Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Contrast‐Enhanced Sonography Helps in Discrimination of Benign From Malignant Adnexal Masses

Objective. To investigate the potential efficacy of real‐time contrast‐enhanced power Doppler sonography in the differentiation of benign and malignant adnexal masses in a pilot study. Methods. Before surgical treatment, adnexal masses were prospectively evaluated with power Doppler sonography before and after injection of a contrast agent. Real‐time postinjection sequences were computerized with time‐intensity analysis software to determine an enhancement curve and contrast parameters. The intraobserver and interobserver reproducibilities of these criteria were assessed on a subsample. These contrast parameters were compared between benign and malignant tumors using logistic regression. Sensitivity and specificity were used to compare contrast parameters with sonographic and Doppler variables. Results. Ninety‐nine women were included, for a total of 101 adnexal masses. There were 23 cases of ovarian malignancies and 78 benign adnexal lesions. Our procedure had excellent intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility, with an average intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.92. The time before enhancement and intensity ratio did not reliably differentiate between the benign and malignant masses. Washout times and areas under the curves were significantly greater in ovarian malignancies than in other benign tumors (P < .001), leading to sensitivity estimates between 96% and 100% and specificity estimates between 83 and 98%. Contrast parameters had slightly higher sensitivity and slightly lower specificity when compared with transvaginal sonographic variables of the resistive index and serum cancer antigen 125 levels. Conclusions. Contrast‐enhanced power Doppler imaging may easily and precisely discriminate benign from malignant adnexal lesions. Larger studies are needed to determine the appropriate use and benefits of this new procedure.
Contagion and the composition of Canadian banks' foreign asset portfolios: do financial crises matter?

This paper uses a unique Bank of Canada panel data set to assess the impact of information-based contagion on the foreign asset exposures of Canadian banks. Specifically, banks’ foreign asset exposures include loans, deposits and holdings of public and private securities from 1984 to 2003 on a quarterly basis vis-a-vis over 150 foreign jurisdictions. Preliminary results find that, conditional on fundamentals, banks do not adjust their overall asset portfolios immediately in the presence of crisis events. However, there is weak evidence that the composition of foreign claims adjusts in the presence of informational contagion.
An assessment of the extent to which subject variation between the Arts and Sciences in relation to the award of a First Class degree can explain the ‘gender gap’ in UK universities

There is a widely recognised national trend for girls to outperform boys at all levels of compulsory schooling. With few exceptions, however, most recent research has reported that, in relation to academic performance at university, men are proportionately over‐represented at the First Class level. A number of general hypotheses have been put forward to explain this phenomenon, including those that assume gender‐linked differences in cognitive and/or personality traits. A smaller proportion of research has given explanatory primacy to the broad subject area studied. More specifically, it has been alleged that the over‐representation of men within the First bracket is largely a function of a ‘compositional effect’ whereby men achieve proportionately more Firsts as there are more of them within the First‐rich Sciences. Based upon analysis of 1,707,408 students graduating between 1995 and 2002, this paper seeks to provide the most comprehensive exploration, to date, of this effect. It confirms that a substantial proportion of the ‘gender gap’ can be explained with reference to the male propensity to take degrees in first‐rich disciplines.
Learning Multi-Sensory Integration with Self-Organization and Statistics

Recently, we have presented a self-organized artificial neural network algorithm capable of learning a latent variable model of its high-dimensional input and to optimally integrate that input to compute and population-code a probability density function over the values of the latent variables of that model. We did take our motivation from natural neural networks and reported on a simple experiment with simulated multi-sensory data. However, we focused on presenting the algorithm and evaluating its performance, leaving a comparison with natural cognition for future work. In this paper, we show that our algorithm behaves similar, in important behavioral and neural aspects, to a prime example of natural multi-sensory integration: audio-visual object localization.
Behavioral, Personality, and Communicative Predictors of Acceptance and Popularity in Early Adolescence

This study examined the behavioral, personality, and communicative predictors of acceptance and popularity in 608 early adolescents. Data were collected with sociometric methods and ratings in 30 sixth-grade classrooms. Hierarchical regressions were run to predict acceptance and popularity from prosocial, antisocial, and withdrawn behavior, agreeableness and extraversion, and pragmatic communicative skills. Low levels of antisocial behavior positively predicted peer acceptance. Popularity depended on a more complex profile of predictors. Prosocial and antisocial behavior contributed positively to popularity, whereas withdrawn behavior contributed negatively. Extraversion and pragmatic skills also played a role in the prediction of popularity. Extraversion moderated the associations of prosocial and antisocial behavior with popularity. Popularity was highest when high levels of prosocial or antisocial behavior were combined with high levels of extraversion. Pragmatic skills moderated the association of prosocial behavior with popularity. Popularity was highest when prosocial behavior and pragmatic skills were high.
Null alleles are ubiquitous at microsatellite loci in the Wedge Clam (Donax trunculus)

