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Private home dining (PHD) is gaining popularity around the world. The PHD is an example of a sharing economy in which guests enter the homes of amateur chefs for a shared experiential meal. This paper explores the social and spatial dimensions of PHD in Singapore from the perspectives of hosts and guests. For the hosts, PHD events mean opening their home to the public and in the process, taking on new roles as cook, guide and cultural ambassador. From the guests' perspective, dining in a novel environment brings new experiences, exposing them to new people, knowledge and skills. A mixed-methods approach comprising mainly interviews and participant observations was adopted in this research. The findings reveal that PHD transforms home spaces yet retains the essence of home; compels members of a household to perform multiple roles simultaneously; facilitates the process of home-making; and encourages guests to actively engage as co-producers of their own cultural and culinary experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Creative placemaking is a process involving different sectors of society as they collaborate in cultural activities, deepening their relations with each other and the place in which they live and work. As a supposed panacea to the woes of poorly planned spaces and apathetic communities, it hopes to address social exclusion and generate feelings of belonging as the environment is culturally and collectively enhanced. Applying the dual concepts of creative placemaking and community art, this article explores the phenomenon of Void Deck Galleries in Singapore. As more spaces in public residential environments are filled with community-created art works, the relationships between the state, artists, and local communities demand critical examination. Empirical data derived from fieldwork in three void decks in Singapore reveal a proactive state, the coordinating role of an arts organization, and the involvement of an enthusiastic although largely passive local population. The full potential for creative placemaking in Singapore remains frustrated, however, and the discussion identifies reasons for this while also contemplating avenues toward its future accomplishment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of the Singapore heartland as a tourist environment is explored. The 'heartland' refers to suburban residential neighbourhoods, often sited away from mainstream attractions and iconic landmarks, and seldom visited by mass tourists. The increasing trend of visitors to the heartlands and companies offering heartland tours is studied. Applying the concepts of 'frontstage' (featuring mainstream attractions) and 'backstage' (offering alternative sites), the production and consumption of heartland spaces are interrogated. The notion of 'tourism place making' is also introduced as we look at how tour companies attempt to 'make places' in the heartlands that appeal to visitors, and how tourists in turn 'place make' as they experience the landscapes. We argue, however, that there are limits to place making. Just as tour companies are incapable of transforming spaces into affective landscapes of tourism, likewise travellers encounter cultural shocks and other difficulties that mitigate against their place attachment. Further research on tourism place making in non-mainstream sites is required if we are to fully appreciate the complex relations between tourism, people and places. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Line intensity mapping (LIM) provides a unique and powerful means to probe cosmic structures by measuring the aggregate line emission from all galaxies across redshift. The method is complementary to conventional galaxy redshift surveys that are object based and demand exquisite point-source sensitivity. The Tomographic Ionized-carbon Mapping Experiment (TIME) will measure the star formation rate during cosmic reionization by observing the redshifted [C ii ] 158 μm line (6 ≲ z ≲ 9) in the LIM regime. TIME will simultaneously study the abundance of molecular gas during the era of peak star formation by observing the rotational CO lines emitted by galaxies at 0.5 ≲ z ≲ 2. We present the modeling framework that predicts the constraining power of TIME on a number of observables, including the line luminosity function and the auto- and cross-correlation power spectra, including synergies with external galaxy tracers. Based on an optimized survey strategy and fiducial model parameters informed by existing observations, we forecast constraints on physical quantities relevant to reionization and galaxy evolution, such as the escape fraction of ionizing photons during reionization, the faint-end slope of the galaxy luminosity function at high redshift, and the cosmic molecular gas density at cosmic noon. We discuss how these constraints can advance our understanding of cosmological galaxy evolution at the two distinct cosmic epochs for TIME, starting in 2021, and how they could be improved in future phases of the experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between Critical Tourism Studies (CTS) and Asian tourism research is worthy of research. In particular, the challenges that CTS offers to Asian tourism scholarship and how the latter expands the scope of critical thought are areas for consideration. CTS deconstructs mainstream concepts and theorizations and gives voice to the marginalized in the real world of tourism industry and also in the research domain of knowledge creation. How CTS and Asian tourism scholarship are mutually implicated is considered through six exploratory questions relating to principle, language, authorship, concepts, emancipation and pedagogy. Drawing on select literature in Asia, the criticality of extant studies is examined and meaningful directions for further critical scholarship charted. The ultimate goal is to work towards a Critical Asian Tourism Studies (CATS) in which the mutually reinforcing relationship between Asian tourism scholarship and CTS is celebrated, and where research on Asian tourism can be made more theoretical, inclusive and emancipative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper develops the idea of heritage as a process that involves the interpretation and management of heritage sites. This understanding is developed empirically through a case study of mosaic playgrounds in Singapore. Investigating these playgrounds contributes to an expanded notion of heritage places beyond high-profile sites and monuments. With an explicit focus on the everyday users of playgrounds, we illustrate how the application of an 'everyday geographies' approach to the study of heritage provides an