Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Computer anxiety and innovativeness as predictors of technology integration

The focus of this study was to determine if there existed significant relationships between the level of computer anxiety, innovativeness, and the level of technology integration in pre-service teachers. The study used two hundred pre-service students enrolled at a private university in the state of Texas. The sample was a sample of convenience. The design of this study was causal-comparative and correlational. Three instruments were used to collect the data: the Innovativeness Scale introduced by Hurt, Joseph, and Cook in 1977, the Computer Anxiety Index developed by Montag, Maurer and Simonson in 1984, the Teaching with Technology Instrument developed by Atkins and Vasu in 1998. No significant differences were found between certification level and innovativeness. None were found between content area and computer anxiety or innovativeness. The differences between gender and computer anxiety and the differences between gender and innovativeness were found to be not significant. Significant relationships were found between computer anxiety, innovativeness, and technology integration. Significant differences were also found between a pre-service teacher's certification level and computer anxiety. All-Level certification seekers had higher computer anxiety than other levels of certification. URI http://hdl.handle. net/2346/15804 Collections Electronic Theses and Dissertations DSpace software copyright © 2002-2016 DuraSpace Contact | Support Theme by Computer anxiety and innovativeness as predictors of technology integration   what Bax has referred to as ‘normalised’ (2003, 2011) in daily life in many parts of the world, although not amongst all people as there are digital divisions everywhere (Warschauer, 2003), and still not always in the world
Blood Purification and Mortality in Sepsis: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials*

Objectives:Although blood purification improves outcomes in animal studies of sepsis, results of clinical trials have been mixed. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials to determine the association between various blood purification techniques and all-cause mortality in humans with sepsis. Data Sources:We searched for relevant studies in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library database from January 1966 to May 2012. Study Selection:Inclusion required a diagnosis of sepsis and comparison of blood purification techniques including hemofiltration, hemoperfusion, plasma exchange, or hemodialysis with no blood purification (control group). Data Extraction:Two authors independently selected studies and extracted data. Summary statistics, risk ratios, and CIs were calculated using random-effects modeling. Study quality was assessed using Jadad score, and publication bias was assessed using funnel plots and Egger’s statistic. Data Synthesis:Overall, blood purification decreased mortality compared with no blood purification (35.7% vs 50.1%; risk ratio, 0.69 [95% CI, 0.56–0.84]; p < 0.001; 16 trials, n = 827). However, these results were driven mainly by hemoperfusion (risk ratio, 0.63 [95% CI, 0.50–0.80]; p < 0.001; 10 trials, n = 557) and plasma exchange (risk ratio, 0.63 [95% CI, 0.42–0.96]; p = 0.03; two trials, n = 128). Pooling of all trials of blood purification for treatment of sepsis was no longer associated with lower mortality (risk ratio, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.71–1.13]; p = 0.36; eight trials, n = 457) after excluding trials using polymyxin B hemoperfusion. Conclusions:Blood purification techniques including hemoperfusion, plasma exchange, and hemofiltration with hemoperfusion were associated with lower mortality in patients with sepsis. These results were mainly influenced by studies using polymyxin B hemoperfusion from Japan.
GB-splines of arbitrary order 1

Explicit formulae and recurrence relations for the calculation of generalized B-splines (GB-splines) of arbitrary order are given. We derive main properties of GB-splines and their series, i.e. partition of unity, shape-preserving properties, invariance with respect to a ne transformations, etc. It is shown that such splines have the variation diminishing property and are Chebyshevian splines. c © 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Augmented endothelial uptake of oxidized low-density lipoprotein in response to endothelin-1.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) may be involved in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Furthermore, endothelin receptor blockade was shown to reduce the formation of atherosclerotic lesions in experimental studies. Another potent pro-atherosclerotic risk factor is oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL). Endothelial cells mediate the uptake of oxLDL by the recently identified lectin-like oxLDL receptor-1 (LOX-1), which accumulates in atherosclerotic lesions. In the present study, we analysed the effects of ET-1 on oxLDL uptake and LOX-1 expression in primary cultures of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). ET-1 stimulated uptake of oxLDL in HUVEC, which reached a maximum after 1 h. In further studies, we found a similar induction of LOX-1 mRNA and protein expression in response to ET-1. The augmented oxLDL uptake and the increased LOX-1 expression in response to ET-1 are mediated by the endothelin receptor B. Our data support a new pathophysiological mechanism by which locally and systemically increased ET-1 levels, e.g. in hypertensive patients, could promote LOX-1-mediated oxLDL uptake in human endothelial cells. This mechanism could promote the development and progression of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. In addition, endothelin receptor blockade could be considered as a new anti-atherosclerotic therapeutic principle.
The Truth Between the Lines: Conceptualization of Trust in News Media in Serbia, Macedonia, and Croatia

