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Related Data for: Validation of the Perception Neuron system for full-body motion capture
No full textRecent advancements in Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) offers the possibility of its use as a cost effective and portable alternative to traditional optoelectronic motion capture systems in analyzing biomechanical performance. One such commercially available IMU is the Perception Neuron motion capture system (PNS). The accuracy of the PNS had been tested and was reported to be a valid method for assessing the upper body range of motion to within 5° RMSE. However, testing of the PNS was limited to upper body motion involving functional movement within a single plane. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to further validate the Perception Neuron system with reference to a conventional optoelectronic motion capture system (VICON) through the use of dynamic movements (e.g., walking, jogging and a multi-articular sports movement with object manipulation) and to determine its feasibility through full-body kinematic analysis. Validation was evaluated using Pearson’s R correlation, RMSE and Bland-Altman estimates. Present findings suggest that the PNS performed well against the VICON motion analysis system with most joint angles reporting a RMSE of < 4° and strong average Pearson’s R correlation of 0.85, with the exception of the shoulder abduction/adduction where RMSE was larger and Pearson’s R correlation at a moderate level. Bland-Altman analysis revealed that most joint angles across the different movements had a mean bias of less than 10°, except for the shoulder abduction/adduction and elbow flexion/extension measurements. It was concluded that the PNS may not be the best substitute for traditional motion analysis technology if there is a need to replicate raw joint angles. However, there was adequate sensitivity to measure changes in joint angles and would be suitable when normalized joint angles are compared and the focus of analysis is to identify changes in movement patterns
Related Data for: Print still matters: A study of adolescents' gendered print and digital reading
No full textAlthough recent studies suggest adolescents read less and enjoy reading less compared to previous cohorts, technology has also enabled access to more online reading resources. This chapter draws on a survey study (N = 5,732) of Singapore adolescents aged 12 to 16 years old to examine what boys and girls are reading in print and digitally. Findings showed that girls reported higher reading enjoyment, frequency and regular reading. However, both boys and girls from high socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds report greater reading engagement and proficiency compared to students from low-SES backgrounds. Despite a minimal SES divide in terms of device ownership in Singapore, high-SES students tended to read in print and use tablets and e-readers for reading more than their low-SES peers. Boys displayed a heightened affinity for news and discussion websites, whereas girls exhibited a pronounced preference for social media posts, fanfiction and personal essays and writings. The study showed a print superiority with adolescents having more access to print resources and reporting greater reading enjoyment, frequency and proficiency. There is evidence of selective media displacement, with students who enjoy reading making use of both print and digital resources to read even more. Implications for policymakers, educators and librarians are discussed
Related Data for: Impacts of LED spectral quality on leafy vegetables: Productivity closely linked to photosynthetic performance or associated with leaf traits?
No full textThe success of growing vegetables indoors requires the most appropriate selection of lighting spectrum. This mini review discusses the impacts of LED spectral quality on different leafy vegetables with a focus on the studies of Chinese broccoli (Brassica alboglabra), ice plants (Mesembryanthem crystallinum) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Canasta). For each species, plants exposed to different spectral LED lights were all under the same light intensity and same photoperiod. Chinese broccoli grown under red(R):blue(B)-LED ratio of 84:16 (16B) had the highest light-saturated photosynthetic CO2 assimilation rate (Asat) and stomatal conductance (gs sat) compared to plants grown under other R:B-LED ratios. It was also shown that 16B is the most appropriate selection for Chinese broccoli to achieve the highest shoot productivity with a rapid leaf number and leaf area development. The highest concentrations of photosynthetic pigments, soluble and Rubisco protein on a leaf area basis were also observed in 16B plants. The results conclusively affirmed that the highest productivity of Chinese broccoli grown under 16B is closely linked to the highest photosynthetic performance on a leaf area basis. For ice plants grown under R:B-LED ratios of 90:10 (10B), they had the highest shoot biomass with a faster leaf development compared to plants grown under other RB-LED combinations. However, there were no differences in Asat, gs sat, photosynthetic pigments, soluble and Rubisco proteins on a leaf area basis. In the case of lettuce plants, it was a surprise to observe that plants grown under 0B and 20G (20% green (G)-LED and 80% R-LED) had the highest shoot biomass, and largest total leaf area and light interception area but the lowest net maximal photosynthetic rate on a leaf area basis, compared to other plants. The combined RB-LED enhanced other photosynthetic parameters while 0B and 20G conditions had inhibitory effects on maximum quantum efficiency of PS II with lower photosynthetic pigments, total soluble protein and Rubisco protein. These results suggest that impacts of LED light quality on productivity of lettuce (L. sativa L. cv. Canasta) are closely linked to leaf traits not associated with photosynthetic performance on a leaf area basis
