17 research outputs found
Nrf2 deficiency influences susceptibility to steroid resistance via HDAC2 reduction
No full textAbnormal lung inflammation and oxidant burden are associated with a significant reduction in histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) abundance and steroid resistance. We hypothesized that Nrf2 regulates steroid sensitivity via HDAC2 in response to inflammation in mouse lung. Furthermore, HDAC2 deficiency leads to steroid resistance in attenuating lung inflammatory response, which may be due to oxidant/antioxidant imbalance. Loss of antioxidant transcription factor Nrf2 resulted in decreased HDAC2 level in lung, and increased inflammatory lung response which was not reversed by steroid. Thus, steroid resistance or inability of steroids to control lung inflammatory response is dependent on Nrf2-HDAC2 axis. These findings have implications in steroid resistance, particularly during the conditions of oxidative stress when the lungs are more susceptible to inflammatory response, which is seen in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease
Supply chain decision-making using artificial intelligence and data analytics
No full textoai:alma.44UOBO_INST:114026730008841This chapter examines the use of artificial intelligence, data analytics and other digital technologies in the management of the supply chain decision-making. The study highlights the challenges faced by supply chain managers and how the application of AI and data analytics can help in making better and more informed decisions with respect to sustainability. Data analytics, AI techniques, such as machine learning, natural language processing and other digital technologies that include Internet of Things, Robotics and Cloud computing and their applications to different areas of supply chain management, such as demand forecasting, inventory management and logistics optimisation are discussed. Some of the challenges (initial cost of physical and cloud resources, change management, ethical and legal-related issues) that the supply chain managers need to put into consideration when adopting these technologies are also presented. The chapter concludes that continuous data collection and storage across all the stakeholders in the supply chain must be ensured to enable transparent and efficient use of AI algorithms to support quick and timely supply chain decision-making
Technical Support: Towards Mitigating Effects of Computer Anxiety on Acceptance of E-Assessment Amongst University Students in Sub Saharan African Countries
No full textPart 1: Technology Adoption, Diffusion and Ubiquitous ComputingInternational audienceThe application of Information technology in educational context and environment has dramatically changed the pattern at which people teach and learn. Institutions of higher learning globally are increasingly adopting e-Assessment as a replacement for traditional pen on paper examination due to its cost effectiveness, improved reliability due to machine marking, accurate and timely assessment. In spite of the numerous benefits of e-assessment, it is unclear if University students in Sub Saharan African Countries are willing to accept it. The purpose of this study is to examine technical support role towards mitigating effects of computer anxiety on electronic assessment amongst University students in Nigeria and Cameroon. Therefore, the study extended Technology Acceptance Model and was validated using 102 responses collected randomly across universities in Nigeria and Cameroon. This study supports the body of knowledge by establishing that Computer Anxiety is an important factor which can affect University students regardless of their level of computer proficiency. The outcome of the proposed model indicated that when technical assistance is provided during e-Assessment, computer anxiety on majority of University students in Nigeria and Cameroon is reduced. The practical implication of this study is that students’ actual academic potentials may not be seen if education policy makers and University administrators do not always strive to ensure that all measures, including technical support that can reduce fear associated with use of computer for assessment, are introduced
Towards reinforcing telemedicine adoption amongst clinicians in Nigeria
No full textTelemedicine systems have been considered as a necessary measure to alleviate the shortfall in skilled medical specialists in developing countries. However, the obvious challenge is whether clinicians are willing to use this technological innovation, which has aided medical practice globally. One factor which has received little academic attention is the provision of suitable encouragement for clinicians to adopt telemedicine, in the form of rewards, motivation or incentives. A further consideration for telemedicine usage in developing countries, especially sub-Saharan Africa and Nigeria in particular, are to the severe shortage of available practising clinicians. The researchers therefore explore the need to positively reinforce the adoption of telemedicine amongst clinicians in Nigeria, and also offer a rationale for this using the UTAUT model. Data were collected using a structured paper-based questionnaire, with 252 physicians and nurses from six government hospitals in Ondo state, Nigeria. The study applied SmartPLS 2.0 for analysis to determine the relationship between six variables. Demographic moderating variables, age, gender and profession, were included. The results indicate that performance expectancy (p < 0.05), effort expectancy (p < 0.05), facilitating condition (p < 0.01) and reinforcement factor (p < 0.001) have significant effects on clinicians’ behavioural intention to use telemedicine systems, as predicted using the extended UTAUT model. Our results showed that the use of telemedicine by clinicians in the Nigerian context is perceived as a dual responsibility which requires suitable reinforcement. In addition, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, facilitating condition and reinforcement determinants are influential factors in the use of telemedicine services for remote-patient clinical diagnosis and management by the Nigerian clinician
Challenges for the adoption of industry 4.0 in the sustainable manufacturing supply chain
No full textThis book chapter explores the challenges associated with adopting Industry 4.0 technologies
