Institution In Singapore Research Articles

Pre-operative erector spinae plane block should be considered a viable option for laparoscopic colectomies.

The Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) block is a recent development in the field of regional anaesthesia and has been increasingly explored for abdominal surgeries to reduce opioid use and improve pain control. Colorectal cancer is the commonest cancer in multi-ethnic Singapore and requires surgery for curative treatment. ESP is a promising alternative in colorectal surgeries, but few studies have evaluated its efficacy in such surgeries. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the use of ESP blocks in laparoscopic colorectal surgeries to establish its safety and efficacy in this field. A prospective two-armed interventional cohort study comparing T8-T10 ESP blocks with conventional multimodal intravenous analgesia for laparoscopic colectomies was conducted in a single institution in Singapore. The decision for doing an ESP block versus conventional multimodal intravenous analgesia was made by a consensus between the attending surgeon and anesthesiologist. Outcomes measured were total intra-operative opioid consumption, post-operative pain control and patient outcome. Post-operative pain control was measured by pain score, analgesia use, and amount of opioids consumed. Patient outcome was determined by presence of ileus. A total of 146 patients were included, of which 30 patients received an ESP block. Overall, the ESP group had a significantly lower median opioid usage both intra-operatively and post-operatively (p = 0.031). Fewer patients required patient-controlled analgesia and rescue analgesia post-operatively for pain control (p < 0.001) amongst the ESP group. Pain scores were similar and post-operative ileus was absent in both groups. Multivariate analysis found that the ESP block had an independent effect on reducing intra-opioid consumption (p = 0.014). Multivariate analysis of post-operative opioid use and pain scores did not yield statistically significant results. The ESP block was an effective alternative regional anaesthesia for colorectal surgery that reduced intra-operative and post-operative opioid use while attaining satisfactory pain control.

Science/Education Portraits VIII: Duoethnography of First-Generation Bioscience Undergraduates in a Private Education Institute in Singapore

Science/Education Portraits VIII: Duoethnography of First-Generation Bioscience Undergraduates in a Private Education Institute in Singapore

Evaluating and comparing the clinical characteristics between adult-onset and childhood-onset atopic dermatitis in an Asian clinical cohort.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most prevalent chronic inflammatory skin conditions. We aimed to describe the clinical features of adult-onset and childhood-onset AD in a multi-ethnic Asian population. A retrospective study was performed of 188 patients with AD managed at a tertiary skin institution in Singapore. Patient demographics, clinical features and disease scores were analysed. Clinical features related to pigmentary changes, such as orbital darkening and Dennie-Morgan folds were more prevalent among childhood-onset AD patients than in adult-onset AD patients. Similarly, features related to prolonged scratching or friction, such as anterior neck folds, perifollicular accentuation and infra-auricular/infranasal fissuring were also more prevalent in childhood-onset AD patients. Disease scores such as SCORAD and EASI were not different between patients with childhood versus adult-onset disease. There were significant differences in clinical features between childhood-onset and adult-onset AD. Certain features are related to pigmentary changes and might be more accentuated in patients with skin of colour. Further studies are needed to understand how the different features might be clinically significant and related to the various AD endotypes and disease trajectories.

Assessing students’ learning during pandemic: responses to crisis period at Singapore’s higher education institutions

ABSTRACT This study presents reflections from accounting lecturers in Singapore on the challenges and opportunities of conducting assessments during the crisis period of COVID-19. We seek to answer the following research question: What were the responses of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Singapore to the pandemic to maintain order in the accounting course assessment? We interviewed ten lecturers representing higher education institutions in Singapore that offer undergraduates and diplomas in accounting. Drawing on chaos theory in crisis management literature, we elaborate our findings thematically in five areas: assessment policies, formative and summative assessments, the role of technology, academic integrity, and addressing students’ problems. Finally, we summarize our findings and conclude with lessons learned regarding accounting assessment in the crisis period.

