Is there creativity in design? From a perspective of school design and technology in Hong Kong

Yi Lin Wong,Kin Wai Michael Siu 서울대학교 교육연구소 2012 Asia Pacific Education Review Vol.13 No.3

As creativity is likely to become a crucial aspect of living in the future, it is important for educators to teach students to think creatively when solving constantly evolving and increasingly complex problems. Supported by the idea that creativity can be taught and learnt, elements of creativity are now embedded in secondary school education. Among all school subjects, design and technology (D&T) is one of the best examples for fostering and cultivating students' creativity, as the subject offers creative activities that enable students to realize their ideas in the context of the real world. This paper analyzes the creative elements in the D&T curriculum in Hong Kong as seen in the exemplar projects on the Education Bureau website. Some problems and difficulties encountered in fostering creativity in the context of Hong Kong are identified, based on the current teaching environment. The paper also draws attention to East Asian beliefs and implicit theories, which greatly influence teachers' underlying assumptions about learning and teaching, and at the same time notes that these beliefs may be detrimental to the development of creativity among students. The paper then identifies the problems and inadequacies in fostering creativity in design at the secondary school level and expects to raise awareness of the importance of creativity in D&T.

Effects of Codeine on Esophageal Peristalsis in Patients With Ineffective Esophageal Motility: Studies Using High-resolution Manometry

Wei-Yi Lei,Tso-Tsai Liu,Wei-Chuan Chang,Chih-Hsun Yi,Jui-Sheng Hung,Ming-Wun Wong,Shu-Wei Liang,Lin Lin,Chien-Lin Chen 대한소화기 기능성질환∙운동학회 2024 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.30 No.1

Background/AimsThis study aims to evaluate the effects of acute codeine administration on primary and secondary esophageal peristalsis in patients with ineffective esophageal motility (IEM). MethodsEighteen IEM patients (8 women; mean age 37.8 years, range 23-64 years) were enrolled in the study. The patients underwent high-resolution manometry exams, consisting of 10 single wet swallows, multiple rapid swallows, and ten 20 mL rapid air injections to trigger secondary peristalsis. All participants completed 2 separate sessions, including acute administration of codeine (60 mg) and placebo, in a randomized order. ResultsCodeine significantly increased the distal contractile integral (566 ± 81 mmHg∙s∙cm vs 247 ± 36 mmHg∙s∙cm, P = 0.001) and shortened distal latency (5.7 ± 0.2 seconds vs 6.5 ± 0.1 seconds, P < 0.001) for primary peristalsis compared with these parameters after placebo treatment. The mean total break length decreased significantly after codeine treatment compared with the length after placebo (P = 0.003). Codeine significantly increased esophagogastric junction-contractile integral (P = 0.028) but did not change the 4-second integrated relaxation pressure (P = 0.794). Codeine significantly decreased the frequency of weak (P = 0.039) and failed contractions (P = 0.009), resulting in increased frequency of normal primary peristalsis (P < 0.136). No significant differences in the ratio of impaired multiple rapid swallows inhibition and parameters of secondary peristalsis were detected. ConclusionsIn IEM patients, acute administration of codeine increases contraction vigor and reduces distal latency of primary esophageal peristalsis, but has no effect on secondary peristalsis. Future studies are required to further elucidate clinical relevance of these findings, especially in the setting of gastroesophageal reflux disease with IEM.

Transient Hiatal Separation During Straight Leg Raise Can Predict Reflux Burden in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Patients With Ineffective Esophageal Motility

Wei-Yi Lei,Shu-Wei Liang,Taher Omari,Wei-Chuan Chang,Ming-Wun Wong,Jui-Sheng Hung,Chih-Hsun Yi,Tso-Tsai Liu,Lin Lin,C Prakash Gyawali,Chien-Lin Chen 대한소화기 기능성질환∙운동학회 2022 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.28 No.4

Background/Aims Straight leg raise (SLR) can be utilized to evaluate the integrity of the esophagogastric junction during high-resolution manometry (HRM). We aim to assess the value of transient hiatal separation during SLR in symptomatic reflux patients. Methods Consecutive reflux patients undergoing esophageal HRM and pH monitoring were included. Transient hiatal separation was defined by a ≥ 1 cm separation between the lower esophageal sphincter and crural diaphragm during SLR. We compared esophageal motor patterns and reflux monitoring parameters between patients with normal, transiently abnormal and consistently abnormal esophagogastric junction morphology during SLR. Results Of 85 (56.3% female, mean age: 46.7 ± 12.3 years) completed SLR, esophagogastric junction morphology was normal in 31 (36.5%), transient hiatal separation in 19 (22.3%), and consistently hiatal hernia in 35 (41.2%). The values of total acid exposure time (P = 0.016), longest acid reflux episodes (P = 0.024), and DeMeester scores (P = 0.016) were higher in hiatal hernia compared to patients with non-transient hiatal separation, but there were no differences between those with and without transient hiatal separation. Within ineffective esophageal motility, the presence of transient hiatal separation during SLR significantly associated with a higher total acid exposure time (P = 0.014), higher DeMeester scores (P = 0.019), higher total acid reflux events (P = 0.037), and higher longest acid reflux episodes (P = 0.006). Conclusion Our work suggests that SLR may have value as a provocative test during HRM, and future outcome studies are warranted to elucidate the clinical relevance of motor abnormalities depicted from SLR.

