Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Automation of the Fetal Right Myocardial Performance Index to Optimise Repeatability

Objectives: To compare the repeatability and degree of absolute agreement of an automated fetal right myocardial performance index (MPI) algorithm with manual measurements along with the impact of MPI observer experience on these two aspects. Methods: Prospective cross-sectional study of 65 uncomplicated singleton pregnancies from 22 to 39 weeks' gestation. Image analysis of double-waveform right MPI measurements was conducted first with a MATLAB automated MPI software and then independently by an experienced and an inexperienced observer. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were used to evaluate manual and automated intra- and interobserver repeatability. In addition, Bland-Altman plots were used to determine the degree of absolute agreement. Results: Successful automation was performed on 63 cases (97%) showing repeatability ICCs of: 0.83 manual intraobserver; 0.77 manual interobserver; 1.00 automated. The degree of absolute agreement between manual and automated values was: inexperienced observer ICC 0.43 (95% CI 0.21-0.62); experienced observer ICC 0.76 (95% CI 0.63-0.85). Conclusion: Automation of right MPI demonstrates a superior reproducibility over manual measurements and reduces the experience required for successful analysis. This may lend a greater clinical applicability to MPI, and future studies to develop an automated universal reference range would be useful.
IMPROVING STUDENTS’ SPEAKING ABILITY BY USING PICTURE

This study examines about students’ speaking ability by using picture in SLB (school with special need education) Al-Ihsan in Sindangsari Ciamis. The writer chose the topic because she wanted to know whether using the picture is effective to improve students’ speaking ability in SLB (school with special need education) Al-Ihsan in Sindangsari Ciamis. Luoma (2003, p.4) stated that, “speaking as interaction, and speaking as a social and situation-based activity”. Speaking is very important in daily activity, especially in formal education for giving and receiving many knowledge and information. In previously, She find out that picture can improve students’ speaking ability in formal school especially in elementary school, Junior high school, etc. Therefore, she want to teach speaking by using picture to the students in SLB that have disablity. The main problem in this study was whether there is a significant difference in speaking ability between students who are taught by means of picture in SLB (school with special need education) and those who are not. The study employed a qualitative research design, a case study study as a method to investigate the problem. The population in this study was all of students at eighth grade of SLB Al-Ihsan in Sindangsari Ciamis consisting of eight students. The instruments used to collect the data were observation in the form of speaking test. The test itself is a speaking test in the question and answer form of three questions. In conclusion, using picture is effective to improve students’ speaking ability in SLB (school with special need education) Al-Ihsan Sindangsari Cikoneng Ciamis. Key words : Speaking, picture, and special need
DNA sequence and structure properties analysis reveals similarities and differences to promoters of stress responsive genes in Arabidopsis thaliana

Understanding regulatory mechanisms of stress response in plants has important biological and agricultural significances. In this study, we firstly compiled a set of genes responsive to different stresses in Arabidopsis thaliana and then comparatively analysed their promoters at both the DNA sequence and three-dimensional structure levels. Amazingly, the comparison revealed that the profiles of several sequence and structure properties vary distinctly in different regions of promoters. Moreover, the content of nucleotide T and the profile of B-DNA twist are distinct in promoters from different stress groups, suggesting Arabidopsis genes might exploit different regulatory mechanisms in response to various stresses. Finally, we evaluated the performance of two representative promoter predictors including EP3 and PromPred. The evaluation results revealed their strengths and weakness for identifying stress-related promoters, providing valuable guidelines to accelerate the discovery of novel stress-related promoters and genes in plants.
A predictive model of risk and outcomes in tissue expander reconstruction: A multivariate analysis of 9786 patients

Abstract Outcomes of tissue expander breast reconstruction show variability based on presurgical risk factors. Few comprehensive, multi-institutional risk analyses exist. Patients who underwent tissue expander reconstruction were identified in a multi-institutional registry that spans over 240 institutions with over 200 variables per patient. Bivariate analysis of preoperative variables was performed across outcomes. Multivariate logistic regression was used to adjust for confounders and identify risk factors for complications. In 9786 total tissue expander patients, 526 (5.38%) patients experienced one or more complications. Wound infection and reoperations occurred in 3.45% and 6.76% of patients, respectively. Body mass index (BMI) was found to be a significant independent risk factor for overall morbidity, reoperation, prosthesis failure, and wound infection. Overweight, obese, and morbidly obese patients were at 1.7-, 2.6-, and 5.1-times greater risk of morbidity, respectively (p < 0.001 for all). Reconstructive timing, combined surgical procedures, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy were not found to be significant predictors of morbidity. The odds of developing complications were 1.5- and 1.3-times greater in smokers and patients over the age of 50, respectively (p = 0.001 and p = 0.015). For each additional hour of surgery, the odds of morbidity increased 1.26-times (p < 0.001). Precise risk profiles garnered from multi-institutional studies can help improve patient selection and education. Overall, tissue expander reconstruction was found to be safe, with relatively few complications. Operative time, BMI, and smoking were consistently found to be independent risk factors for postoperative morbidity.
Effects of combined treatment on Turkish children diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a preliminary report.

