What goes on when tertiary students are engaged in an online academic writing course?

The learning process is a complex one with many intertwining variables. The learners’ characteristics could be a defining factor and so is prior learning experiences and knowledge, which are the manifests of metacognitive, socio-affective and cognitive systems. A learning task engagement calls for an exertion of personal control and the fulfillment of efficiency expectations. In learning, the learner activates a number of processes such as those that concern attentional, retrieval, metacognitive and rehearsal strategies. McCombs (1988) sums up these complexities in his multimodal model of learning with certain underlying assumptions. Among them is that learning success can be manipulated. In promoting learning, the teacher can promote strategy learning such as self-directed learning. Learners if trained can select and be their own judge as to the efficacy of strategy use for the learning task. Lessard-Closton (1997) identified several basic characteristics to describe language learning strategies: they are learner-generated, they enhance language learning and competence, they may be visible or unseen and they involve the processing of information and the use of memory

Mutation of SLC35D3 causes metabolic syndrome by impairing dopamine signaling in striatal D1 neurons

We thank Dr. Ya-Qin Feng from Shanxi Medical University, Dr. Tian-Yun Gao from Nanjing University and Dr. Yan-Hong Xue from Institute of Biophysics (CAS) for technical assistance in this study. We are very thankful to Drs. Richard T. Swank and Xiao-Jiang Li for their critical reading of this manuscript and invaluable advice. Funding: This work was partially supported by grants from National Basic Research Program of China (2013CB530605; 2014CB942803), from National Natural Science Foundation of China 1230046; 31071252; 81101182) and from Chinese Academy of Sciences (KSCX2-EW-R-05, KJZD-EW-L08). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Neural Basis of Working Memory Enhancement after Acute Aerobic Exercise: fMRI Study of Preadolescent Children

Working memory lies at the core of cognitive function and plays a crucial role in children’s learning, reasoning, problem solving, and intellectual activity. Behavioral findings have suggested that acute aerobic exercise improves children’s working memory; however, there is still very little knowledge about whether a single session of aerobic exercise can alter working memory’s brain activation patterns, as assessed by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Therefore, we investigated the effect of acute moderate-intensity aerobic exercise on working memory and its brain activation patterns in preadolescent children, and further explored the neural basis of acute aerobic exercise on working memory in these children. We used a within-subjects design with a counterbalanced order. Nine healthy, right-handed children were scanned with a Siemens MAGNETOM Trio 3.0 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging scanner while they performed a working memory task (N-back task), following a baseline session and a 30-min, moderate-intensity exercise session. Compared with the baseline session, acute moderate-intensity aerobic exercise benefitted performance in the N-back task, increasing brain activities of bilateral parietal cortices, left hippocampus, and the bilateral cerebellum. These data extend the current knowledge by indicating that acute aerobic exercise enhances children’s working memory, and the neural basis may be related to changes in the working memory’s brain activation patterns elicited by acute aerobic exercise

Profiling the differentially expressed genes in two rice varieties during rapid grain-filling stages

Grain filling is an important agronomic trait, which directly affects the final yield of rice. Partially filled and empty rice grains are among the factors that limit the yield of MR219, one of the highest yielding rice varieties in Malaysia. In this study, the NSF 20 K rice oligonucleotide array, which contains 20,000 70-mer oligonucleotide probes, was used for direct comparison of the transcriptomes of MR219 and MR84 (a rice variety that has higher percentage of filled grains compared to MR219), during rapid grain-filling period at 5 and 10 days after fertilization (DAF). A total of 155 and 233 genes were differentially expressed in MR219 compared to MR84 at 5 and 10 DAF, respectively; and 9 of these expression ratios were tested using quantitative real-time RT PCR. Among the differentially expressed genes identified were those encoding hexokinase, various sugar transporters, GSDL-like lipase/acylhydrolase, brassinosteroid-insensitive 1-associated receptor kinase 1 precursor and homeobox protein GLABRA2, which were analyzed by real-time RT PCR in this study. The differences demonstrated by these genes in their transcript levels and profiles, between the two rice varieties understudied at different stages of grain filling may contribute to the formulation of hypotheses toward the understanding of poor percentage of filled grains in MR219

Exact ground states for the four-electron problem in a Hubbard ladder

The exact ground state of four electrons in an arbitrary large two leg Hubbard ladder is deduced from nine analytic and explicit linear equations. The used procedure is described, and the properties of the ground state are analyzed. The method is based on the construction in r-space of the different type of orthogonal basis wave vectors which span the subspace of the Hilbert space containing the ground state. In order to do this, we start from the possible microconfigurations of the four particles within the system. These microconfigurations are then rotated, translated and spin-reversed in order to build up the basis vectors of the problem. A closed system of nine analytic linear equations is obtained whose secular equation, by its minimum energy solution, provides the ground state energy and the ground state wave function of the model.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figure

