Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing Patients in Our Publication on Endometrial Thickness

in women with Asherman’s syndrome. We agree that the finding of very thin endometrium in women with upper cervical occlusion is intriguing, but it does appear to be a genuine phenomenon since the same observation has been made by others. Our contribution was to measure endometrial thickness using ultrasound, not assess the ultrasound-determined extent of adhesions, in a carefully assessed group of Asherman’s syndrome patients for the first time. We agree that the ultrasound methodology for assessment of the extent of intrauterine adhesions may not have been ideal by modern standards, but our transvaginal ultrasound data have been collected over nearly two decades, albeit using the same 2D technique. Like Drs Knopman and Copperman, we now use 3D ultrasound for this assessment. Nevertheless, sonographic imaging was not our sole criterion for the classification of patients into different groupings, including the group in which we were mainly interested, the women who solely had uterine outlet occlusion at the level of the internal os (without any intra-cavitary adhesions). These gradings were determined by careful diagnostic hysteroscopy in all cases (as noted in our publication). Hence, we can refute the statement by Drs Knopman and Copperman that ‘one must wonder if the authors under-diagnosed the extent of disease as a result of their limited screening modality (2D TVUS), thereby affecting the validity of their results’.
A critical study of international higher education development : capital, capability, and a dialogical proposal for academic freedom as a responsibility

This thesis sets out to critically examine the field of higher education development, as one which is focused on socio-economic inequality and welfare, and determines educational purpose in poorer, or ‘developing’, countries accordingly. My question is whether mainstream development approaches to higher education are really contributing to the provision of more equal education services, or whether they risk reintroducing inequality by treating the priorities of poorer countries differently. To investigate whether there are educational values or purposes common to universities globally irrespective of socio-economic imperatives, I begin the study with a historiographical look at their growth in terms of both ideas of its purpose, and how purpose is realised in actuality. I then trace the emergence of the discourse of international development, and the role that higher education has come to play within it, showing how the field of international higher education development has simplified the notion of university purpose for its own devices. The thesis then looks at underlying assumptions about human nature, defined as the problem of humanism, common to both transcendent ideas of university purpose as well as the development discourse. To avoid the limitations of these assumptions, I argue that a theoretical approach is required that can engage with questions of hybridity and multiplicity in both the history and future of universities, without reducing those questions to abstract ideas. The approach I propose draws upon the dialogism of Mikhail Bakhtin, whose multi-layered understanding of language prevents any one understanding of another person, or of human nature more generally, being considered final. The educational implications for such an approach are finally explored in the concept of academic freedom, which is traditionally conceived of as a right, but is here reconceptualised also as a responsibility.
Smoking as a determinant of the geographical pattern of cardiac events among women in an urban population

Background: Smoking is the major risk factor for cardiac events in younger women and is most common in groups with the least favourable socioeconomic circumstances. Objective: To assess to what extent geographical differences in the female incidence of myocardial infarction in the city of Malmö in Sweden can be accounted for by smoking and to what extent intra-urban variances of smoking are related to socioeconomic circumstances. Method: Area specific prevalences of smokers is based on a sample of 17,319 women, aged 45—73 years. A comprehensive score was used to rank the 17 residential areas in terms of socioeconomic circumstances. Incidence of myocardial infarction and death is based on official statistics 1989— 97. Results: The area-specific prevalence of female smokers, which ranged from 17.5 to 32.5%, was inversely related to the socioeconomic score in 45- to 54 and 55- to 64-year-olds, r=-0.65 (p<0.05) and -0.59 (p<0.05). No correlation was found for women above 65 years of age. The annual age-adjusted incidence of cardiac events in the residential areas, which ranged from 151 to 414 per 100,000 person years, was strongly related to the prevalence of smokers, r=0.75 (p<0.001). Conclusion: Between 50% and 60% of the intra-urban variance of the female incidence of myocardial infarction was accounted for by smoking in this urban population. The geographical pattern of smoking was strongly related to inferior socioeconomic circumstances.
Place Value: Problem Solving and Written Assessment

MARCH 2002 R e se a rc h , R e le c io n , P ra c ic e Place Value: Problem Solving and Written Assessment E lementary school children have traditionally found place value to be difficult to learn, and their teachers have found it difficult to teach. Understanding place value requires a child to make connections among and sense of a highly complex system for symbolizing quantities. Our numeration system is characterized by the following four mathematical properties:
Gender and Language

1. Introduction 2. Feminist accounts of gender and language use 3. Language use and the generation of meaning 4. Language and performativity 5. Gricean pragmatics 6. Post-Gricean pragmatics: Politeness Theory and Relevance Theory 7. Conclusion.
Intracellular localization of mesothelin predicts patient prognosis of extrahepatic bile duct cancer.

