The aim of the present study was to determine if a nutrition and yoga intervention will improve quality of life (QoL) in breast cancer survivors (BCS). Using the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping as a guide to lead the intervention, the intervention assessed potential barriers, self-efficacy, diet quality, and physical activity as it relates to quality of life. Twenty-seven women were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to the control or intervention group. The intervention consisted of 6-weeks of yoga classes and 6-weeks of online nutrition education. The control group received a nutrition consultation and nutrition guidelines from the American Cancer Society. Measurement of variables was conducted at baseline, post-intervention (6 weeks), and follow-up (12 weeks). One-way repeated measures ANOVA, paired samples t-test, and post hoc analysis with Bonferroni adjustment was used to analyze the data. Mediation analysis with regression was performed to demonstrate the effect the intervention had on quality of life. The intervention elicited a statistically significant difference in the Total Outcome Index quality of life score from baseline to post-intervention (P < .005) and from baseline to follow-up (P < .005) in the intervention group. The frequency of how often fruits and vegetables were consumed was significant between time points, (P < .05), but not between the control and intervention group, P = .538. The amount of fruit and vegetables consumed each time was statistically significant for the intervention group from baseline to post-intervention (P < .05) however there was no significant difference from baseline to follow-up (P = .067). There was no difference between the control and intervention group, (P = .216). There was a statistically significant difference for physical activity for time (P P = .166) however the intervention group has a statistically significant difference between baseline and post-intervention (PP = .082). We cannot confidently predict that participant’s quality of life scores are determined by group with the help of mediators after conducting a mediation analysis with regression. A six-week nutrition and yoga intervention in BCS elicited significant changes in QoL in BCS. Even though the results did not show significant changes between the control and intervention group there were significant changes within the intervention group from baseline to post-intervention and baseline to follow-up which may indicate a 6-week online nutrition education program coupled with a 6-week yoga intervention an effective tool to improve QoL in BCS.

Recently, there has been a growing interest in improving the performance of the wireless relay networks through the use of Physical Layer Network Coding (PLNC) techniques. The physical layer network coding technique allows two terminals to transmit simultaneously to a relay node and decode the modulo-2 sum of the transmitted bits at the relay. This technique considerably improves performance over Digital Network Coding technique. In this thesis, we will present an algorithm for joint decoding of the modulo-2 sum of bits transmitted from two unsynchronized transmitters at the relay. We shall also address the problems that arise when boundaries of the signals do not align with each other and when the channel parameters are slowly varying and are unknown to the receiver at the relay node. Our approach will first jointly estimate the timing o sets and fading gains of both signals using a known pilot sequence sent by both transmitters in the beginning of the packet and then perform Maximum Likelihood detection of data using a state-based Viterbi decoding scheme that takes into account the timing o sets between the interfering signals. We shall present an algorithm for simultaneously tracking the amplitude and phase of slowly varying wireless channel that will work in conjunction our Maximum Likelihood detection algorithm. Finally, we shall provide extension of our receiver to support antenna diversity. Our results show that the proposed detection algorithm works reasonably well, even with the assumption of timing misalignment. We also demonstrate that the performance of the algorithm is not degraded by amplitude and/or phase mismatch between the users. We further show that the performance of the channel tracking algorithm is close to the ideal case i.e. when the channel estimates are perfectly known. Finally, we demonstrate the performance boost provided by the receiver antenna diversity.

This autoethnography uses narrative inquiry within an anticolonial theoretical framework. As a White Italian male settler living on Turtle Island, I bring survivor experience to psychiatric definitions of “psychosis,” or what I call psychosic narrative, and to broader literatures for the purpose of decolonizing “mental” relations. Using reflexive critiques, including feminist antiracism, I question my own privileges as I consider the possibilities of Mad culture to disturb authorizations of practices like forced electroshock and drugging. Using journals, salient themes of experience are identified, including “delusion,” “psychosis,” “madness,” and “illness,” especially as they appear in texts about politics, culture, and theory. A temporally rigorous narrative approach to my readings allows for a self-reflexive writing on such themes in relation with antiracist anticolonial resistance. Thus a White psychiatric survivor resistance to psychiatry and its social (local) history is related to the problematic of global Western neoliberal heteropatriarchy in psychological institutional texts. Survivor testimonies bring critical madness and disability theories as they pertain to racialization and constructions of sex/uality and gender. Rather than present a comprehensive analysis, this narrative inquiry is generated from the process of research as it was experienced in order to represent and question its epistemological grounds.

