Effect of Early Exposure to Technology on Student Satisfaction with Online Education

U.S. student enrollment in online classes in the higher education sector has grown rapidly since 2001. Researchers have found that student satisfaction often leads to higher student retention, yet more research was needed to understand reasons for student satisfaction with online education. The purpose of this nonexperimental study was to examine the relationship between students\u27 early exposure to technology (i.e., before college) and their satisfaction with online education in college. The unified theory of acceptance and use of technology were the theoretical framework. A convenience sample of 103 participants from the population of online students at colleges and universities in the United States took a survey on their past exposure to information and communication technology (ICT); their expectations for, and willingness to continue using ICT; and their satisfaction with online education. Several statistical tests, such as ANOVA, Spearman Rho correlation, and t-tests were conducted to analyze collected responses. Results indicated there was an indirect relationship between the early exposure to technology and student satisfaction based on the statistically significant correlation found between the early exposure to technology and effort expectancy, then between effort expectancy and use behavior and finally between use behavior and student satisfaction. By implementing study findings, educators and managers may be better able to bring positive social changes necessary to prepare all students and workers for the technology-driven education and the workplace regardless of their socioeconomic status

Aroma characterization of ripe date fruits (Phoemix dactylifera L.) from Algeria

The headspace of eight Algerian date varieties with low market value were analyzed for their aroma compounds using solid phase micro extraction and gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry. In this study, 61 identified compounds were categorized in various chemical classes on the basis of their functional groups, alcohols, esters, aldehydes, terpenoids, ketones, hydrocarbons, and ethers. Twenty specific volatiles were found to be representative of a single variety and four shared molecules were exclusively observed in all the studied dates. Some dates such as Bent Qbala, Litima, and Timjouhart were statistically different from the other varieties which presented on the contrary a significant similarity between them. In the present study, forty eight new volatile compounds were identified which could be useful for the characterization of the Algerian date

Corrosion Behaviour of a Highly Alloyed Austenitic Alloy UB6 in Contaminated Phosphoric Acid

The influence of temperature (20-80°C) on the electrochemical behaviour of passive films anodically formed on UB6 stainless steel in phosphoric acid solution (5.5 M H3PO4) has been examined by using potentiodynamic curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and Mott-Schottky analysis. UB6 stainless steel in contaminated phosphoric acid is characterised by high interfacial impedance, thereby, illustrating its high corrosion resistance. The obtained results show that the films behave as n-type and p-type semiconductors in the potential range above and below the flat band potential, respectively. This behaviour is assumed to be the consequence of the semiconducting properties of the iron oxide and chromium oxide regions which compose the passive film

Exposition continue aux xéno-hormones à faibles doses chez le rat (effets multi-générationnels de mélanges sur les préférences gustatives, le comportement maternel et le développement)

Durant la dernière décennie, la problématique de santé liée aux perturbateurs endocriniens (PE) s est étendue à la toxicité des mélanges. L objectif de ce travail était de définir les conséquences d une exposition continue à des cocktails des PE, à des doses faibles et définies comme non nocives par les autorités réglementaires. Des mélanges associant la génistéine, la vinclozoline, et le Bisphénol A, ont fait l objet d étude intégrative et multi-générationnelle chez le rat qui prend en compte le comportement maternel, le comportement alimentaire et le développement. Nos résultats montrent que ces mélanges peuvent: a) diminuer le comportement maternel, b) modifier les préférences gustatives (sucré, salé), c) affecter le développement dès la période utérine (malformations) jusqu à l âge adulte (surpoids), d) perturber le bilan métabolique (femelles) et l expression par la glande salivaire de gènes codant des protéines impliquées dans la gustation, d engendrer des effets épigénétiques sur sur la génération F2 non exposée. L étude in vitro confirme que la Génistéine et/ou la Vinclozoline, introduites durant l induction de la différenciation adipocytaire affectent le développement des 3T3-L1et leur activité endocrine (leptine; triglycérides), et révèle que la Vinclozoline potentialise l effet anti-adipogénique de la Génistéine.En conclusion, ce travail montre qu une exposition à des mélanges de PE peut altérer le comportement et le développement, et prédisposer l organisme à développer des maladies métaboliques telles que le diabète et l obésité, mais que les propriétés hormonales de chaque composant ne sont pas prédictives des effets cocktailsDuring the last decade, the issue of health-related endocrine disruptors (ED) has been extended to the toxicity of mixtures. The objective of this study was to define the effects of lifelong exposure to ED mixtures, at low doses defined as "non-harmful" by the authorities. In this aim, the effects of mixtures combining genistein, vinclozolin and bisphenol A, have been investigated in the rat by using an integrative and multi-generational experimental approach which takes into account maternal behavior, feeding behavior and development. Our results show that these mixtures could: a) reduce maternal behavior, b) change taste preferences (sweet, salty), c) affect the development from the in utero period (birth defects) up to adulthood (body overweight) d) disrupt the metabolic balance (females) and the salivary gland expression of genes encoding proteins involved in gustation, and e) generate epigenetic effects on the unexposed F2 generation.An in vitro study confirms that Genistein and / or Vinclozolin, introduced at the step of the induction of adipocyte differentiation affect the development and endocrine activity (leptin, triglycerides) of 3T3-L1 cells and reveals that Vinclozolin potentiates the anti-adipogenic effect of Genistein. To conclude, this study shows that exposure to PE mixtures could affect behavior and development, and could predispose the body to develop metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity, but the own hormonal properties of component could not be used to predict the cocktails toxicityDIJON-BU Doc.électronique (212319901) / SudocSudocFranceF

