Investigation on Satisfaction and Performance of Online Education Among Fine Arts Major Undergraduates in Chengdu Public Universities

Purpose: This research investigates factors affecting satisfaction and performance of online education among undergraduate fine art students in three public universities in Chengdu, China. The variables include perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, self-efficacy, task-technology fit, compatibility, satisfaction and performance. Research design, data, and methods: Through a quantitative research approach, questionnaires were distributed via online and offline channels to 500 target respondents. Judgmental, quota and convenience samplings were used to collect the data. The data previously examined by Item Objective Congruence (IOC) Index to confirm content validity, and by Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient value to approve constructs’ reliability in a pilot test of 30 participants. Statistical analysis involves confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation model (SEM), including the test of factor loadings, validity, reliability and goodness of fit model. Results: The results showed that perceived ease of use significant affected satisfaction and perceived usefulness. The relationship between self-efficacy, perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness was supported. Compatibility and task-technology fit significantly affected student satisfaction. Furthermore, satisfaction is a predictor of performance. Conclusion: For online education providers, the system should be designed to be easy, useful, self-control, compatibility and task-fit to gain higher student satisfaction and performance

GWAS links variants in neuronal development and actin remodeling related loci with pseudoexfoliation syndrome without glaucoma

Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEXS) is an age-related elastosis, strongly associated with the development of secondary glaucoma. It is clearly suggested that PEXS has a genetic component, but this has not been extensively studied. Here, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using a DNA-pooling approach was conducted to explore the potential association of genetic variants with PEXS in a Polish population, including 103 PEXS patients without glaucoma and 106 perfectly (age- and gender-) matched controls. Individual sample TaqMan genotyping was used to validate GWAS-selected single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) associations. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was applied to develop a prediction model for PEXS. In total, 15 SNPs representing independent PEXS susceptibility loci were selected for further validation in individual samples. For 14 of these variants, significant differences in the allele and genotype frequencies between cases and controls were identified, of which 12 remained significant after Benjamini-Hochberg adjustment. The minor allele of five SNPs was associated with an increased risk of PEXS development, while for nine SNPs, it showed a protective effect. Beyond the known LOXL1 variant rs2165241, nine other SNPs were located within gene regions, including in OR11L1, CD80, TNIK, CADM2, SORBS2, RNF180, FGF14, FMN1, and RBFOX1 genes. None of these associations with PEXS has previously been reported. Selected SNPs were found to explain nearly 69% of the total risk of PEXS development. The overall risk prediction accuracy for PEXS, expressed by the area under the ROC curve (AUC) value, increased by 0.218, from 0.672 for LOXL1 rs2165241 alone to 0.89 when seven additional SNPs were included in the proposed 8-SNP prediction model. In conclusion, several new susceptibility loci for PEXS without glaucoma suggested that neuronal development and actin remodeling are potentially involved in either PEXS onset or inhibition or delay of its conversion to glaucoma

An Exploration Study of using the Universities Performance and Enrolments Features for Predicting the International Quality

Quality ranking systems are crucial in the assessment of the academic performance of an institution because these assessment systems give details about how different learning institutions deliver their services. Education quality is also of paramount importance to the students because it is through quality education that these students develop skills that are needed in the job market. Besides, education enhances a student\u27s academic and reasoning capacities. When universities are subjected to ranking systems, they are likely to improve their quality to be ranked high in the system. When the university administrators are exposed to ranking, competition gears up. Through competition, the quality of education also improves and through that the general education system improves. In addition, with rapid technological progress, increased human mobility and economic growth, the concept of quality assessment at the national level has shifted to an international level and now the evaluation of higher education quality is being conducted on the basis of international standards and comparisons. In the present context, a global ranking of a university has a significant influence on attracting research funding and academic talent. Universities are expected to collaborate and compete on an international level, and it is no longer enough to achieve excellence within any national group. It is therefore, not surprising that there is a rising tendency among universities to become centres of World class excellence . The findings of this study indicated that teaching, citations, income, number of students are key predictors for predicting the international outlook of universities. Also, it showed that geography is a significant contributor that recognized when it was added to the models for assessing the quality of the worldwide universities

Nonparametric methods for the analysis of single-color pathogen microarrays

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The analysis of oligonucleotide microarray data in pathogen surveillance and discovery is a challenging task. Target template concentration, nucleic acid integrity, and host nucleic acid composition can each have a profound effect on signal distribution. Exploratory analysis of fluorescent signal distribution in clinical samples has revealed deviations from normality, suggesting that distribution-free approaches should be applied.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Positive predictive value and false positive rates were examined to assess the utility of three well-established nonparametric methods for the analysis of viral array hybridization data: (1) Mann-Whitney <it>U</it>, (2) the Spearman correlation coefficient and (3) the chi-square test. Of the three tests, the chi-square proved most useful.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The acceptance of microarray use for routine clinical diagnostics will require that the technology be accompanied by simple yet reliable analytic methods. We report that our implementation of the chi-square test yielded a combination of low false positive rates and a high degree of predictive accuracy.</p

Mogadishu University Journal

Mogadishu University Journal Scientific Refereed Journal Issued by Research Unit of Mogadishu University Issue 4, 201