OBJECTIVE The main aim of this study was to investigate the effects of combined treatment on children diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHOD After careful screening, 47 children (57%) diagnosed with ADHD + oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and 36 children (43%) diagnosed with ADHD + conduct disorder (CD) were included in the study. Treatment consisted of ongoing medication (methylphenidate) management and a parent-training program that continued for 5 months. Children were assessed in multiple domains by multiple sources of information at baseline and at the end of the 1st, 3rd, and 6th months by parent- and teacher-completed the Turgay Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV)-Based Child and Adolescent Behavior Disorders Screening and Rating Scale (T-DSM-IV-S), Conners Parent Rating Scale (CPRS), and Conners Teacher Rating Scale (CTRS). Mother-child relationship was assessed by the Parental Acceptance and Rejection Questionnaire (PARQ). RESULTS Combined treatment was effective in reducing the ADHD, ODD, and CD symptoms. Analyses of the data revealed that medication, rather than parent training, was responsible for the improvements both in the symptoms and in the mother-child relationship. CONCLUSIONS The results of the study, in line with the Multimodal Treatment Study of Children with ADHD (MTA) findings, highlighted the role of stimulant medication in the treatment of ADHD.
A rotating polarizing filter approach for image enhancement

This paper presents a polarization-based enhancing system consisting of a rotating polarizing filter and an image fusion algorithm. A prototype was developed and tested in different light conditions, from early morning to late afternoon, and recordings of underwater scenes were taken in a sea stretch of the Mediterranean sea. Several images within the polarization range of 0° to 180° were used in an image fusion algorithm to obtain a restored image. With respect to common image quality measure metrics, our approach has similar performance of previous systems. Conversely to current solutions, our approach benefits from the light selection properties of polarizing filters, without assumptions on the polarization angle, meanwhile it provides a generic implementation which could be easily adapted to existing cameras.
High-normal serum uric acid is associated with albuminuria and impaired glomerular filtration rate in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND Recently, some studies had shown that elevated serum uric acid (SUA) itself may increase the risk for development of renal disease in patients with diabetes. This study aimed to explore whether SUA was a predictor of microalbuminuria and impaired renal function in type 2 diabetes in Chinese patients. METHODS This cross-sectional study included 2108 type 2 diabetic patients. Kidney function was estimated using the simplified modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) equation to obtain estimated glomerular filtration rate. The urine samples were obtained for measuring the albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR). RESULTS According to the ACR level, these patients were divided into two groups, normal ACR (NA) and non-normal ACR (non-NA). Both SUA and creatinine were significantly higher in the non-NA group than those in the NA group ((318.89 ± 107.52) vs. (283.44 ± 88.64) µmol/L, and (95.08 ± 53.24) vs. (79.63 ± 18.20) µmol/L, respectively). Logistic regression analysis showed that diabetic duration, systolic blood pressure, creatinine and SUA were the independent predictors of albuminuria. Furthermore, to identify the factors associated with renal function, these patients were divided into two groups according to the MDRD level (MDRD < 90 or MDRD ≥ 90). Both SUA and creatinine were significantly higher in the lower MDRD group than those in the higher MDRD group ((301.90 ± 96.46) vs. (264.07 ± 84.74) µmol/L, and (89.10 ± 31.00) vs. (66.37 ± 11.15) µmol/L, respectively). Logistic regression analysis showed that only age and SUA were the independent predictors of MDRD. CONCLUSION High-normal SUA was associated with albuminuria and impaired glomerular filtration rate in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients.
Do Savers Respond to Tax Incentives? The Case of Retirement Savings

This article exploits a large micro-_le tax return data to test whether savers respond to the presence of tax incentives by contributing more in saving accounts that mandate annuitization at retirement. A frictionless model of demand for annuity is first set, which highlights the phenomenon of bunching of savers around tax thresholds when consumers' budget set is kinked. Using French households income tax data, we do not find any bunching, which is consistent either with the absence of behavioral responsiveness to tax incentives or optimization frictions. We investigate the implications of the second hypothesis and propose an alternative test in which discontinuity in marginal rate of return on the two sides of tax thresholds is exploited. We find that the deduction scheme is effective in boosting the demand for annuity of the richest savers whose marginal tax rate is the highest, especially for the oldest savers (aged 45 and above). In most cases, it fails to raise contributions of younger and less wealthy savers.
THE STRUCTURE OF THE CHINESE FOOD INDUSTRIES: IMPLICATIONS FOR MODEL BUILDING

