Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predictors of Satisfaction Among Nontraditional Students in Tourism and Hospitality Higher Education: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach

ABSTRACT Although there has been an increase in the number of nontraditional students (NTS) in universities, their needs have not been thoroughly researched. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to apply Kember’s model to examine predictors of satisfaction among NTS. I sent a total of 500 online questionnaires to a convenience sample of NTS enrolled in two tourism and hospitality institutions: one in Egypt and the other in the United Kingdom. Of the questionnaires returned, 380 were usable. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling with AMOS. The findings showed that academic integration and student persistence were important direct predictors of satisfaction among both Egyptian and UK NTS. However, social integration and employment were indirect predictors of satisfaction for the Egyptian NTS; self-regulated learning efficacy and extrinsic motivation were indirect predictors of satisfaction for the UK NTS. The findings of this study have important practical implications for universities.
Glutamine Metabolism: Nutritional and Clinical Significance Interaction between Glutamine Availability and Metabolism of Glycogen, Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle Intermediates and Glutathione

After exhaustive exercise, intravenous or oral glutamine promoted skeletal muscle glycogen storage. However, when glutamine was ingested with glucose polymer, whole-body carbohydrate storage was elevated, the most likely site being liver and not muscle, possibly due to increased glucosamine formation. The rate of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle flux and hence oxidative metabolism may be limited by the availability of TCA intermediates. There is some evidence that intramuscular glutamate normally provides a-ketoglutarate to the mitochondrion. We hypothesized that glutamine might be a more efficient anaplerotic precursor than endogenous glutamate alone. Indeed, a greater expansion of the sum of muscle citrate, malate, fumarate and succinate concentrations was observed at the start of exercise (70% VO2max) after oral glutamine than when placebo or ornithine a-ketoglutarate was given. However, neither endurance time nor the extent of phosphocreatine depletion or lactate accumulation during the exercise was altered, suggesting either that TCA intermediates were not limiting for energy production or that the severity of exercise was insufficient for the limitation to be operational. We have also shown that in the perfused working rat heart, there is a substantial fall in intramuscular glutamine and a-ketoglutarate, especially after ischemia. Glutamine (but not glutamate, a-ketoglutarate or aspartate) was able to rescue the performance of the postischemic heart. This ability appears to be connected to the ability to sustain intracardiac ATP, phosphocreatine and glutathione. J. Nutr. 131: 2488S–2490S, 2001.
Endothelial cells enhance adipose mesenchymal stromal cell‐mediated matrix contraction via ALK receptors and reduced follistatin: Potential role of endothelial cells in skin fibrosis

Abnormal cutaneous wound healing can lead to formation of fibrotic hypertrophic scars. Although several clinical risk factors have been described, the cross‐talk between different cell types resulting in hypertrophic scar formation is still poorly understood. The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate whether endothelial cells (EC) may play a role in skin fibrosis, for example, hypertrophic scar formation after full‐thickness skin trauma. Using a collagen/elastin matrix, we developed an in vitro fibrosis model to study the interaction between EC and dermal fibroblasts or adipose tissue‐derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ASC). Tissue equivalents containing dermal fibroblasts and EC displayed a normal phenotype. In contrast, tissue equivalents containing ASC and EC displayed a fibrotic phenotype indicated by contraction of the matrix, higher gene expression of ACTA2, COL1A, COL3A, and less secretion of follistatin. The contraction was in part mediated via the TGF‐β pathway, as both inhibition of the ALK4/5/7 receptors and the addition of recombinant follistatin resulted in decreased matrix contraction (75 ± 11% and 24 ± 8%, respectively). In conclusion, our study shows that EC may play a critical role in fibrotic events, as seen in hypertrophic scars, by stimulating ASC‐mediated matrix contraction via regulation of fibrosis‐related proteins.
Histone H3 lysine 9 methyltransferase FvDim5 regulates fungal development, pathogenicity and osmotic stress responses in Fusarium verticillioides

