Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing the effectiveness of corporate web sites: an experimental study of the web acceptance model

There has been an ongoing need for designing and assessing corporate Web sites as important marketing communication tools. Typically, most research on Web site effectiveness has adopted traditional advertising evaluation models. A fundamental shortcoming of this approach is that it does not provide much information about user interaction. As corporate Web sites are new interactive media and Web user characteristics are far different from those of traditional communication media, new approaches should be developed. To overcome the inherent shortcomings of previous research, this study has developed a new theoretical framework, the Web Acceptance Model (WAM), which explores customer acceptance and uses of corporate Web sites. This study took an interdisciplinary approach involving theory derived from Marketing, Communication, Information Systems (IS), Education, and Psychology. The model is premised on two central phenomena of Web-Mediated Communication (WMC): social interaction between Web sites and users, and the active participation of users. In the model, the phenomenon of social interaction is captured by the inclusion of moderating variables: affective and task-related interaction which can help explain “why” a specific type of Web site is likely to be more effective. It is unlikely that a particular type of Web site will be effective all of the time. Therefore, this model also seeks to explain “when” a Web site is more likely to effective. Individual user difference as a moderator can help explain “when” and reflects the active role of
Universal Precautions in Preventing Central Venous Catheter Associated Blood Stream Infections. A Study at Tertiary Care Hospital of ‘Central Line Bundles’ in MICU

Central line associated blood stream infections (CLABSI) are serious cause of morbidity and mortality in patients admitted in ICUs (Intensive care unit) (Atilla et al., 2017). Precautions taken at every level while inserting central venous catheter plays a vital role in preventing morbidity in these patients. Although precautions play major role in decreasing CLABSI, associated comorbid conditions also have a minor role in contributing to infection. Potential risk factors for catheter-related infection include underlying disease, method of catheter insertion, type of cannula, type of dressing used, and duration and purpose of catheterization (Charalambous et al., 1998). However, the roles played by other factors, such as site of insertion; receipt of International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 7 Number 01 (2018) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com
Age at Menopause and Risk of Developing Endometrial Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Object The association of age at menopause with endometrial cancer remains controversial. Therefore, we quantitatively summarized the evidence from observational studies with a meta-analysis. Methods We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Medline, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wan Fang Med online up to March 2019, and all eligible case-control and cohort studies were included in the study. Pooled relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using the random-effects model. The dose-response relationship was assessed by restricted cubic spline model. The heterogeneity among studies was evaluated by I2. Metaregression was used to explore the potential sources of between-study heterogeneity. Egger's test was used to estimate publication bias. Results Eighteen articles including 957242 subjects with 4781 cases were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled RR (95%CI) of endometrial cancer for the highest versus the lowest age at menopause was 1.89 (95%CI: 1.58-2.26). For dose-response analysis, a nonlinear relationship was found between age at menopause and endometrial cancer, and the positive association became statistically significant when age at menopause was greater than 46.5 years old. Conclusions This meta-analysis suggested that age at menopause was positively associated with endometrial cancer. For women whose menopausal age over 46.5 years old, the risk of endometrial cancer increased with the age at menopause.
How to get good science.

Academics, like everyone else, are expected to do a good job. They are paid largely by taxpayers, and taxpayers have every right to demand value for their money. The problem is that it is very hard to measure the value of their output. Most of the ideas that have made life as comfortable as it is in the affluent West have their origins in science departments in universities, but it isn’t possible to place a monetary value on, say, James Clerk Maxwell ’s equations of electricity and magnetism, or on Bernard Katz’s work on synaptic transmission, Still less is it possible to measure the contributions of A. E. Housman, Stanley Spencer or Augustus John (all UCL people, as it happens).
Potential of Greenhouse Gas Production by Guinea Grass Subjected to Weed Competition

The world population growth and the increasing purchasing power have raised the demand for animal proteins, especially meat and milk. This has made it essential to intensify livestock production by making it productive, efficient and at the same time sustainable, which today is a great challenge for cattle ranchers. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of coexistence with weeds on productivity, nutritional quality and potential of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission by Guinea grass (Panicum maximum cv. Mombasa) in pasture renewal conditions. The experiment was set up in randomized blocks, four replications, with treatments consisting of eight periods of coexistence: 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 and 120 days after seedlings emergence. Phyto-sociological evaluations were performed in the weed community at the end of each coexistence period. The Guinea grass was evaluated as for morphological, chemical and bromatological parameters and as for the potential of total gas, methane and carbon dioxide emission. The results show that productivity, nutritional quality and energy value of Guinea grass decreases proportionally to the increase in the period of coexistence with weeds. The non-coexistence with weeds provides a better in vitro digestibility of organic matter and, consequently, decreases the GHG emission potential by the dry matter of Guinea grass.
Histological study of human abdominal skin after repeated pregnancy

