COHORT 8 ~ 2002-2003

Prevalence and Factors Related to Postoperative Nausea

and Vomiting in Orthopedic Surgical Patients: A Pilot Study

Tiffany M. Berg, Nursing

Beverly Raway, OSB, DNSc, R.N., Mentor

Department of Nursing

The College of St. Scholastica

Pamela E. Lincoln, R.N., CNP

St. Mary’s Medical Center

ABSTRACT      

This study was aimed at discovering the prevalence and risk factors associated with postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in total hip and knee replacement patients. The prevalence rates found for nausea and vomiting were 65.7% and 38.8%, respectively. This is considerably higher than the 20-30% rates frequently found in the literature. Risk factors researched included: age, gender, smoking status, body mass index, anxiety, history of motion sickness, history of migraine headaches, history of previous PONV, history of gastric reflux, history of other GI disorder, anesthesia type, orthopedic procedure, duration of surgery, postoperative pain severity, and postoperative opioid analgesia use.

No patient-related risk factors were found to be statistically significant predictors of PONV. This may be due to the small sample size, the similarity of the patients’ experiences and risk factor profiles. Analysis of PONV data by episode by day revealed a statistically significant increased risk for PONV related to the type and combination of analgesic drugs administered. When compared to hydrocodone/acetaminophen (Lortab) alone, the addition of morphine increased the risk of developing PONV by a factor of 3 (odds ratio 3.16; 95% confidence interval 1.11, 9.05). The combination of hydromorphone (Dilaudid) with ketorolac (Toradol) produced a 4 times greater risk of PONV compared to hydrocodone/acetaminophen (O.R. 4.03; 95% C.I. 1.18, 13.68) and hydromorphone with both ketorolac and hydrocodone/acetaminophen nearly 5 times the risk of developing PONV compared to hydrocodone/acetaminophen alone (O.R. 4.79; 95% C.I. 1.55, 14.77). Implications for further research and nursing practice are discussed.

Top of Page

Economic Growth in Eritrea:

The Contribution of Information Communication Technologies

Robiel Embaye, Information System & Technology

University of Minnesota - Duluth

Mentor: Anthony Barrett, Ph.D., Economics

The College of St. Scholastica

ABSTRACT

            This paper presents research to analyze the effects of information communication technology (ICT) on economic growth of an underdeveloped country. The research is then applied to Eritrea in an effort to find how ICT diffusion can be accelerated and successful for the Eritrean economy and people.  The relationship between economic growth and ICT is evaluated, and the necessary precursors for ICT diffusion are presented.  These include basic infrastructures, such as electricity and transportation routes, as well as telecommunications, hardware and software, knowledge and human capital infrastructures. The role of government policy is also evaluated.  The research proposes necessary conditions must be met before ICT can have beneficial effects for the economy.  By presenting specific data regarding infrastructure development and government policy in Eritrea, coupled with researched methods for ICT diffusion, the researcher discerns how ICT can best be utilized in Eritrea and how economic growth can be achieved. 

Top of Page

Isolation, Identification and Bioactivity of Phytochemicals from the Bark of Three Species of Eucalyptus Against Emerging and Reemerging Animal and Plant Pathogens.

Kelelaye Emiru, Pre-Pharmacy

University of Minnesota - Duluth

Mentor: Ronald Caple, Ph.D., Department of Chemistry

University of Minnesota - Duluth

ABSTRACT

This research studies two specific species of the Eucalyptus plant. The study focuses on the isolation, identification and bioactivity of phytochemicals from the bark of citriodora and saligna species of Eucalyptus. This research investigates the rich organic chemistry of Eucalyptus plants of a province in Cuba where they are very abundant. The research involves three components: 1) collection, 2) separation and purification, and 3) identification. Emerging and reemerging animal and plant pathogens are becoming resistant to antibiotics and chemical compounds resulting in the need for examining natural compounds to combat these pathogens. The primary  objective was to characterize and become familiar with the compounds found within the plant.

