Academic research in vocationally-oriented highereducation: perspectives from teaching staff

Academics’ need to publish research output in order to succeed in tertiary education has been discussed extensively. Less is known about research and publication needs of staff working in vocationally-oriented higher institutes who, until recently, were judged primarily on their teaching contribution. However, there has been a noticeable trend across the world whereby career development of teaching staff in vocational institutes depends on their research and ability to publish in academic journals. This paper investigates the academic research challenges of teaching staff in a vocationally-oriented institute in Hong Kong. Mixed research methods were adopted to understand the prior experiences of the staff, challenges they may be facing when doing and publishing research, and ways in which their research and publication needs may be supported. Questionnaire data from 21 staff members reveal that most staff join the teaching profession after a career in the commercial sector and about half of the respondents do not have any research experience at all. These teaching staff hope to engage in research to enhance their future career prospects, engage in independent professional development and support their teaching. Most staff, however, feel that various constraints inhibit their ability to do research including lack of resources, insufficient time and limited experience with research. Three detailed case studies are used to further understand the personal and institutional contexts of the participants and develop recommendations that can be applied at the institutional policy and department levels

RIS-Assisted SWIPT Network for Internet of Everything Under the Electromagnetics-Based Communication Model

In the Internet of Everything (IoE) scenarios, the extensive deployment of devices may result in more stringent power and communication needs. Within this context, we utilize the reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) to support the simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) system, whereby the stable transmission of energy and information services can be guaranteed. Specifically, we construct the system model through electromagnetics (EM), which is based on the scattering-parameter (S-parameter) analysis, for revealing the crucial factors of the practical hardware. Relying on the model, the energy-efficient (EE) maximization problem constrained to the quality of services (QoS) is proposed for the users with the framework of co-located receiver (Rx). However, the problem is more intractable due to the introduced channel model. To resolve it, we propose an effective optimization scheme. First, the Neuman series approximation method is adopted to deconstruct the EM transfer model. Then the reformed problem, which includes the variables (i.e., the PS ratio, the active beamformer, and the reflection-coefficient matrix), can be addressed through the strategy of alternative optimization (AO). Further, the inner convex approximation (INCA) scheme and Dinkelbach’s algorithm are applied to tackle each sub-problem. In the numerical simulation, we demonstrate that the array configuration can influence not only the hardware properties of RIS but also the EE performance of the whole system. What’s more, the proposed scheme performs better for the tightly-coupled RIS owing to the awareness of the mutual-coupling (MC) effect

Studies on Homalomeneae (Araceae) of Borneo XI: Homalomena matangae, a new species from Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo

Homalomena matangae Y.C.Hoe, S.Y.Wong & P.C.Boyce is described and illustrated as a new species from and endemic to the Matang massif sandstone formation, Kuching Division, NW Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, from where it was originally collected by Odorado Beccari during his first ascent of Matang

RIS-Assisted Robust Hybrid Beamforming AgainstSimultaneous Jamming and Eavesdropping Attacks

Wireless communications are increasingly vulnera-ble to simultaneous jamming and eavesdropping attacks due tothe inherent broadcast nature of wireless channels. With thisfocus, due to the potential of reconfigurable intelligent surface(RIS) in substantially saving power consumption and boostinginformation security, this paper is the first work to investigate theeffect of the RIS-assisted wireless transmitter in improving boththe spectrum efficiency and the security of multi-user cellularnetwork. Specifically, with the imperfect angular channel stateinformation (CSI), we aim to address the worst-case sum ratemaximization problem by jointly designing the receive decoder atthe users, both the digital precoder and the artificial noise (AN)at the base station (BS), and the analog precoder at the RIS, whilemeeting the minimum achievable rate constraint, the maximumwiretap rate requirement, and the maximum power constraint.To address the non-convexity of the formulated problem, we firstpropose an alternative optimization (AO) method to obtain anefficient solution. In particular, a heuristic scheme is proposedto convert the imperfect angular CSI into a robust one andfacilitate the developing a closed-form solution to the receivedecoder. Then, after reformulating the original problem into atractable one by exploiting the majorization-minimization (MM)method, the digital precoder and AN can be addressed by thequadratically constrained quadratic programming (QCQP), andthe RIS-aided analog precoder is solved by the proposed pricemechanism-based Riemannian manifold optimization (RMO).To further reduce the computational complexity of the pro-posed AO method and gain more insights, we develop a low-complexity monotonic optimization algorithm combined with thedual method (MO-dual) to identify the closed-form solution.Numerical simulations using realistic RIS and communicationmodels demonstrate the superiority and validity of our proposedschemes over the existing benchmark schemes

