INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ INTERACTION PROCESSES IN RELATION TO THEIR LEARNING EXPERIENCES AT ONE UNIVERSITY IN NORTHERN CHINA

This was a qualitative case study, which sought to describe international students’ interaction processes in relation to their learning experiences at one university in China. The semi structured interview was used to collect data from international Master students followed by observation on one of the learning activities. The social constructivism theory guided data collection and analysis. It was found that there were differences with regard to how students interacted with instructors and fellow students in terms of means of communication, frequency of interactions as well as feedback. In addition, participants attached intellectual development roles to their interaction with instructors, and social wellbeing roles to peer interaction. On the other hand, cultural background and language barrier influenced their interaction processes at the university.  Article visualizations

Long-Term Prognosis of Diabetic Patients With Critical Limb Ischemia: A population-based cohort study

OBJECTIVE\u2014 To evaluate the long-term prognosis of critical limb ischemia (CLI) in diabetic patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS\u2014 A total of 564 consecutive diabetic patients were hospitalized for CLI from January 1999 to December 2003; 554 were followed until December 2007. RESULTS\u2014 The mean follow-up was 5.93 1.28 years. Peripheral angioplasty (PTA) was performed in 420 (74.5%) and bypass graft (BPG) in 117 (20.6%) patients. Neither PTA nor BPG were possible in 27 (4.9%) patients. Major amputations were performed in 74 (13.4%) patients: 34 (8.2%) in PTA, 24 (21.1%) in BPG, and 16 (59.2%) in a group that received no revascularization. Restenosis occurred in 94 patients, bypass failures in 36 patients, and recurrent ulcers in 71 patients. CLI was observed in the contralateral limb of 225 (39.9%) patients; of these, 15 (6.7%) required major amputations (rate in contralateral compared with initial limb, P 0.007). At total of 276 (49.82%) patients died. The Cox model showed significant hazard ratios (HRs) for mortality with age (1.05 for 1 year [95% CI 1.03\u20131.07]), unfeasible revascularization (3.06 [1.40\u20136.70]), dialysis (3.00 [1.63\u20135.53]), cardiac disease history (1.37 [1.05\u20131.79]), and impaired ejection fraction (1.08 for 1% point [1.05\u20131.09]). CONCLUSIONS\u2014 Diabetic patients with CLI have high risks of amputation and death. In a dedicated diabetic foot center, the major amputation, ulcer recurrence, and major contralateral limb amputation rates were low. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death, and in patients with CAD history the impaired ejection fraction is the major independent prognostic factor

Association Between Anxiety, Depression, and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Outcomes After Ischemic Stroke

Background: Stroke patients are known to be at risk of developing anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Objective: To determine the overlap between anxiety, depression, and PTSD in patients after stroke and to determine the association between these disorders and quality of life, functional status, healthcare utilization, and return to work.Methods: A cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted to assess for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and health-related outcomes 6–12 months after first ischemic stroke in patients without prior psychiatric disease at a single stroke center.Results: Of 352 eligible subjects, 55 (16%) completed surveys. Seven subjects (13%) met criteria for probable anxiety, 6 (11%) for PTSD, and 11 for depression (20%). Of the 13 subjects (24%) who met criteria for any of these disorders, 6 (46%) met criteria for more than one, and 5 (39%) met criteria for all three. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics, including stroke severity or neurologic symptoms, between those with or without any of these disorders. Those who had any of these disorders were less likely to be independent in their activities of daily living (ADLs) (54 vs. 95%, p < 0.001) and reported significantly worse quality of life (score of 0–100, median score of 50 vs. 80, p < 0.001) compared to those with none of these disorders.Conclusions: Anxiety, depression, and PTSD are common after stroke, have a high degree of co-occurrence, and are associated with worse outcomes, including quality of life and functional status

Themes that Determine Quality of Life in Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease: A Systematic Review