Although scholars have been studying domestic violence for four decades now, it is only recently that domestic violence occurring in non-heterosexual relationships has received attention. The purpose of this study is to explore the interconnections between the experiences of survivors of lesbian intimate partner violence (IPV), the lesbian communities' beliefs regarding IPV, and available shelter services. The ultimate goal of this project is to describe how the experiences and practices of all three ultimately affect survivors of lesbian IPV. To accomplish this, members of the lesbian community were asked to complete an on-line survey, and qualitative interviews were conducted with both shelter employees and lesbian IPV survivors. While more than 50% of lesbians completing the online survey reported experiencing IPV in a lesbian relationship, most agreed that lesbian IPV was ignored in lesbian communities. Lesbians also agreed that survivors would not seek help from local DV shelters or police, but did believe there were appropriate services available in their area. DV shelters reported allowing lesbian survivors to access their heterosexually focused services, but offered no services specifically addressing the unique needs of lesbian survivors. Lesbian survivors reported feeling isolated, trapped and helpless due to the lack of acknowledgement and support in their communities and scarcity of available services. The findings of this study suggest that IPV is common in lesbian relationships. Despite this finding, denial in the lesbian community and the lack of appropriate shelter services continue the isolation and marginalization of lesbian survivors.

Timing recovery is the processing of synchronizing the sampler with the received analog signal. Sampling at the wrong times can have a devastating impact on performance. Conventional timing recovery techniques are based on a decision-directed phase-locked loop (PLL). They are adequate only when the operating signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is sufficiently high, but recent advances in error-control coding have made it possible to communicate reliably at very low SNR, where conventional techniques fail. This thesis develops new techniques for timing recovery that are capable of working at low SNR. We propose a new timing recovery scheme based on per-survivor processing (PSP), which jointly performs timing recovery and equalization, by embedding a separate PLL into each survivor of a Viterbi algorithm. The proposed scheme is shown to perform better than conventional scheme, especially when the SNR is low and the timing error is large. An important advantage of this technique is its amenability to real-time implementation. We also propose a new iterative timing recovery scheme that exploits the presence of the error-control code; in doing so, it can perform even better than the PSP scheme described above, but at the expense of increased complexity and the requirement of batch processing. This scheme is realized by embedding the timing recovery process into a trellis-based soft-output equalizer using PSP. Then, this module iteratively exchanges soft information with the error-control decoder, as in conventional turbo equalization. The resulting system jointly performs the functions of timing recovery, equalization, and decoding. The proposed iterative timing recovery scheme is shown to perform better than previously reported iterative timing recovery schemes, especially when the timing error is severe. Finally, performance analysis of iterative timing recovery schemes is difficult because of their high complexity. We propose to use the extrinsic information transfer (EXIT) chart as a tool to predict and compare their performances, considering that the bit-error rate computation takes a significant amount of simulation time. Experimental results indicate that the system performance predicted by the EXIT chart coincides with that obtained by simulating data transmission over a complete iterative receiver, especially when the coded block length is large.

Previous research has greatly ignored the unique stressors that homicide survivors experience following the murder of their loved one, indicating a general lack of understanding of the experiences and reactions they are subjected to or the coping mechanisms that they utilize. What little research that had been conducted has largely been made up of anecdotal insight of psychological practitioners who had worked with clients. A need exists to speak with the survivors themselves to chronicle their experiences in as much detail as possible to help researchers and practitioners wrap their mind around the totality of the loss as well as ground future research. The participants in the study consisted of twelve persons who had immediate family members who had been murdered. Participants were interviewed utilizing Lincoln & Guba?s Naturalistic Inquiry paradigm. They were initially interviewed and encouraged to discuss their loss in narrative and then were asked a series of specific questions that may or may not have been discussed during the narrative. The collected data was analyzed utilizing the constant comparison methodology. Results indicate that many homicide survivors feel overwhelmed by the changes that occur in the short and long term. None of the participants reported positive experiences interacting with mental health practitioners but virtually everyone endorsed peer-group support. There was also evidence that participants whose loved one was murdered by a person of an ethnicity that differed from their own resulted in racist feelings towards the other ethnicity. Further, there was no evidence that the process of interviewing homicide survivors was in and of itself negatively perceived or harmful; rather some participants reported feeling relieved that they were able to discuss their loss in totality without having to edit themselves. Results suggest that homicide survivors may spend an unusual amount of time reflecting on the person that their loved one may have become had they not been murdered. Suggestions also include how to best notify and support homicide survivors and how practitioners may best relate with their clients.