Top of Page

From Angels to Tomb Raiders:

A Study of the Construction of the Female Hero Archetype in Action/Adventure Films

Lisa D. Johansen, Communication Major

Mentor: Tammy Ostrander, Ph.D., Communication and Theatre Arts

The College of St. Scholastica

ABSTRACT

            The findings presented in this study focus on the construction of the female hero archetype in popular action/adventure films from 1997-2002.  The study begins with briefings on the monomyth theory and hero archetypes, and then addresses three categories of archetypal construction: 1) hero willingness, 2) hero type, and 3) hero social orientation.  The findings of the study are discussed in terms of frequency of category depiction and correlations between hero willingness/hero type, hero willingness/hero social orientation, and hero social orientation/hero type.

Top of Page

Performance Practice of Debussy’s Piano Music

Gretchen Johnston, Music

Mentor: LeAnn House, Ph.D., Music Department

The College of St. Scholastica

ABSTRACT

Debussy’s piano music is often performed in a manner inconsistent with his intent.  Markings in his scores are not often as scrupulously observed as he would have wished.  This study looks at Debussy’s piano music and makes conclusions about how he wanted it to be performed.  First, Debussy’s instrument and its tone are discussed, providing some insight on the type of sound he preferred.  The German piano models that he liked best had a more robust sound than the thin-toned French Erards.  Subsequent sections deal with specific performance practice issues: technique, ornamentation, dynamics, tempo and rhythm, articulation, and pedaling. Each section describes, using quotes from his students and examples from his own playing, how Debussy wished his interpreters to perform.  The final section, structure, touches on the editorial process that Debussy went through to perfect a piece.  He wanted every indication to be in the place where it would achieve the maximum effect and labored intensely to be sure that was the case.  Debussy’s concern for precision is paramount. Nonetheless, his notation is sometimes ambiguous and at best inadequate  to completely convey his dramatic intentions.

Top of Page

The Effects of Ovaprim (Gonadotrophic Releasing Hormone)

on Sexual Behavior of Female Threespine Stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus)

ABSTRACT

            Ovaprim, an aquaculture drug that contains gonadotrophic releasing hormone (GnRH) used to induce spawning behavior in fish, was used in an attempt to increase sexual arousal in female threespine stickleback.  All subjects’ responses to two moving dummies, one representing a nuptially colored male and the other a neutrally colored male, were tested.  The females were injected intraperitonially with either Ovaprim (experimental group) or a propylene glycol control and retested at 6, 10, 24, 30, and 48 h post-injection.  Females were injected a second time, and tested again at 6, 24, and 30 h post-second injection.  “Following dummy behavior” decreased from pre- to post-injection in both experimental and control females, and no females directed strong courtship response to either dummy.  This weak response suggests that the subjects were out of condition and tested too late in the spawning season to benefit from or show any affect from Ovaprim.

Top of Page

Pastoral Influence on Justice Action in the Local Church

ABSTRACT

            For Christian pastors, a tension exists between the biblical mandate and ordination promise to faithfully carry out justice action on behalf of the poor, and the resistance encountered from some members of the congregation.  The research question was: How can a pastor balance this tension?  Drawing from the published works of biblical scholars and personal interviews with Jewish and Christian clergy, this research compares the biblical ideals of justice action with practical applications in the local church setting.  Common elements were found among pastors who successfully balanced the tension, thereby gaining greater acceptance of justice action ideals.  The research has important implications for present and future ministries, not only for the author, but for others as well.

Top of Page

The Stereotypical Effects of Advertisement on Women

Woubejig Shiferaw, Marketing and Communication

University of Minnesota - Duluth

Mentor:  David Anstett, M.B.A., Management Studies

The College of St. Scholastica

ABSTRACT

The main purpose of advertisements is to sell products and services. While they sell many products and services, they also sell the American public “ideal” images of a woman. Women who are used by ad companies are considered to have the ideal look, which is a tall, very thin body, long blond hair and smooth face. The ideal woman that we see on every page we turn makes up only 5% of the adult woman population and weighs 23% less than the average American woman. The presence of women with the ideal look in advertisements is making many women in America feel uneasy and insecure about themselves. However, what the majority of Americans do not know is that some of the women that are seen in advertisements are a combination of three or four women’s body parts put together to form the desirable woman. Therefore, this research project discusses  the effects of advertisements on women.

Top of Page

The Affects of Clone 4 on Translation Initiation in Yeast Cells

Kelly Wiesen, Biology

Mentor:  Katsura Asano, Ph.D., Department of Biology

Kansas State University

Mentor:  Larry Birnbaum, Ph.D., Department of Exercise Physiology,

The College of St. Scholastica

ABSTRACT

Translation initiation factor 5 (eIF5) stimulates hydrolysis of the GTP bound to the ternary complex (eIF2/GTP/Met-tRNA_i^Met) as the AUG codon is recognized.  Aromatic and acidic residues in the C-terminal domain of eIF5 allow binding to eIF2 and subsequent hydrolyzation of GTP.  The C-terminal domain of clone 4 is homologous to that of eIF5. 

Thus, in cells with a tif5-7A mutation that weakens the binding ability of eIF5, clone 4 may competitively inhibit eIF5 and bind to eIF2 in place of eIF5.  It is then expected that the translation initiation process will be interfered with, and the result will be slowed cellular growth.  Using spot assays and Western blots of yeast transformants containing the clone 4 plasmid, it was found that a 20-fold expression of clone 4 in the cells did not significantly slow cell growth. 

Top of Page

Employee Satisfaction of Needs through Employer Benefit Programs

Related to Life Balance and Organizational Commitment

Shelley I. Wycoff, B.A., Management

Matthew J. Wycoff, Psychology

David X. Swenson, Ph.D., Mentor

Department of Management

The College of St. Scholastica

ABSTRACT

Lack of work-life balance is a common problem in the United States. Some employer benefits have the potential to help employees achieve a better work-life balance. It is hypothesized that employers can gain increased organizational commitment by offering these benefits; employees can gain increased life balance by using these benefits to meet their needs. However, often there is a difference between what employers perceive as employees’ needs and what they actually are. Therefore, the benefits may not meet the needs of the employees and would have little to no benefit to either party. This study involved surveying 133 faculty and staff from a small private liberal arts college (32% response rate). The satisfaction of employees’ needs with cafeteria plan benefits was compared with organizational commitment and life balance. On a Likert scale ranging from 1-7 (1 = strongly disagree, 7 = strongly agree), employees were found to be “somewhat satisfied” with their benefits (M = 5.468, SD = .456). Significant correlations were found between specific benefits and work-life balance as well as organizational commitment. Overall, satisfaction of benefits compared to organizational commitment had a significant correlation (r (111) = .258, p < .01). However, satisfaction of benefits and life balance had a weak correlation that was not significant (r (111) = .167, p = > .05).

Top of Page

The Effect of Lower Extremity Strength on

Fall Risk As a Result of a Six-Week Exercise Program 

Laura Pollak, Biology

Jane Killough, P.T., M.A., M.S., G.C.S., Mentor

Department of Physical Therapy

The College of St. Scholastica

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Weak lower extremity muscles have been associated with a high risk of falls among the older adult population.  The purpose of this research was to determine if a short term, lower extremity strengthening intervention would decrease fall risk among older adults.  Methods: Adults of age 65 and older were recruited from 1 assisted and 2 independent senior apartment complexes.  The older adults underwent six weeks of the exercise program, which was designed by the primary investigator and a physical therapist to concentrate on lower extremity strength.  The participants performed pre- and post-tests to assess strength in lower extremity muscle groups and fall risk.  Results: Twelve elderly adults participated in the study.  The participants demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in fall risk and increase in dorsiflexor strength.  There was not a significant change in strength of other muscles of the lower extremities.  Conclusion: The six-week exercise program focusing on lower extremity strength was sufficient to lower fall risk among older adults.  This study provides evidence that dorsiflexor strength is related to fall risk. 

Top of Page