Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The quality of perioperative care: development of a tool for the perceptions of patients.

AIM OF THE STUDY To find out how surgical hospital patients (n=874) perceived the quality of perioperative care they received in an operating department and in the recovery room. BACKGROUND Patients' perceptions of the perioperative care have not been included systematically in the improvement of the care. Accordingly, there is no standardized, valid, and reliable instrument or system in common use that we could use for the evaluation. The nursing care in operating departments has an important role in modern health care, and therefore more research concerning perioperative care quality is needed urgently and the development of the measurement tool is urgent. METHOD The data were collected using a structured questionnaire in five operating departments in southern Finland during 1998. RESULTS Physical activities (such as pain management and temperature maintenance) were rated as excellent, as were staff characteristics and the physical and social environment. The most critical comments were made with regard to supporting patient initiative, encouragement and educational activities. Patients stated they would have liked more information and it was felt that they should have been encouraged to ask more questions about unclear matters. Some of the patients said they had only very limited influence over their own care. The patients were very pleased with their care in the recovery room. There were only minor differences between the views of patients from different departments. CONCLUSIONS Overall the quality of care was considered extremely good, but comparisons of different quality categories did reveal some problems. Although it has already proved to be a useful tool, the questionnaire needs to be developed and tested further.
Aspiration in the context of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

BACKGROUND Pulmonary aspiration is a life-threatening complication of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, the incidence of which has not been determined. Endoscopy-related aspiration has not been studied in procedures in which patients swallow a radiolabelled potential aspirate immediately before endoscopy and undergo nuclear scanning postprocedure. METHODS A pilot study was conducted in which 200 MBq of nonabsorbable technetium-99m phytate in 10 mL of water was administered orally to 50 patients who were about to undergo endoscopy. Gamma camera images were obtained to ensure that there had been no aspiration before endoscopy. After endoscopy, a repeat scan was performed. Fluid aspirated through the endoscope was also collected and analyzed for radioactivity using a hand-held radiation monitor. RESULTS No evidence of pulmonary aspiration was found in any of the patients studied. The mean estimated percentage of the initially administered radioactivity aspirated through the endoscope was 2.66% (range 0% to 10.3%). CONCLUSION The present pilot study confirms earlier observations that clinically significant aspiration in the context of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is uncommon. The incidence of aspiration may, however, be different in acutely bleeding patients undergoing endoscopy. For logistic reasons, this group could not be studied.
Primary angiosarcoma of the ovary: a case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION Gynecological sarcomas are rare and have a poor prognosis. Uterine sarcomas are most common accounting for 4% of all uterine tumors. Ovarian sarcomas are less frequent and are usually carcinosarcomas. CASE REPORT A previously healthy 40-year-old G2P2 presented for evaluation of 72 h of right upper quadrant pain and shortness of breath. A malignant right pleural effusion, ascites, and adnexal mass were found. Surgical staging and suboptimal debulking revealed pure angiosarcoma of the ovary Stage IV. DISCUSSION There are 12 cases of ovarian angiosarcoma reported in the literature. Ten of these cases presented in advanced stages with survivals of 2-30 months. Various chemotherapy regimens have been tried on these tumors including the most recent recommendation of MAID (mesna, doxorubicin, ifosfamide, and dacarbazine) and prognosis remains poor. Our patient underwent elective right pleurodesis via video-assisted thorascopic surgery under local anesthesia for an early recurrent right pleural effusion and subsequently began MAID chemotherapy.
Terahertz radiation from bismuth surface induced by femtosecond laser pulses.