analytical balance to understanding the heritage process. A multiple methods approach is adopted, with findings drawn from quantitative data based on questionnaire surveys distributed to everyday users, qualitative data based on semi-structured interviews with everyday users and state representatives, as well as secondary data sources. Heritage is always in the process of becoming rather than a constant given. Towards this end, we discuss the dissonant and consonant heritage of playgrounds as perceived by everyday users, as well as the necessity of change in and management of heritage sites. How, why and whether the processes of change affect heritage are also critically explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research adopts the mobilities approach to examining the everyday experience of tour guides. Scholars tend to highlight guides as service providers and cultural brokers, whose activities and feelings seem to be subordinate to tourism consumption. In contrast, the research moves beyond the context of business and economy and seeks to resituate tour guiding in ordinary life. It draws on the ethnographic fieldwork in Sanya, a coastal city in south China, and adopts the methods of secondary data collection, interviews and participant observation for data generation. Specifically, the research scrutinises how tourism mobilities are embedded into the production of local guides' daily practices, emotions and feelings. Tour guiding is characterised by movement/stillness, instability and contested meanings. On working days, guides travel with tourists between scenic sites, receiving unstable income. The mobile work greatly shapes their everyday rhythms, social networks, familial lives and identities. On jobless days, guides are likely to confine ordinary practices to residence and suffer from deep anxiety. Immobilities arouse their feelings of inability and worries about the future, thus lowering their expectations of career and personal development. The research problematises the idiosyncrasy of tour guiding and underscores its close relationship with the production of everyday practices and experience, thus giving a wider view on tourism work. In so doing, it also enriches our understanding of the complexity of tourism mobilities and contributes to the debate on the de-differentiation of tourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exchange energy, defined as half of the energy splitting of the gerade and ungerade states of a molecular ion, is investigated by molecular orbital calculations and by the surface integral method. Numerical results of He+2, Li+2, and Be+2 are obtained through restricted Hartree–Fock, unrestricted Hartree–Fock and localized Heitler–London type calculations. The results of the surface integral method are analytical expressions which depend only on the ionization energy. While the approaches are completely different, the results are generally in good agreement. Discrepancies are highlighted with the hope of promoting further interplay of these complementary methods. © 1995 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study that developed high quality Si/Si[sub1-x]Ge[subx] superlattices having layers as thin as 1.5 nm by an ultrahigh vacuum/chemical vapor deposition system. Evaluation of the crystalline quality of the superlattices; Analysis of the experimental rocking curves; Role of the growth technique on nanometer thick layer deposition.

This paper presents a case of Singapore's latest theme park, the Universal Studios Singapore (USS). While theme parks are commonly perceived as money-making entities providing entertainment to the masses, the study argues that heritage is an equally important dimension of a commercial theme park's development, identity and profile. As a heritage-rich environment, the USS is a tourism landscape shaped simultaneously by the forces of corporate heritage and local cultural considerations. ‘Glocalization’ – the interaction of global and local forces – offers a conceptual insight into understanding how themed environments are created and marketed as tourism destinations welcoming to all and yet distinctive to its community and locality. Caution, however, is also sounded as to whether an international attraction can or should ever be ‘too local’ at the risk of diluting its global brand name and broad-based appeal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phrases ‘new uses need old buildings’ and ‘old buildings require new uses’ emphasise the mutually reinforcing relationships between historic buildings and new activities in cities. What the phrases do not say are the challenges and incompatibilities that are part of the urban redevelopment process. Singapore’s inner city has been transformed since the 1990s with the introduction of new economies. This paper focuses on one precinct that has undergone land use change – Little India. The concept of ‘gentrification aesthetics’ provides a suggestive frame to explore the form and outcome of urban change, as well as its contestations when new arts and cultural activities occupy historic buildings. Gentrification aesthetics as conceptualised in the West takes on different perspectives in Singapore, prompting questions on whether a ‘Singapore style gentrification’ is evolving – one that melds urban redevelopment with state ideology in arts enhancement and aesthetic regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Many cities around the world are redeveloping their neighbourhoods as arts and cultural precincts. Urban industrial zones and lower-income residential areas have taken on new life as arts neighbourhoods in a bid to attract high-yield visitors, propel their creative industry and brand themselves as attractive to investors and residents. This article has two aims. Conceptually it explores the notion of arts urbanization - the creation of arts spaces in cities and the socio-spatial dynamics which they embody. Empirically, the concept is tested using the case of Singapore's Arts Housing Scheme. Under this scheme, historic ethnic precincts take on new roles as arts and creative belts. While the scheme has yielded some success by way of fostering spaces of identity and inspiration for artists, it has also generated social concerns and spatial challenges. Singapore's Little India offers an empirical setting to explore this concept. The paper argues that geography matters to the arts and that arts-led urbanization creates distinct spatial configurations in cities. For this reason, a greater understanding of and research into arts neighbourhoods and their socio-spatial dynamics are essential if we are to aspire to sustainable and sensitive development of cities and their creative communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-copy gene families are especially prevalent in the male-specific region (MSY) of the mammalian Y chromosome. Copy number variations (CNV) of these Y-linked gene families have been shown to affect human and animal fertility. The PRAMEY (Preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma, Y-linked) gene family is a newly identified, bovid-specific Y-linked gene family, which codes for a cancer/testis antigen that is expressed predominantly in testis and various tumors. The PRAMEY gene family is believed to play an important role in spermatogenesis and male fertility in cattle. The objective of this study was to investigate the CNV of PRAMEY within and across breeds and to determine whether CNV was associated with reproductive traits in Holstein bulls. A quantitative real-time PCR method was applied to measure the copy number of PRAMEY among 460 bulls using a Y-linked single copy gene, DDX3Y (DEAD box polypeptide 3, Y-linked), as a reference. The median copy number of PRAMEY was 13, ranging from 2 to 31. Significant variations in PRAMEY copy number were observed among 15 breeds investigated. Holstein bulls had the lowest median copy number (12), whereas Limousin bulls possessed the highest median copy number (26). Furthermore, bulls in the taurine lineage (13) had a significantly lower median copy number than those bulls in the indicine lineage (20). Association analysis revealed that PRAMEY copy number was correlated negatively with scrotal circumference (SC), relative scrotal circumference (RLSC), percentage of normal sperm (PNS), and nonreturn rate (NRR), but had no significant association with postthaw motility (PTM), incubated motility (IM), percentage of intact acrosome (PIA), sire conception rate (SCR), or relative breeding efficiency (RBE). The data from this study indicate that CNV of the PRAMEY gene family is associated with male reproductive traits and may serve as a valuable marker for sire fertility selection at an early age in cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Idiopathic pure sudomotor failure (IPSF) is a subgroup of acquired idiopathic generalized anhidrosis, which is characterized by early age of onset, acute or sudden onset, concomitant sharp pain or cholinergic urticaria over the entire body, absence of autonomic dysfunction other than generalized anhidrosis, raised serum IgE level, and marked response to steroid. The aetiology of IPSF is still not well understood, but is thought to be caused by interference in cholinergic transmission in the eccrine glands of skin. IPSF after viral infection has rarely been reported in the literature. We describe a patient who developed generalized anhidrosis and cholinergic urticaria accompanied by heat intolerance after infectious mononucleosis infection. This is the first such case, to our knowledge, and the patient was successfully treated with steroid pulse therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In its quest to be a world city, many of Singapore’s urban spaces have been subjected to constant redevelopment. Derelict waterfronts and ageing neighbourhoods have been given new life, enjoying their reincarnation as landscapes of economy and leisure. A prevalent theme in Singapore’s transformation has been the reclamation of landscapes to cater to new users, activities and agendas. Adopting a case study of the Singapore River waterfront, this paper analyses three forms of urban reclamation. They include reclaiming functionality, aimed at infusing the waterfront with new land uses; reclaiming access, as a way of opening up the landscape to more people; and reclaiming the local, as a way to commemorate local cultures and histories. While government planners and private enterprise are intent on developing a world-class environment, Singaporeans and visitors respond to this urban vision in different ways with some praising the dynamism of worldly transformations and others criticising them as a prelude to a soulless city. While some degree of worldliness is essential in any redevelopment, a fine balance has to be sought between the excesses of global urbanism and the parochialism of vernacular concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of a novel syringe-needle guidance technique (SNG), and its impact on the perioperative variables and outcomes of patients undergoing an outside-in transobturator tape procedure (TOT). Between November 2006 and May 2008, 48 consecutive women who underwent TOT with SNG were included. Another 25 women without SNG between March 2004 and October 2006 were included as a historical control. There were no significant differences in hospital stays and complication rates between the two groups. However, the operating time was shorter (mean 23.0 vs 28.3 min, p == 0.008) in the SNG group than in the control group. The presence of the SNG technique was the sole predictor of the operating time ( p == 0.003). In conclusion, the SNG technique is a feasible method to provide help in inserting the tunneller of TOT through the transobturator foramen, and did not compromise the outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth of the self-assembled Si atomic wires on Pb-covered Si(111) 7 × 7 substrate has been studied using homemade scanning tunneling microscope (STM) at room temperature (RT). These surfactant-mediated epitaxially grown Si atomic wires (SiAWs) are quite stable at RT. It is interesting that they always appear in pairs having a distance of ~9 Å in between them. They have only three special growth directions, parallel to the three possible crystal directions of the Si(111) substrate underneath. The SiAW can be imaged down to few mV bias voltages, and the voltage current characteristic investigated with scanning tunneling spectroscopy reveals metallic electronic structure of this special kind of SiAW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In creative cities, new enterprises emerge all the time catering to the changing needs and lifestyles of visitors and local communities. Reputable institutions, cultural activities, iconic buildings as well as small, local businesses all play a role in 'branding' the creative city. This study presents one such small enterprise in the form of historical shophouse hotels in Singapore. These shophouse inns are locally owned, housed in architecturally unique buildings and are regarded as emblems of Singaporean identity. It is argued that the urban vernacular, exemplified through the hotels, is a dynamic concept evolving over time, across place and for different groups of people and users. First, the paper explores how the shophouse vernacular provides a platform for the celebration of Singaporean identity by new boutique hoteliers. Secondly, a