Histone methylation plays important biological roles in eukaryotic cells. Methylation of lysine 9 at histone H3 (H3K9me) is critical for regulating chromatin structure and gene transcription. Dim5 is a lysine histone methyltransferase (KHMTase) enzyme, which is responsible for the methylation of H3K9 in eukaryotes. In the current study, we identified a single ortholog of Neurospora crassa Dim5 in Fusarium verticillioides. In this study, we report that FvDim5 regulates the trimethylation of H3K9 (H3K9me3). The FvDIM5 deletion mutant (ΔFvDim5) showed significant defects in conidiation, perithecium production and fungal virulence. Unexpectedly, we found that deletion of FvDIM5 resulted in increased tolerance to osmotic stresses and upregulated FvHog1 phosphorylation. These results indicate the importance of FvDim5 for the regulation of fungal development, pathogenicity and osmotic stress responses in F. verticillioides.
The Roles of Positive and Negative Self-Statements in Socially Anxious Females

Ten high and twelve low socially anxious females were recruited to participate in a simulated “colour and emotions experiment”. Half of each group received self-enhancing statements whilst the other half were presented with neutral statements. Subjects waited in a disguised observation room and their behaviours were monitored unobtrusively during interaction with a confederate. Results showed that prior to treatment high anxious females made significantly more negative self-statements, conversed less, made fewer initiations of conversation than low anxious females. Latency of conversation and non-verbal behaviours were not significantly different for the two groups. Treatment with self-enhancing statements had no effect on the degree of social interaction and self statements generated by the two groups.
The accuracies of abdominal computed tomography and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio used to predict the development of clinically severe acute cholecystitis in elderly patients visiting an emergency department

Background: Mortality in patients with severe acute cholecystitis (AC) remains high, and the prognosis for elderly patients tends to be poor. A comparative analysis of clinical, laboratory, and abdominal computed tomography (CT) parameters was conducted in this study to investigate the effectiveness of each index for predicting clinically severe AC in elderly patients in the emergency department (ED). Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective study that included 156 patients (≥65 years of age) with AC who were admitted in the ED between January 2012 and December 2014. Parameters including age, gender, initial clinical findings, laboratory findings, and CT findings in the ED were examined for their ability to predict severity. Results: Forty-five patients were diagnosed with clinically severe AC. The white blood cell count, neutrophil count, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, protein, albumin, and prothrombin time/International Normalized Ratio values were significantly higher in the severe group than in the nonsevere group (P < 0.05). In addition, the CT parameters of increased pericholecystic fat stranding and pericholecystic fluid collection were significantly higher in the severe group than in the nonsevere group (P < 0.001, P < 0.001). Increased pericholecystic fat stranding (odds ratio [OR], 8.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.29–29.22; P = 0.001), pericholecystic fluid collection (OR, 6.55; 95% CI, 1.39–30.92; P = 0.018), and an NLR cutoff value of 9.9 (OR, 4.20; 95% CI, 1.01–17.53; P = 0.049) were independent predictors of severe AC in elderly patients. Conclusions: The CT parameters of increased pericholecystic fat stranding and pericholecystic fluid collection with an NLR cutoff of 9.9 were useful for predicting the severity of AC in elderly patients in the ED.
Childhood Conscientiousness and Leukocyte Telomere Length 40 Years Later in Adult Women—Preliminary Findings of a Prospective Association

Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) shortens with age, and is a prospective marker of mortality related to cardiovascular disease. Many health behaviors and social environmental factors have been found to be associated with LTL. Several of these are also associated with conscientiousness, a dispositional personality trait. Conscientiousness is a propensity to be planful, adhere to social norms, and inhibit pre-potent responses. Like LTL, conscientiousness is prospectively related to mortality, possibly through cumulative effects on health over the life course via multiple pathways. As a result, we hypothesized that childhood levels of conscientiousness would predict LTL prospectively in adulthood. We selected a sample of 60 women in the Hawaii Personality and Health Cohort; 30 described by their teachers as high on conscientiousness in childhood and 30 described as low on the trait. Dried blood spot samples collected in adulthood 40 years later were used as sources of DNA for the LTL assay. Conscientiousness was associated with longer LTL (p = .02). Controlling for age did not account for this association. Controlling for education and physiological dysregulation partially attenuated the association, and the effect remained significant when accounting for differences in LTL across cultural groups. These results represent the first evidence that childhood personality prospectively predicts LTL 40 years later in adulthood. Our findings would be consistent with a mediation hypothesis whereby conscientiousness predicts life paths and trajectories of health that are reflected in rates of LTL erosion across the lifespan.
Effects of Fecal Sampling on Preanalytical and Analytical Phases in Quantitative Fecal Immunochemical Tests for Hemoglobin

Background Information on preanalytical variability is mandatory to bring laboratories up to ISO 15189 requirements. Fecal sampling is greatly affected by lack of harmonization in laboratory medicine. The aims of this study were to obtain information on the devices used for fecal sampling and to explore the effect of different amounts of feces on the results from the fecal immunochemical test for hemoglobin (FIT-Hb). Methods Four commercial sample collection devices for quantitative FIT-Hb measurements were investigated. The volume of interest (VOI) of the probes was measured from diameter and geometry. Quantitative measurements of the mass of feces were carried out by gravimetry. The effects of an increased amount of feces on the analytical environment were investigated measuring the Hb values with a single analytical method. Results VOI was 8.22, 7.1 and 9.44 mm3 for probes that collected a target of 10 mg of feces, and 3.08 mm3 for one probe that targeted 2 mg of feces. The ratio between recovered and target amounts of devices ranged from 56% to 121%. Different changes in the measured Hb values were observed, in adding increasing amounts of feces in commercial buffers. Conclusions The amounts of collected materials are related to the design of probes. Three out 4 manufacturers declare the same target amount using different sampling volumes and obtaining different amounts of collected materials. The introduction of a standard probes to reduce preanalytical variability could be an useful step for fecal test harmonization and to fulfill the ISO 15189 requirements.
Dermoscopic patterns of acral melanocytic nevi and melanomas in a white population in central Italy.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the dermoscopic features of acral melanocytic lesions in a white population in central Italy. DESIGN Retrospective review. SETTING University dermatology department. PATIENTS Six hundred fifty-one Italian subjects, ranging in age from 6 months to 78 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES We retrospectively investigated all digital dermoscopic images of acral melanocytic lesions included in our database from January 1996 to May 2005. RESULTS We retrieved digital images of 723 benign acral melanocytic lesions in 641 patients (235 males and 406 females; mean age, 26.5 years) and of 10 acral melanomas in 10 patients (7 males and 3 females; mean age, 65 years). Individual lesions were located on the soles (n=520), fingers (n=146), and palms (n=67). Among acral nevi, the parallel furrow (42.1%) was the most common pattern, followed by the latticelike (14.9%), nontypical (13.7%), fibrillar (10.8%), homogeneous (9.3%), globular (5.4%), and reticular (2.1%) patterns. The frequency of distribution of the latticelike, nontypical, fibrillar, and homogeneous patterns significantly differed (P<.001, P=.03, P<.001, and P=.03, respectively) between anatomical sites. Also, 13 acral nevi (1.8%), mainly located on the fingers, showed a new combined pattern (transition pattern) consisting of a brownish black network associated with a parallel furrow or latticelike pattern. All 10 acral melanomas showed a multicomponent dermoscopic pattern. CONCLUSIONS In our series of acral nevi, we observed 8 dermoscopic patterns, with varying distribution by anatomical site. Identification of a specific pattern is highly suggestive of the benign or the malignant nature of any given acral melanocytic lesion.
The Role of Parenting Styles and Sex Differences in Adolescents’ Depression

