Search

The science laboratory is a politically entrenched space where complex power relations interplay while social agents learn about the rules and routines to ensure safety, precision and reproducibility in research work. This paper presents a case study of two Singaporean students undergoing apprenticeship in a 3-year school-based School Scientist Programme. They engaged in an open and authentic science inquiry involving chemical synthesis in the school's science laboratory under the apprenticeship of an in-house School Scientist who started the programme. The goals of this paper are to offer an alternative--critical and nuanced--lens to the dominant positivist and social constructivist discourse about science research apprenticeship. Using visual ethnography approach, we collected videos and photographs of the students' and School Scientist's interactions during the science research over the first 18 months of the programme. The study documented critical events that showed shifts in control over knowledge construction and mastery of the chemical synthesis craft as the science research progressed. This paper contributes to the Foucauldian theory of power in offering an alternative view to the dialectical explanation of power and knowledge. First, it shows that while there is an overall gain in knowledge of chemical synthesis increased during the apprenticeship, the power relationship fluctuates when a different genre of chemical synthesis work was introduced. The fluctuation is related to the overtaking and relinquishing of control (power) with the latter leading to the construction of knowledge. Second, we show how the power relationship, involving the interplay of power and knowledge between the expert and apprentice, is more interconnected and complex. The findings of this study have implications for teachers who want to plan and enact authentic science inquiry with their students.

Identification of the risk factors and the high-risk groups which are most vulnerable is critical in COVID-19 disease management at a population level. Evaluating the efficacy of vaccination against infections is necessary to determine booster vaccination strategies for better protection in high-risk groups. In this study, we recruited 158 mRNA-vaccinated individuals during the Delta wave of SARS-CoV-2 infections in Singapore and examined the antibody profiles of infected individuals. We found that, despite high exposure due to communal living conditions in proximity, 4% of individuals (6/158) had PCR-confirmed infections and 96% (152/158) remained uninfected. Time-course analysis of the antibody profile at the start and the end of quarantine period showed Delta-specific boosting of anti-spike antibody response in 57% of the uninfected individuals (86/152). In the remaining 43% of the uninfected individuals (66/152) with no Delta-specific antibody boost, we found a higher Delta-specific antibody response at the start of quarantine period, which correlated with higher Delta pseudovirus neutralizing capacity. Our findings indicate that a higher basal variant-specific antibody response in the mRNA-vaccinated individuals contributes to better protection against infections by the new emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fight against hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) remains an arduous challenge without existing point‐of‐care (POC) diagnostic platforms for accurate diagnosis and prompt case quarantine. Hence, the purpose of this salivary biomarker discovery study is to set the fundamentals for the realization of POC diagnostics for HFMD. Whole salivary proteome profiling was performed on the saliva obtained from children with HFMD and healthy children, using a reductive dimethylation chemical labeling method coupled with high‐resolution mass spectrometry‐based quantitative proteomics technology. We identified 19 upregulated (fold change = 1.5–5.8) and 51 downregulated proteins (fold change = 0.1–0.6) in the saliva samples of HFMD patients in comparison to that of healthy volunteers. Four upregulated protein candidates were selected for dot blot‐based validation assay, based on novelty as biomarkers and exclusions in oral diseases and cancers. Salivary legumain was validated in the Singapore (n = 43 healthy, 28 HFMD cases) and Taiwan (n = 60 healthy, 47 HFMD cases) cohorts with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.7583 and 0.8028, respectively. This study demonstrates the feasibility of a broad‐spectrum HFMD POC diagnostic test based on legumain, a virus‐specific host systemic signature, in saliva. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerical simulations were carried out to assess the technical and economic feasibility of a solar water desalination system that has a novel hybrid Concentrating Photovoltaic Thermal (CPVT) collector coupled with a Vacuum Membrane Distillation (VMD) process. A special characteristic of this CPVT is its triangular receiver with PV cells facing the reflecting surface. This type of receiver has the advantage of generating more electricity with less PV surface area and great potential to be used to hybridize conventional parabolic thermal collectors. TRNSYS was employed to analyze the annual performance of the CPVT-VMD system evaluating parameters such as solar fraction, specific permeate production and specific energy production for different coastal cities. In the dynamic simulations, local annual weather data and specific information about the characteristics and operating conditions of a real CPVT collector and a VMD module were considered. From the parametric analysis the optimal surface area of collectors and the input temperature of the VDM module were determined. A maximum specific permeate of 218.410 m 3/m2VMD for Acapulco, MX, and a minimum of 170.365 m 3/m2VMD for Singapore, SG, were achieved for the proposed CPVT-VMD system of four solar collectors with an operating set temperature of 55 °C. An economic profit was found after 7 years for Acapulco city, which showed great potential to use solar energy from hybrid CPVT collectors for a VMD process to provide freshwater in coastal cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Despite