A Glance in the Life of Kindergarten Teachers in Hong Kong: A Mixed-Method Approach

The study has given particular attention to the kindergarten teachers' job satisfaction levels and plans to leave their current positions while they are employed in Hong Kong. Only 395 local kindergarten teachers who have experience teaching in kindergartens and who are between the ages of 18 and 60 were chosen for the study. In addition, they had to be strong communicators and be able to read and write traditional Chinese. Additionally, the research was carried out from August to October 2020. The study used a mixed-method of research. This study took into account all aspects of academic practice, including ethical research practices. For achieving the goals of the present study, numerous motivational theories, statistical analysis, and an extensive literature review were applied. According to the study, having high levels of job satisfaction has good effects and increases staff productivity; the lack of it greatly results to intentions of leaving the job. Additionally, it showed that there was a strong correlation between the communication gap between kindergarten kids and teachers and their satisfaction with their work in those settings. The level of job satisfaction is not dependent on just one factor. To address the issues raised by the study's findings, it is strongly advised to implement adequate recognition, career promotion, training programs, suitable workplace resources, and healthy work-life balance, among other things

Synthesis and electron spin resonance spectroscopy of organo-sulfur radical cations

A series of new radical cations in 1,4-dithiin, 1,4-benzodithiin, 2,3-dihydro-1,4-dithiin, 1,4-dithiepin, 1,2-dithietane, 1,2-dithiolane, 1,2-dithiane series were prepared. The SOMO of 1,4-dithiin, 1,4-benzodithiin, 2,3-dihydro-1,4-dithiin radical cations were found to be symmetrical while the SOMO of cyclic 1,2-disulfide radical cations were found to be antisymmetrical. 2,3-Dihydro-1,4-dithiin, 1,4-dithiepin radical cations were found to have conformational preference at low temperature and the activation parameters for the ring inversion processes were obtained. For 1,2-bis(isopropylthio)cyclohexene radical cation, the unusually low value of (DELTA)H(\u27(NOT=)) for the cyclohexene ring inversion was explained by secondary interactions between the isopropyl groups and the (alpha) methylene groups. Sulfur-centered radical cations were found to be capable of showing sizable long range couplings in the radical cations of 2,5-dithiabicyclo 4.2.1 non-3-ene, 2,3-dithiabicyclo 2.2.1 heptane, 2,3-dithiabicyclo 2.2.2 octane. It is established from all the ESR results that the hfs of a hydrogen (beta) to a sulfur atom with spin density arises predominantly from angle-dependent hyperconjugation. For disulfide radical cations (not including 1,2-dithietane radical cations), a value of 35 G was calculated for the constant B which is a measure of the magnitude of this interaction. For 1,2-dithietane radical cations, a (sigma)-delocalized electronic structure for the 3-electron bond is proposed to explain the unusual conformational preference and the unusually low values of a(\u27H);Sulfur-centered radical cations were generated by oxidative rearrangement. Thus, 2,2-dialkyl-1,3-dithiolanes rearranged to form 2,3-dihydro-1,4-dithiin radical cations when treated with either H(,2)SO(,4) or Al(,2)Cl(,6)/CH(,2)Cl(,2). Similarly, 2,3-dialkyl-1,3-benzodithioles rearranged to form the 1,4-benzodithiin radical cations. Diaryl disulfides underwent oxidative rearrangement to form benzodithiete and thianthrene radical cations. Methylbenzyl disulfides underwent oxidative rearrangement to form polymethylbenzodithiete and 2,6-dimethylanthrancene radical cations

Computer assisted analysis of contrast enhanced ultrasound images for quantification in vascular diseases

Contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) with microbubble contrast agents has shown great potential in imaging microvasculature, quantifying perfusion and hence detecting vascular diseases. However, most existing perfusion quantification methods based on image intensity, and are susceptible to confounding factors such as attenuation artefacts. Improving reproducibility is also a key challenge to clinical translation. Therefore, this thesis aims at developing attenuation correction and quantification techniques in CEUS with applications for detection and quantification of microvascular flow / perfusion. Firstly, a technique for automatic correction of attenuation effects in vascular imaging was developed and validated on a tissue mimicking phantom. The application of this technique to studying contrast enhancement of carotid adventitial vasa vasorum as a biomarker of radiation-induced atherosclerosis was demonstrated. The results showed great potential in reducing attenuation artefact and improve quantification in CEUS of carotid arteries. Furthermore, contrast intensity was shown to significantly increase in irradiated carotid arteries and could be a useful imaging biomarker for radiation-induced atherosclerosis. Secondly, a robust and automated tool for quantification of microbubble identification in CEUS image sequences using a temporal and spatial analysis was developed and validated on a flow phantom. The application of this technique to evaluate human musculoskeletal microcirculation with contrast enhanced ultrasound was demonstrated. The results showed an excellent accuracy and repeatability in quantifying active vascular density. It has great potential for clinical translation in the assessment of lower limb perfusion. Finally, a new bubble activity identification and quantification technique based on differential intensity projection in CEUS was developed and demonstrated with an in-vivo study, and applied to the quantification of intraplaque neovascularisation in an irradiated carotid artery of patients who were previously treated for head and neck cancer. The results showed a significantly more specific identification of bubble signals and had good agreement between the differential intensity-based technique and clinical visual assessment. This technique has potential to assist clinicians to diagnose and monitor intraplque neovascularisation.Open Acces

Variation in the production of alveolar fricative /s/ in Hong Kong Cantonese

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Bachelor of Science (Speech and Hearing Sciences), The University of Hong Kong, June 30, 2005.Also available in print.Thesis (B.Sc)--University of Hong Kong, 2005.published_or_final_versionSpeech and Hearing SciencesBachelorBachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science

The Impact of Consumer Smart Device Platforms on Illness Uncertainty and Anxiety in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a common cardiac arrhythmia associated with increased risk for comorbid health conditions. Advancements in consumer technology have enabled patients to monitor hearth rhythm independently, yet, much remains unknown about patient outcomes related to the use of these smart device platforms (SDP). The aim of this study was to examine the iatrogenic and/or remedial effects of SDP use on patient reported outcomes of illness uncertainty, cardiac anxiety, body vigilance, AFib symptoms, symptom burden, and healthcare utilization. The sample included 130 AFib participants (65 in SDP group) recruited through ResearchMatch, American Heart Association support forum, and other online AFib communities. Despite being of younger age, participants in the SDP group reported more medical risk factors associated with AFib. Results partially supported the iatrogenic effect, as participants with SDP reported greater cardiac anxiety and healthcare utilization relative to those without, even after accounting for covariates of age and medical risk factors. These findings should be interpreted with caution, as the global pandemic may have impacted the results obtained

On the design and integration of education simulation games in engineering business management

Manufacturing has evolved from production-oriented to customer-oriented in the last century. The modern management approach is 'total integration' which is the integration of 'functional optimization', 'internal integration' and 'external integration'. Nowadays, Engineering and Business can no longer be viewed as two separate entities. Engineering Business Management (EBM) becomes the norm of modern manufacturing management. In universities, simulation games have been identified as one of the best teaching media in teaching EBM concept. Hundreds of good simulation games are thus required for different subject areas and education objectives. However, game design procedure is always a 'black box' and game design philosophy of EBM games is even a 'black box' within a 'black box'. This research attempts to develop a new generic approach in designing education simulation games in Engineering Business Management. The approach is broken into two phases: micro and macro level. In micro level, game design philosophy is studied. The appropriate levels of formats and features of EBM games are determined and the weaknesses commonly found in games are examined and rectified. The findings are confirmed and evaluated by conducting three surveys between 1992 to 1994. In macro level, a standard interface is established for all EBM games so that functional games which are built on this platform can be integrated together to form internal management games which can be further integrated into a supply chain network by hierarchical modular structure. The hierarchical structure allows the games to cover some EBM areas that have never been mentioned by any other games before. Two functional games, a production game and a marketing game have been built as prototypes to demonstrate the design approach. In micro level, the established design criteria minimize the chance of developing a 'bad' game. In macro level, the formation of internal management games and supply chain networks by hierarchical modular modeling opens a new platform for game design

An exploratory study on the elders\u27 needs and attitudes towards radio programmes

