Social support, self-efficacy and academic satisfaction of university students during the COVID-19 lockdown

This work aimed to analyze the relationships between the students perceived institutional support, teachers’ support, peers’ support, and their academic satisfaction, mediated by their self-efficacy in information and comunication technologies (ICT). Participants were 157 students who were studying from first to fourth year in different disciplines of the Valencia University. Structural equation models with latent factors were tested. A final model had satisfactory fit indices to the observed data. It is worth highlighting the strong direct effect of the teaching staff support on student’ academic satisfaction, with less weight, although significant, being the effect of institutional support. In conclusion, teacher’s figure is of paramount importance for student’s academic satisfaction.Este trabajo tuvo como objetivo analizar las relaciones entre el apoyo institucional percibido por los estudiantes, el apoyo de los profesores, el apoyo de los compañeros y su satisfacción académica, mediada por su autoeficacia en las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TIC). Participaron 157 estudiantes que cursaban de primero a cuarto año en diferentes disciplinas de la Universidad de Valencia. Se probaron modelos de ecuaciones estructurales con factores latentes. El modelo final aportó índices de ajuste satisfactorios a los datos observados. Cabe destacar el fuerte efecto directo del apoyo del profesorado sobre la satisfacción académica de los estudiantes, mientras que tuvo menor peso, aunque también significativo, el efecto del apoyo institucional. En conclusión, la figura del docente es de suma importancia para la satisfacción académica de los estudiantes

An intelligent self-configurable mechanism for distributed energy storage systems

Next generation of smart grid technologies demand intel- ligent capabilities for communication, interaction, monitoring, storage, and energy transmission. Multiagent systems are envisioned to provide autonomic and adaptability features to these systems in order to gain advantage in their current environments. In this paper we present a mechanism for providing distributed energy storage systems (DESSs) with intelligent capabilities. In more detail, we propose a self-con gurable mechanism which allows a DESS to adapt itself according to the future environmental requirements. This mechanism is aimed at reducing the costs at which energy is purchased from the market.This work has been partially supported by projects TIN2012-36586-C03-01 and TIN2011-27652-C03-01.Alberola Oltra, JM.; Julian Inglada, VJ.; García-Fornes, A. (2014). An intelligent self-configurable mechanism for distributed energy storage systems. 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(2013). Power TAC: A competitive economic simulation of the smart grid. Energy Economics, 39, 262-270. doi:10.1016/j.eneco.2013.04.015Lakshman, A., & Malik, P. (2010). Cassandra. ACM SIGOPS Operating Systems Review, 44(2), 35. doi:10.1145/1773912.1773922Logenthiran, T., Srinivasan, D., Khambadkone, A. M., & Aung, H. N. (2012). Multiagent System for Real-Time Operation of a Microgrid in Real-Time Digital Simulator. IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, 3(2), 925-933. doi:10.1109/tsg.2012.2189028Maly, D. K., & Kwan, K. S. (1995). Optimal battery energy storage system (BESS) charge scheduling with dynamic programming. IEE Proceedings - Science, Measurement and Technology, 142(6), 453-458. doi:10.1049/ip-smt:19951929Mihailescu , R. C. , M. Vasirani , and S. Ossowski . “Dynamic Coalition Formation and Adaptation for Virtual Power Stations in Smart Grids.” Paper presented at 2nd International Workshop on Agent Technologies for Energy Systems, May 2, 2011, Taipei, Taiwan .Mohd , A. , E. Ortjohann , A. Schmelter , N. Hamsic , and D. Morton . “Challenges in Integrating Distributed Energy Storage Systems into Future Smart Grid.” Paper presented at IEEE International Symposium on Industrial Electronics, June 30–July 2, 2008, Cambridge, UK .Mohsenian-Rad, A.-H., & Leon-Garcia, A. (2010). Optimal Residential Load Control With Price Prediction in Real-Time Electricity Pricing Environments. IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, 1(2), 120-133. doi:10.1109/tsg.2010.2055903Momoh , J. A. “Smart Grid Design for Efficient and Flexible Power Networks Operation and Control.” Paper presented at IEEE PES Power Systems Conference and Exposition, March 15–18, 2009, Seattle, USA .Nguyen, C. P., & Flueck, A. J. (2012). Agent Based Restoration With Distributed Energy Storage Support in Smart Grids. IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, 3(2), 1029-1038. doi:10.1109/tsg.2012.2186833Nourai , A. “Installation of the First Distributed Energy Storage System (DESS) At American Electric Power.” Sandia National Laboratories, 2007. Technical Report.Oyarzabal , J. , J. Jimeno , J. Ruela , A. Engler , and C. Hardt . “Agent Based Micro Grid Management System.” Paper presented at International Conference on Future Power Systems, November 16–18, 2005, Amsterdam, Netherlands .Pinson, P., Chevallier, C., & Kariniotakis, G. N. (2007). Trading Wind Generation From Short-Term Probabilistic Forecasts of Wind Power. IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, 22(3), 1148-1156. doi:10.1109/tpwrs.2007.901117Pipattanasomporn , M. , H. Feroze , and S. Rahman . “Multi-agent Systems in a Distributed Smart Grid: Design and Implementation.” Paper presented at IEEE/PES Power Systems Conference and Exposition, March 15–18, 2009, Seattle, USA .Reddy , P. P. and M. M. Veloso . “Factored Models for Multiscale Decision Making in Smart Grid Customers.” Paper presented at the Twenty-sixth AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence, July 22–26, 2012, Toronto, Canada .Ribeiro, P. F., Johnson, B. K., Crow, M. L., Arsoy, A., & Liu, Y. (2001). Energy storage systems for advanced power applications. Proceedings of the IEEE, 89(12), 1744-1756. doi:10.1109/5.975900Schutte , S. and M. Sonnenschein . “Mosaik-Scalable Smart Grid Scenario Specification.” Paper presented at Proceedings of the 2012 Winter Simulation Conference (WSC), December 9–12, 2012, Berlin, Germany .Sioshansi, R., Denholm, P., Jenkin, T., & Weiss, J. (2009). Estimating the value of electricity storage in PJM: Arbitrage and some welfare effects. Energy Economics, 31(2), 269-277. doi:10.1016/j.eneco.2008.10.005Szkuta, B. R., Sanabria, L. A., & Dillon, T. S. (1999). Electricity price short-term forecasting using artificial neural networks. IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, 14(3), 851-857. doi:10.1109/59.780895Van Dam, K. H., Houwing, M., Lukszo, Z., & Bouwmans, I. (2008). Agent-based control of distributed electricity generation with micro combined heat and power—Cross-sectoral learning for process and infrastructure engineers. Computers & Chemical Engineering, 32(1-2), 205-217. doi:10.1016/j.compchemeng.2007.07.012Vosen, S. (1999). Hybrid energy storage systems for stand-alone electric power systems: optimization of system performance and cost through control strategies. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 24(12), 1139-1156. doi:10.1016/s0360-3199(98)00175-xVytelingum , P. , T. D. Voice , S. Ramchurn , A. Rogers , and N. R. Jennings . “Agent-Based Micro-Storage Management for the Smart Grid.” Paper presented at Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems, May 10–14, 2010a, Toronto, Canada .Vytelingum , P. , T. D. Voice , S. Ramchurn , A. Rogers , and N. R. Jennings . “Intelligent Agents for the Smart Grid.” Paper presented at the 9th International Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems, May 10–14, 2010b, Toronto, Canada