We report on the first experimental observation of terahertz (THz) wave generation from bismuth mono- and polycrystalline samples irradiated by femtosecond laser pulses. Dependencies of the THz signal on the crystal orientation, optical pulse energy, incidence angle, and polarization are presented and discussed together with features of the sample surfaces. The optical-to-THz conversion efficiency was up to two orders of magnitude higher than for metal at a moderate fluence of ∼1 mJ/cm2. We also found nonlinear effects not previously observed using other metal and semiconductor materials: (a) asymmetry of THz response with respect to a half-turn of a sample around its normal, (b) THz polarization control by orientation of the sample surface, and
The transfer and diffusion of HRM practices within MNCs: lessons learned and future research directions

Abstract The transfer and diffusion of human resources management (HRM) practices within the geographically dispersed operations of multinational corporations (MNCs) is receiving heightened attention, in particular because it is believed to significantly influence the performance and competitiveness of MNCs and their subsidiaries. However, as a review of the current body of literature suggests, further work is needed if we are to more fully understand the underlying process through which HRM practices are transferred and diffused or provide more holistic guidance with practitioner relevance. In this article, the authors review and synthesize the extant literature on the transfer and diffusion of HRM practices in the MNC context. Five salient themes or questions that prior research attempts to address are identified and critiqued. A general guiding framework is proposed as are possible avenues for future research.
Genistein Stimulates Jejunal Chloride Secretion via Sex-dependent, Estrogen Receptor or Adenylate Cyclase Mechanisms

Background/Aims: Daily subcutaneous injections with the phytoestrogen genistein, 600 mg/ kg genistein/day (600G) significantly increased intestinal chloride (Cl-) secretion (Isc, µA/cm2) in C57BL/6J female and male murine jejunum after 1-2-weeks treatment. Methods and Results: In 600G females, basolateral application of the adenylate cyclase inhibitor MDL-12330A (10 µM) significantly reduced basal and total Isc in the presence of forskolin (27 and 40% respectively, P &lt; 0.05), with no effect in 600G males, suggesting that 600G-mediated increases in Isc in females are due to an adenylate cyclase-dependent mechanism. Concomitant injections with the non-selective estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist ICI-182780 (25 mg/kg/day) resulted in a significant inhibition of basal Isc in males (38%, P &lt; 0.05), but was without effect in females (further reinforcing an ER-independent mechanism of action). The ERα-selective antagonist (MPP, 25 mg/kg/day) similarly significantly inhibited the basal Isc (37%, P &lt; 0.05) in males, whereas the ERβ-selective antagonist (PHTPP, 25 mg/kg/day) was without effect, suggesting that 600G-mediated increases in I sc in male mice are due to an ERα-dependent mechanism. Jejunum ERα/actin expression was significantly increased by 600G in males. Compared to intact mice, orchiectomy has differing effects on 600G-mediated basal Isc; castration (CAST) abolished the 600G-mediated increases in I sc, and ovariectomy (OVX) had no effect on the 600G-stimulated increases in I sc. Daily estradiol injections (10-20 mg/kg body weight estradiol (10E2 or 20E2) had no effect in intact females, whereas 10E2 significantly increased basal Isc in OVX females. Conclusion: These data suggest that daily estradiol and genistein injections have differential sex-dependent mechanisms of action on murine intestinal Cl- secretion.
Influence of cow temperament and milking speed on herd life, lifetime milk yield and reasons of cow culling

: In ﬂ uence of cow temperament and milking speed on herd life, lifetime milk yield and reasons of cow culling. Importance of functional traits, longevity or reproduction traits increases continuously in present dairy cattle breeding. Effects of milking speed and cow temperament on herd life, lifetime milk yield and reasons of culling were estimated. The highest lifetime yield ( p <0.01) of milk, fat and protein as well as life span and herd life had calm animals or slow milking cows. However, cows with normal temperament or fast milking had the highest ( p <0.01) yield of milk fat and protein per one day of utilization. The main reason of culling were fertility and reproductive disorders (on average 41.2%), but 15.3% cows were culled because of udder diseases. Results suggest highly signi ﬁ cant ( p <0.01) in ﬂ uence of temperament and milking speed on life span, herd life, lifetime milk yield. Functional traits, longevity or fertility should be parts of breeding programs to balance dairy cattle selection and compensate negative in ﬂ uence of selection only towards milk yield that took place in the past.
State-Level Anti-Bullying Policy: Toward A System-Level Implementation Framework