Mogadishu University Journal

Mogadishu University Journal Scientific Refereed Journal Issued by Research Unit of Mogadishu University Issue 4, 201

The Impact of E-Readiness on ELearning Success in Saudi Arabian Higher Education Institutions

This research investigates how e-readiness impacts the success of e-learning initiatives in Saudi Arabia’s higher education institutions. The research model assesses this relationship taking into account the unique attributes of teachers, students and administrator in higher education institutions. Seven dimensions constituting the component factors of e-readiness were identified including policy and institutional business strategy, pedagogy, technology, interface design, management, administrative and resource support as well as evaluation and continual improvement. Also six dimensions which constitute the component factors of e-learning success including system, information and service qualities, use and user satisfaction as well as net benefits were also identified. The research hypothesizes, construct and test structural equation models (SEM) on the current levels of e-readiness of Saudi Arabian higher education institutions to successfully implement e-learning initiatives. Research instrument was developed using a pool of items generated from literature. The instruments used were verified and confirmed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Results of EFA, CFA indicated the measurement scale can serve as reliable and valid tool to assess the relationship between e-readiness and e-learning success in Saudi Arabian higher education institutions. Structural equation modelling was used to test this relationship and to assess the applicability of the study’s theoretical framework to different and multiple groups. The unique attributes of teachers, students and administrator to achieve meaningful comparisons across groups were considered and the results exhibit adequate cross-group equivalence which was achieved at different levels. Finding confirmed the universality of the five dimensions of e-readiness to have significant effects on the six dimensions of e-learning success. Additionally, the findings indicated stability of the relationships among the variables within the structural equation model and it isn’t influenced by differences of teachers, students, and administrators either conceptually or psychometrically. The current work contributes to our knowledge of e-learning through the lens of theoretical insights and empirical findings. The implications of the research in the context of Saudi Arabia are discussed and it is intended that the findings from this research can be used to inform strategic decision making towards harnessing the power of e-learning in the country’s higher institutions of learning

Arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction in patients with coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND: Arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction are implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Both are present in patients with hypercholesterolaemia and diabetes mellitus, and are markers of future cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension and end-stage renal failure. The structural components, elastin and collagen, which influence skin elasticity are also responsible for the elasticity of arteries.AIMS: To investigate: 1. The association between skin elasticity and arterial elasticity in healthy subjects. 2. The determinants of arterial stiffness in patients with CAD, particularly renal function. 3. The determinants of endothelial dysfunction in patients with CAD. 4. The association between arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction in patients with CAD. 5. The survival of subjects from cardiovascular morbidity and mortality as determined by the severity of CAD, renal function, arterial stiffness and endothelial function.METHODS: Skin elasticity was measured in the arm, leg and back using a suction device which measures the vertical deformation of skin. Arterial stiffness was assessed using pressure pulse wave velocity (PWV), pulse wave analysis (PWA) and digital volume pulse (DVP) analysis. Endothelial function was determined noninvasively using PWA with the administration of glyceryl trinitrate (endotheliumindependent vasodilator) and salbutamol (endothelium-dependent vasodilator). The study in CAD was a cohort study with longitudinal follow up for a median of 18 months. Adverse clinical events were determined through the Information and Statistics Division of the NHS and the General Register Office in Scotland. Renal function was assessed using serum creatinine concentration ([creat]sr) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) by using creatinine clearance calculated using the Cockcroft & Gault equation. Subjects with a history of renal disease were excluded. The primary-endpoint was a composite of hospitalisation and mortality due to cardiovascular causes.RESULTS: 1. Arterial elasticity and skin elasticity were only weakly associated. 2. Arterial stiffness was determined by age, heart rate, central systolic blood pressure and [creat]sr (R2=0.38, P < 0.001). Arterial stiffness was negatively associated with eGFR (R2=0.30, P < 0.001), even within the normal range. 3. Endotheliumindependent changes in the augmentation indices (AIs) were determined by age, body mass index and mean blood pressure (R2=0.09, P < 0.001). Endotheliumdependent changes in AIs were weakly explained by mean blood pressure (R2=0.02, P < 0.001) but not associated with hypercholesterolaemia, as previously reported, or renal function. However, the presence or severity of CAD did not explain the variance in arterial stiffness or endothelial function measures. 4. Endotheliumindependent and dependent changes in AIs were positively correlated. In addition, endothelium-independent changes in AIs were lower in subjects with stiffer arteries (r = 0.20, P < 0.01). 5. Subjects with a high number of diseased coronary vessels (P < 0.001), a low eGFR (P < 0.01), or a PWV above the median (P < 0.05) had a higher risk of developing adverse clinical events. Endothelial function, however, did not appear to predict a poor outcome.CONCLUSION: In healthy subjects, skin elasticity is an unreliable marker of arterial elasticity. An important finding in the CAD study was that renal function was a determinant of arterial stiffness in patients without a history of renal disease. In this treated group of subjects, traditional cardiovascular risk factors did not determine arterial stiffness or endothelial dysfunction and there was no association between arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction. Moreover, endothelial function measured using PWA, with the administration of GTN and salbutamol, is not a useful test in patients with CAD on drug treatment. However, the presence and severity of CAD, renal function, as well as the stiffness of arteries, are predictive of a shorter time to fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular outcomes