The nature, origin and validity of ethics for nursing administrators were studied using a historical design with analytical and conceptual methodologies. This was done for the purpose of clarifying those issues for the practical matter of ethical decision making for nursing administrators. Research in that area has been limited. An extensive analysis of 491 ethical articles, published from 1900-1989 and classified as personal, professional and administrative ethics; an analysis of the nursing codes of ethics and registration laws; trends in case and statute law; as well as conceptual literature and research provided the base for the facts, reasoned arguments, conclusions, interpretations and recommendations. Validity control features, (e.g., primary sources, multiple types of sources, and historical comparisons of trends) were used to minimize internal and external criticisms, as well as ensure integrity. Inter-rater reliability (90%) was ascertained to establish the consistency of the classifications of the data for the sake of replication. The results of this research supported the hypothesis that there is a distinctive nature to the ethics for nursing administrators, especially those employed in public organizations. This research also concluded that the ethic of the traditional staff nurse is inappropriate for nursing administrators. Less significant results and conclusions linked nursing administration with fresh ideas such as the public interest, public advocacy, public policy, constitutional competency, utilitarianism, and collective ethical decision making. A new model termed Collective Caring, was introduced as a more valid ethic. The Collective Caring Model has three major components (i.e., caring, cooperation and collectives) enhanced by utilitarianism. Collective Caring should be used to depersonalize the situation and integrate the values of the different collectives, as well as encourage utilitarianism, sharing, caring and cooperating for collective ethical decision making. Nursing administrators would be more critically aware of collective (e.g., public) values and more thoughtful about making ethical decisions. In addition, the effectiveness of the profession would be improved by clarifying and enhancing professional and collective relationships. / Ph. D.

We examine the refractive scintillation hypothesis of low frequency variability via numerical simulation in order to account for the spectral characteristics of the observed fluctuations. Plane waves from extragalactic radio sources propagating through the interstellar medium, a medium with fluctuations of the refractive index due to electron density irregularities, emerge from that medium corrugated. Since fluctuations present on scales greater than the Fresnel scale act refractively, the emerging wavefront has a curvature which produces a refractive amplification or deamplification in the flux density. We develop a numerical algorithm to characterize the phase fluctuations in the wavefront and we simulate the resulting intensity distribution in the limit of geometrical optics. We then produce light curves by taking trajectories in the simulated intensity distribution plane and we compare our results with statistical properties of existing data from a 5—year monitoring program of 32 extragalactic sources at frequencies 0.318, 0.430, 0.606, 0.880 and 1.4 GHz. We find that the refractive scintillation hypothesis is in good agreement with the data at comparable timescales and that the variability in the simulated light curves diminishes within an octave of frequency, in agreement with those of the observed light curves with the same behavior. / Ph. D.

The problem in this study was to identify the key life events superintendents in North Carolina feel have contributed significantly to their success. Additionally, this study sought to ascertain the people who were instrumental in their careers, the training experiences that contributed most to their careers, the personal setbacks they experienced and from which they recovered, and the practices they implemented as a result of the knowledge gained from the identified key life events. A survey was mailed to all 122 superintendents in North Carolina during the 1994-95 school year. Each superintendent was requested to provide a personal profile and nominate five successful superintendents based on their perception of success. An analysis of the responding superintendents’ nominations was done to determine the top give to be interviewed. The data were analyzed using matrices to identify key life events and their contribution to the success of each superintendent’s career. Frequencies and percentages were presented in tables to show a comparison of the demographic responses by the responding superintendents to the sample. Key life events of superintendents included: (1) seeking out significant others; (2) being willing to be mobile; (3) nurturing good relations with the boss; (4) getting different educational experiences; (5) serving in civic, professional, and community leadership roles; (6) involvement in leadership development programs; (7) valuing hard work; (8) having a supportive family/spouse; and (9) keeping priorities in order. The data also revealed incorporating socialization theory components appear vital for entry and sustained employment as superintendent of schools. A critique of this research, as well as recommendations for further study are also included. / Ed. D.