Adolescence is characterized by several psychosocial challenges which are influenced by factors at the individual, family, community and societal levels. Depression is common among adolescents and as result, there is the need to identify factors that influence the level of depression among adolescents. This study examined whether parenting styles significantly influence adolescents’ depression and whether significant sex differences exist between male and female adolescents in their depression. A total of 120 students (60 males and 60 females) were selected from four Senior High Schools in the Kassena-Nankana district in the Upper East Region of Ghana. A cross-sectional survey research design was adopted and the participants were administered demographic questionnaire, Parental Authority Questionnaire and Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC). Results from the analysis using the Pearson correlation showed that Authoritarian and Permissive parenting styles were significantly and positively correlated with adolescents’ depression. However, authoritative parenting style is negatively correlated with adolescents’ depression. Further analysis using the t-test for independent samples showed that male adolescents reported significantly higher depression than female adolescents. It is concluded that adolescents’ depression level is significantly influenced by parenting styles and sex differences.
A Taxonomic Analysis of Abstraction

An important characteristic of knowledge is that it exists at multiple levels of abstraction. This article illustrates how different levels of abstraction influence perception, comprehension, categorization, memory, and thought. Theories exist for how abstraction influences each of these cognitive processes, but there are few unifying principles for discussing these theories within a common conceptual framework. My proposed taxonomy examines three senses of abstraction: (a) an abstract entity is a concept that has no material referent, (b) abstraction focuses on only some attributes of multicomponent stimuli, and (c) an abstract idea applies to many particular instances of a category. The first refers to instances, the second to attributes of instances, and the third to classes of instances. Concrete mental representations consist of modal images for instances, equivalent attributes, and exemplars or episodes for categories. Abstract mental representations consist of amodal propositions for instances, distinctive attributes, and rules or prototypes or schema for categories. I first apply the taxonomy to words, pictures, and problems. The next section shows how categorization strategies combine with abstraction at the attribute, instance, and category levels. The subsequent section applies the taxonomy to hierarchical (subordinate, basic, superordinate) levels. A concluding section proposes directions for further development.
Adult Students' Perceptions in Distance Education Learning Environments Based on a Videoconferencing Platform - QoE Analysis

Distance education learning environments provide tremendous convenience and flexibility, allowing busy, mobile adult learners to engage in education while coping with their limited resources in terms of time, energy and finances. Following a student-centered approach this study investigates adult students’ subjective perceptions while using distance education systems based on a videoconferencing platform as Quality of Experience (QoE). Based on a literature review, sociological behavior and expectations, we have constructed a structural equation model (SEM) illustrating relations among different variables that can predict positive levels of adult students’ QoE, thus providing guidelines for proper development. We have tested the model using a survey of 198 primary education school teachers involved in a videoconferencing-based learning program for teacher enhancement. Results show a good fit to the model developed. The analysis showed that adult students’ QoE is directly influenced by appropriateness of teacher-student interaction and ease of participation, as well predicted by students’ motivation to attend similar trainings. Additionally, we found that variances in technical quality did not directly influence their QoE from the learning sessions.
Development and field testing of a smartphone “App” for tinnitus management

Abstract Objective: This study’s objective was to develop and test a smartphone app that supports learning and using coping skills for managing tinnitus. Design: The app’s content was based on coping skills that are taught as a part of progressive tinnitus management (PTM). The study involved three phases: (1) develop a prototype app and conduct usability testing; (2) conduct two focus groups to obtain initial feedback from individuals representing potential users; and (3) conduct a field study to evaluate the app, with three successive groups of participants. Study Sample: Participants were adults with bothersome tinnitus. For Phase 2, two focus groups were attended by a total of 17 participants. Phase 3 involved three consecutive rounds of participants: five from the focus groups followed by two rounds with 10 participants each who had not seen the app previously. Results: In both the focus groups and field studies, participants responded favourably to the content. Certain features, however, were deemed too complex. Conclusion: Completion of this project resulted in the development and testing of the delivery of PTM coping skills via a smartphone app. This new approach has the potential to improve access to coping skills for those with bothersome tinnitus.
Primary, Unilateral Ocular Adnexal Lymphoma: Disease Progression and Long-Term Survival

