Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Teacher perception for m-learning: scale development and teachers' perceptions

Successful integration of mobile learning (m-learning) technologies in education primarily demands that teachers' perception of such technologies should be determined. Therefore, the perceptions of teachers are of great significance. There is no available instrument that assesses teachers' perceptions of m-learning. Our research provided the first findings about teacher perceptions in Cyprus. This article describes the development, testing and application for a suitable instrument. Research data for the tests of reliability and validity were obtained from a sample of 467 teachers from the 32 schools surveyed in 2010. The final version of the Mobile Learning Perception Scale includes dimensions seeking teachers' feedback on three facets of the m-learning. Sub-dimensions are defined as ‘Aim-Mobile Technologies Fit', ‘Appropriateness of Branch’, and ‘Forms of M-learning Application and Tools’ Sufficient Adequacy of Communication'. Validity has been established by the use of factor analysis. Internal consistency coefficient and reliability of the scale showed that this instrument can be used for the future studies. According to the results of this study, teachers exhibited above medium levels of perception towards m-learning.
The co-evolution of strategic alliances in the ICT industry: the case of HP

The relevance and incidence of strategic alliances in business practice significantly increased since the past decade thus renewing the interest of management scholars on the topic. In a globalised economy, where technological innovation and industry dynamics are becoming faster and faster, strategic alliances of a firm are expected to change in number and nature (exploration vs. exploitation) not only in relation to the strategic intent of the firm but also as an outcome of the co-evolution of the environment in which it operates. The paper investigates, through an in depth case study of Hp, the evolution of strategic alliances in the ICT industry during the period 1998-2007 and relates it, in a co-evolutionary perspective, to the major industry dynamics (product/market modularity and digital convergence). The paper provides an example of and supports the application of the co- evolutionary perspective in the fast moving ICT industry. Finally, it identifies and initially discusses an evolutionary virtuous cycle for strategic alliances.
Once is Enough: N400 Indexes Semantic Integration of Novel Word Meanings from a Single Exposure in Context

We investigated the impact of contextual constraint on the integration of novel word meanings into semantic memory. Adults read strongly or weakly constraining sentences ending in known or unknown (novel) words as scalp-recorded electrical brain activity was recorded. Word knowledge was assessed via a lexical decision task in which recently seen known and unknown word sentence endings served as primes for semantically related, unrelated, and synonym/identical target words. As expected, N400 amplitudes to target words preceded by known word primes were reduced by prime-target relatedness. Critically, N400 amplitudes to targets preceded by novel primes also varied with prime-target relatedness, but only when they had initially appeared in highly constraining sentences. This demonstrates for the first time that fast-mapped word representations can develop strong associations with semantically related word meanings and reveals a rapid neural process that can integrate information about word meanings into the mental lexicon of young adults.
Understanding the cascade of GCM and downscaling uncertainties in hydro‐climatic projections over India

India is a major agrarian country strongly impacted by spatio‐temporal variations in the Indian monsoon. The impact assessment is usually accomplished by implementing projections from general circulation models (GCMs). Unfortunately, these projections cannot capture the dynamicity of the monsoon and require either statistical (SD) or dynamical (DD) downscaling of the GCM projections to a finer resolution. Both downscaling techniques can capture the spatio‐temporal variation in climatic variables but are marred by uncertainty in the projections resulting from the choice of the GCM and downscaling method, which affects climate change adaptations. Here, we assessed uncertainties in the projections of hydro‐climatic variables over India by considering multiple downscaling techniques, multiple GCMs, and their combined effects (referred as the total uncertainty). Multiple hydrological variables were simulated by implementing the variable infiltration capacity model that considered outputs from DD (derived by the coordinated regional climate downscaling experiment, CORDEX) and SD forced with multiple GCM simulations. Our results showed that the SD projections captured the observed spatio‐temporal variability of hydro‐climatic variables more efficiently than the DD projections. Importantly, contribution from the downscaled projections to the total uncertainty was significantly smaller compared to the inter‐GCM uncertainty.
Musculo‐aponeurotic fibromatosis of the shoulder girdle (extra‐abdominal desmoid). Analysis of thirty cases followed up for ten or more years

