Background
Performance goal orientations are influential motivational factors for predicting learning performance. However, a lack of attention has been paid to investigating the effects of ...performance goal orientations on learning performance and in‐game performance in the context of digital game‐based learning.
Objectives
This study implemented a game‐based English vocabulary learning system and investigated how performance goal orientations affected learners' learning performance and in‐game performance.
Methods
A total of 59 non‐English major university students participated in this study, divided into performance‐approach learners (PAPL) and performance‐avoidance learners (PAVL) based on their performance goal orientations. The English vocabulary listening test and log data were collected for conducting quantitative analyses.
Results and conclusions
The results showed that the PAPL outperformed the PAVL in learning performance, whereas the two groups demonstrated similar gain scores and overall in‐game performance. Moreover, the results showed that the PAVL's learning performance was strongly associated with all aspects of in‐game performance in the learning activities. Conversely, the PAPL's learning performance was only associated with two aspects of in‐game performance in the competition activities.
Implications
The findings of this study suggest that performance goal orientations play significant roles in both learning performance and in‐game performance, which could benefit the PAVL's in‐game performance, which is a substantial factor in promoting their learning performance via DGBL.
Lay Description
What is already known about this topic
Digital game‐based learning (DGBL) has been widely adopted in various subject areas.
DGBL is an effective learning approach for language learning.
Performance goal orientations are influential motivational factors in predicting learning performance.
Relevant empirical research on performance goal orientations in DGBL is scarce and inconclusive.
What this paper adds
A game‐based English vocabulary learning system was developed based on the considerations of different characteristics of performance goal orientations.
This study provides understandings of the impact of performance goal orientations on both learning performance and in‐game performance in DGBL.
Performance‐approach learners outperformed performance‐avoidance learners, whereas the two groups demonstrated similar gain scores and overall in‐game performance.
Performance‐avoidance learners' in‐game performance is a substantial factor in promoting their learning performance via DGBL.
Implications for practice and/or policy
Educators should consider adopting game‐based assessment to reduce the gap between learners with different performance goal orientations.
DGBL can be a potential approach to supporting different performance goal orientations, but it is particularly beneficial to learners with performance‐avoidance goals.
Learners with different performance goal orientations need different types of learning activities to achieve better performance.
A personalized DGBL system should be developed to accommodate the needs and preferences of learners with performance‐approach and performance‐avoidance goals.
Galectin-9 (Gal-9) induces adhesion and aggregation of certain cell types and inhibits the metastasis of tumor cells. T-cell immunoglobulin-and mucin domain-3-containing molecule 3 (TIM-3) plays a ...pivotal role in immune regulation. The aim of this study is to investigate Gal-9 and TIM-3 alterations in gastric cancer and their prognostic values.
Gal-9 and Tim-3 expression was evaluated using a tissue microarray immunohistochemistry method in 305 gastric cancers, of which 84 had paired adjacent normal samples. Cell lines SGC-7901, BGC-823, MGC-803, MKN45 and GES-1 were also stained. Correlations were analyzed between expression levels of Gal-9 and Tim-3 protein and tumor parameters or clinical outcomes.
Gal-9 and Tim-3 stained positive on tumor cells in 86.2% (263/305), and 60.0% (183/305) patients with gastric cancer, respectively. Gal-9 expression was significantly higher in cancer than in normal mucosa (P<0.001). Reduced Gal-9 expression was associated with lymph-vascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis and worse TNM staging (P = 0.034, P = 0.009, P = 0.002 and P = 0.043, respectively). In contrast, Tim-3 expression was significantly lower in cancer than in control mucosa (P<0.001). Patients with lymph-vascular invasion had higher expression levels of Tim-3 (P<0.001). Moreover, multivariate analysis shows that both high Gal-9 expression and low Tim-3 expression were significantly associated with long overall survival (P = 0.002, P = 0.010, respectively); the combination of Gal-9 and Tim-3 expression was an independent prognostic predictor for patients with gastric cancer (RR: 0.43; 95%CI: 0.20-0.93). H.pylori infection status was not associated with Gal-9 and Tim-3 expression (P = 0.102, P = 0.565).