Mapping out the surgical anatomy of the lingual nerve: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Lin Sheena Xin Yi,Sim Paul Ruiqi,Lai Wei Ming Clement,Lu Jacinta Xiaotong,Chew Jacob Ren Jie,Wong Raymond Chung Wen 대한구강악안면외과학회 2023 대한구강악안면외과학회지 Vol.49 No.4

Objectives: Understanding the lingual nerve’s precise location is crucial to prevent iatrogenic injury. This systematic review seeks to determine the lingual nerve’s most probable topographical location in the posterior mandible. Materials and Methods: Two electronic databases were searched, identifying studies reporting the lingual nerve’s position in the posterior mandible. Anatomical data in the vertical and horizontal dimensions at the retromolar and molar regions were collected for meta-analyses. Results: Of the 2,700 unique records identified, 18 studies were included in this review. In the vertical plane, 8.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0%-21.7%) and 6.3% (95% CI, 1.9%-12.5%) of the lingual nerves coursed above the alveolar crest at the retromolar and third molar regions. The mean vertical distance between the nerve and the alveolar crest ranged from 12.10 to 4.32 mm at the first to third molar regions. In the horizontal plane, 19.9% (95% CI, 0.0%-62.7%) and 35.2% (95% CI, 13.0%-61.1%) of the lingual nerves were in contact with the lingual plate at the retromolar and third molar regions. Conclusion: This systematic review mapped out the anatomical location of the lingual nerve in the posterior mandible, highlighting regions that warrant additional caution during surgeries to avoid iatrogenic lingual nerve injuries.

Esophageal Bolus Domain Pressure and Peristalsis Associated With Experimental Induction of Esophagogastric Junction Outflow Obstruction

( Wei-yi Lei ),( Taher Omari ),( Tso-tsai Liu ),( Ming-wun Wong ),( Jui-sheng Hung ),( Chih-hsun Yi ),( Shu-wei Liang ),( Charles Cock ),( Chien-lin Chen ) 대한소화기기능성질환·운동학회 2022 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.28 No.1

Background/Aims Intrabolus pressures are important for esophageal bolus transport and may detect obstructed bolus flow. This study measured the effect esophageal outflow obstruction experimentally induce by a leg-lift protocol. Methods Twenty-five gastroesophageal reflux disease patients referred for esophageal manometry and a normal motility diagnosis were included. Supine liquid swallows were tested. Leg-lift protocol generated esophageal outflow obstruction by increasing abdominal pressure. Esophageal pressure topography and intrabolus pressure metrics were calculated. These included, (1) mid-domain bolus distension pressure during esophageal emptying (DPE, mmHg) and (2) ramp pressure (mmHg/sec), generated by compression of the bolus between the peristaltic contraction and esophagogastric junction (EGJ). Results EGJ relaxation pressure was increased by leg-lift from 13 (11-17) to 19 (14-30) mmHg (P < 0.005) and distal contractile integral also increased from 1077 (883-1349) to 1620 (1268-2072) mmHgㆍcmㆍsec (P < 0.001) as a physiological response to obstruction. All bolus pressures were increased by leg lift; DPE increased from 17 (15-20) to 27 (19-32) mmHg (P < 0.001), and ramp pressure increased from 3 (1-4) to 5 (2-9) mmHg/sec (P < 0.05). Conclusion Measuring pressures within the intrabolus domain can quantify changes related to obstruction to outflow and may serve as adjunct measures for confirming a diagnosis EGJ outflow obstruction. (J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2022;28:62-68)

Antioxidant and antibacterial capacity of stingless bee honey from Borneo (Sarawak)

Lalita Tuksitha,Yi-Lin Sophia Chen,Yi-Ling Chen,Kie-Yiong Wong,Chi-Chung Peng 한국응용곤충학회 2018 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.21 No.2

Stingless honey bees form a large group of bees that lack of a sting and are found among Meliponinae species indigenous to various tropical and subtropical regions. They are able to produce “stingless bee honey” that contains divergent categories of phenolic and flavonoid compounds and have been associated with antioxidant and antibacterial activity. This study examines the physicochemical properties, antioxidant-activity and antimicrobial activity of stingless bee honey from Malaysia that was produced by Geniotrigona thoracica, Heterotrigona itama and Heterotrigona erythrogastra. The results show that G. thoracica honey has the highest concentration of the total phenolic context (99.04 ± 5.14 mg/ml) and the greatest reducing power (19.05 ± 0.79%), while flavonoids (17.67 ± 0.75 mg/ml), reducing power (18.10 ± 0.35%), DPPH (47.40 ± 3.18%) and FRAP (50.66 ± 5.77mM of Fe2+/100 g) of H. itama honey is significantly higher than those of the other honeys. In addition, G. thoracica honey has the highest antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus xylosus (2.10 ± 0.10 cm), which is Gram-positive bacterium, and against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1.60 ± 0.10 cm) and Vibrio parahaemolyticus (2.03 ± 0.06 cm), which are Gram-negative bacteria. These results suggest that stingless bee honeys possess useful amounts of phenolic and flavonoid compounds that are able to act as natural anti-oxidants and also have significant anti-microbial activity.

