The Relationship Between Personality and Teaching Effectiveness of English Teachers from the Perceptions of Students at Dianchi College of Yunnan University in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China

This study was conducted to identify whether there was a significant relationship between personality and teaching effectiveness of English teachers from the perceptions of students at Dianchi College of Yunnan University in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China. The Big Five Inventory, which was originally designed by John and Srivastava (1999), was used for measuring the level of personality of English teachers at Dianchi College of Yunnan University in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China. Student Instructional Report II, which was originally designed by Centra (1972), was used for measuring the level of teaching effectiveness of English teachers at Dianchi College of Yunnan University in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China. Ninety students participated in this study, which were conducted during the academic year 2018-2019. The data were collected and analyzed by a statistical software program. According to the purpose and hypotheses of the study, different statistical methods were used to analyze the data (e.g., means, standard deviations, and correlational analysis using multiple correlation coefficient). The study showed that the personality of English junior teachers at Dianchi College of Yunnan University contain agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion, neuroticism and openness. The study also showed that the level of teaching effectiveness of English teachers at Dianchi College of Yunnan University was effective. The results showed that there was a significant relationship between personality and teaching effectiveness of English teachers from the perceptions of students at Dianchi College of Yunnan University in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China

Hyperbranched polymer at a solid surface

The interfacial behavior of third and fourth generations of hyperbranched polyesters (HBP3 and HBP4) with 32 and 64 hydroxyl terminal groups was studied. Higher adsorption amount under an identical adsorption condition was found for lower generation HPB3. The shape of HBP3 molecules within an adsorbed layer evolved from pancake with thickness below 1 nm for very low surface coverage to densely packed worm-like structures with thickness about 3 nm for the highest surface coverage. The molecules of the fourth generation, HBP4, hold stable close-to-spherical shape with a diameter of 2.5 nm over the entire range of surface coverage including both dense monolayers and isolated molecules. High intramolecular flexibility of HBP3 molecules as compared with constrained mobility of bulkier branches of HBP4 is considered to be responsible for this behavior, similar to regular dendrimer structures. A uniform monolayer with the thickness of 4.5 nm from an epoxy-functionalized hyperbranched polyester (EHBP) with a core functionalized by alkyl chains with secondary epoxy groups could be fabricated by melt grafting to a bare silicon surface. Such chemical architecture provides dual ability for both grafting to a solid substrate and an inducing surface functionality for the layer. Estimated 3-4 epoxy groups per molecule are located in the uppermost surface layer and provide residual functionality sufficient to graft another polymer layer with appropriate functionality. Grafted layers are extremely robust and sustain high compression and shear stresses while possessing high elasticity. The molecular structures of a series of HPs, HP-0, HP-10, HP-25, HP-50, HP-75 and HP-100, which have different percentage of substituted C17H35 branches, were identified by AFM, FTIR, GPC and LB technique. The number of experimentally substituted alkyl chains calculated from LB[Pi]-A isotherms were roughly in agreement with the theoretical values. AFM images showed there were some aggregate domains scattering on the surface of the LB deposited layers, and these domains demonstrated some pattern for higher surface pressure

Population pharmacokinetics and initial dose optimization of tacrolimus in children with severe combined immunodeficiency undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

The present study aimed to explore the population pharmacokinetics and initial dose optimization of tacrolimus in children with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Children with SCID undergoing HSCT treated with tacrolimus were enrolled for analysis. Population pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus was built up by a nonlinear mixed-effects model (NONMEM), and initial dose optimization of tacrolimus was simulated with the Monte Carlo method in children weighing <20 kg at different doses. A total of 18 children with SCID undergoing HSCT were included for analysis, with 130 tacrolimus concentrations. Body weight was included as a covariable in the final model. Tacrolimus CL/F was 0.36–0.26 L/h/kg from body weights of 5–20 kg. Meanwhile, we simulated the tacrolimus concentrations using different body weights (5–20 kg) and different dose regimens (0.1–0.8 mg/kg/day). Finally, the initial dose regimen of 0.6 mg/kg/day tacrolimus was recommended for children with SCID undergoing HSCT whose body weights were 5–20 kg. It was the first time to establish tacrolimus population pharmacokinetics in children with SCID undergoing HSCT; in addition, the initial dose optimization of tacrolimus was recommended

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the PedsQL™ stem cell transplant module in China: A methodological and cross-sectional study

BackgroundHematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), as a mature technology, has significantly improved the survival rate of children. However, there lack efficient scales to assess the quality of life (QoL) of children with HSCT in China, which has important implications in the care of this population. This study aimed to translate the original English Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ (PedsQL™) Stem Cell Transplant Module into a Chinese mandarin version, and evaluate its reliability.MethodsChildren of ages 2–18 years who had received HSCT at Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University and Children's Hospital of Fudan University were recruited. Children or their parents were asked to fill the PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Core Scales, PedsQL™ Stem Cell Transplant Module, and PedsQL™ Family Information Form. Feasibility was evaluated by completion rate and the percentage of missing items, reliability by the internal consistency and test-retest reliability, and validity by factor analysis and correlation analysis between the scores of total scale and each dimension.ResultsA total of 120 children (mean age 6.37, SD = 3.674) and some parents were included. A low percentage of items were missed in returned reports. Cronbach's alpha coefficient reached 0.70 in the majority of dimensions of both child self-report and parent proxy-report. Test-retest reliability was 0.685 in parents' forms and 0.765 in child's forms. Eight factors were extracted, with a cumulative contribution rate of 74.54%. The correlation between PedsQL™ 4.0 and Transplant Module was 0.748 for children self-report and 0.808 for parent proxy-report.ConclusionsThis study provides evidence that the Chinese mandarin version of the PedsQL™ Stem Cell Transplant is feasible, reliable and valid in evaluating the QoL of Chinese children after HSCT