Background Normal human skin has the ability to stretch and return to its shape without becoming damaged. Many conditions involving skin stretch such as fluctuations in body weight or repeated pregnancy might induce histological skin alterations. Objective The aim of this work was to study stretch-induced morphological changes that occur in skin because of repeated pregnancy in adult women. Participants and methods Fifteen biopsies were taken from the skin of the lower anterior abdominal wall of Egyptian adult women after obtaining written consent. They were divided into three groups: group I (control) included three biopsies taken from nulligravidas who had undergone appendicectomy, group II included six biopsies taken during cesarean deliveries for primigravida women, and group III included six biopsies taken during cesarean deliveries for multigravida women. The specimens were processed for histological, immunohistochemical, and morphometric procedures. Results Repeated skin stretching showed a significant increase in the thickness of nucleated keratinocytes compared with group I. Wide intercellular spaces appeared in the spinous cell layer in most semithin sections. The dermal papillae became deeper and more frequent. The dermis showed disorganized and separated collagen bundles and decreased elastic fibers. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen immunoreactive expression was significantly increased in the nuclei of most epidermal layers. A significant increase in the expression of &agr;-smooth muscle actin-positive myofibroblasts was observed. Ultrastructurally, fibroblasts showed indented nuclei and dilated perinuclear cisternae. Myofibroblasts and mast cells were frequently observed in the dermis. Conclusion Repeated abdominal skin stretching because of pregnancy showed variable histological changes compared with single stretching.
Evaluation of antibody response to Goat Pox cell culture vaccine in goats in India

Goat Pox is an important contagious viral disease that causes serious economic loss in small ruminants. The disease causes high morbidity, mortality and trade restriction. Several outbreaks of the disease are reported in Africa and Europe. In India also, the disease has high economic significance. Present study was undertaken to estimate specific antibody response to Live Goat Pox Vaccine in goats. Thirty-five healthy goats were vaccinated with single dose and 10 goats were kept as control. Blood was collected at defined intervals and sera were separated. Virus neutralization test was performed to estimate neutralization index as marker of antibody levels in serum. The study revealed that vaccine could induce immunity against the disease within seven days of vaccination, and reached a peak at 21 days. The titre remained at protective level throughout the oneyear study. Further study can be done to estimate the total duration of immunity through extended study, and the response to challenge with virus. Bangl. vet . 2016. Vol. 33, No. 1, 23-27
A fuzzy approach in color object detection

Probing over a digitized image of robots taken from a top view to uniquely identify them is not an easy task. The recognition process, which involves scanning a digitized image and characterizing it, is made difficult by varying illumination, position and rotation. Furthermore, the vision system is plagued with inherent difficulties that cannot be completely controlled. Effects such as lighting and shadows, lens focus, and even quantum electrical effects in the sensor chip combine to make it essentially impossible to guarantee that the color being tracked would remain constant as the robot traverses the exploration field. From among the different recognition cues, like shape, size, position, and motion, this research focuses on color as the primary discriminating feature. However, as color is greatly affected by so many underlying factors, fuzziness is incorporated into the system to address the problem of uncertainties in color object classifications. The computing potential of fuzzy logic in the field of machine vision is very promising, but not yet fully explored. The paper presents an approach that combines fuzzy logic with graph-theoretical clustering techniques in order to add flexibility in defining object colors, and to recognize robots fast and accurately. The recognition scheme is primarily divided into three subtasks: feature extraction, fuzzy system configuration, and object identification. Algorithms are described for each subtask.
Justifiable Psychopharmacology or Overzealous Prescription? Examining Parental Reports of Lifetime Prescription Histories of Psychiatrically Hospitalised Children.

BACKGROUND This research investigated parent reports of pre-admission psychotropic medication histories of psychiatrically hospitalised children in the United States. The emphasis was on identifying factors related to potentially overzealous medication use. METHOD Diagnosis, insurance type, and demographics for 170 consecutive admissions were assessed via research case conference and chart review. An extreme group of children with lengthy medication histories (n = 20) was also identified, and prescription and diagnostic patterns for this group were compared to other medicated children in the sample (n = 100). Cumulative medication history, rather than specific polypharmacy, was examined. RESULTS Psychopharmacotherapy was common (71%). Privately insured children, children with previous psychiatric hospitalisations, and children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and the specific comorbidities of ODD/ADHD, and ODD/Parent Child Relational Problems had more past medication trials. Depressed children had fewer. Analyses of the extreme group suggest that young, privately insured, oppositional children with parent-child relationship problems were at highest risk for overmedication (including multiple trials of stimulants, as well as mood stabilisers, central adrenergic agonists, and antipsychotics). CONCLUSIONS Results raise important questions about the role of health care pressures on clinical practice in the United States.
A study on the spleen Th1/Th2 cytokines immunological condition in the patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma combined with liver cirrhosis

