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- PublicationEmbargoLogic of internship learning in hybrid engineering workplace settings: A sociomaterial assemble of digital tools, humans and activities(Taylor & Francis, 2024)During the recent pandemic, established modes of organising internships in engineering were disrupted; Internships often transitioned into hybrid formats with extensive online activity. But, empirical research on the quality of learning in engineering during these exceptional circumstances is limited. This study therefore examines internship experiences among engineering undergraduates (N = 39) in Singapore through semi-structured interviews conducted at two different time points. Thematic analysis revealed four challenges encountered by interns when access to engineering sites was disrupted. These included changes to processes of learning through the reorganisation of work routines requiring interns to adeptly utilise diverse technological tools and digital platforms for remote collaboration. Interns faced difficulties in gaining insights into the logic of engineering work through disrupted workflow. This was not helped when their learning experiences were also contingent upon the availability of meaningful work tasks. Finally, interns had to adapt to virtual and on-demand networking as a means of integrating into the engineering practice. Thus, the shift presented both challenges and opportunities for interns to learn about engineering in unprecedented ways. This research sheds light on how interns adapt during severe disruptions to engineering work environments, emphasising the importance of considering the sociomaterial context for supporting interns in hybrid workplaces.
- PublicationMetadata onlyClassroom-based learning dynamics: The role of interbrain synchrony(Cell Press, 2024)Classroom learning occurs within a multidimensional context of inter-related neurocognitive, motivational, and socioemotional processes. Multisubject approaches in neuroscience are poised to capture these dynamics using multimodal, time-resolved, and nonlinear methodologies and may help us identify the factors that facilitate or impede learning in such highly complex and social environments.
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- PublicationEmbargoEnabling highly concentrated tetracycline degradation with tailored FeCo nanocrystals in porous graphitic carbon fiber(Springer, 2024)Eliminating highly concentrated antibiotic wastewater by transition metal catalyst-assisted AOPs is challenging. Herein, by varying the metal precursor composition (Co/Fe ratios of 1/1, 1.5/2/3), alloyed Co7Fe3 nanocrystals or spinel-like CoFe2O4 can be switched and both confined within the porous N-doped graphitic carbon fibers by electrospinning and controlled graphitization. Impressively, iron precursors played a dual role in working as reactive centers and main activators for the creation of porous carbon networks affording improved accessibility to catalytic sites and easy tetracycline (TC) diffusion effect. The catalytic activity of the resulting materials was closely related to surface metal valence and composition. Notably, the CoFe2O4 exhibited a significant improvement in peroxymonosulfate (PMS) adsorption and activation, explained by the present electron-deficient Co and Fe synergetic sites together with the interesting Jahn–Teller effect. Fe1Co2/CNF demonstrated the highest efficiency in degrading TC, achieving a reaction rate constant of 0.4647 min−1 with a low activation energy of 9.3 kJ·mol−1, nearly a 7.5-fold enhancement compared to Fe1Co3/CNF (0.062 min−1). The reaction mechanism and the role of reactive oxidative species revealed a synergy of ·SO4−, ·OH, ·O2− and 1O2. Wherein, ·O2− plays a more dominant role in the degradation of TC than other reactive species. Additionally, a reinforced electron-transfer pathway in the Fe1Co2/CNF system during PMS interaction was demonstrated. Furthermore, the degradation routes of TC were unraveled, and the toxicity of various intermediate by-products was assessed. Importantly, our continuous flow-type TC degradation process and light-driven photothermal strengthened reaction process demonstrated consistent performance, thereby offering a promising approach for tackling highly concentrated antibiotic wastewater.
- PublicationMetadata onlyEffect of habitual physical activity on motor performance and prefrontal cortex activity during implicit motor learning(PeerJ, 2024)
Background Acute bouts of exercise have been shown to improve motor learning. However, whether these benefits can be observed from habitual physical activity (PA) levels remains unclear and has important implications around PA guidelines to promote motor learning across the lifespan. This study investigated the effect of habitual PA levels on brain activity within the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) during procedural motor skill acquisition.
