Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A decade of LMS acceptance and adoption research in Sub-Sahara African higher education: A systematic review of models, methodologies, milestones and main challenges

A decade has elapsed since the Learning Management System (LMS) technology permeated its way into higher education in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), offering new paradigms of both blended and online mode e-learning delivery. Parallel to other continents, the introduction of LMS stimulated acceptance and adoption intentions among stakeholders in higher education. This necessitated research into faculty members’ and students’ LMS acceptance and adoption intentions. While some research has been conducted in this dimension, the evidential facts are scattered. There is a need to agglomerate these studies to project a better picture of study patterns and results, to be abreast of the current state of the literature and better direct future research. This study sought to bridge the gap by way of a systematic review of previous studies within a decade of LMS acceptance research in SSA, placing them in contextual paradigms of models, methodologies, milestones, subjects, countries, findings and challenges. Results from a systematic review of 31 studies, revealed key determinants of LMS acceptance/adoption to be Attitude and Perceived Usefulness; followed by Performance Expectancy and Perceived Ease of Use; then lastly Social Influence. Major challenges to LMS implementation identified were ICT infrastructure; LMS usage skills and training; LMS system quality, LMS use policy and management support. TAM1 was the dominant model employed and students were the main subject of studies. Moreover, quantitative approach was the preferred design with Regression as the main statistical tool used for data analysis. The study recommended among others that more UTAUT or TAM3 based studies employing mixed method design with instructors as subjects, using structural equation modelling analysis are needed in SSA LMS research. Leadership and top management of higher education institutions should focus more on ICT infrastructure, LMS usage skills/training, LMS quality related issues, support and ICT policy formulation.
The dancing trope of cross-cultural language education policy

The language education policy research based on the views of remote Indigenous communities that is the subject of this paper involved a complex metaphoric dance but one centred on the lead of Aboriginal collaborative research participants. The researchers in this dance, fortunately, had enough experience in traditional Aboriginal decision-making processes and so knew the tilts and sways that ensured the emergence of a reliable picture of remote Indigenous knowledge authority. However, as with most Indigenous research, the de-colonisation process and the use of Indigenous research methods hit a misstep when it came to the academy’s ethical procedures and institutional gatekeeping. This almost led to a position from which the research would not recover and from which a contentious but important Indigenous topic on Indigenous language education remained unvoiced.
Varicella‐zoster virus–specific cell‐mediated immunity in Ramsay Hunt syndrome

The etiology of Ramsay Hunt syndrome (Hunt syndrome) is reactivation of latent varicella‐zoster virus (VZV) in the geniculate ganglion of the facial nerve, leading to neuritis. Although the mechanism of the VZV reactivation is unclear, one possibility is that the reactivation involves a low level of VZV‐specific cell‐mediated immunity (CMI). The aim of this study was to clarify the characteristics of the VZV‐specific CMI in Hunt syndrome compared to that in Bell's palsy, and to obtain clues to its role in the development of Hunt syndrome.
Labels, Gender-Role Conflict, Stigma, and Attitudes Toward Seeking Psychological Help in Men

Despite a comparable need, research has indicated that on average men hold more negative attitudes toward psychological help seeking than women. Several researchers have suggested that the gender gap in service use and attitudes could be addressed through efforts to better market psychological services to men; however, a limited number of studies have tested this hypothesis. This study examined whether altering the labels for mental health providers (psychologist or counselor), settings (mental health clinic or counseling center), and treatments (problem or feeling focused) could result in less perceived stigma (social and self) by men. Participants, 165 male college students, were asked to read one of eight randomly assigned vignettes that described a man who was experiencing symptoms of depression and was considering seeking help. The vignettes differed in the labels that were used to describe the help that was being considered. Participants then completed measures assessing the stigma (self and social) associated with the treatment, and their preexisting experience of gender-role conflict and attitudes toward psychological help seeking. In summary, perceived stigma did not depend on the type of label that was used; however, 59% of the variance in attitudes was predicted by self-stigma (uniquely explaining 11%), gender-role conflict (uniquely explaining 10%), and social stigma (uniquely explaining 5%). Specifically, higher levels of gender-role conflict, social stigma, and self-stigma were associated with more negative attitudes toward psychological help seeking. Based on the demographics of the sample, these findings primarily have implications for Caucasian college-educated young adult men. Further limitations with the study and recommendations for future research are discussed.
Immunotherapy using purified protein derivative in the treatment of warts: An open uncontrolled trial