Mesothelin is expressed in various types of malignant tumors, and we recently reported that the expression of mesothelin was related to unfavorable patient outcome in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and gastric adenocarcinoma. In this study, we examined the clinicopathological significance of mesothelin expression in extrahepatic bile duct cancer (EHBDCA), especially in terms of its association with the staining pattern. Tissue samples from 61 EHBDCA (16 hilar cholangiocarcinoma, 17 upper bile duct adenocarci-noma, 20 middle bile duct adenocarcinoma and 8 distal bile duct adenocarcinoma) were immunohistochemically examined. The expression levels of mesothelin in tumor cells was classified into the localization of mesothelin in luminal membrane and/or cytoplasm, in addition to high and low according to the staining intensity and proportion as a conventional analysis. 'High-level expression' of mesothelin (47.5%) was statistically correlated with liver metastasis (P=0.013) and poorer patient outcome (P=0.022), while 'luminal membrane positive' of mesothelin (52.5%) was more significantly correlated with liver metastasis (P=0.006), peritoneal metastasis (P=0.024) and unfavorable patient outcome (P=0.017). Moreover, we found that 'cytoplasmic expression' isolated from 'luminal membrane negative' of mesothelin represented the best patient prognosis throughout this study. We describe the expression pattern level of mesothelin, i.e., in luminal membrane or cytoplasm both high and low level, evidently indicate the patient prognosis of EHBDCA, suggesting the pivotal role of mesothelin in cancer promotion depending on its intracellular localization.
Restoration of High-Density Lipoprotein Levels by Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein Expression in Scavenger Receptor Class B Type I (SR-BI) Knockout Mice Does Not Normalize Pathologies Associated With SR-BI Deficiency

Objective—Disruption of scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) in mice impairs high-density lipoprotein (HDL)–cholesterol (HDL-C) delivery to the liver and induces susceptibility to atherosclerosis. In this study, it was investigated whether introduction of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) can normalize HDL-C transport to the liver and reduce atherosclerosis in SR-BI knockout (KO) mice. Methods and Results—Expression of human CETP in SR-BIKO mice resulted in decreased plasma HDL-C levels, both on chow diet (1.8-fold, P<0.001) and on challenge with Western-type diet (1.6-fold, P<0.01). Furthermore, the presence of CETP partially normalized the abnormally large HDL particles observed in SR-BIKO mice. Unexpectedly, expression of CETP in SR-BIKO mice did not reduce atherosclerotic lesion development, probably because of consequences of SR-BI deficiency, including the persistence of higher VLDL-cholesterol (VLDL-C) levels, unchanged elevated free cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio, and the increased oxidative status of the animals. In addition, CETP expression did not normalize other characteristics of SR-BI deficiency, including female infertility, reticulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, and impaired platelet aggregation. Conclusion—CETP restores HDL-C levels in SR-BIKO mice, but it does not change the susceptibility to atherosclerosis and other typical characteristics that are associated with SR-BI disruption. This may indicate that the pathophysiology of SR-BI deficiency is not a direct consequence of changes in the HDL pool.
Extraction of geometrical corners of buildings for infrared imaging sequence

In this paper, we describe a fully automatic approach for detecting and matching geometrical corner feature correspondences between aerial images with larger scale and view variations. The main assumption of the approach is the fact that many man-made environments contain a large number of parallel linear features. We exploit this observation towards efficient detection and estimation of vanishing points. Given the vanishing points within an image, building geometrical corner features are obtained by the intersections of pairs of building outlines corresponding to different vanishing points. The experiments performed on the infrared aerial image sequences evaluate the stability and distinctiveness of the proposed features which are undergone appearance changes due to projective deformation.
Programming a Music Synthesizer through Data Mining

Sound libraries for music synthesizers easily comprise one thousand or more programs (“patches”). Thus, there are enough raw data to apply data mining to reveal typical settings and to extract dependencies. Intelligent user interfaces for music synthesizers can be based on such statistics. This paper proposes two approaches: First, the user sets any number of parameters and then lets the system find the nearest sounds in the database, a kind of patch autocompletion. Second, all parameters are “live” as usual, but turning one knob or setting a switch will also change the settings of other, statistically related controls. Both approaches can be used with the standard interface of the synthesizer. On top of that, this paper introduces alternative or additional interfaces based on data visualization.
Depression and the Social Environment: Research and Intervention with Neglected Populations

The authors of the essays in Depression and the Social Environment explore the etiological role of the social environment, suggesting that for "neglected populations" -- immigrants and refugees, native Indians, the unemployed, the physically disabled, the elderly, caregivers of the impaired elderly, children and adolescents, and women -- depression has significant environmental roots. These populations and the manifestations of depression that they exhibit have been largely overlooked because the importance of the social environment itself has been insufficiently investigated. The contributors of most of the essays discuss empirical findings and, taken together, provide a unique in-depth review and analysis of the international literature on etiology, intervention, and policy implications. The approach developed in this volume has obvious significance for other mental health problems with social-environmental roots. In bridging the academic/practice divide, the authors address the interrelated concerns of researchers, practitioners, and policy makers.
Electrostatic discharge effects in ultrathin gate oxide MOSFETs

