Search

Emotional intelligence (EI) is foundational to students' success in the university. However, past studies on EI in the higher education context have mostly focused on how EI is related to academic achievement neglecting student engagement and other learning-related outcomes (e.g., generic outcomes). In this study, we examined whether and how individual differences in EI influence students' learning, engagement, and achievement during their first year at university. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was used to garner both quantitative and qualitative insights. We recruited and followed up with 560 first-year students in Hong Kong. The quantitative findings revealed a strong EI gradient with more emotionally intelligent students having higher levels of learning, engagement, and achievement. Qualitative findings corroborated the quantitative results and further showed that emotionally intelligent students are goal-directed, assertive, and self-regulated. Taken together, this study sheds light on the importance of EI for the optimal functioning of first year university students. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed., Author(s): Karen C. H. Zhoc [sup.1] , Ronnel B. King [sup.2] , Tony S. H. Chung [sup.3] , Junjun Chen [sup.4] , Min Yang [sup.5] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.419993.f, 0000 [...]

The role of emotions in student engagement has been examined in many studies. However, little is known about how emotional intelligence (EI) is related to engagement and other key learning outcomes in higher education. To fill this gap, this study examined how EI is associated with student engagement and how EI and engagement jointly predict key learning outcomes in higher education, including the students' GPA, generic outcomes, and satisfaction with the university experience. The study adopted a prospective longitudinal design involving 560 first-year students from 10 faculties of a university in Hong Kong. The data were collected at two-time points, namely before the start and after the end of the students' first year in the university. Structural equation modeling was employed to test the measurement and hypothesized models. Results indicated that EI positively predicted all dimensions of student engagement and promoted key learning outcomes (including GPA, generic learning outcomes, and students' satisfaction with the university) via the different dimensions of student engagement. The model also explained 16%, 44%, and 38% of the students' GPA, generic learning outcomes, and satisfaction with their university experience, respectively. This study provides empirical evidence on the positive effect of EI on the students' optimal functioning in the higher education context. Implications of the findings are discussed.

This study describes the development and validation of the Higher Education Student Engagement Scale (HESES). The psychometric evaluations of the scale included: (i) factor structure, (ii) internal consistency, and (iii) criterion validity. The HESES was developed based on our proposed five-factor model of student engagement, which was evolved from Finn and Zimmer's (In: Christenson SL, Reschly AL, Wylie C (eds) Handbook of research on student engagement. Springer, New York, 2012) student engagement model taken into account the distinctive characteristics in higher education. The five main facets of student engagement include: (1) academic engagement, (2) cognitive engagement, (3) social engagement with peers, (4) social engagement with teachers, and (5) affective engagement. The HESES was developed from the 61-item First Year Engagement Scales (FYES). For brevity, it was trimmed into a 28-item scale having regard to the content validity, factor loadings and error variances of the items. The CFA results supported the correlated five-dimensional model with all the dimensions showing high internal consistency based on Cronbach's alpha coefficients. A multi-group CFA also rendered the structure as gender invariant. Its criterion validity was evidenced by its correlations with different student learning outcomes and more importantly, its predictive power in explaining variances of GPA (15%) and satisfaction of the university experience (29%). Different from the dominant behavioral perspective of student engagement in higher education, the HESES is based on a psychological perspective, streamlining student engagement as students' level of involvement in the learning process and a multi-faceted construct with academic, cognitive, social and affective dimensions. The implications and merits of the HESES are discussed.

Self-directed learning is recognised as a key goal of higher education. To facilitate self-directed learning, emotional intelligence (EI), which encompasses the ability to regulate one's own emotions and to generate positive emotions, is important. The present study aimed to examine the effects of EI on self-directed learning and how EI and self-directed learning contribute to key learning outcomes in higher education, including grade point average (GPA), generic learning outcomes (including social, cognitive and self-growth outcomes) and students' satisfaction with their university experience. The study adopted a prospective longitudinal design with 560 first-year undergraduate students completing different measures at the beginning and end of the academic year. Results of the structural equation modelling showed that EI had a strong effect on self-directed learning, which in turn was positively associated with GPA and various generic learning outcomes that are related to students' satisfaction with the university experience. To better delineate the relationship between EI and self-directed learning, multiple regression was performed. Results indicated that three key emotional abilities--emotional regulation of the self (ERS), appraisal of emotions in the self (AES) and emotional regulation of others (ERO)--were positively associated with self-directed learning. This study provided empirical evidence that students who are more emotionally intelligent are more self-directed, leading to higher achievement in both academic and generic development, which in turn results in higher university satisfaction. Implications of the findings are discussed.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are one of the few stem cell types used in clinical practice as therapeutic agents for immunomodulation and ischemic tissue repair, due to their unique paracrine capacity, multiple differentiation potential, active components in exosomes, and effective mitochondria donation. At present, MSCs derived from tissues such as bone marrow and umbilical cord are widely applied in preclinical and clinical studies. Nevertheless, there remain challenges to the maintenance of consistently good quality MSCs derived from different donors or tissues, directly impacting their application as advanced therapy products. In this review, we discuss the promises, problems, and prospects associated with translation of MSC research into a pharmaceutical product. We review the hurdles encountered in translation of MSCs and MSC–exosomes from the research bench to an advanced therapy product compliant with good manufacturing practice (GMP). These difficulties include how to set up GMP‐compliant protocols, what factors affect raw material selection, cell expansion to product formulation, establishment of quality control (QC) parameters, and quality assurance to comply with GMP standards. To avoid human error and reduce the risk of contamination, an automatic, closed system that allows real‐time monitoring of QC should be considered. We also highlight potential advantages of pluripotent stem cells as an alternative source for MSC and exosomes generation and manufacture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article, published in the Journal of Neurological Surgery, explores the risk factors for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks in patients undergoing surgical treatment for idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). The study, based on a retrospective analysis of the National Inpatient Survey dataset, included 11,070 patients diagnosed with IIH who received either optic nerve sheath fenestration or cerebrospinal fluid shunt placement. The findings indicate that patients over the age of 80 and those with diabetes mellitus had a higher risk of experiencing CSF leaks. The study suggests that careful patient selection is necessary for surgical intervention in refractory IIH cases. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses a case report of a 64-year-old male with recurrent idiopathic orbital myositis (IOM). The patient initially responded to prednisone treatment but experienced a recurrence of symptoms. He then opted for Acthar Gel treatment, which resulted in symptomatic improvement but also caused an increase in blood pressure. The article highlights the lack of specific literature on Acthar Gel's effectiveness in treating IOM after corticosteroid therapy has failed, but notes its general efficacy in treating inflammation with fewer adverse effects. The article concludes that more data is needed to evaluate the epidemiological implications of treating IOM with Acthar Gel. [Extracted from the article]