Variability of aggressiveness and virulence of Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovorum causing the soft rot on potato tubers in the western of Algeria

Soft rot symptoms were observed on potato plants in several potato cultivars in the western part of Algeria. A total of four strains of Erwinia are devided as follow: i) three strains of bacteria isolated from diseased tissues and soil, identified as Erwinia carotovora subsp carotovorum using conventional bacteriological and biochemical methods; and ii) one strain as Erwinia sp, not pathogens. In vitro tests, on tuber slices were set up to determine slices weight lost, which allows to find differences in cultivar susceptibility and isolate aggressiveness. Among the five cultivars, Laura was the most susceptible than the others tested cultivars. Moreover, it was found that MAI isolate was the most virulent than the other bacterial isolates. The results of this study should allow an optimization of the potato storage, after considering the susceptibility of a given cultivar to soft rot development and the aggressiveness

Global age-sex-specific mortality, life expectancy, and population estimates in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1950–2021, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background Estimates of demographic metrics are crucial to assess levels and trends of population health outcomes. The profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on populations worldwide has underscored the need for timely estimates to understand this unprecedented event within the context of long-term population health trends. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 provides new demographic estimates for 204 countries and territories and 811 additional subnational locations from 1950 to 2021, with a particular emphasis on changes in mortality and life expectancy that occurred during the 2020–21 COVID-19 pandemic period. Methods 22 223 data sources from vital registration, sample registration, surveys, censuses, and other sources were used to estimate mortality, with a subset of these sources used exclusively to estimate excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2026 data sources were used for population estimation. Additional sources were used to estimate migration; the effects of the HIV epidemic; and demographic discontinuities due to conflicts, famines, natural disasters, and pandemics, which are used as inputs for estimating mortality and population. Spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) was used to generate under-5 mortality rates, which synthesised 30 763 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 1365 surveys and censuses, and 80 other sources. ST-GPR was also used to estimate adult mortality (between ages 15 and 59 years) based on information from 31 642 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 355 surveys and censuses, and 24 other sources. Estimates of child and adult mortality rates were then used to generate life tables with a relational model life table system. For countries with large HIV epidemics, life tables were adjusted using independent estimates of HIV-specific mortality generated via an epidemiological analysis of HIV prevalence surveys, antenatal clinic serosurveillance, and other data sources. Excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 was determined by subtracting observed all-cause mortality (adjusted for late registration and mortality anomalies) from the mortality expected in the absence of the pandemic. Expected mortality was calculated based on historical trends using an ensemble of models. In location-years where all-cause mortality data were unavailable, we estimated excess mortality rates using a regression model with covariates pertaining to the pandemic. Population size was computed using a Bayesian hierarchical cohort component model. Life expectancy was calculated using age-specific mortality rates and standard demographic methods. Uncertainty intervals (UIs) were calculated for every metric using the 25th and 975th ordered values from a 1000-draw posterior distribution. Findings Global all-cause mortality followed two distinct patterns over the study period: age-standardised mortality rates declined between 1950 and 2019 (a 62·8% [95% UI 60·5–65·1] decline), and increased during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020–21; 5·1% [0·9–9·6] increase). In contrast with the overall reverse in mortality trends during the pandemic period, child mortality continued to decline, with 4·66 million (3·98–5·50) global deaths in children younger than 5 years in 2021 compared with 5·21 million (4·50–6·01) in 2019. An estimated 131 million (126–137) people died globally from all causes in 2020 and 2021 combined, of which 15·9 million (14·7–17·2) were due to the COVID-19 pandemic (measured by excess mortality, which includes deaths directly due to SARS-CoV-2 infection and those indirectly due to other social, economic, or behavioural changes associated with the pandemic). Excess mortality rates exceeded 150 deaths per 100 000 population during at least one year of the pandemic in 80 countries and territories, whereas 20 nations had a negative excess mortality rate in 2020 or 2021, indicating that all-cause mortality in these countries was lower during the pandemic than expected based on historical trends. Between 1950 