VTechWorks Repository :: Browsing by Author "Southard, Douglas R."

Browsing by Author "Southard, Douglas R."

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An assessment of the provision of HIV education among dental hygienists: application of the PRECEDE model
Johnston, Paula W. (Virginia Tech, 1993-05-13)
Health professionals have important roles to play in educating their clients about HIV prevention. However, research suggests that health professionals, including dental professionals, more often than not fail to provide any HIV education to their clients. This study employed Green and Kreuter's PRECEDE model to assess those factors that influence the provision of HIV education by dental hygienists in Virginia. A 22 item closed-ended questionnaire which addressed predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors was mailed to 649 randomly selected Virginia licensed dental hygienists. Fifty-five percent (360) of those contacted completed and returned the questionnaire. Key factors found to impact the provision of HIV education by dental hygienists were having received HIV education during formal training or continuing education courses, perceived self efficacy to deliver HIV education, and characteristics of the practice setting. Chi square analysis showed that dental hygienists with formal HIV education were more likely to educate their clients about HIV risk reduction than dental hygienists who had not received such education (p=.04). Dental hygienists who had received HIV education through continuing education were also more likely to provide HIV education to their clients than dental hygienists who had not (p=.05).
Automatic Detection of Elongated Objects in X-Ray Images of Luggage
Liu, Wenye III (Virginia Tech, 1997-09-05)
This thesis presents a part of the research work at Virginia Tech on developing a prototype automatic luggage scanner for explosive detection, and it deals with the automatic detection of elongated objects (detonators) in x-ray images using matched filtering, the Hough transform, and information fusion techniques. A sophisticated algorithm has been developed for detonator detection in x-ray images, and computer software utilizing this algorithm was programmed to implement the detection on both UNIX and PC platforms. A variety of template matching techniques were evaluated, and the filtering parameters (template size, template model, thresholding value, etc.) were optimized. A variation of matched filtering was found to be reasonably effective, while a Gabor-filtering method was found not to be suitable for this problem. The developed software for both single orientations and multiple orientations was tested on x-ray images generated on AS&E and Fiscan inspection systems, and was found to work well for a variety of images. The effects of object overlapping, luggage position on the conveyor, and detonator orientation variation were also investigated using the single-orientation algorithm. It was found that the effectiveness of the software depended on the extent of overlapping as well as on the objects the detonator overlapped. The software was found to work well regardless of the position of the luggage bag on the conveyor, and it was able to tolerate a moderate amount of orientation change.
Breast cancer early detection: A test using hairstylists to promote mammography among women at risk
Broyden, Robert R. (Virginia Tech, 1990-08-14)
An educational intervention designed to promote the use of mammography among women at risk of developing breast cancer was conducted in Blacksburg, Virginia in the spring of 1989. The intervention employed the theories of planned behavior and diffusion to raise women's intention to seek a mammogram. The study employed a posttest-only control group design and was delivered at a hairstyling salon. Eight hairstylists were trained to promote mammography as a breast cancer early detection method and to provide educational materials about the importance of early detection and the advantages of mammography. Eighty-seven women (35 or older), were subjects in the study. At follow-up, independent t-tests showed that women randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=43) had higher breast cancer early detection knowledge scores (p=O.03), stronger belief scores about their control over obtaining a mammogram (p=O.03), and higher behavioral intention scores to seek a mammogram appointment Cp
Cardiovascular reactivity to stress in men: effects of masculine gender role stress appraisal and masculine performance challenge
Lash, Steven Joseph (Virginia Tech, 1989-08-05)
Previous research has shown that excessive cardiovascular reactivity may be important in the development of coronary heart disease. The present study examines the role of masculine cognitive appraisal of stress as a mediator of cardiovascular reactivity in men. The reactivity of men who differed on a measure of cognitive appraisal of masculine gender role stress (MGRS) was compared using the cold-pressor test under conditions of high and low masculine performance challenge. Under conditions of minimal challenge, it was predicted that high and low MGRS men would not differ on reactivity. Under high challenge, high MGRS men were expected to show greater reactivity than low MGRS men. Since coping responses are related to appraisal of stressful situations and impact on cardiovascular reactivity, subjects' coping responses were also assessed. Analysis of results for systolic blood pressure confirmed the major predictions. High MGRS men showed greater systolic blood pressure reactivity than low MGRS men under high challenge and equal or less reactivity under low masculine performance challenge. In general, the high and low MGRS groups did not differ in their use of coping strategies as a function of the high and low challenge condition. The implications of MGRS appraisal for men's health are discussed.
