Predicting technology acceptance among student teachers in Malaysia: A structural equation modeling approach

In response towards the advances of technology in the Malaysian education system, the authors investigated the predictors of technology acceptance among a sample of student teachers. Data collected from 245 student teachers were tested against the Technology Acceptance Model using the structural equation modeling approach. The variables that were tested included perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEU), attitudes toward computer use (ATCU), and behavioural intentions to use the computer (BI). The results of the study showed that ATCU was significantly influenced by PU and PEU. PEU also influenced PU significantly and BI was jointly influenced by PU and ATCU

Characteristics of the nuclear (18S, 5.8S, 28S and 5S) and mitochondrial (12S and 16S) rRNA genes of Apis mellifera (Insecta: Hymenoptera): structure, organization, and retrotransposable elements

As an accompanying manuscript to the release of the honey bee genome, we report the entire sequence of the nuclear (18S, 5.8S, 28S and 5S) and mitochondrial (12S and 16S) ribosomal RNA (rRNA)-encoding gene sequences (rDNA) and related internally and externally transcribed spacer regions of Apis mellifera (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Apocrita). Additionally, we predict secondary structures for the mature rRNA molecules based on comparative sequence analyses with other arthropod taxa and reference to recently published crystal structures of the ribosome. In general, the structures of honey bee rRNAs are in agreement with previously predicted rRNA models from other arthropods in core regions of the rRNA, with little additional expansion in non-conserved regions. Our multiple sequence alignments are made available on several public databases and provide a preliminary establishment of a global structural model of all rRNAs from the insects. Additionally, we provide conserved stretches of sequences flanking the rDNA cistrons that comprise the externally transcribed spacer regions (ETS) and part of the intergenic spacer region (IGS), including several repetitive motifs. Finally, we report the occurrence of retrotransposition in the nuclear large subunit rDNA, as R2 elements are present in the usual insertion points found in other arthropods. Interestingly, functional R1 elements usually present in the genomes of insects were not detected in the honey bee rRNA genes. The reverse transcriptase products of the R2 elements are deduced from their putative open reading frames and structurally aligned with those from another hymenopteran insect, the jewel wasp Nasonia (Pteromalidae). Stretches of conserved amino acids shared between Apis and Nasonia are illustrated and serve as potential sites for primer design, as target amplicons within these R2 elements may serve as novel phylogenetic markers for Hymenoptera. Given the impending completion of the sequencing of the Nasonia genome, we expect our report eventually to shed light on the evolution of the hymenopteran genome within higher insects, particularly regarding the relative maintenance of conserved rDNA genes, related variable spacer regions and retrotransposable elements

Investigating the Technology Acceptance among Student Teachers in Malaysia: An Application of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)

This study investigated 245 Malaysian student teachers’ self-reported intentions to use (ITU) computers. Using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as a research framework, this study found perceived usefulness (PU) of computer technology, perceived ease of use (PEU), and attitude towards computer use (ATCU) to be significant determinants of ITU. Results obtained using structural equation modelling revealed that (1) PEU significantly influenced PU; (2) both PU and PEU significantly influenced ATCU, and (3) both PU and ATCU significantly influenced ITU. In essence, the results of this study present some evidence that TAM serves as a valid model to predict technology acceptance among student teachers in Malaysia

Assessing e-learning acceptance by university students in Thailand

The aim of this study is to assess e-learning acceptance by students, using data collected from 377 students at three public universities in Thailand. Using the E-learning Acceptance Measure (Teo, 2010b), participants gave their responses to 21 statements on three factors hypothesised to measure e-learning: tutor quality, perceived usefulness, and facilitating conditions. Results showed that university students in Thailand have an above average level of e-learning acceptance (mean=111.36 out of 147). Among the user domains, age and perceived competence correlated significantly with the factors in ElAM. Using MIMIC modelling, students' e-learning acceptance was found to be significantly different by age and perceived competence

A cross-cultural examination of the intention to use technology between Singaporean and Malaysian pre-service teachers: An application of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)

As computers becomes more ubiquitous in our everyday lives, educational settings are being transformed where educators and students are expected to teach and learn, using computers (Lee, 2003). This study, therefore, explored pre-service teachers' self reported future intentions to use computers in Singapore and Malaysia. A survey methodology was employed such that validated items from past relevant research work were adopted. Based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), 495 completed surveys of pre-service teachers were collected from both countries. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was implemented on the data captured. This study contributes to the growing multi-cultural studies on TAM by demonstrating that perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEU) and computer attitudes (CA) to be significant determinants of both Singaporean and Malaysian pre-service teachers' behavioral intention (BI). Differences were, however, detected between Singaporean and Malaysian pre-service teachers in terms of PU, PEU and CA but no differences were detected in BI with regards to technology acceptance

Data from: Historical data for conservation: reconstructing range changes of Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) in eastern China (1970-2016)

The Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) has long suffered from intense exploitation driven by consumer demand for medicinal use and food. Effective conservation management is hampered by insufficient data on pangolin status and distribution. We integrated ecological niche modeling with long-term ecological records at the local scale (e.g. from local historical documents, grey and published literature and interviews) to estimate the magnitude of potential distribution change of the Chinese pangolin in eastern China (Fujian, Jiangxi and Zhejiang provinces) over time. Our results suggest that the range of the species decreased by 52.20% between the 1970s and early 2000s, and that the population is now mainly confined to the Wuyi Mountains. This reduction in potential distribution range is attributable to anthropogenic pressures. According to our conservation prioritization analysis, the priority conservation area for the Chinese pangolin in eastern China is 51,268.4 km2, 5.62% of which is covered by nature reserves. There are 18 nature reserves and 46 prefectures which are priority areas for conservation in China. The priority-level nature reserves and prefectures in eastern China are mainly located in the center of the Wuyi Mountains, and areas declared important tend to be around the Wuyi Mountains. We propose several actions to improve the conservation status of this species: establish or enlarge nature reserves, ensure local governments at the prefecture level prioritizes conservation management, and encourage local communities to participate in pangolin conservation

Appendix I Data collection from Historical data for conservation: reconstructing range changes of Chinese pangolin (<i>Manis pentadactyla</i>) in eastern China (1970–2016)

Appendix I Data collectio

Appendix IV Influence from climate change from Historical data for conservation: reconstructing range changes of Chinese pangolin (<i>Manis pentadactyla</i>) in eastern China (1970–2016)

Appendix IV Influence from climate chang

Appendix II Environmental variables, niche analysis and model performance from Historical data for conservation: reconstructing range changes of Chinese pangolin (<i>Manis pentadactyla</i>) in eastern China (1970–2016)

Appendix II Environmental variables, niche analysis and model performanc