The results suggest that expression of Gal-9 and Tim-3 in tumor cells may be a potential, independent prognostic factor for patients with gastric cancer. Gal-9 and TIM-3 may play an important part in the gastric carcinogenesis.
We identify two configurations of the HfSe2/InSe van der Waals heterostructure that can drive photocatalytic overall water splitting reactions with high solar-to-hydrogen (STH) efficiency after ...investigating four different configurations (represented by HI, HIx, HIy, and HyI) for the heterostructure. The electronic properties, optical absorption, and mobility are calculated by using the obtained structures. The projected band edges and the interfacial built-in electric fields for the two monolayers demonstrate that the two configurations are type-II heterostructures that can match the conditions for photocatalytic hydrogen generation from water splitting, while the other two configurations have no satisfactory band edge for the overall water splitting. The corrected STH efficiency (η′STH) is calculated based on the obtained overpotentials and bandgaps, which give 25.24% and 25.07% for the two configurations, respectively. The effects of strain engineering on η′STH are also investigated but turn out to be not significant. In addition, the Gibbs free energy changes (ΔGs) are calculated to confirm the thermodynamic feasibilities of the hydrogen/oxygen evolution reactions. The obtained ΔGs in the redox reaction for the two configurations indicate that the hydrogen/oxygen evolution reactions are feasible from the view of thermodynamics. Apparently, the HfSe2/InSe heterostructure is a potential candidate for developing high STH efficiency photocatalysts.
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•HfSe2/InSe heterostructure is identified for photocatalytic overall water splitting.•The maximum solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of the heterostructure can reach 25.24%.•The solar-to-hydrogen efficiency is raised by −1% strain but reduced by other ones.•The Gibbs free energy changes support the feasibility of HER/OER.
Since their discovery in 2011, MXenes (abbreviation for transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides) have emerged as a rising star in the family of 2D materials owing to their unique ...properties. Although the primary research interest is still focused on pristine MXenes and their composites, much attention has in recent years been paid also to MXenes with diverse compositions. To this end, this work offers a comprehensive overview of the progress on compositional engineering of MXenes in terms of doping and substituting from theoretical predictions to experimental investigations. Synthesis and properties are briefly introduced for pristine MXenes and then reviewed for hetero‐MXenes. Theoretical calculations regarding the doping/substituting at M, X, and T sites in MXenes and the role of vacancies are summarized. After discussing the synthesis of hetero‐MXenes with metal/nonmetal (N, S, P) elements by in situ and ex situ strategies, the focus turns to their emerging applications in various fields such as energy storage, electrocatalysts, and sensors. Finally, challenges and prospects of hetero‐MXenes are addressed. It is anticipated that this review will be beneficial to bridge the gap between predictions and experiments as well as to guide the future design of hetero‐MXenes with high performance.
A comprehensive overview of hetero‐MXenes, from theoretical predictions to experimental investigations, is presented. The reviewed theoretical calculations focus on three sites of MXenes and the reviewed metal‐/nonmetal‐doped/substituted MXenes are experimentally synthesized by in situ/ex situ strategies. It is believed that this work will be beneficial to bridge predictions and experiments, further promoting the development of hetero‐MXenes.
Abstract
The membrane-associated RING-CH (MARCH) proteins are E3 ligases that regulate the stability of various cellular membrane proteins. MARCH8 has been reported to inhibit the infection of HIV-1 ...and a few other viruses, thus plays an important role in host antiviral defense. However, the antiviral spectrum and the underlying mechanisms of MARCH8 are incompletely defined. Here, we demonstrate that MARCH8 profoundly inhibits influenza A virus (IAV) replication both in vitro and in mice. Mechanistically, MARCH8 suppresses IAV release through redirecting viral M2 protein from the plasma membrane to lysosomes for degradation. Specifically, MARCH8 catalyzes the K63-linked polyubiquitination of M2 at lysine residue 78 (K78). A recombinant A/Puerto Rico/8/34 virus carrying the K78R M2 protein shows greater replication and more severe pathogenicity in cells and mice. More importantly, we found that the M2 protein of the H1N1 IAV has evolved to acquire non-lysine amino acids at positions 78/79 to resist MARCH8-mediated ubiquitination and degradation. Together, our data support the important role of MARCH8 in host anti-IAV intrinsic immune defense by targeting M2, and suggest the inhibitory pressure of MARCH8 on H1N1 IAV transmission in the human population.
