Echocardiographic studies of valvular and ventricular function in horses

This thesis evaluates echocardiography in the assessment of the equine heart. Echocardiography is employed extensively in human medicine to differentiate the origin of cardiac murmurs and to assess ventricular performance. Such a noninvasive method would be valuable in equine medicine where routine diagnostic techniques, used successfully in other species, are of little value. Publications concerning the origins of cardiac murmurs, the indications for echocardiography in human medicine, and the limited studies on echocardiography in horses have been reviewed.The aims of Part 1 of this work were to standardise suitable images for twodimensional, M-mode and Doppler echocardiography; to measure selected intracardiac dimensions from the standardised two-dimensional and M-mode images; and to record blood flow velocities from the heart and great vessels using Doppler echocardiography in a group of normal horses and in horses with valvular disease.Eighteen standard images were defined. All but two of the images could be recorded within a narrow range of transducer location, rotation and angulation. Selected intracardiac dimensions were measured from M-mode studies derived from the standard two-dimensional images. Measurements of intracardiac dimensions were repeatable and were not significantly correlated to bodyweight or age. Horses with suspected aortic regurgitation had a significantly larger left ventricular internal dimension in diastole, measured from the right hemithorax, than normal horses. Although other significant differences were detected between groups, intracardiac dimensions were not sufficiently sensitive to differentiate horses with suspected valvular disease from normal horses.Colour flow Doppler studies revealed that valvular regurgitation was present in many normal horses. Horses with murmurs indicating tricuspid and aortic regurgitation showed larger regurgitant signals at the tricuspid and aortic valves respectively, than normal horses. Horses with murmurs indicating mitral regurgitation had a regurgitant signal of longer duration than that of the control group, ii but the size of the jet was not significantly different between groups. Colour flow Doppler echocardiography was a sensitive technique for the detection of valvular regurgitation in horses. The flow velocities recorded by pulsed wave Doppler echocardiography in horses were similar to those reported in other species. Flow velocities were significantly increased at elevated heart rates. The peak aortic velocity and acceleration were also significantly higher in horses with aortic regurgitationPart 2 of this thesis evaluates Doppler echocardiography in the assessment of ventricular performance in horses. Publications concerning measurement of cardiac output and the use of Doppler indices to assess ventricular function in other species have been reviewed. Cardiac output measured by Doppler echocardiography was compared to that measured by thermodilution in nine conscious horses. Cardiac output was modified by the infusion of inotropes and the administration of an alpha 2 agonist. The effects of these agents on selected Doppler indices were assessed.Doppler measurements of cardiac output correlated closely with measurements by thermodilution. Doppler measurements from the aortic outflow correlated more closely (r = 0.89) than those from the pulmonary artery (r = 0.77). The infusion of inotropes caused a significant increase in aortic peak velocity and peak acceleration, whereas the administration of detomidine and butorphanol resulted in a significant decrease in these variables. Other Doppler variables were also significantly altered by the administration of these agents.In conclusion, echocardiography was found to be a sensitive technique for the diagnosis of cardiac murmurs and the evaluation of ventricular performance in horses

The veil

The Veil signifies the proverbial wool over the eyes of the public with regard to mortality. We will all die, everyone, we know, and love will die too. We don’t know when, or how, and there is nothing we can do to change the inevitable. Accepting our mortality—and that of those around us—is key to opening a dialogue about grief and loss and a “broken” world in which such issues are ignored. This thesis focuses on bereavement, unmasking the stigma against catharsis, and the overemphasis of positivity. Grief is defined as “deep sorrow, especially that caused by someone\u27s death” (Oxford Collegiate Dictionary, 1992). It is a word that is both familiar and unfamiliar, a state of being that is uncomfortable to discuss and dreadful to endure. My research is concerned with sudden loss and the aftermath of tragedy. In my work, catharsis is a necessary component in the acknowledgment and validation of grief. Traumatic loss is a sudden, unnatural death—suicide, motor vehicle accident, house fire, and includes witnessing the death of a loved one. These types of deaths can trigger post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression for those left behind. They can leave lasting impressions, the psychological equivalent of a deep physical scar. My research is concerned with the aftermath of tragedy and the psychological effects of sudden loss. In my art, connotations of catharsis emphasize the necessity of acknowledging grief through the expression of creativity