A Role for a Dioxygenase in Auxin Metabolism and Reproductive Development in Rice

SummaryIndole-3-acetic acid (IAA), the natural auxin in plants, regulates many aspects of plant growth and development. Extensive analyses have elucidated the components of auxin biosynthesis, transport, and signaling, but the physiological roles and molecular mechanisms of auxin degradation remain elusive. Here, we demonstrate that the dioxygenase for auxin oxidation (DAO) gene, encoding a putative 2-oxoglutarate-dependent-Fe (II) dioxygenase, is essential for anther dehiscence, pollen fertility, and seed initiation in rice. Rice mutant lines lacking a functional DAO display increased levels of free IAA in anthers and ovaries. Furthermore, exogenous application of IAA or overexpression of the auxin biosynthesis gene OsYUCCA1 phenocopies the dao mutants. We show that recombinant DAO converts the active IAA into biologically inactive 2-oxoindole-3-acetic acid (OxIAA) in vitro. Collectively, these data support a key role of DAO in auxin catabolism and maintenance of auxin homeostasis central to plant reproductive development

Hyperbranched polymer at a solid surface

The interfacial behavior of third and fourth generations of hyperbranched polyesters (HBP3 and HBP4) with 32 and 64 hydroxyl terminal groups was studied. Higher adsorption amount under an identical adsorption condition was found for lower generation HPB3. The shape of HBP3 molecules within an adsorbed layer evolved from pancake with thickness below 1 nm for very low surface coverage to densely packed worm-like structures with thickness about 3 nm for the highest surface coverage. The molecules of the fourth generation, HBP4, hold stable close-to-spherical shape with a diameter of 2.5 nm over the entire range of surface coverage including both dense monolayers and isolated molecules. High intramolecular flexibility of HBP3 molecules as compared with constrained mobility of bulkier branches of HBP4 is considered to be responsible for this behavior, similar to regular dendrimer structures. A uniform monolayer with the thickness of 4.5 nm from an epoxy-functionalized hyperbranched polyester (EHBP) with a core functionalized by alkyl chains with secondary epoxy groups could be fabricated by melt grafting to a bare silicon surface. Such chemical architecture provides dual ability for both grafting to a solid substrate and an inducing surface functionality for the layer. Estimated 3-4 epoxy groups per molecule are located in the uppermost surface layer and provide residual functionality sufficient to graft another polymer layer with appropriate functionality. Grafted layers are extremely robust and sustain high compression and shear stresses while possessing high elasticity. The molecular structures of a series of HPs, HP-0, HP-10, HP-25, HP-50, HP-75 and HP-100, which have different percentage of substituted C17H35 branches, were identified by AFM, FTIR, GPC and LB technique. The number of experimentally substituted alkyl chains calculated from LB[Pi]-A isotherms were roughly in agreement with the theoretical values. AFM images showed there were some aggregate domains scattering on the surface of the LB deposited layers, and these domains demonstrated some pattern for higher surface pressure.</p

Wetting/dewetting behavior of lightly sulfonated polystyrene ionomers on solid surfaces

The primary objective of this study was to improve the interfacial wetting properties of the solid surface by developing a uniform, robust film of random sulfonated polystyrene (SPS) ionomer. Meanwhile, to ascertain the mechanism of the suppression of dewetting—i.e., is it thermodynamic or rheological in origin, was our second goal. ^ The wetting/dewetting behavior of thin films of low molecular weight SPS ionomers spin-coated onto silica surfaces were studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM), contact angle measurements, and electron microscopy. The effects of the sulfonation level, the choice of the cation, the solvent used to spin-coat the films, and the molecular weight of the ionomer were investigated. The addition of the sulfonate groups suppressed the dewetting behavior of the PS above its glass transition temperature. Increasing the sulfonation level led to more homogeneous and smoother surfaces. The choice of the cation used affected the wetting properties, but not in a predictable manner. ^ The octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS)-modified silica surface was employed as a hydrophobic substrate to investigate the mechanism of wetting behavior of SPS. The complex between the ionic groups of ionomers and the –Si-O- groups on the surface of the silicon wafer was very critical for better wetting behaviors of a lower sulfonated Lithium ionomer (2.5LiSPS4), while ionic aggregation between ionomer molecules with a higher sulfonation level (6.5LiSPS4) played an important role for the suppression of dewetting. ^ Rough surfaces composed of discrete but relatively uniform nanoparticles were prepared from a lightly sulfonated polystyrene ionomer by spin coating from tetrahydrofuran (THF) or a THF/methanol mixture onto a silica surface. The particle morphology is consistent with the spinodal decomposition of the film surface occurring during spin coating. The particles are well wetted to the silica, and if heated for a long time above the ionomer\u27s glass-transition temperature, the particles flow and coalesce into a smooth, homogeneous film. The size distribution of particles at the air/solid interface are influenced by the types of solvent, sulfonation level, the counterions and the substrate based on our current research.