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The paradox of progress: how developmental state policies drive fertility decline and which states manage it best
No full textThis dissertation investigates fertility decline in East Asian developmental states, proposing that state-led economic strategies, despite enabling rapid industrialisation, inadvertently create structural barriers to childbearing. Existing theories attribute declining fertility primarily to cultural shifts, individualism, and rising child-rearing costs (McDonald, 2006; Van de Kaa, 1987) yet inadequately address the distinctive economic structures in developmental states. This research bridges this gap by examining how income inequality, urban concentration, and housing unaffordability—direct outcomes of developmental policies, discourage family formation.
The study highlights developmental states’ characteristics, such as government-led economic intervention, industrial targeting, and export-oriented growth (Johnson, 1982; Amsden, 1989), and their socioeconomic impacts. It demonstrates how rapid urbanisation intensifies labour market competition, elevates living costs, and exacerbates income disparities. Crucially, housing affordability deteriorated markedly between 2012 and 2022, outpacing wage growth, rendering homeownership—a cultural and economic prerequisite for family formation in Confucian-influenced East Asian societies—increasingly unattainable.
Using Most Similar Systems Design (MSSD) comparative analysis (Przeworski & Teune, 1970) of Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, and China, the research identifies housing unaffordability as the dominant factor influencing ultra-low fertility. MSSD effectively controls multiple variables by comparing similar systems to isolate specific causal factors. South Korea and Hong Kong, with severe property inflation relative to incomes, exhibit notably low fertility rates despite pro-natalist policies. Conversely, Singapore’s robust public housing measures significantly mitigate fertility decline, demonstrating targeted housing policies' effectiveness.
This dissertation contributes the "Socioeconomic Constraint Theory of Fertility Decline," suggesting fertility decisions in developmental states are predominantly shaped by economic constraints rather than purely cultural or individual preferences. The findings underscore the inadequacy of pro-natalist policies without foundational housing reforms. Addressing housing affordability through coordinated policy efforts is crucial to easing economic pressures and supporting long-term demographic stability. Moving forward, research should consider how development strategies can be adjusted to better balance economic growth while creating environments that support family formation.Master's degre
Making sense of credibility in the era of misinformation: the processes, precursors, and outcomes
No full textThe proliferation of misinformation has not only drawn scholarly attention to the
mechanisms underlying individuals’ belief in false information but has also sparked critical
discussions about how people assess information credibility. Despite this growing interest,
systematic investigations into the factors influencing credibility assessments, the processes
involved, and their outcomes remain limited. To address this gap, this thesis examines the
underlying processes of information credibility assessment (ICA) and explores its antecedents,
outcomes, and their interrelationships. Specifically, this research (a) systematically and metaanalytically
synthesizes existing factors and theoretical frameworks related to ICA, (b) develops
and validates a scale that measures individuals’ ICA processes—capturing both internal and
external components—and (c) investigates how different motivational orientations shape
individuals’ ICA processes and influence their subsequent behavioral responses to
misinformation (i.e., authenticating information before sharing and correcting false claims).Doctor of Philosoph
Implementation and control of a high gain switched-diode inductor-capacitor converter
No full textThis project presents the implementation and control of a high gain Switched-Diode-
Inductor-Capacitor (SDIC) Buck-Boost Converter. Built upon a modified quadratic buck-boost topology, the proposed converter operates with a single switching device and offers
high voltage gain at moderate duty cycles, continuous input current, non-inverted output polarity, and reduced voltage and current stress across components. Two closed loop control strategies, Sliding Mode Control (SMC) and Adaptive Modified
Current Mode Control (AMCMC), are implemented to regulate the output voltage of the
converter under dynamic conditions. Experimental results demonstrate that AMCMC delivers
superior dynamic performance, reducing settling time by approximately 65% compared to
SMC, despite exhibiting moderate overshoot during start-up. The proposed converter-control
solution provides a practical and efficient approach for high performance DC-DC conversion.Bachelor's degre
Bridging simulation and reality: augmented virtuality for mass casualty triage training - from landscape analysis to empirical insights