Background: Warts are known to clear spontaneously with the development of cell-mediated immunity (CMI) to the virus. Purified protein derivative (PPD) of tuberculin bacilli has been used as a non-specific stimulant of CMI to achieve this outcome. Aim: To study the effect of PPD in the treatment of warts. Methods: Patients with difficult-to-treat warts were selected for immunotherapy. Each patient received 2.5 TU of PPD intralesionally in a few warts. A total of four sessions were given at 2 weekly intervals and patients were followed up for 6 months after the last dose. Results: Sixty-one patients were recruited of which 55 completed 6 months follow up and were available for analysis. Of these, 25 had verruca vulgaris, 18 had verruca plana and 12 had plantar warts. Forty two (76%) patients showed complete clearance after four sessions while the remaining 13 (24%) patients were non-responders. One patient developed a recurrence after total clearance during the follow-up period. Adverse effects were erythema, edema and pain at the site of injections. Limitations: As this was an uncontrolled trial, there is no comparison with a non-intervention group. Also, a Mantoux test was not done due to practical difficulties. Conclusion: Immunotherapy with PPD is helpful in the treatment of cutaneous warts.
Augmentation of leukotriene C4 production by gamma interferon in leukocytes challenged with an allergen.

Leukocytes from mite-sensitive asthmatic patients were challenged with an allergen and the supernatant assayed for histamine, immunoreactive leukotriene C4 (i-LTC4), and gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN). In addition, the concentration of gamma-IFN in the plasma of patients with bronchial asthma was assayed. Significantly higher concentrations (p less than 0.01) of gamma-IFN were detected in patients' plasma (0.27 +/- 0.32 U/ml, n = 61) than in that of healthy controls (0.04 +/- 0.06 U/ml, n = 19). The leukocytes produced 7.3 +/- 6.7 ng of i-LTC4/10(6) basophils (n = 32), and histamine release was 41.1 +/- 37.1% of total histamine. There was a significant correlation (p less than 0.01) between the capacity of leukocytes to release i-LTC4 and gamma-IFN. The capacity of leukocytes to release histamine and to produce gamma-IFN was not significantly correlated (r = 0.263). About twice as much i-LTC4 was generated from leukocytes pretreated for 24 h with 0.1-1.0 U/ml of recombinant human gamma-IFN, but histamine release was not changed. Another type of IFN, alpha-IFN, did not alter the capacity of leukocytes to release histamine as well as gamma-IFN upon preincubation for 24 h at 1-1,000 U/ml. Pretreatment with 1-10 U/ml of beta-IFN slightly enhanced the capacity upon challenge with 10 ng/ml of mite allergen. The enhancing effect of gamma-IFN on i-LTC4 generation was decreased by treatment with H-7, a nonspecific inhibitor of protein kinase C activity. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Secondary cytoreductive surgery for localized intra-abdominal recurrences in epithelial ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of secondary cytoreductive surgery in patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer with an apparent solitary intra-abdominal focus. METHODS We conducted a retrospective review of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer who underwent secondary cytoreduction for recurrence at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center between 1985 and 1994. Eligible patients included those who had a laparotomy to resect a tumor that was apparently solitary. Cytoreductive surgery was defined as optimal if the diameter of the largest residual tumor was < or =2 cm and suboptimal if >2 cm. RESULTS Twenty-five patients met our eligibility criteria. Their mean age was 55 years (range, 35-73 years). The median time from primary diagnosis to recurrence was 37.6 months. Tumor was found to be confined to a solitary site in 15 patients (60%), to two sites in 6 (24%), and to three or more sites in 4 (16%). Surgical procedures included cytoreduction in 10 patients, intestinal resection in 8, splenectomy in 3, and limited biopsies in 4. Secondary cytoreduction was optimal in 18 of 25 patients (72%). The median postsecondary cytoreduction survival was 25.1 months for patients who had suboptimal secondary cytoreduction compared with 56.9 months for those who had optimal cytoreduction (P = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS Secondary cytoreductive surgery for recurrent ovarian cancer at an apparently solitary intra-abdominal site resulted in optimal residual tumor in a high proportion of patients. Although there was no survival advantage for patients whose tumor was optimally debulked, there was a trend toward improved survival. A large prospective randomized trial of secondary cytoreduction for recurrence is recommended.
A Few Meters Matter: Local Habitats Drive Reproductive Cycles in a Tropical Lizard

Reproductive phenology often varies geographically within species, driven by environmental gradients that alter growth and reproduction. However, environments can differ between adjacent habitats at single localities. In lowland Puerto Rico, both open (sunny, warm) and forested (shady, cool) habitats may be only meters apart. The lizard Anolis cristatellus lives in both habitats: it thermoregulates carefully in the open but is a thermoconformer in the forest. To determine whether reproduction differs between habitats, we compared reproductive cycles of females in open versus forest habitats at two localities for over 2 years. Open females were more likely than forest females to be reproductive throughout the year, probably because open females were able to bask and thereby achieve warmer body temperatures. These between-habitat differences in reproduction were especially marked in cool months and are equivalent in magnitude to those between populations separated by elevation. Thus, environmental differences (even on a microlandscape scale) matter to reproduction and probably to demography.
Cancer Screening Rates in a Student-Run Free Clinic.

