Extending tabletops to support flexible collaborative interactions

Tabletops have been used to support a range of colocated activities, from games to image sorting. However, their limited display space and resolution can restrict the kinds of collaborative interactions that take place. Our research is concerned with how to extend the tabletop by integrating it with other spaces and artifacts in the physical world. Our goal is to design workspaces that support a wider range of collaborative tasks, determining which are well suited to the tabletop and which are better performed using physical representations and spaces. We describe a physicaldigital space that we built for this purpose and then a study that compared how groups collaborate on a design task when using this versus solely the tabletop. The findings showed that extending the tabletop into a physical space enabled groups to collaborate more easily and flexibly

중국의 부상: ASEAN-5에 대한 위기인가 VS 기회인가?

학위논문 (석사)-- 서울대학교 국제대학원 국제학과, 2017. 8. 이영섭.The purpose of this paper is to examine the economic impact of Chinas rise to ASEAN-5 focusing on the export market share to the United States. China has been rapidly growing and it is still unclear that if it will hurt the Southeast Asia countries export market shares. This paper uses Competitive Threat Analysis to determine if it brings threats or benefits to the ASEAN-5 countries. Chinas competitive threat is examined by SiTC industry from 1996 to 2015. By analyzing the market share changes and identify the industry that is directly or indirectly exposed to Chinas competitive threat. From this analysis, I realize that ASEAN-5 and Chinas export structure to the United States is very similar and put the ASEAN-5 into a very vulnerable position, especially Malaysia. Singapore on the other side, has successfully move most of the market share that were exposed in direct competitive threat from China to partial threat. Overall, this paper suggests that rise of China has bring competitive threat to ASEAN-5.Introduction 1 Competitive Threat Analysis 2 Matrix of Competitive Effects 3 Relative Market Share Analysis 6 Chinas Trade with ASEAN-5 7 Conclusion 9 Bibliography 10 Abstract in Korean 12 Appendix 1: Competitive Threats from China to ASEAN 5 in weightage over the period 1996-2005 and 2006-2015 13 Appendix 1.1: Competitive Threats from China to ASEAN 5 in weightage over the period 1996-2005 (In detail) 15 Appendix 1.1: Competitive Threats from China to ASEAN 5 in weightage over the period 2006-2015 (In detail) 20 Appendix 2: Rise or drop in Marker Share in different industry for each region 25 Appendix 3: Comparing with China to see if those regions are under direct threat, partial threat, no threat, mutual withdrawal or China under threat 27 Appendix 4: Trade Value of US Import from China and ASEAN-5 29 Appendix 5: Percentage of Total US Import From China and ASEAN-5 31 Appendix 6: Percentage of US Total Import from China and ASEAN-5 from 1995-2015 33 Appendix 7: Percentage of US Total Import from China, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore from 1995-2015 34Maste

Liquid air as an energy storage:A review

With the increasing demand for energy due to rapid industrialisation and the environmental concerns due to the usage of fossil fuels as the main energy source, there is a shift towards renewable energy. However, the intermittent nature of renewable energy requires energy produced during off-peak hours to be stored. This paper explores the use of liquefied air as an energy storage, the plausibility and the integration of liquefied air into existing framework, the role of liquefied air as an energy storage in addressing the Grand Challenges for Engineering as well as its employability in Malaysia

Ethnicity and OPRM variant independently predict pain perception and patient-controlled analgesia usage for post-operative pain

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Morphine consumption can vary widely between individuals even for identical surgical procedures. As mu-opioid receptor (OPRM1) is known to modulate pain perception and mediate the analgesic effects of opioid compounds in the central nervous system, we examined the influence of two OPRM polymorphisms on acute post-operative pain and morphine usage in women undergoing elective caesarean delivery.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Data on self-reported pain scores and amount of total morphine use according to patient-controlled analgesia were collected from 994 women from the three main ethnic groups in Singapore. We found statistically significant association of the OPRM 118A>G with self-administered morphine during the first 24-hour postoperative period both in terms of total morphine (p = 1.7 × 10^-5) and weight-adjusted morphine (p = 6.6 × 10^-5). There was also significant association of this OPRM variant and time-averaged self-rated pain scores (p = 0.024). OPRM 118G homozygotes used more morphine and reported higher pain scores than 118A carriers. Other factors which influenced pain score and morphine usage include ethnicity, age and paying class.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results suggest that ethnicity and OPRM 118A>G genotype are independent and significant contributors to variation in pain perception and postoperative morphine use in patients undergoing cesarean delivery.</p

Factors influencing the implementation, adoption, use, sustainability and scalability of mLearning for medical and nursing education: a systematic review protocol

Background: mLearning is increasingly presented as an attractive novel educational strategy for medical and nursing education. Yet, evidence base for its effectiveness or factors which influence use, success, implementation or adoption are not clear. We aim to synthesise findings from qualitative studies to provide insight into the factors (barriers and facilitators) influencing adoption, implementation and use of mobile devices for learning in medical and nursing education. The review also aims to identify factors or actions which are considered to optimise the experience and satisfaction of educators and learners in using mobile technologies for medical and nursing education and to identify strategies for improving mLearning interventions for medical and nursing education. / Methods: A systematic search will be conducted across a range of databases for studies describing or evaluating the experiences, barriers, facilitators and factors pertaining to the use of mLearning for medical and nursing education. The framework synthesis approach will be used to organise and bring different components of the results together. The confidence in the qualitative review findings will be assessed using the CERQual approach. / Discussion: This study will contribute to the planning and design of effective mLearning and the development of mLearning guidelines for medical and nursing education. / Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD4201603541

