Investigating consistency and orthographic neighborhood density effects in Chinese character processing

Wong Leung Wai Doris 한국한자한문교육학회 2012 국제한국한자한문교육학회 학술대회 Vol.2012 No.1

With above 90% of all characters in a Chinese dictionary belonging to the semantic-phonetic compound category, Chinese orthography is really more phonetic than logographic. Previous studies have shown that regularity and consistency in the phonetic radical facilitate lexical access of phonetic compound characters. These findings are in line with the literature on lexical access of alphabetic languages, suggesting that phonology plays a common role in the process of visual word recognition across orthographies. The contradictory orthographic neighborhood density effects found in Chinese and English studies, however, challenge the universal applicability of current models of lexical access. This paper reports an empirical study which investigates regularity, consistency and orthographic neighborhood density effects on the reading and naming of traditional Chinese phonetic compound characters based on Cantonese phonology. Results showed that by manipulating regularity and consistency at the body rime level, a facilitatory orthographic neighborhood density effect could be found in lexical decision but not naming. The implication is that regularity and consistency at the level of rime (in addition to the syllable level) is functional in Chinese reading. It also suggests that the body rime might have a general role in lexical access across languages. These findings are interpreted within the connectionist and dual-route models of lexical access.

Prospective Teachers` Competency in Teaching how to Compare Geometric Figures: The Concept of Congruent Triangles as an Example

( Leung K C Issic ),( Lin Ding ),( Allen Yuk Lun Leung ),( Ngai Ying Wong ) 한국수학교육학회 2014 수학교육연구 Vol.18 No.3

Mathematically deductive reasoning skill is one of the major learning objectives stated in senior secondary curriculum (CDC & HKEAA, 2007, page 15). Ironically, student performance during routine assessments on geometric reasoning, such as proving geometric propositions and justifying geometric properties, is far below teacher expectations. One might argue that this is caused by teachers` lack of relevant subject content knowledge. However, recent research findings have revealed that teachers` knowledge of teaching (e.g., Ball et al., 2009) and their deductive reasoning skills also play a crucial role in student learning. Prior to a comprehensive investigation on teacher competency, we use a case study to investigate teachers` knowledge competency on how to teach their students to mathematically argue that, for example, two triangles are congruent. Deductive rea-soning skill is essential to geometry. The initial findings indicate that both subject and pedagogical content knowledge are essential for effectively teaching this challenging topic. We conclude our study by suggesting a method that teachers can use to further improve their teaching effectiveness.

Prospective Teachers` Competency in Teaching how to Compare Geometric Figures: The Concept of Congruent Triangles as an Example

( Leung K C Issic ),( Ding Lin ),( Leung Allen Yuk Lun ),( Wong Ngai Ying ) 한국수학교육학회 2014 수학교육 학술지 Vol.2014 No.1

Mathematically deductive reasoning skill is one of the major learning objectives stated in senior secondary curriculum (Curriculum and Assessment Guide S4-6, 2007, page 15). Ironically, students` performance in their routine assessment on geometric reasoning, such as proving geometric propositions, and justifying geometric properties, is far below teachers` expectation. One might argue that it is due to teachers` lack of relevant subject content knowledge. However, recent research findings reveal that teachers` knowledge for teaching (e.g. Ball et al 2009) in deductive reasoning skills also plays a crucial role on students` learning. Prior to a comprehensive investigation on teachers` competency, in an analogue approach of case study, we aim at investigating teachers` knowledge competencyon how to teach their students to argue mathematically that, as an example, two given triangles are congruent. In which skilful reasoning of deduction is essential. Initial findings show that both subject and pedagogical content knowledge are essential for an effective teaching on this challenge topic. We conclude our study by suggesting a way that teachers can further improve their teaching effectiveness.