Objective To study the spleen Th1/Th2 c yt okines expression pattern in the patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) combined with liver cirrhosis.Methods The patients with liver cirrhosis served as contr ol group.The expression levels of IFN-γ,IL-2,IL-10 in peripheral and splee n ven ous blood from 31 cases of PHC combined with liver cirrhosis were detected by EL ISA method.Results In the 6 patients with PHC of stage I,IL-2 leve l in peripheral venous blood and IFN-γ level in spleen venous blood were higher than in the liver cirrhosis group (P0.01 or P0.05),IL-10 levels in periph eral and spleen venous blood lower than in the liver cirrhosis group (P0.0 5). In the 12 patients with PHC of stage Ⅱ and 13 patients with PHC of stage Ⅲ ,the IFN-γ,IL-2 levels in peripheral and spleen venous blood were remarkabl y lower (P0.01 or P0.05) and IL-10 level were much higher than in t he liver cirrhosis group (P0.05). In addition,IFN-γ,IL-2 levels in spl een venous blood were lower and IL-10 level were higher than in peripheral veno us blood (P0.05). Conclusion The host immune system developed antitumor imm une response by the predominant secreation of Th1 type cytokine in the early PHC . The spleen play an important role in keeping the Th1/Th2 balance.As tumor advan ced,the host cellular immune function was impaired,the Th1 type cytokine level s were decreased and Th2 type cytokine levels were increased in advanced PHC.The host immunity was inhibited.The Th1/Th2 type cytokine of the spleen obviously b ecame imbalance,and the spleen produced antitumor immunosuppression,and weaken ed the host immune function.
Directions for Research and Development on Electronic Portfolios

This lead article for the special issue of the Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology explores directions for research and development on electronic portfolios, which are digital containers capable of storing visual and auditory content; software for which may also be designed to support a variety of pedagogical processes and assessment purposes. The paper is organized around several key questions: What are the types and characteristics of electronic portfolios? What are the outcomes and processes that electronic portfolios support for their creators? What are the contexts in which EPs are most effective and worthwhile? Who are electronic portfolio users/viewers and how do we provide appropriate professional development to encourage correct adoption and widespread and sustained use? What do we know and need to know about technical and administrative issues? What is evidence of electronic portfolio success? How do we move forward with funding and infrastructure?
Genetic algorithms for multiagent fusion system learning

The development of efficient semi-automatic systems for heterogeneous information fusion is actually a great challenge. The efficiency can be presented as the system openness, the system evolution capabilities and the system performance. Multi- agent architecture can be designed in order to respect the first two efficiency constraints. As for the third constraint, which is the performance, the key point is the interaction between each information component of the system. The context of this study is the development of a semi-automatic information fusion system for cartographic features interpretation. Combining heterogeneous sources of information such as expert rules and strategies, domain models, image processing tools, interpolation techniques, etc. completes the system development task. The information modeling and fusion is performed within the evidential theory concepts. The purpose of this article is to propose a learning approach for interaction-oriented multi-agent systems. The optimization of the interaction weight is tackled with genetic algorithms technique because it provides solution for the whole set of weights at once. In this paper, the context of the multi-agent system development is presented first. The need for such system and its parameters is explained. A brief overview of learning techniques leads to genetic algorithms as a choice for the learning of the developed multi-agent system. Two approaches are designed to measure the system's fitness based on either binary or fuzzy decisions. The conclusion presents suggestions for further research in the area of multi-agent system-learning with genetic algorithms.
The Morpho-Phonological Interface in Specific Language Impairment