Analysis of 30 fibromatoses (extra‐abdominal desmoids) arising from the musculo‐aponeurotic structures of the shoulder girdle revealed an aggressive clinical course with a tendency to recur in a high percentage of cases. Although all patients were living without evidence of further growth 10 or more years after the discovery of the tumor, local recurrence was observed in 57% of the patients. Recurrence was more common in patients younger than the median age of 23 years and in patients in whom the infiltrating tumor had reached a large size at the time of the first treatment. The microscopic picture, indistinguishable from that of abdominal desmoids, varied little from case to case. Attempts to correlate histology and behavior were unsuccessful. Prompt and complete surgical removal is required to prevent complications from recurrent tumor growth.
Risk of malignancy among patients with rheumatic conditions

Previous studies have described an increased risk of malignancy in subjects diagnosed with rheumatic conditions, most notably rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Our aim was to quantify and compare risks for site‐specific malignancy among hospitalized patients with RA, osteoarthritis (OA) and other rheumatic conditions in a nationwide, population‐based cohort. Subjects were identified from Scottish hospital in‐patient records from 1981 to 1996 and followed up by computer linkage of the Scottish Cancer Registry and the national registry of deaths. Expected cancer incidence was calculated from national cancer rates and related to the observed incidence by the standardized incidence ratio (SIR). Among RA patients, there was an increased risk for hematopoietic [males SIR= 2.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.7–2.7; females SIR = 1.76, 95% CI 1.5–2.1], lung (males SIR = 1.32, 95% CI 1.2–1.5; females SIR = 1.44, 95% CI 1.3–1.6) and prostate (SIR = 1.26, 95% CI 1.0–1.6) cancers. Reduced risk were seen for colorectal cancer (males SIR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.7–1.1; females SIR = 0.71, 95% CI 0.6–0.9) and, among females, stomach cancer (SIR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.5–1.0). The excess risk for hematopoietic cancer and the reduced risk for colorectal and stomach cancers were sustained over 10 years of follow‐up. An overall decreased risk of cancer was observed for patients with OA; the greatest reductions were observed for colorectal (males SIR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.8–1.0; females SIR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.8–0.9), stomach (males SIR = 0.79, 95% CI 0.7–0.9; females SIR = 0.66, 95% CI 0.6–0.8) and lung (males SIR = 0.72, 95% CI 0.7–0.8; females SIR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.8–0.9) malignancies, with decreased risks generally still evident at 10 years of follow‐up. Our results support several previous findings regarding the incidence of hematopoietic and colorectal malignancies in RA patients. In addition, we have shown a large decrease in stomach cancer among patients with OA and females with RA that warrants further investigation since it may provide clues to possible prevention strategies. To further our knowledge about the underlying mechanisms of altered risk in cancer patients with rheumatic conditions, population studies requiring primary data collection are required. Int. J. Cancer 88:497–502, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Methodological and applied concerns surrounding age-related weighting within health economic evaluation

Economic evaluations that measure the benefits of health interventions in terms of units of health gain inevitably require decision-makers to make judgments about the ‘value for money’ of those health gains. Decision-making bodies have also commonly returned to the position that a unit of health gain, such as an additional quality-adjusted life year, is of equal value regardless of the characteristics of the recipient. This paper focuses on whether and how health gains in economic evaluation should be differentially weighted by age of recipient. The paper presents a structured overview of evidence from the revealed preference and stated preference literature in this area. It discusses a number of methodological issues raised by differential weighting of health gains by age of recipient. These include identifying appropriate samples for the derivation of age-related weights, methodological issues surrounding the application of the quality-adjusted life year measure, the relative merits of alternative valuation techniques for weighting exercises, the impact of context and design effects on derived values and operational concerns surrounding the application of age-related weights within economic evaluation. The paper ends with pointers for potential future research in this area.
Measuring the Longitudinal Evolution of the Online Anonymous Marketplace Ecosystem