This study examines the use of the quasi-specular and two-scale models in estimating rough surface parameters from the average radar cross section of randomly rough surfaces, with the goal of understanding what scattering mechanisms limit their applicability. The ranges of validity of these models are ascertained by comparing the average backscattered normalized radar cross section given by the models to results obtained using an exact numerical Monte Carlo approach. The advantage of using a numerical solution is that the exact surface parameters are known quantities. The surfaces studied here are rough in only one dimension (that is, they are grooved in one dimension or corduroy). The height of the surfaces are Gaussian distributed and have either a Gaussian or a Pierson-Moskowitz spectrum. For surfaces with Gaussian spectra, it is found that the quasi-specular model can be used to obtain good estimates of the surface parameters when diffraction and multiple scattering effects are not important. Approximate validity conditions are established for this model. For surfaces with Pierson-Moskowitz spectra, it is found that the quasi-specular model can be used to obtain good estimates of the surface parameters for backscattering angles of less than 20°, and a two-scale model can be used for backscattering angles of up to at least 60°. However, the quasi-specular model must be modified to use only a portion of the surface spectrum, and this modification shows problematic dependence on the surface roughness, the incident wavelength, and the incident polarization. Of particular importance in the estimation problem are the numerical fluctuations present in the Monte Carlo simulation and the angular region over which data is compared to the model. Both of these factors are explored. / Ph. D.

The effects of boron alone or in combination with estrogen or parathyroid hormone (PTH) on bone quality and Ca, P, and Mg metabolism were investigated in 12- week-old rats. Treatment began on day 43 after ovariectomy and continued for 5 weeks. Treatments included 5 ppm (5 mg per kg diet) boron as boric acid, 17β estradiol (30 μg/kg/d, s.c.), PTH (rat PTH 1-34 fragment, 60 μg/kg/d, s.c.), boron+17β estradiol, and boron+PTH at the same dose. All rats had free access to food (AIN 76) and deionized water. Ovariectomy caused decreases in the ratios of dried bone, bone ash, bone Ca, P, and Mg to body or dried bone weight, wall thickness of the femur, urinary Ca/creatinine excretion, trabecular bone volume, bone surface density, and trabecular plate density, and increases in serum osteocalcin, and trabecular plate separation. However, intermittent PTH injection increased the dried bone weight to body weight ratio, wall thickness of the femur, total bone ash, bone ash to dried bone or body weight ratio, bone Ca, P, and Mg, bone Ca, Mg, and P to dried bone weight or body weight ratios, trabecular bone volume, bone surface density, trabecular plate density, and thickness, serum osteocalcin concentration, and decreased trabecular plate separation, but had no effects on Ca, P, and Mg metabolism. Treatment with 17β estradiol increased the dried bone weight, bone ash, and bone Ca, P, and Mg to body weight ratios, and decreased serum osteocalcin, and trabecular bone separation, but had no effects on Ca, P, and Mg metabolism. However, when combined with boron, 17β estradiol not only remained the positive effects as observed in Ovx rats treated with 17β estradiol alone, but also improved apparent Ca, Mg, and P absorption, and Ca and Mg retention, trabecular bone volume, bone surface density and trabecular plate density which were not found in Ovx rats treated with 17β estradiol alone. In contrast, boron in combination with PTH did not provide an additional benefit for Ca, P, and Mg balance or bone quality when compared with PTH alone, but significantly improved the percentages of apparent Ca absorption and retention compared with Ovx rats without treatment. The improvement of Ca balance by the combined treatment with PTH plus boron was not found in Ovx rats receiving PTH alone. In conclusion, 17β estradiol in combination with boron that was initiated 6 weeks after ovariectomy, provided a more beneficial regimen than boron or 17β estradiol alone for postmenopausal bone loss in Ovx rats. The importance of the present findings is that boron has the potential to improve estrogen action on bone and Ca balance, in particular when estrogen is initiated at the late state following menopause. / Ph. D.