critique is presented of the commodification of the shophouse as modern hoteliers (business and budget inns) jump onto the heritage bandwagon to create new urban spaces of identity. Finally, contestations are discussed, as different people consider different vernaculars to be worthy of a place in the transforming city. As Singapore evolves as a creative city, the multidimensionality of the vernacular provides a fitting emblem to showcase the creative possibilities of historical buildings, traditional architecture and urban environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are considered to have potentials for tissue regeneration and treatment of diverse human diseases. ES cells are capable of indefinite renewal and proliferation, which can be induced to differentiate into tissues of all three germ lines. Despite these exciting potential, it remains unclear as to how the renewal and differentiation programs are operated and regulated at the genetic level. Genetic manipulation such as delivery of exogenous gene expression or knockdown with small interfering RNA (siRNA) is commonly used in most of cancer or transformed cells but relatively rare in ES cells. In this study, we compare the transfection efficacies of several liposome-based transfection methods by introduction of a plasmid encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) into mouse ES (mES) cells. Our results show that transfection by Effectene achieves the efficiency of >98% in CCE and >80% in D3 cells. The optimal ratio of DNA:Effectene for EGFP transfection is between 1:4 and 1:8. Transient-expressed EGFP or endogenous protein kinase A (PKA) were significantly knocked down by Effectene transfection of specific siRNA. High EGFP level expression and accumulation in mES cells induces minor cytotoxicity but can be reduced by introducing siRNA of EGFP. Further, this transfection method did not significantly affect mES properties of proliferation or differentiation. Our results provide an optimal protocol to achieve an efficient transfection for mES cells.Gene Therapy (2009) 16, 154–158; doi:10.1038/gt.2008.125; published online 31 July 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public art in urban areas offers a window on a city's soul. Art in the form of sculptures, monuments, and other creative expressions can inform us of the ways artists think of the urban environment, the goals of policy makers in art installations, and the way members of the public interact with art and with each other in the city. Taking Singapore as a case study, I argue that contemporary public art has the power to inform place identity and inspire community aspirations. Unlike the hard power of industry, art offers a soft branding approach to imaging the city, its people, and their goals. However, such powers are not limitless, and concerns have also been raised about their publicness and artfulness. The power and powerlessness of public art in Singapore are not unlike those encountered in other cities where artful planning has taken centre stage in contemporary urban redevelopment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

World cities are often distinguished by amenities and attractions which rival the best of what other cities have to offer. The quest to be 'best in the world', however, often militates against cities being 'unique in the world'. Our study of Singapore's waterfront offers a cautionary tale of how a 'geography of everywhere', encapsulating what other cities have to offer, may result in a 'geography of nowhere': an urban environment that looks like anywhere else on earth. A cultural economy approach is introduced as we examine urban transformations resulting from globalisation. In particular, we explain and apply Terkenli's (2002) concepts of 'transworldment', 'enworldment', 'deworldment' and 'unworldment' to explain the tensions between marketing a world city and place-making in Singapore. This will be elaborated over two empirical sections: the Singapore government's ideologies and justification for creating worldly landscapes, and how the private sector has responded in material/spatial forms. The Singapore River is intended to be a showcase of the city's global aspiration, but it is also a site of local culture, history and tradition. However, not all of its heritage has survived in the public and private sector's rush towards worldly transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the shortage of water supplies, the reclamation and reuse of the effluents from wastewater treatment plants has become an important issue in Taiwan, especially for industrial parks. By constructing a reclaimed water distribution system, the reclaimed water could be used as nonpotable and industrial water. This research used three advanced integrated treatment processes, including sand filtration (SF), microfiltration (MF), granular activated carbon (GAC), ion exchange (IE), reverse osmosis (RO), and an ultraviolet disinfection (UV) unit, to treat the effluent from the wastewater treatment plant of Hsin-Chu Science-Based Industrial Park. The reclamation potential of treated water was examined compared with different water reuse criteria. The results of the experiments showed that different process could achieve different levels of water purification. This was dependent on the complexity and sequence of the units. The effluent from the simplest process, called process A, which combined the SF, MF, GAC, and UV units in that order, could meet the criteria of nonindustrial water. The effluent of process B and C, which additionally installed IE–MF–RO and MF–RO–IE units in sequence, respectively, between the GAC and UV units of process A, could be reused as sprinkling, landscaping and recreational water; cooling-system makeup water; low-pressure boiler feed water; as well as potable water or Newater with suitable advanced treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Water Resources Agency (WRA), Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) has predicted that the annual water demand in Taiwan will reach approximately 20 billion m³ by 2021. However, the present water supply is only 18 billion m³ per year. This means that an additional 2 billion m³ have to be developed in the next 17 years. The reuse of treated wastewater effluent from municipal wastewater treatment plants could be one target for the development of new water resources. The responsible government departments already have plans to construct public sewerage systems in order to improve the quality of life of the populace and protect the environment. The treated wastewater effluent from such municipal wastewater treatment plants could be a very stable and readily available secondary type of