February 2011 saw the emergence of Silk Road, the first successful online anonymous marketplace, in which buyers and sellers could transact with anonymity properties far superior to those available in alternative online or offline means of commerce. Business on Silk Road, primarily involving narcotics trafficking, rapidly boomed, and competitors emerged. At the same time, law enforcement did not sit idle, and eventually managed to shut down Silk Road in October 2013 and arrest its operator. Far from causing the demise of this novel form of commerce, the Silk Road take-down spawned an entire, dynamic, online anonymous marketplace ecosystem, which has continued to evolve to this day. This paper presents a long-term measurement analysis of a large portion of this online anonymous marketplace ecosystem, including 16 different marketplaces, over more than two years (2013- 2015). By using long-term measurements, and combining our own data collection with publicly available previous efforts, we offer a detailed understanding of the growth of the online anonymous marketplace ecosystem. We are able to document the evolution of the types of goods being sold, and assess the effect (or lack thereof) of adversarial events, such as law enforcement operations or large-scale frauds, on the overall size of the economy. We also provide insights into how vendors are diversifying and replicating across marketplaces, and how vendor security practices (e.g., PGP adoption) are evolving. These different aspects help us understand how traditional, physical-world criminal activities are developing an online presence, in the same manner traditional commerce diversified online in the 1990s.
On the importance of initial conditions for simulations of the Mid-Holocene climate

Three simulations of the Mid-Holocene (6 ka) climate were performed with the ECBilt-CLIO-VECODE coupled atmosphere-ocean-vegetation model to study the impact of initial conditions. These experiments were forced with identical 6 ka forcings (orbital parameters and atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations) and differed only in initial conditions. Two simulations were designed as equilibrium experiments, with one being initialized with preindustrial conditions as required by the protocol of the Paleoclimate Modelling Intercomparison Project (PMIP), while in a second experiment early Holocene (9 ka) initial conditions were used. These equilibrium simulations were run for 2100 years with 6 ka forcings. The third experiment was set up as a transient simulation, also starting from early Holocene conditions, but forced with annually changing orbital parameters and greenhouse gas levels. The results of the last 100 years are compared and reveal no statistically significant differences, showing that in this model the initial conditions have no discernible impact on the 6 ka climate. This suggests that the PMIP set-up for 6 ka simulations is valid, with the condition that spin-up phase should be long enough (at least 550 years) to allow the deep ocean to adjust to the change in forcings.
Wound infections secondary to snakebite.

BACKGROUND The study was performed to identify the important bacterial pathogens responsible for wound infections secondary to snakebite and to determine their antimicrobial susceptibility. METHODOLOGY All cases of wound infection secondary to snakebite were included in this retrospective study. Infected tissues were surgically debrided and inoculated on blood agar and MacConkey agar for aerobic bacterial culture, followed by antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the isolates by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. RESULTS Staphylococcus aureus (32%) was the most common isolate followed by Escherichia coli (15%); monomicrobial infections were more frequent than polymicrobial infections. The majority of the isolates were antibiotic sensitive. Ciprofloxacin, an oral drug covering both Gram-positive and Gram-negative isolates, was the most frequently prescribed antibiotic. The patients responded well to the treatment. CONCLUSION The results of this study will be helpful in deciding the empirical antibiotic therapy in cases of wound infection secondary to snakebite in regions of Southeast Asia.
Multifunctionality of PAI-1 in fibrogenesis: evidence from obstructive nephropathy in PAI-1-overexpressing mice.

