement, inadequate staffing levels, excessive workload, and inadequate pay to be the most stressful. Pharmacists viewed not feeling challenged as a significantly more stressful situation than did nurses. Career satisfaction was significantly related to job stress for both pharmacists and nurses; 45% of the pharmacists and 37% of the nurses said they would not choose the same profession again, and those with the highest scores on the stress scale were least likely to choose the same profession again. These hospital nurses and pharmacists reported moderate job-related stress.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Geochemistry and origin of Pliocene alkali basaltic lavas from Anhui-Jiangsu, eastern China

Abstract: The Pliocene volcanic rocks of the Anhui-Jiangsu region of eastern China are composed of an alkali basaltic suite consisting of alkali basalts, basanites and nephelinites. The basalts underwent a limited degree of fractional crystallization dominated in the initial stage by olivine and subsequently by clinopyroxene. The magmas were derived from a metasomatized amphibole-bearing garnet peridotite source variously enriched in incompatible trace elements. The metasomatic enrichment of the incompatible trace elements was probably produced by a zone refining process and was superimposed on a depleted upper mantle source compositionally similar to that of mid-ocean ridge basalts.

Trauma associated with three- and four-wheeled all-terrain vehicles: is the four-wheeler an unrecognized health hazard?

Abstract: All-terrain vehicle (ATV) accidents cause 7000 injuries and 20 deaths per month. In this prospective multicenter study comparing three- and four-wheelers, data were obtained on all ATV accident victims treated at 33 participating institutions in 13 Western Michigan counties from July-November, 1986 (N = 143) and on 51 accidents from the preceding 18 months. Of these 194 accidents, 29 per cent involved four-wheelers. In this 78 per cent male population (mean age 21), 23 per cent required hospitalization. One half of these victims sustained a fracture or dislocation and 14 per cent needed surgery. Thirteen per cent had serious neurologic injury. Average hospital bills were $294 for outpatients and $7669 for inpatients. Two thirds of the patients had some disability. Three fatalities were recorded. Analysis of the data showed the following: (1) the three-wheeled ATV design is significantly more unstable than that of the four-wheeler (P less than .001); (2) though more stable, the four-wheeled ATV was still associated with frequent accidents as severe as those involving three-wheelers; (3) riders under age 16 were more likely to be using their ATV improperly (P greater than .05) and had more severe injuries with a higher hospitalization rate, and (4) these ATV riders had inadequate training and protective gear. Lastly, recommendations are made that ATVs need their design flaws corrected for safer use, and that mandatory minimum age requirements, rider education, and helmet use should reduce injuries.

Weaning of premature infants from the incubator to an open crib.

Abstract: Thirty pairs of healthy, growing preterm infants were included in this randomized prospective study comparing thermal weaning at 1700 g with that at 1800 g. Based on an intention-to-treat analysis, infants weaned at 1700 g were discharged 1.1 days sooner than those weaned at 1800 g. However, this result was not statistically significant (p = 0.13). On the other hand, differences are apparent between treatments in some strata based on birth weight (p = 0.0056). Evidence also existed that time from entry (at 1500 g) to discharge depended on birth weight stratum (p = 0.010). No infant in either group lost weight after successful weaning, and mean 24-hour weight gains were similar for both groups. Two infants were weaned at 1800 g requiring return to the incubator due to hypothermia, and four infants weaned at 1700 g likewise requiring return to the incubator. The number weaned at 1700 g who had birth weight of 1000 g or less and who developed hypothermia appeared substantial (three of six such infants). Thus, it appears that thermal weaning at 1700 g may be safe and effective only for prematures with birth weight above 1000 g. Additional study appears needed.

Factors associated with accidental fractures of the zona pellucida and multipronuclear human oocytes following in-vitro fertilization

Abstract: A total of 101 multipronuclear oocytes (7.4% of fertilizations) were retrospectively identified in this in-vitro fertilization programme. The use of a manual syringe suction system, instead of an electric pump, to aspirate follicles, was associated with a significant increase in the proportion of oocytes with fractured zonae pellucidae (P less than 0.001), a lower normal fertilization rate (P less than 0.05) and a higher proportion of multipronuclear fertilizations (P less than 0.001). Irrespective of the mode of follicular aspiration, significantly more multipronuclear fertilizations occurred following stimulation with a combination of clomiphene and human menopausal gonadotrophin, than after clomiphene alone (P less than 0.05). It was concluded that the aspiration pressures, created by syringe suction, were more likely to rupture the zona pellucida of some oocytes, while in others it predisposed to an increased multipronuclear fertilization rate.

A STUDY OF HLA‐A, B, DR and Bf5 BEARING HAPLOTYPES DERIVED FROM 304 FAMILIES RESIDENT IN THE NORTH WEST OF ENGLAND

Abstract: SUMMARY We report here haplotype frequencies for class I (HLA-A, B), class III (HLA-DR) and class III (Bf) gene products of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of man. As in other studies (Bertrams & Baur, 1979; Grange et al., 1981), we have chosen to document all families typed for HLA antigens and Bf phenotypes irrespective of ascertainment. We obtained 1,094 haplotypes from 304 families resident in the North West of England, of which 34·1% had been fully typed for HLA-A,B,DR and Bf polymorphisms. We have been able to find both positive and negative linkage disequilibria for two and three locus haplotypes and have listed the most commonly occuring four locus haplotypes. Our data confirms the position of the complement group between HLA-B and HLA-DR, and we have looked for evidence of segregation distortion of MHC haplotypes.

Applying Humanistic Psychology to Politics: The Case for Criminal Restitution

Abstract: The field of humanistic political psychology should not only show how social problems result from psychological processes but also show which political practices best promote human growth. Three general principles guide the search for more humanistic political institutions. Better policies (1) result from a reconceptualization of underlying assumptions, (2) transcend political polarities by synthesizing conflicting positions, and (3) promote higher levels of psychological health. Criminal restitution exemplifies such a policy. The impending crisis in criminal punishment is described. Restitution is evaluated as an emerging alternative to conventional punishments. Measured against the three above criteria, restitution appears to be a practical policy that can contribute to a healthier society.

The origin of complex mantling relationships in clinopyroxene from the New England seamounts

Abstract: tiple zoning, with partial r.ro.dtioo indicaiing a complei basanite' tephrite' surcroissance' petrogenetic history. High \\\\AllIvAl values suggest that cores of pyroxene phenocrysts of both Al-Ti augite and a diopsidi with an iron-rictr salite composition are of nighINTRoDUCTION pressure origin. Augite and titanian salile occur as rims on ihe phenocrysts and as microphenocrysts; these pyroxenes On Leg 43 of the Deep Sea Drilling Project, the show low-prlssure characteristics. Origin of the phenocrysts flanks of two volcanoes of the New England Seabydisae;eregationof mantlexenoliths orbycrystallization mount Chain were drilled (Fig. 1). Both drillholes from highly-evolved, alkaline magmas is inconsistent witl bofiomed in mafic volcaniclastic breccias apparently the mineral chemistry of the iron-rich salites. The occurdeposited as debris flows from the crest and sides rence of an iron-rich satte core in Al-Ti ausite and vrc\"e ;iih;;;;;;t, in p.n.*ntemporaneity with the venra suggests alternating conditions of crystallizatiot perhaps due to circulation wit6in an inho-o'*oo, **oll volcanism (Tucholke, VogI et al' 1979)' At Nashville

Tourette syndrome: a bizarre and frightening neurological disorder.

Abstract: Gilles de la Tourette (Tourette Syndrome-TS) is a neurological multiple tic disorder caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Symptoms follow a waxing and waning course. TS is not degenerative or fatal, but is lifelong and no cure exists. This article addresses etiology, clinical manifestations, importance of early diagnosis and pharmacological treatment. Nursing interventions for the TS patient will also be discussed.