Psychological quality of life and employability skills among newly registered first-year students: Opportunities for further university development

In accord with new European university reforms initiated by the Bologna Process, our objective was to evaluate influences on the relationship between psychological quality of life (QoL) and the acquisition of academic employability skills (AES) among first-year students at the University in Luxembourg. At the beginning (2 months in) and the end (9 months) of the academic year, 973 newly registered students participated in this study involving two cross-university surveys. Students who redoubled or who had studied at other universities were excluded. Data were collected with an online questionnaire comprising the psychological Whoqol-bref subscale, AES scale, and questions about other related factors. The AES score decreased from 74.2 to 65.6. At both time points, the psychological Whoqol-bref was positively correlated with environmental and social relations QoL and perceived general health. Multiple regression models including interaction terms showed that a higher psychological QoL was associated with better general health (difference satisfied-dissatisfied 9.44), AES (slope 0.099), social relationships QoL (0.321), and environmental QoL (0.298). No interaction with time effects was significant, which indicates that the effects remain stable with time. If the university could maintain the QoL indicators at appropriate levels or manage decreases as they occur, it would have implications for health promotion and the creation of new student support systems. The SQA- LES project provides valuable information for universities aiming to develop a European Higher Educational Area.

Adaptability of anticipatory postural adjustments associated with voluntary movement

The control of balance is crucial for efficiently performing most of our daily motor tasks, such as those involving goal-directed arm movements or whole body displacement. The purpose of this article is twofold. Firstly, it is to recall how balance can be maintained despite the different sources of postural perturbation arising during voluntary movement. The importance of the so-called "anticipatory postural adjustments"(APA), taken as a "line of defence" against the destabilizing effect induced by a predicted perturbation, is emphasized. Secondly, it is to report the results of recent studies that questioned the adaptability of APA to various constraints imposed on the postural system. The postural constraints envisaged here are classified into biomechanical(postural stability, superimposition of motor tasks),(neuro) physiological(fatigue), temporal(time pressure) and psychological(fear of falling, emotion). Overall, the results of these studies point out the capacity of the central nervous system(CNS) to adapt the spatio-temporal features of APA to each of theseconstraints. However, it seems that, depending on the constraint, the "priority" of the CNS was focused on postural stability maintenance, on body protection and/or on maintenance of focal movement performance.

The role of graft reperfusion sequence in the development of non-anastomotic biliary strictures following orthotopic liver transplantation: A meta-analysis

Background: Liver transplant is a potential cure for liver failure and hepatic malignancy but there are many techniques which have been described for vascular reconstruction. This study was to compare the prevalence of non-anastomotic biliary stricture and other surgical complications based on Clavien-Dindo scoring system, in initial portal reperfusion(sequential) versus simultaneous or initial artery reperfusion. Data sources: Meta-analysis of published studies comparing the outcomes of both techniques was carried out. Data search was conducted across the major databases and studies were selected under the guidance of the Cochrane guidelines for systematic reviews and meta-analysis. Results: Seven studies were included to address the primary and the secondary outcomes. No statistical difference was found in the incidence of non-anastomotic biliary strictures(OR = 0.40; P = 0.14), regardless of reperfusion technique. The pooled estimate of the Clavien-Dindo grading of complications was not significantly different between the techniques, though Clavien-Dindo II complications were higher in the simultaneous or initial artery reperfusion group than the initial portal reperfusion group(OR = 2.73; P = 0.01). Similarly, there was no difference in the operative time, hospital stay and other outcomes addressed in this report. Conclusions: The available evidence suggests that there is no significant difference demonstrated in the rate of non-anastomotic biliary strictures or other complications, between the two techniques, except for Clavien-Dindo II complications.