Methods
Twenty-six right-handed healthy young adults had physical activity levels quantified by calculating the metabolic equivalent of task (METs) in minutes per week, derived from the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) over the DLPFC was recorded to measure neural activation during a serial reaction time task (SRTT). Behavioural indicators of procedural motor skill acquisition were quantified as reaction time and accuracy of correct trials during the SRTT. DLPFC activation was characterised as task-related changes in oxyhaemoglobin (∆[HbO2]).Results
Findings showed that higher PA levels were associated with improvements in reaction time during procedural motor skill acquisition (p = 0.03). However, no significant effects of PA levels on accuracy or ∆[HbO2] during procedural motor skill acquisition were observed. These findings show that while habitual PA may promote motor performance in young adults, this is not reflected by changes in the DLPFC area of the brain. - PublicationMetadata onlyPicturebooks increase the frequency and diversity of emotion vocabulary in children’s language environments: Modeling potential benefits to emotional literacy, with pedagogical resources(Taylor & Francis, 2024)Research Findings: This study examines the frequency and diversity of emotion vocabulary in children’s picturebooks, as well as its deviation from typical spoken language environments. We analyzed a corpus of 2146 transcripts of individuals reading picturebooks aloud on social media platforms, using an emotion-specific vocabulary list, and two emotion-related word lists: the Valence Aware Dictionary for Sentiment Reasoning (VADER) List, and the NRC Word-Emotion Lexicon Intensity Lists. Models of daily input assess how regular book reading impacts the diversity and quantity of emotion vocabulary in children’s language environments. The findings reveal that emotion vocabulary in children’s picturebooks is more diverse than found in typical samples of child-directed speech and that regular reading substantially increases exposure to emotion vocabulary in the language environment of children beyond their input from child-directed speech alone. The study underscores the significant role of regular picturebook reading in enriching children’s quantity and quality of emotion vocabulary exposure and the opportunities this may provide for emotional literacy development. Practice or Policy: The findings are supplemented with emotion vocabulary wordlists produced by the study and provided here (https://tinyurl.com/4pvcb8b4). These constitute new resources for supporting children’s emotion vocabulary acquisition during early education and development.
- PublicationMetadata onlyAI and data-driven urbanism: The Singapore experience(Elsevier, 2024)This paper presents a deep and critical analysis of Singapore's new wave of state-built digital tools and services and how it connects to its larger smart urbanism project, also known as Smart Nation. The COVID-19 pandemic, and particularly Singapore's response, served as a real-world testing ground for smart urbanist strategies. In particular, we analysed the logic that emanates from these novel digital interventions, how they operate on the complex urban built environment and the population, and their effects on urban and citizenry morphologies. Next, we examined a series of state-led technological implementations that have emerged since the Covid-19 pandemic, providing digital solutions that assist citizens with the changing rhythms of everyday living, data-capturing sensors and gantries to aid authorities in contract tracing efforts and enforce vaccination differentiation measures, geospatial digital mapping of demographic data, in withal robotics for automated policing and cleaning activities; and the use of AI and automated data-driven tools in public health to improve service delivery and care to patients. While we are unable to exhaust every piece of technology for the purpose of this paper, these developments, along with their design thinking and operations, we argue, are helpful in revealing the contemporary conjectures of Singaporean digital urban idealism and the governing strategies of the state. By examining Singapore's response, this study aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse on smart urbanism, offering insights into how cities can leverage technology effectively while balancing technological innovation with privacy and public trust.