The Chinese food economy has undergone significant reforms affecting the production, consumption and trade of food over the past 15 years. This paper seeks to analyse the changes that have occurred in the structure of the Chinese food industries and to provide insights on the current market structure. The grains industry is used to demonstrate that, although free market supply and demand forces play an increasing role in the food industries, the government continues to fundamentally shape the structure of these industries through its involvement in the purchase and sale of outputs and inputs. An attempt is made to explore the implications of the analysis for model building and empirical work.
Elucidating the Biological Mechanisms Linking Depressive Symptoms With Type 2 Diabetes in Men: The Longitudinal Effects of Inflammation, Microvascular Dysfunction, and Testosterone

Objective This prospective cohort study sought to examine key biological measures linking depressive symptoms with Type 2 diabetes, specifically inflammation, microvascular dysfunction, and androgens. Methods A cohort of 688 men without diabetes who were 35 years or older were followed up for 5 years. Venous interleukin-6, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, sE-selectin, endogenous total testosterone, fasting glucose, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were quantified at baseline and 5 years later. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-I, and men were categorized into persistent, remitted, incident, and nondepressed groups (reference). Logistic regression was used to determine odds ratios (ORs) for diabetes adjusted for propensity score calculated from 18 established risk factors. Results Diabetes developed in 112 men (16.3% of sample). Persistent depressive symptoms were associated with diabetes (adjusted OR = 2.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.16–5.20, p = .019). Baseline testosterone (OR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.22–0.81, p = .01) and follow-up testosterone (OR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.31–0.84, p = .008) were inversely associated with Type 2 diabetes. Annualized HbA1c was positively associated with annualized change in cognitive Beck Depression Inventory symptoms (&bgr; = 0.14, p = .001) and inversely associated with annualized change in testosterone (&bgr; = −0.10, p = .014). Annualized change in fasting glucose was associated with sE-selectin (&bgr; = 0.12, p < .001) and somatic depressive symptoms (&bgr; = −0.12, p = .002). Conclusions The findings suggest that lower endogenous total testosterone levels and persistent depressive symptoms were associated with Type 2 diabetes risk and HbA1c in men over a 5-year period.
Cytochrome P450–generated reactive metabolites cause mitochondrial permeability transition, caspase activation, and apoptosis in rat hepatocytes

Although cytochrome P‐450 (CYP)‐generated reactive metabolites can cause hepatocyte apoptosis, the mechanism of this effect is incompletely understood. In the present study, we assessed the hepatotoxicity of skullcap, a diterpenoid‐containing herbal remedy. Male rat hepatocytes were incubated for 2 hours with skullcap diterpenoids (100 μg/mL). This treatment decreased cell glutathione and protein thiols and increased cell [Ca2+]. This activated Ca2+‐dependent tissue transglutaminase, forming a cross‐linked protein scaffold, and also opened the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, causing outer mitochondrial membrane rupture, increased cytosolic cytochrome c, activation of procaspase 3, internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, and ultrastructural features of apoptosis. Cell death was increased by a CYP3A inducer (dexamethasone) or a sulfur amino acid‐deficient diet increasing glutathione depletion. In contrast, cell death was prevented by decreasing CYP3A activity (with troleandomycin), preventing glutathione depletion (with cysteine or cystine), blocking Ca2+‐modulated events (with calmidazolium), preventing mitochondrial permeability transition (with cyclosporin A), or inhibiting caspase 3 (with acetyl‐Asp‐G u‐Va‐Asp‐a dehyde). Both calmidazolium and cyclosporin A also prevented the increase in cytosolic cytochrome c and procaspase 3 activation. In conclusion, CYP3A activates skullcap diterpenoids into reactive metabolites that deplete cellular thiols and increase cell [Ca2+]. This activates Ca2+‐dependent transglutaminase and also opens the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, causing outer mitochondrial membrane rupture, cytochrome c release, and caspase activation. Preventing mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening and/or caspase activity blocks apoptosis, showing the fundamental role of these final events in metabolite‐mediated hepatotoxicity.
Analyzing the impact of inward foreign direct investment on employment creation in the east african community (EAC)

As an engine of economic development for developing countries, foreign direct investment (FD) inflows have contributed for creation of employment, technology transfer to local firms, and managerial know-how; have had positive effects on exports and access to external markets. This study tries to analyze the impact foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows on employment generation/creation within the East African Community (EAC), which is the regional intergovernmental organization of the Republics of Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. It specifically estimates the effect of FDI on employment creation in the EAC for the period of 2004 to 2008. The study adopted a case study design with a quantitative research approach and it represents an econometric analysis using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). The results show that there is strong (positive) relationship between the variables. This means that foreign direct investments (FDI) have a big significant impact on the pattern of employment opportunities. Then from above analysis we may conclude that EAC's employment creation especially, does depend upon foreign direct investment inflows.
Multimodal imaging evaluation of excessive daytime sleepiness in Parkinson's disease