water resource, different from the traditional types of water resources. The major areas where reclaimed municipal wastewater can be used to replace traditional fresh water resources include agricultural and landscape irrigation, street cleaning, toilet flushing, secondary industrial reuse and environmental uses. However, necessary wastewater reclamation and reuse systems have not yet been established. The requirements for their establishment include water reuse guidelines and criteria, the elimination of health risks ensuring safe use, the determination of the wastewater treatment level appropriate for the reuse category, as well as the development and application of management systems reuse. An integrated system for water reuse would be of great benefit to us all by providing more efficient ways to utilise the water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four experiments of coagulation and flocculation were conducted to investigate the characteristics of colloidal silica removal in a high-tech industrial wastewater treatment plant for reclamation and reuse of the effluent. Experimental results illustrated that poly-aluminium chloride (PACl) showed higher performances on colloidal silica removal than alum. Interestingly, the two coagulants demonstrated the same capacity on silica removal. The specific silica removal capacity was approximately 0. 135 mg SiO2/mg Al2O3 when the dosage of coagulants was in the range 30-150 mg/L Al2O3. In addition, the silica was reduced significantly at the condition of pH above 8. Experimental data implied that precipitation of aluminium flocs was the major mechanism for colloid silica removal in PACl and alum coagulation, besides, charge adsorption was also important for improving removal efficiency. Moreover, the addition of polyacrylic acid (PAA) as a flocculant could slightly advance silica removal in the PACl coagulation. The combined PACl/PAA/flocs coagulation was effective for the removal of colloidal silica, soluble COD, and turbidity and also suitable as a pretreatment unit in wastewater reclamation and reuse processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid transformation of Asian societies and landscapes, especially since the mid-1990s, has engendered much conjecture of the ‘Asian renaissance’ and the rise of a ‘New Asia’. This Special Edition of explores the intersecting themes of ‘urban place’, ‘social memory’ and ‘cultural identity’ in the articulation of and contestation towards New Asia. Specifically, the six articles here offer various interpretations of New Asia – as tourism marketing tool, political vision and social identity – and the politics involved in urban, tourism and cultural development. From colonial hotels in key South-East Asian cities to the historic waterfront of Singapore; from festivals and rituals in Hong Kong, Hoi An (Vietnam) and Penang (Malaysia) to the clash of cultural values in Manggarai (Indonesia), ‘selective remembering’ and ‘ideological forgetting’ are central to the construction of New Asian identities. Ultimately, this Special Edition hopes to provoke continuing discussions on the rhetoric of New Asia and its imaginative and contested geographies, sociologies and histories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transformation of urban landscapes is as much a physical process as it is a symbolic one. Material changes in the form of demolition and redevelopment are often accompanied by changes in the image and identity of places, as well as the personal and collective memories associated with these places. Focusing on the Singapore River, we explore how waterfront redevelopment has rendered certain activities, people and place memories invisible, to be replaced by other landscape elements and their associative identities. Through ‘creative destruction’ and ‘destructive creation,’ the waterfront's transformation is evident in three areas: its built environment (‘builtscapes’), activities and events (‘eventscapes’) and displays of public art (‘artscapes’). We contend that landscapes reflect the tensions between ‘remembering to forget’ and ‘forgetting to remember’ in ‘New Asia-Singapore,’ a city attempting to blend modern Asian dynamism with tradition and heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interactions of the two tautomers of thionin dye with DNA have been investigated by using satellite hole burning spectroscopy. Similar features in the absorption and satellite hole spectra of thionin in the presence of calf thymus (CT) DNA and polynucleotides [d(GC)6]2 (GC) suggested that thionin preferentially binds to GC rather than polynucleotides [d(AT)6]2 (AT). Different binding effects of the two tautomers to DNA could be observed. While the imino form fully intercalates into the DNA base pairs, the amino form is only partially intercalated. In addition, a broad hole associated with an antihole appeared in the presence of DNA, particularly in GC base pairs. The coincidence of the antihole with the absorption band of the amino form showed that the amino form is the photoproduct of the imino form. An increase in intensity of the broad hole and its antihole and the loss of nonresonant hole intensity upon interaction with CT DNA could be described by rapid ground state recovery resulting from fast charge transfer between the intercalated thionin and a guanine base quenching the internal conversion. © 2005 Pleiades Publishing, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

‘Geographical imaginations’ constitute an important aspect in geographic research, enriching our understanding of places and societies as well as the contested meanings people have towards spaces. The marketing and development of tourist destinations offers a fertile ground for the exercise of geographical imagination. This paper explores how tourism marketing distils the essence of a place, and‘imagines’ an identity that is attractive to tourists and residents alike. Such spatial identities, however, are seldom hegemonic and are often highly contested. Using the case of the‘New Asia-Singapore’ (NAS) campaign launched by the Singapore Tourism Board, we explore the geographical imaginations involved in tourism marketing, and its consequent effects on people and place. Specifically we discuss the role and rationale oftourism plannersin formulating the NAS campaign; the actions oftourism entrepreneursin creating NAS commodities; and the reactions fromtouristsandlocal residentstowards the NAS images. We argue that the nexus of policy intent, entrepreneurial actions and popular opinions yields invaluable insights into the highly contested processes of tourism development and identity formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of ‘arts spaces’ has