ABSTRACT
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of academic self-efficacy on test anxiety among higher vocational students, as well as the role of sense of life meaning, fear of failure, and gender difference in mediating this relationship. Methods: A total of 2231 higher vocational students from Shandong Province were surveyed by means of Academic Self-efficacy Questionnaire, Meaning in Life Questionnaire, and Test Anxiety Scale. Results: There were significant negative correlations among academic self-efficacy, sense of life meaning, and test anxiety. Fear of failure was positively correlated with test anxiety. Sense of life meaning and fear of failure played a mediating role in the relationship between academic self-efficacy and test anxiety. The chain mediating effect was significant only in the female group, not in the male group. In contrast, academic self-efficacy indirectly predicted test anxiety by the independent mediating effect of sense of life meaning or fear of failure in the male group. Conclusion: Academic self-efficacy may influence test anxiety through the independent mediating effect of sense of life meaning, fear of failure, and the chain mediating effect, and there is a gender difference in these effects.
ABSTRACT
Aloin and polysaccharide present in extracts of Aloe arborescens Miller were formulated into a binary solution to protect eyes from bacterial infection and ultraviolet radiation (UVR). The UVR absorption spectrum was recorded from 190 to 440 nm using a UV spectrometer. The physical properties of the product were examined in terms of its appearance, odor, pH, viscosity, density, refractive index, and stability. The binary solution exhibited three absorption peaks in the UVA, B and C regions, respectively. Such UV absorption capability was attributed to the phenolic chromophores pertaining to aloin. The present study suggested that the formulated binary solution has potential application as an UV absorption agent with built-in antimicrobial activity.
Subject(s)
Aloe/chemistry , Emodin/analogs & derivatives , Ophthalmic Solutions/chemistry , Polysaccharides/chemistry , Emodin/chemistry , Lactones , Plant Leaves/chemistry , Sesquiterpenes , Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet , Ultraviolet RaysABSTRACT
AIM OF THE STUDY: Genus Aloe has been traditionally utilized for medicinal purpose for decades. Compared with Aloe vera gel, the qualitative assessment for the therapeutic effects of the other two Aloe species, Aloe ferox Miller and Aloe arborescens Miller, for their topical wound healing was less addressed. Therefore, the aim of present study is to provide the positive evidence for Aloe ferox Miller and Aloe arborescens Miller supporting their therapeutic properties for topical treatment of skin wounds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two types of the whole-leaf juice prepared from either Aloe ferox Miller or Aloe arborescens Miller were used in this study. Incision wound healing was investigated using both the rat and rabbit model. The wound closure rate with and without the topical administration of the whole-leaf juice were monitored. The changes in wound characteristics were traced and wound severity was scored on different days. The anti-microorganism actions of each whole-leaf juice preparation were evaluated by measuring their inhibition growth effects on four bacterial strains and three fungal spores. The toxic influence owing to topical application of Aloe whole-leaf juice on intact and damaged skin was also assessed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that the two types of whole-leaf juice preparations exhibit the therapeutic properties, including facilitation of the healing process, selective inhibition of the microbial growth and zero side-effect on the skin, during the observation period. It is concluded that both of Aloe whole-leaf juice preparations have the positive potential for skin medicinal application.
