International Students’ Perceptions of Factors Affecting Academic Success in Post-Secondary Studies

This multiple case study examines international students’ perceptions of factors affecting academic success in post-secondary institutions in southern Ontario. The study used snowball sampling and a semi-structured interview format. Various factors in the literature, which are used as a framework for this thesis, demonstrate an influence on international students’ academic preparedness and success. They include: proficiency tests, length of time in host country, prior learning experience, acculturation, tolerance of ambiguity, and motivation. Other factors influencing students’ academic success are EAP programs, faculty and students’ own perceptions of academic preparedness and needs, international student centres, communication with domestic students, and immigration plans. The study revealed that, in addition to the listed factors, participants also identified mental health and identity as influencing factors. The study addresses the gap in existing research by providing a college setting for international students from various nationalities, in a Canadian context, studying in a range of post-secondary programs

Analiza walidacyjna polskiej wersji Międzynarodowego Kwestionariusza Jakości Życia w Stwardnieniu Rozsianym (MusiQoL)

Background and purpose The aim of this study was to perform a validation analysis of the Polish adaptation of the Multiple Sclerosis International Quality of Life Questionnaire, MusiQoL. Material and methods Validation analysis included the translation of the original English version into Polish according to translation principles and the analysis of convergent validity, internal reliability and reproducibility of the Polish version of MusiQoL. The study included 150 randomly chosen patients (109 women and 41 men) with definite multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosed according to McDonald criteria. Mean age of patients was 41 ± 10 years and mean disease duration was 11.7 ± 7.2 years. The patients completed the examined MusiQoL, the Functional Assessment of Multiple Sclerosis (FAMS) and the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29). Data regarding sociodemographic status and MS history were collected. The disability of the patients was assessed according to the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). The examination was repeated after 28 ± 4 days. Results The internal reliability, convergent validity and reproducibility of MusiQoL were satisfactory. The dimensions of the scale exhibited high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha from 0.67 to 0.90). The MusiQoL correlated with FAMS (positive correlations), EDSS and MSIS-29 (negatively). Conclusions Psychometric-statistical analysis showed that the Polish version of MusiQoL is a valuable measure to examine the health-related quality of life of Polish MS patients.Wstęp i cel pracy Celem pracy była analiza walidacyjna aspektów psychometrycznych polskiej adaptacji Międzynarodowego kwestionariusza jakości życia w stwardnieniu rozsianym (SR) – Multiple Sclerosis International Quality of Life Questionnaire, MusiQoL. Materiał i metody Analiza walidacyjna objęła tłumaczenie oryginalnej wersji angielskiej na język polski zgodnie z obowiązującymi zasadami translacyjnymi oraz analizę aspektów trafności i rzetelności skali MusiQoL. Do badań włączono 150 losowo wybranych pacjentów z rozpoznaniem SR według kryteriów McDonalda (109 kobiet i 41 mężczyzn). Średnia wieku badanych wynosiła 41 ± 10 lat, średni czas trwania choroby – 11,7 ± 7,2 roku. Pacjenci wypełniali badany kwestionariusz MusiQoL, Kwestionariusz do Oceny Jakości Życia w Stwardnieniu Rozsianym (FAMS) oraz Skalę Wpływu Stwardnienia Rozsianego na Jakość Życia Chorych (MSIS-29). Zebrano dane społeczno-demograficzne pacjentów i dotyczące historii przebiegu choroby. U wszystkich oceniono ponadto stopień niesprawności na podstawie Rozszerzonej Skali Niewydolności Ruchowej (EDSS). Badania przeprowadzono w dniu 0, a następnie powtórzono po 28 ± 4 dniach. Wyniki Rzetelność i badane aspekty trafności polskiej wersji skali MusiQoL są zadowalające. Wykazano również powtarzalność wyników badanej skali oraz dużą spójność wewnętrzną poszczególnych podskal (współczynnik alfa Cronbacha od 0,67 do 0,90). Stwierdzono korelacje skali MusiQoL ze skalą FAMS (korelacje dodatnie), EDSS i MSIS-29 (korelacje ujemne). Wnioski Analiza psychometryczno-statystyczna wykazała, że polska wersja skali MusiQoL jest wartościowym narzędziem do badania wpływu choroby na jakość życia polskich chorych na SR