Entomologic and molecular investigation into Plasmodium vivax transmission in Singapore, 2009

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Singapore has been certified malaria free since November 1982 by the World Health Organization and despite occasional local transmission, the country has maintained the standing. In 2009, three clusters of malaria cases were reported in Singapore.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Epidemiological, entomological and molecular studies were carried out to investigate the three clusters, namely Mandai-Sungei Kadut, Jurong Island and Sembawang.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 29 malaria patients, with no recent travel history, were reported in the three clusters. Molecular analysis based on the <it>msp3α </it>and <it>msp1 </it>genes showed two independent local transmissions: one in Mandai-Sungei Kadut and another in Sembawang. Almost all cases within each cluster were epidemiologically linked. In Jurong Island cluster, epidemiological link remains uncertain, as almost all cases had a unique genetic profile. Only two cases shared a common profile and were found to be linked to the Mandai-Sungei Kadut cluster. Entomological investigation found <it>Anopheles sinensis </it>to be the predominant Anopheline in the two areas where local transmission of <it>P. vivax </it>was confirmed. <it>Anopheles sinensis </it>was found to be attracted to human bait and bites as early as 19:45 hrs. However, all <it>Anopheles </it>mosquitoes caught were negative for sporozoites and oocysts by dissection.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Investigation of <it>P. vivax </it>cases from the three cluster areas confirmed the occurrence of local transmission in two areas. Although <it>An. sinensis </it>was the predominant Anopheline found in areas with confirmed transmission, the vector/s responsible for the outbreaks still remains cryptic.</p

Effectiveness of Nutritional Advice for Community-Dwelling Obese Older Adults With Frailty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objectives: This systematic review was aimed to examine the effectiveness of nutritional advise interventions compared with usual care, or exercise, or exercise combined with nutritional advice as a means of improving the body weight, body composition, physical function, and psychosocial well-being of frail, obese older adults. Methods: CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Scopus databases were searched to identify relevant studies. The quality of the included studies was assessed using Cochrane's risk of bias tool 2. Meta-analysis was performed with respect to body weight and fat mass. Other outcomes were synthesized narratively. Results: Eight articles (from two studies) with a total of 137 participants were included in the review. The results revealed that nutritional advice was more effective than exercise in reducing body weight and fat mass. The nutritional advice was also beneficial in enhancing physical function and psychosocial well-being. However, it was less effective than exercise or combined interventions in increasing muscle strength and preventing lean mass loss. Conclusions: Nutritional advice is an essential intervention for reducing body weight and fat mass, for enhancing physical function, and for improving the psychosocial well-being of obese older adults experiencing frailty. The limited number of studies included in this review suggests that there is a need for more well-designed interventional studies in order to confirm these findings