generally focused on physical spaces for the arts in the form of arts districts, cultural infrastructure and museum spaces. Apart from the provision of such physical spaces, we argue that the study of the arts should also focus on such aspects as the social environments and the creative spaces in which artists operate. Such a holistic approach not only facilitates an understanding of the myriad challenges artists face in society, but also opens greater research opportunities to geographers interested in the arts. Our case study of Singapore as a ‘Global City for the Arts’ provides insights into physical spaces of the arts as well as the social and creative environments in which the arts operate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(methyl methacrylate-maleic anhydride)-silica hybrid materials, P(MMA-MA5)-SiO 2 , were synthesized from the in situ reaction of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with 5 mol % maleic anhydride (MA),then hydrolyzed with 3-amino-propyl methyl diethoxysilane (APrMDEOS) coupling agent and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) by asol-gel process. By the same method, the poly(methyl methacrylate-glycidyl methacrylate)-silica hybrids (P[MMA-GMA5]-SiO 2 ), reacted with 5 mol % glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), were obtained. The structure and relaxation of the hybrids were characterized by IR, and 29 Si- and 13 C-NMR spectroscopy. The effect of the interfacial structure on the local dynamics of the hybrids was investigated using the 29 Si- 1 H cross-polarization and proton spin-lattice relaxation time in the rotation frame. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydroxyl-containing fluorinated polyimide-silica hybrid materials (FPI-SiO 2 ) were obtained using the sol-gel technique by polycondensation of tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) in 3-aminopropylmethyl diethoxysilane (APrMDEOS)-terminated amic acid solution. Infrared, 29 Si-, and 13 C-NMR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to study hybrids containing various proportions of TMOS. The microstructure and chain mobility of the hybrids was investigated by spin-lattice relaxation time in rotating frame ( T^{H}_{1\rho} ) measurements. The apparent activation energy (E a ) for degradation of the hybrids was studied by Friedman and van Krevelen methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (also known as R. rubra) is among the most commonly found yeast strains in our environment. However, allergens from R. mucilaginosa have not yet been characterized at the molecular level. The purpose of this study was to characterize the enolase allergen from R. mucilaginosa and examine the allergenic/antigenic cross-reactivity among fungal enolases. The full-length cDNA encoding the R. mucilaginosa enolase was isolated through the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in conjunction with the 5′-end and 3′-end rapid amplification cDNA end reactions. The corresponding natural enolase from R. mucilaginosa was identified using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis. The results showed that the enolase from R. mucilaginosa is a protein of 439 residues and is encoded by a cDNA of 1,497 bp. It shares high sequence identity with enolase allergens from Candida albicans (85%), Saccharomyces cerevisiae (76%), Penicillium citrinum (76%), Aspergillus fumigatus (76%), Cladosporium herbarum (76.5%), and Alternaria alternata (74%). A 47-kD component in the R. mucilaginosa extracts was found to react with IgE or rabbit anti-enolase antiserum and has an N-terminal amino acid sequence identical to that deduced from the isolated enolase cDNA. Sera from three (21%) of 14 allergic patients sensitized to R. mucilaginosa showed IgE binding to this 47-kD R. mucilaginosa component and the His-tagged recombinant enolase. A rabbit antiserum against the P. citrinum enolase and a monoclonal antibody (MoAb; Afueno 8) against the A. fumigatus enolase reacted with all 5 fungal enolases tested. However, an MoAb (E2a) generated by using the Saccharomyces enolase as antigen could only recognize the immunizing enolase. In addition, heterogeneity in immunoblot profiles of IgE antibodies in serum samples from 9 allergic patients against 5 different fungal enolases tested was also observed. The presence of IgE cross-reactivity among enolase allergens from R. mucilaginosa, C. albicans and P. citrinum was detected by immunoblot inhibition. In conclusion, a new and cross-reactive enolase allergen from R. mucilaginosa (Rho m 1) was identified. Although enolases are highly conserved allergens among different fungal species, most of the allergic patients examined in this study differed in their IgE reactivity to the 5 different fungal enolases tested. The results obtained will be of value in understanding the role of enolase allergen in clinical mould allergy.Copyright © 2002 National Science Council, ROC and S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel hydrogen-bonded acidic fluorinated poly(amide-imide-silica) hybrid materials, FPAI-SiO2 (6E and 6F) series, were synthesized by a sol–gel process. The structures and spin relaxation of the hybrids were characterized by infrared (IR), and 29Si and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The abundant Q4 structures implied that in free catalyst the degree of condensation of tetramethoxysilane was enhanced by hydrogen-bonded acidic fluorinated poly(amide-imide). The dynamics on the local mobility of the hybrids was investigated by the time constant for energy exchange between 1H and 29Si spin system (TSiH) and spin-diffusion path length (L) measurements. It was found that the faster TSiH of 6E and 6F hybrids compared with the previous study of similar 6C and 6D hybrids implied that 6E and 6F hybrids had more aggregated structures even though the organic terminal segment changed from rigid imide to more flexible amide. The interactions of the charge transfer between donor and acceptor molecules or π–π aromatic stacking may be the dominant factors to affect the structures of 6E and 6F hybrids. Moreover, M1 and D2 segments of 6F hybrids had the same level mobility and the mobility of the 6F hybrids was little improved as the soft and flexible 1,3-bis(3-aminopropyl)-tetramethyl-disiloxane segment was incorporated in the dense structures of 6F hybrids. All of the L values of 6E and 6F hybrids were on the scale of 3.5–4.0nm. The result also suggested that 6E and 6F hybrids had similar denser structures as 6D hybrids. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Examines regional tourism forays in Singapore. Concepts and examples of regional tourism; Shift from national development to transnational development.