The purpose of this study was to assess the extent to which selected demographic characteristics and academic variables of graduates from an urban. postsecondary practical nursing program could predict students' performance on the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN). The research questions were: (1) what proportion of the variance in NCLEX-PN performance is associated with a combination of academic variables and demographic variables? (2) What proportion of the variance in NCLEX-PN performance is associated with academic variables? (3) What proportion of the variance in NCLEX-PN was explained by demographic characteristics? (4) What set of variables provide the best prediction of the NCLEX-PN scores? The population, N= 261, used for this ex post facto study consisted of postsecondary practical nursing graduates who wrote the NCLEX-PN examination between 1982 and 1987. There was one dependent (criterion) variable for this study, student scores on the NCLEX-PN. There were seven independent (predictor) demographic characteristics and five independent (predictor) academic variables. The data were obtained from student records between February and May 1992. Data were analyzed using the Number Cruncher Statistical System (NCSS), an advanced statistical analysis software package. Multiple linear regression analysis was considered appropriate for this study because the approach was consistent with professional and research literature and this study used dichotomous and continuous predictor variables. Results of the data analysis indicated the following: Based on the data analysis, demographic variables as a set were not predictors of success on the NCLEX-PN. However, with this population, the number of minor children under sixteen years of age in the students' families accounted for 6% of the variance in the NCLEX-PN. The academic set of variables accounted for the greatest amount of variance in the NCLEX-PN. Sixty-nine percent (69%) of the variance in NCLEX-PN performance is explained by scores on the PNEE and four NLN Achievement Tests: Mental Health, Pharmacology, Maternity Nursing and Nursing of Children. Recommendations for further study included investigations into the relationships between specific content examinations in the NLN Achievement Tests and performance on the NCLEX-PN and further data analysis be conducted to determine if there are academic variables or demographic variables that stand alone as predictors of success on NCLEX-PN. / Ed. D.

Using the TFA Systems model (Hutchins & Vogler, 1988), groups of boys with and without behavior disorders were compared on (a) the primary mode (thinking, feeling, or acting) relied upon during conditions of normal daily events and when angry, and (b) the specific thoughts, feelings, and actions experienced during angry episodes. The group without behavior disorders was found to function in a flexible manner, when angry, both currently and in the past. In contrast, prior to receiving therapeutic services, the group with behavior disorders was found to operate in a predominantly acting-oriented manner, when angry. While receiving treatment, this group no longer operated in a predominantly acting-oriented way, but still did not display the flexible functioning of the group without behavior disorders. Adolescents with behavior disorders were also found to be more negative and aggressive in their thoughts, feelings, and actions during angry situations, and to more frequently target adults. Several other between-group differences were also. found. / Ed. D.

The purpose of this study was to examine how school employees and special needs students perceived an integrated academic and vocational education model of instruction. No prior studies had addressed special needs students regarding integrating academic and vocational education. Thirteen teachers, three administrators and eight special needs students from a high school in Virginia were interviewed using the open-ended personal interview method. The high school represented a "High Schools That Work" pilot project on the integration of academic and vocational education. Emergent themes were analyzed and implications derived from this study. First, the findings suggested that changing instructional techniques enhanced integration efforts: use of alternative instructional methods, personal/professional attitudes, cross discipline teaching, accessibility of teachers and students' ability to relate knowledge of math across academic and vocational classes. Second, this model of instruction resulted in upgraded instructional materials, and curriculum, a greater variety curriculum materials and added workplace relevance to the curriculum. Third, the most positive result of the model collaboration between academic and vocational teachers included collegial respect, students awareness of teachers working together and faculty demonstrated respect for each discipline area. This method of instruction also appeared to maintain student attendance and grades. / Ed. D.