The psychophysiological effects of Tai-chi and exercise in residential Schizophrenic patients: a 3-arm randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Patients with schizophrenia are characterized by high prevalence rates and chronicity that often leads to long-term institutionalization. Under the traditional medical model, treatment usually emphasizes the management of psychotic symptoms through medication, even though anti-psychotic drugs are associated with severe side effects, which can diminish patients’ physical and psychological well-being. Tai-chi, a mind-body exercise rooted in Eastern health philosophy, emphasizes the motor coordination and relaxation. With these potential benefits, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) is planned to investigate the effects of Tai-chi intervention on the cognitive and motor deficits characteristic of patients with schizophrenia. METHODS/DESIGN: A 3-arm RCT with waitlist control design will be used in this study. One hundred and fifty three participants will be randomized into (i) Tai-chi, (ii) exercise or (iii) waitlist control groups. Participants in both the Tai-chi and exercise groups will receive 12-weeks of specific intervention, in addition to the standard medication and care received by the waitlist control group. The exercise group will serve as a comparison, to delineate any unique benefits of Tai-chi that are independent of moderate aerobic exercise. All three groups will undergo three assessment phases: (i) at baseline, (ii) at 12 weeks (post-intervention), and (iii) at 24 weeks (maintenance). All participants will be assessed in terms of symptom management, motor coordination, memory, daily living function, and stress levels based on self-perceived responses and a physiological marker. DISCUSSION: Based on a promising pilot study conducted prior to this RCT, subjects in the Tai-chi intervention group are expected to be protected against deterioration of motor coordination and interpersonal functioning. They are also expected to have better symptoms management and lower stress level than the other treatment groups. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trail has been registered in the Clinical Trials Center of the University of Hong Kong (HKCTR-1453)

Bridging dentistry and traditional Chinese medicine : a study on the current mutual understanding among the future practitioners

Objectives: This project aimed to promote the mutual understanding between dental and TCM students. The objectives were to describe the current teaching of dentistry in the TCM schools and that of TCM in the dental school, to describe the TCM students’ knowledge on dentistry and the dental students’ knowledge on TCM, and to produce promotional materials for enhancing the mutual understanding between dental and TCM students. Methods: Information on the current teaching of dentistry in the TCM schools and that of TCM in the dental school was collected through a search on the undergraduate programme syllabus and conducting interviews with the leaders of the schools. Questionnaire surveys were conducted among the final year students of the TCM and the dental schools to collect information on their knowledge of the counter profession. Two leaflets and a short video were produced with the aid of computer software and used in the promotional activities. Results: It was found that very little information on dentistry was covered in the undergraduate programmes of the three TCM schools, and vice versa in the dental school. A total of 39 TCM students and 55 dental students completed the questionnaire survey. Most of the students did not know the basic theories and practice of the counter profession. Less than half of the student knew what types of patient cases may be suitable for cross-referral to the other profession. Conclusions: The TCM and dental schools in Hong Kong do not have scheduled teaching on the counter profession. The TCM students have little knowledge on dentistry and how to collaborate with dental practitioners on patients presented with oral problems. Conversely, it is the same for the dental students. Lastly, informative printed and audio-visual promotional materials can be produced with limited resources and used to facilitate the mutual understanding between TCM and dental practitioners.published_or_final_versio

Identification of microbial community in the urban environment: The concordance between conventional culture and nanopore 16S rRNA sequencing

IntroductionMicrobes in the built environment have been implicated as a source of infectious diseases. Bacterial culture is the standard method for assessing the risk of exposure to pathogens in urban environments, but this method only accounts for &lt;1% of the diversity of bacteria. Recently, full-length 16S rRNA gene analysis using nanopore sequencing has been applied for microbial evaluations, resulting in a rise in the development of long-read taxonomic tools for species-level classification. Regarding their comparative performance, there is, however, a lack of information.MethodsHere, we aim to analyze the concordance of the microbial community in the urban environment inferred by multiple taxonomic classifiers, including ARGpore2, Emu, Kraken2/Bracken and NanoCLUST, using our 16S-nanopore dataset generated by MegaBLAST, as well as assess their abilities to identify culturable species based on the conventional culture results.ResultsAccording to our results, NanoCLUST was preferred for 16S microbial profiling because it had a high concordance of dominant species and a similar microbial profile to MegaBLAST, whereas Kraken2/Bracken, which had similar clustering results as NanoCLUST, was also desirable. Second, for culturable species identification, Emu with the highest accuracy (81.2%) and F1 score (29%) for the detection of culturable species was suggested.DiscussionIn addition to generating datasets in complex communities for future benchmarking studies, our comprehensive evaluation of the taxonomic classifiers offers recommendations for ongoing microbial community research, particularly for complex communities using nanopore 16S rRNA sequencing