Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modelling the acceptance and use of electronic learning at the University of Zululand

We present a new and compelling method to help understand some of the important needs, perceptions and expectations of users of existing electronic learning (e-learning) resources at the University of Zululand by contextualising the pedagogic place in this blended tertiary learning environment of e-learning resources and confirming their acceptance by both academic staff and students. Predicting their acceptance was achieved conceptually by adopting the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model and statistically validating its application to predict the behavioural intentions and usage behaviour of the primary users towards e-learning using a positivist epistemological belief and deductive reasoning. This paper also embraces an interpretive research paradigm to include the researchers’ views on the topic. Partial Least Squares structural equation modelling and inferential statistics predicted the level of acceptance of e-learning by academic staff (adjusted R 2 = 0.41) and students (adjusted R 2 = 0.39) and illustrated the strengths and significances of the postulated UTAUT relationships and their moderating effects. Academic performance gains proved to be the strongest significant influence on both sets of primary users’ intentions to use e-learning. Although the results may not be generalised to other institutions, they do contribute to UTAUT’s theoretical validity and empirical applicability to the management of e-learning-based initiatives. We argue that the high predictive accuracies found in Venkatesh et al. (2003) could be obtained if significant moderators contextualised to the education sector were added to the structural equation model, although cognisance of maintaining a parsimonious structural equation model should also be taken into consideration before inflating the coefficient of determination (R 2 ), which is a measure of how well a data set fits a statistical model (in this case UTAUT). A R 2 value of 1 indicates a perfect fit – with the observed outcomes being replicated in the model – while a R 2 value of 0 indicates that the data set does not fit the model at all. R 2 values closer to 1 allow more predictable future outcomes, which in this study was the acceptance of existing e-learning resources by the primary users.
Prospects of clinical xenotransplantation.

Our two recent attempts at baboon-to-human xenotransplantation failed.1–3 However, there were encouraging notations. First, the xenografts had no evidence of B virus infection during their posttransplant survival of 70 and 26 days in B virus carriers. Second, there also was little histopathologic evidence of humoral or cellular rejection of these livers. Yet, their function was suboptimal. If rejection was not the explanation, why did the baboon liver cases fail?
Adaptive Evolution of Conserved Noncoding Elements in Mammals

Conserved noncoding elements (CNCs) are an abundant feature of vertebrate genomes. Some CNCs have been shown to act as cis-regulatory modules, but the function of most CNCs remains unclear. To study the evolution of CNCs, we have developed a statistical method called the “shared rates test” to identify CNCs that show significant variation in substitution rates across branches of a phylogenetic tree. We report an application of this method to alignments of 98,910 CNCs from the human, chimpanzee, dog, mouse, and rat genomes. We find that ∼68% of CNCs evolve according to a null model where, for each CNC, a single parameter models the level of constraint acting throughout the phylogeny linking these five species. The remaining ∼32% of CNCs show departures from the basic model including speed-ups and slow-downs on particular branches and occasionally multiple rate changes on different branches. We find that a subset of the significant CNCs have evolved significantly faster than the local neutral rate on a particular branch, providing strong evidence for adaptive evolution in these CNCs. The distribution of these signals on the phylogeny suggests that adaptive evolution of CNCs occurs in occasional short bursts of evolution. Our analyses suggest a large set of promising targets for future functional studies of adaptation.
The effects of narrowbands of visible light upon some skin disorders: a review

This review article focuses on clinical studies published in the fields of (i) photorejuvenation and anti‐ageing, (ii) oily or acne‐prone skin and related imperfections, (iii) skin pigmentation and lightening, (iv) dandruff and other Malassezia‐related skin disorders and (v) prevention and reversal of hair loss using non‐thermal, non‐ablative devices (principally light‐emitting diodes). It mainly focuses on clinical proof of performance and also on in vitro studies that support the clinical findings. The mode of action of narrowbands of visible light upon the skin is only briefly discussed since their biological effects have been previously reviewed.
Quenching and recovery investigations of vacancies in tungsten

Abstract Resistivity and transmission-electron-microscopy investigations have been carried out on high-purity quenched tungsten. These have yielded values for the monovacancy formation and migration enthalpies of HIV F=3·67±0·2 eV and HIVM=1·78 ± 0.1 eV respectively, Direct observations of voids formed by vacancy precipitation during quenching and subsequent annealing have led to the conclusion that the equilibrium vacancy concentration at the melting point is Cv(Tm=3695 K) ≃ 1 × 10−4. Using this value, the vacancy resistivity and formation entropy, pIV=6·3 × 10−4 Ω cm and SIV F=2·3k respectively, were deduced. The results are discussed in relation to self-diffusion in tungsten and difficulties encountered in earlier work on quenched tungsten.
Epigenetic dysregulation of leukaemic HOX code in MLL‐rearranged leukaemia mouse model