Adoption of smart contracts in the construction industry: an institutional analysis of drivers and barriers

PurposeThe construction industry has arrived at a crossroads of rapid technological progress. While it is foreseen that the advent of new construction technologies will disrupt the construction industry’s future, such disruptions often create the ideal environment for innovation. As poor payment practices continue to plague the construction industry, the advent of smart contracts has created an opportunity to rectify the inherent flaws in the mitigation of payment problems in traditional construction contracts. Given the intrinsic resistance of construction firms to such revolutionary changes, this study aims to understand the various factors influencing the adoption of smart contracts in the Singapore construction industry.Design/methodology/approachA mixed method was adopted involving quantifying respondents’ perceptions of the factors influencing smart contract adoption, and validation from a group of interviewees on the matter. Out of 461 registered quantity surveyor members contacted via the Singapore institute of surveyors and valuers website, 55 respondents took part in the survey. This is followed by semi-structured interviews to validate the survey results.FindingsThe findings indicate that construction firms have neither a significant knowledge of nor willingness to adopt smart contracts. A total of 29 institutional factors were also identified that significantly influence the adoption of smart contracts. The quantitative findings were further reinforced by qualitative interviews with five industry experts.Originality/valueWith recognition of and the successful formulation of the significant institutional drivers and barriers, the key findings of this study will be integral in driving the commercial adoption of smart contracts within the construction industry.

One-year review of real-time artificial intelligence (AI)-aided endoscopy performance.

Colonoscopies have long been the gold standard for detection of pre-malignant neoplastic lesions of the colon. Our previous study tried real-time artificial intelligence (AI)-aided colonoscopy over a three-month period and found significant improvements in collective and individual endoscopist's adenoma detection rates compared to baseline. As an expansion, this study evaluates the 1-year performance of AI-aided colonoscopy in the same institution. A prospective cohort study was conducted in a single institution in Singapore. The AI software used was GI Genius™ Intelligent Endoscopy Module, US-DG-2000309 © 2021 Medtronic. Between July 2021 and June 2022, polypectomy rates in non-AI-aided colonoscopies and AI-aided colonoscopies were calculated and compared. Some of the AI-aided colonoscopies were recorded and video reviewed. A "hit" was defined as a sustained detection of an area by the AI. If a polypectomy was performed for a "hit," its histology was reviewed. Additional calculations for polyp detection rate (PDR), adenoma detection rate (ADR), and adenoma detection per colonoscopy (ADPC) were performed. Cost analysis was performed to determine cost effectiveness of subscription to the AI program. 2433 AI-aided colonoscopies were performed between July 2021 and June 2022 and compared against 1770 non-AI-aided colonoscopies. AI-aided colonoscopies yielded significantly higher rates of polypectomies (33.6%) as compared with non-AI-aided colonoscopies (28.4%) (p < 0.001). Among the AI-aided colonoscopies, 1050 were reviewed and a final 843 were included for additional analysis. The polypectomy to "hit" ratio was 57.4%, PDR = 45.6%, ADR = 32.4%, and ADPC = 2.08. Histological review showed that 25 polyps (3.13%) were sessile-serrated adenomas. Cost analysis found that the increased polypectomy rates in AI-aided colonoscopes led to an increase in revenue, which covered the subscription cost with an excess of USD 20,000. AI-aided colonoscopy is a cost effective means of improving colonoscopy quality and may help advance colorectal cancer screening in Singapore.

