Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Entrenched Pedagogy: A History of Stasis in the English Language Arts Curriculum in United States Secondary Schools

When critiquing the development of the English language arts curriculum in United States secondary schools, Hartwell (1985, 127) is correct in arguing that ‘much current research is not informed by an awareness of the past’. Entrenched pedagogical beliefs about language and learning have dominated English instruction for the past three centuries. This domination occurs because of our inability to grasp the historicity of our discipline, allowing the English language arts (ELA) curriculum to undergo little change since the inception of English studies in public schools through the Committee of Ten report in 1894. Charting the history of English language arts, this essay will demonstrate that the ELA curriculum is essentially static. What many educators call innovation is really reinvention. In an effort to address the many problems facing English Language Arts (ELA) in the twenty-first century, educators and researchers met in May 2006 to identify possible strategies for ELA reform. In this spirit, the editors of English Education devoted their entire July 2006 edition to reporting the results of the May Conference on English Education Summit. The timing of the conference and report could not have been better, as a 2006 International Reading Association study revealed alarming trends in students’ reading habits. While 65% of kids from ages five to eight deem reading for fun an important activity, only 40% of kids from ages 15 to 17 think so. Furthermore, 14% of kids from ages five to eight call themselves ‘low frequency readers’, while an alarming 65% of kids aged 15‐17 identify themselves as such (‘Keeping kids reading’ 2006). These trends are alarming because they undermine the primary goal of ELA courses, the creation of a literate society. Bushman and Haas contend that the inverse of ELA objectives has occurred: ‘Contemporary adult society is a non-reading society, and some studies suggest that people tend to read less as they grow older’ (2006). The consequences of a burgeoning aliterate society may be felt when over ‘3,000 students with limited literacy skills drop out of high school every day’ (NCTE 2006). Furthermore, while contemporary society demands a high degree of reading ability, only 13% of adults are capable of ‘performing complex literacy tasks’, forcing American businesses to look overseas for qualified workers (NCTE 2006, 4). In the classroom, teachers are forced to overcome the devastating outcomes of aliteracy: incompetence and antipathy. Students who lack a sense of competence disengage themselves from the learning process, afraid or unwilling to overcome their inadequacies. Students who cannot connect literature to their everyday experience become antagonistic towards reading and writing and also disengage themselves because they cannot see the value of their reading. As they inevitably fall behind,
Prediction of progression to overt hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism in female relatives of patients with autoimmune thyroid disease using the Thyroid Events Amsterdam (THEA) score.

BACKGROUND Genetic and environmental factors are involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD). Family members of patients with AITD are at increased risk for AITD, but not all will develop overt hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Our goal was to develop a simple predictive score that has broad applicability and is easily calculated at presentation for progression to overt hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism within 5 years in female relatives of patients with AITD. METHODS We conducted a prospective observational cohort study of 790 healthy first- or second-degree female relatives of patients with documented Graves or Hashimoto disease in The Netherlands. Baseline assessment included measurement of serum thyrotropin (TSH), free thyroxine (FT(4)), and thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibody levels as well as evaluation for the presence and levels of Yersinia enterocolitica antibodies. We also gathered data on family background, smoking habits, use of estrogen medication, pregnancy, and exposure to high levels of iodine. In follow-up, thyroid function was investigated annually for 5 years. As main outcome measures, termed events, we looked for overt hypothyroidism (TSH levels >5.7 mIU/L and FT(4) levels <0.72 ng/dL) or overt hyperthyroidism (TSH levels <0.4 mIU/L and FT(4) levels >1.56 ng/dL). RESULTS The cumulative event rate was 7.5% over 5 years. The mean annual event rate was 1.5%. There were 38 hypothyroid and 13 hyperthyroid events. Independent risk factors for events were baseline findings for TSH and TPO antibodies in a level-dependent relationship (for TSH the risk already starts to increase at values >2.0 mIU/L) and family background (with the greatest risk attached to subjects having 2 relatives with Hashimoto disease). A numerical score, the Thyroid Events Amsterdam (THEA) score, was designed to predict events by weighting these 3 risk factors proportionately to their relative risks (maximum score, 21): low (0-7), medium (8-10), high (11-15), and very high (16-21). These THEA scores were associated with observed event rates of 2.7%, 14.6%, 27.1%, and 76.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS An accurate simple predictive score was developed to estimate the 5-year risk of overt hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism in female relatives of patients with AITD. However, in view of the small number of observed events, independent validation of the THEA score is called for.
EXPRESSION OF CELL CYCLE RELATED PROTEINS IN A RAPIDLY GROWING UVEAL MALIGNANT MELANOMA