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify domains that determine quality of life in patients with peripheral arterial disease and find the patient-reported outcome measures that can examine the identified themes. Methods: A systematic review of all the main six databases was undertaken to identify primary qualitative studies reporting on the health and/or quality of life of patients with peripheral arterial disease. The quality of studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program criteria. Findings from the included studies were analysed using framework analysis methodology. The identified themes were mapped against the items/domains of validated patient-reported outcome measures used in patients with peripheral arterial disease. Results: The systematic review identified eight papers that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The included papers reported the views of 186 patients with peripheral arterial disease including patients with intermittent claudication, critical ischaemia and amputation secondary to peripheral arterial disease. The overall quality of the included studies was good based on Critical Appraisal Skills Program criteria. Framework analysis identified 35 themes that were divided into six main groups: symptoms, impact on physical functioning, impact on social functioning, psychological impact, financial impact and process of care. The best-fit generic and disease-specific patient-reported outcome measures were the Nottingham Health Profile and the Vascular Quality of Life Questionnaire, respectively. None of the patient-reported outcome measures covered all the themes important to patients with peripheral arterial disease. Discussion: The findings from the review identified the important domains that affect patients living with peripheral arterial disease. None of the current generic and disease-specific patient-reported outcome measures provide a comprehensive measure for all themes that impact the daily living of patients with peripheral arterial disease

Pola Rekrutmen, Seleksi, Pendidikan dan Pelatihan Pengaruhnya terhadap Pengembangan Karier Aparatur Sipil Negara Kejaksaan Tinggi Sumtera Selatan

The research objective was to find out the results of the analysis of how the influence of recruitment, selection and education & training patterns both partially and simutaneously towards career development. The survey method applied research model, uses 165 samples from a population of 295 South Sumatra High Prosecutors' staff, using proportional random sampling Technical data analysis using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. In this study, the type of data used is primary data and secondary data. Data collection techniques using questionnaires, interviews, observation and documentation. Testing the hypothesis through t test and F test using SPSS analysis tools The results of data processing using SPSS 23, using the t test that t count is 7.378> with t table 1.9764 and 0.00 <0.05 significance that there is a positive and significant pattern of recruitment on career development; that t count is 13,730> with t table 1.9764 and 0.00 <0.05 significance that there is a positive and significant selection effect on career development; that t count is 19.303> with t table 1.9764 and 0.00 <0.05 significance that there is a positive and significant effect of education & training on career development; and use the F test that F count is 142.310> with F table 2.6687 significance 0.00 <0.05 that there is a positive influence and a significant pattern of recruitment, selection and education & training together towards career development, with the magnitude of the coefficient of determination The remaining 74.6% is influenced by other variables. The conclusion of the study is that the pattern of recruitment, selection and education & training has a positive and significant effect on career development both partially and simultaneously. The strategy for career development of the State Civil Service of South Sumatra's High Apparatus is very much determined by the opportunity given by the institution to the apparatus to attend education & training. Keywords ; pattern of recruitment, selection, education & training, career developmen

Design of a capacitive power transfer system for charging of electric vehicles

Electric Vehicles (EV) nowadays are an attractive means of transportation, as they do not emit harmful gasses. Charging of EVs can be achieved through either direct contact or contactless approaches. Contactless charging approach, as Inductive Power Transfer (IPT) system, provides several merits. Yet, the IPT system has several problems; the most severe one is that it causes health issues, since it is based on electromagnetic induction. The alternative method of transferring power wirelessly is the Capacitive Power Transfer (CPT). The basic concept of a CPT system is based on the power transferal via electric fields between the plates. In this paper, a 5kW CPT system is designed with SiC MOSFET-based inverter. A compensating network, connected to the coupling capacitor, is used. The system is then connected to a rectifier to feed a battery. CPT different aspects are studied in this paper. The system is simulated using MATLAB/Simulink and tested experimentally to examine the performance. ? 2018 IEEE.IEEE Malaysia Industrial Electronics and Industrial Applications Joint Chapte