Epidemiological and Genetic Data Supporting the Transmission of Ancylostoma ceylanicum among Human and Domestic Animals

Parasitic zoonoses pose a continuing public health problem, especially in endemic developing countries where the majority of populations live in poor, overcrowded conditions, lack education, and practice poor standards of hygiene and improper sanitary disposal of feces. Close contact with domestic animals such as dogs and cats coupled with a lack of proper veterinary care and sanitation expose these communities to high risk of acquiring zoonotic infections. Our study combined the application of conventional and molecular epidemiological tools to determine the probable role of domestic animals, in particular dogs and cats, in the transmission of hookworms in parasite-endemic communities in Malaysia. Epidemiological observation such as univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify factors associated with hookworm infection in humans, while molecular tools provided the ability to discriminate the different hookworm species, which cannot be achieved by conventional microscopic examination of feces alone. The application of these tools in this present study allowed the accurate determination of parasite species prevalence, hence confirming that Ancylostoma ceylanicum infection is common among human population in Malaysia and the close contact of human and domestic animals (i.e., dogs and cats) contributed to the propagation of this hookworm species

Exploring rural secondary school students' attitude toward the Malayan tapir through salient beliefs

Environmental education programmes in Malaysia have been successful in increasing students' knowledge but not so in changing attitudes. To design educational programmes that changes attitudes, we need to understand the underlying determinant of attitude. The purpose of the study was to explore and elicit rural secondary school students' attitudes towards the Malayan tapir through their salient beliefs. Focusing on the cognitive and affective components of the attitude model, eighty-one secondary school students were asked to elucidate what they knew about the Malayan tapir through pictorial stimulation in focus group discussion. Students were observed to be intrigued by the physical characteristics of the Malayan tapir but knew little about its ecological function, natural habitat and threats while displaying positive and negative emotions in reaction to the pictures. Future research implications include the designing of an environmental education programme based on the observations of this study and measuring the effectiveness of the programme in influencing behaviour

Cryptosporidiosis among birds and bird handlers at Zoo

Abstract. This study was carried out at the Malaysian National Zoo to ascertain, not only the current prevalence rate in the birds, but also to determine the association between cryptosporidiosis in birds and the bird handlers. A total of 116 fecal samples from 71 species of birds were collected from six different locations in Zoo Negara, and eight fecal samples from bird handlers were also sampled. Results showed that the prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in birds and bird handlers were 3.4% and 12.5%, respectively. The birds that were positive for cryptosporidiosis were Wreathed Hornbill (Aceros undulatus) and Great Currasow (Crax rubra) from the aviary, Bushy-crested Hornbill (Anorrhinus galeritus) from the bird house, and the Common Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) from the lake. Birds at the lake showed the highest percentage (12.5%) of positivity, followed by birds at the aviary (5.4%) and the birdhouse (2.8%). Result of the present study seemed to indicate that cryptosporidiosis might be spreading to other species of birds and to other locations in the zoo, which was not previously documented. This study also suggested the probable association of cryptosporidiosis among birds and their bird handlers. However, conclusions can only be drawn after the confirmation of speciation found in birds and bird handlers through molecular identification

Prevalence and associated factors of Schistosomiasis among children in Yemen: implications for an effective control programme

BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis, one of the most prevalent neglected tropical diseases, is a life-threatening public health problem in Yemen especially in rural communities. This cross-sectional study aims to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of schistosomiasis among children in rural Yemen. METHODS/FINDINGS Urine and faecal samples were collected from 400 children. Urine samples were examined using filtration technique for the presence of Schistosoma haematobium eggs while faecal samples were examined using formalin-ether concentration and Kato Katz techniques for the presence of S. mansoni. Demographic, socioeconomic and environmental information were collected via a validated questionnaire. Overall, 31.8% of the participants were found to be positive for schistosomiasis; 23.8% were infected with S. haematobium and 9.3% were infected with S. mansoni. Moreover, 39.5% of the participants were anaemic whereas 9.5% had hepatosplenomegaly. The prevalence of schistosomiasis was significantly higher among children aged >10 years compared to those aged ≤ 10 years (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis confirmed that presence of other infected family member (P<0.001), low household monthly income (P = 0.003), using unsafe sources for drinking water (P = 0.003), living nearby stream/spring (P = 0.006) and living nearby pool/pond (P = 0.002) were the key factors significantly associated with schistosomiasis among these children. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE This study reveals that schistosomiasis is still highly prevalent in Yemen. These findings support an urgent need to start an integrated, targeted and effective schistosomiasis control programme with a mission to move towards the elimination phase. Besides periodic drug distribution, health education and community mobilisation, provision of clean and safe drinking water, introduction of proper sanitation are imperative among these communities in order to curtail the transmission and morbidity caused by schistosomiasis. Screening and treating other infected family members should also be adopted by the public health authorities in combating this infection in these communities