Assessing processing-based measures of implicit statistical learning: Three serial reaction time experiments do not reveal artificial grammar learning

Implicit statistical learning, whereby predictable relationships between stimuli are detected without conscious awareness, is important for language acquisition. However, while this process is putatively implicit, it is often assessed using measures that require explicit reflection and conscious decision making. Here, we conducted three experiments combining an artificial grammar learning paradigm with a serial reaction time (SRT-AGL) task, to measure statistical learning of adjacent and nonadjacent dependencies implicitly, without conscious decision making. Participants viewed an array of six visual stimuli and were presented with a sequence of three auditory (nonsense words, Expt. 1; names of familiar objects, Expt. 2) or visual (abstract shapes, Expt. 3) cues and were asked to click on the corresponding visual stimulus as quickly as possible. In each experiment, the final stimulus in the sequence was predictable based on items earlier in the sequence. Faster responses to this predictable final stimulus compared to unpredictable stimuli would provide evidence of implicit statistical learning, without requiring explicit decision making or conscious reflection. Despite previous positive results (Christiansen et al. 2009 and Misyak et al. 2010) we saw little evidence of implicit statistical learning in any of the experiments, suggesting that in this case, these SRT-AGL tasks were not an effective measure implicit statistical learning

Sleep problems in children with autism spectrum disorder in Hong Kong: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a growing prevalence of sleep problems associated with significant behavioral problems and more severe autism clinical presentation. Little is known about the relationships between autism traits and sleep problems in Hong Kong. Therefore, this study aimed to examine whether children with autism have increased sleep problems than non-autistic children in Hong Kong. The secondary objective was to examine the factors associated with sleep problems in an autism clinical sample.MethodsThis cross-sectional study recruited 135 children with autism and 102 with the same age range of non-autistic children, aged between 6 and 12 years. Both groups were screened and compared on their sleep behaviors using the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ).ResultsChildren with autism had significantly more sleep problems than non-autistic children [t(226.73) = 6.20, p < 0.001]. Bed -sharing [beta = 0.25, t(165) = 2.75, p = 0.07] and maternal age at birth [beta = 0.15, t(165) = 2.05, p = 0.043] were significant factors associated with CSHQ score on the top of autism traits. Stepwise linear regression modeling identified that only separation anxiety disorder (beta = 4.83, t = 2.40, p = 0.019) best-predicted CSHQ.ConclusionIn summary, autistic children suffered from significantly more sleep problems and co-occurring separation anxiety disorder brings greater sleep problems as compared to non-autistic children. Clinicians should be more aware of sleep problems to provide more effective treatments to children with autism

Analysis of stiff fibres in low modulus resin

The aim of this project is to experimentally investigate the physical properties of flexible fibre reinforced composites fabricated in house using stiff fibres and low modulus resin. A literature review was done to review past research done in this area, such that relevant experimental results and theoretical predictions could be extracted and used for comparison. In this project, steel wires were used as the reinforcing fibres. For the matrix, three resins (polyester, polypropylene, elvax 3185) were experimented on. Polyester and polypropylene were found to be too brittle and not suitable to be used as the low modulus resin and so elvax 3185 was used as the matrix material. Samples were fabricated with the fibres placed at various fibre orientations (0o, 30o, 45o, and 60o). Tensile tests were then carried out on these samples to study their physical properties as well as observe any fibre reorientation. Based on previous research done in this area, it was predicted that the physical properties such as Young's modulus, maximum tensile strength, and tensile toughness worsened as fibre orientation increased. Also, significant fibre reorientation was predicted and the change in fibre orientation increased at an increasing rate. The experimental results from this study agreed closely with the predictions made in previous research. It was found that as fibre orientation increased, physical properties worsened. Significant fibre reorientation was also observed during the experiments, with the sample with the largest fibre orientation experiencing the largest reorientation of fibres. Besides placing the fibres at several orientations, fibres were placed closer together to investigate the effect of increased fibre volume ratio on the physical properties of the flexible composite. It was expected that the physical properties would improve as the steel fibres at high load carrying capacity and high stiffness. However, it was the opposite as the physical properties worsened instead and the samples with higher volume ratio had a lower Young's modulus, tensile strength, and tensile toughness. This is because the additional fibres were intrusions in the composite and were defects instead of reinforcements. Further research can be done in this area such as doing finite element analysis to better analyze the stresses and strains at each material point. Other recommendations and suggestions for future research are provided at the end of this report.Bachelor of Engineering (Aerospace Engineering

Cytological features in equivocal diagnoses (C3/4) of breast fine needle aspiration cytology

published_or_final_versionMedical SciencesMasterMaster of Medical Science

The Foreign Exchange Exposure of Chinese Banks

Using the Capital Market Approach and equity-price data of 14 listed Chinese banks, this empirical study finds that there is a positive relationship between bank size and foreign-exchange exposure, which may reflect larger foreign-exchange operations and trading positions of larger Chinese banks, and their significant indirect foreign-exchange exposure arising from impacts of the renminbi exchange-rate movements on their customers. Empirical evidence also suggests that the average foreign-exchange exposures of state-owned and joint-stock commercial banks in China are higher than those of banks in Hong Kong, notwithstanding that their participation in international banking businesses is still limited compared with their Hong Kong counterparts. It is also found that negative foreign-exchange exposure is prevalent for larger Chinese banks, suggesting that an appreciation of the renminbi tends to reduce their equity values, and is therefore likely to hamper the banking sector¡¦s performance. Together with the fact that decreases in equity values generally imply higher default risk, how Chinese banks would be affected under different scenarios of renminbi appreciation should be closely monitored.Foreign exchange exposure, banking, China

A Leading Indicator Model of Banking Distress ¡V Developing an Early Warning System for Hong Kong and Other EMEAP Economies

This study develops a probit econometric model to identify a set of leading indicators of banking distress and estimate banking distress probability for Hong Kong and other EMEAP economies. Macroeconomic fundamentals, currency crisis vulnerability, credit risk of banks and companies, asset price bubbles, credit growth, and the occurrence of distress of other economies in the region are found to be important leading indicators of banking distress in the home economy. The predictive power of the model is reasonably good. A case study of Hong Kong based on the latest estimate of banking distress probability and stress testing results shows that currently the banking sector in Hong Kong is healthy and should be able to withstand well certain possible adverse shocks. Under some extreme shocks originating from real GDP growth and property prices such as those that occurred during the Asian financial crisis, the model indicates a non-negligible risk of an occurrence of banking distress in Hong Kong. However, the chances of the occurrence of such severe events are extremely low. Simulation results also suggest that compared to the period before the Asian financial crisis, the local banking sector is currently more capable of withstanding shocks similar to those that occurred during that crisis. The study also finds that banking distress is contagious, suggesting that to be effective in monitoring banking distress, close cooperation between central banks should be in place.Banking distress, Asia Pacific economies, econometric model

Space and affect in made in Hong Kong and Taxi driver

published_or_final_versionabstracttocLiterary and Cultural StudiesMasterMaster of Art

Predicting banking distress in the EMEAP economies

This study develops a panel probit model to identify the leading indicators of banking distress and to estimate the banking distress probability for EMEAP economies. Macroeconomic fundamentals, currency crisis vulnerability, credit risks of banks and non-financial companies, asset price gaps, credit growth, and the occurrence of distress in other economies are found to be important leading indicators. The model is applied to stress test the Hong Kong banking sector. Simulation results suggest that compared with the period before the Asian financial crisis, the banking sector is currently more capable of withstanding shocks similar to those that occurred during the crisis.Asia Pacific economies Banking distress Early warning systems Econometric models Stress testing