Increased ParB level affects expression of stress response, adaptation and virulence operons and potentiates repression of promoters adjacent to the high affinity binding sites parS3 and parS4 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Similarly to its homologs in other bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa partitioning protein ParB facilitates segregation of newly replicated chromosomes. Lack of ParB is not lethal but results in increased frequency of anucleate cells production, longer division time, cell elongation, altered colony morphology and defective swarming and swimming motility. Unlike in other bacteria, inactivation of parB leads to major changes of the transcriptome, suggesting that, directly or indirectly, ParB plays a role in regulation of gene expression in this organism. ParB overproduction affects growth rate, cell division and motility in a similar way as ParB deficiency. To identify primary ParB targets, here we analysed the impact of a slight increase in ParB level on P. aeruginosa transcriptome. ParB excess, which does not cause changes in growth rate and chromosome segregation, significantly alters the expression of 176 loci. Most notably, the mRNA level of genes adjacent to high affinity ParB binding sites parS1-4 close to oriC is reduced. Conversely, in cells lacking either parB or functional parS sequences the orfs adjacent to parS3 and parS4 are upregulated, indicating that direct ParB- parS3/ parS4 interactions repress the transcription in this region. In addition, increased ParB level brings about repression or activation of numerous genes including several transcriptional regulators involved in SOS response, virulence and adaptation. Overall, our data support the role of partitioning protein ParB as a transcriptional regulator in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Preliminary Report on the Study of Beam-Induced Background Effects at a Muon Collider

Physics at a multi-TeV muon collider needs a change of perspective for the detector design due to the large amount of background induced by muon beam decays. Preliminary studies, based on simulated data, on the composition and the characteristics of the particles originated from the muon decays and reaching the detectors are presented here. The reconstruction performance of the physics processes $H\to b\bar b$ and $Z\to b\bar b$ has been investigated for the time being without the effect of the machine induced background. A preliminary study of the environment hazard due to the radiation induced by neutrino interactions with the matter is presented using the FLUKA simulation program

Dziecko z zespołem Downa w szkole ogólnodostępnej?

The article presents a level of  socio-emotional competences of children with Down Syndrome and with moderate learning difficulties in the period of early stage education. The aim of this article is to answer the question: ‘ How the student with Down syndrome would manage the education in the mainstream settings’? The competences, which 5 years old children typically developed reach, were measured. The research were conducted within 30 children with Down syndrome age 8 to 13. The results of the research shows low level of competences both emotional and social. The research was based on Inventory of Socio-Emotional Competences (IKES) created by J. Kruk-Lasocka and A. Szymajda.Introduction to the article is a theoretical analyze of other researchers who studied development of children with Down syndrome in contexts of their ability to follow educational program in mainstream education.W artykule został omówiony poziom kompetencji emocjonalno-społecznych dziecka z zespołem Downa (ZD) i z umiarkowaną niepełnosprawnością intelektualną w okresie edukacji wczesnoszkolnej w celu udzielenia odpowiedzi na pytanie, jak uczeń z ZD poradzi sobie w szkole ogólnodostępnej. Mierzone były te kompetencje, które dziecko rozwijające się prawidłowo nabywa około 5 roku życia. Badania zostały przeprowadzone wśród 30 dzieci z ZD w wieku 8–13 lat. Wyniki pokazały niski poziom kompetencji zarówno emocjonalnych, jak i społecznych. Badania zostały przeprowadzone na podstawie IKES-u (Inwentarz) autorstwa Joanny Kruk-Lasockiej i Agnieszki Szymajdy. Wprowadzeniem do artykułu jest teoretyczna analiza poglądów badaczy na temat specyfiki rozwoju dziecka z ZD w kontekście jego możliwości edukacji w szkole ogólnodostępnej

Transcriptional profiling of ParA and ParB mutants in actively dividing cells of an opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Accurate chromosome segregation to progeny cells is a fundamental process ensuring proper inheritance of genetic material. In bacteria with simple cell cycle, chromosome segregation follows replication initiation since duplicated oriC domains start segregating to opposite halves of the cell soon after they are made. ParA and ParB proteins together with specific DNA sequences are parts of the segregation machinery. ParA and ParB proteins in Pseudomonas aeruginosa are important for optimal growth, nucleoid segregation, cell division and motility. Comparative transcriptome analysis of parA null and parB null mutants versus parental P. aeruginosa PAO1161 strain demonstrated global changes in gene expression pattern in logarithmically growing planktonic cultures. The set of genes similarly affected in both mutant strains is designated Par regulon and comprises 536 genes. The Par regulon includes genes controlled by two sigma factors (RpoN and PvdS) as well as known and putative transcriptional regulators. In the absence of Par proteins, a large number of genes from RpoS regulon is induced, reflecting the need for slowing down the cell growth rate and decelerating the metabolic processes. Changes in the expression profiles of genes involved in c-di-GMP turnover point out the role of this effector in such signal transmission. Microarray data for chosen genes were confirmed by RT-qPCR analysis. The promoter regions of selected genes were cloned upstream of the promoter-less lacZ gene and analyzed in the heterologous host E. coliΔlac. Regulation by ParA and ParB of P. aeruginosa was confirmed for some of the tested promoters. Our data demonstrate that ParA and ParB besides their role in accurate chromosome segregation may act as modulators of genes expression. Directly or indirectly, Par proteins are part of the wider regulatory network in P. aeruginosa linking the process of chromosome segregation with the cell growth, division and motility