International review of women and leadership: Special issue 1999

The centenary of women\u27s suffrage in Western Australia in 1899 has presented many moments to reflect upon and evaluate women\u27s experiences, to recognise and respond to the diversity of women\u27s lives and concerns. This special issue of the International Review of Women and Leadership is one contribution to a year\u27s activities marking that centenary. Millicent Poole\u27s preface discusses the genesis of these papers in a successful series of seminars in 1998 hosted by the Centre for Research for Women which attested, each fortnight, to the energy, intellectual rigour and vibrancy of participants. Poole contextualises the seminar series by pointing out the gap which existed between the symbolically important granting of non-indigenous women\u27s suffrage in Western Australia and federally (in 1902, and the broader participation of women in formal politics. While personally and socially circumscribed in their contributions to public life, figures such as Edith Cowan demonstrated women\u27s commitments to issues relevant to women and to society at large. Most of the contributors to this special issue are engaging, in some way, with the perennial questions, - what has been achieved, and what still needs to be done to create the sort of society which values all of its citizens? On the eve of the centenary, some of Western Australia\u27s best known as well as lesser known politicians and activists, writers and academics, addressed issues of current concern in the community; they looked back across the rich and difficult histories which led to the centenary; they surveyed current challenges to active citizenry; and they looked forward, envisioning possible futures and the alternate paths which may be pursued. Contributors to that series elicited lively discussion and debate, relating their views at times with humour, and at others with pathos, but always with a sense of the strong commitment they shared to women\u27s voices being heard

Child Sexual Abuse In the Media: Is Institutional Failure to Blame?

This thesis presents a longitudinal content analysis study of child sexual abuse (CSA) in the United States national news media from 2002 through 2012. It finds that the U.S. national news media have shifted their focus from individual level causes to societal level causes for CSA. This shift has implications for changes in institutional policies and child protection laws throughout the country

Trade Policy and Economic Integration in a Cournot Duopoly Model

This paper investigates the policy and welfare implications of forming an economic region in the context of a Cournot duopoly model. Some theoretical results are obtained. First, the economic region lowers the external tariff (against non-partner countries) less than its pre-integration level when a sufficiently large subsidy on the imports from the partner is carried out. Second, economic integration reduces the non-partner country’s welfare. Third, although the region still gains from integration even under some partial trade liberalisation regimes, complete trade liberalisation within the region leads to higher regional welfare. Finally, trade liberalisation within the region improves the welfare of the world as a whole.Trade Policy, Economic Integration

The Role of Hardiness in Moderating Parenting Stress in Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans

There is a link between parenting stress and negative child outcomes. Research has focused on a number of risk and protective factors that may influence parental practices and child behavior. Parental trauma has been identified as a risk factor for increased parental stress. Previous research has demonstrated a link between combat exposure and parenting stress in veterans of war. Hardiness, a personality variable that describes an individual\u27s sense of commitment, control, and challenge in light of life stress, has been identified as a protective factor that buffers against the development of psychological symptoms in combat veterans. The current study assessed the relationship between combat- related PTSD symptomatology and parenting stress, as well as the moderating influence of hardiness in this relationship in a sample of 117 modern veterans. Results supported hypotheses predicting a positive relationship between PTSD symptomatology and parenting stress and a negative relationship between hardiness and parenting stress. Hardiness was not found to moderate the relationship between PTSD symptomatology and parenting stress

Hardiness, Social Support, Parental Stress, and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms in Recent Service Members

Previous research has demonstrated a link between PTSD symptomatology (PTSS) and parenting stress in veterans. As the literature on veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is increasing, there has been a call to identify variables which may contribute to positive outcomes in these service members (e.g., Cornum, Matthews, & Seligman, 2011). Hardiness is a personality variable that describes an individual’s sense of commitment, control, and challenge in light of life stress and has been identified as a protective factor against the development of psychological symptoms and parenting stress in combat veterans. Social support also seems to have benefits related to trauma sequelae and parenting stress, but its role in the context of recent service members’ post- deployment parenting stress has not yet been examined. The current study assessed the influence of PTSS, hardiness, and social support on parental stress among recent returnees of the operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Results supported hypotheses predicting an inverse relationship between hardiness and parental stress. Social support was found to mediate the relationship between PTSS and parental stress

Cutting Triangles

The idea of this project began with a question: Draw any triangle on a piece of paper, is it possible to fold the paper so that the triangle can be cut out in one slice

Life on the list: an exploratory study of the life world of individuals waiting for a kidney transplant

Kidney transplantation is the treatment of choice for many individuals with end stage renal disease (ESRD), as transplantation is reported to offer a greater quality of life than renal dialysis. At the end of March 2008 there were 6980 people on the active transplant list for kidney or kidney and pancreas transplants. However, during the previous year a total of 1453 deceased donor kidney transplants were carried out1, illustrating the mismatch between demand for and availability of kidneys for transplant. Whilst the Government has pledged to improve transplant services and to address the organ shortage, individuals on the kidney transplant list are currently facing an average wait of more than two years. Individuals waiting for a kidney transplant face complex challenges, which are currently poorly researched. An insight into the experience of waiting for a kidney transplant and how individuals interpret that wait could contribute to clinical knowledge and lead to improved support for these individuals. It could also raise public awareness about the issues involved in waiting for a kidney transplant, potentially encouraging donatio