Convergence of TOR-nitrogen and Snf1-glucose signaling pathways onto Gln3

Carbon and nitrogen are two basic nutrient sources for cellular organisms. They supply precursors for energy metabolism and metabolic biosynthesis. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, distinct sensing and signaling pathways have been described that regulate gene expression in response to the quality of carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. Gln3 is a GATA-type transcription factor of nitrogen catabolite-repressible (NCR) genes. Previous observations indicate that the quality of nitrogen sources controls the phosphorylation and cytoplasmic retention of Gln3 via the target of rapamycin (TOR) protein. In this study, we show that glucose also regulates Gln3 phosphorylation and subcellular localization, which is mediated by Snf1, the yeast homolog of AMP-dependent protein kinase and a cytoplasmic glucose sensor. Our data show that glucose and nitrogen signaling pathways converge onto Gln3, which may be critical for both nutrient sensing and starvation responses

Interaction of Hb South Florida (codon 1; GTG→ATG) and HbE, with β-thalassemia (IVS1-1; G→A): expression of different clinical phenotypes

Introduction: Interactions of different hemoglobin variants with thalassemia alleles can result in various clinical phenotypes. HbE-β-thalassemia generally manifests with severe anemia where individuals exhibit β-thalassemia major with regular blood transfusions or β-thalassemia intermedia with periodic blood transfusions. This study presents a unique Malay family with three β-globin gene defects—HbE, Hb South Florida, and IVS1-1 (G→A). Materials and methods: HbE activates a cryptic splice site that produces non-functional mRNAs. Hb South Florida is a rare β-hemoglobin variant, and its interactions with other β-thalassemia alleles have not been reported. IVS1-1 is a Mediterranean mutation that affects mRNA processing giving rise to βo-thalassemia. Results and discussion: Fifteen mutations along the β-globin gene complex were analyzed using the amplification refractory mutation system. Hb South Florida was identified by direct sequencing using genomic DNA Conclusion: The affected child with HbE/IVS1-1 produced a β-thalassemia major phenotype. Compound heterozygosity for Hb South Florida/IVS1-1 produced a β-thalassemia carrier phenotype in the mother

The Customer Perception Influence The Purchase Intention Of Milo Breakfast Cereals

As what show in chapter 1,the eating habit in the recent years have changed the customer perception on breakfast cereals in Malaysia.Customer perception is very important in the purchase intention.Customer perception are considered as the perception of a customer towards a products or service including perceived price,perceived quality and perceived value.The customer perception will influence the purchase intention such as brand awareness and customer satisfaction.Besides,the awareness of public to the quality of breakfast cereals which is rise in our country.In the price aspect the customer will also concern and made comparison before they buy the MILO breakfast cereal.Customers now also concern about the perceived value if compare to before.Hence,it is important for the research to be carried to identify which factors of the customer perception is crucial for the MILO breakfast cereals to lead them into succeed

Pharmacists in Pharmacovigilance: Can Increased Diagnostic Opportunity in Community Settings Translate to Better Vigilance?

The pharmacy profession has undergone substantial change over the last two to three decades. Whilst medicine supply still remains a central function, pharmacist’s roles and responsibilities have become more clinic and patient focused. In the community (primary care), pharmacists have become important providers of healthcare as Western healthcare policy advocates patient self-care. This has resulted in pharmacists taking on greater responsibility in managing minor illness and the delivery of public health interventions. These roles require pharmacists to more fully use their clinical skills, and often involve diagnosis and therapeutic management. Community pharmacists are now, more than ever before, in a position to identify, record and report medication safety incidents. However, current research suggests that diagnostic ability of community pharmacists is questionable and they infrequently report to local or national schemes. The aim of this paper is to highlight current practice and suggest ways in which community pharmacy can more fully contribute to patient safety

Suicidal ideation, subtypes and association with mental health service utilization and suicide attempts

Although interventions exist to respond to suicidality, evidence is mixed on whether these reduce suicide in the community. Studies tend to examine subpopulations like students, less commonly the general population - 10% of whom experience suicidal ideation.Mental health services can be effective in reducing suicidality, and drawing on Andersen’s Model of Health Care Utilization, this thesis found inconsistent evidence that mental health services availability reduces population-level suicide rates. In studying population-level suicidal ideation, the thesis draws on ideation-to-action-framework theories which suggest risk factors for ideation differ from those for suicide attempts, and distinctive factors such as a person’s acquired capability for suicide facilitate transition from ideation to action. Using a robust community-representative survey linked with health administrative data, this thesis found that persons with suicidal ideation are diverse in profile in terms of whether they have ideation only, made a suicide plan, or had previous attempts. Compared to those with ideation alone, persons with ideation accompanied by a plan and/or previous attempt (ideators-with-action) are more likely to have sought help, use mental health services and attempt suicide over the long term. The risk factors that elevate those with no-ideation to ideation are the same factors that further elevate those with ideation only to action – male, younger, unpartnered, less educated, have lower income, no job, a mood and anxiety disorder, a substance use disorder and help-seeking - suggesting a continuum of suicidal behaviour and common risk factors. Ideators with action have a greater likelihood of using mental health services, and of attempting suicide, compared to ideators without action. This indicates that higher-risk ideators are appropriately linked to formal mental health services. Still, large proportions of ideators, whether they only ideate or also have a plan or previous attempts, do not access professional mental health services. Lower-risk ideators may find more effective help through informal supports such as family, friends and community and rightly judge that they do not require formal services. The ideation stage is worthy of further research to differentiate risk depending on ideator type in order to plan responses to the types and to signs of progression to suicidal behaviour.Ph.D