and 2021, global life expectancy at birth increased by 22·7 years (20·8–24·8), from 49·0 years (46·7–51·3) to 71·7 years (70·9–72·5). Global life expectancy at birth declined by 1·6 years (1·0–2·2) between 2019 and 2021, reversing historical trends. An increase in life expectancy was only observed in 32 (15·7%) of 204 countries and territories between 2019 and 2021. The global population reached 7·89 billion (7·67–8·13) people in 2021, by which time 56 of 204 countries and territories had peaked and subsequently populations have declined. The largest proportion of population growth between 2020 and 2021 was in sub-Saharan Africa (39·5% [28·4–52·7]) and south Asia (26·3% [9·0–44·7]). From 2000 to 2021, the ratio of the population aged 65 years and older to the population aged younger than 15 years increased in 188 (92·2%) of 204 nations. Interpretation Global adult mortality rates markedly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, reversing past decreasing trends, while child mortality rates continued to decline, albeit more slowly than in earlier years. Although COVID-19 had a substantial impact on many demographic indicators during the first 2 years of the pandemic, overall global health progress over the 72 years evaluated has been profound, with considerable improvements in mortality and life expectancy. Additionally, we observed a deceleration of global population growth since 2017, despite steady or increasing growth in lower-income countries, combined with a continued global shift of population age structures towards older ages. These demographic changes will likely present future challenges to health systems, economies, and societies. The comprehensive demographic estimates reported here will enable researchers, policy makers, health practitioners, and other key stakeholders to better understand and address the profound changes that have occurred in the global health landscape following the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and longer-term trends beyond the pandemic

Lifelong exposure to low dose xeno-hormones in rats : multi-generational effects of xeno-hormone mixtures on taste preferences, maternal behavior, and development

Durant la dernière décennie, la problématique de santé liée aux perturbateurs endocriniens (PE) s’est étendue à la toxicité des mélanges. L’objectif de ce travail était de définir les conséquences d’une exposition continue à des cocktails des PE, à des doses faibles et définies comme «non nocives » par les autorités réglementaires. Des mélanges associant la génistéine, la vinclozoline, et le Bisphénol A, ont fait l’objet d’étude intégrative et multi-générationnelle chez le rat qui prend en compte le comportement maternel, le comportement alimentaire et le développement. Nos résultats montrent que ces mélanges peuvent: a) diminuer le comportement maternel, b) modifier les préférences gustatives (sucré, salé), c) affecter le développement dès la période utérine (malformations) jusqu’à l’âge adulte (surpoids), d) perturber le bilan métabolique (femelles) et l’expression par la glande salivaire de gènes codant des protéines impliquées dans la gustation, d’engendrer des effets épigénétiques sur sur la génération F2 non exposée. L’étude in vitro confirme que la Génistéine et/ou la Vinclozoline, introduites durant l’induction de la différenciation adipocytaire affectent le développement des 3T3-L1et leur activité endocrine (leptine; triglycérides), et révèle que la Vinclozoline potentialise l’effet anti-adipogénique de la Génistéine.En conclusion, ce travail montre qu’une exposition à des mélanges de PE peut altérer le comportement et le développement, et prédisposer l’organisme à développer des maladies métaboliques telles que le diabète et l’obésité, mais que les propriétés hormonales de chaque composant ne sont pas prédictives des effets cocktailsDuring the last decade, the issue of health-related endocrine disruptors (ED) has been extended to the toxicity of mixtures. The objective of this study was to define the effects of lifelong exposure to ED mixtures, at low doses defined as "non-harmful" by the authorities. In this aim, the effects of mixtures combining genistein, vinclozolin and bisphenol A, have been investigated in the rat by using an integrative and multi-generational experimental approach which takes into account maternal behavior, feeding behavior and development. Our results show that these mixtures could: a) reduce maternal behavior, b) change taste preferences (sweet, salty), c) affect the development from the in utero period (birth defects) up to adulthood (body overweight) d) disrupt the metabolic balance (females) and the salivary gland expression of genes encoding proteins involved in gustation, and e) generate epigenetic effects on the unexposed F2 generation.An in vitro study confirms that Genistein and / or Vinclozolin, introduced at the step of the induction of adipocyte differentiation affect the development and endocrine activity (leptin, triglycerides) of 3T3-L1 cells and reveals that Vinclozolin potentiates the anti-adipogenic effect of Genistein. To conclude, this study shows that exposure to PE mixtures could affect behavior and development, and could predispose the body to develop metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity, but the own hormonal properties of component could not be used to predict the cocktails toxicit

