Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Body Image of Women with Breast Cancer After Mastectomy: A Qualitative Research.

OBJECTIVE To gain a holistic and deep understanding about how mastectomy effects the body image of women who have breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS The sample of this qualitative descriptive study consisted of twenty patients who underwent mastectomy procedures. Semi-structured interviews were conducted during the second week after mastectomy. Each interview was transcribed verbatim, and a thematic analysis was performed. RESULTS After the mastectomy, the findings related to the women's body image and their experiences were specified as four main themes and seven sub-themes. The main themes were: meaning of the breast, mastectomy and me, my body image and body image changes, and social life. Most of the participants in this study stated that the breast meant femininity, beauty, and motherhood. It was found that the meaning of mastectomy varied according to individuals. Women used quite negative statements about their appearances. The participants also said that they felt that half themselves was missing, as individuals and women. The women stated that they preferred clothes that hid their lack of breast. Some of the participants mentioned that relations with their husbands were not like before, and they abstained from social interaction. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that mastectomy as a surgical treatment for breast cancer may negatively affect a woman's body image and her self-image.
Finding bugs by isolating unit tests

Even in simple programs there are hidden assumptions and dependencies between units that are not immediately visible in each involved unit. These dependencies are generally hard to identify and locate, and can lead to subtle faults that are often missed, even by extensive test suites. We propose to leverage existing test suites to identify faults due to hidden dependencies and to identify inadequate test suite design. Rather than just executing entire test suites within frameworks such as JUnit, we execute each test in isolation, thus removing masking effects that might be present in the test suites. We hypothesize that this can reveal previously hidden dependencies between program units or tests. A preliminary study shows that this technique is capable of identifying subtle faults that have lived in a system for 120 revisions, despite failures being reported and despite attempts to fix the fault.
The explication of craving in alcoholism: A grounded theory study

Alcoholism has been defined as a chronic progressive disease, the essence of which is manifest in the individual's attachment to alcohol and the importance that alcohol assumes in his or her life. Craving is one of four phenomenon commonly reported by alcoholics as a significant source of discomfort. As a central feature of the medical model of alcoholism, craving could be viewed as a symptom of alcoholism. Because of its association with both relapse and loss of control, craving has quality of life implications, potential diagnostic value as a window into disease, and may be a prognostic indicator of treatment outcome. The purpose of this study was to explicate the process of craving during the early recovery period. The research questions guiding this study are: What is the process of craving within the context of alcoholism? What is the relationship between craving and drinking behavior? Grounded theory methodology facilitated the discovery process. The sample consisted of 14 informants, recruited from individual's seeking medical care at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System. Inclusion criteria include: age 18 or older; English-speaking; self-identification of alcoholism; self-report of craving; and sufficient memory of events for adequate recall and description. Following participant screening, data collection consisted of: written informed consent; elicitation of demographic data for background information; and assessment of craving through an hour-long audiotaped interview. Debriefing followed each interview, and informants were provided with information regarding community resources that could be contacted for additional
Corruption, religion and moral development

Lacking in much of the current research on religion and corruption is a sense that there may be alternative ways that people view corruption, which in their minds may be moral, and that if we are to truly develop an understanding of how religion influences people’s attitudes and behaviour towards corruption, we must start from a critical and interpretive perspective at the individual level of analysis. This paper argues that the methodologies used in many current studies are not adequate to study what is ultimately an individual decision, and one that is at least in part informed by a person’s own ethical and moral standpoint. As such, starting research with the mindset that particular types of activities are corrupt, and thus ‘wrong’, may prevent researchers from uncovering why people develop particular attitudes to corruption, or why they choose to behave in a way labelled by some as corrupt. If corruption research is to explore some of these issues at the individual, as well as the regional and national levels, it is important to learn from existing work that examines how attitudes are formed, both on religion and the impact that religion has on attitudes to moral issues and on moral reasoning. A number of studies, few of which deal specifically with corruption, are reviewed in order to establish useful ways forward for corruption researchers. Research on religion and attitudes towards deviant behaviour shows that individuals’ interpretation of messages on moral behaviour is significant in determining their acceptance or rejection of deviancy. However, there is little evidence to suggest that the religious reject behaviour that is ‘anti-social’ any more than the non-religious. Indeed, there is little evidence to suggest that religion, in terms of religious content, impacts upon individuals’ attitudes to public morality. Membership of a religious community that rejects behaviour seen as being ‘corrupt’ seems more likely to have an impact, but a lot depends upon whether members of the community are encouraged to use religious principles to think through moral issues, or to interpret religious teachings literally.
Optimal thrust allocation based GA for dynamic positioning ship