- PublicationMetadata onlyDeveloping the WECARE cross-national research alliance for investigating early childhood educators’ wellbeing(Emerald, 2024)
Purpose This paper describes the development of the WECARE cross-national research alliance for investigating early childhood educators’ wellbeing, and details the experiences of some of WECARE’s 17 members.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper explores and situates the WECARE team’s experiences within extant literature on cross-national and collaborative research groupings alongside a strongly practical focus.Findings
The study’s findings included effects of member mindsets and motivations, differentiated benefits and challenges of membership, cultural sensitivity, research capacity-building, leadership, communication, data security and planning.Originality/value
Cross-national research is seen as an important part of academic researchers’ activities. Yet, little has been written about how cross-national research groups form and operate, and what benefits and challenges their members experience. - PublicationMetadata only
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- PublicationMetadata onlyUrea/thiourea imine linkages provide accessible holes in flexible covalent organic frameworks and dominates self‐adaptivity and exciton dissociation(Wiley, 2024)Unraveling the robust self-adaptivity and minimal energy-dissipation of soft reticular materials for environmental catalysis presents a compelling yet unexplored avenue. Herein, a top-down strategy, tailoring from the unique linkage basis, flexibility degree, skeleton electronics to trace-guest adaptability, is proposed to fill the understanding gap between micro-soft covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and photocatalytic performance. The thio(urea)-basis-dominated linkage within benzotrithiophene-based COFs induce the framework contraction/swelling (intralayer micro-flexibility) in response to tetrahydrofuran or water. Adaptability of micro-flexible thiourea-COF with pore hydrophilicity not only contributes to the favorable mass transfer, but also enhances the accessible redox active sites, culminating in nearly 100% removal of micropollutant with low-energy dissipation in wastewater. The incorporating urea/thiourea into imine linkage facilitates polarization reduction and exciton dissociation within skeleton wall, inducing strong localization for holes. This transformation facilitates interchain charge transport and unbalanced distribution conducive to oxidative holes-mediated micropollutant decomposition.
- PublicationEmbargoChanging professional identities: A qualitative study of how Singapore allied educators managed their own resistance to change(Taylor & Francis, 2024)In order to recruit sufficient special education allied educators for children with mild special education needs in Singapore public schools, the government removed the general education allied educators scheme, and offered its incumbents the opportunity to retrain as Allied Educators (Learning and Behavioural Support). This qualitative research traced the mid-career identity change process of seven allied educators who accepted this offer. Analysis of interviews using Corbin and Strauss’s grounded theory produced 13 themes grouped into five categories. The five propositions derived from these categories showed how participants managed their resistance to professional identity change by recognising the similarities between their current and new roles and identities; and by experiencing the new role under the mentorship of senior Allied Educators (Learning and Behavioural Support). This resistance self-management process resulted in participants’ increased commitment to their new identities. Implications for facilitating professional identity changes amongst educators are discussed.
- PublicationMetadata onlyAnion-induced electrolyte chemistry enables high energy density primary battery for ultralow-temperature conditions(Springer, 2024)Lithium/fluorinated-carbon (Li/CFx) primary batteries are widely used in defense and military fields due to their stable discharge plateau, low self-discharge rate, and adaptability across a wide temperature range. However, enhancing their overall energy density and discharge capacity at low temperatures remains a critical challenge. Herein, we report a strategically designed LiBF4-based sulfite/carboxylate electrolyte, where the anion-involved solvation structure significantly enhances electrochemical kinetics by reducing the desolvation barrier. Simultaneously, it introduces a radical reaction mechanism that contributes to additional capacity. As a result, the Li/CFx primary batteries with this formulated electrolyte deliver a specific capacity of 2,257.15 mAh g−1 at 25 °C. More importantly, when operating at −40 °C, the batteries exhibit an exceptionally high discharge capacity of 1,549.4 mAh g−1 and an energy density of 2,868.6 Wh kg−1. Even at −60 °C, the Li/CFx cells achieve a specific capacity of 444.3 mAh g−1 and an energy density of 821.8 Wh kg−1 at 0.1 C, significantly outperforming previously reported organic-based liquid electrolytes. This work offers a viable strategy for enhancing the specific capacity and energy density of primary batteries in extreme environments, providing valuable insights for future developments.