Purpose: To report the clinical and immunohistochemical findings of a rapidly growing uveal melanoma. Methods: A 71-year-old Japanese woman was diagnosed with a juxtapapillary uveal melanoma by clinical examination. The tumor grew rapidly with a 31.5-day doubling time. An enucleation was performed, and immunohistochemical examination for cell cycle proteins was performed in addition to routine histopathologic examination. Results: The melanoma cells were classified as spindle B-cells. The tumor cells were positive for HMB-45 protein, but negative for S-100 protein. The tumor showed immunohistochemical staining for p16 and Bcl-2, although p53 was not detected. Immunoreactivity for pRb was found in normal retinal and choroidal cells but not in the tumor cells. Conclusion: This report describes a unique case of rapidly growing uveal melanoma, which showed low histopathologic grade while the cell cycle protein immunohistochemical profile suggests a more aggressive phenotype. The evaluation of cell cycle proteins may be useful adjunctive method to enhance the understanding of uveal melanoma growth patterns.
Analysis of Changes in the Percentage of Β (CD19) and Τ (CD3) Lymphocytes, Subsets CD4, CD8 and their Memory (CD45RO), and Naive (CD45RA) Τ Cells in Children with Immune and Non-immune Thyroid Diseases

Graves' disease (GD) is an autoimmune thyroid disease caused by immunological abnormality. The immune cells (lymphocytes T and B) which infiltrate the thyroid gland play a key role in the development of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences between distribution of T (CD3) lymphocytes, subsets CD4, CD8, and their memory (CD45RO), and naive (CD45RA) T cells and B (CD19) lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of patients with Graves' disease (GD) (n = 33, mean age 15.9 +/- 5.9 years) and non-toxic nodular goiter (NTNG) (n = 25, mean age 15.2 years), in comparison to age- and sexmatched healthy control subjects (n = 25, mean age 15.9 years). The percentages of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets were analyzed by three-color flow cytometry using a Coulter EPICS XL cytometer. In the untreated Graves' patients we observed an increase in the percentage of CD19+ (p<0.007, p<0.003), CD4+ (p<0.004, p<0.017), CD4+CD45RO+ (p<0.04, NS), CD4/CD8 ratio (p<0.002, p<0.001) and a decrease in the percentage of CD8+ (p<0.02, p<0.02), CD4+CD45RA+ (p<0.04, p<0.03) cells in comparison to the healthy control subjects and euthyroid Graves' patients. These abnormalities were absent in children with non-toxic nodular goiter. In addition, the levels of CD3+, CD4+CD8+, CD8+CD45RO+ T cells and CD8 lymphocytes co-expressing CD45RA and CD45RO antigens were similar in all groups and no statistically significant differences were found in comparison to the healthy controls. In the untreated Graves' patients we found a positive correlation between serum levels of fT4 and fT3 and the percentage of CD19+ lymphocytes (r = 0.45, p<0.01, r = 0.37, p<0.04), between serum level of fT4 and the percentage of CD4CD45RO (r = 0.4, p<0.02) lymphocytes and between concentration of TRAb and CD4+ (r = 0.38, p <0.04) and CD19+ (r = 0.39, p<0.016) cells. Statistically significant negative correlations existed between TRAb, TPO-Ab or TG-Ab concentration in blood serum and the percentage of CD8+ lymphocytes (r = -0.55, p<0.002; r = -0.41, p<0.02; r = -0.51, p<0.004), and between fT4 concentration and the percentage of CD8+ (r = -0.39, p<0.02) lymphocytes. No such correlation was detected in patients with non-toxic nodular goiter. We conclude that the abnormal distribution of B lymphocytes, memory and naive T cell subsets in the peripheral blood in children and adolescents with untreated Graves' disease suggests their role in the development of autoimmunity. The normalization in the percentage of these immune cells after thyrostatic treatment in comparison to newly diagnosed patients confirms the immunomodulatory effect of methimazole therapy.
Cholesterol, Linoleic Acid or/and Tyrosine Yield Different Spectra of Products when Oxidized Alone or in a Mixture: Studies in Various Oxidative Systems