This study explored, by comparative thematic analysis, the conceptualization of trust in news media in Serbia, Macedonia, and Croatia—three countries of Eastern Europe where past oppressive regimes might have left a heritage of distrust in all institutions. The analysis of 61 in-depth interviews showed the coexistence of three connotations of trust: trust as faith in news media as expert systems, trust in journalistic selectivity (found in all three countries), and trust as confidence in news media (found only in the Serbian sample). The analysis of the interviews also indicated a possible new dimension of journalistic selectivity and showed that, when looking for the truth in media messages, Serbians, Macedonians, and Croatians relied more on themselves than on the trustworthiness of their news media systems. The implications of these results on the measurement of trust in news media and on the relationship of Eastern Europeans toward their news media systems are discussed in light of sociological theories of trust, as well as specific historical, social, and cultural circumstances in the region.
Methodological and Theoretical Approaches to the Study of Governance and Policy Transfer in Vocational Education and Training

This introductory article offers not only a synthesis of methodological approaches, methods, conceptual considerations and theoretical frameworks that are introduced in the various articles in this special issue, it also reaches beyond this collection in referring to interdisciplinary approaches to the study of vocational education and training (VET) governance. The latter are specifically intended to assist in analysing the role of the individual, political groups or networks in governing VET and potentially determining a VET policy transfer process. The author explains how the study of governance is directly connected to the study of policy transfer and specifically introduces categories derived from the behavioural science in order to substantiate the thesis that existing governance studies have not paid attention to the essential category of the human or social factor.
Goal pursuit is more than planning: the moderating role of regulatory fit

Goal Pursuit Is More Than Planning: The Moderating Role of Regulatory Fit. (August 2005) Wing Yin Leona Tam, B.B.A., The Chinese University of Hong Kong; M. Phil., The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Co-Chairs of Advisory Committee: Dr. Richard P. Bagozzi Dr. Rajan Varadarajan Research indicates that planning helps consumers in their goal pursuit, but little is known about how and when such beneficial effects change with regulatory fit – fit between consumers’ regulatory orientation and goal pursuit means. Results of three studies show that 1) the benefits of forming implementation intentions, or planning details such as when, where, how, and how long to perform goal-directed actions and attain consumer goals are stronger in regulatory nonfit situations (study 1), and 2) implementation intentions can be viewed as goal pursuit means and be part of the regulatory fit formulation to show the “value from fit” effect on instrumental behavior and goal attainment (studies 2 and 3). Specifically, study 1 showed that consumers in regulatory nonfit situations are more likely to perform instrumental behavior and have higher goal attainment by forming implementation intentions than consumers in regulatory fit situations. This research also provides empirical evidence of the notion of “value from fit” to the regulatory fit literature, that is, the mediating role of motivation intensity in the regulatory fit-instrumental behavior and regulatory fit-goal attainment linkages in studies 2 and 3.
Connectivity and ultrastructure of dopaminergic innervation of the inner ear and auditory efferent system of a vocal fish

Dopamine (DA) is a conserved modulator of vertebrate neural circuitry, yet our knowledge of its role in peripheral auditory processing is limited to mammals. The present study combines immunohistochemistry, neural tract tracing, and electron microscopy to investigate the origin and synaptic characteristics of DA fibers innervating the inner ear and the hindbrain auditory efferent nucleus in the plainfin midshipman, a vocal fish that relies upon the detection of mate calls for reproductive success. We identify a DA cell group in the diencephalon as a common source for innervation of both the hindbrain auditory efferent nucleus and saccule, the main hearing endorgan of the inner ear. We show that DA terminals in the saccule contain vesicles but transmitter release appears paracrine in nature, due to the apparent lack of synaptic contacts. In contrast, in the hindbrain, DA terminals form traditional synaptic contacts with auditory efferent neuronal cell bodies and dendrites, as well as unlabeled axon terminals, which, in turn, form inhibitory‐like synapses on auditory efferent somata. Our results suggest a distinct functional role for brain‐derived DA in the direct and indirect modulation of the peripheral auditory system of a vocal nonmammalian vertebrate.
Economic Evaluation of Four Treatments for Low-Back Pain: Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective:We sought to compare total outpatient costs of 4 common treatments for low-back pain (LBP) at 18-months follow-up. Methods:Our work reports on findings from a randomized controlled trial within a large medical group practice treating HMO patients. Patients (n = 681) were assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups, ie, medical care only (MD), medical care with physical therapy (MDPt), chiropractic care only (DC), or chiropractic care with physical modalities (DCPm). Total outpatient costs, excluding pharmaceuticals, were measured at 18 months. We did not perform a cost-effectiveness analysis because previously published findings showed no clinically meaningful difference in outcomes among the 4 treatment groups. Thirty-seven participants were lost to follow-up at 18 months, leaving a final sample size of n = 654. Results:Adjusting for covariates, DC was 51.9% more expensive than MD (P < 0.001), DCPm 3.2% more expensive than DC (P = 0.76), and MDPt 105.8% more expensive than MD (P < 0.001). The adjusted mean outpatient costs per treatment group were $369 for MD, $560 for DC, $579 for DCPm, and $760 for MDPt. Conclusions:This study is the first randomized trial to show higher costs for chiropractic care without producing better clinical outcomes, but our findings are likely to understate the costs of medical care with or without physical therapy because of the absence of pharmaceutical data. Physical therapy provided in combination with medical care and physical modalities provided in combination with chiropractic care do not appear to be cost-effective strategies for treatment of LBP; they produce higher costs without clinically significant improvements in outcome.
Cycle of period Gene Expression in a Diurnal Mammal (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus): Implications for Nonphotic Phase Shifting