Singapore KneE osTeoarthritis CoHort (SKETCH): protocol for a multi-centre prospective cohort study

BackgroundKnee osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of global disability. The understanding of the role of psychosocial factors in knee OA outcomes is still evolving particularly in an Asian context. The primary aim of this study is to explore psychosocial factors that prognosticate short and long-term clinical outcomes, productivity, and healthcare utilization in patients with knee OA. Secondary aims are to explore the mediation and directional relationships and the role it plays in predicting the discordance between self-reported measures (SRM), physical-performance measures (PPMs) and objective clinical parameters.MethodsA multi-centre prospective cohort study of community ambulant knee OA patients seeking treatment in the tertiary healthcare institutions in Singapore will be conducted. Patients with secondary arthritis, significant cognitive impairment, severe medical comorbidities or previous knee arthroplasty will be excluded. Primary clinical outcome measure is the Knee injury and OA Outcome Score-12 (KOOS-12). Baseline characteristics include sociodemographic status, arthritis status including symptom duration and radiographic severity, comorbidities and functional status through Charlson Comorbidities Index (CCI), Barthel Index (BI) and Parker Mobility Score (PMS). Psychosocial variables include social support, kinesiophobia, negative affect, self-efficacy, injustice, chronic illness shame and the built environment. Clinical outcomes include quality of life, physical performance, global assessment, satisfaction and physical activity levels. Productivity and healthcare utilization will be assessed by a modified OA Cost and Consequences Questionnaire (OCC-Q) and the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire (WPAI). Variables will be collected at baseline, 4, 12 months and yearly thereafter. Regression, mediation and structural equation modelling will be used for analysis.DiscussionResults will allow contextualization, identification, and phenotyping of the critical (and potentially modifiable) psychosocial parameters that predict positive clinical outcomes in the OA population to guide optimization and refinement of healthcare and community. This will facilitate: 1. identification of high-risk knee OA subpopulations that will likely experience poor outcomes and 2. formulation of targeted multidisciplinary comprehensive approaches to address these psychosocial factors to optimize non-surgical treatment care, maximize functional outcomes and create more value-based care model for knee OA.Ethics and disseminationThe study has been registered under clinicaltrials.gov registry (Identifier: NCT04942236).

Training infectious diseases senior residents during COVID-19: The impact and the lessons learnt

Background The COVID-19 pandemic had major impact on the training of Infectious Diseases (ID) residents across the globe. They were part of the frontline staff, while at the same time training to be ID physicians. This study focused on identifying their capability, i.e. the ability to adapt existing competencies to new situations, which is now recognised as an essential element of professional practice. Aim This study explored what ID residents learnt and how they learnt as they adapted to working in this unpredictable and challenging COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This qualitative explorative study was based in the Infectious Diseases Senior Residency Programme across three training institutions in Singapore. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted. Data were analysed using a template analysis technique. Results Nine ID residents participated in this study. They learnt to engage with uncertainty in a meaningful way by relying on prior training and rapidly learning how to most effectively learn (metacognition). Learning was enhanced by collaboration between multidisciplinary health professionals, strong leadership and intrinsic motivation from personal interest in ID. They learnt through observing how senior faculty approached and managed the COVID-19 situation. Conclusion When learning for future capability in a rapidly evolving situation, role-modelling and mentoring are essential as available information resources may still not provide the learning from skilled doctors with actual experiences managing complex, uncertain situations.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Supportive Parenting App on Parental Outcomes: Randomized Controlled Trial