Recent studies have reported an unusually high frequency of nonamplifying alleles at microsatellite loci in bivalves. Null alleles have been associated with heterozygous deficits in many studies. While several studies have tested for its presence using different analytical tools, few have empirically tested for its consequences in estimating population structure and differentiation. We characterised 16 newly developed microsatellite loci and show that null alleles are ubiquitous in the wedge clam, Donax trunculus. We carried out several tests to demonstrate that the large heterozygous deficits observed in the newly characterised loci were most likely due to null alleles. We tested the robustness of microsatellite genotyping for population assignment by showing that well-recognised biogeographic regions of the south Atlantic and south Mediterranean coast of Spain harbour genetically different populations.
Measuring the Internalized Stigma of Parents of Persons With a Serious Mental Illness: The Factor Structure of the Parents’ Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale

Abstract Research has revealed that approximately one third of persons with a serious mental illness (SMI) experience elevated internalized stigma, which is associated with a large number of negative outcomes. Family members of persons with SMI are also often subject to stigma, but the degree to which these experiences are internalized and lead to self-stigma has rarely been studied. The present study investigated the factor structure of a modification of the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness (ISMI) scale by Ritsher, Otilingam, and Grajales (Psychiatry Res 121:31–49, 2003). A central assumption of this investigation was that the factor structure of the Parents’ Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness (PISMI) scale would be similar to the factor structure of the ISMI scale. A total of 194 parents of persons with SMI completed the PISMI scale. The results revealed that the PISMI scale has high internal consistency and that it is made up of three distinctive factors: discrimination experience, social withdrawal and alienation, and stereotype endorsement. These factors are similar, but not identical, to the factors that underlie the ISMI scale. This study’s findings also indicate that parents’ prominent reaction to self-stigma is stereotype endorsement.
Investigating the Circumplex Structure of the Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ)

The Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ) comprises 10 basic values that guide behavior. The Schwartz model postulates that these 10 values build a circumplex structure. We examined the PVQ with respect to its dimensional structure using a representative sample (N = 1896) of the German population. The results of three widely used analyses were compared: multidi- mensional scaling, factorial analysis (with varimax rotation) of raw scores, and factorial analysis with ipsative values. Further- more, rank correlations between the theoretically assumed circular distances and the empirical data were calculated. The analyses confirmed that the 10 dimensions of the PVQ can be depicted in a two-dimensional plane. However, the statistical techniques chosen yielded different arrangements of the 10 values in the plane. All statistical methods failed to confirm the circumplex structure postulated by Schwartz. Nevertheless, dimensions of higher order that condense the 10 dimensions can be derived for applications of the PVQ.
‘Effects of’ and ‘effects with’ captions: How exactly does watching a TV programme with same-language subtitles make a difference to language learners?

Ever since Karen Price's ground-breaking work in 1983, we have known that same-language subtitles (captions) primarily intended for the deaf and hearing-impaired can provide access to foreign language films and TV programmes which would otherwise be virtually incomprehensible to non-native-speaker viewers. Since then, researchers have steadily built up our knowledge of how learners may make use of these when watching. The question remains, however, whether, and to what extent, watching subtitled programmes over time helps develop learners’ language skills in various ways. Perhaps surprisingly, this question of long-term language development has still not been fully addressed in the research literature and we appear to be in a largely ‘confirmatory’ cycle. At an informal level, on the other hand, there are countless stories of learners who have been assisted in learning a foreign language by watching subtitled or captioned films and television. I shall review the contributions of key research studies to build up a picture of the current state of our knowledge and go on to outline, first, the current gaps in research and, second, some encouraging new approaches to learning by autonomous ‘users’ of foreign-language Internet media and same-language subtitles across languages, now more widely available.
Are All Minority Women Equally Buffered from Negative Body Image? Intra-Ethnic Moderators of the Buffering Hypothesis 1

Body dissatisfaction is normative among European American women, and involvement with predominant culture or linking self-worth to weight may intensify the association between body dissatisfaction and drive for thinness for women of color. Our study investigated whether orientation to other ethnic groups (Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure) and weight-based contingency of self-worth moderate the relationship between body satisfaction and drive for thinness (Eating Disorder Inventory) among college-age African American, Asian American, and European American women. Survey responses from undergraduates (N = 905) were collected, and multiple regression analyses showed that, for African Americans, appearance esteem was positively associated with drive for thinness among those who defined their self-worth as contingent on weight or who identified with ethnic outgroups. Appearance esteem was independently associated with drive for thinness among Asian Americans and European Americans, but no moderation was found. European American women who define self-worth as contingent on weight were higher in drive for thinness, regardless of their body mass index or appearance esteem. Identifying the mechanisms through which some women may be at risk for internalizing restrictive body ideals is key for understanding experiences of the body for diverse women.
Do the Determinants of Promotion Differ for White Men Versus Women and Minorities? An Exploration of Intersectionalism Through Sponsored and Contest Mobility Processes