Identifying cells of tumor origin is a fundamental question in tumor biology. Answers to this central question will not only advance our understanding of tumor initiation and progression but also ...have important therapeutic implications. In this study, we aimed to uncover the cells of origin of lung adenocarcinoma, a major subtype of non-small cell lung cancer. To this end, we developed new mouse models of lung adenocarcinoma that enabled selective manipulation of gene activity in surfactant associated protein C (SPC)-expressing cells, including alveolar type II cells and bronchioalveolar stem cells (BASCs) that reside at the bronchioalveolar duct junction (BADJ). Our findings showed that activation of oncogenic Kras alone or in combination with the removal of the tumor suppressor p53 in SPC⁺ cells resulted in development of alveolar tumors. Similarly, sustained EGF signaling in SPC⁺ cells led to alveolar tumors. By contrast, BASCs failed to proliferate or produce tumors under these conditions. Importantly, in a mouse strain in which Kras/p53 activity was selectively altered in type II cells but not BASCs, alveolar tumors developed while BADJs retained normal architecture. These results confirm and extend previous findings and support a model in which lung adenocarcinoma can initiate in alveolar type II cells. Our results establish the foundation for elucidating the molecular mechanisms by which lung cancer initiates and progresses in a specific lung cell type.
Aims/Introduction
To compare the effects of gliclazide, liraglutide and metformin on body composition in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Materials and ...Methods
A total of 85 patients were randomly allocated to receive gliclazide (n = 27), liraglutide (n = 29) or metformin (n = 29) monotherapy for 24 weeks. Body composition was measured using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry.
Results
Liraglutide and metformin reduced total, trunk, limb, android and gynoid fat mass; this also led to weight reduction. However, gliclazide treatment produced no significant changes in weight or fat mass, likely because reductions in fat mass were concomitant with increases in lean tissue mass. Blood glucose concentrations and glycated hemoglobin levels improved in all treatment arms; levels of the latter were lower in patients treated with liraglutide and metformin. Serum alanine aminotransferase concentrations decreased in all treatment arms, whereas serum aspartate aminotransferase concentrations were reduced only by liraglutide and metformin. In all patients, weight loss and total, trunk, limb, and android fat mass reductions were positively correlated with decreases in serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels, whereas reductions in waist circumference were positively correlated with lower serum alanine aminotransferase levels.
Conclusions
Compared with gliclazide, liraglutide and metformin monotherapies result in greater weight loss, reductions in body fat mass, and better blood glucose control among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease. Reductions in weight, fat mass and waist circumference favorably affect hepatic function.
This single‐center, open‐label, prospective, randomized clinical trial examined the effect of liraglutide, metformin, and gliclazide on body composition in patients with type 2 diabetes and concomitant non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease. The results show that liraglutide and metformin are superior to gliclazide in terms of reducing body weight, body mass index, and body fat mass, and in terms of improving liver function and glycosylated hemoglobin levels. In addition, liraglutide and metformin were shown to reduce fat mass rather than lean tissue mass, which is helpful in improving the body weight and glycemic control. Weight remained stable in the gliclazide group; this resulted from identical reductions in fat mass and increases in lean tissue mass.