Holistic Reform of the Mathematics Curriculum - the Hong Kong Exoperience

Wong, Ngai Ying,Lam, Chi Chung,Leung, Frederick Koon-Shing,Mok, Ida Ah-Chee,Wong, Ka Ming Patrick 한국수학교육학회 1999 수학교육연구 Vol.3 No.2

The Hong Kong mathematics curriculum has launched its reform in recent years. It was the first time that a holistic review of syllabi from Primary 1 through Secondary 7 was made. The curriculum development agency also decided to base the reform on sound pedagogical foundations. That was assisted with academic research where the views of various stakeholders were investigated in detail. Surveys were conducted with students, parents, teachers, employers, university professors, and curriculum designers and they give a full picture of mathematics teaching and learning in Hong Kong. The rich data collected should shed light on the development of mathematics curriculum in other regions with similar socio-cultural and educational settings.

A Study of Ethnic Restaurants in Singapore

( Roberta Wong Leung ),( Zafar U. Ahmed ),( Shubhasree Seshanna ) 한국외국어대학교 외국학종합연구센터 2001 International Area Studies Review Vol.4 No.1

Prospective Teachers` Competency in Teaching how to Compare Geometric Figures: The Concept of Congruent Triangles as an Example

( K C Issic Leung ),( Ding Lin ),( Allen Yuk Lun Leung ),( Ngai Ying Wong ) 한국수학교육학회 2014 뉴스레터 Vol.30 No.2

The Efficacy of Herbal Supplement Danggui Buxue Tang for Relieving Menopausal Symptoms

( Eliza L. Y. Wong ),( Annie W. L. Cheung ),( C. J. Haines ),( C. C. Wang ),( Chun-kwok Wong ),( Karl W. K. Tsim ),( William K. F. Cheng ),( Ping-chung Leung ) 대한폐경학회 2022 대한폐경학회지 Vol.28 No.1

Objectives: This study aimed to further explore the efficacy and safety of Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT), a simple herbal formula, for improving the quality of life of women suffering from menopausal symptoms. Methods: A third clinical trial to determine the clinical efficacy of high-dose DBT for a period of 12 weeks was carried out. The standard Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) assessment chart was used for the evaluation. Safety was defined as an absence of direct estrogenic effects, serum inflammatory cytokines. Notably, interleukin IL-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor TNF-α, known to be directly related to estrogenic reactions in menopause studies, were monitored. Results: The third clinical trial indicated an overall improvement in the four domains of MENQOL, offering further proof of the efficacy of DBT demonstrated in the two previous trials. The serial checks of the three cytokines related to estrogen activities did not show either upward or downward trends. The haphazard behavior reactions of the three cytokines offered indirect indications that DBT improved the MENQOL independently from estrogen activities. Conclusions: The three clinical trials using DBT to relieve menopausal syndrome have offered solid evidence for its efficacy. The uncertainty regarding whether the “phytoestrogen” contained in DBT had bioactivities similar to estrogen was alleviated through the confirmation that no strict estrogenic bioactivities were observed. The issue of safety was further clarified via laboratory platform studies on DBT, which not only showed the lack of similarity with estrogen actions but also confirmed the value of combining the two herbs in the classic formula.

Protein kinase G type Ialpha activity in human ovarian cancer cells significantly contributes to enhanced Src activation and DNA synthesis/cell proliferation.

Leung, Elaine L,Wong, Janica C,Johlfs, Mary G,Tsang, Benjamin K,Fiscus, Ronald R American Association for Cancer Research 2010 Molecular Cancer Research Vol.8 No.4

