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Publication On solvable septics(2005-01-07) LAU JING FENG; MATHEMATICS; LANG MONG LUNGThe problem of solving the general irreducible polynomial in one variable and expressing its roots in radicals has been proposed ages ago. Since then the case of solving general quadratics, cubics and quartics has been solved and it took a few centuries before Abel and Galois demonstrated the impossibility to solve general equations of degree higher than 4. In two recent papers [D] and [H], Dummit and respectively Hagedorn provide methodologies to solve the general solvable quintic and sextic. In this thesis, we shall adopt the techniques in [D] to give a qualitative description of solving solvable irreducible polynomials of arbitrary prime degree and apply these results to solve for two of the roots of x^7+x^6-12x^5-7x^4+28x^3+14x^2-9x+1=0 which can be used to express cos 2 pi/29 in radicals.References[D] D. S. Dummit, Solving Solvable Quintics, Mathematics of Computation, Volume 57, Issue 195, 387-401, 1991.[H] T. R. Hagedorn, General Formulas for Solving Solvable Sextic Equations, Journal of Algebra, Volume 233, Issue 2, 704-757, 2000.Publication EFFECTS OF HYBRID WORKING ON QUANTITY SURVEYORS IN SINGAPORE(2022) GUO YUNTING; THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT; JONATHAN LIAN KHIN MINGThe COVID-19 pandemic has led to major changes to the way employees in companies work. Hybrid Working (HW), being the new work normal, is transforming the original five day office work week to certain days of Work from Home (WFH). This study explores the effects of Hybrid Working on Quantity Surveyors (QS) in the context of Singapore as little research were conducted in this field. The objectives of the dissertation include 1) Find out whether QS age and gender affects their attitudes towards HW, 2) Investigate whether different genders and work environment, caregivers and non-caregivers affect QS productivity and conduciveness and 3) Document effects of HW on governmental and private agencies’ QS conduciveness and productivity. The non-probability snowball sampling was used for data collection. Microsoft Excel and JASP were tools utilised for frequency table and t-test analysis. The key findings entail, firstly, most QS surveyed preferred HW as it reaps the WFH benefits such as reduced transportation duration, reduced costs, and flexibility. Secondly, paramount challenges of HW include prolong work hours, socialising issues, communication as well as work environment issues. Statistically significant differences were obtained for perceived conduciveness and productivity in the following categories: Gender and/or Work Environment, Caregiver and/or Non-caregivers, Private and/or Public sector. The results provide deep insights on QS employees' attitudes and preferences towards HW. This is useful in transforming the QS sector, to better keep and attract talents within the industry.Publication MICRORNA-128 REGULATES THE PROLIFERATION AND NEUROGENESIS OF NEURAL PRECURSORS BY TARGETING PERICENTRIOLAR MATERIAL 1 (PCM1) IN THE DEVELOPING NEOCORTEX(2016-07-27) PAUL JONG KIM; DEAN'S OFFICE (DUKE-NUS MEDICAL SCHOOL)Formation of the neocortex during brain development requires coordinated transition of cell division from one that favors progenitor proliferation to that of neuronal differentiation undertaken by neural stem cells (NSCs). Disruption to this process may underlie structural changes in the brain associated with neuropsychiatric disorders including autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Evidence that suggests microRNA (miR)-128, shown to be dysregulated in ASDs, to be a key regulator of NSC division is presented in this thesis. Manipulation of miR-128 in embryonic NSCs is carried out both in vitro and in vivo, in which upregulation increases neurogenesis and inhibits progenitor proliferation while downregulation has the opposite effect. Furthermore, pericentriolar material 1 (PCM1) is identified as the downstream molecular target of miR-128 that mediates the regulatory effect of the microRNA. Overexpression of miR-128 suppresses PCM1 at both mRNA and protein levels, and direct knockdown of PCM1 produces a phenocopy of miR-128 overexpression in NSCs. Finally, concomitant induction of PCM1 and miR-128 overexpression in NSCs rescued the phenotype associated with miR-128 overexpression, both in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, these results demonstrate a novel mechanism by which miR-128 regulates the proliferation and differentiation of NSCs in the developing neocortex.Publication WORK PREFERENCES AND PERCEPTIONS : GENDER AND EDUCATION DIFFERENCES FOR MILITARY AND NON-MILITARY CAREERS(1998) KOK KAH MAY; SOCIAL WORK & PSYCHOLOGY; JOHN ELLIOTTThe study investigates the effect of gender and education differences on students' work