This article, published in the Journal of Neurological Surgery, explores the predictors of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients undergoing endoscopic pituitary adenoma resection. The study, based on a large cohort from the National Inpatient Survey dataset, found that race, geographical location, coagulopathy, emergent surgery, diabetes mellitus, and fluid and electrolyte disorders were associated with an increased risk of VTE. However, obesity was not found to be a significant predictor. The authors suggest that further prospective studies are needed to better understand the risk factors and to assess the need for standardized anticoagulation protocols in pituitary adenoma resection. [Extracted from the article]

Grief following miscarriage is a complex psychological response. This study was conducted to examine the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Perinatal Grief Scale (PGS). A total of 280 Chinese women completed the PGS immediately following a diagnosis of miscarriage (baseline) and were reassessed at 12 months follow-up. The factor structure of the Chinese PGS was explored. The convergent validity of the PGS was established by examining its correlations with the General Health Questionnaire-12 and Beck Depression Inventory at baseline. The reliability of the Chinese PGS was satisfactory. A two-factor structure accounting for 45% of the variance was identified. The Chinese PGS was positively correlated with General Health Questionnaire-12 and Beck Depression Inventory scores. The Chinese PGS was found to be a reliable and valid tool to measure grief following miscarriage. (Contains 3 tables.)

The primary objective of this research was to validate the short version of the Perinatal Grief Scale (SVPGS) in the Chinese population. The Chinese SVPGS was administered to a sample of Chinese women who had experienced recent reproductive loss (N = 314). The results of the confirmatory factor analysis rejected the original 3-factor model delineated by Potvin (1989). A follow-up exploratory factor analysis suggested an alternative 3-factor model, consisting of a 12-item Sense of Worthlessness subscale, a 7-item Social Detachment subscale, and a 7-item Painful Recollection subscale. Further analysis showed that both the original and Chinese SVPGS demonstrated good internal consistency. Cronbach's alpha equaled 0.86, 0.83, 0.90, and 0.95, respectively, for the three subscales of Active Grief, Difficulty Coping, and Despair, and the total original SVPGS, and 0.85, 0.93, 0.91, and 0.95, respectively, for the new subscales of Sense of Worthlessness, Social Detachment, and Painful Recollection, and the total Chinese SVPGS. Both versions demonstrated satisfactory correlations with the participants' psychological distress and spousal emotional support. The authors suggest that both versions are useful in measuring the responses of Chinese women to reproductive loss; the original SVPGS should be used for cross-cultural studies, whereas the Chinese SVPGS should be used for local studies. (Contains 4 tables.)

The primary objective of this research was to validate the short version of the Perinatal Grief Scale (SVPGS) in the Chinese population. The Chinese SVPGS was administered to a sample of Chinese women who had experienced recent reproductive loss (N=3t4). The results of the confirmatory factor analysis rejected the original 3-factor model delineated by Potvin (1989). A follow-up exploratory factor analysis suggested an alternative 3-factor model, consisting of a 12-item Sense of Worthlessness subscale, a 7-item Social Detachment subscale, and a 7-item Painful Recollection subscale. Further analysis showed that both the original and Chinese SVPGS demonstrated good internal consistency. Cronbach's alpha equaled .86, .83, .90, and .95, respectively, for the three subscales of Active Grief Difficulty Coping, and Despair, and the total original SVPGS, and .85, .93, .91, and .95, respectively, for the new subscales of Sense of Worthlessness, Social Detachment, and Painful Recollection, and the total Chinese SVPGS. Both versions demonstrated satisfactory correlations with the participants' psychological distress and spousal emotional support. The authors suggest that both versions are useful in measuring the responses of Chinese women to reproductive loss; the original SVPGS should be used for cross-cultural studies, whereas the Chinese SVPGS should be used for local studies. DOI: 10.1080/07481180903492539