Purpose: This investigation aimed to improve our understanding of the disease characteristics and clinical course for primary unilateral ocular adnexal lymphoma (OAL). Methods: In this retrospective case series, all consecutive biopsy confirmed cases of lymphoma confined to a single ocular adnexa (unilateral stage 1E) during a 30-year period were included. All histologic classification conformed to the current World Health Organization classification. Descriptive statistics and standard survival analyses were performed. Results: 122 patients were included in this study. The most common primary unilateral OAL were indolent B-cell lymphomas (mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT)-type marginal zone, follicular and small lymphocytic lymphoma) representing 80% of cases. Typically aggressive lymphomas were found in only 7% of patients (diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, immunoblastic lymphoma, diffuse large cell lymphoma, and mantle cell lymphoma). Overall, 24.4% of patients experienced progression of their disease after initial therapy, the majority occurring within 5 years. For the 80% of OAL of indolent B-cell type, progression free and disease specific survivals were 71 and 98% at 5 years and 61 and 90% at 10 years, respectively. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma was more likely to progress overall (p < 0.01) and progress earlier (log rank, p < 0.01). Additionally, these patients were also more likely to succumb to disease (p < 0.01) in a shorter interval (log rank, p < 0.01). Conclusion: Most primary unilateral OALs are indolent lymphomas with good prognosis for survival and freedom from progression. However, a minority present with more aggressive lymphomas (diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, immunoblastic lymphoma, and diffuse large cell lymphoma), carrying a more guarded prognosis.
Dengue Virus Induces Increased Activity of the Complement Alternative Pathway in Infected Cells

ABSTRACT Severe dengue virus (DENV) infection is associated with overactivity of the complement alternative pathway (AP) in patient studies. Here, the molecular changes in components of the AP during DENV infection in vitro were investigated. mRNA for factor H (FH), a major negative regulator of the AP, was significantly increased in DENV-infected endothelial cells (EC) and macrophages, but, in contrast, production of extracellular FH protein was not. This discord was not seen for the AP activator factor B (FB), with DENV induction of both FB mRNA and protein, nor was it seen with Toll-like receptor 3 or 4 stimulation of EC and macrophages, which induces both FH and FB mRNA and protein. Surface-bound and intracellular FH protein was, however, induced by DENV, but only in DENV antigen-positive cells, while in two other DENV-susceptible immortalized cell lines (ARPE-19 and human retinal endothelial cells), FH protein was induced both intracellularly and extracellularly by DENV infection. Regardless of the cell type, there was an imbalance in AP components and an increase in markers of complement AP activity associated with DENV-infected cells, with lower FH relative to FB protein, an increased ability to promote AP-mediated lytic activity, and increased deposition of complement component C3b on the surface of DENV-infected cells. For EC in particular, these changes are predicted to result in higher complement activity in the local cellular microenvironment, with the potential to induce functional changes that may result in increased vascular permeability, a hallmark of dengue disease. IMPORTANCE Dengue virus (DENV) is a significant human viral pathogen with a global medical and economic impact. DENV may cause serious and life-threatening disease, with increased vascular permeability and plasma leakage. The pathogenic mechanisms underlying these features remain unclear; however, overactivity of the complement alternative pathway has been suggested to play a role. In this study, we investigate the molecular events that may be responsible for this observed alternative pathway overactivity and provide novel findings of changes in the complement system in response to DENV infection in primary cell types that are a major target for DENV infection (macrophages) and pathogenesis (endothelial cells) in vivo. Our results suggest a new dimension of cellular events that may influence endothelial cell barrier function during DENV infection that could expand strategies for developing therapeutics to prevent or control DENV-mediated vascular disease.