value preferences and perception of the ability of their ideal companies/organizations and Mindef in providing what they prefer in a job. Herzberg's two-factor theory of intrinsic and extrinsic work values was used. Indigenous work values were gathered from several interviews with Mindef applicants and added onto Herzberg's list of factors, which then formed a questionnaire to tap the students' work value preferences and perceptions. A total of 168 tertiary students from Junior College, Polytechnics and University took part in the study. Contrary to recent studies done in the West, males and females differed in their work value preferences. Gender differences were found to predict students' work value preferences better than education differences. In addition, the higher educated females preferred intrinsic work values more than extrinsic ones. On the other hand, neither gender nor education differences were able to predict students' perception of the availability of work values in their ideal companies/organizations. Both sexes were not optimistic regarding the capability of their ideal companies/organizations in providing what they favor. Significant education differences were found for the students' perception of availability of work values in Mindef. The Junior College group held more positive perception of Mindef than the other two groups. No differences in perception were recorded between the sexes. Although both ideal companies/organizations and Mindef were not able to meet the students' work value preferences, Mindef was found to be not comparable with the ideal companies/organizations in their ability to provide work values. The results are discussed and implications are explored in terms of Singapore context when possible. Limitations of study are listed together with suggestions for further research. In addition, a framework is proposed for understanding occupational and company/organization selection.Publication INVESTIGATING THE ROLE OF INNATE LYMPHOID CELLS AND Tc17 IN HUMAN HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA(2023-01-17) LEE YUN HUA; DEAN'S OFFICE (MEDICINE); Haiyan Liu; Suk Peng Chew; Herbert SchwarzPublication 刘晏与中唐盐政和漕运改革 = LIU YAN AND THE REFORM OF SALT ADMINISTRATION AND GRAIN TRANSPORT IN THE MID TANG PERIOD(2002) 彭育坤; PHANG YUH KOON; CHINESE STUDIES; 李志贤; LEE CHEE HIANGIn the first half of the eighth century, Tang China (618-907) stood out as the world's unrivaled empire. That as an era of unprecedented material prosperity, of political, economic and military prowess, of institutional growth and of tremendous vitality. As the second half of that century proceeded, however, this once influential dynasty was pushed to the brink of collapse by the major An Lu Shan Rebellion (755-763) and a series of subsequent military uprisings. Following the immediate outbreak of the An Lu Shan Rebellion, the Tang dynasty was faced with an entirely new political, economic and financial situation. The whole of the North and Northeast was lost to the rebels, which meant not only the loss of the vast area of territories, but a very considerable loss of tax revenue. Even after the suppression of the rebels in 763, many of the governors of provinces, especially in the Northeast, had their own territories of control and they remained semi- autonomous, and rendered no tax revenues to the central government in Chang An. Simultaneously, the Tang administration had to defend the country from numerous military and territorial conquests launched by the ambitious and aggressive bordet nomads like the Uighur and the Turks. As a result, large armies had to be stationed in the Northwest These troops consumed all the tax revenues, financial and economic resources and other food commodities from the Northwest, and more besides. Hence, under these critical conditions, financial and economic reforms were made essential to make good the enormous losses of stores and tax revenue suffered during wartime and to cope with the exponential increase in government" s financial expenditure. Just when the country faced a major financial crisis and a serious grain shortage problem coupled with the soar in grain prices in the capital, Liu Yan (715-780), a prominent finance Minister, entered the political power pivot and implemented an array of financial and economic reforms. Of all, the most successful and farsighted ones were the institution of the new indirect salt tax system and the reconstruction of the grain transportation system. Under Liu Yan' s financial and economic administration, the Salt Commission grew into a powerful organization with manifold interests, while the salt tax revenue successfully replaced the government' s income normally derived from Tsu-Yung-Tiao, a direct taxation system. The salt tax revenue even increased to such an extent that by 780 it was providing more than half