This article uses survey data to address two previously unanswered questions: What explains the gap in promotion between women and minorities relative to White men? and Are the processes that determine promotions for White men the same for minorities and women? Overall, race and gender intersect to produce unique promotion outcomes for all groups. Specifically, promotion gaps between White men and their female and minority counterparts are largely a function of group differences in performance indicators and work commitment. Also, relative to White men, before receiving a promotion, Black men must work longer periods of time after leaving school and Latinos must accrue more years with their current employer. Finally, the processes that lead to promotion do not differ between White men and White women, but relative to White men, Black women and Latinas must have more prior job-specific experience and more overall work experience before receiving a promotion—allelse equal.
Compulsory loyalty? Accountability, citizenship and the BBC

Este artigo localiza os debates contemporâneos sobre governanca e accountability de servicos publicos de televisao e radiodifusao no contexto dos debates no Reino Unido sobre a renovacao do Canal BBC. Parte-se da nocao sugerida por Warnock (1974) de accountability como o fornecimento de informacao e a habilidade de exercer sancoes e das distincoes propostas por Hirschman (1970) e Thompson (2003) entre saida, voz e lealdade e formas de governanca hierarquica, de mercado e de rede. Como accountability pode ser exercida em contextos definidos por Hirschman e Thompson e qual e o papel da confianca (O’Neill, 2002)? Em oposicao ao modelo “forte” da concepcao normativa de consumidor (Peacock 1986, Potter 1988, Sargant 1992 e 1993) como um usuario capaz de fazer com que instituicoes se mantenham responsivas em um mercado em bom uncionamento, em servicos de radiodifusao o cidadao e concebido (de acordo com Marshall 1981) meramente como um objeto “fraco” da distribuicao de bem-estar ao inves de um agente ativo capaz de manter os difusores responsivos. Em consequencia, as propostas do governo britânico para um novo modelo de governanca da BBC talvez sejam consideradas inadequadas para atender demandas contemporâneas para melhorar a accountability de servicos publicos.
Big Brother

In this article, the author focuses on Big Brother in relation to audience attraction. I outline the context of factual entertainment and its audience, and the specific experience of watching Big Brother. Seen in relation to factual entertainment as a whole, Big Brother is one of the least popular examples of “documentary as diversion. ” Seen in relation to gamedocs, Big Brother is one of the most popular examples of new factual entertainment. The author's research, which uses quantitative and qualitative audience studies, indicates that attraction to Big Brother is based on the social and performative aspects of the program. The focus on the degree of actuality, on real people's improvised performances in the program, leads to a particular viewing practice: audiences look for the moment of authenticity when real people are “really” themselves in an unreal environment. This, the author argues, is the popularity of the gamedoc, evident in its early incarnation, and writ large in Big Brother spin-offs and sub-sequent series.
Individual demographic differences and job satisfaction.

Empirical research and theoretical literature support the notion that demographic differences among employees are associated with job satisfaction. However, the evidence is inconsistent, and little is known about the stability of many of the reported relationships. A meta-analysis was conducted involving 21 independent studies and over 10,000 employees to discern selected population relationships. Results indicated that, with the exception of age and organizational tenure, associations do not differ significantly from zero. Large amounts of variance around each mean correlation, however, warranted a moderator analysis. Results indicated that the strength and pattern of associations differ by organizational type. Theoretical propositions and implications for future research in the area of demographic moderators are discussed.
Update on National University Stress Study

In 2003/4, 13 Australian universities took part in a follow-up survey of occupational stress following an earlier one conducted in 2000. More than 6000 staff participated at each time, of whom 969 (stayers) participated at both times. This paper presents the cross-sectional data obtained on both occasions as well as the longitudinal data provided by the stayers. Overall, the cross-sectional data from all participants showed some encouraging improvements. For example, there were increases in organisational commitment, job involvement, job autonomy, procedural fairness, and trust in senior management, as well as decreases in work pressure and job insecurity. However, there were also increases in psychological strain and work-home conflict. Longitudinal results from the stayers showed a similar pattern. These participants also showed increases in job involvement, job autonomy, belief in procedural fairness, and trust in senior management, and a decrease in job insecurity, together with increased work-home conflict and increased psychological strain. However, they did not show improvements in organisational commitment or work pressure, and also reported reduced job satisfaction. Attrition analyses revealed some Time 1 differences between the stayers and dropouts that might explain the discrepant findings. Neither the cross-sectional nor longitudinal changes were uniform across all universities, or all categories of staff. The improvements were more marked for general than for academic staff, and for female than for male staff. Regression analyses found that the best predictors of organisational commitment were job satisfaction and trust in senior management; the best predictors of trust in senior management were procedural fairness and organisational commitment; and the best predictor of job satisfaction was procedural fairness. Interestingly, the only significant predictor of psychological strain was neuroticism. The next stage of the research is to try to find out what interventions were introduced at each university and to link them to the observed improvements. A U S T R A L I A N U N I V E R S I T I E S R E V I E W
The Effect of Variation in Arm Position on Sagittal Spinal Alignment

