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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 self-regulated 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.

Project-based learning (PBL) approach has been adopted in the classroom to engage students actively in the learning process and to allow them to master content knowledge and useful skills. This mixed-method study investigates the perceived benefits and challenges of using the PBL method in developing and enhancing undergraduates' grammar mastery and 21st-century learning skills. Thirty-five ESL undergraduates from an intact grammar class participated in the study. A questionnaire was administered to elicit the participants' views on using the PBL approach to develop grammar, collaboration, and speaking skills. In addition, group discussions on Google Docs and reflective journals were collected to obtain insights into their learning processes. The participants preferred the PBL approach, which was more effective, invigorating, and empowering than traditional lecture-style teaching. Although it was time-consuming, challenging, and rigorous, the participants demonstrated their competencies of 21st-century learning skills at the end of the project. PBL maximised language use, increased higher-order thinking, unleashed creativity, and honed ICT skills. These skills are essential to equip and prepare them to be employable and future-ready for workplace demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability for students to self-regulate their learning and to learn effectively with peers become two distinctive competencies in the era of the 4th Industrial Revolution. These competencies also affect academic achievement, an important variable used to measure attainment of learning outcomes. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the influence of peer learning and selfregulated learning (SRL) strategies on students' academic achievement. Of the 409 respondents, only 347 were valid for data analysis, forming a usable case of 84.84%. The instruments used was an online questionnaire, which was 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. Given that the structural model exhibited a good fit to the data (χ²/df = 1.697; CFI = 0.916; IFI = 0.917; TFI = 0.912; and RMSEA = 0.045), the results unveiled that students' ability to learn with peers were found to have a positive and significant effect on academic achievement (β = 0.478, C.R. = 3.628, p = 0.000), and significantly influenced students' SRL strategies (β = 0.793; C.R. = 6.991; p = 0.000). This study also discusses the practical implications to facilitate the development of students' self-regulated learning (SRL) and peer learning competencies in blended learning courses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a highly pure and crystalline material generated by aerobic bacteria, which has received significant interest due to its unique physiochemical characteristics in comparison with plant cellulose. BC, alone or in combination with different components (e.g., biopolymers and nanoparticles), can be used for a wide range of applications, such as medical products, electrical instruments, and food ingredients. In recent years, biomedical devices have gained important attention due to the increase in medical engineering products for wound care, regeneration of organs, diagnosis of diseases, and drug transportation. Bacterial cellulose has potential applications across several medical sectors and permits the development of innovative materials. This paper reviews the progress of related research, including overall information about bacterial cellulose, production by microorganisms, mechanisms as well as BC cultivation and its nanocomposites. The latest use of BC in the biomedical field is thoroughly discussed with its applications in both a pure and composite form. This paper concludes the further investigations of BC in the future that are required to make it marketable in vital biomaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential ability of a new yeast strain, Pichia kudriavzevii, in the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) through a green method was explored in this study. The effect of reaction time (12, 24 and 36 h) on the structure of the resulting ZnO nanoparticles was investigated. From the XRD and TEM results, the ZnO-NPs with a hexagonal wurtzite structure and a particle crystal size of ~10-61 nm was formed at different reaction times. Combing XRD, TEM, and PL results, it was revealed that the sample prepared at intermediate duration (24 h) has the most favorable nanosized structure with the lowest defect concentration. The biomedical properties of ZnO-NPs as free radical scavenging activity, cytotoxicity and antibacterial agents were characterized. Biosynthesized ZnO-NPs showed strong DPPH free radical scavenging and a dose dependent toxicity with non-toxic effects on Vero cells for concentrations below 190 μ/mL. Desirable bactericidal activity