- PublicationEmbargoEnhancing bilingual learners’ Chinese learning: Which type of home support is effective?(Taylor & Francis, 2024)This study examined the relationships between home support (Chinese use at home, homework support, and tuition duration), motivational beliefs (self-efficacy, interest, and task importance), learning behaviors (classroom engagement, effort regulation, and effort withdrawal), and Chinese achievement in 1410 Singaporean Grade Five (aged 11) students learning Chinese as a second language. Gender differences were also examined. Path analysis revealed that Chinese use at home was the most powerful predictor among the three home support variables for both genders. It directly and positively predicted all motivational belief variables and also predicted Chinese achievement both directly and indirectly through motivational beliefs and learning behaviors. Homework support predicted motivational beliefs directly and predicted Chinese achievement indirectly through motivational beliefs and learning behaviors, but these predictive relationships were only significant in boys. Interestingly, tuition duration was not a significant predictor of motivational beliefs, learning behaviors, or achievement variables for either boys or girls. Additionally, motivational beliefs, such as self-efficacy and interest were pivotal in predicting both learning behaviors and Chinese achievement between genders, while task importance had a less pronounced effect. These findings underscore the nuanced roles of home support and motivational factors in educational outcomes, highlighting the need for tailored educational strategies.
- PublicationMetadata onlyEfficient green synthesis of biocompatible MPN fluorescent microspheres via hydrophobic-force-driven strategy for enhanced immunochromatographic assays(Elsevier, 2024)The unique fluorescence properties of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) fluorescent microspheres (FMs) make them ideal signal markers. Traditional synthesis methods are complex, labor-intensive, and hazardous, leading to AIEFMs that lack biocompatibility and require further modification for immunoprobe preparation. This study introduces a novel hydrophobic force-driven method for rapid synthesis of highly biocompatible FMs (H-FMs), demonstrating their benefits in immunochromatographic assay (ICA) applications. The metal-polyphenol network (MPN) shell around the AIEgen core structure of H-FMs is quickly and safely formed by depositing MPN onto AIEgen nano-aggregates, achieving high dye utilization, affordability, and design flexibility, while producing H-FMs with fluorescence across 300–800 nm. The excellent biocompatibility of H-FMs eliminates the need for additional modifications, allowing antibodies to be coupled swiftly (within 10 min) with a high coupling efficiency of 93.4 %. The resulting immunoprobes exhibit strong target recognition and 90.6 % fluorescence retention over 30 days. These features support their application in double antibody sandwich and competitive ICA formats, with detection limits of 9.62 × 10² CFU/mL for E. coli O157:H7 and 0.0081 ng/mL for AFM1. This study provides new insights into designing fluorescent probes for safety monitoring of hazardous materials in the environment.
- PublicationMetadata onlyLattice distortion effects in high-entropy oxides: Boosting PMS activation for effective and durable pollutant degradation(Elsevier, 2025)Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) are highly effective for pollutant removal, but achieving an optimal combination of high reactivity, corrosion resistance, and long-term stability remains challenging. In this study, the synthesis of a distinctive hollow prismatic high-entropy oxide, (Co0.2Ni0.2Mn0.2Cu0.2Zn0.2)3O4, derived from complex coordination polymers are presented. This high-entropy oxide exhibits significant lattice distortion effects compared to conventional (Co1/3Ni1/3Mn1/3)3O4 and Co3O4. These distortions reduce the metal-O bond length, which enhances cyclic stability during peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation for pollutant degradation. Additionally, the improved interaction between the catalyst and PMS enhances the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to superior catalytic degradation activity. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and other analytical techniques identify ·OH, 1O2, O2−· as the primary active species in the (Co0.2Ni0.2Mn0.2Cu0.2Zn0.2)3O4/PMS system. A degradation mechanism for tetracycline (TC) is also proposed. This study introduces an innovative approach to water treatment by employing high-entropy oxides to activate PMS, demonstrating substantial potential for practical applications.
- PublicationMetadata onlySelf-directed learning through gamification of mathematics lessons: Literature review and a framework for enactment(Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta, Indonesia, 2024)Gamification, or the use of game-like elements for classroom instruction, has been the subject of study by educators. Currently there are no frameworks for enacting gamification in the mathematics classroom. In this paper, we propose a framework for facilitating Mathematics teachers to implement gamification in classrooms. Through gamification, we target to nurture self-directed learners of Mathematics. Our proposed framework is based on a systematic literature review conducted by the researchers. In our proposal, we map the use of various elements of gamification at each phase of learning through to Merrill’s First Principles of Instruction and van Hiele’s Model of Geometric Thinking. An exemplar of a lesson on geometry with the use of the framework is also presented.