Cerebral asymmetry in facial affect perception of women: neuropsychological effects of depression
Crews, William David (Virginia Tech, 1992-12-05)
Forty right-handed women, half who had been classified as depressed, the other half nondepressed, participated in a tachistoscopic study of the influence of depression on the cerebral hemispheric processing of Ekman and Friesen’s (1976) happy, sad, and neutral emotional faces. A dynamometer was also used as a standardized measure of hemispheric motor functioning such as hand grip strength, perseveration, and fatigue. Results indicated that the depressed women were characterized by elevated levels of both depression and anxiety, suggestive of an agitated, depressive state with heightened arousal. Further, depressed as compared to nondepressed women displayed significantly faster reaction times to sad faces presented their right visual fields and happy faces presented their left visual fields. For the dynamometer data, primary findings indicated that depressed women displayed significantly less perseveration at the left hand as compared to nondepressed women. There was also a trend for depressed as opposed to nondepressed women to show less perseveration at the right hand. These findings from both the tachistoscope and dynamometer data are suggestive of differential arousal of both the left and right cerebral hemispheres and are discussed in light of arousal theory.
Co-variation of blood pressure and mood in the natural environment
Southard, Douglas R. (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1985)
Current clinical diagnostic procedures may lead to an V over-identification of hypertension. The lack of a comprehensive assessment may also lead to difficulty in timing cognitive-behavioral interventions to coincide with periods when blood pressure is most elevated. The goals of the current study were (a) to determine if a laboratory relaxation procedure would be capable of discriminating those individuals who generally have elevated blood pressure from those who react with increased blood pressure specifically to laboratory assessment, and (b) to identify "markers" of emotional states which would enable individuals to determine when their blood pressure was elevated. Fifty-one undergraduate students at Virginia Tech volunteered to participate in a two-hour laboratory session consisting of baseline blood pressure measurements, a relaxation procedure and a battery of psychological questionnaires assessing anger, anxiety and Type A. This was followed by a two-day self-monitoring period consisting of approximately twelve self-reports of mood state concurrent with blood pressure measured by a portable, semi-automatic monitor. Results suggested that blood pressure response to the laboratory relaxation procedure was associated with the difference between average ambulatory blood pressure and laboratory blood pressure for diastolic A blood pressure only. Anger arousal and anger expression were unrelated to either average ambulatory blood pressure or high versus low ambulatory blood pressure readings. Perceptions of the environment as hostile and demanding did discriminate between high versus low systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure readings. A cluster of negative moods discriminated between high and low systolic blood pressure readings. A cluster of moods characteristic of the Type A behavior pattern also discriminated high versus low systolic blood pressure readings as well as high versus low heart rate readings. One of the clearest findings of the study was the relationship between the type of analysis used and the probability of finding an association between psychological variables and blood pressure. In general, across subject analysis yielded fewer significant relationships than analyses emphasizing within subject variation. Exploring this further, two case studies are presented which illustrate statistical procedures for analyzing the relationship between blood pressure and mood in single case designs.
Correlation of Homocysteine Concentration with Plasma Fibrinogen and Physical Activity in Males with Coronary Artery Disease
Prerost, Monica R. (Virginia Tech, 1997-06-05)
Elevated homocysteine (Hcy) concentration has been identified as an independent risk factor for premature CAD. Associations between Hcy concentrations and established cardiovascular risk factors have occasionally, but not consistently, been demonstrated. Plasma fibrinogen and total Hcy concentrations, along with other risk factors, folate and Bvitamin supplements, and medications, were recorded for 40 males (mean age ± SD: 65 ± 9.8 yr) with CAD. Physical activity was assessed using the Modifiable Activity Questionnaire (MAQ), a written questionnaire which appraises leisure and occupational activities by recall for a 12 month period. Univariate analyses revealed those subjects on beta-blocker therapy (n = 12) had lower fibrinogen concentrations than those not on these medications (n = 28) (277.7 ± 16.7 vs. 316.1 ± 10.9 mg/dl , respectively, p = 0.04). A trend existed for those on beta-blockade to also have lower Hcy concentrations (8.3 ± 0.66 vs 9.7 ± 0.43 µmol/L, respectively, p = 0.058). Subjects in the upper tertile of physical activity had significantly lower fibrinogen concentrations than those in the lower tertile (274.7 ± 38 mg/dl vs. 320.2 ± 63, respectively, p = 0.05). Homocysteine concentration was found to be positively associated with age (p = 0.0008). No significant associations were established with multivariate analyses among fibrinogen, Hcy, physical activity, age, BMI, B-vitamin and folate supplements, beta-blocker therapy, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, and TC/HDL ratio. These results support the hypothesis that hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for CAD. Future studies should consider the favorable effects of beta-blockade, which may be a confounding factor, on Hcy and fibrinogen concentrations. Knowledge of associations may contribute toward understanding of the pathogenesis of CAD.