BACKGROUND Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease based on its up-regulated expression and on the beneficial effects of PAI-1 inhibition or depletion in experimental models. PAI-1 is a multifunctional protein and the mechanisms that account for its profibrotic effects have not been fully elucidated. METHODS The present study was designed to investigate PAI-1-dependent fibrogenic pathways by comparing the unilateral ureteral obstruction model (UUO) (days 3, 7, and 14) in PAI-1-overexpressing mice (PAI-1 tg) to wild-type mice, both on a C57BL6 background. RESULTS Following UUO, total kidney PAI-1 mRNA and/or protein levels were significantly higher in the PAI-1 tg mice (N= 6 to 8/group) and fibrosis severity was significantly worse (days 3, 7, and 14), measured both as Sirius red-positive interstitial area (e.g., 10 +/- 3.2% vs. 4.5 +/- 1.0%) (day 14) and total kidney collagen (e.g., 11.1 +/- 1.7 vs. 6.2 +/- 1.3 microg/mg) (day 14). By day 14, the expression of two normal tubular proteins, E-cadherin and Ksp-cadherin, were significantly lower in the PAI-1 tg mice (3.2 +/- 0.5% vs. 11.7 +/- 5.9% and 2.6 +/- 1.6) vs. 6.2 +/- 0.8%, respectively), implying more extensive tubular damage. At least four fibrogenic pathways were differentially expressed in the PAI-1 tg mice. First, interstitial macrophage recruitment was more intense (P < 0.05 days 3 and 14). Second, interstitial myofibroblast density was greater (P < 0.05 days 3 and 7) despite similar numbers of proliferating tubulointerstitial cells. Third, transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and collagen I mRNA were significantly higher. Finally, urokinase activity was significantly lower (P < 0.05 days 7 and 14) despite similar mRNA levels. Gene microarray studies documented that that the deletion of this single profibrotic gene had far-reaching consequences on renal cellular responses to chronic injury. CONCLUSION These data provide further evidence that PAI-1 is directly involved in interstitial fibrosis and tubular damage via two primary overlapping mechanisms: early effects on interstitial cell recruitment and late effects associated with decreased urokinase activity.
Acquisition of dispositional attributions: effects of sample size and covariation

Two experiments examined whether dispositional attributions are sensitive to the sample size of the evidence indicating a given level of covariation between person and behavior. Participants were given high or low levels of covariation (i.e. consensus and distinctiveness), and the acquisition of dispositional attributions was monitored by requesting dispositional trait ratings at fixed intervals. The results showed that dispositional attributions were sensitive to sample size, and increased given more evidence on high person-behavior covariation while they decreased given more evidence on low person-behavior covariation. Additional analyses suggested that in making dispositional inferences (e.g. about the actor), there was a slight preference for agreement information (e.g. low distinctiveness) over difference information (e.g. low consensus). The effects of sample size are inconsistent with current statistical or probabilistic models of covariation, but are in line with connectionist networks using an error-correcting learning algorithm. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand, a mediator of B cell survival, is also a marker of lymphoma in primary Sjögren's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE To determine if the Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt-3L), a cytokine implicated in B cell ontogenesis and proliferation in hematologic malignancies, might be responsible for the increased numbers of circulating Bm2 and Bm2′ B cell subsets in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS). METHODS Serum levels of Flt-3L were measured in 64 patients with primary SS and in 20 healthy controls matched for age and sex. Flt-3L and its receptor Flt-3 were quantified in circulating B cells and in salivary gland (SG) biopsy tissues by immunofluorescence analysis. The effect of Flt-3L on circulating B lymphocytes was then determined by coculture with cells of a human SG (HSG) epithelial cell line. RESULTS Serum levels of Flt-3L were increased in patients with primary SS as compared with controls (mean ± SD 135.8 ± 5.5 versus 64.4 ± 4.5 pg/ml; P < 0.001). Serum levels of Flt-3L in primary SS patients correlated with the numbers of Bm2 and Bm2′ cells (r = 0.46, P < 0.0006), and Flt-3 was selectively expressed in Bm2 and Bm2′ cells. B cell culture experiments showed that Flt-3L potentiated the proliferative effect of anti-IgM stimulation. In SGs, we found that infiltrating B cells expressed Flt-3 and epithelial cells produced Flt-3L. Finally, Flt-3L levels were associated with high disease activity scores and increased risk of developing lymphoma. CONCLUSION Serum levels of Flt-3L are elevated in patients with primary SS and correlate with abnormal B cell distribution. Flt-3 is mainly expressed by Bm2 and Bm2′ cells. Serum levels of Flt-3L might explain the clinical evolution of primary SS to B cell lymphoma that is observed in some patients, thus opening the possibility of new avenues for therapy.
Expression Profiling of FSHD-1 and FSHD-2 Cells during Myogenic Differentiation Evidences Common and Distinctive Gene Dysregulation Patterns