Developing Creative Thinking among Design Students

Kin Wai Michael Siu,Yi Lin Wong 대한사고개발학회 2015 The International Journal of Creativity & Problem Vol.25 No.1

In today’s information explosion era, the creation and manipulation of knowledge have become more favoured than its memorisation, especially when learning reaches a higher level. It has become more important for design students, who are supposed to perform higher order thinking and possess creative ability, to generate new ideas. However, not all design students can access their creativity on the first day of their design study. How best to nurture creativity among design students thus becomes an important issue. In this paper, the limitations of current creative thinking development are identified through a case study of Hong Kong, and a framework is proposed to address these limitations so that creativity and its thought processes can be nurtured and developed among students. It is hoped that the findings and discussions in the paper will provide direction for teachers and researchers in facilitating creativity and developing students’ creative thinking.

Children’s Misinterpretation of Today’s Designs: A Case Study of How Children Interpret Registered Safety Signs

Kin Wai Michael Siu,Yi Lin Wong,Mei Seung Lam,Annie W Y Ng 대한사고개발학회 2014 The International Journal of Creativity & Problem Vol.24 No.2

Safety signs are currently created by adult designers through a designer-centered process. It is questionable whether children are able to interpret and understand these signs correctly, even if they are exposed to the signs in locations designated for children, such as playgrounds and schools. Children may be unable to understand pictograms designed by adults, as discrepancies exist between children’s and adults’ cognitive abilities, developmental levels and information needs. Consequently, a study was conducted to understand how children interpret ― understand and misunderstand ― safety sign designs created by adult designers. Sixty-five primary school children from P-2 to P-6 in three Hong Kong schools were asked to interpret 12 safety signs. The children were not able to understand some of the signs and interpreted them incorrectly. Based on the children’s responses, this paper advocates that participatory design with children is important for adult designers to develop better designs.

Developing Creative Thinking among Design Students: A Case Study of Hong Kong

Kin Wai Michael Siu,Yi Lin Wong 대한사고개발학회 2013 사고개발 Vol.9 No.2

In today’s information explosion era, the creation and manipulation of knowledge have become more favoured than its memorisation, especially when learning reaches a higher level. It has become more important for design students, who are supposed to perform higher order thinking and possess creative ability, to generate new ideas. However, not all design students can access their creativity on the first day of their design study. How best to nurture creativity among design students thus becomes an important issue. The aim of the paper is to provide direction for teachers and researchers in facilitating creativity and developing students’ creative thinking. The limitations of current creative thinking development are identified through a case study of Hong Kong. It is found that the limitations include teachers’ high expectations about the appropriateness, novelty and accomplishment of the artefacts made by students. Teachers’ perceptions on the illumination approach of achieving creativity, the innate ability of creativity and the teacher-initiated classroom for cultivating creativity also affect creativity cultivation. A framework which is constituted by six necessary shifts is then proposed to address these limitations so that creativity and its thought processes can be nurtured and developed among students.

Injectable PTHF-based thermogelling polyurethane implants for long-term intraocular application

Kaiwen Zhang,Zengping Liu,Qianyu Lin,Yi Jian Boo,Valerie Ow,Xinxin Zhao,Daniel Soo Lin Wong,Jason Y. C. Lim,Kun Xue,Xinyi Su,Decheng Wu,Xian Jun Loh 한국생체재료학회 2022 생체재료학회지 Vol.26 No.4

Background: Hydrogels show great potential to be used for intraocular applications due to their high-water content and similarity to the native vitreous. Injectable thermosensitive hydrogels through a small-bore needle can be used as a delivery system for drugs or a tamponading substitute to treat posterior eye diseases with clear clinical potential. However, none of the currently available thermosensitive hydrogels can provide intraocular support for up to 3 months or more. Method: In this study, an injectable polytetrahydrofuran (PTHF)-based thermosensitive hydrogel was synthesized by polyurethane reaction. We examined the injectability, rheological properties, microstructure, cytotoxicity, and in vivo compatibility and stability of the hydrogels in rabbit eyes. Results: We found that the PTHF block type and PTHF component ratio could modulate thermogelation properties of the polyurethane polymers. The PTHF-based hydrogel implants retained normal retinal structure and function. Incorporating bioinert PTHF generated highly biocompatible and more stable thermogels in the vitreous cavity, with gel networks and the presence of polymer still observed after 3 months when other thermogels would have been completely cleared. Moreover, despite lacking hydrolytically cleavable linkages, the polymers could be most naturally removed from the native vitreous by bio-erosion without additional surgical interventions. Conclusion: Our findings suggest the potential of incorporating hydrophobic bioinert blocks to enhance the in vivo stability of supramolecularly associated hydrogels for long-term intraocular applications.