Development and Evaluation of Internet Interventions for Obesity Treatment
Tate, Deborah F. (Virginia Tech, 1999-12-13)
Development of Internet weight loss programs may be a viable method for reducing the public health burden of obesity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the Internet for delivery of weight control programs. Participants (10M, 81F; age=40.9; BMI=29.0) were randomly assigned to receive Internet Behavior Therapy (IBT, n=46) or an Internet Education program (IEd, n=45). Participants in IEd were given an initial face-to-face meeting and directed to weight loss related websites they could use to develop their own weight loss program, but were given no further help to do this. Participants in IBT received this meeting, access to the same website resources plus additional behavioral procedures, all delivered via Internet and e-mail, including a sequence of weekly behavioral weight loss lessons; prompting for submission of weekly self-monitoring diaries; personalized feedback; and an on-line bulletin board for social support. Attrition (15%) was not different between conditions. Weight losses measured at 12 weeks were significantly greater for IBT (-9.0 lbs ± 5.9lbs) than IEd (-2.98 lbs ± 5.7lbs; p<.001). Furthermore, significantly more participants in IBT lost ≥ 1 pound per week (32% IBT vs. 13% ISH; p<.05). Participants in IBT also logged into the website significantly more often than those in IEd (19.7 ± 10.3 times vs. 9.6 ± 10.5 times; p<.001). Simply providing access to weight loss related websites produced minimal weight loss. However, an Internet program incorporating behavioral procedures appears a promising new weight loss approach.
Development of rate related exercise-induced myocardial ischemia and risk of selected coronary diesease endpoints
Bruce, Sharon Diane (Virginia Tech, 1993-05-13)
The purpose of the study was to determine whether serial graded exercise test (GXT) responses, known to have prognostic importance, in the coronary artery disease population generally, can differentiate certain cardiovascular morbidity and mortality endpoints among physically active patients. Data were obtained in 1989 at three community-based cardiac rehabilitation programs from three serial GXT results in 23 paired cardiac event (CE) and non-event (NE) patients. A cardiac event was defined as having an myocardial infarction (MI), percutaneous translumial angioplasty (PTCA), coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and cardiac death. Comparisons were made just prior to each CE patients event. Statistical analyses were done on four exercise test variables: ST-segment depression (ST80) at peak exercise, heart rate adjusted 5Tsegment depression (ST/HR slope), exercise induced ventricular dysrhythmias (PVC), and exercise induced chest pain. Chi-square analyses showed no significant changes across the serial tests for any of the variables examined in either the CE or NE groups (P)0.05). Nevertheless, the CE group had significantly more 8Tsegment depression, ST/HR slope, and exercise chest pain in all GXT intervals in comparison to the NE group. These findings do not support the use of serial exercise GXTs for prognostic information for the physically active cardiac rehabilitation maintenance patients.
The effect of an aerobic training program on cadiovascular reactivity to the cold pressor test
Berglund, Christina (Virginia Tech, 1989-05-05)
Forty-two college age students enrolled in a Personal Health class at Virginia Tech with exercise capacity ≤ 16 METs and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) reactivity to the cold pressor test ≥ 5 mm Hg were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group was asked to participate in an aerobic exercise session 4 d/wk for 8 weeks, consisting of walking/jogging for 30 minutes at or near their target heart rate range (75-85% of heart rate reserve). There were no significant differences between groups in terms of initial fitness levels and any blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) baseline or reactivity measures. After the training program, the average increase in exercise capacity for the intervention group was significantly greater (M=1.7, SEM=0.3) than the control group (M=0.6, SEM=0.2, p≤.05). No significant differences were observed in BP and HR baselines at the post-intervention cold pressor test. Controlling for pre-intervention reactivity levels by using ANGOVAs, the post-intervention reactivity scores were found to be unaffected by group assignment. HR recovery to the cold pressor test (in the first minute) was significantly faster in the intervention group at post-intervention (p<.05). No relationship was demonstrated between reported compliance to exercise and changes in fitness (i.e., submaximal predicted METs). Thus, an analysis of 8 subjects known to comply w1th the exercise protocol (i.e., 26 sessions attended, 87% compliance) compared to the 34 remaining subjects was completed. A significant group effect was revealed in the modification of DBP reactivity (p<.05) but not SBP or HR reactivity. Based upon the original experimental analysis, results from the aerobic training study do not support the hypothesis that aerobic fitness moderates CVR to environmental stress. However, the re-analysis comparing known exercise compi1ers to all others did support the hypothesis that aerobic fitness reduces DBP reactivity to the cold pressor test. These findings suggest a potential role of aerobic fitness in modifying CVR to environmental stress.
Effects of acute aerobic exercise on cardiovascular reactivity to stress in healthy, untrained males
Hemesath, Susan M. (Virginia Tech, 1990-06-15)
This investigation assessed the effects of acute aerobic exercise (AE) on cardiovascular reactivity (CVR) to a non-exercise stressor. Nineteen untrained, healthy male volunteers were stratified on diastolic blood pressure (DBP) response to the cold pressor test (CPT), then randomly assigned to either a minimal exercise condition (5 min of freewheel cycling) or 30 min of exercise on a bicycle ergometer at 55-60% V02max. Heart rate (HR) and BP were monitored during the resting, arousal, and recovery phases of the CPT at 1 hr, 3 hr, and 24 hr post-exercise. Results revealed statistically non-significant response and recovery effects; however, two important trends emerged. The 30 minute exercise group exhibited a tendency toward a reduced DBP response to the CPT during the 1 hour post-exercise session (p=0.08) and SBP response to the CPT was lower in the 30 minute exercise group at 3 hours post-exercise (p=0.08). These findings provide only minimal support for the effectiveness of 30 minutes of AE at 55-60% V02max in attenuating physiological response to the CPT in untrained males.
The effects of hostility and arousal on facial affect perception: a test of a neuropsychological model of hostility
Herridge, Matthew L. (Virginia Tech, 1996-04-25)
Within the field of psychology, hostility has historically been a heavily researched affective construct. The purpose of this experiment was to test hypotheses derived from a neuropsychological model of hostility utilizing two common research paradigms from the extant literatures on hostility's cognitive and physiological correlates. This was accomplished by testing an integral component of a previously proposed neuropsychological model of hostility (Herridge & Harrison, 1994). The purpose of the model was to aid in understanding the chronicity and pervasiveness of a hostile disposition. The model describes a system where physiological arousal level is mediated by systems which also mediate accuracy of an individual's interpretation of affective cues. It was at this level (physiological arousal and perception) that the experimental test was developed. It was predicted that hostile men would show different levels of perceptual accuracy than non-hostile men in both a cold pressor (CP) and no CP condition when tachistoscopically presented with three categories of affective facial configurations (happy, angry, and neutral) in either their left (LVF) or right visual field (RVF). In this sample of college men (N = 56), a four-factor, repeated measures, analysis of variance (ANOVA) produced a significant three-way interaction which indicated that hostile subjects were less accurate than non-hostile subjects in the assessment of happy, angry, and neutral faces in their LVF. However, they were more accurate than subjects classified as non-hostile in the assessment of happy and angry facial configurations in their RVF. Subjects were classified as hostile and non-hostile using joint criteria; the Cook-Medley hostility scale (Ho) and cardiovascular reactivity levels to the arousing stimulus, a CP task. Additionally, a non-significant trend was noted where nonhostile subjects in a no CP state showed more accuracy in the assessment of faces presented to them in their LVF than all other group and CP levels. However, they showed less accuracy than all others when faces were presented in their RVF. These findings are discussed in regard to the proposed model of hostility. Confirmatory and contradictory evidence is discussed relative to current neuropsychological hypotheses on the lateralization of affective function in the cerebral cortex and the role of physiological arousal in affective facial perception. Clinical implications of results are further discussed in relation to anger management interventions in hostile men. Recommendations for future research on hostility, relative to design and new directions, are made.
Effects of Î±1-receptor blockade on the hemodynamic responses to exercise in young normotensives and hypertensives
Franke, Warren D. (Virginia Tech, 1991-07-05)
The purpose of this study was to determine if Î±1- adrenergic receptor blockade alters the hemodynamic response to exercise in young (<25 yr) male adult borderline hypertensives differently than in young normotensives. Five hypertensive (HTN, MAP>105 mmHg) and 7 normotensive (NTN, MAP<95 mmHg) college-age males underwent two 30 min bouts of cycle ergometry exercise at 50% V02Pk in a warm (25°C, 50% rh) environment; one bout occurred followed Î±1-receptor blockade with prazosin (HTN-Î±, NTN-Î±) and the other following placebo administration (HTN-p, NTN-p). At rest, HTN-p exhibited an elevated cardiac output (Q, p=.024) and MAP (p=.007). Resting Q was similar for HTN-Î± and NTN-Î±. Resting heart rate (HR) was elevated more in HTN-Î± than NTNÎ± (p=.013) and not different for placebo. Resting and exercise forearm blood flows were similar between groups and altered similarly with prazosin. Exercise resulted in greater (p=.035) Q for HTN vs NTN (HTN-u > NTN-Î±; HTN-p = NTN-p). HR was higher (p=.043) with prazosin for both groups. Regardless of drug treatment, MAP was stable for NTN while it declined after 10 min of exercise in HTN. Rectal temperatures rose above baseline after 10 min. since Q was similar between groups with placebo but not with Î±1- blockade, and FBF, MAP, and HR were similarly altered between drug trials, it was concluded that young male hypertensives have an elevated blood pressure due to an elevated Q. In this group, Î±1-blockade may reduce Q by reducing central venous return.
The effects of masculine gender role stress appraisal and gender relevance of the task on stress arousal in a competitive situation
Brady, Kristine L. (Virginia Tech, 1993-01-06)
In our society, gender role stereotypes define the areas in which men are thought to excel. Recent research has focused on the male gender role and how it effects the psychological and physical health of men. Maintaining an acceptable level of masculinity may be deleterious to men's physical and/or psychological health. Success in competition is a broad dimension of the male role which has repeatedly been shown to be of great importance to men. Men who are strongly committed to the stereotypical masculine role can be differentiated from men who are not committed to the masculine role by the Masculine Gender Role Stress (MGRS) rating scale (Eisler' Skidmore, 1987). The MGRS scale was developed based on the Lazarus , Folkman (1984) transactional model of stress, appraisal and coping. Men that score high on the MGRS scale are likely to identify more with the stereotypical, masculine role and are likely to appraise competitive situations as .ore stressful than low MGRS .en. Likewise, high MGRS men are more likely to feel more threatened when outperformed by a female than low MGRS men. Furthermore, high MGRS .en should appraise masculine-relevant situations as more challenging to than low MGRS men. High and low MGRS men were placed in a competitive situation against a female in which the gender relevance (masculine or feminine) of the competitive stressor was varied. Those in the Basculine relevant (RR) condition were lead to believe that men outperformed women on the competitive task while men in the feminine relevant (FR) condition were told that women outperformed men on the task. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of MGRS appraisal and the gender relevance of the competitive stressor on men's cardiovascular, emotional and cognitive responding throughout the process of a competition. This study examined the physiological and self-report responding of the following 4 groups: 1) High MGRS men in a MR relevant situation, 2) High MGRS men in a FR situation, 3) Low MGRS men in a MR situation and 4) Low MGRS men in a FR situation. These 4 groups were compared on physiological (systolic blood pressure, SBP; diastolic blood pressure, DBP; and heart rate, HR) and self-report measures of stress and anger. Subjects also rated their opponent before and after the competition on a measure of masculinity and fem
The effects of prostaglandin inhibition on the sympathetic and pressor responses to muscular contraction and postcontraction muscle ischemia
Davy, Kevin P. (Virginia Tech, 1992-06-05)
The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of prostaglandin (PG) inhibition on the sympathetic and pressor responses to isometric handgrip (HG) at 40% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) to exhaustion and postcontraction muscle ischemia (PC). To accomplish this heart rate (HR), arterial pressure (n=10) and plasma norepinephrine (NE) levels (n=8) were measured in 10 healthy male subjects during HG at 40% of MVC to exhaustion and during PC. The subjects were given a double-blind administration of either placebo (PLAC) or a single 100 mg dose of indomethacin (IND). The order of administration was counterbalanced and a one week drug washout period was provided between conditions. Mean arterial pressure increased 25±5 vs. 22±4 mmHg during the second minute