The Ras/MAPK Pathway Is Required for Generation of iNKT Cells

iNKT cells derive from CD4+CD8+ DP thymocytes, and are selected by thymocyte-thymocyte interactions through signals from their invariant Vα14-Jα18 TCR and from the costimulatory molecules SLAMF1 and SLAMF6. Genetic studies have demonstrated the contribution of different signaling pathways to this process. Surprisingly, current models imply that the Ras/MAPK pathway, one of the critical mediators of conventional αβ T cell positive selection, is not necessary for iNKT cell development. Using mice defective at different levels of this pathway our results refute this paradigm, and demonstrate that Ras, and its downstream effectors Egr-1 and Egr-2 are required for positive selection of iNKT cells. Interestingly our results also show that there are differences in the contributions of several of these molecules to the development of iNKT and conventional αβ T cells

Apoyo docente, compromiso académico y satisfacción del alumnado universitario

El objetivo es analizar la influencia del compromiso académico sobre la satisfacción de los estudiantes universitarios con su facultad, a partir del apoyo a la autonomía por el profesorado. Se administran escalas de Apoyo a la Autonomía, Compromiso Académico y Satisfacción con la Facultad, a 870 estudiantes universitarios dominicanos (50.6% hombres, 49.4% mujeres). Se aplican Análisis Factoriales Confirmatorios y Modelos de Ecuaciones Estructurales. Los resultados reflejan la influencia del apoyo a la autonomía por los profesores sobre la satisfacción con la facultad a través del compromiso académico, así como el efecto directo de la percepción de apoyo a la autonomía por los profesores sobre la satisfacción de los estudiantes universitarios con su centro educativo.The aim of this paper is to analyze the infl uence of academic engagement on university students’ satisfaction with their faculty from teachers’ autonomy support. Scales of Autonomy Support, Academic Engagement and Satisfaction with the Faculty are administered to 870 Dominican university students (50.6% male and 49.4% female). Confi rmatory Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modelling are carried out. The results refl ect the infl uence of teachers’ autonomy support on the satisfaction with the faculty mediated by academic engagement, as well as the direct effect of perception of teachers’ autonomy support on university students’ satisfaction with their educational center