Purpose of the study: The multimodal imaging investigation of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in Parkinson's disease (PD). The role of dopaminergic treatment and other clinical parameters was also evaluated. Materials and methods: Seventeen non-demented PD patients with EDS (PD-EDS) and 17 PD patients without EDS were enrolled. Clinical, treatment and MRI data were acquired. Gray matter (GM) volume was examined with voxel-based morphometry, while white matter (WM) integrity was assessed with diffusion tensor imaging by means of fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, axial diffusivity (AD) and radial diffusivity measures. Results: Increased regional GM volume was found in the PD-EDS group bilaterally in the hippocampus and parahippocampal gyri. Increased AD values were also shown in the PD-EDS group, in the left anterior thalamic radiation and the corticospinal tract and bilaterally in the superior corona radiata and the superior longitudinal fasciculus. Levodopa equivalent dose differed significantly between the groups and was the only predictor of EDS, while the only predictor of the Epworth sleepiness scale score in the PD-EDS group was the dopamine-agonist dose. Increased frequency of gamblers was also observed in the PD-EDS group. Conclusions: Regional GM increases and increased AD values in certain WM tracts were found in the PD-EDS group. The changes could result from disinhibited signaling pathways or represent compensatory changes in response to anatomical or functional deficits elsewhere. The study findings support also the contribution of the total dopaminergic load in the development of EDS, while the dose of dopamine agonists was found to predict the severity of the disorder.
How Sexual History and Knowledge of Cervical Cancer and Screening Influence Chinese Women's Screening Behavior in Mainland China

Background: Accurate information and knowledge about cervical cancer and screening importantly influence women's cervical screening participation. Sexual behavior plays a crucial role in human papillomavirus transmission and the subsequent development of cervical cancer. Indeed, the uptake of cervical screening among Chinese women is relatively low compared with other populations. Objective: To understand women's attendance pattern of cervical screening, knowledge about cervical cancer and screening, and factors influencing their utilization of cervical screening in mainland China. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect women's participation pattern for cervical screening, knowledge about cervical cancer and screening, sociodemographic information and sexual history, and barriers to participating in cervical screening. Results: Married women and women who had had their first intercourse after the age of 21 years were significantly more likely to participate in screening. Screened women demonstrated a higher level of knowledge about the cervical screening procedure compared with nonscreened women (P = .002). Also, the scores of individual items such as women's knowledge of cervical screening and risk factors were significantly different between the 2 groups. Conclusion: The current system of free physical examinations for women in mainland China is a major motivator for women's utilization of cervical screening services. Chinese women's marital status and sexual history influence their screening behavior. Implications for Practice: Unmarried women who have ever had sex should be encouraged to have cervical screening, and consistent and appropriate information about the preventive nature of cervical screening and risk factors associated with cervical cancer should be provided to the general public.
African American fathers: Life as a single parent

This research project examines African American single fathers in their role as single parents. Since 1970, the population of single fathers has rapidly grown, as has the population of African American single fathers, yet the needs, concerns and challenges of this population have yet to be fully identified. In addition, it is not fully understood how this population of fathers is adjusting to and managing the role of single parenting. Eleven men from Sacramento and the surrounding areas participated in the research study. The findings suggest that the needs of these fathers are very similar to the needs of their female equivalents. Adjustment to and managing the role of single parenting does not seem to be a challenge for these fathers. In fact, these fathers appear to adjust fairly well. However, the disparities these fathers encounter from the stereotypes placed upon them by society as well as their interactions with government agencies seem to be of great concern for the fathers.
Effects of the G(‐656)A variant on CREB1 promoter activity in a glial cell line: Interactions with gonadal steroids and stress

Major depressive disorder (MDD) constitutes a major public health problem worldwide and affects women twice as frequently as men. Previous genetic studies have revealed significant evidence of linkage of the CREB1 region to mood disorders among women from families with recurrent, early‐onset MDD (RE‐MDD), a severe and familial subtype of MDD. A rare G to A transition at position ‐656 in the CREB1 promoter cosegregates with mood disorders in women from these families, implicating CREB1 as a sex‐related susceptibility gene for unipolar mood disorders. In the current study, the functional significance of the CREB1 promoter variant was determined using transfection experiments that employed constructs containing the wild‐type or variant CREB1 promoters coupled to a reporter gene. The results support the hypothesis that the A‐656 allele contributes to the development of MDD in women by selectively altering the activity of the CREB1 promoter in glial cells exposed to 17 β‐estradiol. Furthermore, the exaggeration of this effect during a simulated stress condition may be relevant to reported gene–environment interactions that contribute to the emergence of MDD in clinical populations. The results of in silico analysis revealed four putative binding sites for transcription factors that are affected by the G to A transition at position ‐656, of which CP2 best fit the experimental observations. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.