in the context of achieving a sustainable manufacturing supply chain. The chapter highlights both general
and technology-specific hurdles that organizations encounter when implementing Industry 4.0, such as
dealing with data accumulation and compatibility issues with legacy systems, data management
complexities, data protection, privacy and cyber attack risks, cost considerations, and workforce upskilling
and transition. The chapter emphasizes the importance of addressing these challenges to enable the effective
incorporation of Industry 4.0 technologies for sustainability goals. It provides insights and recommendations
for mitigating these challenges, including prioritizing sustainability considerations during technology
selection and implementation, emphasizing energy efficiency and environmental impact assessments in
technology design and deployment, incorporating ethical frameworks and guidelines for data usage,
privacy, and fairness in AI and IoT systems, encouraging collaboration among stakeholders to develop
industry standards and best practices for sustainable technology adoption, among a few others. By
proactively addressing these challenges, organizations can leverage the transformative potential of
Industry 4.0 while driving sustainability in their manufacturing supply chain
Technical Support: Towards Mitigating Effects of Computer Anxiety on Acceptance of E-Assessment Amongst University Students in Sub Saharan African Countries
No full textPart 1: Technology Adoption, Diffusion and Ubiquitous ComputingInternational audienceThe application of Information technology in educational context and environment has dramatically changed the pattern at which people teach and learn. Institutions of higher learning globally are increasingly adopting e-Assessment as a replacement for traditional pen on paper examination due to its cost effectiveness, improved reliability due to machine marking, accurate and timely assessment. In spite of the numerous benefits of e-assessment, it is unclear if University students in Sub Saharan African Countries are willing to accept it. The purpose of this study is to examine technical support role towards mitigating effects of computer anxiety on electronic assessment amongst University students in Nigeria and Cameroon. Therefore, the study extended Technology Acceptance Model and was validated using 102 responses collected randomly across universities in Nigeria and Cameroon. This study supports the body of knowledge by establishing that Computer Anxiety is an important factor which can affect University students regardless of their level of computer proficiency. The outcome of the proposed model indicated that when technical assistance is provided during e-Assessment, computer anxiety on majority of University students in Nigeria and Cameroon is reduced. The practical implication of this study is that students’ actual academic potentials may not be seen if education policy makers and University administrators do not always strive to ensure that all measures, including technical support that can reduce fear associated with use of computer for assessment, are introduced
Current concepts on oxidative/carbonyl stress, inflammation and epigenetics in pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
No full textChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a global health problem. The current therapies for COPD are poorly effective and the mainstays of pharmacotherapy are bronchodilators. A better understanding of the pathobiology of COPD is critical for the development of novel therapies. In the present review, we have discussed the roles of oxidative/aldehyde stress, inflammation/immunity, and chromatin remodeling in the pathogenesis of COPD. An imbalance of oxidants/antioxidants caused by cigarette smoke and other pollutants/biomass fuels plays an important role in the pathogenesis of COPD by regulating redox-sensitive transcription factors (e.g., NF-κB), autophagy and unfolded protein response leading to chronic lung inflammatory response. Cigarette smoke also activates canonical/alternative NF-κB pathways and their upstream kinases leading to sustained inflammatory response in lungs. Recently, epigenetic regulation has been shown to be critical for the development of COPD because the expression/activity of enzymes that regulate these epigenetic modifications have been reported to be abnormal in airways of COPD patients. Hence, the significant advances made in understanding the pathophysiology of COPD as described herein will identify novel therapeutic targets for intervention in COPD
Static stress distribution in tall cylindrical bins filled with pseudosolid grains
No full textThe controversy over the ratio of the intensities of the horizontal and vertical stresses in the grain mass and on the walls of storage bins has continued for some time. This ratio is commonly referred to as the K ratio. Four different experimental methods were used to determine K in a model cylindrical bin. At rest, measurements inside the mass of soybean grains revealed a decrease in the K ratio as the depth of material (or overburden pressure) increased along the axis of the bin. At large depths, the K ratio approached a constant value that may be approximated by K\sb0 = 1 sin, where is the angle of friction of grain to grain. Direct wall measurements from electrical strain gages and from load cells fitted flush with the wall gave identical results of K ratio at large depths of material. Determination of K ratio from measurements of load carried by a separately supported floor revealed an averaging of K ratios over the depth of stored material. Thus the floor load method gave the highest value of K ratio at large depths of grain.In-mass measurements were found to give reliable full field data for static loads. The K ratio for soybeans at 9.2% moisture content (wet basis) was found to be 0.47, based on the in-mass and wall measurements. It is recommended that future grain storage bin design be based on experimental determination of K by the use of a well-designed in-mass transducer. Static and dynamic load patterns may be successfully investigated with an in-mass transducer. To cut down on scatter, such an in-mass transducer should either be relatively large compared to the size of grain particles or have grains fixed on it.Made available in DSpace on 2011-05-07T12:44:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2
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