Identification of reliable biomarkers for oxidative stress for the prediction of the early development of pathological conditions is essential. The detection of biomarkers for oxidative stress such as degradation products of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), oxysterols, and oxidized proteins, as indicators of oxidative stress are in use, but suffers from insufficient specificity, accuracy and reliability. The overall aim of the present study was to develop new markers which will not only provide information about the presence and level of oxidative stress in biological systems but also on the type of reactive oxygen species (ROS) involved and their metabolic consequences. In the first stage of the study, we compared the level and type of oxidized products formed when different ROS were applied onto three major biomolecules, i.e. cholesterol, linoleic acid (LH) and tyrosine, representing sterols, PUFA and protein, when each compounds was exposed alone or in a mixture to the ROS [copper ions, 2,2-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) and hypochlorous acid (HOCl)]. It was found that different types of oxidants resulted in the formation of different types of oxidation products. Furthermore, oxidation pattern differs when the substrates (cholesterol, PUFA or amino acid) were present alone or in a mixture. As biological systems such as lipoproteins and cell membranes are composed of the above studied molecules, the need for simultaneous detection of the major oxidized products is requires for better characterization of the oxidative stress outcome.
Concave hymenal variations in suspected child sexual abuse victims.

The purpose of this study was to describe and analyze the characteristics of, and the clinical correlates to, concave hymenal variations in a large number of suspected child sexual abuse victims. Thirteen hundred eighty-three female child and adolescent suspected sexual abuse victims were comprehensively evaluated. Photocolposcopy was used for the anogenital examinations. Concave hymenal variations were found in 174 patients (12.6%). Sixty-one (35.1%) were anterior. Of these, 40 (65.6%) were curved and smooth, and 21 (34.4%) were angular and/or irregular. One hundred (57.5%) were posterior/lateral. Of these, 33 (33%) were curved and smooth, and 67 (67%) were angular and/or irregular. Thirteen patients (7.5%) had multiple hymenal concavities. Posterior/lateral location was associated with penile-vaginal contact (P = .004), penetration (P = .006), stranger perpetrator (P = .032), hymenal rim narrowing (P less than .001), and posterior fourchette abnormality (P = .049). Angular and/or irregular features were associated with penile contact (P = .005), vaginal contact (P = .035), penile-vaginal contact specifically (P less than .001), penetration (P = .046), abnormal general physical examination (P = .018), and hymenal rim narrowing (P less than .001). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that age-specific prevalence trends for posterior/lateral (P less than .001) and angular and/or irregular (P = .011) concavities were consistent with acquired anatomic findings. An interobserver exercise with five "blinded" raters evaluating photographs of 49 patients showed significant agreement among observers in sorting posterior/lateral and angular concavities into the diagnostic categories "suggestive of trauma" and "trauma. "(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Effects of Chemical Cross-linkers on Caries-affected Dentin Bonding

