Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Critical Reflection of the Appraisal Indicators of Distance Education Systems: A Meta-Synthesis

Context Promoting the quality of learning and teaching processes at the tertiary level, including distance education, has been considered as a strategic approach by policy makers in higher education, throughout the world. For this reason a reliable and comprehensive evaluation mechanism can play an important role in assessing the current situation and identifying the needs and problems from one hand and identifying the most important appraisal indicators on the other hand. This study aimed at critically reviewing the literature and theoretical frameworks of previous relevant researches to highlight the most important components and indicators that must be applied in appraising distance education. Methods As a qualitative study, a meta-synthesis approach was applied. Due to the importance of using the findings of previous studies as a foundation for extracting the most important appraisal indicators, 42 national and international research studies relevant to the evaluation of distance education were selected and analyzed, which were published in refereed journals during year 2006 to 2015. The eligibility criteria for selecting these studies were their relevance to any aspect of distance education. For this reason and in order to identify indicators, the content of these studies were analyzed based on the open coding method. Later on, all findings were categorized, outlined, and summarized according to the main components, which may form a comprehensive evaluation system for distance education at the higher education level. Results The findings of this meta-synthesis showed that pedagogical knowledge, technology, learning organization, educator, learner, learning content, teaching models and strategies, time, place and space were the most important components of a comprehensive appraisal system that should be considered in evaluating distance education systems and its mechanisms and processes, continuously. Conclusions The rise of distance education in Iran’s higher education sector has urged that new comprehensive evaluation system has to be applied as a platform for improving and guaranteeing the quality of learning and teaching processes, curriculum and learning materials, and even the way by which these institutions are managed. Consequently, it is important to be assured that our policies and practices in higher distance education are on the right pathway. Therefore, based on the theoretical frameworks and studies performed before, the outcome of this meta-synthesis however, has highlighted some critical components which are necessary to be taken into account if this system has to be evaluated comprehensively.
East Asian Way of Linking the Environment to Trade in Free Trade Agreements

This study examines how East Asian countries have responded to the challenges that the trade–environment nexus presents. A total of 85 free trade agreements (FTAs) concluded by 15 East Asian economies are analyzed by using ordered logistic regression and generalized ordered logistic regression techniques. The results show that East Asian countries incorporate strong and specific environmental provisions in their bilateral FTAs when they share concern about environmental issues. These findings reject the view that East Asian countries have adhered to collective ideas that favor weaker and ill-defined environmental commitments related to trade. It is notable that environmentally conscious East Asian countries have responded positively to trade–environment linkages with like-minded partners. Meanwhile, the results partially support the conventional view that an environmentally conscious big country can bully environmentally less conscious small countries into making strong and specific environmental concessions.
15-Year Experience of 18F-FDG PET Imaging in Response Assessment and Restaging After Definitive Treatment of Merkel Cell Carcinoma

The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of 18F-FDG PET in restaging and response assessment of patients who underwent definitive treatment for Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). Methods: A retrospective review of patients undergoing 18F-FDG PET imaging for MCC between January 1997 and October 2010 at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre with follow-up until February 2015 was performed. Data analysis was performed on patients who were treated definitively and underwent post-treatment PET imaging performed either as a restaging scan for ongoing monitoring, suspicion of recurrence, or assessment for suitability of salvage treatment or as response assessment within 1–6 mo of treatment. Management plans were recorded prospectively before 18F-FDG PET imaging and compared with post-imaging management to assess the impact of the study as per our previously defined categories: high if the primary treatment modality or intent was changed and medium if the radiotherapy technique or dose was altered. In total, 62 patients were included in the analysis. Thirty-six patients underwent 53 restaging scans, and 37 patients underwent a response-assessment scan. The median follow-up of patients in the restaging group was 5.3 y (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.6–9.4), and it was 5.7 y (95% CI, 4.3–10.8) in the response-assessment group. Results: Restaging 18F-FDG PET scans had a high impact in 24 of 53 cases (45%) and a medium impact in 6 of 53 cases (11%). In the response-assessment group, 24 of 37 patients had a complete metabolic response (CMR). Patients without a CMR had a 15% 1-y overall survival (95% CI, 0.04–0.55). Those with a CMR had an 88% 2-y overall survival (95% CI, 0.75–1.00) and a 68% 5-y overall survival (95% CI, 0.49–0.95). The presence of a CMR (P < 0.001) and nodal involvement (P = 0.016) were statistically significant prognostic factors for overall survival. Conclusion: 18F-FDG PET imaging had a high impact on restaging after definitive treatment in patients with MCC. Metabolic response was significantly associated with overall survival. 18F-FDG PET may play an important role in ongoing post-treatment management of MCC.
Increased frequencies of IL‐31‐producing T cells are found in chronic atopic dermatitis skin