HOX genes are frequently dysregulated in human leukaemia with the gene rearrangement between mixed lineage leukaemia (MLL) and partner genes. The resultant MLL fusion proteins are known to mediate leukaemia through disruption of the normal epigenetic regulation at the target gene loci. To elucidate the pathogenic role of MLL fusion proteins in HOX dysregulation in leukaemia, we generated a novel haematopoietic lineage‐specific Mll–Een knock‐in mouse model using a Cre‐mediated inversion strategy. The MllEen/+ invertor mice developed acute myeloid leukaemia, with organomegaly of the spleen, liver and mesenteric lymph nodes caused by infiltration of blast cells. Using Mll–Een‐expressing leukaemic cell lines derived from bone marrow of MllEen/+ mutant mice, we showed that induction of Hox genes in leukaemic cells was associated with hypomethylated promoter regions and an aberrant active chromatin state at the Hox loci. Knock‐down of Prmt1 was insufficient to reverse the active chromatin status and the hypomethylated Hox loci, suggesting that Prmt1‐mediated histone arginine methylation was only partially involved in the maintenance of Hox expression in leukaemic cells. Furthermore, in vivo analysis of bone marrow cells of MllEen/+ mice revealed a Hox expression profile similar to that of wild‐type haematopoietic stem cells. The leukaemic Hox profile was highly correlated with aberrant hypomethylation of Hox promoters in the mutant mice, which highlights the importance of DNA methylation in leukaemogenic mechanisms induced by MLL fusion proteins. Our results point to the involvement of dynamic epigenetic regulations in the maintenance of the stem cell‐like HOX code that initiates leukaemic stem cells in MLL‐rearranged leukaemia. This provides insights for the development of alternative strategies for leukaemia treatment. Copyright © 2013 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chronic Pain and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is often used to treat chronic pain; however, more information is needed about what are the most efficacious dose and delivery methods. The aims of this review were to determine (a) which CBT doses, delivery methods, strategies, and follow-up periods have been explored in recent intervention studies of individuals with chronic pain and (b) whether the outcomes described in the selected studies were consistent with recommendations by the Initiative on Methods, Measurement, and Pain Assessment in Clinical Trials. The CINAHL, EMBASE, PubMed, PsycInfo, and SCOPUS databases were searched for randomized controlled trials published from 2009 to 2015 testing CBT for adults with chronic pain. Thirty-five studies were included in this review. Results revealed that CBT reduced pain intensity in 43% of trials, the efficacy of online and in-person formats were comparable, and military veterans and individuals with cancer-related chronic pain were understudied.
Multifrequency and Multistatic Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar, with Application to FM Passive Radar

This paper deals with the imaging of a moving target using a multifrequency and multistatic radar consisting in one receiver and several narrowband transmitters. Considering two hypotheses about the studied target, we derive two multistatic inverse synthetic aperture radar processors: the first one, which models the target as a set of isotropic points, performs a coherent sum of bistatic images; the second one, which models the target as a set of nonisotropic points, performs an incoherent sum of bistatic images. Numerical simulations are done, which demonstrate the efficiency of the second processor. We also apply both processors to a multistatic passive radar scenario for which the transmitters are FM stations located in a realistic configuration. We study the system performance in terms of resolution and sidelobe levels as a function of the number of transmitters and of the integration time. Both processors are applied to similar complex targets for which the scattered fields are simulated by a numerical electromagnetic code. The resulting multistatic radar images show interesting characteristics that might be used by classification algorithms in future work.
Reed–Muller Codes Achieve Capacity on Erasure Channels

We introduce a new approach to proving that a sequence of deterministic linear codes achieves capacity on an erasure channel under maximum a posteriori decoding. Rather than relying on the precise structure of the codes, our method exploits code symmetry. In particular, the technique applies to any sequence of linear codes where the blocklengths are strictly increasing, the code rates converge, and the permutation group of each code is doubly transitive. In other words, we show that symmetry alone implies near-optimal performance. An important consequence of this result is that a sequence of Reed–Muller codes with increasing blocklength and converging rate achieves capacity. This possibility has been suggested previously in the literature but it has only been proven for cases where the limiting code rate is 0 or 1. Moreover, these results extend naturally to all affine-invariant codes and, thus, to extended primitive narrow-sense BCH codes. This also resolves, in the affirmative, the existence question for capacity-achieving sequences of binary cyclic codes. The primary tools used in the proof are the sharp threshold property for symmetric monotone Boolean functions and the area theorem for extrinsic information transfer functions.
Enhanced Answer Type Inference from Questions using Sequential Models