Disappearance of white matter lesions on MRI and clinical recovery after initiating antiretroviral therapy in a case of HIV infection presenting as spastic paraparesis

We present a case of a 30-year-old Polish female who presented with increasing for about 2 years spastic paraparesis and urinary incontinence. She denied any risky sexual behaviors, drug abuse, there was no history of surgery or blood transfusions. MRI of the brain showed diffuse, hyperintensive in T2, poorly defined lesions in the white matter. About 3 months later paraparesis increased and control MRI showed progression of previously described lesions. She was then diagnosed with HIV infection. There was a suspicion of progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy (PML) or vacuolar myelopathy in the course of HIV infection. Antiretroviral treatment was initiated leading, together with rehabilitation, to a progressive improvement of symptoms. Pathological lesions on brain MRI completely disappeared. In conclusion, HIV test should be done in every patient with neurological signs of unknown cause

Convenient broad-host-range unstable vectors for studying stabilization cassettes in diverse bacteria

Background: Low-copy-number vectors of potential wide application in biotechnology need to encode stabilization modules ensuring their stable inheritance. The efficiency of stabilization may vary depending on the plasmid host so a thorough analysis of stabilization functions is required before use. Results: To facilitate such analysis highly unstable, mobilizable, broad-host-range (BHR) vectors based on RK2 replicon were constructed. The vectors are suitable for testing of various stabilization functions, including plasmid and chromosomal partitioning cassettes encoding ParB homologues capable of spreading on DNA. The xylE or lacZ reporter systems facilitate easy monitoring of plasmid segregation. Conclusion: The range of BHR vectors with different reporter cassettes and alternative mobilization systems expands their application in diverse bacterial species

Plasmids of Psychrotolerant Polaromonas spp. Isolated From Arctic and Antarctic Glaciers – Diversity and Role in Adaptation to Polar Environments

Cold-active bacteria of the genus Polaromonas (class Betaproteobacteria) are important components of glacial microbiomes. In this study, extrachromosomal replicons of 26 psychrotolerant Polaromonas strains, isolated from Arctic and Antarctic glaciers, were identified, sequenced, and characterized. The plasmidome of these strains consists of 13 replicons, ranging in size from 3,378 to 101,077 bp. In silico sequence analyses identified the conserved backbones of these plasmids, composed of genes required for plasmid replication, stable maintenance, and conjugal transfer. Host range analysis revealed that all of the identified plasmids are narrow-host-range replicons, only able to replicate in bacteria of closely related genera (Polaromonas and Variovorax) of the Comamonadaceae family. Special attention was paid to the identification of plasmid auxiliary genetic information, which may contribute to the adaptation of bacteria to environmental conditions occurring in glaciers. Detailed analysis revealed the presence of genes encoding proteins potentially involved in (i) protection against reactive oxygen species, ultraviolet radiation, and low temperatures; (ii) transport and metabolism of organic compounds; (iii) transport of metal ions; and (iv) resistance to heavy metals. Some of the plasmids also carry genes required for the molecular assembly of iron–sulfur [Fe-S] clusters. Functional analysis of the predicted heavy metal resistance determinants demonstrated that their activity varies, depending on the host strain. This study provides the first molecular insight into the mobile DNA of Polaromonas spp. inhabiting polar glaciers. It has generated valuable data on the structure and properties of a pool of plasmids and highlighted their role in the biology of psychrotolerant Polaromonas strains and their adaptation to the environmental conditions of Arctic and Antarctic glaciers

THE EFFECT OF HOUSING SYSTEM ON THE INCIDENCE OF INTESTINAL PARASITE INFESTATION IN PIGS

The aim of the study was to compare the intestinal parasite fauna occurring in pigs kept in different rearing conditions (group A – extremely extensive, B – extensive and C – intensive). In the period between March and July 2010, 345 samples of faeces from piglets (125), weaners (60), fatteners (94) and sows (66) were collected and tested, using standard coproscopic methods. Six parasitic species, belonging to phylum Nematoda (Strongyloides ransomi, Ascaris suum, Oesophagostomum dentatum, Trichuris suum) and to phylum Apicomplexa (Isospora suis and Eimeria debliecki) were diagnosed. Eggs of Toxascaris leonina, a parasitic roundworm mostly affecting the members of the Canidae and Felidae families, not encountered in pigs until now, were found in the faeces of fatteners. The highest level of parasite invasion was recorded in pigs from group A and B; they were multi-species invasions. Parasitic species found in faeces not only bring economic losses, but they may also be dangerous for human health and life, which indicates the necessity to implement parasitological screening protocols, especially in the extensive rearing conditions