Ground squirrels, Spermophilus tridecemlineatus, were kept in a 12:12 h light-dark cycle. As expected for a diurnal species, their locomotor activity occurred almost entirely in the daytime. Expression of mPer1 and mPer2 in the suprachiasmatic nucleus was studied at six time points by in situ hybridization. For both these genes, mRNA was highest in the first part of the subjective day (about zeitgeber time 5). This is close to the time when mPer1 and mPer2 expression is maximal in nocturnal rodents. These results have implications for under- standing nonphotic phase response curves in diurnal species and thereby for guiding research on nonphotic phase shifting in people
Decision Making on the Labor and Delivery Unit: An Investigation of Influencing Factors

Objective The aim of this study was to describe the relationship between negative affect (NA), decision-making style, time stress, and decision quality in health care. Background Health care providers must often make swift, high-stakes decisions. Influencing factors of the decision-making process in this context have been understudied. Method Within a sample of labor and delivery nurses, physicians, and allied personnel, we used self-report measures to examine the impact of trait factors, including NA, decision-making style, and perceived time stress, on decision quality in a situational judgment test (Study 1). In Study 2, we observed the influence of state NA, state decision-making style, state time stress, and their relationship with decision quality on real clinical decisions. Results In Study 1, we found that trait NA significantly predicted avoidant decision-making style. Furthermore, those who were higher on trait time stress and trait avoidant decision-making style exhibited poorer decisions. In Study 2, we observed associations between state NA with state avoidant and analytical decision-making styles. We also observed that these decision-making styles, when considered in tandem with time stress, were influential in predicting clinical decision quality. Conclusion NA predicts some decision-making styles, and decision-making style can affect decision quality under time stress. This is particularly true for state factors. Application Individual differences, such as affect and decision-making style, should be considered during selection. Training to reduce time stress perceptions should be provided.
The Epidemiology of Dog Attacks in an Urban Environment and the Risk of Vascular Injury

We performed this study to determine the associated injuries after dog attacks and determine the incidence of vascular injury (VI) and potential associated factors. The registry at our Level I center was queried for admissions after dog bites between January 1,1992 and June 30, 2008. Demographic, injury, and outcome data were studied. We examined associations with VI. There were 86 eligible patients. Most were male (57,66.3%). Mean age was 34.1 (±20.1). Mean injury severity score was 3.9 (±4.3). The most common serious injury was upper extremity fracture and/or dislocation (26,30.2%), followed by VI (10,11.6%) to the extremities (8, 9.3%) and neck (2, 2.3%). There were 44 (51.2%) operative cases including 28 (32.6%) wound debridements and 22 (25.6%) orthopedic interventions. Nine (10.5%) VI patients required operation. Mean length of stay was 5.7 (±5.9) days. There were two (2.3%) deaths. Both were unrelated to the attack. No studied variable reliably predicted VI. Many patients admitted after dog attacks will require an operative intervention and several will harbor a VI. The presence of VI is unpredictable, lacking reliable associated patient and admission factors. A high index of suspicion is required in the evaluation of patients involved in dog attacks.
Enhanced production of nitric oxide by blood-dialysis membrane interaction.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a powerful vasoactive product of endothelial origin, and one of its major effects is vasodilation, leading to hypotension. The role of NO in some complications of uremia is still debated. This study evaluated whether endothelial NO synthase activity could be modulated by the exposure of healthy blood to hemodialysis materials. In vitro hemodialysis sessions were performed with cuprophan and polymethylmethacrylate membranes. Blood samples from a healthy donor after recirculation for 0, 5, 15, 30, and 60 min were coincubated for 6 h with a murine endothelial cell line (t.End.1); mRNA for inducible NO synthase and enzyme activity, measured as (3H)citrulline produced from (3H)arginine, were detected. The release of interleukin (IL)-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) from recirculating lymphomonocytes was measured, too. The NO synthase activity of endothelial cells was stimulated by blood dialyzed with cuprophan, peaking at 15 min (11-fold increase in comparison to the basal values), whereas polymethylmethacrylate was ineffective (P < 0.01 versus Cuprophan). Dialysis with cuprophan, but not with polymethylmethacrylate, induced in endothelial cells the expression of mRNA encoding for inducible NO synthase. The release of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha after 6 h by recirculating lymphomonocytes paralleled the NO synthase activity profile in endothelial cells and was significantly higher after cuprophan exposure than after polymethylmethacrylate (P < 0.0001). In conclusion, the activity of endothelial NO synthase can be enhanced during the dialysis sessions by the interaction of lymphomonocytes with the membranes, possibly via TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta production.
Interoperation support for electronic business