Bullying is a public health concern, with negative mental health and academic consequences. In response to the prevalence of bullying in our nation’s schools, all 50 states have now enacted anti-bullying legislation. Overall, these mandates include a series of requirements geared toward addressing bullying in school settings and improving overall school climate. Following this trend of states enacting anti-bullying legislation, the State of Connecticut, the focus of this study, passed PA 11-232, An Act Concerning the Strengthening of School Bullying Laws (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 11232). This legislation was passed in 2011 and brought forth a series of mandates geared toward addressing bullying and improving school climate. These include the requirements that schools must (1) conduct bullying investigations, (2) establish a school climate committee, (3) develop and implement school climate improvement plans, (4) administer school climate surveys to students, staff, and parents, and (5) appoint school personnel who are responsible for implementing these requirements. Although the enactment of anti-bullying legislation is indeed laudable, there is a significant dearth in the research examining how anti-bullying legislation is implemented. Nevertheless, the scant research examining the implementation of anti-bullying legislation suggests that factors such as funding, training and professional development, and lack of information play a role in the implementation of these requirements. Yet, despite providing some evidence, many of these studies have not consisted of strong methodological designs. Also,
Critical perspectives of world Englishes on EFL teachers’ identity and employment in Korea: an autoethnography

Drawing upon Kubota’s perspectives on critical multiculturalism and second language education, and by adapting Canagarajah’s autoethnography for research methods, this article describes an EFL teacher candidate’s biased views on world English in her first exposure to English varieties in the United States, and the prevalent favorable views toward native English speakers from inner circle countries in English language teaching (ELT) practice in Korea. The author explains that one’s desire to learn English from Anglophone native English-speaking (NS) teachers arises from the imagined world in which one assumes that speaking native-like English would play a key role in one’s success in Korean society. Critiquing this, the author argues that ELT in Korea and the employment of NS teachers needs to be contextualized by taking learners’ goals and global society’s demands for English learning into consideration. The article also provides pedagogical implications on EFL teacher education.
Optimization of random amplification of polymorphic DNA analysis for molecular subtyping of Escherichia coli O157

K.L. HOPKINS AND A.C. HILTON. 2001. Random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis using the polymerase chain reaction has proved to be a useful technique in the epidemiological investigation of micro‐organisms but may suffer from a lack of reproducibility in poorly optimized protocols. In this study a method of obtaining reproducible genomic fingerprints using RAPD analysis of Escherichia coli O157 is described. By systematic optimization of reaction conditions and selection of suitable primers, reproducible and discriminatory profiles could be obtained from all E. coli O157 strains tested. In addition, two other methods of obtaining reproducible profiles from E. coli O157 strains without the need to purify genomic DNA are described.
Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of mediastinal tumors

We describe the clinical, pathological, and imaging findings of mediastinal tumors with focus on thymic hyperplasia, thymic epithelial tumors, and germ cell tumors, malignant lymphoma, and various cystic masses. Chemical shift magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is useful in characterization of the normal thymus and differentiation of hyperplastic thymus and thymic tumors. In contrast to noninvasive thymomas, invasive thymomas and thymic carcinomas show a more aggressive growth pattern. Local invasion and pleural spread are characteristic of invasive thymoma and mediastinal lymphadenopathy and distant metastasis suggest thymic carcinomas. Mature teratoma typically shows various computed tomography (CT) attenuation, and MR signal intensity depending on its contents and fat tissue and bone within the lesions are its characteristic findings. Seminomas typically have homogenous internal CT attenuation and MR signal intensity with minimal contrast enhancement. Nonseminomatous malignant germ cell tumors characteristically show prominent internal degenerative changes and invasion to the adjacent structures. In mediastinal lymphomas, a residual mass is common after treatment and MRI provides important information in distinguishing viable tumors from residual benign masses. Some mediastinal cysts may reveal high attenuation similar to solid lesions on CT depending on their contents and MRI can be useful in the differentiation of cystic masses from solid lesions. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2010;32:1325–1339. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Endogenous Partial Insurance and Inequality