Question classification is an important step in factual question answering (QA) and other dialog systems. Several attempts have been made to apply statistical machine learning approaches, including Support Vector Machines (SVMs) with sophisticated features and kernels. Curiously, the payoff beyond a simple bag-of-words representation has been small. We show that most questions reveal their class through a short contiguous token subsequence, which we call its informer span. Perfect knowledge of informer spans can enhance accuracy from 79.4% to 88% using linear SVMs on standard benchmarks. In contrast, standard heuristics based on shallow pattern-matching give only a 3% improvement, showing that the notion of an informer is non-trivial. Using a novel multi-resolution encoding of the question's parse tree, we induce a Conditional Random Field (CRF) to identify informer spans with about 85% accuracy. Then we build a meta-classifier using a linear SVM on the CRF output, enhancing accuracy to 86.2%, which is better than all published numbers.
Structural Characterization of Sputtered Fe70Pd30 Thin Films During Ex Situ and In Situ TEM Heating

Magnetic shape memory (MSM) thin films have been investigated for their use as actuators and sensors in micro‐electro‐mechanical systems (MEMS). Here, we report on the fabrication of polycrystalline Fe7Pd3 thin films by magnetron sputtering. Two‐dimensionally structured, freestanding films can be obtained by the use of different lift‐off techniques and optical lithography. The effect of different heat treatments is discussed. In situ transmission electron microscopy of the as deposited films up to 850 °C shows intermediate phases during heating. Significant changes in magnetic properties of the intermediate phases are observed in complementary investigations on ex situ annealed freestanding films.
Learning to Express Visual Contrasts in the Production of Referring Expressions in Yucatec Maya

We examined rates of informativeness in the production of modifications in response to a visual contrast In a video description task with speakers of Yucatec Maya. We analyzed modifications of referring expressions on the part of a speaker, and we also examined the effect of overand underinformativeness on the listener’s comprehension. We found that prior experience with difficult comprehension did not significantly affect the listener’s rate of informativeness when in the role of speaker, but we found that experience as a speaker did result in reduced rates of under-informativeness. That is to say, as a speaker’s own experience progressed, the speaker became less under-informative. We discuss these results as audience design-based learning.
Survey of instructions to authors in Indian and British Dental Journals with respect to ethical guidelines.

BACKGROUND Publication can become a symbol of presenting how meticulously a person has followed ethical principles in research. It is the duty of the investigators or authors to carefully read the instructions to authors and generate data with honesty and genuineness. In fulfillment of the basic requisite to publish, clearly defined instructions to authors should be provided by the journal. AIMS To assess the pattern of instructions regarding the ethical requirements given to authors in Indian Dental Journals and tried to compare the same with British Dental Journals. SETTINGS AND DESIGN A cross-sectional survey of 'instructions for authors,' for analysis of guidelines on ethical processes, was done. MATERIALS AND METHODS Instructions to authors of Indian and British Dental Journals indexed in PubMed were reviewed for guidelines with regard to seven key ethical issues. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED Descriptive statistics were used and results were expressed in percentages as well as numbers. RESULTS Of the 10 Indian Dental Journals, 7 (70%) cited ethical guidelines such as International Committee of Medical Journal Editors, Committee on Publication Ethics, Indian Council of Medical Research guidelines whereas out of 27 British Dental Journals, 16 (59.25%) cited these. Protection of human subjects such as approval from an institutional/independent ethics committee, obtaining informed consent and maintenance of confidentiality of patient records was covered with 8 (80%) Indian and 19 (70.3%) British Dental Journals. Four (40%) Indian and 13 (48.1%) instructed about animals welfare. Nine (90%) of the Indian and 25 (92.5%) British Dental Journals required declaration of conflicts of interest by authors. Publication issues and authorship/contributorship criteria were specified by all 10 Indian and 25 (92.5%) and 24 (88.8%) British journals respectively. 6 (60%) of Indian and 11 (40.75%) of British Journals explained about data management, in case of clinical trials. CONCLUSIONS A significant proportion of Indexed Indian and British Dental Journals did not provide adequate instructions to authors regarding ethical issues.
Complete Axiomatizations of Fragments of Monadic Second-Order Logic on Finite Trees