Transnational practices and networks of capital, labour, business and commodity markets, political movements and cultural flows are both the products of, and catalyst for, contemporary globalisation processes. An important site where the analytical lens can be trained to examine the way in which the material processes and discourses of globalisation and transnationalism intersect lies in dominant cities of the world urban hierarchy. As key nodes in the economic, social and technological networks spanning the world space economy, these 'global cities' are also places in themselves, where the social, cultural and economic fabric is not only woven out of local elements, but also clearly involves a high density of transnational relationships. In this paper, we examine debates in Singapore focused on four categories of transnational flows: the transnational business class comprising highly mobile, highly skilled professional, managerial and entrepreneurial élites; a large group of low-waged immigrants filling unskilled and semiskilled niches in the urban service economy; expressive specialists who enliven the cultural and artistic scene; and world tourists attracted by the cosmopolitan ambience. Specifically, we give attention to the interdependence among these categories and assess the challenges which have to be addressed in Singapore's bid to develop 'best practices' for a 'cosmopolitan and creative' global city epitomising the essence of transnationalism while at the same time remaining a 'home' distinguished by a strong sense of local identity and community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the challenges and achievements in Singapore's quest to become a Renaissance City or "Global City for the Arts". A relatively new area in Singapore's globalization thrust is arts, culture and entertainment. In this area the government envisions Singapore as a Renaissance, a place where local, regional and international arts and culture are displayed and consumed, and a cosmopolitan city plugged into the international network. Going-global and staying-local is a common philosophy in urban planning. The importance of harmonizing world-class facilities with unique local attributes is thus acknowledged in the development and marketing of global cities. Global cities are urban centres of power, influence and strategic control in traditional sectors such as trade and banking, as well as in contemporary sectors such as services, transportation, communications and tourism. A Renaissance City thus serves global and local goals, attracting foreign talent to work and live there, encouraging tourists to visit, while at the same time retaining local residents and a high quality of life.

ABSTRACT. This paper explores the 'thematic development' of Singapore's Little India Historic District and the socio-spatial effects of this thematic enhancement scheme. Specifically, I argue that when landscapes are 'themed', which is often the case in urban tourism planning, places will be 'tamed' as a result. This argument is substantiated by the case of Singapore's Little India which was designated a historic district in 1989. I contend that as Little India is redeveloped as an Indian theme district with a mix of modern and traditional activities, it is tamed in three ways. The taming process is exemplified by: (1) a decline in traditional Indian-owned retail outlets and activities; (2) Little India's conversion into a retail attraction rather a place of residence; and (3) a dimming of its rich Indian cultural identity. The taming of activities, community and identity, I shall show, has also generated vociferous reactions from the grass-roots which can be described as anything but tame. Indeed, as grass-roots agencies (comprising merchants and residents) resist the government's development approach, there has been a fundamental rethinking of what Little India means to its people and a re-evaluation of their communal ties to the place. As a result, a reassertion of Indian identity and community occurs even as Little India is being themed and tamed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores Singapore's Little India historic district as an example of a contested urban landscape. Specifically, it argues that Little India is a site of struggle between 'insider' and 'outsider' groups. Using primarily Relph's notion of 'insideness' and 'outsideness', and other concepts dealing with spatial resistance and domination, different groups of people with differing degrees of attachment to Little India are identified. The insider-outsider cleavage is interrogated from three perspectives: the relationship between tourists and locals; ethnic tensions between Indian and Chinese communities; and, interaction between planners and users of the urban landscape. In exploring the myriad insider-outsider dynamics, it is contended that who represents an 'insider' and who is considered an 'outsider' is open to negotiation. This is because different people possess differing conceptions of 'insideness', in turn giving rise to varying senses of attachment and belonging to place. This paper critiques existing tourism writings which focus predominantly on the relationship between tourists and locals, and it argues that in any tourist destination the tourist-local conflict is only one aspect of a much larger struggle over place. For this reason, urban tourism studies must focus on the wider arena in which the tourist-local interaction is set. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peer support workers or peer experts are a new workforce in the mental health services of Hong Kong. As two of the few peer support workers in mental health services, we share our experience in working in a regional hospital. We share the amazing benefit of this new workforce to service users and service providers as well as the obstacles in the further development of this service. We hope our experience can help to examine the implementation of peer support services in Hong Kong. As this service is still in its preliminary stage in Hong Kong, we are looking forward to establish a win-win situation for both our peers and the service providers for the enhancement of mental health services in Hong Kong. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conventional Shewhart &Xmacr; chart is developed based on the assumption that the within-sample variation is due to the inherent process variation, and any significant variation between samples is attributed to the existence of assignable causes. In the manufacturing industry there are processes where there is variation between samples due to the inherent process variation. A straightforward application of the conventional Shewhart &Xmacr; chart would thus result in more frequent false alarms. The problems associated with various Shewhart &Xmacr; charts in monitoring such a process are discussed using a real data set from an integrated circuit (IC) assembly process. A Shewhart &Xmacr; chart with modified limits is adapted for such a process. In addition to the usual ability to signal for assignable causes, the &Xmacr; chart with modified limits is also developed as a tool to signal the need for adjustment of controllable process variables for improving the process capability. Practical application of this chart in monitoring an IC assembly process is discussed. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A modified geometric model is proposed for fitting data generated from a process where most of the samples are conforming and occasional samples are non-conforming. These near-zero-defect processes are classified as processes subjected to random shocks. A graphical comparison of the goodness of fit of industrial process data using modified geometric and modified Poisson models is performed. The geometric model is found to provide a better fit than the Poisson model. Based on the modified geometric model, a charting scheme consisting of two charts is developed to monitor a process subjected to random shocks. A cumulative count of conforming chart is used to monitor the frequency of random shocks and a geometric chart is used to monitor the count of non-conformities. The geometric chart performs better than the Poisson chart in terms of false alarm rate. The performance of the scheme is also evaluated. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study which identified key factors affecting energy-induced carbon dioxide emission changes from several industries in Taiwan using grey relation analysis. Methodology; Concepts of grey relation analysis; Results and discussion; Conclusion.