of the annual income at the disposal of the central authorities. In addition, as a result of the reforms made to the grain transportation system, not only was transport restored, but also its transportation cost and time greatly reduced. To a great extent, the grain transport reforms also lessened the financial burden of the commoners and ensured the safety of the transportation crew. Furthermore, these reforms greatly stimulated the country' s economic development and trade growth. Most importantly, the abundant and unobstructed influxes of grain imports, tax revenue, financial resources and other commodities from the South into the capital' s treasury and grain storehouses that resulted from Liu Yan' s grain transportation reforms solved the grain shortage problem in Chang An. Indeed, the new indirect salt monopoly and the reconstruction of the grain transportation system implemented by Liu Yan revived the Tang dynasty. With due success of these economic reforms, the Tang dynasty's ruling ability and strength was consolidated Thus Liu Yan became a pivotal figure during an age of dynastic decline and political turbulence. Interest in Liu Yan has continued among Chinese, Taiwanese, Hong Kong, Asian and even Western scholars. A number of books, biographies, thesis papers and academic articles on his economic views and financial and economic policies or reforms have been published in various countries like China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Hereby, this thesis paper which consists of six chapters is intended to be an exploration and critical analysis of Liu Yan and the Reform of Salt Administration and Grain Transport in the Mid-Tang Period. Chapter One states the reasons, methodology and areas of research. Chapter Two provides the reader with some background knowledge of liu Yan' s time, family background, and his political career that is fraught with obstacles. Chapter Three examines Liu Yan's economic thoughts or views that are distinctively demonstrated in his reform of the salt administration and grain transport Liu Yan' s reform of the salt administration and grain transport was like a sea change in ancient China, thus Chapter Four and Five are intended to be not only a mere narration of the detailed content of these reforms, but also comparison of Di Wu Qi's direct salt monopoly and liu Yan's indirect salt taxation system; Pei Yao Ching's, Wei Jian's and other Tang Transport Commissioners' reforms of the Grain Transport respectively. These comparisons are done to achieve a critical discussion and analysis of the merits and inadequacy of Liu Yan' s Salt Administration and Grain Transport reforms. Last but not least, Chapter Six, with the intention to arave at a valid conclusion, places emphasis on the reconciliation of conflicting viewpoints on the research topic.Publication THE EFFECT OF PARENTING FACTORS ON SHAME AND GUILT IN SINGAPOREAN PRE-SCHOOLERS(2019-11-01) CARMEN CHEW HOOI LING; PSYCHOLOGY; MATTHEW LIM SHENG MIANShame and guilt are self-conscious emotions developed through an understanding of moral contracts, moral reasoning and fairness (Kegan, 1982; Selman, 1980). These emotions emerge early in life and are associated with various forms of psychopathology (Luby et al., 2009). Recent evidence suggests that parental psychopathology and parenting style can predict shame and guilt in young children. This study explored the relationships between the aforementioned parental factors and shame and guilt in a community sample of 80 Singaporean pre-schoolers and their parents via online questionnaires. This study examined different aspects of children’s shame and guilt by distinguishing between maladaptive shame/guilt feelings and adaptive guilt reparations. It was hypothesised that authoritarian and permissive parenting, as well as parental depression and anxiety would predict shame/guilt feelings in pre-schoolers. It was also hypothesised that authoritative parenting would predict pre-schoolers guilt reparations. Further, parental psychopathology was hypothesised to moderate the relationship between parenting styles and children’s shame/guilt feelings and guilt reparations. Results indicated that mothers’ permissive parenting led to a decrease in children’s guilt reparations. Father’s depression was also found to amplify the negative impact of permissive parenting on children’s guilt reparations. The empirical and clinical implications of these findings are discussed. To our knowledge, this study is the first to include both mothers and fathers in examining the relationship between multiple parental factors and shame and guilt in Singaporean pre-schoolers.Publication INTEGRATED FACILITIES MANAGEMENT PRACTICES LEADING TO COST EFFECTIVENESS IN FACILITY MANAGEMENT(2024) NUR ATIKAH UMAIRAH BINTE MD ROSLAN; THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT; TEO