This paper analyzed the potential implementation of hybrid photovoltaic (PV)/wind turbine/diesel system in southern city of Malaysia, Johor Bahru. HOMER (hybrid optimization model for electric ...renewable) simulation software was used to determine the technical feasibility of the system and to perform the economical analysis of the system. There were seven different system configurations, namely stand-alone diesel system, hybrid PV–diesel system with and without battery storage element, hybrid wind–diesel system with and without battery storage
element, PV–wind–diesel system with and without storage element, will be studied and analyzed. The simulations will be focused on the net present costs, cost of energy, excess electricity produced and the reduction of CO
2 emission for the given hybrid configurations. At the end of this paper, PV–diesel system with battery storage element, PV–wind–diesel system with battery storage element and the stand-alone diesel system were analyzed based on high price of diesel.
High performance cobalt polyethylene oxide (PEO) printable electrolyte for DSSCs operating under 200 lx T5 light illumination.
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•Cobalt PEO printable electrolytes are prepared for the ...indoor light DSSCs.•The Rheological and electrochemical properties of the electrolytes are studied.•A cobalt cell achieves an efficiency of 21.06% under 200 lx T5 light illumination.•A bifacial cell achieves the best efficiencies of 17.22% and 14.25%.•The QS-DSSCs retain 98% of its initial value after 1000 h test.
High-performance printable electrolytes (PEs) containing Co+2/Co+3 or I−/I3− redox-couple are prepared to fabricate quasi-solid-state (QS) dye-sensitized solar cells (QS-DSSCs) for room light environment applications. Polyethylene oxide (PEO) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) are utilized to prepare PEs. Various parameters are regulated to obtain the optimal power conversion efficiencies (PCEs). For the I−/I3− system, the QS-DSSCs using PEO and PEO/PMMA PEs achieve nearly identical PCEs (16.32% and 16.40%, respectively) under the optimal conditions. However, the PCEs obtained for the Co+2/Co+3 system are markedly higher and the cell using PEO PE has a higher PCE (21.06%) than that using PEO/PMMA (18.14%). This difference is ascribed to the different composition of Li+ and Co+3 around the photoelectrode. The presence of Li+ around the interface will repel Co+3 away from the interface, decreasing the recombination of excited electrons to Co+3. According to the molecular structure, PMMA has more lone pair electrons to coordinate with Li+ ions, which will decrease the concentration of free Li+ more significantly than does by PEO. Therefore, the presence of PMMA will decrease and increase, respectively, the Li+ and Co+3 concentrations at the photoelectrode/electrolyte interface, resulting in more significant recombination of electrons to the Co+3. Consequently, the PCE of the PEO/PMMA cell is lower than that of the PEO cell. This effect doesn’t occur in I−/I3− system because the concentration variation of negatively charged ions did not affect significantly the electrons recombination at the interfacial. By using this cobalt PE, a bifacial QS-DSSC can achieve PCEs of 17.22% and 14.25%, respectively, under front-side and back-side illumination by 200 lx T5 light. A sub-module QS-DSSC using the cobalt PE can attain a PCE of 12.56%.
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•Two structures of BiP3 monolayere with C2/m and P3m1 are predicted.•P3m1 structure is a candidate of photocatalytic water splitting to produce hydrogen.•The highest mobility of BiP3 ...monolayers is large than previous XP3 monolayers.•Band structures and absorptions of BiP3 monolayers can be tuned with strain.
The monolayered bismuth triphosphide (BiP3) with C2/m and P3m1 space groups are predicted as a new body of the 2D triphosphide structures by using the first principles calculations. The results demonstrate that the BiP3 monolayers possess indirect bandgaps of 1.36 and 2.20 eV (HSE06) or 1.34 and 2.64 eV (G0W0). The band edges of the monolayer of P3m1 BiP3 can straddle the reduction and oxidation potentials of the water splitting reaction of hydrogen production even under the uniaxial or biaxial strain from −2% to 1%. Moreover, the highest mobility of 2.49 × 105 cm2 V−1 s−1 for the hole of the P3m1 BiP3 monolayer is larger than the previously reported values of triphosphide monolayers. The obvious absorptions in the visible light range are observed for both BiP3 monolayers and that of the P3m1 structure can be improved by the tensile strain. Therefore, the P3m1 BiP3 monolayer is a promising candidate of the photocatalytic materials for the water splitting reaction to produce hydrogen under driven by the visible light.
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