Waveform dictionaries as applied to the Australian exchange rate

This paper proposes a new method, called waveform dictionaries, to analyze the trend of the exchange rate of the Australian dollar against other currencies. Four different currencies are explored. They are the U.S. dollar, the Japanese yen, the British pound and the euro. The exchange rates can be classified as non-stationary signals. The waveform dictionaries can reduce the complexity of these signals to produce some informative correlation features. These features are sparse in the time-frequency domain and thus can efficiently represent the characteristics of the signal. These features are then displayed in time-frequency (scale) maps. These maps provide possible insights into market behavior such as the dominant market reaction to news

Enhancing information literacy via MOOC and library’s i-Space

Equating search with research, as reaffirmed by the studies led by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University Library, is a widespread misconception among undergraduates in Hong Kong. Base on real findings of the studies, a self-paced, asynchronous, non-credit bearing online MOOC courseware “InfoLit for U”, has been launched in early 2018. The “InfoLit for U” MOOC courseware was jointly designed by the libraries of all public funded universities in Hong Kong. Its design takes reference from the relational model of information literacy, in particular, the knowledge creation face of informed learning. The focal module, developed by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University Library, addresses essential concepts and common misconceptions about using information in university learning and career settings, while the eight discipline modules designed by participating libraries focus on discipline-specific information literacy (IL) practices. All modules start with the “IL & Me” series of video sharing by professionals to highlight the personal relevance of information to university learning, research and future career. Animated scenarios, games and exercises help students to adopt appropriate learning-to-learn dispositions and best practices of information literacy. An i-Space has been set up in the Hong Kong Polytechnic University Library in October 2017 to enrich students’ information experience. It is a technology-rich space furnished with a variety of easy to use digital equipment and facilities for students from all disciplines to experience evolving technologies, to learn, evaluate and create digital content. The Digital Makerspace provides 3D Printers, 3D scanners, laser cutter, VR Experience Zone, IoT (Internet of Things) and Large Format Printing equipment while the Digital Visualisation Room is equipped with a high performance computer and high-resolution Video Wall to facilitate visualisation of data. The Multimedia Commons provides a Digital Studio and a number of multimedia workstations

A Business Application of the System Dynamics Approach: Word-of-Mouth and Its Effect in an Online Environment

In this article, we illustrate the use of system dynamics modeling approach to study a complex system: word-of-mouth. Word-of-mouth plays an important role in reducing risk and uncertainty in purchase and consumption. Most of the prior research on word-of-mouth focused on studying either the factors that trigger consumers’ participation (sending or receiving) in word-of-mouth activities or the impact word-of-mouth information has on consumers’ buying decisions. The relationship between the two decision processes, however, is recursive and dynamic. Most prior studies have not focused on a recursive relationship. Our objective is to present a system dynamics model for the study of the relationship between the buying decision and the decision to participate in word-of-mouth communication. We also discuss how system dynamics modeling can be used in other complex problems in business such as the creation of a global business

Inspiring Novel Application of Technology and Self-Directed Learning in Library Makerspace

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s mission is to nurture next generation of critical thinkers, effective communicators, innovative problem solver, and global citizens. Opened to all students in September 2017, the i-Space of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University Library is designated to ignite students’ spirit of innovation and facilitate the development of self-directed learning. The vision of the i-Space is to lower the barrier of entry of the latest technology for students of all disciplinary and inspire novel application in their disciplinary work. Students can explore different technologies, including 3D scanning, 3D printing, laser cutting, vinyl cutting, Virtual Reality, Internet of Things, video recording and editing on their own in the i-Space, or join workshops or contests of its MakerMindset@i-Space programme to nurture a creative, curious, and can-do mindset. Apart from picking up new techniques, students also develop self-directed learning competence like identifying goals, plan for decisions and arrangements arising from the goals set, identify new skills to learn and set their learning pathway, setup evaluation criteria, constructive use of comments and feedback for further improvements and so on

Construction and characterization of a hybrid bacteriophage gene delivery platform