No full textLive drills are the gold standard for mass casualty incident (MCI) training but are often too resource-intensive for widespread implementation. Immersive technologies offer a promising alternative, but can they deliver comparable fidelity and effectiveness? Working with a local disaster response academy, this paper investigated the potential of Augmented Virtuality (AV) in MCI training through two phases. First, we conducted a landscape analysis of 126 papers across the virtuality continuum, revealing trends in population, training focus, and evaluation metrics. Second, we empirically evaluated an AV system for mass casualty triage training against traditional role-playing and Virtual Reality (VR) approaches, involving 60 trainees in an operational curriculum. Results indicated that both AV and VR surpassed traditional simulations, with AV’s tactile integration significantly enhancing physical engagement, satisfaction, and triage accuracy. Through the lens of triage, we discussed the broader practical implications of integrating immersive technologies like AV into real-world MCI education.Published versio
Perception survey of PMD users on infrastructure improvements for integration back to shared footpath
No full textActive mobility devices (AMDs), including personal mobility devices (PMDs), are gaining popularity
worldwide. While PMDs offer numerous benefits, their misuse has led to frequent accidents, prompting
countries like Singapore to impose a blanket ban on their use on shared footpaths. One contributing
factor to these accidents is the narrow lane width, which limits maneuverability. However, Singapore’s
land constraints make widening footpaths unfeasible. To address this issue, effective infrastructural
measures and regulations must be explored to facilitate the safe reintegration of PMDs onto shared
footpaths.
This study investigates potential infrastructural improvements and regulatory measures, including
signages, speed cameras, light indicators on PMDs, speed guns, fines, and licensing requirements. A
perception survey was conducted with 89 respondents in Singapore, and the data was analysed using
the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test to assess statistical significance. The findings indicate that all proposed
measures, except signages, received statistically significant agreement from PMD riders regarding their
effectiveness in enhancing safety for shared footpath users. Among these measures, the implementation
of speed cameras received the highest level of agreement.
These results offer valuable insights into PMD riders’ perspectives on infrastructural enhancements and
regulations that can improve safety and promote the coexistence of PMD users on shared footpaths.Bachelor's degre
Cochlin: a surprise element in immune defense of the brain
No full textBrain function can be severely impacted by infectious disease and the inflammatory sequelae. The brain is thus well defended by barriers. Circumventricular organs (CVOs) lack one of the defences, namely the blood-brain barrier, and are vulnerable to blood-borne pathogens. Re- analysis of a published single-cell transcriptome of a CVO, the zebrafish pineal gland, revealed enrichment of immune-related genes in a glial cell cluster. Unexpectedly, cochlin, a gene known for its role in deafness and innate immune regulation, was also identified. In situ hybridization confirmed cochlin expression in the zebrafish pineal organ, but also revealed expression in fibroblasts of lateral meninges of larvae. Experiments using coch-/- mutants demonstrated that cochlin contributes to brain immunity by reducing bacterial load. Analysis of publicly available gene expression datasets suggest expression of Cochlin in mammalian pineal gland, meninges and choroid plexus. These findings suggest that Cochlin may play an evolutionarily conserved role in the brain’s antimicrobial defenses.Doctor of Philosoph
Development and testing of a multi-platform ROS-based fleet management system
No full textWith the vigorous development of intelligent manufacturing and logistics, the
demand for efficient fleet management systems (FMS) is increasing. However,
existing FMS suffer from problems such as difficult multi-platform collaboration,
high communication latency, and poor scalability. In this study, an innovative
multi-platform FMS based on the Robot Operating System (ROS) was
developed. The innovations include a multi-platform communication and task
scheduling mechanism based on ROS distributed architecture; an integrated intelligent
control system leveraging advanced algorithms for better navigation, positioning,
as well as object handling; and a unique human-robot collaboration
interaction interface with an intelligent decision system. Experimental results
indicate excellent performance in key metrics, featuring enhanced productivity,
reduced costs, and realized digital twin technology. This achievement provides
new ideas for the development of FMS and promotes the progress of intelligent
manufacturing.Master's degre
Device simulation of thin-film solar cells based on sulphur containing compound semiconductors
No full textThin-film solar cells are emerging as a viable and cost-efficient next-generation photovoltaic technology (PV), providing an alternative to traditional silicon-based solar cells. Among the diverse thin-film photovoltaics technologies, sulfur-based compound semiconductors, such as Copper Zinc Tin Sulfide (CZTS) and Cadmium Sulfide (CdS) provide a sustainable and readily available material choice. Despite their advantages, the efficiency of these materials is frequently constrained by high defect densities and non-ideal band alignment, thus requiring further optimization through computational modeling.