Abstract: Interleukin (IL)‐31 has been associated with pruritus, a characteristic feature of atopic dermatitis (AD). Local T cell responses may be responsible for the increased level of IL‐31 mRNA observed in AD. We investigated the frequency of IL‐31‐producing T cells in AD lesions, as well as their cytokine profile. T cells were isolated from chronic AD lesions, autologous blood and healthy donor skin. Intracellular expression of IL‐31, IFN‐γ, IL‐13, IL‐17 and IL‐22 was measured using flow cytometry. T cells from AD lesions contained significantly higher percentages of IL‐31‐producing T cells compared to autologous blood and donor skin. Many IL‐31‐producing T cells co‐produced IL‐13 and to lesser extent IL‐22, but rarely IFN‐γ or IL‐17. A substantial part of the IL‐31‐producing T cells did not co‐produce any of the other cytokines and could therefore not be linked to any of the known functionally different T cell subsets. The T cell infiltrates were also relatively enriched for Th2/Tc2 and Th22/Tc22 cells, while frequencies of Th1/Tc1 and Th17 cells were decreased. This is the first report describing the detection of IL‐31 at protein level in skin‐infiltrating T cells. We show here that T cells in chronic AD skin produce IL‐31 and that AD lesions contain increased levels of these IL‐31‐producing T cells. This suggests that a substantial part of previously reported increased IL‐31 mRNA levels in AD skin is T cell derived and that these cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of AD.
Self-Reported Marijuana Effects and Characteristics of 100 San Francisco Medical Marijuana Club Members

Abstract In order to assess the relationships between medical marijuana users' reasons for use, side effects, and drug use patterns, 100 participants were recruited from the San Francisco Cannabis Cultivator's Club. Users, averaging 14 years pre-illness use, perceived marijuana to be more effective than other treatments and to have less severe side effects. Urine drug assays showed recent use of other drugs, particularly stimulants. History of substance abuse or dependence and other psychiatric disorders was common. Those with greater past dependence on other drugs thought marijuana to be more effective but also reported worse side effects and quality of life. Quality of life was associated more with marijuana side effects rating than effectiveness. Patients reported potentially serious marijuana side effects on some questionnaires but not others. Inconsistencies in reporting made interpretation of results difficult. Physician supervision of medical marijuana use would allow more effective monitoring of therapeutic and unwanted effects, some unrecognized by patients.
Handgun Wounds: A Review of Range and Location as Pertaining to Manner of Death

AbstractCitizens of the United States own more firearms than those in any other country, and the majority of the firearms owned are handguns. Given such prevalence, surprisingly few studies have been published describing the characteristics of deaths due to handguns. To address this gap, nonaccidental handgun deaths examined at the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office between 2000 and 2010 were reviewed. A total of 1450 cases were identified, including 797 suicides and 653 homicides. Age, range of fire, location of wound, and manner of death were analyzed. The average age of suicide victims (46.7 years) was found to be greater than that of homicides (34.3 years). Suicidal wounds tended to be contact wounds to the head; abdominal, extremity, back, and multiple wound locations were more common in homicides as were distant and intermediate wounds. Handgun wounds to the forehead, side of head, submental, and intraoral locations were significantly more common in suicide, whereas those to the face, apex of the head, and back of the head were more common in homicides. Where possible, likelihood ratios were calculated to determine relative likelihood of suicide or homicide for specific wound locations and ranges. While each death should be analyzed based on its unique circumstances and not solely its statistical probability, these data may help inform the pathologist’s conclusions.
Helminth fauna of two cyprinid fish (Campostoma ornatum and Codoma ornata) from the upper Piaxtla River, Northwestern Mexico

SummaryThe helminth parasite fauna of 2 species of freshwater fishes from the upper Piaxtla River in northwestern Mexico was studied. A total of 41 cyprinids, corresponding to 20 Campostoma ornatum and 21 Codoma ornata were analyzed. Six species of platyhelminths were recorded, including 2 species of monogeneans (Gyrodactylus sp. and Dactylogyrus sp.), 3 species of digeneans (Posthodiplostomum minimum, Clinostomum complanatum, and Margotrema sp.), and 1 species of tapeworm (Bothriocephalus acheilognathi). Helminth parasite infracommunities were depauperate, showed low richness and diversity values, and were dominated by 1 or 2 helminth species. This pattern is consistent with that observed for the helminth parasite communities in other freshwater fishes in central and northern Mexico.
Phenotypic variability in isodicentric Y patients: study of nine cases