the high vaccine efficacy of mRNA COVID‐19 vaccines, there are individuals who developed excessive reactogenic and/or allergic responses after the first mRNA dose and were considered ineligible for further mRNA doses. CoronaVac, an inactivated SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine, is recommended in Singapore as an alternative. Methods: Individuals, ineligible for further mRNA vaccines (BNT162b2 or mRNA‐1273) because of excessive reactive responses to prime mRNA vaccination, were recruited and offered two doses of CoronaVac as booster vaccination 38–224 days post their mRNA vaccine dose. Individuals who did not develop any excessive reactive responses after the prime mRNA vaccination were also recruited and given another mRNA vaccine as booster vaccination. Blood samples were collected at days 0, 21 and 90 post first CoronaVac dose and mRNA dose, respectively, for analysis. Results: We showed that two CoronaVac booster doses induced specific immunity in these mRNA vaccine‐primed individuals. Although the spike‐specific antibody response was lower, their memory B cell response against the receptor‐binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein was similar, compared with individuals who received two BNT162b2 injections. The spike‐specific memory T cell response also increased following CoronaVac booster doses. However, specific immunity against the Omicron variant was low, similar to individuals with two BNT162b2 doses. Conclusion: Our findings showed that while mRNA vaccine‐primed individuals can opt for two subsequent doses of CoronaVac, an additional dose may be necessary to achieve protection, especially against newly emerging immune escape variants such as Omicron. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food security is becoming an increasingly important global issue. Anthropogenic factors such as rapid urbanization and industrialization have strained finite resources like land and water. Therefore, against the impending threat of food security, the world can no longer rely on traditional methods to meet its needs. Instead, more creative and technologically advanced methods must be adopted to maximise diminishing natural resources. Singapore is a good case study of a small city-state that is trying to increase its own self-production of food using technology. This review highlights the technologies that Singapore have adopted in enhancing food security given its limitation in natural resources. These methodologies serve as a case study that can be used as a reference point in light of the increasingly finite natural resources. The review also presents the advantages of these techniques as well as challenges that need to be overcome for them to be more widely adopted. To increase self-production of food and enhance its food security, Singapore has employed the use of technologies such as vertical farming and aquaponics in urban farming, nutrient recovery from food waste, biodegradable food packaging from durian rinds, natural preservatives, insect farming, microalgae and cultivated meat as alternative protein sources. These technologies workaround Singapore's land and natural resource constraints, which many countries around the world can adapt. However, many of them are still relatively nascent with numerous challenges, which have to be addressed before they can be widely accepted and implemented. • Long term agriculture and pollution have led to depletion of natural resources. • Technology innovations can be used to mitigate natural resource constraints. • Singapore has adopted numerous technologies to enhance food security. • Areas include urban farming, processing technology and alternative food sources. • Singapore's model provides a good example to increase self-production of food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incorporation of anthropological methods in tertiary educational programs for study abroad students’ cultural learning has shown promising results for cultivating an in-depth appreciation and knowledge of the local culture, intercultural competence, critical thinking, and reflexivity. However, there are fewer studies that investigate short-term programs and consider how visual anthropological methods can contribute to the learning of culture. This study explores the learning trajectories and personal growth of a group of Singaporean university undergraduates during an intensive six-week summer field school. Results show that visual anthropological methods can be successfully applied for the learning of culture, development of reflexivity, critical thinking and intercultural competence even within a short span of time. The paper concludes with implications and suggestions for pedagogy and program implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gender differences in valvular heart disease are increasingly recognised. A prior study has suggested better surgical outcomes in women with symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS). We investigate gender differences in medically managed severe AS.Method: We studied 347 patients with severe AS (aortic valve area index <0.6 cm2/m2) in terms of baseline clinical background, echocardiographic characteristics, and clinical outcomes. Appropriate univariate and multivariate models were employed, while Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed to compare mortality outcomes.Results: In total, 205 (59%) patients were women. Despite higher incidences of hypertension (75.6% vs 47.3%) and diabetes mellitus (46.5% vs 29.5%) in women, women had improved survival (Kaplan-Meier log-rank = 6.24, p = 0.012). After adjusting for age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.034; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.014-1.054), hypertension (HR, 1.469; 95% CI, 0.807-2.673), diabetes (HR, 1.219; 95% CI, 0.693-2.145), and indexed aortic valve area (HR 0.145, 95% CI 0.031-0.684) on multivariate analyses, female gender remained independently associated with lower mortality (HR, 0.561; 95%, CI 0.332-0.947). Women tended to have smaller body surface area (BSA), left ventricular (LV) internal diastolic diameter, and