<P>Previously, we showed that basal activity of nitric oxide (NO)/cyclic GMP (cGMP)/protein kinase G (PKG) signaling pathway protects against spontaneous apoptosis and confers resistance to cisplatin-induced apoptosis in human ovarian cancer cells. The present study determines whether basal PKG kinase activity regulates Src family kinase (SFK) activity and proliferation in these cells. PKG-Ialpha was identified as predominant isoform in both OV2008 (cisplatin-sensitive, wild-type p53) and A2780cp (cisplatin-resistant, mutated p53) ovarian cancer cells. In both cell lines, ODQ (inhibitor of endogenous NO-induced cGMP biosynthesis), DT-2 (highly specific inhibitor of PKG-Ialpha kinase activity), and PKG-Ialpha knockdown (using small interfering RNA) caused concentration-dependent inhibition of DNA synthesis (assessed by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation), indicating an important role of basal cGMP/PKG-Ialpha kinase activity in promoting cell proliferation. DNA synthesis in OV2008 cells was dependent on SFK activity, determined using highly selective SFK inhibitor, 4-(4'-phenoxyanilino)-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline (SKI-1). Studies using DT-2 and PKG-Ialpha small interfering RNA revealed that SFK activity was dependent on PKG-Ialpha kinase activity. Furthermore, SFK activity contributed to endogenous tyrosine phosphorylation of PKG-Ialpha in OV2008 and A2780cp cells. In vitro coincubation of recombinant human c-Src and PKG-Ialpha resulted in c-Src-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of PKG-Ialpha and enhanced c-Src autophosphorylation/activation, suggesting that human c-Src directly tyrosine phosphorylates PKG-Ialpha and the c-Src/PKG-Ialpha interaction enhances Src kinase activity. Epidermal growth factor-induced stimulation of SFK activity in OV2008 cells increased PKG-Ialpha kinase activity (indicated by Ser(239) phosphorylation of the PKG substrate vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein), which was blocked by both SKI-1 and SU6656. The data suggest an important role of Src/PKG-Ialpha interaction in promoting DNA synthesis/cell proliferation in human ovarian cancer cells. The NO/cGMP/PKG-Ialpha signaling pathway may provide a novel therapeutic target for disrupting ovarian cancer cell proliferation.</P>

Female Managers in Asian Hotels : Profile and Career Challenges

Li, Lan,Wong-Leung, Roverta 한국호텔경영학회 ( 구 한국호텔외식경영학회 ) 1999 Korean Journal of Hotel Administration Vol.1 No.1

The number of female managers in the hotel industry is clearly increasing worldwide. However, given the barriers to advancement that women have faced, the curious person might ask how there female managers reach their positions. To address this question, this paper studies the general profile of female hotel managers in Singapore and examines the barriers that prevent middle-level female managers from moving up to the executive positions. The findings suggest that female managers in Singapore hotels seem to have “given up” some family life in order to get ahead. Whereas appreciate credentials and skills have proven important in advancing women into middle level management, they have not helped them to attain executive positions. A finding of interest is that the barriers of advancement for female managers are neither due to corporate practices nor policies, but rather a function of cultural and societal sanctions.

Efficacy and Tolerability of Adjuvant Oral Capecitabine plus Intravenous Oxaliplatin (XELOX) in Asian Patients with Colorectal Cancer: 4-Year Analysis

Chiu, Joanne,Tang, Vikki,Leung, Roland,Wong, Hilda,Chu, Kin Wah,Poon, Jensen,Epstein, Richard J.,Yau, Thomas Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.11

Background: Although FOLFOX (infusional fluorouracil/leucovorin plus oxaliplatin) is established as a standard chemotherapeutic regimen, the long term efficacy of adjuvant XELOX (oral capecitabine plus intravenous oxaliplatin) in Asian colorectal cancer (CRC) patients remains anecdotal. Moreover, uncertainties persist as to whether pharmacogenetic differences in Asian populations preclude equally tolerable and effective administration of these drugs. Method: One hundred consecutive patients with resected colorectal cancer received adjuvant XELOX (oxaliplatin 130 $mg/m^2$ on day 1 plus capecitabine 900 $mg/m^2$ twice daily on day 1 to 14 every 3 weeks for 8 cycles) at Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong. Endpoints monitored during follow-up were disease-free survival (DFS) and disease recurrence, overall survival (OS) and adverse events (AEs). Results: The median patient age was 56 years, 56% were diagnosed with rectal cancer and 44% with colonic cancer. After a median follow-up of 4.3 years (95% confidence interval, 3.2-4.7), 24 recurrences were confirmed including 13 patients who died due to progressive disease. Four-year DFS was 81% in colon cancer patients and 67% in rectal cancer patients (p=0.06 by log-rank test). For the cohort as a whole, OS was 90% at 3 years and 84% at 5 years. Treatment-related AEs led to early withdrawal in four patients. The commonest non-hematological AEs were neuropathy (91%), hand-foot syndrome (49%) and diarrhea (46%), while the commonest grade 3/4 AEs were neutropenia (11%) and diarrhea (10%). Conclusion: These results confirm the favourable long term survival benefit with good tolerability in using adjuvant XELOX in treating East Asian colorectal cancer patients.