The effect of self‐directed work teams on work ethic

This study examined the work ethic of manufacturing machine operators between self‐directed work teams and traditional work groups using four work ethic subscales: dependable, considerate, ambitious, and cooperative (Dawson, 1999 ; Petty, 1991 ). Differences in measured work ethic scores were also compared across six demographic variables: age, gender, level of education, years of full‐time work experience, years of experience as a supervisor, and work shift preference. Findings showed that there were significant differences in the work ethic between those two team structures and age groups. Implications for future research were presented.     

Identifying affective domains that correlate and predict mathematics performance in high-performing students in Singapore

Past studies have shown that distinct yet highly correlated sub-constructs of three broad mathematics affective variables: (a) motivation, (b) attitudes and (c) anxiety, have varying degree of correlation with mathematics achievement. The sub-constructs of these three affective constructs are as follows: (a) (i) amotivation, (ii) external regulation, (iii) introjection, (iv) identification, (v) intrinsic motivation; (b) (i) enjoyment of mathematics, (ii) self-confidence in mathematics, (iii) perceived value of mathematics; (c) (i) anxiety with mathematics and (ii) ease with mathematics. This study identifies, both within and across these three affective variables, the key sub-constructs that educators should focus upon when selecting learning process variables for mathematics achievement. Results were analysed using a series of stepwise regression analyses using data from 1018 Grade 12 students enrolled in a top pre-tertiary institution in Singapore, both for concurrent and predictive relationships, and also for both genders. Results of this study showed that after taking into account self-confidence in mathematics and ease with mathematics, all other sub-constructs of mathematics motivation, attitudes and anxiety were not significantly correlated with mathematics achievement. This is true for both concurrent and predictive relationships, and for both genders. Implications of the results of this study are twofold. First, results of this study provide educators with priority affective variables to focus upon in their efforts to enhance performance in mathematics via the affective domain. Second, in situations where administration time is limited, it may be possible to consider only self-confidence and ease with mathematics when investigating relationships between affect and mathematics achievement.     

Pathways to Employment and Quality of Life for Apprenticeship and Traineeship Graduates with Disabilities

People with disabilities have low participation rates in employment and vocational education and training. Thirty adults with disabilities were sampled from an Australian longitudinal study of economic and social outcomes achieved by graduate apprentices and trainees. Participants were surveyed and interviewed to identify pathways from high school to 12-months post-graduation and completed the Quality of Life Questionnaire (QOL.Q). Career pathways incorporated experiences facilitating career development including continuous engagement in vocational activities and support from school personnel and external disability agencies. A year following graduation, 87% were in paid work, 53% remained with the training employer, and 40% continued with vocational education. Positive quality of life (QoL) outcomes were associated with employment, employee benefits and satisfaction with work and social connections. Our research demonstrated that apprenticeships and traineeships led to positive graduate employment outcomes and career pathways for adults with disabilities. Positive employment outcomes were associated with enhanced QoL for participants.     

A hybrid dielectrophoretic system for trapping of microorganisms from water

Assessment of the microbial safety of water resources is among the most critical issues in global water safety. As the current detection methods have limitations such as high cost and long process time, new detection techniques have transpired among which microfluidics is the most attractive alternative. Here, we show a novel hybrid dielectrophoretic (DEP) system to separate and detect two common waterborne pathogens, Escherichia coli (E. coli), a bacterium, and Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum), a protozoan parasite, from water. The hybrid DEP system integrates a chemical surface coating with a microfluidic device containing inter-digitated microelectrodes to impart positive dielectrophoresis for enhanced trapping of the cells. Trimethoxy(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl) silane, (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane, and polydiallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (p-DADMAC) were used as surface coatings. Static cell adhesion tests showed that among these coatings, the p-DADMAC-coated glass surface provided the most effective cell adhesion for both the pathogens. This was attributed to the positively charged p-DADMAC-coated surface interacting electrostatically with the negatively charged cells suspended in water leading to increased cell trapping efficiency. The trapping efficiency of E. coli and C. parvum increased from 29.0% and 61.3% in an uncoated DEP system to 51.9% and 82.2% in the hybrid DEP system, respectively. The hybrid system improved the cell trapping by encouraging the formation of cell pearl-chaining. The increment in trapping efficiency in the hybrid DEP system was achieved at an optimal frequency of 1 MHz and voltage of 2.5 V_pp for C. parvum and 2 V_pp for E. coli, the latter is lower than 2.5 V_pp and 7 V_pp, respectively, utilized for obtaining similar efficiency in an uncoated DEP system.     