BACKGROUND In the United States and in New York State, individuals with no health insurance have consistently lower screening rates for breast and cervical cancer than those with health insurance and are also more likely to be diagnosed with advanced stages of cancer. Our objective was to compare the cancer screening rates among patients at a free student-run clinic to state and national data. To our knowledge, ours is the first study examining breast and cervical screening rates and their relation to insurance status, income level, education level, race, and marital status in a suburban free student-run clinic. METHODS As part of their intake from fall 2012 to spring 2013, patients at the Stony Brook Health Outreach and Medical Education Clinic in Stony Brook, NY, filled out a 26-item survey that included questions about race, income, education level, marital status, and cancer screening status. We compared the screening rates reported by our patients to published state and national rates. RESULTS Breast and cervical cancer screening rates reported by 165 patients treated at our free student-run clinic were lower than the overall state and national averages. No significant associations between race, income, education level, or marital status and cancer screening rates were detected. CONCLUSION Cancer screening rates at our free student-run clinic for the uninsured were lower than the overall state and national rates. These findings are consistent with previous reports of lower cancer preventive care utilization among the uninsured and suggest that insurance status has been a significant barrier to obtaining cancer screenings among our clinic population. Increasing cancer screening rates at student-run clinics may be a cost-effective secondary prevention activity that can decrease cancer mortality.
Body mass index and risk of adenocarcinomas of the esophagus and gastric cardia.

BACKGROUND Incidence rates have risen rapidly for esophageal adenocarcinoma and moderately for gastric cardia adenocarcinoma, while rates have remained stable for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and have declined steadily for noncardia gastric adenocarcinoma. We examined anthropometric risk factors in a population-based case-control study of esophageal and gastric cancers in Connecticut, New Jersey, and western Washington. METHODS Healthy control subjects (n = 695) and case patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma or noncardia gastric adenocarcinoma (n = 589) were frequency-matched to case patients with adenocarcinomas of esophagus or gastric cardia (n = 554) by 5-year age groups, sex, and race (New Jersey only). Classification of cases by tumor site of origin and histology was determined by review of pathology materials and hospital records. Data were collected using in-person structured interviews. Associations with obesity, measured by body mass index (BMI), were estimated by odds ratios (ORs). All ORs were adjusted for geographic location, age, sex, race, cigarette smoking, and proxy response status. RESULTS The ORs for esophageal adenocarcinoma rose with increasing adult BMI. The magnitude of association with BMI was greater among the younger age groups and among nonsmokers. The ORs for gastric cardia adenocarcinoma rose moderately with increasing BMI. Adult BMI was not associated with risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma or noncardia gastric adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS Increasing prevalence of obesity in the United States population may have contributed to the upward trends in esophageal and gastric cardia adenocarcinomas.
Prevalence of IgG and IgM anti-Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in Blood Donors at Urmia Blood Transfusion Organization, Iran.

OBJECTIVE The importance of toxoplasmosis lies in its global spread, opportunistic nature, and causative role in abortion or irreparable adverse effects on infants of infected pregnant women. Toxoplasma gondii has different transmission routes to humans, including blood transfusion. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of IgG and IgM antibodies specific for T. gondii in blood donors at the Urmia Blood Transfusion Organization in west Azerbaijan, Iran. METHODS The present analytical, descriptive study evaluated the plasma of 270 randomly selected blood bags donated in 2013. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test was employed to measure anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies. RESULTS The results of the ELISA test showed that 102 samples (37.8%) from 270 blood bags had IgG antibodies in their plasma and none of them were IgM-positive, whereas 98 were men and four were women. CONCLUSION Any increase in the level of IgM antibodies indicates the presence of an acute disease because the parasite is inside white blood cells and contaminates blood transfusion. Fortunately, all samples were IgM-negative. However, a province-wide seroepidemiological study is required for the Blood Transfusion Organization to consider including screening for anti-T. gondii antibodies in its screening programs.
A Prospective Study of Serum Pseudocholinesterase Levels in Patients With Chronic Spinal Pain: A Preliminary Study