Bakgrund: Allt fler kvinnor överlever bröstcancer vilket är ett resultat av förbättrade metoder för diagnostik, allmän mammografi samt mer effektiva behandlingsmetoder. Gruppen bröstcanceröverlevare har synliggjorts mycket tack vare kampanjen kring Rosa Bandet. Ofta drabbas kvinnor som överlevt av både fysiska och psykosociala problem relaterat till sin bröstcancer. Författarna ville beskriva de existentiella upplevelserna som kvinnorna skulle kunna ha relaterat till sin överlevnad. Syfte: Syftet var att beskriva existentiella upplevelser hos kvinnor som överlevt bröstcancer. Metod: En litteraturöversikt baserad på elva vetenskapliga artiklar med kvalitativ ansats, relevanta för syftet. Databaser som användes vid artikelsökning var PubMed och ProQuest Nursing &amp; Allied Health Source. Resultat: Resultatet presenteras i fyra olika teman och två underteman. De fyra temana är Upplevelse av förändrad självbild, Upplevelse av förändrad kropp, Upplevelse av ensamhet och isolering samt Upplevelse av förändrad livssyn. Kvinnorna brottades med existentiella upplevelser till följd av en förändrad kropp och självbild samt förlust av sitt tidigare sätt att förhålla sig till livet och döden. Genom ökad självkännedom och nya insikter kunde den förändrade livssituationen, relaterad till sjukdom och överlevnad, bli vändpunkten till en ny och ofta positiv livssyn. Diskussion: I resultatdiskussionen användes livsvärldsteorin och begreppet om den levda kroppen som teoretisk referensram, då syftet var att belysa den unika människan och hennes existentiella upplevelser. Kvinnornas förändrade livsvärld innebar ett behov av att försonas med sin nya vardag. Transitionen från sjuk till frisk innebar existentiella upplevelser av en förändrad kropp och självbild samt känsla av ensamhet men följdes av nya livsperspektiv genom självläkning och meningsskapande. / Background: A growing number of women are surviving breast cancer, a result of improved methods of diagnosis, general mammography and more effective treatments. The group of breast cancer survivors has been made visible mainly thanks to the campaign surrounding the Pink Ribbon. Female survivors often suffer from physical and psychosocial problems related to their breast cancer. The authors wanted to describe the existential experiences the women might have, related to their survivorship. Aim: The aim was to describe the existential experiences of women who have survived breast cancer. Method: A literature review based on eleven original articles with qualitative approach, relevant to the purpose. Databases used in the search were PubMed and ProQuest Nursing &amp; Allied Health Source. Result: The results are presented in four different themes and two sub themes. The four themes are Perception of altered self-image, Perception of altered body, Perception of loneliness and isolation and Perception of altered view of life. From the results it emerged that many women were struggling with existential experiences as a result of a changed body and self-image as well as the loss of their way of relating to life and death. Through increased self-awareness and new insights, a new living situation related to illness and survival could be the turning point to a new and often positive view of life. Discussion: In the result discussion the life-world theory and the concept of the lived body, were used as a theoretical framework, since the purpose was to highlight existential experiences of the unique human being. The changing life-world led to a need to reconcile with a new daily life. The transition from illness to health led to existential experiences of an altered body and self-image as well as loneliness, but was followed by a new perspective of life through self-healing and meaning-making.