HO PINFacility Management (FM) plays a pivotal role in ensuring the efficient operation and maintenance of built environments, encompassing a wide range of functions aimed at supporting the core activities of organizations. In the context of Singapore's dynamic and rapidly evolving urban landscape, the effective management of facilities is imperative to meet the growing demands of various industries and sectors. One approach that has garnered increasing attention in recent years is Integrated Facility Management (IFM), which emphasizes the holistic and integrated management of multiple facility services to optimize performance and achieve cost savings. The integration of IFM practices has emerged as a strategic imperative for FM practitioners and organizations seeking to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and improve service delivery. By consolidating various facility management functions under a unified framework, IFM aims to streamline operations, leverage synergies, and maximize the utilization of resources. However, while the potential benefits of IFM are widely recognized, there remains a need for empirical research to elucidate the extent to which IFM practices contribute to cost effectiveness within the Singaporean context. This dissertation seeks to address this gap in the literature by examining the relationship between IFM practices and cost effectiveness in FM operations in Singapore. Through a systematic analysis of IFM strategies and their impact on cost savings and operational efficiency, this study aims to provide valuable insights into the efficacy of IFM in driving cost effective facility management practices. By investigating the adoption and implementation of IFM practices across various industries and sectors, this research endeavors to identify best practices and key determinants of success in achieving cost effectiveness in FM.Publication CAPITAL FLOWS AND THE REAL EXCHANGE RATE : EVIDENCE FROM SELECTED ASEAN COUNTRIES(1998) LEE BIYI; ECONOMICS & STATISTICS; MEHER MANZURRecent years have seen ever increasing volume of capital inflows. With the trend of globalization and movement towards a relatively borderless world, we expect an even greater amount of capital flows. These flows are thought to be closely linked to many macroeconomic variables, with possible repercussions particularly on the exchange rate. The objective of this study is to take a new look at the relationship between capital flows and real exchange rate, analyzing this link with empirical data from selected countries from ASEAN, namely Philippines and Singapore. The choice of the sample is dictated by the availability of the data. The thesis starts with an extensive review of literature on the intriguing relationship between the real exchange rate and capital flows. The idea is to highlight and distill the relevant theoretical and empirical issues dominating the literature. Next, we present a theoretical framework to formally set up the relationship between the real exchange rate and capital flows. In this framework, the real exchange rate is posited as a function of international capital inflows. This framework is based on the idea that the more open an economy is, the more will be the response of the real exchange rate to international capital movements. Given that Singapore and Philippines are considered very open, we would expect the data to indicate that the real exchange rates for these countries are less elastic to capital inflows. Interestingly, our empirical results indicate that the real exchange rate is more elastic in the case of Singapore than that for Philippines. This is a bit striking in the sense that Singapore appears to be relatively more open than Philippines. One explanation could be that the share of foreign direct investment in the total capital inflows is greater in Philippines than in Singapore. However, the results have to be interpreted with sufficient caution because of the data problem typical of countries like Philippines.Publication Robust Optimization With Applications In Healthcare Operations Management(2014-08-22) ZHANG MEILIN; DECISION SCIENCES; SIM SOON SUAN, MELVYNThe combination of an increasingly complex world, the vast proliferation of data, and the pressing need to stay one step ahead of competition has sharpened focus on using analytics and optimization for decision making. There is also a need to computationally exploit the wealth of data available in optimization problems by providing a exible framework for modeling uncertainty that incorporates distributional information, while preserving the computational tractability for practical implementation. As motivated by the importance of such a decision making process, I investigate this procedure under robust optimization and extend the ndings into real applications in health care operations management.