was shown by the ZnO-NPs on Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aurous) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens). A maximum inhibition zone of ~19 mm was observed for Staphylococcus epidermidis at a concentration of 100 μ/mL for sample prepared at 24 h. The results from this study reveal that ZnO-NPs possesses potential for many medical and industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Bacterial biofilms are a preferred mode of growth for many types of microorganisms in their natural environments. The ability of pathogens to integrate within a biofilm is pivotal to their survival. The possibility of biofilm formation in Lactobacillus communities is also important in various industrial and medical settings. Lactobacilli can eliminate the colonization of different pathogenic microorganisms. Alternatively, new opportunities are now arising with the rapidly expanding potential of lactic acid bacteria biofilms as bio-control agents against food-borne pathogens. Results: A new isolate Lactobacillusplantarum PA21 could form a strong biofilm in pure culture and in combination with several pathogenic and food-spoilage bacteria such as Salmonella enterica, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas fluore- scens, and Aeromonas hydrophila. Exposure to Lb. plantarum PA21 significantly reduced the number of P fluorescens, A. hydrophila and B. cereus cells in the biofilm over 2-, 4- and 6-day time periods. However, despite the reduction in S. enterica cells, this pathogen showed greater resistance in the presence of PA21 developed biofilm, either in the plank- tonic or biofilm phase. Lb. plantarum PA21 was also found to be able to constitutively express GFP when transformed with the expression vector pMG36e which harbors the gfp gene as a reporter demonstrating that the newly isolated strain can be used as host for genetic engineering. Conclusion: In this study, we evaluate the ability of a new Lactobacillus isolate to form strong biofilm, which would provide the inhibitory effect against several spoilage and pathogenic bacteria. This new isolate has the potential to serve as a safe and effective cell factory for recombinant proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of phorbol esters (PEs) with toxic properties limits the use of Jatropha curcas kernel in the animal feed industry. Therefore, suitable methods to detoxify PEs have to be developed to render the material safe as a feed ingredient. In the present study, the biological treatment of the extracted PEs-rich fraction with non-pathogenic fungi (Trichoderma harzianum JQ350879.1, T. harzianum JQ517493.1, Paecilomyces sinensis JQ350881.1, Cladosporium cladosporioides JQ517491.1, Fusarium chlamydosporum JQ350882.1, F. chlamydosporum JQ517492.1 and F. chlamydosporum JQ350880.1) was conducted by fermentation in broth cultures. The PEs were detected by liquid chromatography-diode array detector-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-DAD-ESIMS) and quantitatively monitored by HPLC using phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate as the standard. At day 30 of incubation, two T. harzianum spp., P. sinensis and C. cladosporioides significantly (p < 0.05) removed PEs with percentage losses of 96.9%-99.7%, while F. chlamydosporum strains showed percentage losses of 88.9%-92.2%. All fungal strains could utilize the PEs-rich fraction for growth. In the cytotoxicity assay, cell viabilities of Chang liver and NIH 3T3 fibroblast cell lines were less than 1% with the untreated PEs-rich fraction, but 84.3%-96.5% with the fungal treated PEs-rich fraction. There was no inhibition on cell viability for normal fungal growth supernatants. To conclude, Trichoderma spp., Paecilomyces sp. and Cladosporium sp. are potential microbes for the detoxification of PEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Defatted Jatropha curcas L. (J. curcas) seed kernels contained a high percentage of crude protein (61.8%) and relatively little acid detergent fiber (4.8%) and neutral detergent fiber (9.7%). Spectrophotometric analysis of the methanolic extract showed the presence of phenolics, flavonoids and saponins with values of 3.9, 0.4 and 19.0 mg/g DM, respectively. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses showed the presence of gallic acid and pyrogallol (phenolics), rutin and myricetin (flavonoids) and daidzein (isoflavonoid). The amount of phorbol esters in the methanolic extract estimated by HPLC was 3.0 ± 0.1 mg/g DM. Other metabolites detected by GC-MS include: 2-(hydroxymethyl)-2 nitro-1,3-propanediol, β-sitosterol, 2-furancarboxaldehyde, 5-(hydroxymethy) and acetic acid in the methanolic extract; 2-furancarboxaldehyde, 5-(hydroxymethy), acetic acid and furfural (2-furancarboxaldehyde) in the hot water extract. Methanolic and hot water extracts of kernel meal showed antimicrobial activity against both Gram positive and Gram negative pathogenic bacteria (inhibition range: 0-1.63 cm) at the concentrations