Isodicentric chromosomes are the most commonly reported aberrations of the human Y chromosome. As they are unstable during cell division and can generate various types of cell lines, most reported patients are chromosomal mosaics, generally including a 45,X cell line. Phenotypes depend on the location of the breakpoints as well as on the proportion of each cell line and vary from male to abnormal female or individual with ambiguous genitalia. Although phenotypic variability is known to also depend on the degree of mosaicism in the various tissues, gonads are rarely studied. We report nine cases of isodicentric Y chromosomes studied by conventional and molecular cytogenetic: three males, five females, and one individual with sexual ambiguity. Two males had a non‐mosaic karyotype, while the third male was a mosaic with a predominant 46,XY cell line. Three of the females had a major 45,X cell line, while the last two females and the patient with ambiguous genitalia had a major 46,X,idic(Y) cell line. Analyses of gonadal tissues from the individual with sexual ambiguity and of three of the five female patients gave results concordant with their phenotype, allowing us to better understand the sexual differentiation of these patients.
Abortion-related mortality in a tertiary medical centre in Enugu, Nigeria

Summary This study reviewed abortion-related maternal deaths, from January 2000 to December 2005 at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria, to identify maternal characteristics, abortion types, provider characteristics, complications and causes of death. Abortion was defined as termination of pregnancy before 28 completed weeks of pregnancy. There were 93 pregnancy-related deaths, and 11 were abortion-related. Abortion-related mortality accounted for 11.8% of all maternal deaths. Nine (81.8%) had induced abortions; three (27.3%) were teenagers; five (45.5%) were married; and six (54.5%) were unmarried. Five (45.5%) of the women were nulliparous. Six (54.5%) of the procedures were in private medical clinics. The cause of death was sepsis and haemorrhage in eight (72.7%) and three (27.3%) of the women, respectively. Abortion-related mortality is a major contributor to maternal mortality in our institution, with induced unsafe abortion constituting the bulk of the burden. Improved access to family planning and reproductive health services may reduce abortion-related maternal deaths.
Housing prices and mortgage credit in Luxembourg

This paper investigates the interaction between residential housing prices and mortgage credit in Luxembourg over the period 1980Q1-2017Q1. We use a vector error correction framework to model this interaction and allow for feedback effects between the two variables. In the long-run, higher housing prices lead to a mortgage credit expansion, which in turn puts upward pressure on prices. The growing demand for mortgage credit is also sustained by positive net migration to Luxembourg. Construction activity is another important determinant of housing prices, in line with existing supply-side limitations on dwelling availability. These dynamics lead to a structural imbalance between housing supply and demand, with the latter being fueled by demographic factors, tax incentives and fiscal subsidies, as well as the low interest rate environment. While price dynamics are partially explained by these structural factors, our results suggest that over the last few years residential housing prices have been characterized by a moderate, but persistent, overvaluation with respect to market fundamentals. Between 2012Q1 and 2017Q1, the average overvaluation is estimated at 6.85% but its trend is decreasing in the last quarters. Results also show that housing prices have a slow rate of adjustment to deviations from fundamentals (only 2.2% of the misalignment is corrected each quarter) and they do not directly adjust to disequilibria in the mortgage market. These _ndings are supported by impulse response analysis, which suggests that shocks to the endogenous variables lead to permanent increases in housing prices.
Collegiate sport club structure and function

Abstract The purpose of this study was to explore the goals and missions of collegiate sport clubs and study how the clubs’ organisational structure and operations helped in their achievement through qualitative enquiry. Using current collegiate sport club executive board members and professional staff at a large, public post-secondary institution in the Midwest region of the United States, 38 sport club officers representing 13 distinct sport clubs were interviewed in focus groups and two professional staff interviewed separately. Thematic analysis of the interviews revealed four distinct themes in regards to the missions and goals of sport clubs (i.e. administrative goals, winning competitions, building social networks and social responsibility). The interviews further revealed sport clubs organise themselves in a simple structure (i.e. low degree specialisation, informal operations and centralised structure) and communicate primarily through informal means to aid the obtainment of their stated missions and goals. Furthermore, finances were found to play a major role in the ability of clubs to achieve their desired outcomes. Thus, professional staff should continuously develop strategies to work with the simple organisational structure and aid sport clubs where needed (e.g. finances) so they might succeed in obtaining their goals.
Promoting Continuance Through Shaping Members' Social Identity in Knowledge-Based Versus Support/Advocacy Virtual Communities

A fundamental issue confronting virtual community (VC) managers is how to retain the existing members and promote their continuance in the VC. Being a virtual interaction space in which members are not formally bound to stay, the extent to which members have a sense of social identity, or perceiving themselves as a part of the VC, may be a key to determine their continuance intention in the VC. However, it is important to recognize that social identity is neither a unidimensional concept nor are VCs universal in nature. In this study, we examine two variants of VCs, one focusing on knowledge sharing and another on support/advocacy, and show that different dimensions of social identity matters for the two VCs. In particular, members' sense of cognitive social identity promotes their continuance intention in knowledge-based VCs, whereas it is the emotional social identity that works in support/advocacy VCs. Furthermore, the cultivation of the two dimensions of social identity requires the facilitation of different VC artifacts. Overall, our findings offer a more nuanced understanding of the role of social identity in promoting members' continuance in VCs, and underscore that a naive universal approach of cultivating social identity without considering VC type is not enough; rather, a VC-dependent strategy with differential emphasis on developing different VC artifacts could be more fruitful.
Green entrepreneurship: EU experience and Ukraine perspectives

These days the environmental challenges begin to play crucial role in sustainable development of the countries and regions. European environmental policy aims in the creation of a favorable framework for the development of green entrepreneurship. The paper deals with the analysis of EU experience in supporting and promoting the green entrepreneurship. The author analyzed and systematized the EU trends in GHG emission. The main features and parts of the green economy are described. The author emphasizes that EU has the huge experience in the sphere of developing and providing relevant green activities, which can be used by Ukraine for implementation green entrepreneurship projects on the different levels of the economy. Thus, the green positive practices in Austria, Hungary, Ireland and Spain were described. The author underlines that green entrepreneurship for Ukraine is one of the necessary conditions for improving the environmental status, solving the problems with the rational use of natural resources, increasing the welfare of the citizen, integration into the European Union and to ensure the green of innovative development. The activities which are necessary for mainstreaming for Ukraine's integrating to the European sustainable entrepreneurship space were considered.
Clinical outcomes by race in hypertensive patients with and without the metabolic syndrome: Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT).

BACKGROUND Antihypertensive drugs with favorable metabolic effects are advocated for first-line therapy in hypertensive patients with metabolic/cardiometabolic syndrome (MetS). We compared outcomes by race in hypertensive individuals with and without MetS treated with a thiazide-type diuretic (chlorthalidone), a calcium channel blocker (amlodipine besylate), an alpha-blocker (doxazosin mesylate), or an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (lisinopril). METHODS A subgroup analysis of the Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT), a randomized, double-blind hypertension treatment trial of 42 418 participants. We defined MetS as hypertension plus at least 2 of the following: fasting serum glucose level of at least 100 mg/dL, body mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) of at least 30, fasting triglyceride levels of at least 150 mg/dL, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels of less than 40 mg/dL in men or less than 50 mg/dL in women. RESULTS Significantly higher rates of heart failure were consistent across all treatment comparisons in those with MetS. Relative risks (RRs) were 1.50 (95% confidence interval, 1.18-1.90), 1.49 (1.17-1.90), and 1.88 (1.42-2.47) in black participants and 1.25 (1.06-1.47), 1.20 (1.01-1.41), and 1.82 (1.51-2.19) in nonblack participants for amlodipine, lisinopril, and doxazosin comparisons with chlorthalidone, respectively. Higher rates for combined cardiovascular disease were observed with lisinopril-chlorthalidone (RRs, 1.24 [1.09-1.40] and 1.10 [1.02-1.19], respectively) and doxazosin-chlorthalidone comparisons (RRs, 1.37 [1.19-1.58] and 1.18 [1.08-1.30], respectively) in black and nonblack participants with MetS. Higher rates of stroke were seen in black participants only (RR, 1.37 [1.07-1.76] for the lisinopril-chlorthalidone comparison, and RR, 1.49 [1.09-2.03] for the doxazosin-chlorthalidone comparison). Black patients with MetS also had higher rates of end-stage renal disease (RR, 1.70 [1.13-2.55]) with lisinopril compared with chlorthalidone. CONCLUSIONS The ALLHAT findings fail to support the preference for calcium channel blockers, alpha-blockers, or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors compared with thiazide-type diuretics in patients with the MetS, despite their more favorable metabolic profiles. This was particularly true for black participants.
Reduced insulin signaling maintains electrical transmission in a neural circuit in aging flies

Lowered insulin/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling (IIS) can extend healthy lifespan in worms, flies, and mice, but it can also have adverse effects (the “insulin paradox”). Chronic, moderately lowered IIS rescues age-related decline in neurotransmission through the Drosophila giant fiber system (GFS), a simple escape response neuronal circuit, by increasing targeting of the gap junctional protein innexin shaking-B to gap junctions (GJs). Endosomal recycling of GJs was also stimulated in cultured human cells when IIS was reduced. Furthermore, increasing the activity of the recycling small guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases) Rab4 or Rab11 was sufficient to maintain GJs upon elevated IIS in cultured human cells and in flies, and to rescue age-related loss of GJs and of GFS function. Lowered IIS thus elevates endosomal recycling of GJs in neurons and other cell types, pointing to a cellular mechanism for therapeutic intervention into aging-related neuronal disorders.