The effects of destructive and nondestructive electrostatic discharge (ESD) events applied either to the gate or drain terminal of MOSFETs with ultrathin gate oxide, emulating the occurrence of an ESD event at the input or output IC pins, respectively, were investigated. The authors studied how ESD may affect MOSFET reliability in terms of time-to-breakdown (TTBD) of the gate oxide and degradation of the transistor electrical characteristics under subsequent electrical stresses. The main results of this paper demonstrate that ESD stresses may modify the MOSFET current driving capability immediately after stress and during subsequent accelerated stresses but do not affect the TTBD distributions. The damage introduced by ESD in MOSFETs increases when the gate oxide thickness is reduced.
STUDENTS ACCEPTANCE OF MOBILE LEARNING FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IN SAUDI ARABIA

Mobile learning is the next step in the development of distance learning. Widespread access to mobile devices and the opportunity to learn regardless of time and place make the mobile learning an important tool for lifelong learning. The research objectives are to examine the possibility of acceptance in mobile learning (m-Learning) and study main factors that affect using m- Learning that focus on higher education students in Saudi Arabia. The researcher used a quantitative approach survey of 80 students. The modified acceptance framework that based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model is adopted to determine the factors that influence the students’ intention to use m-Learning. The results from statistical analysis show that the acceptance level of students on m-Learning is in the high level.
Introgressive Hybridization of Schistosoma haematobium Group Species in Senegal: Species Barrier Break Down between Ruminant and Human Schistosomes

Background Schistosomes are dioecious parasitic flatworms, which live in the vasculature of their mammalian definitive hosts. They are the causative agent of schistosomiasis, a disease of considerable medical and veterinary importance in tropical and subtropical regions. Schistosomes undergo a sexual reproductive stage within their mammalian host enabling interactions between different species, which may result in hybridization if the species involved are phylogenetically close. In Senegal, three closely related species in the Schistosoma haematobium group are endemic: S. haematobium, which causes urogenital schistosomiasis in humans, and S. bovis and S. curassoni, which cause intestinal schistosomiasis in cows, sheep and goats. Methodology/Principal Findings Large-scale multi-loci molecular analysis of parasite samples collected from children and domestic livestock across Senegal revealed that interactions and hybridization were taking place between all three species. Evidence of hybridization between S. haematobium/S. curassoni and S. haematobium/S. bovis was commonly found in children from across Senegal, with 88% of the children surveyed in areas of suspected species overlap excreting hybrid miracidia. No S. haematobium worms or hybrids thereof were found in ruminants, although S. bovis and S. curassoni hybrid worms were found in cows. Complementary experimental mixed species infections in laboratory rodents confirmed that males and females of each species readily pair and produce viable hybrid offspring. Conclusions/Significance These data provide indisputable evidence for: the high occurrence of bidirectional hybridization between these Schistosoma species; the first conclusive evidence for the natural hybridisation between S. haematobium and S. curassoni; and demonstrate that the transmission of the different species and their hybrids appears focal. Hybridization between schistosomes has been known to influence the disease epidemiology and enhance phenotypic characteristics affecting transmission, morbidity and drug sensitivity. Therefore, understanding and monitoring such inter-species interactions will be essential for optimizing and evaluating control strategies across such potential hybrid zones.
Flavonoids, cinnamic acid and phenyl propanoid from aerial parts of Scrophularia striata

No phytochemical investigation regarding Scrophularia striata Boiss. (Scrophulariaceae) has been performed, although several reports about other Scrophularia species have been published. The inhibitory effects of aerial parts of S. striata on matrix metalloproteinase expression elaborate a new approach to treat variety of malignant and inflammatory disorders. Five known compounds, including cinnamic acid, three flavonoids (quercetine, isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside and nepitrin) and one phenyl propanoid glycoside (acteoside 1) were isolated from S. striata Boiss. by chromatographic techniques and the structures of compounds were characterized by spectroscopic methods. This is the first report regarding the isolation of these compounds from S. striata.
The impact of vascular diameter ratio on hemodialysis maturation time: Evidence from data mining approaches and thermodynamics law