Related Data for: Therapeutic factors in a group experiential learning programme in teacher education
No full textThis qualitative study explored the experiential group learning experiences of student teachers (STs) who participated in a two-day experientially based group learning programme, as part of their curriculum at a teacher training institute in Singapore. This programme is designed as a personal growth group with an emphasis on value and character development. Thirteen groups were selected, with 12 members from each group randomly recruited to participate in the focus group interviews. A total of thirteen focus group interviews were conducted, with 109 STs participating in the sessions. The interview data was transcribed, coded and presented in themes using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The main themes were largely compatible with the therapeutic factors identified by psychiatrist Irvin Yalom that were found to improve interaction and facilitated outcome in group processes in his research. The overall results show that the dominant therapeutic factors experienced by the participants included instillation of hope, universality, imitative behaviour and cohesiveness. These findings provide us with valuable information that may help facilitate a positive and beneficial group learning experience in teacher education
Related Data for: Measuring upper limb kinematics of forehand and backhand topspin drives with IMU sensors in wheelchair and able-bodied table tennis players
No full textTo better understand the biomechanics of para-table tennis players, this study compared the shoulder, elbow, and wrist joint kinematics among able-bodied (AB) and wheelchair players in different classifications. Nineteen participants (AB, n = 9; classification 1 (C1), n = 3; C2, n = 3; C3, n = 4) executed 10 forehand and backhand topspin drives. Shoulder abduction/adduction, elbow flexion/extension, wrist extension/flexion, respective range of motion (ROM), and joint patterns were obtained using inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors. The results showed clear differences in upper limb kinematics between the able-bodied and wheelchair players, especially in the elbow and wrist. For the para-players, noticeable variations in techniques were also observed among the different disability classes. In conclusion, wheelchair players likely adopted distinct movement strategies compared to AB to compensate for their physical impairments and functional limitations. Hence, traditional table tennis programs targeting skills and techniques for able-bodied players are unsuitable for para-players. Future work can investigate how best to customize training programs and to optimize movement strategies for para-players with varied types and degrees of impairment
Related Data for: Relationship between self-determination theory and flow in the domain of sports and academics among student-athletes
No full textThe purposes of the present study were to examine the domain specificity of flow and its relationships with different motivation regulations in sport and academic. The sample consisted of 224 competitive student-athletes (126 males, 97 females, 1 missing) from Singapore universities with mean age of 22.73 years (SD = 2.76). Data was collected through a self-reported questionnaire to assess seven motivation types in Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and flow disposition in sport and academic domains. Findings revealed that there is a positive link between flow in sport and in academic at a cross-domain level. In addition, male student-athletes reported higher flow tendencies in both sports and academics. Male student-athletes in individual sport reported higher intrinsic motivation (IM) to accomplish and flow tendencies than male in team sport, but female student-athletes in team sport reported higher IM to accomplish and flow tendencies to accomplish than individual sport. IM to experience stimulation positively predicted flow in sport, while in academic domain, IM to know and identified regulation are positive predictors of flow. The findings of this study showed that IM to experience stimulation in sport and academic domains could positively predict flow
Related Data for: Soundscape Singapore: Sound as mediated cultural heritage
