Towards a global city: Emerging arts spaces in Singapore

Master'sMASTER OF SOCIAL SCIENCE

Knowledge, attitude and perception on climate change and dietary choices in a predominantly Chinese university students population in Klang Valley

Climate change is a public health threat that is aggravated by the food supply chain. A dietary shift to climate-friendly foods is a feasible strategy to mitigate it. This study aimed to investigate the associations between knowledge, attitude, perception towards climate change, and barriers to climate-friendly foods with dietary choices of university students in Klang Valley. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 303 Malaysian university students (71.9% Chinese) aged 18 to 30 years in Klang Valley, by using Google form to assess knowledge, attitude, perception towards climate change, barriers to climate-friendly food, and climate-friendly dietary choices. The average climate-friendly diet score (CFDS) was 0.36±2.21, with a significantly higher CFDS among females than males (p=0.012). The majority of them were having good knowledge (76.6%), a good attitude (66.3%), and a moderate level of perception (62.0%) towards climate change. About two-thirds of them reported social media as the main (63.0%) and preferred (63.7%) sources to receive information about climate change. Through multiple linear regression, barriers to climate-friendly food choices (β=-0.084; p<0.001) significantly contributed to climate-friendly dietary choices (F=4.215; p<0.001), whereby 14.9% of the variances were climate-friendly dietary choices of university students. Findings could be incorporated into dietary education to tackle barriers to climate-friendly foods among university students

Syngas-Enriched hydrogen production via catalytic gasification of water hyacinth using renewable palm kernel shell hydrochar

Syngas produced from biomass gasification has emerged as a highly promising substitute for conventional fossil fuel, catering to various industrial applications while ensuring minimal greenhouse gas emissions. Water hyacinth (WH) has been a major concern due to its invasive nature and uncontrollable growth which impedes aquatic growth and urban management. Fortunately, WH is a potential biomass feedstock due to the comparable cellulose and hemicellulose contents alongside high carbon content and high calorific value which reflects good biofuel properties. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the conversion of WH biomass via catalytic air gasification for syngas-enriched hydrogen production using palm kernel shell hydrochar (PKSH). A parametric study was conducted in a lab-scale fixed-bed downdraft gasifier based on the response surface methodology coupled with Box-Behnken design (RSM-BBD). The combined interaction effects of the influencing parameters investigated are temperature (600–800 °C), biomass particle size (2–6 mm), catalyst loading (0–10 wt%), and air flow rate (1–3 L/min). Temperature was revealed to be the primary factor with significant influence on the H2 and CO output. Maximum syngas (30.09 vol%) compositions of 11.14 vol% H2 and 18.95 vol% CO were obtained at 800 °C with a particle size of 6 mm and air flow rate of 2 L/min alongside 5 wt% PKSH catalyst loading

Associations of Problematic Internet Use, Weight-Related Self-Stigma, and Nomophobia with Physical Activity: Findings from Mainland China, Taiwan, and Malaysia

Insufficient physical activity is a common problem for university students because they may engage in sedentary lifestyle owing to excessive time spent on their smartphones and social media use. This may result in problematic internet use (PIU) and nomophobia (fear of not having a mobile phone). Moreover, prior evidence shows that weight-related self-stigma is an important factor contributing to low physical activity. Therefore, the present study examined the associations between PIU, nomophobia, and physical activity among university students across mainland China, Taiwan, and Malaysia. Participants (3135 mainland Chinese, 600 Taiwanese, and 622 Malaysian) completed the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale (SABAS), Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMPQ), Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire (WSSQ), and International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF). The measurement invariance of the assessed questionnaires was supported across the three regions. The present findings analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling showed that (i) greater nomophobia was associated with higher levels of physical activity, (ii) greater weight-related self-stigma was associated with higher levels of physical activity, and (iii) greater nomophobia was associated with greater weight-related self-stigma. Although the present findings suggest the possibility that experiencing some level of nomophobia or weight-related self-stigma appears to help improve physical activity, it is not recommended that these be encouraged, but reducing PIU should be targeted as a means to improve physical activit

Thermo-catalytic co-pyrolysis of palm kernel shell and plastic waste mixtures using bifunctional HZSM-5/limestone catalyst : Kinetic and thermodynamic insights

Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of catalytic co-pyrolysis of palm kernel shell (PKS) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) with three different catalysts (zeolite HZSM-5, limestone (LS) and bifunctional HZSM-5/LS) using thermogravimetric analyser via nitrogen environment were studied. The experiments were carried out at different heating rates ranging from 10 to 100 K/min within temperature range of 50–900 °C. Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO), Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS) and modified Distributed Activation Energy Model (DAEM) methods were employed in this current study. The average Ea for PKS, HDPE, PKS/HDPE (2:8) – HZSM-5, PKS/HDPE (2:8) – LS, PKS/HDPE (2:8) – HZSM-5/LS, PKS/HDPE (5:5) – HZSM-5/LS, PKS/HDPE (8:2) – HZSM-5/LS are 137.26–145.49, 247.73–250.45, 168.97–172.50, 149.74–152.79, 115.30–120.39, 124.36–129.41, 151.03–154.47 and 152.67–157.31 kJ mol−1, respectively. Among the different catalysts used, LS demonstrated the lowest average Ea (151.30–120.39 kJ mol−1) and ΔH (109.65–114.74 kJ mol−1). Positive values for ΔH and ΔG were found for the catalytic co-pyrolysis of PKS/HDPE mixtures which indicates the process is in endothermic reaction and possess non-spontaneous nature. The kinetic and thermodynamic analyses revealed the potential of PKS and HDPE as a potential feedstock for clean bioenergy production

Free Energy of an Inhomogeneous Superconductor: a Wave Function Approach

A new method for calculating the free energy of an inhomogeneous superconductor is presented. This method is based on the quasiclassical limit (or Andreev approximation) of the Bogoliubov-de Gennes (or wave function) formulation of the theory of weakly coupled superconductors. The method is applicable to any pure bulk superconductor described by a pair potential with arbitrary spatial dependence, in the presence of supercurrents and external magnetic field. We find that both the local density of states and the free energy density of an inhomogeneous superconductor can be expressed in terms of the diagonal resolvent of the corresponding Andreev Hamiltonian, resolvent which obeys the so-called Gelfand-Dikii equation. Also, the connection between the well known Eilenberger equation for the quasiclassical Green's function and the less known Gelfand-Dikii equation for the diagonal resolvent of the Andreev Hamiltonian is established. These results are used to construct a general algorithm for calculating the (gauge invariant) gradient expansion of the free energy density of an inhomogeneous superconductor at arbitrary temperatures.Comment: REVTeX, 28 page

Corporate blogs : an exploratory study on lifestyle SMEs in Singapore.

This study focuses on the use of corporate blogs by a specific group of businesses in Singapore - the lifestyle SMEs. This category of SMEs has been chosen as they are usually business-to-consumers companies, and corporate blogs work best for companies that have an involved and interested customer-base. By exploring the level of knowledge and receptiveness that lifestyle SMEs have to the use of corporate blogs as a CRM marketing and branding tool, this research aims to identify the concerns that SME owners have in harnessing this medium for their businesses and the ways in which the Singapore Government could support their growth in order to create vibrant and resilient SMEs.​Master of Mass Communicatio

DE2 : design decisions.

When designers are confronted to make design decisions, we must be able to systemize our choices. Design education in Singapore currently focuses on preparing students for the industry. Through practicality and training students in technological skills, design is generally known as a service industry. However, the trend of graphic design is shifting. In order to elevate the value of design, the new generation of designers needs to lead in taking responsibility for the environment and socio-cultural development. Since we do not share a singular, limited belief system, it is not possible to create an encyclopedia of the responsibilities of a graphic designer. Therefore, education on designer’s responsibility should not be didactic but rather demonstrative of the various possible ways of approaching a situation. This design project focuses on a thought-provoking workshop which includes a board game, allowing design students to reflect on designers’ ethos and responsibilities. The objective of this workshop is to enable a systemic change in designers’ perception of our profession and to create awareness in the critical roles and responsibilities we play. Participants observe the impact design has on human behavior and thoughts, society and the environment. Through this experiential workshop and board game, I aim to weave the fabric of designers’ responsibility within our design community.Bachelor of Fine Art

EXTENDING PARAMETERS : QUESTIONING THE STATUS QUO IN SINGAPORE THEATRE

Bachelor'sBACHELOR OF ARTS (HONOURS