Haloperidol (HP), a member of the butyrophenone class of neuroleptics and a first choice for the treatment of schizophrenia, causes severe extrapyramidal side effects including acute dystonic reactions, akathisia, drug-induced parkinsonism and, following chronic treatment, tardive dyskinesias (TD). The persistence of TD in some patients after neuroleptic drug treatment has been discontinued suggests that this condition may be related to a drug-induced neuronal lesion. HP and its tetrahydropyridine dehydration product {4-(4-chlorophenyl)-1- [4-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-oxobutyl]-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (HPTP) share structural features with the parkinsonian inducing neurotoxin 1-Methyl-4- phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Consequently, we have elected to examine the metabolic fate of HP and HPTP to determine if these compounds, like MPTP, undergo metabolic bioactivation to neurotoxic pyridinium metabolites. In vitro metabolic studies have demonstrated that human monoamine oxidase A and cytochrome P450 3A4 are capable of catalyzing the oxidation of HPTP and/or HP to the toxic HP pyridinium metabolite {4-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-[4- (4-fluorophenyl)-4-oxobutyl]pyridinium species (HPP⁺). Rodent liver and brain preparations also catalyze HPP⁺ formation. In vivo studies in human and rodents have led to the characterization of both HPP⁺ and RHPP⁺, that is the pyridinium metabolite derived from reduced haloperidol, a major circulating metabolite of HP. Quantitative estimates of HPP⁺/RHPP⁺ in several patients receiving high doses of HP have been recorded. RHPP⁺ is the major urinary pyridinium metabolite in humans while HPP⁺ is the major pyridinium metabolite in rodents. Both pyridinium species also were identified in the brains of mice treated with HPTP but not with HP. Toxicological studies in baboons have demonstrated HPP⁺ and RHPP⁺ formation in this animal model. This is an ongoing study that should lead to useful toxicological results. Finally, [³H]HPTP was synthesized and in vivo (mouse) and in vitro (brain) metabolism studies were carried out in C57BL/6 mice. We attempted to gain some insight into the very low mass balance observed in our earlier work. This issue remains unresolved. The results obtained with the tritiated compound suggested that the major radioactive metabolite of HPTP in this species is the pyridinium metabolite HPP⁺. Overall these results emphasize the importance of pyridinium metabolite formation and argue for more extensive toxicological work to assess the possible contribution of HPP⁺ and RHPP⁺ to the extrapyramidal side effects caused by HP. / Ph. D.

The coal camp school located in the community of Bishop, Virginia was a unique institution that was molded for an equally unique time and place in the history of Tazewell County, Virginia. However, as a prelude to understanding the Bishop school and its community, one must briefly examine the history of the Pocahontas Coalfields. The school that was established in the community of Bishop was a direct result, not only of the agricultural community that preceded it, but also of the influence exacted upon the school by the coal company which created the Bishop camp in the 1930s. The strategy used to investigate the school and community of Bishop included principal use of the historical research methodology and a variety of primary and secondary accounts. Extensive and detailed literature review first established a foundation of existing knowledge. This assessment preceded considerable additional research into both primary and secondary historical records. Oral history strategies became an integral part of the work in examining the history of the Bishop School. Numerous interviews with former students, teachers, principals, other employees, and parents of the Bishop and Crocketts Cove Schools were conducted. Triangulation verification techniques permitted substantiation of much of the research gathered during this study. Oral history interviews were compared to Bishop School records and Tazewell County School Board records, to both local and regional historical sources, both scholarly and amateur, and to evidence available using photographic archives. The primary importance of this study is the preservation and examination of a unique phenomenon in the history of schooling in the United States, the coal camp school. Within this framework, the evolution of the Bishop School and the role played in its development by the coal company, the union, the local school board, and state guidelines and regulations are scrutinized. As a result, the study has lasting value to the scholarly community which embraces both educators and historians on the state, regional, and national levels. / Ed. D.