Engaging junior college students in computer‐mediated lessons using scaffolding strategies

This paper discusses the findings of a collective case study of two junior colleges in Singapore. It aims to identify and describe the scaffolding strategies used by teachers to engage students in computer‐mediated lessons. For students to engage in the learning process, they need to be equipped with the learning strategies and see the relevance of the concepts and principles presented. By employing methods such as observations, focus group discussions with students and face‐to‐face interviews with teachers, an account of how scaffolding strategies are used in computer‐mediated lessons is generated. The account identifies and describes four categories of scaffolding strategies: orienting activities, peer interactions, prompts and modelling.     

Multi-facet product information search and retrieval using semantically annotated product family ontology

With the advent of various services and applications of Semantic Web, semantic annotation has emerged as an important research topic. The application of semantically annotated ontology had been evident in numerous information processing and retrieval tasks. One of such tasks is utilizing the semantically annotated ontology in product design which is able to suggest many important applications that are critical to aid various design related tasks. However, ontology development in design engineering remains a time consuming and tedious task that demands considerable human efforts. In the context of product family design, management of different product information that features efficient indexing, update, navigation, search and retrieval across product families is both desirable and challenging. For instance, an efficient way of retrieving timely information on product family can be useful for tasks such as product family redesign and new product variant derivation when requirements change. However, the current research and application of information search and navigation in product family is mostly limited to its structural aspect which is insufficient to handle advanced information search especially when the query targets at multiple aspects of a product. This paper attempts to address this problem by proposing an information search and retrieval framework based on the semantically annotated multi-facet product family ontology. Particularly, we propose a document profile (DP) model to suggest semantic tags for annotation purpose. Using a case study of digital camera families, we illustrate how the faceted search and retrieval of product information can be accomplished. We also exemplify how we can derive new product variants based on the designer’s query of requirements via the faceted search and retrieval of product family information. Lastly, in order to highlight the value of our current work, we briefly discuss some further research and applications in design decision support, e.g. commonality analysis and variety comparison, based on the semantically annotated multi-facet product family ontology.     

An optofluidic volume refractometer using Fabry–Pérot resonator with tunable liquid microlenses

This letter reports the development of an optofluidic Fabry–Pérot (FP) resonator, which consists of a microcavity and a pair of liquid microlenses. The microcavity forms part of the microchannel to facilitate sample injection. The liquid microlenses are used for efficient light coupling from the optical fiber to the microcavity. The liquid microlens collimates the diverging light from the optical fiber into the FP cavity, which provides real-time tuning to obtain the highest possible finesse up to 18.79. In volume refractive index measurement, a sensitivity of 960 nm per refractive index unit (RIU) and a detection range of 0.043 RIU are achieved.     

Negotiating Faces in Coping with Workplace Bullying: A Cross-Cultural Investigation

Workplace bullying is often a traumatic communication experience. Using face-negotiation theory, this study compared strategic coping behaviors of employees from individualistic and collectivistic cultures. Findings from surveys of U.S. Americans and Singaporeans (N = 648) revealed that face concerns predict use of coping strategies modestly. In both cultures, self-face positively relates to neglect and acquiescence, and other-face negatively associates with retribution. Further, culture does not moderate relationships between face concerns and enactment of strategic coping behaviors, suggesting that people in both cultures cope with bullying in a similar manner.     

The HMS Malaya Cup Football League, 1921–1941: Towards the Institutionalization of Football in British Malaya

Abstract

This research is part of a larger phenomenon about the diffusion and transmission of football in various British colonies, particularly in Asia. After the British occupied the Straits Settlements of Penang, Malacca, and Singapore and enforced indirect rule in the Federated Malay States of Perak, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, and Pahang and Unfederated Malay States of Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan, and Trengganu and Johore, they established sports clubs and played football. They also introduced the game to the Malay, Chinese, Eurasian, Indian, and Sikh communities. In 1921, the British donated the HMS Malaya Cup for football. The inaugural football league consisted of seven colony or state teams and players from the European and local communities. During the first decade (1921–1930), two outstanding European and six local players were highlighted. By the end of next 11 years (1931–1941), 10 teams took part in the competition. During this period, 10 outstanding players emerged from the local communities. Singapore appeared in all 21?Cup finals winning 12 times and drew twice. Selangor was 14 times finalists winning four times and drew twice. Perak won twice out of three final appearances. Kedah and Penang were losing finalists 1940 and 1941, respectively.