Advances in cancer treatment have led to a significant increase in the number of pediatric oncology survivors. These survivors often have late effects in their cognitive, academic, executive, and psychological functioning subsequent to their chemotherapy and radiation treatment. In particular, executive functioning (EF), which is crucial for cognitive and academic functioning, has been recognized as an area that is impacted by treatment. Several studies have described cognitive remediation programs that seek to improve EF skills in pediatric oncology survivors. Although these programs have led to improvements in EF skills, they are often difficult to replicate due to the extensive time requirement. Many survivors also experience distress and anxiety and would likely benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy, which has been shown to be an effective intervention for children with internalizing disorders. Thus, a brief intervention that combines treatment for executive functioning and psychological distress is warranted. A mixed methods study was conducted to evaluate the impact of a nine-week blended cognitive remediation and cognitive behavior therapy group for pediatric oncology survivors and their parents. Participants were pediatric cancer survivors, age 9-14, and their parents who were referred through a local children's hospital that specialized in oncology treatment. Pre and post measures of EF, psychological functioning, and parental stress were examined. Semi-structured interviews with participants and their parents were completed and analyzed to learn more about the function of short-term group therapy for pediatric oncology survivors. Content analysis of the parent support group sessions was also conducted. Significant changes were found for youth internalizing symptoms, youth adaptive skills, youth executive functioning, and parental stress. There was also a positive correlation between parental stress and parent-rated youth internalizing problems as well as parent-rated youth behavioral symptoms and a negative correlation between parental stress and parent-rated youth adaptive behavior. Qualitative interviews indicated that participants felt that the intervention was helpful. Themes from the parent group included the challenge of managing late effects, balancing multiple roles, and coping with distress. Implications, limitations, and recommendations for further areas of research are presented. / text

Although research has shown that mental-health stigma can impact an individual’s well-being, little is known about who perpetrates suicide stigma. Moreover, anticipation of stigma could impact whether individuals disclose their suicidal experiences; yet, little is known about suicide disclosure and how family members’ reactions play a role in subsequent mental health. To address these gaps, three studies were designed to examine how stigma, suicide disclosure, and family reaction impact subsequent mental health of attempt survivors and those who have experience suicidal ideation. Individuals who had previously experienced suicidal ideation or a previous suicide attempt (n = 156) were recruited through the American Association of Suicidology. Results indicated that attempt survivors were more likely to experience stigma from non-mental health providers and social network members than from mental health providers. A hierarchical standard regression model including both source and type of stigma accounted for more variance (ΔR2 = .08) in depression symptomology than a model with only type of stigma. Results from respondents who had experienced a nonfatal suicide attempt in the past 10 years (n = 74) indicated that family reaction mediated the relationship between suicide disclosure and depression symptoms (B = -4.83, 95% BCa CI [-11.67, -1.33]). Higher rates of disclosure statistically predicted more positive family reactions (B = 4.81, p = .013) and more positive family reactions statistically predicted less severe depression symptoms (B = -1.00, p = .002). Interpretive phenomenological techniques were used to analyze follow-up interviews (n = 40) with attempt survivors. Individuals’ reactions to suicide disclosure offered insight for attempt survivors’ regarding their place in society. More specifically, reactions impacted the degrees to which attempt survivors felt that they belonged within their social group and whether they were a burden to their loved ones. Given these results, the potential contributions of family scientists to the field of suicidology are examined. Specifically, researchers have primarily examined suicide as an individual phenomenon; family scientists are ideally suited for examining the family’s role after an attempt occurs. However, family science must also make the transition to viewing suicide as a family experience.

This dissertation presents an historical overview of the interdependent representations of gender, class, ethnicity, race, nationality, sexuality, and (dis)ability in a selection of films and first-person written autobiographical texts from the 1940s to the early twenty-first century. Cinematic and written autobiographical representations of “mental illness” reflect and shape various models of psychological trauma and wellness. I explore the ways that these two genres of representation underscore, exert influence upon, and interrogate socio-cultural understandings and interpretations of deviance and normalcy, madness and sanity, and pathology and health. Some models of health and illness carry more ideological weight than others, and thus differentially contour public policy formation and the materiality of people’s daily lives. My project is distinct from other kinds of scholarship on the subject of women’s “madness.” Whereas scholarship has been written on “madness” and cinema, and on “madness” and autobiography, this related academic work has not consistently drawn linkages between multiple genres or utilized interdisciplinary methodologies to critically explore texts. Feminist scholars who address the interconnections between autobiographies and cinematic representations often pay only limited attention to psychiatric survivors. I draw parallels and distinctions between these genres, based upon my training in social work, cultural studies, film and autobiography theory, medical and linguistic anthropology, and disability studies. My perspective hinges upon my longstanding involvement with and commitment to the subject of women’s “madness” in both personal and professional arenas.