ORCID Profile
0000-0002-5360-9915
Current Organisations
The University of Edinburgh
,
Total English Learning Global
,
Nanyang Technlogical University Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine
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Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 08-10-2018
DOI: 10.1017/S003329171800291X
Abstract: The prevalence of sleep problems among pregnant women is over 50%, and daytime sleepiness is among the most common sleep problems. Previous studies have associated antenatal sleep problems with adverse maternal health and neonatal outcomes, but the consequences of antenatal sleep problems and particularly daytime sleepiness on child psychological development have not been assessed prospectively. In this prospective cohort study including 111 mother-child dyads, we examined the associations of maternal daytime sleepiness during pregnancy, assessed at 17 and 28 weeks of gestation using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, with child neuropsychiatric problems and neuropsychological development, assessed with mother-rated questionnaires and in idually administered neuropsychological tests, at child age 2.6–5.7 years (mean = 4.3 years). Independently of sociodemographic and perinatal covariates and maternal depressive and anxiety symptoms during and/or after pregnancy, maternal antenatal daytime sleepiness was associated with increased total [unstandardized regression coefficient ( B ) = 0.25 standard deviation ( s.d. ) units 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.01–0.48] and internalizing ( B = 0.25 s.d. s: 95% CI 0.01–0.49) psychiatric problems and ADHD symptoms ( B = 0.27 s.d. s: 95% CI 0.04–0.50) in children, and with poorer executive function, particularly in the areas of attention, working memory and inhibitory control ( B = −0.39 s.d. s: 95% CI −0.69 to −0.10). Maternal antenatal daytime sleepiness carries adverse consequences for offspring psychological development. The assessment of sleep problems may be an important addition to standard antenatal care.
Publisher: ISTES Organization
Date: 28-09-2021
DOI: 10.46328/IJTES.291
Abstract: Higher education institutions have switched from the traditional paper-based assessment to online assessment in the last decade, and it is worthwhile to examine how the users have perceived such a change. While many technology acceptance studies focused on students as participants, this study examines the lecturers' perception of online assessment. The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model (UTAUT) has been widely adapted for technology acceptance studies, and it is suitable for the study on online assessment systems. Unlike the findings from the original UTAUT model, performance expectancy did not have a significant effect on behavioral intention. A new relationship was found between Social Influence and Use Behavior. The UTAUT was extended with Usability, Learnability and Attitude as additional constructs. An essential aspect of this study ascertained that attitude, a construct that was absent in the original model, has a significant effect on behavioral intention.
Publisher: European Respiratory Society (ERS)
Date: 26-07-2022
DOI: 10.1183/13993003.02962-2021
Abstract: There are few data to support accurate interpretation of spirometry data in South Asia, a major global region with a high reported burden of chronic respiratory disease. We measured lung function in 7453 healthy men and women aged ≥18 years, from Bangladesh, North India, South India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, as part of the South Asia Biobank study. First, we assessed the accuracy of existing equations for predicting normal forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV 1 ) and FEV 1 /FVC ratio. Then, we used our data to derive (n=5589) and internally validate (n=1864) new prediction equations among South Asians, with further external validation among 339 healthy South Asians living in Singapore. The Global Lung Initiative (GLI) and National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey consistently overestimated expiratory volumes (best fit GLI-African American, mean± sd z-score: FEV 1 −0.94±1.05, FVC −0.91±1.10 n=7453). Age, height and weight were strong predictors of lung function in our participants (p .001), and sex-specific reference equations using these three variables were highly accurate in both internal validation (z-scores: FEV 1 0.03±0.99, FVC 0.04±0.97, FEV 1 /FVC −0.03±0.99) and external validation (z-scores: FEV 1 0.31±0.99, FVC 0.24±0.97, FEV 1 /FVC 0.16±0.91). Further adjustment for study regions improves the model fit, with highest accuracy for estimation of region-specific lung function in South Asia. We present improved equations for predicting lung function in South Asians. These offer the opportunity to enhance diagnosis and management of acute and chronic lung diseases in this major global population.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2015