The achievement of a strong and stable bond between composite resin and dentin remains a challenge in restorative dentistry. Over the past two decades, dental materials have been substantially improved, with better handling and bonding characteristics. However, little attention has been paid to the contribution of collagen structure/stability to bond strength. We hypothesized that the induction of cross-linking in dentin collagen improves dentin collagen stability and bond strength. This study investigated the effects of glutaraldehyde-and grape seed extract-induced cross-linking on the dentin bond strengths of sound and caries-affected dentin, and on the stability of dentin collagen. Our results demonstrated that the application of chemical cross-linking agents to etched dentin prior to bonding procedures significantly enhanced the dentin bond strengths of caries-affected and sound dentin. Glutaraldehyde and grape seed extract significantly increased dentin collagen stability in sound and caries-affected dentin, likely via distinct mechanisms.
Echocardiographic Detection of Left Ventricular Thrombus in Patients Undergoing Heartmate II Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation

Purpose Transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiograms (TEE) are considered accurate in detecting the presence of left ventricular (LV) thrombus. A persistent LV thrombus poses risks of pump thrombosis and stroke in LVAD recipients. The relationship between pre-operative echocardiography and intraoperative findings at LVAD implantation has not previously been studied. Methods A retrospective review examined all patients undergoing LVAD placement or exchange from October 2011 to March 2014. Pre-Operative TTE and TEE data were validated with presence of LV thrombus during the direct inspection at the time of LVAD placement, and the findings were analyzed quantitatively. Results Between October 2011 and March 2014, 99 patients underwent a total of 107 LVAD implants. Pre-Operative TTE was available in 93 (86.9%) cases, while pre-operative TEE was available in 37 cases (34.6%). On pre-operative TTE, LV thrombus was correctly identified in only two cases, while on pre-operative TEE no cases of LV thrombus were identified correctly, and there were 2 false positive reports. Intraoperative inspection revealed presence of LV thrombus in 14 cases. The sensitivity of pre-operative TTE was 16.7% and the specificity 100% in detecting LVT, compared to 0% and 93.8%, respectively, for TEE. Conclusions Pre-Operative echocardiogram offers low accuracy for presence of LV thrombus. Overall, the sensitivity is too low to reliably exclude thrombus. This could have significant implications in planning off-pump LVAD exchange as thrombus could be missed. More data are necessary to determine whether this could have significant effects on thromboembolic complications and survival.
Extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase‐producing bacteria caused less than 5% of urinary tract infections in a paediatric emergency centre

The last decade has seen a significant increase in extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase (ESBL) secreting organisms responsible for paediatric urinary tract infections (UTIs), particularly in community‐acquired infections. These expose patients to the risks of antibiotic treatment failure and renal scarring. This prospective study examined the prevalence and risk factors of febrile ESBL UTIs and their treatment in the paediatric emergency department of a university hospital.
Renal Atrophy in Atherosclerotic Renovascular Disease: Gradual Changes 6 Months after Successful Angioplasty

Objective: To assess renal morphology using spiral computed tomographic angiography (CTA) before and 6 months after angioplasty of unilateral atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (RAS). Methods: Spiral CTA scans from 14 hypertensive patients (7 men; mean age 57.4 ± 13.1 years) with significant RAS were performed before and 6 months after angioplasty; renal length, mean cortical thickness (MCT), cortical area (CA), and medullary length (ML) were measured from the axial slices in the 14 contralateral and 14 poststenotic then revascularized kidneys. Blood pressure, creatinine clearance, and number of antihypertensive drugs were analyzed. Results: At 6 months, the systolic blood pressure was significantly reduced (p=0.007), but the number of antihypertensive drugs and the creatinine clearance did not change significantly. Most morphological parameters before and after angioplasty were different in the contralateral versus poststenotic kidneys (renal length, p=0.01; MCT, p=0.01; ML, p=0.03; CA, p=0.008). After angioplasty, there was an 11% drop in cortical atrophy associated with a mean 4-mm increase in medullary length in the poststenotic/revascularized kidneys. The contralateral kidneys exhibited corticomedullary thinning after angioplasty. Conclusions: In atherosclerotic renal disease, cortical thinning could be a useful timesaving marker to assess the significance of the lesion and to evaluate associated distal lesions. The favorable blood pressure outcome supports the existence of reversible ischemic lesions, particularly in the medulla. Angioplasty appears to be useful for the poststenotic kidney, according to the morphological study.
Immunoscintigraphy of prostatic cancer: Preliminary results with 111in‐labeled monoclonal antibody 7E11‐C5.3 (CYT‐356)