of 1 and 1.5 mg/disc. Methanolic extract exhibited antioxidant activities that are higher than hot water extract and comparable to β-carotene. The extracts tended to scavenge the free radicals in the reduction of ferric ion (Fe3+) to ferrous ion (Fe2+). Cytotoxicity assay results indicated the potential of methanolic extract as a source of anticancer therapeutic agents toward breast cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work reports the biobleaching effect on OPEFB pulp upon utilisation of extracellular xylano-pectinolytic enzymes simultaneously yielded from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens ADI2. The impacts of different doses, retention times, pH, and temperatures required for the pulp biobleaching process were delineated accordingly. Here, the OPEFB pulp was subjected to pre-treatment with xylano-pectinolytic enzymes generated from the same alkalo-thermotolerant isolate that yielded those of higher quality. Remarkable enhanced outcomes were observed across varying pulp attributes: for example, enzyme-treated pulp treated to chemical bleaching sequence generated improved brightness of 11.25%. This resulted in 11.25% of less chlorine or chemical consumption required for obtaining pulp with optical attributes identical to those generated via typical chemical bleaching processes. Ultimately, the reduced consumption of chlorine would minimise the organochlorine compounds found in an effluent, resulting in a lowered environmental effect of paper-making processes overall as a consequence. This will undoubtedly facilitate such environmentally-friendly technology incorporation in the paper pulp industry of today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed kernel from Jatropha curcas L. cannot be utilized as animal feed due to the presence of toxic phorbol esters. However, biological treatments may alleviate the concentration of phorbol esters to a safe level. In the present study, two fungal isolates obtained from garden soil and five endophytes from Achillea fragrantissima plant in Saudi Arabia were used for treatments of J. curcas kernel. These fungi were identified as Cladosporium cladosporioides (isolate TUC9), Fusarium chlamydosporum (isolates TUF1, TUF10 and TUF11), Paecilomyces sinensis (isolate TUP8) and Trichoderma harzianum (isolates TUT1 and TUT2), based on their morphological characteristics and internal transcribed spacer regions sequence analysis. Fungal extracts at 250 µg mL[sup -1] of all isolates grown in potato dextrose broth (PDB) did not show cytotoxic effect against both human Chang liver and mouse NTH 3T3 fibroblasts cell lines. Treatment of J. curcas kernel in submerged fermentation showed the ability of all isolates to grow in 30 ml PDB supplemented with 14 g ground Jatropha kernel (5.6 g dry matter) containing 15.57 mg phorbol esters. The levels of phorbol esters decreased from 2.78 mg g[sup-1] dry matter of kernel to 0.06 mg g[sup _1]of spent substrate (97.8%) after 30 d incubation at 28°C by T. harzianum TUT1. Lipase activity was observed in all fungal isolates, but only P. sinensis TUP8, C. cladosporioides TUC9 and F. chlamydosporum TUF10 showed both lipase and esterase activities. Both enzyme activities were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the presence of phorbol esters. © 2014 Friends Science Publishers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research presents the antibacterial potential and mode of action of related active compounds of kernel meal, leaves, stem bark, root bark and root wood extracts of Jatropha curcas Linn. plant on Staphylococcus aureus S1434 and Escherichia coli E216. At double MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) value, cell viability of S. aureus S1434 was inhibited by all extracts, but only kernel meal and root wood extracts inhibited E. coli E216. At half MIC, the µ24 (decrease in cell viability after 24h) for S. aureus S1434 was 69 and 66%, while that of E. coli E216 were 44 and 42% in the presence of kernel meal and leaves extract, respectively. However at double MIC, leö than 5% of viable cells of S. aureus S1434 were detected in the leaves and root bark extracts after 5h. Conversely, leö than 5% of the viable cells of E. coli E216 were detected in the presence of kernel meal and root wood extract after 7.5h. Loö of 260nm absorbing compounds and proteins from bacterial cells was directly proportional to the time of exposure of cells to the extracts. All extracts caused bacterial cells to lose their ability to tolerate salt (NaCl) at double MIC value. The loö of 260[sub nm] absorbing compounds, proteins and the loö of tolerance to NaCl suggest that leaves, root bark and kernel meal damaged the bacterial cell membrane. The analysis of bioactive compounds by GC-MS confirmed the presence of acetic acid, hexadecanoic acid, citric acid, 9-octadecenoic acid as the major membrane-active antibacterial compounds.© 2014 Friends Science Publishers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]