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Biomedical subjects

M C Mackey

Publications and source records attributed to M C Mackey.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Women's views of the preterm labor experience.

This study used a naturalistic approach to describe the childbearing woman's views of her preterm labor and delivery experience. Specifically, the aim was to identify how women describe, interpret, and manage preterm labor and subsequent preterm or term delivery. The views of 20 women who were hospitalized for preterm labor (before 37 weeks) were documented with semistructured, tape-recorded, in-depth interviews during their hospitalization for preterm labor and after delivery. Qualitative data analysis focused on the process of becoming a preterm labor patient and on living with a diagnosis of preterm labor. Women either waited for a period of time before seeking care or sought care immediately for the symptoms they were experiencing. Women interpreted the experience by identifying causes of preterm labor and by worrying about the outcome for the baby. Managing preterm labor required extensive, moderate, or limited changes in their lives. Women who delivered at term appeared to have more tangible help than those who delivered preterm. A better understanding of women's preterm labor experiences will provide clues to nurses on how to improve the care they provide.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Women's views of postpartum sibling visitation.

The purpose of this study was to identify women's views of postpartum sibling visitation. Fifty-eight Lamaze-prepared, married multigravidae expressed their views on sibling visitation in a semistructured interview conducted during their postpartum hospitalization. The majority of women (84%) chose to have their children visit. Women identified positive and negative aspects of sibling visitation, explained reasons for not having siblings visit, and discussed reactions to separation from their children. The women believed both siblings and mothers benefitted emotionally from the visit. Negative aspects of sibling visitation included emotional reactions of mothers and siblings, lack of control between siblings and infants, and inconvenient location for the visit.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Stability properties of proliferatively coupled cell replication models.

To address the possibility that proliferative disorders may originate from interactions between multiple populations of proliferating and maturing cells, we formulate a model for this process as a set of coupled nonlinear first order partial differential equations. Using recent results for the asymptotic behaviour of the solutions to this model, we demonstrate that there exists a region of coupling coefficients, maturation rates, and proliferation rates that will guarantee the stable coexistence of coupled cellular populations. The analysis shows that increases in the coupling between populations may ultimately lead to a loss of stability. Furthermore, the analysis indicates that increases (decreases) in the maturation and/or proliferation rates above (below) critical levels will lead either to instability in the populations or the destruction of one population and the persistence of the other.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1991

Strategies for change: nursing implementation of the birthing room.

Nurses were primary participants in introducing the birthing room for maternity care in their respective institutions. Based on tape-recorded interviews, this paper is a report on how the idea of a birthing room was initiated, the resistance it encountered, the eight strategies used to implement the idea, and appropriation of the idea by physicians. Although the examples are specific to the development of a birthing room, the strategies can be used by nurses to initiate other changes in perinatal health care delivery. In addition, increased collaboration between nurses and physicians may make some strategies obsolete.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1990

A deterministic approach to survival statistics.

Survival functions of the form p(t) = exp[-(lambda t) gamma], gamma greater than 0 can be generated by deterministic nonlinear, asymptotically stable (chaotic) dynamical systems. These systems thus provide an alternative to stochastic interpretations of failure time data. We use this approach to analyze cancer patient survival statistics. In this manner we are able to obtain fresh insights into the implications of negative and positive clinical trials.

Biometry↗
PubMed1990

Women's choice of childbirth setting.

As part of a larger study on women's views of the childbirth experience, this study was focused on women's choice of childbirth setting. Sixty-one Lamaze-prepared, married multigravidae between the ages of 21 and 37 and experiencing a normal pregnancy were interviewed twice: at 36-38 weeks gestation in their homes and during their postpartum stay in the hospital. Data were collected using (a) two semistructured interview guides consisting of open-ended questions about choosing a caregiver and the place of birth and about describing the actual childbirth experience, (b) a self-administered sociodemographic questionnaire, and (c) an obstetrical and infant data form. The tape-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim. Qualitative data analysis was focused on reasons for choosing a hospital and a physician, reasons for choosing or not choosing a birthing room, and the outcomes of the decisions. An understanding of women's childbirth needs as reflected in their choices can suggest areas where flexibility might be built into maternity care programs.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Complex dynamics and noise in simple neural networks with delayed mixed feedback.

This paper briefly reviews the role of mixed feedback, neural delays, and neural noise in the genesis of complex oscillations in neurological feedback systems. The results are concretely discussed within the context of recurrent inhibition in the mammalian hippocampus, and a hybrid version of the pupil light reflex with externally imposed electronic feedback.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Women's preparation for the childbirth experience.

As part of a larger study on women's views of the childbirth experience, this study focused on women's preparation for childbirth. Sixty-one Lamaze-prepared, married multigravidae described their preparations for childbirth during intensive, tape-recorded interviews conducted at 36 to 38 weeks gestation. Qualitative data analysis indicated that women focused their descriptions of their past and expected childbirth experiences on the importance of the quality of their own performance in managing labor and delivery. Women described the ideal childbirth experience as a fast, short labor (84%) and one which they managed well (74%). They focused their review of past childbirth experiences on how well they had controlled their own behavior and evaluated their past performance as (a) managing well, 39%; (b) having difficulty, 31%, or (c) managing poorly, 30%. The majority of women (95%) reported that being informed about labor and delivery was generally helpful. They described information as valuable because it decreased fear which increased relaxation and decreased tension, which in turn increased their chances of managing labor well. Although women wanted to do a good job in managing labor, 59% were confident they would perform well and 41% were uncertain. The study results should help nurses recognize if women under their care also have the need to do a good job in managing labor and delivery and suggest ways for nurses to support women in their efforts, their successes, and their failures in meeting their labor management goals.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1979

A simple model for phase locking of biological oscillators.

A mathematical model is presented for phase locking of a biological oscillator to a sinusoidal stimulus. Analytical, numerical and topological considerations are used to discuss the patterns of phase locking as a function of amplitude of the sinusoidal stimulus and the relative frequencies of the osillator and the sinusoidal stimulus. The sorts of experimental data which are needed to make comparisons between theory and experiment are discussed.

Biological Clocks↗
PubMed1977

Oscillation and chaos in physiological control systems.

First-order nonlinear differential-delay equations describing physiological control systems are studied. The equations display a broad diversity of dynamical behavior including limit cycle oscillations, with a variety of wave forms, and apparently aperiodic or "chaotic" solutions. These results are discussed in relation to dynamical respiratory and hematopoietic diseases.

Cheyne-Stokes Respiration↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Women's expectations of the labor and delivery nurse.

Sixty-one, Lamaze-prepared, married multigravidae identified their expectations of the labor and delivery nurse in semistructured interviews conducted at 36 to 38 weeks' gestation. Findings indicate variations in the amount of involvement women expected from the nurses during labor and delivery: limited (n = 17), moderate (n = 22), or extensive (n = 22). Women varied in the amount of time they wanted nurses present, who they expected to make caregiving decisions, and whether or not they wanted nurses to assist them in managing labor and delivery.

Decision Making↗