We consider a specific class of tree structures that can represent basic struc- tures in linguistics and computer science such as XML documents, parse trees, and tree- banks, namely, finite node-labeled sibling-ordered trees. We present axiomatizations of the monadic second-order logic (MSO), monadic transitive closure logic (FO(TC 1 )) and monadic least fixed-point logic (FO(LFP 1 )) theories of this class of structures. These logics can express important properties such as reachability. Using model-theoretic techniques, we show by a uniform argument that these axiomatizations are complete, i.e., each formula that is valid on all finite trees is provable using our axioms. As a backdrop to our positive results, on arbitrary structures, the logics that we study are known to be non-recursively axiomatizable.
Effects of Stocking Density or Group Size on Intake, Growth, and Meat Quality of Hanwoo Steers (Bos taurus coreanae)

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of stocking density or group size on feed intake, daily gain, and carcass characteristics of Hanwoo (Korean indigenous breed) steers reared from 7 months to 31 months of age. Thirty Hanwoo steers were divided into four groups with three replicates each (a total of 12 pens). In each group, one (G1), two (G2), three (G3), and four steers (G4) per pen were allocated as treatments. Pen size was 32.0 m2, and therefore Hanwoo steers in G1, G2, G3, and G4 were reared under different space allowances, i.e. 32.0, 16.0, 10.6, and 8.0 m2/steer, respectively. Steers were reared following a conventional beef cattle management method in Korea, and were offered a fixed amount of commercial concentrate with ad libitum forages. Results were subjected to analysis of variance with stocking density as the main effect, and significance was declared at p<0.05. Although total feed intake was not significantly altered, it numerically increased in animals of low stocking density (G1) compared to those subjected to high stocking density treatment (i.e. G4). Feed conversion ratio was higher (p<0.05) in G3 compared to G1 and G2. Animals in G1 (low stocking density) grew faster (p<0.05) than those of high stocking density (G3 and G4). Back fat thickness, meat yield index, and meat yield grade were similar among all levels of stocking density. However, longissimus muscle area was larger in G1 and G2 (p<0.01) compared to G3 and G4, and animals in G3 produced smaller carcasses (p<0.05). Carcass quality traits, including marbling score, meat color, fat color, texture, maturity and meat quality grade, as determined by a group of experts, were not significantly different among the treatments. In conclusion, lower stocking density resulted in increased feed efficiency, daily gain, and carcass weight in Hanwoo steers. However it remains unclear whether such differences are the results of stocking density or group size, or a combination of both. Nonetheless, these results confirm previous studies reporting a negative effect of increased stocking density on animal productivity. Further, animal welfare under an intensive farming system in relation to economical return is discussed.
Application of Gypsum Waste Plasterboard and Waste Plastic Trays to Enhance the Performance of Sandy Soil

This paper presents the results of a research project that evaluated the use of recycled gypsum obtained from waste plasterboard along with strips of waste plastic trays to enhance the performance of tested soil. Recycled gypsum was used as a stabilizing agent for stabilized soil to improve the compressive strength, whereas the waste plastic trays were used to improve the tensile strength. The effects of waste gypsum content, size, aspect ratio and waste plastic trays content were investigated to determine the mechanical behavior of soil treated with such waste materials. Experimental test results showed that unconfined compressive and splitting tensile strengths increased with increasing waste gypsum content. The increase in waste gypsum has a more significant effect on the unconfined compressive strength than on the tensile strength. Adding strips of waste plastic trays to samples treated with waste gypsum enhanced the splitting tensile strength. The size, aspect ratio and content of waste plastic trays have significant effect on the enhancement of soil strength.
The effect of calcineurin inhibitors in the treatment of IgA nephropathy

Background:Immunoglobin A nephropathy (IgAN), the most prevalent form of primary glomerulonephritis, represents the leading cause of kidney failure among East Asian populations. Immunosuppressive treatment regimen, except for a 6-month trial of corticosteroids, has not been approved by the KDIGO guideline yet. Specific and effective treatment is still lacking. We decided to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) in the treatment of IgAN. Methods:Database from the Cochrane library, PubMed, Embase, CBM, CNKI, and CENTRAL databases were searched and reviewed up to March 2016. Literature was screened by 2 independent reviewers accordingly. Clinical trials were analyzed using Stata 12.0. Results:Five random control trials and 2 nonrandomized concurrent control trials were selected and included in this study according to our inclusion and exclusion criteria. The rates of complete remission in patients with IgAN were significantly increased in the group of CNIs (RR 1.56, P = 0.002). No statistical difference was observed in the rates of partial remission, or response between the CNIs and steroids alone. Additionally, CNIs resulted in a significant reduction in urinary protein (WMD 0.34, P = 0.002) and increase in serum albumin level (WMD 1.89, P = 0.013). No differences were found in the serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and rates of adverse effects including infection, hyperglycemia, and liver dysfunction. Conclusion:With present evidence, CNIs may be promising immunosuppressive agents for IgAN in future. However, large, long-term, multicenter trials are required to confirm our findings.