A phase 1 study was conducted with the investigational immunoscintigraphic agent, 111In‐CYT‐356, a radiolabeled, site‐specific immunoconjugate of monoclonal antibody 7E11‐C5.3, in 40 patients with prostatic carcioma and known distant metastases. Each patient received a single intravenous infusion of CYT‐356 (dose range, 0.1–5 mg) radiolabeled with approximately 5 mCi of 111In. None of the patients experienced adverse reactions. One patient who received a 5‐mg dose developed antibodies to the CYT‐356 immunoconjugate. 111In‐CYT‐356 immunoscintigraphy detected bony metastases in 21 of 38 patients (55%), including 12 of 14 (86%) receiving concomitant hormonal therapy, and soft tissue lesions in four of six patients (67%). Antibody imaging detected occult lesions in the bony pelvis and lumbar spine, which were confirmed by follow‐up imaging tests, in one patient. Higher CYT‐356 doses may clear the blood pool more slowly. These results suggest that 111In‐CYT‐356 can be safely administered to patients with prostatic carcinoma and that further clinical investigation of this agent is warranted.
Modeling Dependence Structure and Forecasting Market Risk with Dynamic Asymmetric Copula

We investigate the dynamic and asymmetric dependence structure between equity portfolios from the US and UK. We demonstrate the statistical significance of dynamic asymmetric copula models in modelling and forecasting market risk. First, we construct “high-minus-low" equity portfolios sorted on beta, coskewness, and cokurtosis. We find substantial evidence of dynamic and asymmetric de- pendence between characteristic-sorted portfolios. Second, we consider a dynamic asymmetric copula model by combining the generalized hyperbolic skewed t copula with the generalized autoregressive score (GAS) model to capture both the multivariate non-normality and the dynamic and asymmetric dependence between equity portfolios. We demonstrate its usefulness by evaluating the forecasting performance of Value-at-Risk and Expected Shortfall for the high-minus-low portfolios. From back- testing, we find consistent and robust evidence that our dynamic asymmetric copula model provides the most accurate forecasts, indicating the importance of incorporating the dynamic and asymmetric dependence structure in risk management.
Biocompatible gellan gum‐reduced gold nanoparticles: cellular uptake and subacute oral toxicity studies

Currently gold nanoparticles are being explored for drug delivery and other biomedical applications; therefore it is necessary to study the fate of such nanoparticles inside the body. The objective of the present study was to investigate the cellular uptake and toxicity of the gold nanoparticles synthesized using a microbial polysaccharide, gellan gum, as a capping and reducing agent. The cellular uptake of gold nanoparticles was studied on mouse embryonic fibroblast cells, NIH3T3 and human glioma cell line, LN‐229. The cellular uptake study indicated that the gellan gum‐reduced gold nanoparticles were located in cancer cells (LN‐229) while no uptake was observed in normal mouse embryonic fibroblast cells (NIH3T3). The toxicity of the gold nanoparticles was evaluated by carrying out subacute 28 day oral toxicity studies in rats. Subacute administration of gum‐reduced gold nanoparticles to the rats did not show any hematological or biochemical abnormalities. The weight and normal architecture of various organs did not change compared with control. The current findings, while establishing the specific uptake of nanoparticles into cancerous cells, also demonstrates that the gellan gum‐reduced gold nanoparticles are devoid of toxicity in animals following oral administration. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.