Dual and multi-drug delivery nanoparticles towards neuronal survival and synaptic repair

Among the macromolecular drug targets in neurodegenerative disorders, the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor（BDNF） and its high-affinity tropomyosin-related kinase receptor（Trk B） present strong interest for nanomedicine development aiming at neuronal and synaptic repair. Currently, BDNF is regarded as the neurotrophic factor of highest therapeutic significance. However, BDNF has delivery problems as a protein drug. The enhanced activation of the transcription factor CREB（c AMP response element-binding protein） has been evidenced to increase the BDNF gene expression and hence the production of endogenous BDNF. We assume that BDNF delivery by nanocarriers and mitochondrial protection may provide high potential for therapeutic amelioration of the neuroregenerative strategies. Beneficial therapeutic outcomes may be expected for synergistic dual or multi-drug action aiming at（i） neurotrophic protein regulation in the central and peripheral nervous systems, and（ii） diminishment of the production of reactive oxygen species（ROS） and the oxidative damage in mitochondria. Our research strategy is based on a nanoarchitectonics approach for the design of nanomedicine assemblies by hierarchical self-assembly. We explore nanoarchitectonics concepts in soft-matter nanotechnology towards preparation of biodegradable self-assembled lipid nanostructures for safe neuro-therapeutic applications of multi-target nanomedicines.

Apple whole genome sequences:recent advances and new prospects

In 2010,a major scientific milestone was achieved for tree fruit crops:publication of the first draft whole genome sequence(WGS)for apple(Malus domestica).This WGS,v1.0,was valuable as the initial reference for sequence information,fine mapping,gene discovery,variant discovery,and tool development.A new,high quality apple WGS,GDDH13 v1.1,was released in 2017 and now serves as the reference genome for apple.Over the past decade,these apple WGSs have had an enormous impact on our understanding of apple biological functioning,trait physiology and inheritance,leading to practical applications for improving this highly valued crop.Causal gene identities for phenotypes of fundamental and practical interest can today be discovered much more rapidly.Genome-wide polymorphisms at high genetic resolution are screened efficiently over hundreds to thousands of individuals with new insights into genetic relationships and pedigrees.High-density genetic maps are constructed efficiently and quantitative trait loci for valuable traits are readily associated with positional candidate genes and/or converted into diagnostic tests for breeders.We understand the species,geographical,and genomic origins of domesticated apple more precisely,as well as its relationship to wild relatives.The WGS has turbo-charged application of these classical research steps to crop improvement and drives innovative methods to achieve more durable,environmentally sound,productive,and consumer-desirable apple production.This review includes examples of basic and practical breakthroughs and challenges in using the apple WGSs.Recommendations for“what’s next”focus on necessary upgrades to the genome sequence data pool,as well as for use of the data,to reach new frontiers in genomics-based scientific understanding of apple.

Adaptive Differentiators via Second Order Sliding Mode for a Fixed Wing Aircraft

Safety automation of complex mobile systems is a current topic issue in industry and research laboratories,especially in aeronautics.The dynamic models of these systems are nonlinear,Multi-Input Multi-Output(MIMO)and tightly coupled.The nonlinearity resides in the dynamic equations and also in the aerodynamic coefficients’variability.This paper is devoted to developing the piloting law based on the combination of the robust differentiator with a dynamic adaptation of the gains and the robust controller via second order sliding mode,by using an aircraft in virtual simulated environments.To deal with the design of an autopilot controller,we propose an environment framework based on a Software In the Loop(SIL)methodology and we use Microsoft Flight Simulator(FS-2004)as the environment for plane simulation.The first order sliding mode control may be an appropriate solution to this piloting problem.However,its implementation generates a chattering phenomenon and a singularity problem.To overcome these problems,a new version of the adaptive differentiators for second order sliding modes is proposed and used for piloting.For the sliding mode algorithm,higher gains values may be used to improve accuracy;however this leads to an amplification of noise in the estimated signals.A good tradeoff between these two criteria(accuracy,robustness to noise ratio)is difficult to achieve.On the one hand,these values must increase the gains in order to derive a signal sweeping of some frequency ranges.On the other hand,low gains values have to be imposed to reduce noise amplification.So,our goal is to develop a differentiation algorithm in order to have a good compromise between error and robustness to noise ratio.To fit this requirement,a new version of differentiators with a higher order sliding modes and a dynamic adaptation of the gains,is proposed:the first order differentiator for the control of longitudinal speed and the second order differentiator for the control of the Euler angles.

Guest Editorial——Special Section on the Energy-Efficient Technologies

In the past few years, energy-efficient technologies get more and more scientific and technological interest as the energy bottleneck stops the ＂Moore＇s law＂ according to the reports of International Roadmap for Semiconductors （ITRS）. Moreover, people start to take care seriously of the environmental impact due to the Dower dissioation.