Background: Vascular Access (VA) is an important aspect for blood circulatory in Hemodialysis (HD). Arteriovenous Fistula (AVF) is a suitable procedure to gain VA. Maturation of the AVF is a status of AVF, which can be cannulated for HD. This study aimed to discover the parameters that effectively reduce the duration between VA and start of HD, which symbolizes the maturation time (MT). Methods: Ninety-six patients who underwent AVF creation were selected for this study. The decision tree method was used based on CART/C4.5 algorithm, which is one of the data mining approaches for data classification. Vascular diameter ratio (VDR) coefficient was obtained (VDR=Artery/Vein diameters). Results: We investigated the relationship between the VDR and MT in this study and found that MT is reversely related to VDR in elderly patients, while this relation was direct in younger patients. Conclusion: The analysis revealed a Spearman's correlation coefficient for Vein diameter with MT. MT decreases when diameters of vein and artery are close to one another. This study can help the surgeons to identify high- risk patients who elongate MT for HD.
Gamma-radiation ofheart valves at40C;acomparative study using techniques ofhistochemistry andelectron andlight microscopy

The optimal method of valve sterilization and storage is still not known. Pig aortic valve cusps have been studied using techniques of histochemistry, light microscopy, and electron microscopy, and the effects of gamma-radiation at 40 C have been determined. The effects of freezing, f3-propriolactone, and freeze-drying were also studied. Gamma-radiation at 40 C and storage at this temperature in a polyionic environment for up to six weeks appears to have minimal adverse effects. This technique of sterilization and storage has now been used in our clinical valve programme for over two years with encouraging results. heart valves and in different Controversy persists regarding
Poor discriminatory performance of the Pediatric Risk of Mortality (PRISM) score in a South African intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE The use of the Pediatric Risk of Mortality (PRISM) score or other scoring systems in the intensive care unit (ICU) is of great importance for evaluating the efficacy and efficiency of a particular ICU. However, the PRISM score was developed and validated in the United States and subsequently validated in Europe, but has not been evaluated in a less affluent society. In general, scoring systems should be used only in populations similar to the reference population in which the prediction model was developed. We set out to determine the applicability of the PRISM score at Baragwanath Hospital, South Africa. DESIGN Prospective, descriptive study. SETTING Twenty-four-bed multidisciplinary ICU. PATIENTS We analyzed 1,528 consecutive pediatric admissions from January 1989 to June 1994. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS PRISM scores, Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System scores, demographic, and clinical data collected prospectively were entered and stored by means of a commercial software package at the time of admission of each patient. The prediction of actual mortality by PRISM scoring was evaluated by the Hosmer and Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test (chi2[8 degrees of freedom]). Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed and compared with those curves from pediatric ICU populations in the United States and Europe. Individual receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed for surgical and nonsurgical patients, age categories, and diagnostic categories. Compared with European and American ICU populations, our patients were younger, were mostly nonsurgical emergency admissions, stayed longer in the ICU, and were more severely ill with a higher admission PRISM score and overall mortality rate. Respiratory and septic diagnoses predominated, with very few surgical cases admitted. The Hosmer and Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test showed a significant failure of the PRISM scoring system to accurately predict mortality over a wide range of expected mortality rates (chi2[8 degrees of freedom] = 465, p = 0). Similarly, receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated a poor predictive power (Az = 0.73 +/- 0.01 [SEM]), with an area under the curve significantly less than that for the PRISM reference population (p = 0). PRISM showed equally poor discriminatory function at all age groups and diagnostic categories. CONCLUSIONS The PRISM score needs to be recalibrated or recalculated for our patient population in view of the high discrepancy and poor discriminatory function shown. Part of the inaccuracy may derive from different demographic characteristics of our ICU population and a different pattern of diseases. It appears that PRISM is not population independent.
Can Demographic and Exposure Characteristics Predict Levels of Social Support in Survivors from a Natural Disaster?

Objective Lack of social support is a strong predictor for poor mental health after disasters. Psychosocial post-disaster interventions may benefit from targeting survivors at risk of low support, yet it is unknown whether demographic and disaster exposure characteristics are associated with social support. This study assessed if age, gender, educational status, cohabitation, and disaster exposure severity predicted aspects of informal social support in a cohort of Swedish survivors from the 2004 Southeast Asian tsunami. Methods The participants were 3,536 disaster survivors who responded to a mail survey 14 months after the disaster (49% response rate). Their perceptions of present emotional support, contact with others, tangible support, negative support and overall satisfaction with informal support were assessed with the Crisis Support Scale and analysed in five separate ordinal regressions. Results Demographic factors and exposure severity explained variation in social supports although the effect size and predictive efficiency were modest. Cohabitation and female gender were associated with both more positive and more negative support. Single-household men were at risk for low emotional support and younger women were more likely to perceive negative support. Higher education was associated with more positive support, whereas no clear pattern was found regarding age as a predictor. Disaster exposure severity was associated with more negative support and less overall support satisfaction. Conclusions After a disaster that entailed little disruptions to the community the associations between demographic characteristics and social support concur with findings in the general population. The findings suggest that psychosocial disaster interventions may benefit from targeting specific groups of survivors.