Future detection of high-redshift gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) will be an important tool for studying the early Universe. Fast and accurate redshift estimation for detected GRBs is key for encouraging rapid follow-up observations by ground- and space-based telescopes. Low-redshift dusty interlopers pose the biggest challenge for GRB redshift estimation using broad photometric bands, as their high extinction can mimic a high-redshift GRB. To assess false alarms of high-redshift GRB photometric measurements, we simulate and fit a variety of GRBs using phozzy , a simulation code developed to estimate GRB photometric redshifts, and test the ability to distinguish between high- and low-redshift GRBs when using simultaneously observed photometric bands. We run the code with the wavelength bands and instrument parameters for the Photo-z Infrared Telescope (PIRT), an instrument designed for the Gamow mission concept. We explore various distributions of host galaxy extinction as a function of redshift, and their effect on the completeness and purity of a high-redshift GRB search with the PIRT. We find that for assumptions based on current observations, the completeness and purity range from ∼82 to 88 per cent and from ∼84 to |$\gt 99~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$|⁠ , respectively. For the priors optimized to reduce false positives, only |$\sim 0.6~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$| of low-redshift GRBs will be mistaken as a high-redshift one, corresponding to ∼1 false alarm per 500 detected GRBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the fabrication of WO3/W nanocrystals for nonvolatile memory devices has been achieved via rapid thermal oxidation of tungsten silicide. Amorphous Si and WSix (x=2.7) layers were deposited onto the tunneling oxide and sequentially oxidized to form well-shaped WO3/W nanocrystals. The mean size of WO3/W nanocrystals is ∼8.4 nm, while density is ∼1.57×1011 cm-2. Moreover, the nonvolatile memory device for WO3/W nanocrystals exhibits ∼0.53 V threshold voltage shift under 1 V/(-5 V) operation. The sample without capping a-Si layer was also fabricated for comparison. By material analyses, reasonable formation mechanisms are proposed in this letter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A supercritical CO2 (SCCO2) fluid technique is proposed to improve electrical characteristics for W nanocrystal nonvolatile memory devices, since the thickness and quality of tunnel oxide are critical issues for the fabrication of nonvolatile memory devices. After SCCO2 treatments, C-V curves are restored to normal, as well as the leakage current of W nanocrystal memory devices are reduced significantly. It reveals that W nanocrystal memory devices could be formed with shorter oxidation time, moreover, dangling bonds and trapping states initially created within an incomplete oxidized film will be efficiently repaired after SCCO2 treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The feasibility of using Cu/CuMg as a source/drain metal for the island-in amorphous silicon thin film transistors (a-Si:H TFTs) has been investigated. The issue of adhesion between the Cu film and n+–a-Si layer has been overcome by introducing the Cu/CuMg alloy. Furthermore, the suppression of Schottky leakage current in metal/a-Si:H structure was also observed in the island-in a-Si:H TFT. The island-in a-Si:H TFT exhibited the mobility of 0.52 cm2/V s, the subthreshold slope of 0.78 V/decade, and the Vth of 3.02 V. The experimental result also showed superior performance of the a-Si:H TFT with minimal loss of critical dimension and good thermal stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The feasibility of using CuMg as source/drain metal electrodes for n+-doped-layer-free microcrystalline silicon thin film transistors (μ-Si:H TFTs) has been investigated. The Ohmic-contact characteristic has been achieved by using the CuMg alloy as source/drain metal. Furthermore, a wet etching process of Cu alloy source/drain metal has been completed by using the ferric chloride base etchant. The proposed μ-Si:H TFT has shown similar electrical characteristic with the μ-Si:H TFT with n+-doped layer. The experimental result also showed that the CuMg alloy was suitable for the replacement of n+-doped layer in thin film transistor liquid-crystal displays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A distributed charge storage with Ni nanocrystals embedded in the SiO2 and HfO2 layer has been fabricated in this study. The mean size and aerial density of the Ni nanocrystals are estimated to be about 5 nm and 3.9×1012/cm2, respectively. The nonvolatile memory device with Ni nanocrystals exhibits 1 V threshold voltage shift under 4 V write operation. The device has a long retention time with a small charge lose rate. Besides, the endurance of the memory device is not degraded up to 106 write/erase cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]