This project utilizes the ADEPT software on nanoHub.org to conduct computational simulations on the performance of sulfur-based thin-film solar cells. These simulations utilize semiconductor equations to analyze electric potential, charge carrier concentration and optical absorption to provide valuable insights into strategies for enhancing solar cell efficiency.
The findings from this research will provide valuable contributions to the advancement of sulfur-containing thin film solar cells by identifying design parameters that reduce recombination losses and improve charge collection.Bachelor's degre
Comparative studies between storage type electric water heater vs air-to-water heat pump water heater
No full textThis project assesses the practicality and efficiency of Heat Pump Storage Water
Heaters (HPSWH) using R32 and R290 refrigerants as substitutes for conventional
Electric Storage Water Heaters (ESWH) in residential hot water supply within tropical
climates with Singapore serving as the case study. The analysis was conducted using
TRNSYS18 simulation software, incorporating realistic parameters such as local
domestic hot water usage patterns, ambient temperature fluctuations, and other
household-specific factors. Results indicated that the heat pump system operated at
much higher energy efficiency in terms of having higher coefficients of performance
(COP) and lower annual electricity consumption when compared to the electric storage
water heaters. Among the two refrigerants studied, R290 consistently performed better
in regard to heat transfer and had higher COP throughout the range of ambient
temperatures. This made it the better thermodynamic option. On the other hand,
despite having lower COP, R32 had lower power consumption which resulted in
reduced electricity expenses annually. These results substantiate that, when wellengineered, refrigerant based heat pump storage water heaters, particularly with nondestructive to the environment refrigerants, are a viable and economically wise option
for domestic hot water systems, especially in Singapore.Bachelor's degre
Self-disclosure in friends versus strangers: a conversation analysis study
No full textThis study investigates conversational differences between friends and strangers among Singaporean youths aged 22-28 years old, focusing on how interlocutor familiarity influences self-disclosure and conversational strategies. Using conversation analysis, the study explores how speakers seek information, build rapport, and manage conversational progressivity through turn-taking, next-speaker selection, and collaborative strategies. Data from 115 minutes of video-recorded conversations with nine participants, grouped into three friend and three stranger triads, were analysed to uncover communication patterns. Findings reveal that friends and strangers exhibit different self-disclosure patterns. Friends engage more readily in reciprocal self-disclosure with unprompted information-sharing, seamless topic transitions, and larger use of collaborative turn constructions (CTCs) and designedly incomplete utterances (DIUs) to collaborate during self-disclosure. In contrast, strangers withhold self-disclosure unless prompted, exhibit less contiguity between topics, and use fewer collaborative constructions to navigate self-disclosures. The study highlights how coordination fosters mutual understanding and advances self-disclosure. These findings provide insights into relational factors influencing communication among Singaporean youths and contribute to broader discussions on interactional alignment, rapport-building, and the role of familiarity in managing self-disclosure across varying relationships. Implications of this study apply to personal and professional contexts that rely on interpersonal interactions not limited to counselling, mediation, and police interrogations.Bachelor's degre