Predicting a Failure of Public Speaking Performance Using Multidimensional Assessment

The present study aimed to examine multidimensional factors that contribute to a poor performance in a public speaking task. An adapted version of the Trier Social Stress Test （TSST） as used to elicit psychosocial stress among 43 university students and multidimensional assessments were involved to investigate acute stress responses by psychological measures （i.e. personality, affect, appraisal, coping）, physiological measures （i.e. cortisol; Dehydroepiandrosterone： DHEA; ratio of cortisol/DHEA） and behavioural measures （voice, postural control）. Our results showed that psychological factors seemed to be the most sensitive to stress performance. A mediation effect was detected between psychological factors and objective performance. Cortisol to DHEA ratio also showed to be associated with speaking performance. This study added evidence to the literature with regards to a multidimensional way to study human stress response and may help individuals use functional coping to improve their performance and better adapt to stressful situations.

Epidemiology of anorexia nervosa in a French community-based sample of 39,542 adolescents

Purpose: To assess the prevalence of DSM-IV anorexia nervosa criteria, anorexia nervosa and subthreshold subgroups, and their incidence between the ages of 12 and 17 years using Cole’s international thinness cut-offs, and to characterize these anorexic adolescents by parental socioeconomic status and whether or not they reported receiving treatment. Method: In all, a representative sample of 39,542 French adolescents (19,658 girls and 19,884 boys) was recruited in a cross-sectional study in 2008. Anorexia nervosa DSM-IV diagnosis was determined by a self-administered questionnaire. Results: Among females, 0.5% (n = 105) met criteria for anorexia nervosa between the ages of 12 and 17 years, whereas among males, the prevalence was 0.03% (n = 6). In females, the prevalence of sub-threshold anorexia nervosa was found to be between 1.2% (n = 216) and 3.3% (n = 618);more than 75% were of the restrictive subtype. The highest incidence of anorexia nervosa was at 16 years. There was also a greater prevalence of sub-threshold anorexia nervosa subgroups among subjects with high parental socioeconomic status. More than half of the female adolescents who met the anorexia nervosa criteria reported receiving treatment for their disorder, versus 23% to 40% of the adolescents in the sub-threshold subgroups (P sample of adolescents. Using Cole’s international thinness cut-off could improve international comparability among studies. Adolescents from the higher socioeconomic categories were more likely to be anorexic.

25 Gbps low-voltage hetero-structured silicongermanium waveguide pin photodetectors for monolithic on-chip nanophotonic architectures

Near-infrared germanium(Ge) photodetectors monolithically integrated on top of silicon-on-insulator substrates are universally regarded as key enablers towards chip-scale nanophotonics, with applications ranging from sensing and health monitoring to object recognition and optical communications. In this work, we report on the highdata-rate performance pin waveguide photodetectors made of a lateral hetero-structured silicon-Ge-silicon(Si-Ge-Si) junction operating under low reverse bias at 1.55 μm. The pin photodetector integration scheme considerably eases device manufacturing and is fully compatible with complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor technology. In particular, the hetero-structured Si-Ge-Si photodetectors show efficiency-bandwidth products of^9 GHz at-1 V and ~30 GHz at-3 V, with a leakage dark current as low as ~150 nA, allowing superior signal detection of high-speed data traffic. A bit-error rate of 10-9 is achieved for conventional 10 Gbps, 20 Gbps, and25 Gbps data rates, yielding optical power sensitivities of-13.85 dBm,-12.70 dBm, and-11.25 dBm, respectively. This demonstration opens up new horizons towards cost-effective Ge pin waveguide photodetectors that combine fast device operation at low voltages with standard semiconductor fabrication processes, as desired for reliable on-chip architectures in next-generation nanophotonics integrated circuits.

The XX International Congress of Zoology, 26-29 August 2008, Paris

International Congresses of Zoology(ICZ)provide an opportunity for zoologists working in different fields of zoology to meet and exchange their research and ideas.It is also a venue where topical issues facing the science of zoology,such as the biodiversity crisis,the teaching of zoology and ethics can be discussed.These Congresses were resurrected in 2000 in Athens and held again in Beijing in 2004.In an age of increasing reductionism and complex information management,having a general meeting of zoologists to discuss the whole animal is of vital service to our science.