In this paper, we propose a model of endogenous partial insurance and we investigate its implications for macroeconomic outcomes, such as wealth inequality, asset accumulation, interest rate, and consumption smoothing. To this end, we include participation costs to state-contingent asset markets into an otherwise standard Aiyagari (1994) model. We highlight the resulting nonmonotonic relationship between wealth and insurance-market participation when insurance is costly. Poor households remain uninsured, middle-class households participate in the insurance market, whereas rich households decide to self-insure by only purchasing risk-free assets. After theoretically characterizing the endogenous partial insurance equilibrium, we quantify its effect, emphasizing the roles of a participation channel and an interest rate channel.
Right papillary muscle sling: proof of concept and pilot clinical experience.

OBJECTIVES Left-sided intraventricular remodelling by papillary muscle approximation associated with annuloplasty of the mitral valve improved outcomes for severe functional mitral regurgitation compared with annuloplasty alone. We conceived of, and studied, a papillary muscle sling on the right side of the heart associated with annuloplasty, seeking to reduce tricuspid valve tethering and right ventricular volumes and to preserve ventricular function. METHODS An experimental model on ex vivo porcine hearts established the anatomical feasibility of the procedure. A first-in-man clinical series of 5 patients (3 men) with a mean age of 63.3 years (51-73) had mean right ventricular volumes of 320 ml (280-350) and 200 ml (155-250) in diastole and systole, respectively, and an ejection fraction of 30% (25-40). The mean pulmonary artery pressure was 60 mmHg (55-70), and all had Grade IV/IV tricuspid regurgitation (TR). RESULTS There was no operative mortality. Post-repair, magnetic resonance imaging and echocardiographic studies showed mean right ventricle volumes of 165 ml (155-180) and 124 ml (110-140) in diastole and systole, respectively, and an ejection fraction of 28% (25-35) (P = 0.03). TR was <2, gradient across tricuspid valve was ≤ 4 mmHg and there was no right ventricular outflow tract obstruction. All patients were in New York Heart Association Class ≤ 2. CONCLUSION Intraventricular remodelling with a papillary muscle sling is safe and feasible on the right heart. Short-term follow-up shows that it ameliorates clinical functional status and improves valve competency through reduced tension and tethering of tricuspid leaflets.
Small business value chains in local government authorities (LGAs) procurement contracts in Tanzania

Abstract Objective: To assess attitudes toward including small furniture value chains in local government authorities (LGAs) procurement contracts in Tanzania. Methodology: A transaction cost economics theory was used with multiple case study design. Four district executive directors and four small furniture owners were selected purposively. Findings: High transaction costs are experienced by direct actors i.e. both manufactures of furniture and LGAs due to problems associated with furniture manufacturers’ characteristics, business capacity, difficulty procedures in public procurement for both pre- and post-contracting stages. Information search costs are high among small furniture value chains participants. Monitoring costs are mainly on waiting time to be paid after delivering furniture among small manufacturers and those associated with small capacity of manufacturers for the case of clients, i.e. LGAs. Upgrading by joining imported furniture and old-fashioned furniture value chains is among the strategies used to reduce both transaction and production costs. Originality: Looks at attitudes toward including local furniture value chains in public procurement contractual process using a transaction costs approach from both potential suppliers and clients. Limitation: Quantitative approaches could not be adopted because there is only a small number of local small-furniture manufacturers participating in public procurement process.
Inverted duplication pattern in anaphase bridges confirms the breakage-fusion-bridge (BFB) cycle model for 11q13 amplification