ELECTRONIC BUSINESS E-commerce is not simply about business transactions that run over the Internet, but is fundamentally about the flow of information. Nowadays the boundaries of organizations are more fluid than they used to be. Supply-chain management forces companies to streamline the ways they manufacture, distribute, and sell products and ultimately will improve the way organizations conduct business. The supply-chain cycle begins with a customer's order. The manufacturer passes the order through the usual intra-enterprise activities, for example, sales, marketing, manufacturing, distribution, purchasing, and fiscal accounting. Usually the manufacturer turns to outside support from suppliers, utilities, transportation, and other providers of goods and services that are needed to make the product. The information exchange pertains to such matters as requests for quote, bids, purchase orders, order confirmations , shipping documents, invoices and payment information. In this way multiple enterprises within a shared market segment collabora-tively plan, implement, and manage the flow of goods, services, and information along the value system in a way that increases customer-perceived value and optimizes the efficiency of the chain [3]. Company value chains are transformed into integrated value systems if they are designed to act as an " extended enterprise, " creating and enhancing customer-perceived value by means of cross-enterprise collaboration. Value-chain integration means that an enterprise's business systems can no longer be confined to internal processes, programs, and data repositories, rather they Integrated value chains that consist of business alliance partners compete as single entities for customers.
Tilted femtosecond pulses for velocity matching in gas-phase ultrafast electron diffraction

Recent advances in pulsed electron gun technology have resulted in femtosecond electron pulses becoming available for ultrafast electron diffraction experiments. For experiments investigating chemical dynamics in the gas phase, the resolution is still limited to picosecond time scales due to the velocity mismatch between laser and electron pulses. Tilted laser pulses can be used for velocity matching, but thus far this has not been demonstrated over an extended target in a diffraction setting. We demonstrate an optical configuration to deliver high-intensity laser pulses with a tilted pulse front for velocity matching over the typical length of a gas jet. A laser pulse is diffracted from a grating to introduce angular dispersion, and the grating surface is imaged on the target using large demagnification. The laser pulse duration and tilt angle were measured at and near the image plane using two different techniques: second harmonic cross correlation and an interferometric method. We found that a temporal resolution on the order of 100 fs can be achieved over a range of approximately 1 mm around the image plane.
Still stuck in "A love-hate relationship": Understanding journalists' enduring and impassioned duality towards public relations.

This article reports the results of a qualitative survey question asking New Zealand journalists for their thoughts on public relations. The findings provide the first empirical support for the widespread anecdotal suggestion that there is a deeply held antagonism between these two professions in this country, but also indicate that the antagonism is not straightforward. Overall, the results show that many New Zealand journalists are profoundly conflicted about the value of public relations, often holding two dissonant views and expressing each passionately. These findings indicate New Zealand attitudes mirror international historical attitudes in most respects, but depart from them in some notable ways. The research gives a clearer picture of the origin and nature of some of the stereotypes and resentments that characterise the relationship between these two professions. It also raises important questions about the implications for both journalists and public relations practitioners of working within a relationship in which there are forceful and dichotomous conceptualisations by one party of another. The strength of ambiguous feeling evident in many of the statements suggests that there is a need to consider the impact on individuals and on professional decision-making processes of such entrenched, ardent, and in many cases hostile, views, as well as to question the applicability of this kind of longstanding professional cultural ‘stance’ to today’s changing media landscape.