smaller LV outflow tract diameter but were similar to men in terms of LV ejection fraction, AS severity, and patterns of LV remodelling.Conclusions: Women appeared to have better outcomes compared to men in medically managed severe AS. These gender differences warrant further study and may affect prognosis, follow-up, and timing of valve surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design: Case Series OBJECTIVES: To provide an updated understanding of the incidence of surgically managed Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury (TSCI) in Singapore and to identify factors affecting discharge disposition., Setting: Patients were identified from two level one trauma centres in Singapore., Methods: All patients who underwent surgical management for acute TSCI between January 2020 to December 2021 were included. Demographics, injury details, peri-operative condition, hospital length of stay (LOS) and discharge disposition were evaluated. The overall characteristics of TSCI were summarised using descriptive statistics. The difference between discharge destinations was compared using chi-square test or t test. Variables with p values < 0.3 were selected for multivariable analysis., Results: Forty-four patients were included. Median age was 65. The most common SCI aetiology was fall from standing height or less (54.6%). Accidents involving personal mobility devices, bicycles and motor vehicles made up the next largest group (20.5%). Thirty-nine cases (88.6%) involved the cervical region. There were two cases of inpatient mortality. Twenty-one patients (50%) were discharged home, 21 (50%) were discharged to a community hospital (CH) or nursing home (NH). The median LOS in an acute hospital was 41 days. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that functional independence measure (FIM) score on discharge was an independent factor that influenced discharge disposition (p = 0.037)., Conclusion: A public health focus on falls prevention, the development of geriatric spinal rehabilitation programs, and the consideration of a national registry are recommended for the comprehensive management of TSCI in Singapore., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Introduction: Non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) were shown to have better outcomes than warfarin for non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Given limited local real-world data, this study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of NOACs versus warfarin for NVAF in Singapore., Methods: This single-centre retrospective cohort study included 439 patients ≥ 21 years old that were newly prescribed with oral anticoagulants (OACs) for NVAF in 2015. Follow-ups for patients upon OAC initiation lasted either for 2 years or until the occurrence of bleeding or thromboembolism event or death (whichever was earlier). Primary endpoints included major bleeding and stroke, while secondary endpoints included overall bleeding and thromboembolic events. Time-to-events was evaluated via Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Data on time in therapeutic range (TTR) and compliance were analysed., Results: Patients were assigned to 4 groups: warfarin (157, 35.8%), rivaroxaban (154, 35.1%), apixaban (98, 22.3%) and dabigatran (30, 6.8%). With a mean age of 70.8 (±10.8) years old, the population were predominantly males (56.5%) and comprised Chinese (73.8%), Malays (18.7%) and others (7.5%). The rates of stroke per year were 0.7%, 1.7%, 2.2% and 0% for warfarin, rivaroxaban, apixaban and dabigatran, respectively ( P =0.411), whereas those of major bleeding were 2.7%, 1.4%, 2.2% and 0% ( P =0.560). As compared to warfarin, no significant differences were observed for risks of stroke and of major bleeding for rivaroxaban (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 4.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.68-26.05, P =0.124 and adjusted HR 0.43, 95% CI 0.12-1.59, P =0.207) and apixaban (adjusted HR 5.33, 95% CI 0.85-33.34, P =0.074 and adjusted HR 1.54, 95% CI 0.39-6.15, P =0.538). Mean TTR was 68.8% (±24.3%) for warfarin. Compliance rates for rivaroxaban, apixaban, and dabigatran were 56.6%, 59.2%, and 44.8%, respectively ( P =0.177)., Conclusion: NOACs were associated with similar stroke and major bleeding rates as warfarin for NVAF.

Mutations in the ATP-binding cassette transporter ABCA1 underlie Tangier disease and familial hypoalphaliproteinemia (FHA), disorders that are characterised by reduced high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration and cholesterol efflux, and increased coronary artery disease (CAD). We explored if polymorphisms in the ABCA1 gene are associated with CAD and variations in plasma lipid levels, especially HDL-C, and whether the associations may depend on ethnicity. Male cases and controls from the Singapore Chinese, Malay and Indian populations were genotyped for five ABCA1 single nucleotide polymorphisms. Various single-locus frequency distribution differences between cases and controls were detected in different ethnic groups: the promoter -14C>T in Indians, exon 18 M883I in Malays, and 3'-untranslated (UTR) region 8994A>G in Chinese. For the Malay population, certain haplotypes carrying the I825- A (exon 17) and M883- G alleles were more frequent among cases than controls, whereas the converse was true for the alternative configuration of V825- G and I883- A, and this association was reinforced in multi-locus disequilibrium analysis that utilized genotypic data. In the healthy controls, associations were found for -14C>T genotypes with HDL-C in Chinese; 237indelG (5'UTR) with apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1) in Malays and total cholesterol (TC) in Indians; M883I with lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] in Malays and apolipoprotein B (apoB) in Chinese; and 8994A>G with Lp(a) in Malays, and TC, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) as well as apoB in Indians. While genotype-phenotype associations were not reproduced across populations and loci, V825I and M883I were clearly associated with CAD status in Malays with no effects on HDL-C or apoA1.