No full textThis paper will examine the poetics of sound archiving as a means of documenting and evaluating Singapore’s cultural and political economy. It is twofold in consideration: an inquiry into sound’s significance for/in Singapore and the media/tion of archiving sound. This first concern involves an investigation of selected sound events and their relation to the cultural and political life-worlds (Lebenswelt) of Singapore/ans. The second section argues for an importance of archiving sounds in/of Singapore given the absence of any authoritative sound library or sound map. Many iconic, culturally defining sounds are now lost to time; this loss further underscores the importance of archiving for past sounds and the perception of these sounds by historical actors inform us about the changing character and identity of cities, people and cultural practices. Technology today provides the means to capture and contain sound, as ephemeral phenomena, in high fidelity and this paper will include a discussion of an ongoing research project in collaboration with the National Archives of Singapore (SoundscapeSG) which involves a web-based platform that contains Singapore soundscapes in ambisonic formats
Related Data for: Rethinking teaching and learning of science inference competencies of lower track students in Singapore: A Rasch investigation
No full textCompetency in making inferences is an important aspect of student learning in the twenty-first century, for making better-informed decisions. The purpose of our study is to investigate the type of science capital that can predict the science inference competencies of lower track students. Science capital comprises diverse social capital, cultural capital, and mental schema. A total of 1,397 Normal Academic (NA) and 637 Normal Technical (NT) Grade 7 students from 37 public secondary schools in Singapore participated in the study. Three separate science inference tests were administered to the students over one academic year, and test scores were calibrated and equated using Rasch analysis. The relationship between students’ perceptions of science capital and their development in science inference competencies was investigated using Ordinary Least Squares regression analysis. The results indicated that NA students’ self-views in science learning and their views about the nature of science were significant predictors of their scientific inference competencies. For NT students, their views about science teachers was the only significant predictors of their performance on making scientific inferences. Based on the research design and findings, we draw implications for local and international science curriculum policy. Additionally, we demonstrate the usefulness of Rasch analysis
Related Data for: Student teachers' psychological needs, subjective experience and perceived competence in teaching during practicum"
No full textThis paper, using the Self-Determination Theory (SDT) as the underpinning framework, examines student teachers’ basic psychological needs, their subjective experience and their perceived teaching competence during practicum. It attempted to establish whether there were distinct groups of student teachers with different needs satisfaction, and how their levels of needs satisfaction were related to the groups’ subjective experience and perceived teaching competence. Quantitative data were collected. Data were analysed using cluster analysis and MANOVA. Overall, the results suggest that SDT can be effectively utilized as a framework for looking at how needs satisfaction is related to student teachers’ subjective experiences and perceived competence in teaching during practicum. The findings from this study are useful in providing evidence for teacher educators to strengthen their practicum model and plan mentoring workshops. The findings also provide much-needed insights into groups of student teachers that may need more support during practicum. Finally, the findings may help mentors understand their mentees better
Related Data for: Effect of post-exercise massage on passive muscle stiffness measured using myotonometry – A double-blind study
No full textIt is commonly believed that massage can reduce muscle stiffness and is desirable for recovery from exercise. However, the effect massage on muscle stiffness following eccentric exercises is currently unknown. This study aimed to examine the effect of post-exercise massage on passive muscle stiffness over a five-day period. A randomised cross-over study design was adopted. After 40 minutes of downhill running, 18 male recreational runners had one leg received a 16-minute massage and the contralateral leg received a 16-minute sham ultrasound treatment. Passive stiffness for four leg muscles (rectus femoris, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius) was assessed using myotonometry at baseline, immediately post-run, post-treatment, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours post-run. A 2 (treatment) × 7 (time) mixed ANOVA was conducted with a robust procedure on the myotonometry data of each leg muscle to examine the effect of treatment on stiffness. Passive stiffness for all muscles changed over time but no treatment effect was found. Stiffness increased at 24 hours post-run and remained elevated from baseline levels for up to 96 hours across all four muscles. Significant treatment × time interaction was only found in the tibialis anterior but no post-hoc differences were identified. Passive stiffness of major leg muscles increased after a bout of unaccustomed eccentric exercise and remained elevated for up to four days post-exercise. Compared with the placebo treatment, post-exercise massage had no beneficial effect in alleviating altered muscle stiffness in major leg muscles