Adjusting to new or additional parenting responsibilities increases stress and affects parental well-being. Existing research has highlighted both parents' desire to receive more support. It has also been found that receiving sufficient social support enhances parenting outcomes. With the increasing popularity of mobile health apps, a Supportive Parenting App (SPA) intervention was developed to fulfill the support needs of parents during the perinatal period. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the SPA on parental outcomes during the perinatal period. A 2-group pretest and repeated posttest randomized controlled trial was conducted wherein 200 couples (N=400 mothers and fathers) were recruited from 2 public health care institutions in Singapore. Parents were randomly assigned to intervention (100/200, 50%) or control (100/200, 50%) groups. The SPA intervention consisted of a mobile app-based psychoeducation and peer support program to support parents from pregnancy to 6 months post partum. The outcome measures included postnatal depression, anxiety, parental bonding, parental self-efficacy, perceived social support, and parenting satisfaction. Data were collected at baseline (at >24 weeks of gestation-age of viability in Singapore) and at the first, second, fourth, sixth, ninth, and 12th month post partum. Linear mixed models were used to compare parental outcomes between the groups, and a linear mixed model for repeated measures was used to examine within-group changes. Parents in the intervention group mostly showed better outcomes compared with those in the control group. Parents in the intervention group had higher perceived social support than those in the control group at the first (effect size=1.59, 95% CI 0.38-2.80; Cohen standardized effect size=1.31; P=.01), second (effect size=1.98, 95% CI 1.09-2.88; Cohen standardized effect size=2.21; P=.003), and fourth (effect size=2.57, 95% CI 1.62-3.51; Cohen standardized effect size=2.72; P=.048) months post partum. However, parents in the intervention group showed significantly poorer parental bonding (effect size=1.67, 95% CI 0.24-3.11; Cohen standardized effect size=1.16; P=.02). The other parental outcomes did not differ significantly between groups. The scores of mothers and fathers also differed significantly for all outcomes except parental self-efficacy. Parents in the intervention group generally fared better, especially regarding perceived social support. However, the lack of statistical significance in most outcomes showed the limited effectiveness of the SPA intervention, which may be because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Parental differences in outcome scores suggest that mothers and fathers have different support needs; therefore, interventions should be tailored accordingly. Further improvements and evaluations are needed to examine the effectiveness of the SPA intervention in enhancing parental outcomes. Despite statistically insignificant results, limitations should be considered to further improve mobile health app-based interventions such as SPA, as they could serve as reliable and convenient sources of support for parents. Clinicaltrails.gov NCT4706442; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04706442.

Prevalence and impact of peer victimisation among youth seeking treatment at a tertiary psychiatric institution in Singapore: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundPeer victimization is common among adolescents and leads to negative consequences. However, few studies have examined the extent of peer-victimization and its correlates among adolescent patients in a psychiatric setting. The current study aimed to examine the prevalence and correlates of peer victimisation among youth with mental illness and to examine its association with depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQOL).MethodsA sample of 239 youths aged 15–24 years were recruited from the outpatient clinics of a tertiary psychiatric hospital in Singapore using convenience sampling. All participants were administered the Multidimensional Peer Victimisation Scale (MPVS), Short Form 12 (SF-12) questionnaire and the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8). The effect of MPVS total and subscores on depression scores, quality of life subscores and quality of life total scores were examined using multiple linear regression analyses.ResultsThe majority of the patients reported that they had experienced at least one form of peer victimisation (95.8%, n = 229) during their school years. Higher levels of ‘verbal victimisation’, ‘attacks on property’ and higher total MPVS scores were significantly associated with lower social functioning; additionally, higher levels of ‘verbal victimisation’ were significantly associated with lower mental component summary scores in the quality of life assessment. Higher scores on all four subscales as well as higher total scores on the MPVS were significantly associated with more severe depressive symptoms.ConclusionsGiven the high prevalence of peer victimisation in our sample and its associations with more severe depressive symptoms and lower quality of life, it is vital to implement interventions that prevent peer victimisation in educational and other social settings and to provide youth with strategies to more effectively manage instances of peer victimisation.

Amil Zakat Institutions Performance Analysis During the Covid-19 Pandemic: Studies in Indonesia, Singapore, and England