Thrust allocation is an important part of the dynamic positioning system, which determining the thrust and the direction of each of the thruster devices from the control law. This paper proposes a rational and effective method of solving thrust allocation to the semi-submersible rig based on the adaptive genetic algorithm. It is realizing the global parallel operations, achieving search in a large area, and convergence speed better then simple genetic algorithm. The validity and excellent performance of this algorithm was proved by the simulation results.
Clinical and Clinical Laboratory Correlates in Sea Otters Dying Unexpectedly in Rehabilitation Centers Following the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill

Following the Exxon Valdez oil spill, 347 oiled sea otters (Enhydra lutris) were treated in rehabilitation centers. Of these, 116 died, 94 within 10 days of presentation. Clinical records of 21 otters dying during the first 10 days of rehabilitation were reviewed to define the laboratory abnormalities and clinical syndromes associated with these unexpected deaths. The most common terminal syndrome was shock characterized by hypothermia, lethargy, and often hemorrhagic diarrhea. In heavily and moderately oiled otters, shock developed within 48 hours of initial presentation, whereas in lightly oiled otters shock generally occurred during the second week of captivity. Accompanying laboratory abnormalities included leukopenia with increased numbers of immature neutrophils (degenerative left shift), lymphopenia, anemia, azotemia (primarily prerenal), hyperkalemia, hypoproteinemia/hypoalbuminemia, elevations of serum transaminases, and hypoglycemia. Shock associated with hemorrhagic diarrhea probably occurred either as a direct primary effect of oiling or as an indirect effect secondary to confinement and handling in the rehabilitation centers. Lightly oiled otters were less likely to die from shock than were heavily oiled otters (22% vs. 72%, respectively). Heavily oiled otters developed shock more rapidly and had greater numbers of laboratory abnormalities, suggesting that exposure to oil was an important contributing factor.
Electrocardiographic amplitudes: a new risk factor for sudden death in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Aims Assessment of ECG-features as predictors of sudden death in adults with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Methods and results ECG-amplitude sums were measured in 44 normals, 34 athletes, a hospital-cohort of 87 HCM-patients, and 29 HCM-patients with sudden death or cardiac arrest (HCM-CA). HCM-patients with sudden death or cardiac arrest had substantially higher ECG-amplitudes than the HCM-cohort for limb-lead and 12-lead QRS-amplitude sums, and amplitude–duration products (P = 0.00003–P = 0.000002). Separation of HCM-CA from the HCM-cohort is obtained by limb-lead QRS-amplitude sum ≥7.7 mV (odds ratio 18.8, sensitivity 87%, negative predictive value (NPV) 94%, P < 0.0001), 12-lead amplitude–duration product ≥2.2 mV s (odds ratio 31.0, sensitivity 92%, NPV 97%, P < 0.0001), and limb-lead amplitude–duration product ≥0.70 mV s (odds ratio 31.5, sensitivity 93%, NPV 96%, P < 0.0001). Sensitivity in HCM-patients <40 years is 90, 100, and 100% for those ECG-variables, respectively. Qualitative analysis showed correlation with cardiac arrest for pathological T-wave-inversion (P = 0.0003), ST-depression (P = 0.0010), and dominant S-wave in V4 (P = 0.0048). A risk score is proposed; a score ≥6 gives a sensitivity of 85% but a higher positive predictive value than above measures. Optimal separation between HCM-CA <40 years and athletes is obtained by a risk score ≥6 (odds ratio 345, sensitivity 85%, specificity 100%, P < 0.0001). Conclusion Twelve-lead ECG is a powerful instrument for risk-stratification in HCM.
Foreign Language Learning in Santo Domingo: Qualitative Case Studies in Two Private Schools

FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING IN SANTO DOMINGO: QUALITATIVE CASE STUDIES IN TWO PRIVATE SCHOOLS by Priscilla Garrido Noble Improving the teaching of English as a foreign language in public schools is a high priority for the Dominican administration elected in 2004. Consequently, the government’s plan of action includes a pilot project that integrates language teaching strategies and methods already found in the country’s private, K-12, foreign language programs. The purpose of this naturalistic inquiry was to investigate English teaching through case studies at two private schools in hopes of guiding the country’s educational policy. The schools were selected based on their contrasting methods of foreign language instruction. One school, Imersao, follows a structured immersion program where most academic subjects are taught in English. The second school, Cervantina, teaches all subjects in Spanish, the students’ first language, and provides one hour a day of English instruction. The research process included repeated observations of classroom activities, interviews with administrators, staff and students, and reviewing teachers’ lesson plans and student products in English. The study found that effective English language teaching can be accomplished through varying methods, as elements that promote language learning were seen in each of the schools. The programs were observed to be similar in the importance placed on meeting the academic needs of students with differing abilities, as well as cultural and linguistic backgrounds, by having language classes emphasize the importance of grammar and vocabulary alongside culturally relevant authentic communication opportunities. Even though students at both schools are able to communicate orally and in writing in English, Imersao students appear better equipped to contend with complex academic situations in the second language. However, in order to concentrate almost entirely on the teaching of English, Imersao falls short of the immersion objective of concomitantly developing the primary language at age-appropriate levels. The results also suggest that encouraging students to analyze, deduce, and think in the foreign language while learning subject content in English is advantageous. Future research into this topic should explore where the threshold of optimum exposure to the foreign language inside and outside of the classroom might be in order to achieve language proficiency, therefore allowing the administration to maximize the use of limited education resources. FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING IN SANTO DOMINGO: QUALITATIVE CASE STUDIES IN TWO PRIVATE SCHOOLS. By Priscilla Garrido Noble
Enhanced involvement of general practitioners in cancer rehabilitation: a randomised controlled trial