Study Design. A prospective radiographic analysis of sagittal alignment in patients with and without previous spinal fusion. Objectives. To evaluate the effect of variation of arm position on the segmental, regional, and global sagittal radiographic spinal alignment. In addition, to determine whether spinal fusion has any influence on the effect of variation in arm position on the sagittal spinal alignment. Summary of Background Data. Importance of segmental, regional, and global sagittal alignment has been widely promoted. However, no mention has been made of arm positioning during a lateral spinal radiograph and the resultant effects it may have on sagittal alignment and balance. Methods. Prospective evaluation of 40 consecutive patients with and 40 consecutive patients without a previous spinal fusion was performed. The patients had lateral long cassette radiographs performed in a standardized fashion with the first radiograph obtained with the patient’s arms raised horizontally forward at 90° of flexion at the shoulder, and the second radiograph obtained with arms raised horizontally forward at 30° of flexion at the shoulder. Standard segmental, regional, and global sagittal alignments were measured and statistically compared. Results. In comparing group 1 (patients with spinal fusion) to group 2 (patients without spinal fusion), there was no statistically significant difference in segmental and regional sagittal alignments. However, positioning the arms at 90°versus 30° resulted in a negative shift of the sagittal vertical axis (SVA) in patients that was statistically significant (P = 0.038) for those with (−6 mm at 90°vs +4 mm at 30°), but not (P = 0.119) for those patients without (−8 mm at 90°vs −4mm at 30°) a previous spinal fusion. Conclusions. Based on the findings in this study, the authors recommend positioning the arms at 30° of forward flexion from the vertical when obtaining a long cassette lateral radiograph of the entire spine.
Leadership and Employee Engagement

Leadership is one of the most studied topics in the organization sciences, and employee engagement one of the more recent. However, the relationship between leadership and employee engagement has not been widely investigated. As many organizations invest significant resources in retaining, developing, and engaging employees, human resource development (HRD) professionals are tasked to develop and partner with leaders to deliver those strategies effectively. Thus, a comprehensive understanding on the relationship and mechanism between leadership and engagement is essential to HRD professionals informing leaders on how best to cultivate positive results in followers. In this vein, this research conducted an extensive review of empirical and conceptual studies that examined the relationship between leadership and employee engagement, analyzed/synthesized the studies into integrated frameworks for the leadership–engagement relationship, and proposed future research agendas.
CSF-1 as a regulator of macrophage activation and immune responses.

Macrophage activation is a key determinant of susceptibility and pathology in a variety of inflammatory diseases. The extent of macrophage activation is tightly regulated by a number of pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g. IFN-gamma, IL-2, GM-CSF, IL-3) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (e.g. IL-4, IL-10, TGF-beta). Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (CSF-1/M-CSF) is a key differentiation, growth and survival factor for monocytes/macrophages and osteoclasts. The role of this factor in regulating macrophage activation is often overlooked. This review will summarize our current understanding of the effects of CSF-1 on the activation state of mature macrophages and its role in regulating immune responses.
The German mobile standards battle

The diffusion of innovations has long been a research domain in IS research. Yet, there is no sound theory nor practice to fully understand the complex mechanisms behind networks of users who are tied together by compatibility requirements as is frequently witnessed in information and communication networks. The goal of this paper is to identify key determinants of the technology battle between WAP and i-mode that is recently raging between German cellular service providers and to propose a possible diffusion path. By adapting an existing network model of technology diffusion, key influences are identified and incorporated into a computer-based simulation model. In doing so, trade-offs like better presentation quality on i-mode cellular clients vs. higher service costs compared to WAP applications can be modeled to propose a systematic sensitivity analysis of factors influencing the success of the respective mobile technologies and associated services. Not at least, the simulation model supports mobile services providers to customize their prices for a faster market penetration through regarding not only indirect (WAP, i-mode) but also direct network effects (SMS, i-mail) as crucial factors for adopters.