Not many studies in the literature were to investigate the positive impacts of radio on health of the elderly in Hong Kong. If listening to radio has a positive impact on older people’s health, there would be important implications to the social services in Hong Kong, with regard to further studies on an in-depth understanding of this issue and policy recommendations for the Hong Kong government to improve social services of the elderly population. In light of the above rationale, the present study was designed to explore the qualitative impacts of listening radio on the well-being of elderly people in Hong Kong. The specific aims of the study were: 1. to explore the profile and the listening patterns of elderly audiences; 2. to explore the preference and needs of the elderly audience on radio programme in HK; 3. to explore impacts of the radio programmes on elderly’s life satisfaction and the quality of life. 4. to explore the notions of lifelong learning through the medium, which Radio 5 is serving such a function

An evaluation study on the elderly housing initiative in Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS) of the Hong Kong Government launched the Senior Citizen Residence Scheme (SEN) in 2001 to provide housing units for the middle-class elders aged 60 and above, who have pre-set limits of asset and guaranteed income (Hong Kong Housing Society, n.d.). As a result, two public estates came into operation one year after in 2002. At present, a total of about 800 elders live in these two estates. The present study is under the auspices of the HKHS to evaluate the satisfaction of the residents in the two estates, to make recommendations on the improvement of the residence services and the living conditions in the two estates, and to make recommendations on future development of the SEN project. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were adopted in the present study. First of all, a total of seven focus-group sessions, within each having 8-10 elders led by an experienced facilitator, were conducted to collect information on residents’ satisfaction on their living environment and the provision rendered in the housing estates. The members of the focus group consisted of males and females, younger and older elderly persons, and were selected from the healthy and active residents in the two housing estates. Secondly, three independent observers were appointed to sit in the focus-group discussion and daily routine activities and meetings taken part by the residents of the housing estates. The observers submitted their observation reports of residents’ views on their living environment and the provision rendered in the housing estates as well as the interaction in their communication. Thirdly, an accessible sample was drawn from all target residents through a face-to-face questionnaire survey. Since some residents were either reluctant to be interviewed or having difficulties to answer questions due to poor health, all other residents were interviewed by trained staff. The findings of the study are as follows: 1. In general, the majority of the residents living in the two Housing Estates are satisfied with the management, the facilities and the services provided. 2. There are differences in the domains of satisfaction between the residents in the two Housing Estates. Specifically, the Cheerful Court (one of the two Housing Estates) residents are more satisfied with their living environment whereas the Jolly Place (another one of the two Housing Estates) residents are happier with the basic optional services provided for them. 3. Improvement on the particulars of the facilities and services provided in the two Housing Estates, as shown in the analysis results, should be made in order to raise the satisfaction level of the residents

Changing, priming, and acting on values: Effects via motivational relations in a circular model

Circular models of values and goals suggest that some motivational aims are consistent with each other, some oppose each other, and others are orthogonal to each other. The present experiments tested this idea explicitly by examining how value confrontation and priming methods influence values and value-consistent behaviors throughout the entire value system. Experiment 1 revealed that change in 1 set of social values causes motivationally compatible values to increase in importance, whereas motivationally incompatible values decrease in importance and orthogonal values remain the same. Experiment 2 found that priming security values reduced the better-than-average effect, but priming stimulation values increased it. Similarly, Experiments 3 and 4 found that priming security values increased cleanliness and decreased curiosity behaviors, whereas priming self-direction values decreased cleanliness and increased curiosity behaviors. Experiment 5 found that priming achievement values increased success at puzzle completion and decreased helpfulness to an experimenter, whereas priming with benevolence values decreased success and increased helpfulness. These results highlight the importance of circular models describing motivational interconnections between values and personal goals

Strong Coupling Superconductivity in the Vicinity of the Structural Quantum Critical Point in (CaxSr1-x)3Rh4Sn13

The family of the superconducting quasiskutterudites (CaxSr1?x)3Rh4Sn13 features a structural quantum critical point at xc=0.9, around which a dome-shaped variation of the superconducting transition temperature Tc is found. Using specific heat, we probe the normal and the superconducting states of the entire series straddling the quantum critical point. Our analysis indicates a significant lowering of the effective Debye temperature on approaching xc, which we interpret as a result of phonon softening accompanying the structural instability. Furthermore, a remarkably large enhancement of 2?/kBTc and ?C/?Tc beyond the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer values is found in the vicinity of the structural quantum critical point. The phase diagram of (CaxSr1?x)3Rh4Sn13 thus provides a model system to study the interplay between structural quantum criticality and strong electron-phonon coupling superconductivity