Study Design. One-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to study serum esterase enzymatic activity in three groups of patients and one group of normal volunteers. Objectives. To determine whether there is a statistically significant correlation between variations of serum pseudocholinesterase and the perception of pain in patients with chronic spinal pain. Summary of Background Data. Changes in levels of cholinesterase in the extracellular space of the brain and in the cerebral spinal fluid have been found to be associated in animal pain experimentation. Methods. Ninety-three surgical patients with chronic spinal pain, six surgical control subjects operated for conditions not associated with pain, 21 normal control volunteers, and nine disabled patients receiving monetary benefits were studied. The patients were analyzed for a period of time by rating the perception of their pain with a visual assessment score at the time venous blood was drawn. Serum samples were prepared, serum pseudocholinesterase was monitored, separated, and quantified according to Allen et al. 5 Paired sample t tests were used to statistically evaluate the data. Results. A trend of correlation was noted between preoperative serum pseudocholinesterase levels and visual assessment score: serum pseudocholinesterase levels increased as visual assessment score increased. The mean preoperative serum pseudocholinesterase level of chronic spinal pain patients (1313; SE = 26), which was significantly higher than the mean levels of the normal control volunteers (941; SE = 24;P < 0.001) and that of surgical control subjects (1018; SE = 63;P < 0.01), decreased significantly with anesthesia (P < 0.005). The mean preoperative serum pseudocholinesterase level of the surgical controls, however, remained unchanged with anesthesia. A correlation demonstrated between visual assessment score and serum pseudocholinesterase in chronic spinal pain patients was not observed in six of nine patients receiving disability payments for more than a year. Conclusions. Measurements of quantitative alterations of serum pseudocholinesterase levels may be useful in the treatment of patients with chronic spinal pain.
CYP enzyme polymorphisms and susceptibility to HCV‐related chronic liver disease and liver cancer

Cancer risk can be influenced by the exposure to endogenous or environmental toxins. Polymorphic enzymes involved in the metabolic activation/detoxification of carcinogens may account for individual variations of risk. We studied the polymorphisms of five enzymes of the P450 superfamily, CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2D6, CYP2E1 and CY3A4, as risk factors for liver disease progression and cancer in hepatitis C virus‐infected patients. CYP genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) restriction fragment length polymorphism or allele‐specific PCR. Different stages of disease were considered, as follows: 90 asymptomatic carriers and 87 chronic hepatitis, 92 cirrhosis and 91 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases. Reference allele frequencies were obtained from 99 blood donors. Allele distributions among categories were compared using the χ2 test. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to express relative risks. Independent associations were modeled by correspondence analysis and logistic regression. Frequencies of the CYP1A1 highly inducible alleles, MspI m2 and Val, were increased in liver disease patients compared with carriers; no specific association with HCC was found. The high‐activity CYP2E1 c2 allele was underrepresented among HCC patients with respect to other HCV categories, including cirrhosis. CYP2D6 poor metabolizer (PM) genotypes were significantly more frequent in healthy subjects (7.1%) and carriers (11.1%) than in hepatitis/cirrhosis (4.6%) and HCC (1.2%) patients. This was confirmed by multivariable analysis. PM genotypes protected against progressive disease as ORs reduced proportionally to stage. The age at diagnosis for HCC was anticipated in non‐PM individuals. No differences were seen for CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 genes. Polymorphic variants of CYP genes may contribute to the progression of liver disease and HCC risk in HCV‐infected subjects. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Culture Is Destiny: A Conversation with Lee Kuan Yew

" O N E OF T H E ASYMMETRIES ofhistory," wrote Henry Kissinger of Singapore's patriarch Lee Kuan Yew, "is the lack of correspondence between the abilities of some leaders and the power of their countries. " Kissingers one time boss, Richard Nixon, was even more flattering. He speculated that, had Lee lived in another time and another place, he might have "attained the world stature of a Churchill, a Disraeli, or a Gladstone. " This tag line of a big man on a small stage has been attached to Lee since the 1970s. Today, however, his stage does not look quite so small. Singapore's per capita GNP is now higher than that of its erstwhile colonizer. Great Britain. It has the world's busiest port, is the third-largest oil refiner and a major center of global manufacturing and service industries. And this move from poverty to plenty has taken place within one generation. In 1965 Singapore ranked economically with Chile, Argentina and Mexico; today its per capita GNP is four or five times theirs. Lee managed this miraculous transformation in Singapore's economy while maintaining tight political control over the country; Singapore's government can best be described as a "soft" authoritarian regime, and at times it has not been so soft. He was prime minister of Singapore from its independence in 1959 (it became part of a federation with Malaysia in 1963 but was expelled in 1965) until 1990,
Evaluation and Selection of Sustainable Strategy for Green Supply Chain Management Implementation

The aim of this study is to explore the implementation of green supply chain management (GSCM) strategies and to select the best GSCM strategy using fuzzy analytical network process (ANP) methodology. The ANP helps in analyzing the interdependence and interrelations among the various determinants and dimensions of GSCM strategy selection. Fuzzy set theory is applied to avoid the vagueness and uncertainty in human preference judgement. This study uses an empirical case study of an Indian automobile organization to validate the applicability of the proposed model. The results show that the resource based strategy is in first position, having the maximum impact on each determinant. The case organization should improve the green management system with the assistance of a suitable GSCM strategy, i.e. the resource based strategy. This study may help managers to make decisions, and to analyze and standardize their environmental advantages dynamically. The robustness of the projected model is checked by conducting a sensitivity analysis. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment