Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An investigation of the application of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to evaluate instructors’ perspectives on E-Learning at Kuwait University

E-learning is a technological innovation that associates technology with learning, and influences a person's behaviour and how they perform their work. It is argued that, although Kuwait University (KU) implemented an e-learning system in 2004, the potential benefits of e-learning, in serving KU’s strategic objectives, has not yet been reached. This empirical study aims to investigate KU instructors’ perspectives toward the use of e-learning since their acceptance of the system is essential for the success of KU initiative. The study has applied Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) (Davis, 1989), with the objective to support the model with refined external factors drawn from KU’s environment, and to explore the effect of these factors on core TAM constructs, namely; Perceived Usefulness (PU) and Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU) and also to explore the implication on the outcome instructors’ Attitude (ATT) toward the use of e-learning at KU. The final external factors included in the research model are Computer Self-Efficacy (CSE), Technical Support (TS) and University Strategic Focus (USF). The study has adopted the pragmatic methodology with a mixture of quantitative and qualitative approaches, in a triangulated formation of data collection, through a questionnaire, semi-structured, and unstructured, interviews, and focus group discussions. The responses of 268 instructors to the survey questionnaire form the basis for the quantitative analysis. The responses of 12 assistant Deans, department heads and e-learning administration staff, 24 instructors, and the results from 2 focus group discussions, form the basis for the qualitative analysis. Based on the analysis of outcomes, it is found that TAM is a valid and applicable acceptance model in the case of KU’s e-learning system, and in line with previous TAM studies, in which the instructors’ PU of e-learning directly affects their ATT toward the use of the system. Also, the instructors’ PEOU is found through PU to indirectly affect their ATT. In addition, CSE has a significant effect on PU, but less so on PEOU, and, indirectly so, on ATT. Also, a significant effect is found, of TS on PU and in less magnitude on PEOU, and, indirectly on ATT. USF is found to have insignificant effects on PU and a weak effect on PEOU. Moreover, based on the qualitative analysis findings, USF is argued, to be the factor resulting in the most negative attitude toward the use of e-learning by KU instructors. This is due to three causes: Poor policy setting, lack of motivation measures, and ineffective training. Keywords: Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Computer Self-Efficacy, Technical Support, University Strategic Focus, E-learning Policy, Kuwait University.
Squalene through Its Post-Squalene Metabolites Is a Modulator of Hepatic Transcriptome in Rabbits

Squalene is a natural bioactive triterpene and an important intermediate in the biosynthesis of sterols. To assess the effect of this compound on the hepatic transcriptome, RNA-sequencing was carried out in two groups of male New Zealand rabbits fed either a diet enriched with 1% sunflower oil or the same diet with 0.5% squalene for 4 weeks. Hepatic lipids, lipid droplet area, squalene, and sterols were also monitored. The Squalene administration downregulated 9 transcripts and upregulated 13 transcripts. The gene ontology of transcripts fitted into the following main categories: transporter of proteins and sterols, lipid metabolism, lipogenesis, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. When the results were confirmed by RT-qPCR, rabbits receiving squalene displayed significant hepatic expression changes of LOC100344884 (PNPLA3), GCK, TFCP2L1, ASCL1, ACSS2, OST4, FAM91A1, MYH6, LRRC39, LOC108176846, GLT1D1 and TREH. A squalene-enriched diet increased hepatic levels of squalene, lanosterol, dihydrolanosterol, lathosterol, zymostenol and desmosterol. Strong correlations were found among specific sterols and some squalene-changed transcripts. Incubation of the murine AML12 hepatic cell line in the presence of lanosterol, dihydrolanosterol, zymostenol and desmosterol reproduced the observed changes in the expressions of Acss2, Fam91a1 and Pnpla3. In conclusion, these findings indicate that the squalene and post-squalene metabolites play important roles in hepatic transcriptional changes required to protect the liver against malfunction.
Effects of CB2 Receptor Modulation on Macrophage Polarization in Pediatric Celiac Disease

Celiac Disease (CD) represents an autoimmune disorder triggered by the exposure to gluten in genetically susceptible individuals. Recent studies suggest the involvement of macrophages in CD pathogenesis. Macrophages are immune cells, present as pro-inflammatory classically activated macrophages (M1) or as anti-inflammatory alternatively activated macrophages (M2). The Cannabinoid Receptor 2 (CB2) has important anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties. We previously demonstrated that a common CB2 functional variant, Q63R, causing CB2 reduced function, is associated with several inflammatory and autoimmune diseases The first aim of this study was to investigate the phenotype of macrophages isolated from peripheral blood of CD patients and CB2 expression. The second aim was to evaluate the effects of CB2 pharmacological modulation on CD macrophage polarization. Moreover, by an in vitro model of “immunocompetent gut” we investigated the role of CD macrophages in inducing intestinal barrier damage and the possibility to restore its functionality modulating their polarization. We found an increased expression of M1 macrophages and a CB2 reduced expression. We also demonstrated CD M1 macrophages in inducing the typical mucosal barrier damage of CD. CB2 stimulation switches macrophage polarization towards the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype thus reducing inflammation but also limiting the epithelial dysfunction. Therefore, we suggest CB2 receptor as a possible novel therapeutic target for CD by regulating macrophages polarization and by preventing mucosal barrier damage.
Convergence Analysis on Data-Driven Fortet-Mourier Metrics with Applications in Stochastic Optimization

Fortet-Mourier (FM) probability metrics are important probability metrics, which have been widely adopted in the quantitative stability analysis of stochastic programming problems. In this study, we contribute to different types of convergence assertions between a probability distribution and its empirical distribution when the deviation is measured by FM metrics and consider their applications in stochastic optimization. We first establish the quantitative relation between FM metrics and Wasserstein metrics. After that, we derive the non-asymptotic moment estimate, asymptotic convergence, and non-asymptotic concentration estimate for FM metrics, which supplement the existing results. Finally, we apply the derived results to four kinds of stochastic optimization problems, which either extend the present results to more general cases or provide alternative avenues. All these discussions demonstrate the motivation as well as the significance of our study.
Lipopolysaccharide from the Cyanobacterium Geitlerinema sp. Induces Neutrophil Infiltration and Lung Inflammation

Glucocorticoid-resistant asthma, which predominates with neutrophils instead of eosinophils, is an increasing health concern. One potential source for the induction of neutrophil-predominant asthma is aerosolized lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Cyanobacteria have recently caused significant tidal blooms, and aerosolized cyanobacterial LPS has been detected near the cyanobacterial overgrowth. We hypothesized that cyanobacterial LPS contributes to lung inflammation by increasing factors that promote lung inflammation and neutrophil recruitment. To test this hypothesis, c57Bl/6 mice were exposed intranasally to LPS from the cyanobacterium member, Geitlerinema sp. , in vivo to assess neutrophil infiltration and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines from the bronchoalveolar fluid by ELISA. Additionally, we exposed the airway epithelial cell line, A549, to Geitlerinema sp. LPS in vitro to confirm that airway epithelial cells were stimulated by this LPS to increase cytokine production and the expression of the adhesion molecule, ICAM-1. Our data demonstrate that Geitlerinema sp. LPS induces lung neutrophil infiltration, the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as Interleukin (IL)-6, Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and Interferongamma as well as the chemokines IL-8 and RANTES. Additionally, we demonstrate that Geitlerinema sp. LPS directly activates airway epithelial cells to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines and the adhesion molecule, Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (ICAM-1), in vitro using the airway epithelial cell line, A549. Based on our findings that use Geitlerinema sp. LPS as a model system, the data indicate that cyanobacteria LPS may contribute to the development of glucocorticoid-resistant asthma seen near water sources that contain high levels of cyanobacteria.
The mediating role of organizational learning capability and resilience in the error management culture-service innovation link and the contingent effect of error frequency

ABSTRACT Error management culture (EMC) has received a significant interest in the service management literature. However, there remains a lack of studies investigating the underlying mechanisms (mediating variables) where EMC affects service innovation within the boundary condition of its moderating variables. This study investigates how EMC influences service innovation through organizational learning capability (OLC) and organizational resilience mechanisms. In addition, this study empirically examines the moderating role of error frequency on the relationship between EMC and OLC and organizational resilience. By investigating 300 service firms, this study empirically reveals that (a) EMC positively relates to OLC and organizational resilience; (b) OLC positively relates to organizational resilience; and (c) OLC plays a mediating role in the relationship between EMC and service innovation. This study also demonstrates that error frequency weakens the relationship between EMC and OLC in service firms.
Understanding the Lived Experiences of Patients With Melanoma: Real-World Evidence Generated Through a European Social Media Listening Analysis

Background Cutaneous melanoma is an aggressive malignancy that is proposed to account for 90% of skin cancer–related mortality. Individuals with melanoma experience both physical and psychological impacts associated with their diagnosis and treatment. Health-related information is being increasingly accessed and shared by stakeholders on social media platforms. Objective This study aimed to assess how individuals living with melanoma across 14 European countries use social media to discuss their needs and provide their perceptions of the disease. Methods Social media sources including Twitter, forums, and blogs were searched using predefined search strings of keywords relating to melanoma. Manual and automated relevancy approaches filtered the extracted data for content that provided patient-centric insights. This contextualized data was then mined for insightful concepts around the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, impacts, and lived experiences of melanoma. Results A total of 182,400 posts related to melanoma were identified between November 2018 and November 2020. Following exclusion of irrelevant posts and using random sampling methodology, 864 posts were identified as relevant to the study objectives. Of the social media channels included, Twitter was the most commonly used, followed by forums and blogs. Most posts originated from the United Kingdom (n=328, 38%) and Spain (n=138, 16%). Of the relevant posts, 62% (n=536) were categorized as originating from individuals with melanoma. The most frequently discussed melanoma-related topics were treatment (436/792, 55%), diagnosis and tests (261/792, 33%), and remission (190/792, 24%). The majority of treatment discussions were about surgery (292/436, 67%), followed by immunotherapy (52/436, 12%). In total, 255 posts discussed the impacts of melanoma, which included emotional burden (n=179, 70%), physical impacts (n=61, 24%), effects on social life (n=43, 17%), and financial impacts (n=10, 4%). Conclusions Findings from this study highlight how melanoma stakeholders discuss key concepts associated with the condition on social media, adding to the conceptual model of the patient journey. This social media listening approach is a powerful tool for exploring melanoma stakeholder perspectives, providing insights that can be used to corroborate existing data and inform future studies.
Synergistic Therapeutic Effect of L-Carnitine Nanoparticles and Moringa Oleifera Against Doxorubicin Induced Cardiac Toxicity in Male Rats: Biochemical and Histological Study

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a powerful chemotherapeutic agent. However, dose-dependent cardiotoxicity may limit its clinical applicability. This study was directed to explore the possible therapeutic effects of L-Carnitine Nanoparticles (LCNPs) and Moringa Oleifera extract (MO) against doxorubicin-induced cardiac toxicity in male rats. Fifty rats were allocated into two main groups: the first served as a normal control group (con.) (n=10). The remaining 40 rats were given doxorubicin at a cumulative dose of 20 mg/kg b. wt. to induce cardiotoxicity. The Dox-treated rats were subdivided into 4 groups (n = 10/group) to be orally administered with 1) 0.9% normal saline; 2) MO at 400 mg /kg, b. wt. /day; 3) LCNPs at 50 mg/kg b. wt. / day for four weeks; 4) MO+LCNPs group as previously indicated doses. The results demonstrated that DOX treatment raised MDA, NO, HO-1, and NF-kB levels while decreasing TAC activity. In addition to increased serum cardiac levels of CRP, CK, LDH, ALT, and Troponin-1 and Endothelin-1. LCNPs or MO treatment alleviated these changes. Whereas co-administration of LCNPs and MO reversed all these parameters. DOX treatment caused severe histopathological alterations in the cardiac tissues, corrected by LCNPs and MO treatment. In conclusion, these data imply that treating with LCNPs and MO in combination provides greater cardioprotection against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity in rats via repressing oxidative stress and boosting antioxidant status.
Intercropping with Solanum species decreases cadmium uptake and increases phosphorus and potassium uptakes in Amygdalus persica

Intercropping with hyperaccumulators can decrease the cadmium (Cd) uptake in non‐hyperaccumulators, but there are few studies on fruit trees. To decrease the Cd uptake in fruit trees, three Cd‐hyperaccumulator Solanum species (Solanum nigrum var. humile, Solanum americanum, and Solanum photeinocarpum) were intercropped with Amygdalus persica seedlings, and the effects of intercropping with Solanum species on the Cd and nutrient uptakes in A. persica were studied. Intercropping with S. nigrum var. humile increased the biomass of A. persica, while intercropping with S. americanum and S. photeinocarpum decreased that. Intercropping with A. persica increased the biomass of three Solanum species. Intercropping promoted the phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) uptakes in both A. persica and Solanum species. For Cd uptake, intercropping reduced the Cd uptake in A. persica and enhanced the Cd uptake and extraction in Solanum species. Correlation analysis showed that the Cd and K had antagonistic effect in aboveground of A. persica. Therefore, A. persica intercropped with Solanum species can reduce the Cd uptake in A. persica and improve the phytoremediation abilities of Solanum species, which is suitable for the Cd‐contaminated peach orchard.
Effect of projection variables on throw distance and flight time in an American football throw

In American football the ball is usually thrown to the receiver with near-maximum speed and a low angle so as to minimize the flight time. In this study a player performed maximum-effort throws using a wide range of projection angles. The throws were recorded by a video camera and a 2D biomechanical analysis was conducted to obtain mathematical expressions for the relationships between the projection variables. These expressions were then inserted into a model of the aerodynamic flight of an American football, and the throw distance and flight time were calculated. We that found the relationships between the projection variables had only a small effect on the projection angle and flight time for a pass to a receiver at a given distance. Players probably get the projection angle in a throw very nearly right through trial-and-error practice.
Evaluating bond strength of acrylic teeth to conventional and high impact denture base resin incorporating various groove designs

Purpose: In spite of chemical union between acrylic resin teeth and acrylic denture base material, detachment of teeth particularly anterior teeth is a frequent observation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate shear bond strength between denture base resin and acrylic resin denture teeth after incorporating various grooves on the ridge lap area. Materials & Methods: A total of 60 samples were prepared and divided into two groups with 30 samples each. Sample in group I were processed with conventional resin whereas in group II with high impact resin. The teeth in each group were subjected to no treatment, vertical groove & Horizontal retentive goove placement on the ridge lap area. In each group unmodified teeth served as control. A shear force was applied at an angle of 130 degrees to the lingual surface of teeth using instron universal testing machine until fracture occurred. Data obtained was statistically analysed using Post hoc and Mann-Whitney Test. Results: Unmodified resin teeth showed the least bond strength. Modification of teeth with vertical and horizontal groove significantly improves the bond strength with denture resin. A significantly greater force was required to fracture teeth from high impact resin and with vertical groove.
Empirical Investigation of Factors that Affect the Successful Implementation of Performance Measurement Systems

Performance measurement (PM) systems are commonly known for both their potential to enable significant improvement in organizational performance and success as well as the difficulty of actually obtaining these results. A review of the literature suggests that most applications of PM systems prove to be less effective than the design suggests or, in some cases, may fail to be institutionalized. While there have been many recent advancements in this area, the focus from researchers has been primarily on the design and use of these systems. More recent research suggests that the problem with these systems may be the execution and implementation of the system rather than the design. In response, researchers have investigated both enablers and barriers (more generally referred to as success factors) for PM systems. They generally assert that being aware of these factors and attempting to mitigate their effects increases the likelihood of system success and enables practitioners to realize the full potential benefit from these systems. While significant research has been conducted in this area, review of the literature suggests that there is little consistency among the studies with no consensus among researchers concerning terminology or definitions of factors. Analysis of the published literature suggests that this area is at a relatively early stage of maturity with many significant opportunities for further advancement of the research area. In this work, the existing published literature was synthesized and a comprehensive set of 29 potential success factors was identified, along with corresponding definitions. In addition, five distinct dimensions of PM implementation success were identified from the literature synthesis. These literature review results were used to design a survey questionnaire to assess actual organizational practice in an empirical field study. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted to refine the constructs corresponding to potential success factors and implementation success outcomes. The resulting final variables were investigated using regression analysis to identify the factors most strongly associated with each dimension of implementation success.
Performance indicators for developer and homebuilder Mexican companies: A Delphi study

DOI: 10.7764/RDLC.16. 1.133 Performance measurement in residential housing, at a company or project level, is usually assessed using financial performance indicators. There are other performance indicators that can be also applied to the construction industry. The literature review identified papers and reports that propose a set of indicators that can be applied to different areas. However, there is no evidence of a system that comprises the key performance indicators at the design-bid-build-delivery stages of the life-cycle of developer and homebuilder companies. Therefore, the main goal of this research is to create a model of performance indicators (at the strategic, tactical and operative levels), based on the production chain of a developer and homebuilder company. Once the theoretical proposal is set, a Delphi study is developed so a panel of 11 experts assesses and summarize the indicators that allow measuring the performance of Mexican developer and homebuilder companies.
Comparison of Aerosol Stability of Different Variants of Ebola Virus and Marburg Virus and Virulence of Aerosolised Ebola Virus in an Immune-Deficient Mouse

During outbreaks of virus diseases, many variants may appear, some of which may be of concern. Stability in an aerosol of several Ebola virus and Marburg virus variants was investigated. Studies were performed measuring aerosol survival using the Goldberg drum but no significant difference in biological decay rates between variants was observed. In addition, historic data on virulence in a murine model of different Ebola virus variants were compared to newly presented data for Ebola virus Kikwit in the A129 Interferon alpha/beta receptor-deficient mouse model. Ebola virus Kikwit was less virulent than Ebola virus Ecran in our mouse model. The mouse model may be a useful tool for studying differences in virulence associated with different variants whereas aerosol stability studies may not need to be conducted beyond the species level.