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Biomedical subjects

K A Long

Publications and source records attributed to K A Long.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Advanced education for the role of rural nurse generalist.

The Montana State University College of Nursing has developed a master's degree program which prepares nurses as generalists with advanced knowledge for understanding and addressing rural health care needs. The programs is clear about its goals and objectives and does not attempt to be "all things for all people." The emphasis is on rural nursing, and this emphasis is present in recruiting, teaching, research and publication at the College. Classroom and clinical experiences challenge students to develop a broad range of skills, and most importantly to enhance critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Since delivering high quality health care in rural areas requires the ability to understand health care from the consumer's perspective, both data collection and clinical experience in rural communities are required. The enthusiasm for rural nursing--practice, teaching and research--displayed by faculty members, alumnae and students is both a major factor in, and an indication of, the program's success.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1996

Immunisation of chickens to reduce intestinal colonisation with Campylobacter jejuni.

1. Systemic and intestinal antibody titres were measured in chickens following subcutaneous, intraperitoneal (i.p.), oral (p.o.) and combined i.p./p.o. administration of antigen, in soluble, emulsified or microparticulate form. Antigens tested included keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH), killed Campylobacter jejuni whole cells and purified campylobacter flagellin protein. 2. The effect of immunisation with purified flagellin protein or with killed C. jejuni whole cells in reducing intestinal colonisation was assessed. The ability of newlyhatched chicks to respond to immunisation was limited, possibly because of the immaturity of the immune system rather than maternal suppression of an immune response. Only 5 to 13 birds that were first immunised when 1-d-old with KLH showed a systemic response, even after 4 immunisations, whereas 10 of 11 birds that were first immunised at 24 d-old responded systemically. 3. In an immunisation and challenge experiment, birds that were immunised twice intraperitoneally, at 16 and 29 d-old, with killed C. jejuni whole cells, had fewer C. jejuni, in the caecal contents than unimmunised control birds. This reduction in intestinal colonisation, to less than 2% of bacterial numbers in control birds, was associated with an increase in specific IgG in intestinal secretions. There was no significant increase in specific IgA or IgM in intestinal secretions following immunisation and challenge. 4. These results indicate that immunisation can reduce the level of intestinal infection with C. jejuni. The protection may be enhanced by developing improved methods of immunisation that stimulate production of increased titres of specific antibody in intestinal secretions, particularly specific IgA antibody.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Variations in bone status of contralateral and regional sites in young athletic women.

To determine if volleyball (VB), basketball (BB), soccer (SO) and swimming (SW) programs were associated with site-specific differences in contralateral, regional, and total body bone mineral density (BMD), 62 eumenorrheic female athletes [BB (N = 7), VB (N = 11), SO (N = 9), and SW (N = 7)] and controls participated in the study. The controls were categorized as either moderately active control (MOD) (N = 17) or sedentary control (SED) (N = 11) based on fitness and activity assessments. Contralateral, total body, lumbar (L2-L4), and femur BMD were measured (Lunar DPX). The between sport contralateral comparisons indicated that VB and BB had significantly greater leg and arm measurements than all other groups, while the within contralateral comparisons revealed significantly greater right arm measurements for all groups, except SW. No significant differences were found for the within group contralateral leg comparisons, except VB. VB and BB had significantly higher (P < or = 0.05) total body and lumbar BMD values than SW, MOD, and SED. At the femur neck, trochanter, and Ward's triangle, BB showed significantly higher BMD than SW, MOD, and SED. Only BB had significantly higher Ward's triangle BMD than SW, MOD, and SED. Our findings show site-specific differences in BMD associated with selected sports' programs.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1994

Molar function depends on molecular structure of behavior.

Pigeons chose between green side keys, then waited a shorter or longer time before pecking a center key, and finally chose between red side keys. Two successive left choices (to green and then red) with a shorter wait intervening, or 2 successive right choices with a longer wait intervening, were intermittently reinforced with food. The 2 required waiting times and the relative frequency of reinforcement for the shorter reinforced pattern were varied. Molar preference, defined in terms of coherent responses that satisfied the molecular reinforcement contingency, conformed to the highly adaptive matching level, but molar preference, defined in terms of incoherent responses, did not. The molar matching result therefore generalizes to responses with complex molecular structures provided that analyses distinguish between coherent and incoherent responses. The results are compatible with the idea that awareness can facilitate adaptation.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Comparison of metabolic and perceptual responses during maximal exercise on two ergometers: NOVA 5000 vs treadmill.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the physiological and perceptual responses to exercising on the NOVA 5000 (NO). The NO is a new computer controlled multi-limb exercise device which allows the exerciser to work arms and legs individually or in any combination from a seated position. Eleven subjects (7 males, 4 females) participated in two sessions of graded exercise testing (GXT) within the same week. One session involved a GXT treadmill test (TR) to exhaustion utilizing the Bruce protocol. A second GXT was performed on the NO that utilized a protocol consisting of successive 3 minute stages starting at 50 watts and increasing 25 watts until exhaustion. A Quinton Q-5000 and a Sensor Medics metabolic cart monitored cardiorespiratory function during both tests. MANOVA analysis revealed no significant (p < 0.05) differences between the NO and TR maximal values for VO2 (1.min-1 and ml.kg-1.min-1), HR, RER, VE, and workload (WR). There were significant (p < 0.05) differences between the to modes of testing for RPE and TT (time on task) with the NO having significantly higher values on both variables. The correlation coefficient for the VO2max values on the TR vs NO was r = 0.97. When the HR and VO2 means from each stage of the NO GXT were correlated over the duration of the test, a positive correlation (r = 0.99) was obtained. The results of this study indicate that the NOVA 5000 may be a suitable alternative device for testing healthy adults.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

The concept of health. Rural perspectives.

An understanding of the client's concept of health is necessary to conduct relevant and effective health assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation. Client health concepts are affected by place of residence and further colored by specific community and individual level variations including occupation, education, subculture, age, gender, and health status. Rural nursing practice can be improved through knowledge of the health perceptions and definitions held by the rural clients to be served. Nursing, as a discipline, has traditionally emphasized the need to understand the client's perspective and to develop mutually agreed on health goals in collaboration with the client. Rural nursing practice offers unique opportunities to consider meanings of health within the environmental context. Further, it challenges nurses to work hand-in-hand with clients to develop strategies that fit the context, and thus effectively address rural health care needs.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Descriptions and perceptions of health among rural and urban adults with multiple sclerosis.

The purpose of this study was to compare the health descriptions and perceptions of adults with multiple sclerosis living in rural and urban areas. Data were obtained from 361 adults, who responded to a mail survey including standardized self-report measures of physical and mental health, disability and social support, and an open-ended question on the meaning of health. In contrast to findings with general, nonclinical populations, the health perceptions and descriptions of this chronically ill population were not significantly affected by their place of residence. Further research is needed to examine the applicability of health-related findings from general populations to persons who are chronically ill.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

The Masculinity-Femininity Scale of MMPI-2: is it useful with normal men?

Using ratings provided by significant others, we examined characteristics of 819 normal men whose scores on the Masculinity-Femininity scale (Scale 5) of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) ranged from low to high. Also examined were the possible effects of educational level as a moderator variable. Only one external characteristic was correlated with Scale 5 scores at a level of significance that could not be attributed to chance, and that correlation was negative, whereas previous literature indicated a positive relationship. The findings were essentially the same whether or not the effects of education were controlled. Regardless of Scale 5 scores and the higher the men's educational levels, the more positive were ratings by their partners. In general, the results do not support the usefulness of Scale 5 in describing the personalities and behaviors of normal men.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Rural nursing: developing the theory base.

Many health care needs of rural dwellers cannot be adequately met through the use of existing nursing models alone but require unique approaches emphasizing the special needs of this population. The development of an integrated theory base for rural nursing is necessary. A retroductive approach, building upon both qualitative and quantitative research data, is being used to develop a theory of rural nursing. Key concepts identified are: work beliefs and health beliefs; isolation and distance; self-reliance; lack of anonymity; outsider/insider; and old-timer/newcomer. Implications for practice include the importance of relating health care to work practices and the need to intervene indirectly through established informal systems.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed1985

Pitfalls to avoid and positive approaches in the nurse-adolescent relationship.

The establishment of a therapeutic nurse-adolescent relationship can be facilitated by the nurse's awareness of specific personality characteristics prominent during the adolescent period. These characteristics not only color the adolescent's behavior, but they can elict marked responses from the nurse. Nurses must, therefore, be self-aware if they are to deal with adolescents objectively and therapeutically. Positive approaches to the nurse-adolescent relationship include the establishment of a therapeutic alliance, the use of reality-based limits, and an emphasis on insight-producing communication techniques. Problem areas to be alert for are over-identification with adolescent problems, responses based on surface behaviors, and manipulation by the adolescent. Nurses must also work at decreasing non-therapeutic attitudes such as viewing the adolescent as an "enemy" to be controlled, or as a potential person to be molded according to the nurse's personal goals and aspirations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Detection and treatment of emotionally disturbed children in public schools: problems and theoretical perspectives.

Examined the effect of selected socio-demographic, mental health resource, and school system variables on the identification and treatment of children as emotionally disturbed. An explanatory model is provided, and the Labeling and Social Movements perspectives are examined in terms of their explanatory power. The major finding is that emotionally disturbed children are significantly underdetected and underserved nationally in public school systems, and, specifically, in Maryland and Washington, D.C. Further, results indicate that the attitudes of school system officials and the community in general, as well as the availability of mental health professionals, determine whether school systems detect emotionally disturbed children. When such children are detected, more specialized and expensive services are provided in school districts with higher per capita income, school budget, and proportion of mental health professionals.

Affective Symptoms↗
PubMed1983

The experience of repeated and traumatic loss among Crow Indian children: response patterns and intervention strategies.

Crow Indian children residing on the Montana Reservation appear to experience traumatic losses of family members and friends with much greater frequency than children in the population at large. Responses to these losses include interpersonal distancing, and sadness without apparent anger. Assessment and clinical intervention are considered within the sociocultural context of Indian child client and white, middle-class clinician.

Art Therapy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Master's degree nursing education and health care reform: preparing for the future.

Current and anticipated changes in health care delivery indicate a need for reform within nursing education. Master's degree education can be a valuable component in the preparation of future nurses, but assessment and revision of existing programs are necessary. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing's position paper, Nursing Education's Agenda for the 21st Century, provides recommendations for educational reform in general and for master's degree education specifically. Overall recommendations include greater focus on the development of unique aspects in each school's mission, emphasis on nursing as a practice discipline, and the inclusion of all aspects--content, processes, and outcomes--in curricular revisions. Master's degree education is reaffirmed as preparation for those who will advance practice. In keeping with health care delivery trends, advanced practice nurses will require substantial expertise in health promotion, primary health care, case management, health care economics, and change strategies. Many questions remain unanswered regarding appropriate future directions for master's degree education. There is little consensus on core knowledge or a single appropriate title for advanced practice nurses. The amount and type of research preparation, and the need for role preparation are other controversial issues. The future holds exciting potential, but there will be significant challenges in program revisioning, faculty redevelopment and clarification of goals and methods for master's degree education.

Curriculum↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sex-role stereotyping: implications for the mental health of school-age children.

Theories related to sex-role stereotyping are reviewed, and the implications of these stereotypes for children's mental health are discussed. Attention is given to the impact of particular social trends, including political conservatism and religious fundamentalism. Case examples of children affected by sex-role stereotypes are presented and therapy approaches discussed. Overall intervention strategies are summarized.

Child Behavior Disorders↗