The homogeneously staining region (hsr) involving chromosome band 11q13 includes amplified genes from this chromosome segment and carries a relatively poor prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC), with shorter time to recurrence and reduced overall survival. We previously identified an inverted duplication pattern of genes within the 11q13 hsr in OSCC cells, supporting a breakage-fusion-bridge (BFB) cycle model for gene amplification. To validate our hypothesis that 11q13 gene amplification in OSCC occurs via BFB cycles, we carried out fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using probes for band 11q13 on 29 OSCC cell lines. We demonstrate that all OSCC cell lines with 11q13 amplification express a significantly higher frequency of anaphase bridges containing 11q13 sequences compared to cell lines without amplification, providing further experimental evidence that 11q13 gene amplification in OSCC cells occurs via BFB cycles. Elucidation of mechanisms responsible for initiating and promoting gene amplification provides opportunities to identify new biomarkers to aid in the diagnosis and prognosis of oral cancer, and may be useful for developing novel therapeutic strategies for patients with OSCC.
Longitudinal Outcomes of Start Time Delay on Sleep, Behavior, and Achievement in High School.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To establish whether sleep, health, mood, behavior, and academics improved after a 45-minute delay in high school start time, and whether changes persisted longitudinally. METHODS We collected data from school records and student self-report across a number of domains at baseline (May 2012) and at two follow-up time points (November 2012 and May 2013), at a public high school in upstate New York. Students enrolled during academic years (AY) 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; the DASS-21; the "Owl-Lark" Scale; the Daytime Sleepiness Index; and a brief self-report of health. Reports from school records regarding attendance, tardiness, disciplinary violations, and academic performance were collected for AY 2010-2011 through 2013-2014. RESULTS Students delayed but did not extend their sleep period; we found lasting improvements in tardiness and disciplinary violations after the start-time delay, but no changes to other variables. At the first follow-up, students reported 20 minutes longer sleep, driven by later rise times and stable bed times. At the second follow-up, students maintained later rise times but delayed bedtimes, returning total sleep to baseline levels. A delay in rise time, paralleling the delay in the start time that occurred, resulted in less tardiness and decreased disciplinary incidents, but larger improvements to sleep patterns may be necessary to affect health, attendance, sleepiness, and academic performance. CONCLUSIONS Later start times improved tardiness and disciplinary issues at this school district. A delay in start time may be a necessary but not sufficient means to increase sleep time and may depend on preexisting individual differences. COMMENTARY A commentary on this article appears in this issue on page 267.
Breast cancer cells induce osteoblast apoptosis: A possible contributor to bone degradation

Breast cancer cells exhibit a predilection for metastasis to bone. There, the metastases usually bring about bone loss with accompanying pain and loss of function. One way that breast cancer cells disrupt the normal pattern of bone remodeling is by activating osteoclasts, the bone degrading cells. Nevertheless, targeting the osteoclasts does not cure the disease or result in bone repair. These observations indicate that osteoblast function also may be compromised. The objective of this study was to investigate the interaction of metastatic breast cancer cells with osteoblasts. Human metastatic breast cancer cells, MDA‐MB‐435 or MDA‐MB‐231, or their conditioned media were co‐cultured with a human osteoblast line hFOB1.19. The breast cancer cells caused an increase in the prevalence of apoptotic osteoblasts. Apoptotic osteoblasts detected by the TUNEL assay or by caspase activity increased approximately two to fivefold. This increase was not seen with non‐metastatic MDA‐MB‐468 cells. In an investigation of the mechanism, it was determined that the hFOB1.19 cells expressed fas and that fas was functional. Likewise the hFOB1.19 cells were susceptible to TNF‐α, but this cytokine was not detected in the conditioned medium of the breast cancer cells. This study indicates that osteoblasts are the target of breast cancer cell‐induced apoptosis, but fas/fas‐ligand and TNF‐α, two common initiators of cell death, are probably not involved in this aspect of the metastases/bone cell axis. There are several mechanisms that remain to be explored in order to determine how breast cancer cells bring about osteoblast apoptosis. Even though the specific initiator of apoptosis remains to be identified, the results of this study suggest that the mechanism is likely to be novel. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.