of HG and 26±2 vs. 21±5 during the last minute of PC in PLAC vs. IND (P>.05), respectively. Heart rate was increased 21±4 vs. 17±3 bpm during the second minute of HG in PLAC vs. IND (P>.05), respectively and returned to control values during PC in both trials. Plasma NE increased 343189 vs. 289±89 pg/ml after HG and 67514132 vs. 6324132 pg/ml after PC (P>.05) in PLAC vs. IND, respectively. Therefore, PG inhibition does not alter sympathetic or arterial pressure responses during sustained isometric exercise in humans. This may suggest that 1) PGs not important in metaboreceptor stimulation of sympathetic or pressor responses to sustained isometric contractions in humans or 2) PGs may play only a small role in the regulation of these variables which may be masked by the effects of other stimuli. Index terms: prostaglandins, pressor reflex, muscle sympathetic nerve activity, static exercise
Effects of the Angiotensin II Antagonist, Losartan, on Circulo-Respiratory Responses to Submaximal Exercise in Hypertensive Women
Craft, Laura Lee III (Virginia Tech, 1997-10-30)
The effects of the antihypertensive agent Losartan (Lo), on acute exercise performance was assessed in six sedentary, hypertensive women. The purpose, benefits and potential risks of the study were explained to each subject and their informed consent received. In a double blinded crossover design subjects were randomized to 7 days of (Lo) 50 mg, once every morning or placebo (Pl). Subjects reported to the laboratory for an exercise trial on the 7th treatment day. They received the final treatment dose 2.5 hours before the exercise trial. Blood samples for analysis of plasma renin activity (PRA) and Angiotensin II (Ang II) were obtained 15 min before the exercise trial began. In each trial, the subject rested for 15 min in a seated position on the stationary cycle. Hemodynamic and respiratory measurements were obtained. They began exercise at a workload equivalent to 45% VO2 pk for 15 min, immediately followed by a progression of 30 Watt*2 min-1 until volitional fatigue. Measurements included: blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory gas exchange, cardiac output (Q) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE). Total peripheral resistance index (TPRI), stroke volume index (SVI) and rate pressure product (RPP) were calculated. Compared to the pre-administration conditions, 1 week of Losartan treatment significantly reduced (p< .05) resting MAP, SBP and DBP in these subjects. Losartan treatment did not modify submaximal exercise HR, Q, VO2 or RPE. The RPP also was not different between the Lo and Pl trials at rest (p >.05), but was reduced at peak exercise with Lo treatment (p<.05). Losartan significantly reduced calculated TPRI at rest (p< .05) in comparison with Pl (12%) but not during steady-state exercise. Circulating plasma levels of Ang II and PRA were significantly higher with Lo (p<.05). In conclusion, Losartan, a new antihypertensive medication, reduced BP without altering exercise performance in hypertensive women. Losartan is an appropriate first line antihypertensive agent to use in treatment of hypertensive individuals who wish to participate in a regular exercise program.
An evaluation of educational literature distributed by the Child Health Investment Partnership
Gurganus, Jill Renee (Virginia Tech, 1993-06-05)
Educational literature distributed by the Child Health Investment Partnership (CHIP) staff to CHIP parents was identified and evaluated in terms of readability level and availability of information to assist with meeting the identified needs of CHIP parents. One-hundred percent (n=137) of the educational material available to CHIP staff through their library was analyzed. Readability levels were calculated by using the SMOG Readability Formula and the FRY Graph Reading Level Index. A previous study (Brindle, 1992) was used to determine whether CHIP had adequate material to meet the educational needs of CHIP families. Forty-eight percent of CHIP parents cited health as their primary concern. Almost one-half of an educational literature stocked in CHIP's library relates to health. Thus, results indicate that CHIP has a more than adequate amount of educational literature relating to topics CHIP parents believed they needed assistance with the most. It was found, however, that other areas such as financial and job assistance were underrepresented in CHIP's library. While 36 percent and 35 percent of CHIP parents believed they needed assistance with finances and jobs, respectively, only 6 percent of CHIP's library was devoted to financial assistance and two percent was devoted to job assistance. The apparent need for assistance in these areas greatly outweighs CHIP's educational resources. Results also indicate that the average CHIP parents (one who has completed high school) has the education equivalent to or more than was required for reading the majority of CHIP's educational literature. While the mean Reading Level of educational materials was at the tenth grade level sixty percent of CHIP families surveyed had completed high school. Results and conclusions are discussed in detail.