Exposition continue aux xéno-hormones à faibles doses chez le rat : effets multi-générationnels de mélanges sur les préférences gustatives, le comportement maternel et le développement

During the last decade, the issue of health-related endocrine disruptors (ED) has been extended to the toxicity of mixtures. The objective of this study was to define the effects of lifelong exposure to ED mixtures, at low doses defined as "non-harmful" by the authorities. In this aim, the effects of mixtures combining genistein, vinclozolin and bisphenol A, have been investigated in the rat by using an integrative and multi-generational experimental approach which takes into account maternal behavior, feeding behavior and development. Our results show that these mixtures could: a) reduce maternal behavior, b) change taste preferences (sweet, salty), c) affect the development from the in utero period (birth defects) up to adulthood (body overweight) d) disrupt the metabolic balance (females) and the salivary gland expression of genes encoding proteins involved in gustation, and e) generate epigenetic effects on the unexposed F2 generation.An in vitro study confirms that Genistein and / or Vinclozolin, introduced at the step of the induction of adipocyte differentiation affect the development and endocrine activity (leptin, triglycerides) of 3T3-L1 cells and reveals that Vinclozolin potentiates the anti-adipogenic effect of Genistein. To conclude, this study shows that exposure to PE mixtures could affect behavior and development, and could predispose the body to develop metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity, but the own hormonal properties of component could not be used to predict the cocktails toxicityDurant la dernière décennie, la problématique de santé liée aux perturbateurs endocriniens (PE) s’est étendue à la toxicité des mélanges. L’objectif de ce travail était de définir les conséquences d’une exposition continue à des cocktails des PE, à des doses faibles et définies comme «non nocives » par les autorités réglementaires. Des mélanges associant la génistéine, la vinclozoline, et le Bisphénol A, ont fait l’objet d’étude intégrative et multi-générationnelle chez le rat qui prend en compte le comportement maternel, le comportement alimentaire et le développement. Nos résultats montrent que ces mélanges peuvent: a) diminuer le comportement maternel, b) modifier les préférences gustatives (sucré, salé), c) affecter le développement dès la période utérine (malformations) jusqu’à l’âge adulte (surpoids), d) perturber le bilan métabolique (femelles) et l’expression par la glande salivaire de gènes codant des protéines impliquées dans la gustation, d’engendrer des effets épigénétiques sur sur la génération F2 non exposée. L’étude in vitro confirme que la Génistéine et/ou la Vinclozoline, introduites durant l’induction de la différenciation adipocytaire affectent le développement des 3T3-L1et leur activité endocrine (leptine; triglycérides), et révèle que la Vinclozoline potentialise l’effet anti-adipogénique de la Génistéine.En conclusion, ce travail montre qu’une exposition à des mélanges de PE peut altérer le comportement et le développement, et prédisposer l’organisme à développer des maladies métaboliques telles que le diabète et l’obésité, mais que les propriétés hormonales de chaque composant ne sont pas prédictives des effets cocktail

Application de la spectroscopie de deviation photothermique a l'etude des interfaces

SIGLECNRS T Bordereau / INIST-CNRS - Institut de l'Information Scientifique et TechniqueFRFranc