Objective To test the hypothesis that a multimodal intervention giving the general practitioner (GP) an enhanced role in cancer rehabilitation improves patients' health-related quality of life and psychological distress. Design Cluster randomised controlled trial. All general practices in Denmark were randomised to an intervention group or to a control group. Patients were subsequently allocated to intervention or control (usual procedures) based on the randomisation status of their GP. Setting All clinical departments at a public regional hospital treating cancer patients and all general practices in Denmark. Participants Adult patients treated for incident cancer at Vejle Hospital, Denmark, between 12 May 2008 and 28 February 2009. A total of 955 patients (486 to the intervention group and 469 to the control group) registered with 323 general practices were included. Intervention The intervention included an interview about rehabilitation needs with a rehabilitation coordinator at the regional hospital, information from the hospital to the GP about individual needs for rehabilitation and an encouragement of the GP to contact the patient to offer his support with rehabilitation. Main outcome measures The primary outcome was health-related quality of life measured 6 months after inclusion using the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30). Secondary outcomes included quality of life at 14 months and additional subscales of the EORTC QLQ-C30 at 6 and 14 months and psychological distress at 14 months using the Profile of Mood States Scale. Results No effect of the intervention was observed on primary and/or secondary outcomes after 6 and 14 months. Conclusion A multimodal intervention aiming to give the GP an enhanced role in cancer patients' rehabilitation did not improve quality of life or psychological distress. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, registration ID number NCT01021371.
Alterations of Phospholamban Function Can Exhibit Cardiotoxic Effects Independent of Excessive Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+-ATPase Inhibition

Background— Low activity of the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA2a) resulting from strong inhibition by phospholamban (PLN) can depress cardiac contractility and lead to dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure. Here, we investigated whether PLN exhibits cardiotoxic effects via mechanisms other than chronic inhibition of SERCA2a by studying a PLN mutant, PLNR9C, that triggers cardiac failure in humans and mice. Methods and Results— Because PLNR9C inhibits SERCA2a mainly by preventing deactivation of wild-type PLN, SERCA2a activity could be increased stepwise by generating mice that carry a PLNR9C transgene and 2, 1, or 0 endogenous PLN alleles (PLN+/++TgPLNR9C, PLN+/−+TgPLNR9C, and PLN−/−+TgPLNR9C, respectively). PLN−/− +TgPLNR9C hearts demonstrated accelerated sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ uptake rates and improved hemodynamics compared with PLN+/++TgPLNR9C mice but still responded poorly to &bgr;-adrenergic stimulation because PLNR9C impairs protein kinase A–mediated phosphorylation of both wild-type and mutant PLN. PLN+/++TgPLNR9C mice died of heart failure at 21±6 weeks, whereas heterozygous PLN+/−+TgPLNR9C mice survived to 48±11 weeks, PLN−/−+TgPLNR9C mice to 66±19 weeks, and wild-type mice to 94±27 weeks (P<0.001). Although Ca2+ reuptake kinetics in young PLN−/−+TgPLNR9C mice exceeded those measured in wild-type control animals, this parameter alone was not sufficient to prevent the eventual development of dilated cardiomyopathy. Conclusions— The data demonstrate an association between the dose-dependent inhibition of SERCA2a activity by PLNwt and the time of onset of heart failure and show that a weak inhibitor of SERCA2a, PLNR9C, which is diminished in its ability to modify the level of SERCA2a activity, leads to heart failure despite fast sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ reuptake.
Human performance under sustained operations and acute sleep deprivation conditions: toward a model of controlled attention.