Frequent cholesterol feedback as an aid in lowering cholesterol levels
Burkett, Paul A. (Virginia Tech, 1989-01-05)
Twenty six male and two female participants in the Cardiac Therapy Program at Virginia Tech were stratified, based upon level of total cholesterol (TC) and length of time in the Cardiac Program, and then randomly assigned to either experimental or control groups. Participants ranged in age from 43 to 68 years and all had baseline TC levels greater than 200 mg/dl. There were no significant differences between groups in terms of baseline TC (control M : 248 mg/dl; experimental M = 251 mg/dl), blood pressure (BP), weight, predicted percent body fat, dietary fat/cholesterol, age, education, or program attendance.
Functional cerebral asymmetry: a test of the selective activational model
Demakis, George J. (Virginia Tech, 1992-11-05)
Two experiments were designed to selectively prime each cerebral hemisphere to evaluate Kinsbourne's selective activation model. The left hemisphere priming manipulation for both experiments was subvocal rehearsal of neutral words, whereas right hemisphere primes consisted of imagery (Experiment 1) and subvocal rehearsal of affective words (Experiment 2). Reaction time performance in the visual field contralateral to the activated hemisphere was hypothesized to improve. No evidence supporting this hypothesis was found in these experiments, though experimental tasks had significant interference effects. In Experiment 1, non-specific interference effects were found across visual fields for both experimental tasks, suggesting the hemispheres were not preferentially recruited. Right visual field interference was observed in Experiment 2 for subvocal rehearsal, particularly of affective words, implicating selective left hemisphere activation. This finding indicates an overloading of the left hemisphere's affective perceptual capabilities. Significantly, no equivalent right hemisphere effects were observed, suggesting different functional space characteristics for affect perception across the hemispheres. These findings appear to substantiate a structural rather than activational model of functional cerebral asymmetries, but interference effects do unequivocally support either model. Furthermore, in Experiment 2, neutral faces were perceived as angry equally often in both visual fields, though neutral faces in the control and affective rehearsal conditions were more frequently perceived as angry relative to the neutral rehearsal condition. Methodological issues are presented to account for these findings.
Gender differences in cardiovascular reactivity: effects of the gender relevance of the stressor
Lash, Steven Joseph (Virginia Tech, 1991-11-05)
Previous research suggests that sex differences in cardiovascular reactivity (CVR) are a function of differences in cognitive appraisal of stressors as masculine-relevant or feminine-relevant tasks. Two studies were conducted to examine the role of the appraised gender relevance of stressors as a mediator of sex differences in CVR. In the first study the CVR of male and female college students (N = 95) to the cold-pressor test (CPT) was compared under masculine-relevant and gender-neutral stressor instructions during an anticipation phase, a stressor phase, and a recovery phase. Men were expected to show greater CVR than women to the masculine-relevant CPT, but not to the gender-neutral CPT. Results supported this prediction for systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate (HR) reactivity, but not diastolic blood pressure (DBP) reactivity. In the second study the CVR of male and female college students (N = 121) to the CPT was compared under masculine-relevant and female-relevant stressor instructions during an anticipation phase, a stressor phase, and a recovery phase. Men were predicted to show greater CVR than women to the masculine-relevant CPT while women were expected to show greater CVR to the feminine-relevant CPT. Results supported these predictions for SBP, but not HR reactivity. The results for DBP were mixed. Men did not show greater DBP reactivity than women to the masculinerelevant CPT, but women showed greater DBP reactivity than men to the feminine-relevant CPT. The potential influence of sex differences in cognitive appraisal of situations on CVR and coronary heart disease is discussed.

Browsing by Author "Southard, Douglas R."

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