Challenges and approaches in conserving New Ink Art

Most of the examples of New Ink Art in public collections in Hong Kong are generally in the form of traditional ink paintings, yet each of them have different intention from the artist, with abstract notions to deliver. They always present unexpected challenges in the course of conservation and preservation, ranging from ethical, legal, technological, technical, to time-based medium, and display issues. This paper draws the attention of museum workers and conservators to the preservation issues of New Ink Art by using two works by two internationally-renowned artists. It aims to resolve the common issues around their artworks by comparing with and making references to different solutions and approaches currently adopted in other countries, like the United States, Canada, and Europe. It clarifies the ethical concepts involved, and brings us new insight to cope with ever-changing confrontations and problems while conserving, preserving, and displaying New Ink Art.     

The continued usage of business e-learning courses in Hong Kong corporations

Other research has investigated aspects of e-learning, e.g., comparing the effectiveness of e-learning with traditional classroom training and gauging the success of IT or computer skills training. This study focused on how to ensure that individuals continue their usage of business and management e-learning courses for self-development in Hong Kong corporations. This paper reports the development and testing of a theoretical model for continued usage. The proposed model was calibrated with a sample of 212 cases from five corporations in Hong Kong, and was subsequently validated with 15 questionnaires from a small e-commerce company of 50 staff. The data supported the model and the model had a moderate explanatory power (R ² = 37%) for continued usage. The structural model was not affected by different collection periods (first collection batch vs. last collection batch), sample (calibration vs. validation), gender (male vs. female), position (manager vs. nonmanager), or computer usage experience (10 years or more vs. less than 10 years). However, the model was different for groups of different ages (aged 36 and above vs. below 36) and educational levels (university graduates vs. nongraduates). Further research and the business implications for improving the continued usage of business e-learning courses are discussed.     

A place to learn: cultivating engaging learning environments for young rural Aboriginal Australians

Rural Aboriginal Australians experience disadvantage across a number of significant social and economic outcomes, including educational engagement and achievement. Current debate postulates that educational environments and systems perpetuate this disadvantage. This qualitative study aimed to contribute to the debate by taking a broader ecological view to consider the aspects of the learning environment that may promote engagement with learning. This paper reports on research conducted in a community-based programme designed to support the engagement of young rural Aboriginal students. A total of 32 participants (including children, parents/carers, tutors, managers, and local teachers) were interviewed to explicate their perspectives on the key aspects of the learning environment that fostered student engagement. An analysis of the interview data identified core characteristics that could be employed to foster engagement and thus contribute to developing equity and self-determination for young rural Aboriginal Australians. Core characteristics that were valued included: a focus on learning and individualised pace; a flexible and relaxed atmosphere; individualised assistance; having an adult who showed interest in the child and their learning; providing a culturally secure learning environment; provision of food; supplying transportation; and staff being part of the same community. This paper contends that these characteristics are valued by the community and thus should inform the practices within the community-based programme as well as mainstream education to facilitate future engagement in learning.     

Online tutorial support in open and distance learning: students' perceptions

The Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK) offers 199 courses with online features to enhance the distance learning environment. The university has arranged these courses to provide students with greater flexibility in interacting with tutors, classmates, and the content itself. Integral to learner flexibility online is access, valuing computers and online learning, endorsement, and language proficiency. The current investigation attempts to explore these issues by examining the perceptions of OUHK students enrolled in courses with online tutorial supports. The methods of questionnaire survey and semi‐structured interview were employed. Surveyed using multistage stratified sampling technique were 449 OUHK students enrolled in 18 upper level courses (9 English, 9 Chinese) at the OUHK. Forty‐two students were randomly selected for a follow‐up interview. Five major topics were explored including: (1) accessing the Internet; (2) perceptions of technology; (3) rationale for using the Internet in course work; (4) learning strategies used by the tutor online; and (5) perceptions of the online tutorial support.     

Effect of ovarian stimulation with or without GnRH agonist on hamster endometrial secretion

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the endometrial secretion and synthesis of proteins in hamsters that were subjected to ovarian stimulation with or without GnRH agonist (Leuprolide Acetate, LA). The results of protein resolution revealed that the molecular weight of the proteins increased from 31D to 66D, while the intensities of photographed protein bands in the hamsters treated with LA and pregnant mare’ s serum gonadotropin (PMSG) were less than that in those treated with PMSG alone. The amounts of low and medium weights (31kD and 45kD) proteins newly synthesized in LA+PMSG group and saline group (control) were significantly higher than that in PMSG group. The synthesized and secreted proteins in groups LA and control were similar. The data suggested that a physiologic endometrial protein secretory and synthetic change with GnRH agonist regarcded as a possible cause of the higher pregnancy rate in in vitro fertilization. The degree of endometrial secretion and synthesis varied considerably with the type of ovarian stimulation used. Project supported by China Medical Board of New York Inc., USA     

Droplet based microfluidic fabrication of designer microparticles for encapsulation applications

Developing carriers of active ingredients with pre-determined release kinetics is a main challenge in the field of controlled release. In this work, we fabricate designer microparticles as carriers of active ingredients using droplet microfluidics. We show that monodisperse droplet templates do not necessarily produce monodisperse particles. Magnetic stirring, which is often used to enhance the droplet solidification rate, can promote breakup of the resultant microparticles into fragments; with an increase in the stirring time, microparticles become smaller in average size and more irregular in shape. Thus, the droplet solidification conditions affect the size, size distribution and morphology of the fabricated particles, and these attributes of the microparticles strongly influence their release kinetics. The smaller the average size of the microparticles is, the higher the initial release rate is. The release kinetics of drug carriers is strongly related to their characteristics. The understanding of this relationship enables the fabrication of tailor-designed carriers with a specified release rate, and even programmed release to meet the needs of applications that require a complex release profile of the active ingredients.     

Online measurement of academic programme preferences for distance learners in Hong Kong

The purpose of this paper is to report on the development of the first online self-directed inventory on the measurement of academic programme preferences (MAPP) for potential students at the Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK). In this study, trait-factor theory and personality type theory were employed. 1,963 respondents in Hong Kong were surveyed using a multi-stage stratified cluster sampling technique. The inventory, consisting of 132 items, was developed and eight personal attributes were found: Influential, Enterprising, Social, Helping, Explorative, Technological, Logical, and Reflective. The minimum desirability of each of these attributes for all programmes offered at the OUHK was assessed by course administrators. Students' ratings on the eight personal attributes were evaluated against the minimum ratings, based on a nine-point scale, to determine their academic preferences. A computer-assisted multidimensional MAPP was set up online in both English and Chinese and was linked to the University's homepage. By completing the MAPP online, distance learners could obtain their personal profiles and a list of suggested OUHK programmes instantaneously. Connected to the University's aim to foster lifelong learning, the MAPP is expected to ease the academic selection process and reduce the number of dropouts by enhancing students' success with their chosen programmes.     

Writing motivation and performance in Chinese children

Reading and Writing - This study examined the relationships between writing motivation and written composition performance in Chinese among 388 Chinese children in Grades 3 to 5 in accordance with...