DOI: 10.1016/J.PSYNEUEN.2015.05.004
Abstract: Maternal emotional distress symptoms, including life satisfaction, anxiety and depressed mood, are worse in Severely Obese (SO) than lean pregnancy and may alter placental genes regulating fetal glucocorticoid exposure and placental growth. We hypothesised that the associations between increased maternal distress symptoms and changes in placental gene expression including IGF2 and genes regulating fetal glucocorticoid exposure are more pronounced in SO pregnancy. We also considered whether there were sex-specific effects. Placental mRNA levels of 11β-HSDs, NR3C1-α, NR3C2, ABC transporters, mTOR and the IGF2 family were measured in term placental s les from 43 lean (BMI≤25kg/m(2)) and 50 SO (BMI≥40kg/m(2)) women, in whom distress symptoms were prospectively evaluated during pregnancy. The mRNA levels of genes with a similar role in regulating fetal glucocorticoid exposure were strongly inter-correlated. Increased maternal distress symptoms associated with increased NR3C2 and IGF2 isoform 1(IGF2-1) in both lean and SO group (p≤0.05). Increased distress was associated with higher ABCB1 and ABCG2 mRNA levels in SO but lower ABCB1 and higher 11β-HSD1 mRNA levels in lean (p≤0.05) suggesting a protective adaptive response in SO placentas. Increased maternal distress associated with reduced mRNA levels of ABCB1, ABCG2, 11β-HSD2, NR3C1-α and IGF2-1 in placentas of female but not male offspring. The observed sex differences in placental responses suggest greater vulnerability of female fetuses to maternal distress with potentially greater fetal glucocorticoid exposure and excess IGF2. Further studies are needed to replicate these findings and to test whether this translates to potentially greater negative outcomes of maternal distress in female offspring in early childhood.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 10-01-2022
DOI: 10.1111/BJET.13180
Abstract: Many educational institutions have adopted online assessment in recent years. Previous studies on online assessment have often been tied to studies on learning management systems. As such, questions of online assessment acceptance have typically been overshadowed by a focus on the acceptance of learning management systems in general. The focus of the present research on online assessment is relatively rare. This paper describes the validation of an instrument to measure online assessment adoption by lecturers in higher education. A total of 213 participants responded to a 20‐item online questionnaire. With the data collected and the model fit, the instrument developed was able to meet the expectations to measure online assessment. The preliminary evidence of the validity of the extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model, based on its reliability found in the current study, supports the use of the instrument as a technology acceptance framework for online assessment systems. What is already known about this topic Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model has been found to be a reliable and robust model to study and explain technology acceptance and use across various educational contexts. In the UTAUT model, performance expectancy (PE), effort expectancy (EE), social influence (SI) and facilitating conditions are direct determinants of user acceptance and use behaviour. Subsequent validation by Venkatesh et al. (2003) in a longitudinal study found that the UTAUT model was a competent model that explained the relationships between PE, EE, SI and user behavioural intention (BI). What this paper adds An extended UTAUT model has been proposed, with the removal of EE as many UTAUT studies have shown that its influence has not been as consistent as compared to that of the other original constructs. In its place, constructs such as usability and learnability have been added as potential influences on both BI and use behaviour. Attitude as a construct has been added, as this was first included in an earlier Technology Acceptance Model but absent in the original UTAUT model. Development of a validated instrument suitable for assessing educators' acceptance of online assessment based on the extended UTAUT model. Implications for practice and/or policy The instrument proposed in this study can be used as a tool to examine educators' perception on online assessment. The instrument can also be used as a tool to inform educational institutions the factors that influence the successful implementation of online assessment or assessment‐related systems. Based on its reliability found in the current study, this study supports the use of the instrument as a technology acceptance framework for online assessment systems.
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Location: Singapore
Location: Singapore
No related grants have been discovered for Theresia Mina.