Taylors University

About: Taylors University is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Tourism & Population. The organization has 1513 authors who have published 2954 publications receiving 33603 citations.

Self-Regulated Learning as a Mediator in the Relationship between Peer Learning and Online Learning Satisfaction: A Study of a Private University in Malaysia.

Abstract: Purpose – Students’ ability to self-regulate their learning and to learn effectively with peers are indicators of success in the era of the 4th Industrial Revolution. This study investigated whether peer learning helps to influence online learning satisfaction in the presence of selfregulated learning (SRL) as a mediating variable. Methodology - The study adopted a correlational research design to examine the possibility of relationships between these variables.The sample was selected based on proportional stratified sampling method. Of the 409 respondents, only 347 were valid for data analysis, forming a usable case of 84.84%. The instrument used was an online questionnaire adapted from pre-existing reliable multi-item instruments. Structural Equation Model (SEM) analysis was used to examine the relationship between the constructs in the hypothesised model, while Bootstrapping test was applied to examine the mediation effects of SRL. Findings - From the direct effect of the SEM analysis, students’ ability to learn with peers was found to have significantly influenced their SRL strategies, while SRL strategies were found to have a positive and statistically significant effect on online learning satisfaction. Moreover, the findings from the Bootstrapping test concurred that the influence of peer learning on online learning satisfaction was fully mediated by SRL. Significance - By understanding the mediator roles played by SRL, this study hopes to provide insights for universities and course instructors to make pedagogically informed design decisions by integrating appropriate SRL strategies in the development of blended learning courses.

THE DRIVERS OF ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION IN ASEAN+China: DO FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND URBANIZATION HAVE ANY MODERATING EFFECT?

Abstract: This study examines the drivers of environmental degradation in ASEAN+China. It focusses on three unresolved questions: (i) Does the inclusion of China in ASEAN panel aggravate environmental degrad...

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and risk of diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract: Emerging epidemiological evidence suggests that patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency may have a higher risk of developing diabetes. The aim of the review was to synthesise the evidence on the association between G6PD deficiency and diabetes. A systematic search on Medline, EMBASE, AMED and CENTRAL databases for studies published between January 1966 and September 2016 that assessed the association between G6PD deficiency and diabetes was conducted. This was supplemented by a review of the reference list of retrieved articles. We extracted data on study characteristics, outcomes and performed an assessment on the methodological quality of the studies. A random-effects model was used to compute the summary risk estimates. Fifteen relevant publications involving 949,260 participants were identified, from which seven studies contributed to the meta-analysis. G6PD deficiency was associated with a higher odd of diabetes (odds ratio 2.37, 95% confidence interval 1.50–3.73). The odds ratio of diabetes among men was higher (2.22, 1.31–3.75) compared to women (1.87, 1.12–3.12). This association was broadly consistent in the sensitivity analysis. Current evidence suggests that G6PD deficiency may be a risk factor for diabetes, with higher odds among men compared to women. Further research is needed to determine how G6PD deficiency moderates diabetes.

Identification of Differentially Expressed Proteins in the Serum of Colorectal Cancer Patients Using 2D-DIGE Proteomics Analysis

Abstract: Early detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) is vital for the improvement of disease prognosis. However to date there are no blood-based biomarkers sensitive and specific enough for early diagnosis. We analysed the differences in serum protein expression of early stage CRC (Dukes’ A and B) and late stage CRC (Dukes’ C and D) against normal controls using 2D Fluorescence Difference Gel Electrophoresis (2D-DIGE). Analysis of the 2D maps showed that 23 proteins were differentially expressed between groups (p≤0.05) and these proteins were identified with LC-MS/MS. Eight proteins were up-regulated and 2 down-regulated in patients with early CRC, whereas 14 proteins were up-regulated and 4 downregulated in those with late CRC compared to normal controls (p≤0.05). Five proteins, namely apolipoprotein A1 (APOA1), apolipoprotein E (APOE), complement factor H (CFH), galectin-7 (GAL7) and synaptojanin-2 (SYNJ2) were validated using ELISA and only APOA1 and GAL-7 showed consistent findings. Further validation using immunohistochemistry showed negative immunoreactivity for GAL-7 in CRC tissues, suggesting that GAL-7 detected in the serum did not originate from the CRC tumour. APOA1 showed positive immunoreactivity but its expression did not correlate with Dukes’ staging (p=0.314), tumour grading (p=0.880) and lymph node involvement (p=0.108). Differences in APOA1 isoforms and/or conformation between serum and tissue samples as well as tumour heterogeneity may explain for the discrepancies between DIGE and ELISAwhen compared to immunohistochemistry. Structural and functional studies of APOA1 in future would best describe the role of APOA1 in CRC.