Apoyo docente, compromiso académico y satisfacción del alumnado universitario

El objetivo es analizar la influencia del compromiso académico sobre la satisfacción de los estudiantes universitarios con su facultad, a partir del apoyo a la autonomía por el profesorado. Se administran escalas de Apoyo a la Autonomía, Compromiso Académico y Satisfacción con la Facultad, a 870 estudiantes universitarios dominicanos (50.6% hombres, 49.4% mujeres). Se aplican Análisis Factoriales Confirmatorios y Modelos de Ecuaciones Estructurales. Los resultados reflejan la influencia del apoyo a la autonomía por los profesores sobre la satisfacción con la facultad a través del compromiso académico, así como el efecto directo de la percepción de apoyo a la autonomía por los profesores sobre la satisfacción de los estudiantes universitarios con su centro educativo.The aim of this paper is to analyze the infl uence of academic engagement on university students’ satisfaction with their faculty from teachers’ autonomy support. Scales of Autonomy Support, Academic Engagement and Satisfaction with the Faculty are administered to 870 Dominican university students (50.6% male and 49.4% female). Confi rmatory Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modelling are carried out. The results refl ect the infl uence of teachers’ autonomy support on the satisfaction with the faculty mediated by academic engagement, as well as the direct effect of perception of teachers’ autonomy support on university students’ satisfaction with their educational center

Transcription of toll-like receptors 2, 3, 4 and 9, FoxP3 and Th17 cytokines in a susceptible experimental model of canine Leishmania infantum infection

Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) due to Leishmania infantum is a chronic zoonotic systemic disease resulting from complex interactions between protozoa and the canine immune system. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are essential components of the innate immune system and facilitate the early detection of many infections. However, the role of TLRs in CanL remains unknown and information describing TLR transcription during infection is extremely scarce. The aim of this research project was to investigate the impact of L. infantum infection on canine TLR transcription using a susceptible model. The objectives of this study were to evaluate transcription of TLRs 2, 3, 4 and 9 by means of quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in skin, spleen, lymph node and liver in the presence or absence of experimental L. infantum infection in Beagle dogs. These findings were compared with clinical and serological data, parasite densities in infected tissues and transcription of IL-17, IL-22 and FoxP3 in different tissues in non-infected dogs (n = 10), and at six months (n = 24) and 15 months (n = 7) post infection. Results revealed significant down regulation of transcription with disease progression in lymph node samples for TLR3, TLR4, TLR9, IL-17, IL-22 and FoxP3. In spleen samples, significant down regulation of transcription was seen in TLR4 and IL-22 when both infected groups were compared with controls. In liver samples, down regulation of transcription was evident with disease progression for IL-22. In the skin, upregulation was seen only for TLR9 and FoxP3 in the early stages of infection. Subtle changes or down regulation in TLR transcription, Th17 cytokines and FoxP3 are indicative of the silent establishment of infection that Leishmania is renowned for. These observations provide new insights about TLR transcription, Th17 cytokines and Foxp3 in the liver, spleen, lymph node and skin in CanL and highlight possible markers of disease susceptibility in this model

Invasion biology in non-free-living species: interactions between abiotic (climatic) and biotic (host availability) factors in geographical space in crayfish commensals (Ostracoda, Entocytheridae)

In invasion processes, both abiotic and biotic factors are considered essential, but the latter are usually disregarded when modeling the potential spread of exotic species. In the framework of set theory, interactions between biotic (B), abiotic (A), and movement-related (M) factors in the geographical space can be hypothesized with BAM diagrams and tested using ecological niche models (ENMs) to estimate A and B areas. The main aim of our survey was to evaluate the interactions between abiotic (climatic) and biotic (host availability) factors in geographical space for exotic symbionts (i.e., non-free-living species), using ENM techniques combined with a BAM framework and using exotic Entocytheridae (Ostracoda) found in Europe as model organisms. We carried out an extensive survey to evaluate the distribution of entocytherids hosted by crayfish in Europe by checking 94 European localities and 12 crayfish species. Both exotic entocytherid species found, Ankylocythere sinuosa and Uncinocythere occidentalis, were widely distributed in W Europe living on the exotic crayfish species Procambarus clarkii and Pacifastacus leniusculus, respectively. No entocytherids were observed in the remaining crayfish species. The suitable area for A. sinuosa was mainly restricted by its own limitations to minimum temperatures in W and N Europe and precipitation seasonality in circum-Mediterranean areas. Uncinocythere occidentalis was mostly restricted by host availability in circum-Mediterranean regions due to limitations of P. leniusculus to higher precipitation seasonality and maximum temperatures. The combination of ENMs with set theory allows studying the invasive biology of symbionts and provides clues about biogeographic barriers due to abiotic or biotic factors limiting the expansion of the symbiont in different regions of the invasive range. The relative importance of abiotic and biotic factors on geographical space can then be assessed and applied in conservation plans. This approach can also be implemented in other systems where the target species is closely interacting with other taxa