- PublicationEmbargoInvestigation on the high temperature tribological behaviors of pristine and plasma-based Mo-Si-Ti coated γ-TiAl(Elsevier, 2024)A Mo-Si-Ti coated γ-TiAl substrate was fabricated using plasma alloying technology to enhance its high temperature wear resistance. The coated substrate was composed of a deposition layer and a diffusion layer, with the grain size decreasing from the substrate toward the coating, forming a gradient structure. XRD and TEM analysis revealed that the deposition layer included the (Ti, Mo)5Si3, TiSi and MoSi2, while the diffusion layer consisted of the γ-TiAl, TiSi and Al8Mo3. Nanoindentation results showed that the coated substrate exhibited high hardness (19.6 GPa), as well as high plastic deformation resistance and load-bearing capacity. Furthermore, the presence of residual compressive stress (−1255.9 MPa), stress concentrations at interfaces between different phases and gradient structure contributed to the high surface fracture toughness of the coated substrate. Wear testing indicated that the lower nanomechanical properties of pristine substrate combined with the dynamic cyclic generation of oxide film during high temperature friction caused to an increase in specific wear rate at loads of 4.2 N and 6.2 N. However, post-oxidation hardness elevation as well as the lubrication and supportive effect of extensively covered oxide film reduced the wear rate as load increased to 8.2 N. The transition from residual compressive stress to tensile stress along with the formation of oxides at grain boundaries reduced the surface fracture toughness of the coated substrate. Meanwhile, the rapid formation and spalling of oxide film resulted in an increase in the specific wear rate of the coated substrate with increasing load. Nevertheless, coated substrate exhibited better wear resistance than pristine substrate owing to its higher surface mechanical properties. The specific wear rates of the coated substrate were 3.7, 6.0 and 19.5 × 10−5 mm3N−1 m−1 at loads of 4.2, 6.2 and 8.2 N, respectively, reflecting reductions of 88.9 %, 84.3 %, and 34.6 % compared to the pristine substrate.
- PublicationMetadata onlySupporting data discovery: Comparing perspectives of support specialists and researchers(Ubiquity Press, 2024)
Purpose: Much of the research in data discovery is centered on the users’ viewpoint, frequently overlooking the perspective of those who develop and maintain the discovery infrastructure. Our goal is to conduct a comparative study on research data discovery, examining both support specialists’ and researchers’ views by merging new analysis with prior research insights.
Methods: This work summarizes the studies the authors have conducted over the last seven years investigating the data discovery practices of support specialists from different disciplines. Although support specialists were not the main target of some of these studies, data about their perspectives was collected. Our corpus comprises in-depth interviews with 6 social science support specialists, interviews with 19 researchers and 3 support specialists from multiple disciplines, a global survey with 1630 researchers and 47 support specialists, and a use case analysis of 25 support specialists. In the analysis section, we juxtapose the fresh insights on support specialists’ views with the already documented perspectives of researchers for a holistic understanding. The latter is primarily discussed in the literature review, with references made in the analysis section to draw comparisons.
Results: We found that support specialists’ views on data discovery are not entirely different from those of the researchers. There are, however, some differences that we have identified, most notably the interconnection of data discovery with general web search, literature search, and social networks.
Conclusion: We conclude by proposing recommendations for different types of support work to better support researchers’ data discovery practices.
- PublicationMetadata onlyOpportunities and challenges to human flourishing: Biographical learning experiences of ITE graduates in Singapore(Taylor & Francis, 2024)In the performative meritocracy of Singapore where academic achievement is seen as the key to success in the society, vocational education is seen as inferior in the education system. This paper examines the educational experiences of vocational youths who went through the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), an institution that is often not seen as a school of choice. We investigate the life and educational experiences of ITE graduates examining interview data collected through the Biographical Narrative Interpretive Method (BNIM), which elicit lived experiences in narrative form. Through studying the graduates’ biographical learning narratives, we explore the opportunities and challenges to human flourishing. This study has implications for enhancing the ecology of learning as well as VET standing in Singapore and beyond.