Distortion product otoacoustic emission contralateral suppression functions obtained with ramped stimuli.

The purpose of this research was to investigate the changes that occur in human distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) level functions over continuous frequency bands in response to activation of the medial olivocochlear (MOC) efferent system by contralateral broadband noise. DPOAEs were obtained using continuous upward ramps of the lower frequency tone (f(1)) while the higher frequency tone (f(2)) was fixed. These ramps were designed to change the stimulus frequency ratio f(2)/f(1) over a fixed range for each fixed f(2) value of 2, 3, and 4 kHz. Contralateral noise was presented on alternating ramps and the DPOAEs with and without contralateral noise were averaged separately. Stimulus frequency ratios of 1.10 and 1.22, and noise levels of 60 and 50 dB sound pressure level (SPL) were employed. Changes in DPOAE level were generally suppression (a reduction in DPOAE magnitude), but enhancement was also observed. For most participants, changes were evident for much of the frequency ranges tested. Average absolute changes for 60 dB SPL noise were 0.95, 0.81, and 0.42 dB for the wider stimulus frequency ratios and f(2) of 2, 3, and 4 kHz, respectively. For the narrower ratio and 60 dB SPL noise, the changes were larger with average absolute changes of 1.33, 1.09, and 0.87 dB. For the narrower ratio and 50 dB SPL noise, the changes were 1.08, 0.78, and 0.55 dB with f(2) of 2, 3, and 4 kHz, respectively. DPOAE nulls were observed and a common response pattern was a shift of emission morphology to higher frequencies with contralateral acoustic stimulation. The method appears promising for relatively rapid evaluation of the MOC efferent system in humans and offers information complementary to measurement strategies that explore the effects of stimulus level.

Vulnerability to freshman weight gain as a function of dietary restraint and residence.

Although many studies have found that students gain weight during their first year at college, many others have not. Participants in the present study were classified according to their scores on the Herman/Polivy Restraint Scale and their place of residence-at home or on campus. Body weight was assessed early in the academic year and five months later. At the same sessions participants completed a questionnaire pertaining to their eating habits prior to beginning college (first session) and since coming to college (second session). Overall weight gain was 1.5 kg; those most likely to gain weight were restrained eaters living on campus, who gained an average of 4.1 kg. In addition, changes in eating habits were a significant independent predictor of weight gain.

Comparison of quality-of-hypertension-care indicators for groups treated by physician versus groups treated by physician-nurse team.

PURPOSE: To determine whether the type of health care provider (i.e., physician versus physician-nurse team) affected the quality of hypertension care given to two groups of randomly selected adult women. DATA SOURCES: Three indicators measured the quality of hypertension care: blood pressure control level, knowledge of hypertension, and discussion about blood pressure medications with the health care provider(s). Blood pressure readings were taken with a 24-hr ambulatory blood pressure monitor, and demographic data from survey results taken at orientation and researcher-collected data on posttreatment knowledge of hypertension and cognitive representations of hypertension were gathered. Chi-square and t tests were used to analyze the data. CONCLUSIONS: The group whose care was managed by a physician-nurse team demonstrated lower means for 24-hr systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure (systolic: M = 132, SD = 14.9; diastolic: M = 75, SD = 11.3) than the group whose care was managed only by one or more physicians (systolic: M = 136, SD = 13.4; diastolic: M = 79, SD = 11.24). Also, the group whose care was managed by a physician-nurse team revealed significantly higher scores for discussion of blood pressure medication than the group whose care was managed only by one or more physicians. There were no group differences for knowledge of hypertension. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Nurses qualified to assist with meeting the needs of hypertension clients in primary care settings can positively affect clients' knowledge about blood pressure medication and--perhaps as a result of this knowledge--how well the clients control their blood pressure.