by Wong Ho Kam. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1989. / Bibliography: leaves 61-64.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2001. / Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xiv, 170 p.). Includes abstract and vita. Advisor: J.F. Rathman, Dept. of Chemical Engineering. Includes bibliographical references (p. 163-165).

Thesis (M.S. in Information Technology Management)--Naval Postgraduate School, March 2004. / Thesis advisor(s): Alex Bordetsky, Glenn Cook. Includes bibliographical references (p. 77-79). Also available online.

No description available.

Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1991. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 104-106). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--State University of New York at Buffalo, 1991. / Adviser: Stanley Zionts. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Florida, 2004. / Title from title page of source document. Document formatted into pages; contains 144 pages. Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Proefschrift Universiteit Maastricht. / Met bibliogr., lit. opg. - Met samenvatting in het Nederlands.

The effect of sustained Gz acceleration ("high G") upon endocrine function has been investigated in man using a human centrifuge. Five male volunteers were exposed to accelerations of up to 6Gz for one minute without G protection. No effect of acceleration was observed on the peripheral blood levels of growth hormone, prolactin, thyrotropin and the gonadotrophins. In contrast, cortisol levels increased in a "dose-related" manner following acceleration i.e. the higher the acceleration, the greater the response. The unusual specificity of these endocrine changes is discussed. In a second experiment on the same subjects exposed to 6Gz for one minute, the modification of this cortisol response by two methods of G protection, the anti-G suit and the reclined seat, was investigated. Noradrenaline, adrenaline and arginine vasopressin were also measured and shown to increase rapidly after acceleration. These endocrine changes were all reduced by the anti-G suit but reductions were not clearly observed with seat reclination until an angle of 80° from the vertical was reached. The mechanisms underlying the release of these hormones are discussed in terms of the circulatory disturbances produced by acceleration. Finally, the endocrine effects of positive pressure breathing (PPB), with and without counterpressure (CP) have been compared with the use of an anti-G suit alone in subjects exposed to +6Gz for one minute. Arterial oxygen saturation (SaO[2]) was monitored continuously by ear oximetry. SAO[2] fell during +Gz acceleration with only anti-G suit protection but this was ameliorated significantly by PPB. Further benefit was obtained with CP. No differences in endocrine responses were observed between these three conditions which suggested that hypoxia was not the stimulus for hormonal responses to high G. This assertion was confirmed by the failure of hypoxia, induced by breathing a gas mixture of low oxygen content, to induce hormonal changes in the subjects.

Timely and appropriate clinical decisions can be lifesaving, and decision support systems could help facilitate this. However, user adoption of clinical decision support systems (CDSS) and their impact on patient care have been disappointing. Contemporary theories in information systems and several evaluation studies have failed to explain or predict the adoption of CDSS. To find out why I conducted a qualitative inquiry using the constructivist grounded theory method. Guided by the theory of planned behaviour, I designed a functional clinical decision support system called DermML. Then, I used it as a stimulus to elicit responses through semi-structured interviews with doctors, a community to which I also belong. Besides the interview data, I also collected demographic data from the participants and anonymous clickstream data from DermML. I found that the clinical community is diverse, and their knowledge needs are varied yet predictable. Using theoretical sampling, constant comparison and iterative conceptualization, I scaled my findings to a substantive theory that explains the difference in practitioners' knowledge needs and predicts adoption based on CDSS type and use context. Having designed DermML myself, the data provided me with design insights that I have articulated as prescriptive design theory. I posit that GT can generate explanatory and predictive theories and prescriptive design theories to guide action. This study eliminates the boundaries between the developers of CDSS, study participants, future users and knowledge mobilization partners. I hope the rich data I collected and the insights I derived help improve the adoption of CDSS and save lives. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)