INTRODUCTION Although a number of studies have examined the effects of sleep deprivation on performance, the results are not easily explained. The purpose of the current study was to examine the effects of sustained operations and acute sleep deprivation on tasks that require a wide range of information processing. The current study also provided preliminary data on the use of the controlled attention model to better understand the effects of sleep deprivation. METHODS There were 24 college students who were paid to remain awake for one night and complete a variety of cognitive and vigilance tasks. Each task was administered four times during the night, once in each testing session (17:30-21:30, 21:45-01:45, 02:30-06:30, and 06:45-10:45). All tasks were counterbalanced across the testing sessions. RESULTS The data were converted to z-scores and repeated-measures ANOVAs were completed. Performance did not significantly decrease on the more complex cognitive tasks over the night of sleep deprivation. Performance on the vigilance tasks decreased significantly across the night. CONCLUSIONS Examining the characteristics of the cognitive tasks indicated that although they required different types of processing, they encouraged the participants to remain attentive to and engaged in the task. In contrast, the vigilance tasks were less intrinsically interesting and engaging. Thus, it seems likely that the participants were less capable of maintaining attention on the vigilance tasks than the cognitive tasks. These results indicate that a controlled attention model may be useful in better understanding the effects of sustained operations and sleep deprivation on performance.
Surfactant protein-D regulates effector cell function and fibrotic lung remodeling in response to bleomycin injury.

RATIONALE Surfactant protein (SP)-D and SP-A have been implicated in immunomodulation in the lung. It has been reported that patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) often have elevated serum levels of SP-A and SP-D, although their role in the disease is not known. OBJECTIVES The goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that SP-D plays an important role in lung fibrosis using a mouse model of fibrosis induced by bleomycin (BLM). METHODS Triple transgenic inducible SP-D mice (iSP-D mice), in which rat SP-D is expressed in response to doxycycline (Dox) treatment, were administered BLM (100 U/kg) or saline subcutaneously using miniosmotic pumps. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS BLM-treated iSP-D mice off Dox (SP-D off) had increased lung fibrosis compared with mice on Dox (SP-D on). SP-D deficiency also increased macrophage-dominant cell infiltration and the expression of profibrotic cytokines (transforming growth factor [TGF]-β1, platelet-derived growth factor-AA). Alveolar macrophages isolated from BLM-treated iSP-D mice off Dox (SP-D off) secreted more TGF-β1. Fibrocytes, which are bone marrow-derived mesenchymal progenitor cells, were increased to a greater extent in the lungs of the BLM-treated iSP-D mice off Dox (SP-D off). Fibrocytes isolated from BLM-treated iSP-D mice off Dox (SP-D off) expressed more of the profibrotic cytokine TGF-β1 and more CXCR4, a chemokine receptor that is important in fibrocyte migration into the lungs. Exogenous SP-D administered intratracheally attenuated BLM-induced lung fibrosis in SP-D(-/-) mice. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that alveolar SP-D regulates numbers of macrophages and fibrocytes in the lungs, profibrotic cytokine expression, and fibrotic lung remodeling in response to BLM injury.
INTRAPERSONAL AND INTERPERSONAL PREDICTORS OF LEADER SUCCESS IN THE MILITARY: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

The contemporary military environment characterised by new technologies, advanced capabilities, novel knowledge and skills sets, and an increased participation of non-state actors is leading to a rapidly expanding, non-linear, multi-dimensional battle space. Military operations are becoming more distributed in time, space, and purpose. The military arena is becoming progressively more joint, multinational and interagency in nature. Military leaders have a mounting responsibility to teams and groups and their organisations to accomplish a variety of very diverse missions. Furthermore, military operations other than war have emerged as a fundamental approach to warfare, increasing dispersion of forces across wider areas of influence and rapidly changing situations. Scholars and strategists are of the opinion that militaries are in an era of “new wars”. The latter are contextual elements evident in current conflicts and are likely to be seen in future conflicts as well. Unquestionably, the landscape in which military leaders must operate has affected the competencies and training needed to be successful. The aim of this study was to explore the possible relationships between emotional intelligence (EI), psychological capital (PsyCap), sense of coherence (SOC) and leader success of junior officers in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). The researcher argues that these intrapersonal and interpersonal skills (EI, PsyCap and SOC) are necessary for any contemporary leader to successfully fulfil his role in his military position and to fit the leadership profile set out by the organisation. The existence of relationships between the variables for this study was statistically investigated and the necessary conclusions were drawn. All the challenges discussed in this study for the SANDF link with each other and “cry” for education in EI, PsyCap and SOC. Future officers of the SANDF need to have the potential, skills, knowledge, education and competency to be specialists in the challenges of the next decade. Education in these variables can possibly assist leaders in their daunting tasks and ultimately contribute to leader success. A sample of 170 (n=170) junior officers, from the rank of Candidate officer (CO) to full Lieutenant (Lt), was drawn from the South African Military Academy (SAMA), Faculty of Military Science, Stellenbosch University. Participants completed existing valid and reliable instruments measuring their EI, PsyCap, SOC and leader success levels. Leader success was measured in terms of extra effort, effectiveness and satisfaction of the leader. Correlation analysis was done to determine the relationships between the independent variables and the dependent variable. Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za