Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Automated Computer-Based CET4 Essay Scoring System

Automated Essay Scoring is a very significant research subject for the processing of machine scoring. Computer-based College English Test (National English level test) further motivates the research of AES system for Chinese English leaner. In this paper, we introduce an effective AES system based on computer-based CET4. Features belong to three domains: language quality, content and organization, are involved in our system to figure out the feature collection with high correlation coefficient. The method of improved TF*IWF*IWF in computing term weight is used to optimize content-features. Through comparison of five scoring models based on classical text classification algorithms, we proposed an algorithm based on Adaboost, Voting and KNN to improve the accuracy of machine scoring. The exact agreement attends to 60%, and the adjacent agreement is above 95%. Moreover, we also discovered that writing patterns for Chinese English learners emphasize on fluency, lexical complexity features and two features from organization.
The paediatric wrist revisited: redefining MR findings in healthy children

Objectives During a multicentre study on juvenile idiopathic arthritis, wide variations were observed in bone shape, signal intensity and volume of joint fluid as shown by MRI which in part appeared to be unrelated to disease activity. A study was undertaken to examine these features in a cohort of healthy children. Methods 88 children of mean age 9.8 years (range 5–15) underwent MRI imaging (T1-weighted Spin Echo and Spectral Selection Attenuated Inversion Recovery (SPAIR)) of the left wrist. The number of bony depressions, distribution and amount of joint fluid and the presence of bone marrow changes were assessed. Results Bony depressions were present in all children, increasing with age from a mean of 4.0 in children aged 4–6 years to 9.2 in those aged 12–15 years (p<0.001)). 45 of 84 children (53.6%) had a high signal on SPAIR with a corresponding low signal on T1 in at least one bone. No associations were seen between bone marrow change (present or not) and sex (p=0.827) or sports club membership (p=0.616). All children had visible joint fluid in at least one of the joints assessed. No associations were seen between the presence of joint fluid and age group, except for the radius/scaphoid and capitate-scaphoid joints and a recess lateral to the hamate. Conclusions It is important to be aware of the high prevalence of bony depressions, signal changes suggestive of bone marrow oedema and the volume of joint fluid seen in normal children. Such findings must be interpreted with care in children with suspected disease such as juvenile arthritis.
The prognostic factors for patients with early cervical cancer treated by radical hysterectomy and postoperative radiotherapy.

PURPOSE This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of postoperative radiotherapy (post-OP RT) and to investigate the prognostic factors for early-stage cervical cancer patients who were treated by radical surgery, and the pathological findings suggested a relatively high risk of relapse with surgery alone. MATERIALS AND METHODS From January 1990 to December 1995, 222 patients with stage IB-IIA cervical cancer, treated by radical surgery and a full course of post-OP RT, were included in this study. The indications for post-OP RT were based on pathological findings, including lymph node metastasis, positive surgical margins, parametrial extension, lymphovascular permeation, and invasion of more than two-thirds of the cervical wall thickness. The radiation dose of external beam was 44-45 Gy to the whole pelvis and 50-54 Gy to the true pelvis. One hundred seventy-two patients also received intravaginal brachytherapy as a local boost. The minimal follow-up period was 2 years. RESULTS The actuarial 5-year overall and disease-specific survival rates for all patients were 76 and 82%, respectively. The tumor control rate within the pelvis reached 94%, and distant metastasis was the major cause of treatment failure. Univariate analysis of clinical and pathological parameters revealed that clinical stage, bulky tumor size, positive lymph nodes, parametrial extension, and histologic type were significant prognostic factors. After multivariate analysis, only positive lymph nodes (P = 0.01), bulky tumor size (P = 0.02), and parametrial extension (P = 0.05) independently influenced the disease-specific survival (DSS). For patients with lymph node metastasis, the number and location of the nodal involvement significantly affected the prognosis. The 5-year DSS for patients with no, one, and more than one lymph node metastasis were 87, 84, and 61% (P = 0.0001), respectively. Patients with upper pelvic lymph node metastasis had a higher incidence of distant metastasis (50% vs 16% in lower pelvic node group, P = 0.03). In the subgroup of single lower pelvic nodal metastasis, the prognosis was similar to that of patients without lymph node involvement (5-year DSS 85% vs 87%, P = 0.71). CONCLUSION Our results indicate that post-OP RT can achieve very good local control in stage IB-IIA cervical cancer patients whose pathological findings show risk features for relapse after radical surgery. The prognostic factors for treatment failure identified in this study can be used as selection criteria for clinical trials to test the effects of other adjuvant treatments, such as chemotherapy. Patients with a single lower pelvic lymph node metastasis have a relatively good prognosis and may not need adjuvant treatment beyond radiation therapy.
EEG signal features for computer-aided sleep stage detection

Sleep apnea is a disorder in which individuals stop breathing during their sleep. Sleep apnea is categorized as obstructive, central or mixed. New techniques for sleep stage classification are being developed by bioengineers and clinicians for appropriate and timely detection of sleep disorders. The material presented in this work, includes a compendium of features extracted from the sleep studies of patients suffering from sleep apnea. Twenty-five subjects (21 males and 4 females) were selected (age: 50 ± 10 years, range 28–68 years, data was available online at the physionet database. Time and frequency domain algorithms were applied to polysomnographic signals such as EEG, EMG, and EOG signals. Results show that trends provided by this indicators could be used to automatically distinguish between sleep stages at a highly significant level (p ≪ 0.01.) This could prove very helpful in sleep apnea detection.
Lack of granzyme expression in T lymphocytes indicates poor cytotoxic T lymphocyte activation in human papillomavirus-associated cervical carcinomas

Changes in major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I expression in neoplastic cells are frequently observed in human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16)-associated cervical carcinomas. In order to investigate whether this affects cytotoxic T-cell (CTL) activation, 20 HPV16-positive cervical carcinomas with variable MHC expression were analyzed immunohistochemically for the expression of granzyme B and interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R). The results revealed that most carcinomas show strong CD3+ T-lymphocyte infiltrates. In nine of these cases CD8+ cells outnumbered the CD4+ cells, whereas in the remaining cases equal amounts of CD4+ and CD8+ cells were found. Double staining revealed that CD3+ granzyme B+ cells were not detected in 19 out of 20 cervical lesions, whereas in one carcinoma an occasional cluster of granzyme B+ T cells was observed. Positive controls, including genital warts and renal allograft rejections, showed granzyme B+ T cells. In agreement with this observation was the extremely low frequency of IL-2R+ T cells in the carcinomas tested, while warts contained IL-2R+ lymphocytes. The data indicate that cytotoxic (CD8+) T cells in cervical carcinomas are not activated, as demonstrated by the lack of granzyme B and IL-2R expression in the T cells.
Contraceptive revolution.

Global population will increase by almost 1 billion people in the 1990s, the largest 10-year increase ever recorded. In 1994 alone, population will surpass 5.7 billion. The prospect of double-digit billions of people is worrisome, especially since these numbers may affect global warming, supplies of fresh water, destruction of rain forests, industrial pollution, and sustainable development. Yet, many indicators of quality of life show that people enjoy a better quality of life today than they did 100 years ago. Between India's independence and now, life expectancy increased by 20 years, infant mortality decreased 2-fold, literacy increased, and the food supply stabilized. Even though India's population has almost tripled since 1947, its economy increased rapidly and is 1 of the world's top 10 economies. University enrollment stands at 4.5 million. Agricultural production has exceeded demand. India represents the potential for human achievement through technological advancement and social organization. If the world's first national family planning program had been more successful when it began in 1952 in an India of 350 million people, India's population would be around 500 million instead of the expected 1 billion in 2000. All countries need to achieve a sustainable balance between human numbers and needs and natural resources. Family planning is an essential, cost-effective part of any development strategy. Family planning use has reduced fertility from 6 to 3.6 in developing countries. In 1965, only 8% used contraception, while more than 50% use it now. The most remarkable family planning/fertility reduction successes are Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Mexico, and Thailand. Sufficient investment in family planning is needed if significant declines in fertility are to occur. More than 90% of the developing world's people are in countries with official family planning programs. Cost-effective assistance by donors and developing countries implementing their own sustainable development policies should curb population growth.
[Cancer mortality in Southern Italy, 1999-2003].

INTRODUCTION Official statistics on mortality represent one of the most important indicators on the health status of a population. Cancer mortality time trends show that southern Italy is progressively losing its lower mortality gap as compared to the North of the country. The mortality contribution of this pattern at a fine geographical scale (provinces) has not been extensively studied in southern Italy. OBJECTIVE To provide a cancer mortality profile in the 23 provinces of South Italy. DESIGN Descriptive geographical study at population level. SETTING Cancer mortality analysis by main causes of death and gender, conducted between 1999 and 2003. We computed age-standardized rates (reference World population) (ASR) as well as standardized mortality ratios (South Italy as reference population) (SMR) to compare mortality between geographical areas. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Mortality from all cancer causes and from major neoplasms. RESULTS In southern Italy, ASRs for all cancer causes (benign and malignant) were 149.3/105 in males and 81.0/105 in females. In both genders, these rates were lower than rates in Italy as a whole (-8% in males and -9% in females). Cancer mortality ASRs for liver, prostate, urinary organs, melanoma and skin, and neoplasms of lymphatic and haematopoietic tissues displayed weak, or barely any, differences between the South and Italy as a whole. Statistically significant (p<0.01) mortality excesses were observed in 7 out of 23 examined provinces, with highest frequency excesses in Naples and Caserta provinces. In males liver cancer mortality showed a SMR excess of 30- 50% in 4/23 provinces. Female breast cancer mortality displayed a 10% excess in 3/23 provinces. CONCLUSIONS Although this analysis highlighted a lower mortality in southern Italy, as compared to Italy as a whole, seven provinces showed excesses mainly for liver and breast cancers. Current knowledge on cancer etiology explains the vast majority of such observed excesses. Further analyses will help in designing and monitoring cancer prevention and early diagnosis interventions also in South Italy.
Does Institutional Linkage of Bank‐MFI Foster Inclusive Financial Development Even in the Presence of MFI Frauds?

Growing reports indicate the presence of frauds in microfinance institutions (MFIs), as it can occur in any organization in countries where there are weak institutions, weak rule of law, and fraudulent behavior of MFI officers for personal gain. While there are increasing calls to launch financial governance of these NGO MFIs, there are concerns as to whether frauds of this nature can damage MFIs’ contributions to the credit market, particularly in the bank-linkage program where the NGO MFIs act as third party intermediary. The purpose of this study was to analyze the collusion decisions faced by MFIs and their impact on the bank-linkage program, which has been offered as a solution to help overcome adverse selection and moral hazard problems in the credit market by harnessing local information via MFIs. Our results show that even when there is a chance of collusion between MFI and the borrower, the linkage between MFI and bank can still increase the probability that the borrower puts in full effort, and therefore decreases the probabilities of both credit rationing and strategic default. Such linkage in financing viable projects can make micro-financing more effective in achieving inclusive financial development and thereby poverty reduction in rural areas.
DETERMINANTES DA DISPERSÃO DA RENDA NO MEIO RURAL BRASILEIRO

In this article we fit an econometric model to expl ain rural income dispersion in Brazil. The covariates are technology and enviro nmental, social and demographic indices related to the surroundings’ conditions. Th e analysis is performed on a regional basis and the statistical approach uses fractional regression and generalized method of moments – GMM. The technological variable crystalli zes the production process. It is a Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) measure of technica l efficiency on a county basis. The production process uses data collected from the Brazilian Agricultural Census of 2006. The surroundings’ conditions vary in regional i tensity. Technology is significant and dominates the relationship in all regions.
Portuguese Adolescents: the Importance of Parents and Peer Groups in Positive Health

The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of peer groups and parents on adolescents' health. It was examined how communication relationships with peer groups and parents affect youngsters life satisfaction, sadness, irritability, being nervous, fear and troubles in falling asleep. The sample was comprised of individuals that participated in the study in continental Portugal, integrating the European study HBSC – Health Behavior in School – aged Children. The study was made during January 2006 and included a total of 4,877 students attending the 6th, 8th and 10th grades from Portuguese public schools, with an average age of 14 years of age. The instrument used was the HBSC questionnaire. The results showed that adolescents' health is influenced by their relationship with their parents and peers. When the communication with both is easy, youngsters are more satisfied with life and have less health negative symptoms. When compared with peers, parents influence positively the adolescents' health. El propósito de este estudio es examinar la influencia de los grupos de iguales y los padres sobre la salud de los adolescentes. Se analizó cómo las relaciones de comunicación con los grupos de iguales y los padres afectan a la satisfacción vital, tristeza, irritabilidad, nerviosismo, miedo y problemas para conciliar el sueño de los jóvenes. La muestra se compone de individuos que participaron en el estudio realizado en Portugal continental, integrado en el estudio europeo HBSC - conductas de los escolares relacionadas con la salud. El estudio se realizó en enero de 2006 e incluyó un total de 4.877 estudiantes que asistían a los grados sexto, octavo y décimo de las escuelas públicas portuguesas, con una edad media de 14 años. El instrumento utilizado fue el cuestionario HBSC. Los resultados mostraron que la salud de los adolescentes está condicionada por su relación con sus padres y compañeros. Cuando la comunicación con los dos es fácil, los jóvenes están más satisfechos con la vida y tienen menos síntomas negativos en la salud. En comparación con sus iguales, los padres influyen positivamente en la salud de los adolescentes.
Natural and Acquired Resistance of Klebsiella-Aerobacter to Cephalothin and Cephaloridine.∗

Summary Of 161 recently isolated Klebsiella-Aerobacter strains, nearly all motile strains (Aerobacter) were highly resistant to cephalothin and cephaloridine, but susceptible to tetracycline, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, kanamycin, furadantin, and the sulfonamides. In contrast, all non-motile strains (Klebsiella) were susceptible to both cephalothin and cephaloridine, more so to the former, but were frequently resistant to several of the other 6 drugs. MIC tests with Klebsiella strains frequently demonstrated inconsistent end points with one or more clear tubes occurring between tubes showing growth. This "skipped tube" phenomenon suggested rapidly acquired resistance to these cephalosporin derivatives. The rapid in vitro development of a high degree of resistance by serial transfer of the organisms in these antibiotics further suggests that clinically resistant infections by these organisms may occur with unusual frequency.
Initial Assessment of β3-Adrenoceptor-Activated Brown Adipose Tissue in Streptozotocin-Induced Type 1 Diabetes Rodent Model Using [18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography

Metabolic activity of brown adipose tissue (BAT) is activated by β3-adrenoceptor agonists and norepinephrine transporter (NET) blockers and is measurable using [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in rats. Using the streptozotocin (STZ)-treated rat model of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), we investigated BAT activity in this rat model under fasting and nonfasting conditions using [18F]FDG PET/CT. Drugs that enhance BAT activity may have a potential for therapeutic development in lowering blood sugar in insulin-resistant diabetes. Rats were rendered diabetic by administration of STZand confirmed by glucose measures. [18F]FDG was injected in the rats (fasted or nonfasted) pretreated with either saline or β3-adrenoceptor agonist CL316,243 or the NET blocker atomoxetine for PET/CT scans. [18F]FDG metabolic activity was computed as standard uptake values (SUVs) in interscapular brown adipose tissue (IBAT) and compared across the different drug treatment conditions. Blood glucose levels > 500 mg/dL were established for the STZ-treated diabetic rats. Under fasting conditions, average uptake of [18F]FDG in the IBAT of STZ-treated diabetic rats was approximately 70% lower compared to that of normal rats. Both CL316,243 and atomoxetine activated IBAT in normal rats had an SUV > 5, whereas activation in STZ-treated rats was significantly lower. The agonist CL316,243 activated IBAT up to threefold compared to saline in the fasted STZ-treated rat. In the nonfasted rat, the IBAT activation was up by twofold by CL316243. Atomoxetine had a greater effect on lowering blood sugar levels compared to CL316,243 in the nonfasted rats. A significant reduction in metabolic activity was observed in the STZ-treated diabetic rodent model. Increased IBAT activity in the STZ-treated diabetic rat under nonfasted conditions using the β3-adrenoceptor agonist CL316,243 suggests a potential role of BAT in modulating blood sugar levels. Further studies are needed to evaluate the therapeutic role of β3-adrenoceptor agonists in insulin-resistant T1DM.
Amphotericin B oral suspension for fluconazole-refractory oral candidiasis in persons with HIV infection

ObjectiveTo determine the efficacy and safety of amphotericin B oral suspension (ABOS) for the treatment of fluconazole refractory oral candidiasis in persons with HIV infection. Design and settingA prospective, multicenter, open label trial at 25 study centers within the AIDS Clinical Trials Group. Patients and methodsIndividuals with diffuse oral candidiasis after 14 days of treatment with 200 mg of fluconazole daily (more than five plaques or a single plaque > 3 cm largest length) were treated with ABOS, 100 mg/ml, 5 ml swish and swallow, four times daily for 14 days. Thereafter incomplete or non-responders received an additional 14 days of therapy and responders received maintenance ABOS twice daily for up to 6 months. Relapses during maintenance ABOS were treated by increasing the dose to four times daily. Main outcome measuresTo demonstrate an ABOS clinical response rate > 33% and a treatment-limiting toxicity rate < 50%. Clinical response was defined as the absence of mouth pain and the presence of less than five oral plaques, the largest being < 3 cm largest dimension. ResultsFifty-eight subjects with a median age of 39 years and a median CD4 count of 10 × 106 cells/l were enrolled. Four subjects were excluded from the analysis because of inadequate follow-up after randomization (n = 3) or the presence of active esophageal disease (n = 1). Of the remaining 54 subjects, 23 (42.6%; 95% lower confidence interval, 31.1%) were classified as responders after 28 days. Five subjects (9%) stopped treatment due to toxicity. Relapse occurred in 16 responders (70%). ConclusionsAmphotericin B oral suspension is well tolerated but has limited efficacy for the treatment of fluconazole refractory oral candidiasis.
Oral immunization of mice with attenuated Salmonella typhimurium expressing Helicobacter pylori urease B subunit.

OBJECTIVE To establish attenuated Salmonella typhimurium producing Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) urease subunit B (UreB) and determine whether it could be used as an oral vaccine against H. pylori. METHODS H. pylori (SS1 strain) UreB gene fragment amplified by PCR was cloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pTC01 after sequencing, and then transformed into attenuated Salmonella typhimurium SL3261 to acquire SL3261/pTC01-UreB. The expression of H. pylori UreB in SL3261 was detected by Western blot. Twelve weeks after oral immunization of mice, antibody responses were evaluated using serum and intestinal fluid by ELISA assay. Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the supernatant of spleen cells culture were also assessed by ELISA. In vitro stability of pTC01-UreB plasmid in SL3261 was confirmed by growing in Luria Broth (LB) medium to 80 generations. RESULTS The UreB gene fragment amplified by PCR was consistent with the sequence of the H. pylori UreB as evidenced by sequence analysis. Enzyme digestion revealed that the correct pTC01-UreB was obtained. Western blot showed that a 61kDa protein was expressed in SL3261/pTC01-UreB, which could be recognized by anti-H. pylori UreB antiserum. After 80 generations of continuous culture, the recombinant plasmid pTC01-UreB was stable in SL3261 and had no obvious toxicity. Multiple oral immunizations with SL3261/pTC01-UreB could significantly induce H. pylori-specific mucosal IgA response as well as serum IgG response. Moreover, there were significant increases of IFN-gamma and IL-10 in the SL3261/pTC01-UreB group. Finally, no obvious side effects for mice and no change in gastric inflammation were observed. CONCLUSION Attenuated Salmonella typhimurium expressing H. pylori UreB may be used as oral vaccine against H. pylori infection.