Background Determine global gene dysregulation affecting 4q-linked (FSHD-1) and non 4q-linked (FSHD-2) cells during early stages of myogenic differentiation. This approach has been never applied to FSHD pathogenesis. Methodology/Principal Findings By in vitro differentiation of FSHD-1 and FSHD-2 myoblasts and gene chip analysis we derived that gene expression profile is altered only in FSHD-1 myoblasts and FSHD-2 myotubes. The changes seen in FSHD-1 regarded a general defect in cell cycle progression, probably due to the upregulation of myogenic markers PAX3 and MYOD1, and a deficit of factors (SUV39H1 and HMGB2) involved in D4Z4 chromatin conformation. On the other hand, FSHD-2 mytubes were characterized by a general defect in RNA metabolism, protein synthesis and degradation and, to a lesser extent, in cell cycle. Common dysregulations regarded genes involved in response to oxidative stress and in sterol biosynthetic process. Interestingly, our results also suggest that miRNAs might be implied in both FSHD-1 and FSHD-2 gene dysregulation. Finally, in both cell differentiation systems, we did not observe a gradient of altered gene expression throughout the 4q35 chromosome. Conclusions/Significance FSHD-1 and FSHD-2 cells showed, in different steps of myogenic differentiation, a global deregulation of gene expression rather than an alteration of expression of 4q35 specific genes. In general, FSHD-1 and FSHD-2 global gene deregulation interested common and distinctive biological processes. In this regard, defects of cell cycle progression (FSHD-1 and to a lesser extent FSHD-2), protein synthesis and degradation (FSHD-2), response to oxidative stress (FSHD-1 and FSHD-2), and cholesterol homeostasis (FSHD-1 and FSHD-2) may in general impair a correct myogenesis. Taken together our results recapitulate previously reported defects of FSHD-1, and add new insights into the gene deregulation characterizing both FSHD-1 and FSHD-2, in which miRNAs may play a role.
Risk-taking behavior in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy

Patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) often present with risk‐taking behavior, suggestive of frontal lobe dysfunction. Recent studies confirm functional and microstructural changes within the frontal lobes in JME. This study aimed at characterizing decision‐making behavior in JME and its neuronal correlates using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
A Single Immunoglobulin-like Domain of the Human Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule L1 Supports Adhesion by Multiple Vascular and Platelet Integrins

The neural cell adhesion molecule L1 has been shown to function as a homophilic ligand in a variety of dynamic neurological processes. Here we demonstrate that the sixth immunoglobulin-like domain of human L1 (L1-Ig6) can function as a heterophilic ligand for multiple members of the integrin superfamily including αvβ3, αvβ1, α5β1, and αIIbβ3. The interaction between L1-Ig6 and αIIbβ3 was found to support the rapid attachment of activated human platelets, whereas a corresponding interaction with αvβ3 and αvβ1 supported the adhesion of umbilical vein endothelial cells. Mutation of the single Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) motif in human L1-Ig6 effectively abrogated binding by the aforementioned integrins. A L1 peptide containing this RGD motif and corresponding flanking amino acids (PSITWRGDGRDLQEL) effectively blocked L1 integrin interactions and, as an immobilized ligand, supported adhesion via αvβ3, αvβ1, α5β1, and αIIbβ3. Whereas β3 integrin binding to L1-Ig6 was evident in the presence of either Ca2+, Mg2+, or Mn2+, a corresponding interaction with the β1 integrins was only observed in the presence of Mn2+. Furthermore, such Mn2+-dependent binding by α5β1 and αvβ1 was significantly inhibited by exogenous Ca2+. Our findings suggest that physiological levels of calcium will impose a hierarchy of integrin binding to L1 such that αvβ3 or active αIIbβ3 > αvβ1 > α5β1. Given that L1 can interact with multiple vascular or platelet integrins it is significant that we also present evidence for de novo L1 expression on blood vessels associated with certain neoplastic or inflammatory diseases. Together these findings suggest an expanded and novel role for L1 in vascular and thrombogenic processes.