Bacteriophages, viruses that specifically infect bacteria, may be considered as structurally simplistic protein-based vehicles for ferrying nucleic acid cargo. Since phages cannot infect nor replicate within human cells, they can be used for non-viral gene delivery. The filamentous phage M13 is a single-stranded DNA phage that co-exists with its host after infection. M13 possesses several attractive characteristics for gene delivery: 1) high titres of phage progeny, 2) capsid proteins amenable to display of foreign peptides to modify tropism, 3) a simple, well-characterized genome that is easy to genetically modify, and 4) a flexible, theoretically limitless transgene cargo capacity. Although non-viral vectors may be safer than vectors derived from infection-competent human viruses, they overall suffer from a lack of efficacy due to the absence of innate pathways for mammalian cell uptake and gene expression. Bacterial sequences in conventional gene transfer plasmids and in phage genomes often consist of elements only necessary for amplification in a prokaryotic background, and as such, are superfluous in the mammalian cell. These problematic elements include antibiotic resistance genes, which can disseminate antibiotic resistance, and CpG motifs, which are inflammatory in animals and can lead to transgene silencing. We examined how M13 could be improved as a gene delivery vector by removing its phage backbone in conjunction with phage display of a cell-specific targeting ligand. As a proof of principle, a mammalian transgene cassette was flanked by isolated initiation and termination elements of the phage origin of replication. Phage proteins provided in trans by a separate helper phage would replicate only the cassette, without any bacterial or phage backbone. Helper phage rescue of “miniphagemids” from these split origins was equal to, if not greater than, isogenic “full phagemids” arising from intact origins. However, helper phage efficiency appears to be highly dependent on host background, as striking differences in phagemid:helper composition were observed between different host bacterial strains. To examine their capacity for gene delivery, we produced mini and full phagemid particles encoding the luciferase reporter transgene cassette and displaying a cell-specific targeting ligand, the epidermal growth factor (EGF). Across cell lines expressing the EGF receptor (EGFR), the display of EGF was the single greatest factor affecting transgene expression, underlining the necessity of targeting receptor-mediated endocytosis for efficient phage uptake. Importantly, smaller vector size was associated with improved transgene expression both for purified single-stranded phagemid DNA and phagemid virion particles. The display of cell-specific targeting ligands improves cellular internalization while the miniaturized phagemid vector improves intracellular localization and evades immune-induced transgene silencing. As single-stranded DNA transfects poorly in mammalian cells, we also set out to construct a double-stranded phage gene transfer vector. We were able to demonstrate helper phage-mediated rescue of double-stranded phagemid DNA. Production of a double-stranded phagemid was highly inefficient, but we identified several key areas for further investigation and improvement. Overall, we characterized the production and function of a novel set of targeted transgene delivery vectors based on the filamentous phage M13. Its capacity for the display of a cell-targeting ligand in combination with the straightforward miniaturization of its genetic cargo showcases the flexibility of M13 as a gene delivery tool with immense therapeutic potential. Altogether, these advancements can further increase the efficiency of M13 phage-mediated gene transfer

“la capacitación y la calidad de servicio en el Banco Cencosud – Hipermercados Metro, 2018”

El fin de la indagación fue establecer la relación entre la variable capacitación y la calidad de servicio en el Banco Cencosud –Hipermercados Metro 2018. Aplicó el método hipotético-deductivo debido a que planteamos hipótesis para generar soluciones. Asimismo, se utilizó el tipo de estudio aplicada, descriptiva-correlacional. El diseño aplicado fue no experimental transversal. Estudiamos a los asesores de los Hipermercados Metro, obteniendo información de 114 colaboradores, empleando un método censal. Se usó la encuesta y como instrumento de estudio el cuestionario tipo Likert, con 20 preguntas relacionadas con capacitación y 13 preguntas relacionadas con calidad de servicio. En este proceso de investigación se empleó el estadístico SPSS 24 y se comprobó con el alfa de Cronbach que el cuestionario era confiable, a la par empleamos el método de Speaman con la finalidad de medir la correlación. Se concluyó con un resultado de = 0.519 para ambas variables teniendo una población de n=114, comparando con la tabla 12, encontramos una correlación positiva moderada entre la Capacitación y la Calidad de Servicio en el Banco Cencosud –Hipermercados Metro