This thesis investigates the nature of the interface between two components of language - morphology and phonology - in children with Grammatical-Specific Language Impairment (G-SLi), compared to those with typically-developing language. I focus principally on the impact of phonological complexity on past tense inflection, but I also investigate other areas of rnorpnotogy. More specifically, I show that for G-SLI children:- There exists a phonological impairment that is independent of morphology. This impairment is characterised by the simplification of complex syllable structure, and by syllabic and segmental errors when the word starts with an initial unstressed syllable. There exists an impairment in past tense morphology, characterised by suffix omission, that is independent of phonology. Phonological factors affect past tense morphology. Specifically, suffix omission rates are higher when inflection (i) creates clusters at the word-end or (ii) requires the syllabic allomorph lidJ. Phonological factors also affect plural and present progressive formation. Unlike past tense morphology, derivational morphology is not subject to suffix omission. However, non-target derivational forms result when stimuli are morphologically or phonologtcally complex. I argue that grammar has a modular structure, and I propose that deficits in one or more of the following modules - syntax, morphology and phonology - can impact on past tense inflection. This model, termed the 'Computational Grammatical Complexity* (CGC) hypothesis, can account for why tense is an area of exceptional difficulty for children with SLI. This investigation is underpinned by a rigorous theoretical framework. Not only does using a cognitive scientific and linguistic framework further our understanding of the nature of the deficit in SLI, but SLI provides a valuable testing ground for theories of language acquisition and the representation of language in the brain.
Macroevolution of arboreality in salamanders

Abstract Evolutionary theory predicts that selection in distinct microhabitats generates correlations between morphological and ecological traits, and may increase both phenotypic and taxonomic diversity. However, some microhabitats exert unique selective pressures that act as a restraining force on macroevolutionary patterns of diversification. In this study, we use phylogenetic comparative methods to investigate the evolutionary outcomes of inhabiting the arboreal microhabitat in salamanders. We find that arboreality has independently evolved at least five times in Caudata and has arisen primarily from terrestrial ancestors. However, the rate of transition from arboreality back to terrestriality is 24 times higher than the converse. This suggests that macroevolutionary trends in microhabitat use tend toward terrestriality over arboreality, which influences the extent to which use of the arboreal microhabitat proliferates. Morphologically, we find no evidence for an arboreal phenotype in overall body proportions or in foot shape, as variation in both traits overlaps broadly with species that utilize different microhabitats. However, both body shape and foot shape display reduced rates of phenotypic evolution in arboreal taxa, and evidence of morphological convergence among arboreal lineages is observed. Taken together, these patterns suggest that arboreality has played a unique role in the evolution of this family, providing neither an evolutionary opportunity, nor an evolutionary dead end.
A cross-sectional study to investigate factors related to the time of initiation of breastfeeding in Jamnagar district of Gujarat, India

Background: Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) and exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life prevents around 20% newborn deaths and 13% under-five deaths. EIBF is predominately associated with socioeconomic, health related, and individual factors. Very few studies in Gujarat and probably none in Jamnagar district have been conducted to know factors related to the timing of initiation of breastfeeding. Objectives: This study was carried out with the objective to find out the prevalence of EIBF and association of demographic, antenatal, and intranatal factors with prelacteal feeding practice in Jamnagar district of Gujarat. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out in 20152016 in four talukas of Jamnagar district with a sample size of 426 mother-infant pairs calculated with appropriate formula using prevalence of EIBF. Out of this, 400 samples with adequate response were analyzed. Multistage sampling was done and mothers who gave valid consent were taken as respondent. Chi-square, Fisher exact, and Pearson correlation tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: The prevalence of EIBF was 62% in Jamnagar district. About 94.8% newborn of 1519 years aged mothers, 96.4% newborns of mothers of Class-V socio-economic class, 87.5% newborns of illiterate mothers, 96.5% newborns of farmer mothers, and 77.4% of 1st birth order newborns received breastfeeding within 1 h of their birth. The proportion of newborn receiving breastfeeding within 14 h after birth increased significantly with increasing number of antenatal care (ANC) visits (P < 0.01). Among mothers with prolonged labor, 43.5% could initiate breastfeeding early. Mode of delivery and health facility for delivery were a significant determinant for the time of initiation of breastfeeding. Conclusion: EIBF decreased with increasing age of mothers, increasing socio-economic class and increasing the education level of mothers. The practice of EIBF is also low among employed mothers, among newborn with high birth order and among mothers of general caste. EIBF is high in mothers with fewer ANC visits, among mothers with prolonged labor, in case of normal delivery, delivery at primary health care, and delivery assisted by female health staff.
Art and Archaeology of Challuabamba, Ecuador

Author's Note Acknowledgments Chapter 1. Introduction to the Project Chapter 2. Pottery Wares and Forms Chapter 3. Petrographic Analysis of Selected Ceramics from Two Sites in Ecuador (David V. Hill) Chapter 4. Pottery Decoration Chapter 5. Pottery Comparisons Chapter 6. Effigy Vessels and Figurines Chapter 7. Stamps and Seals Chapter 8. Stone and Shell Chapter 9. The Burials and Their Offerings (James D. Farmer) Chapter 10. Human Remains (Douglas H. Ubelaker) Chapter 11. Zooarchaeology (Peter W. Stahl) Chapter 12. Reconstructing Challuabamba's History Contributors Index