The Amil Zakat Institution is required to have efficient and effective performance, especially during the Covid-19 health crisis. This study aims to measure the performance of amil zakat institutions in Indonesia, Singapore, and England based on the efficiency level with the Data Envelopment Analysis approach and the level of effectiveness with the Allocation to Collection Ratio approach. The efficiency level of amil institutions was measured using the Data Envelopment Analysis method, the non-parametric statistical approach used in calculating the relativity of efficiency. The software used to measure Data Envelopment Analysis is DEAP 2.1. The results of efficiency measurements based on the Data Envelopment Analysis showed that Dompet Dhuafa, Majlis Ugama Islam Singapore (MUIS), and the National Zakat Foundation (NZF) achieved optimal and efficient performance during the Covid-19 pandemic (in 2020), but experienced inefficiency before the Covid-19 pandemic in 2017 (Dompet Dhuafa), 2018 (Dompet Dhuafa &amp; NZF), and 2019 (MUIS). If assessed based on effectiveness in channeling funds using the Allocation to Collection Ratio, Dompet Dhuafa, Majlis Ugama Islam Singapore, and the National Zakat Foundation achieved effective values ​​both before and during the Covid-19 pandemic.

393MO Evaluating medical oncology outcomes (EMOO) in Asia study: Molecular testing, treatment patterns and outcome of patients with stage IV non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer

The EMOO in Asia Study established a clinical annotated population-based registry of lung cancer in a collaboration between ESMO, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and partner institutions in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore and Thailand.

405P Evaluating medical oncology outcomes (EMOO) in Asia study: Diagnosis, staging, treatment patterns and outcome of patients with lung cancer registered 2017-2019

The EMOO in Asia Study established a clinical annotated population-based registry of lung cancer in a collaboration between ESMO, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and partner institutions in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore and Thailand.

Current trends in ESP research in the Asia Pacific region

AbstractESP is the field of second or foreign English language teaching that seeks to prepare learners to use English in a particular domain, such as a workplace or profession, or in study or academic settings. The present review identifies topical themes in current ESP research in the Asia Pacific region using evidence from articles reporting empirical research that were published in the flagship journal in this field, English for Specific Purposes, between 2018–2020. Studies from the region were identified based on the information that the authors had provided about their institutional affiliations. For the purposes of the present review, a subset of around half the studies was collated. This subset included articles from institutions in Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

S136 Real World Validation of an Artificial Intelligence Characterization Support System for Prediction of Polyp Histology in Colonoscopy: Interim Analysis of a Prospective Multicenter Study

Introduction: Colonoscopy is the gold standard for screening of colorectal cancer. Diminutive and hyperplastic polyps do not increase a patient’s risk for colorectal cancer. Prediction of hyperplastic polyp histology is crucial for the resect and discard strategy, which saves cost and decreases procedure time in colonoscopy. This study aims to validate the performance of computer-aided diagnosis (CADx) in distinguishing between hyperplastic and neoplastic polyps during colonoscopy in a real-world setting. Methods: We conducted a prospective multicentre study comparing CADx (Fujifilm Corp., Tokyo) with endocopist optical prediction of polyp histology. We first recorded the optical diagnosis according to the NICE classification by the endoscopist. Following this, the CADx tool was switched on and its prediction recorded. Imaged polyps were resected for histological analysis, which formed the gold standard. Primary outcome was diagnostic accuracy (defined by sensitivity for diagnosis of hyperplastic polyps and concordance rate). Bowel preparation, polyp size and difficulty in location were recorded for subgroup analysis. Results: 414 patients were assessed for eligibility across 4 large tertiary institutions in Singapore between February 2021 and June 2022. 625 polyps (303 hyperplastic, 322 neoplastic) were detected in 257 patients. Concordance rates for CADx and endoscopist predictions were 74.1% [95% confidence interval (CI) 70.5%-77.5%] and 73.1% (95% CI 69.5%-76.6%%), respectively (p=NS). Sensitivity for diagnosis of hyperplastic polyps was 84.2% (95% CI 79.6%-88.1%) and 77.6% (95% CI 72.4%-82.1%) for CADx and endoscopists, respectively (p=NS). CADx also showed superior performance in predicting hyperplastic histology in diminutive polyps compared to endoscopist optical prediction using the NICE classification (sensitivity 81.7%; 95% CI 76.2%-86.4%, versus 76.3%; 95% CI 70.4%-81.5%, respectively). Diagnostic accuracy was similar when analysed according to bowel preparation and difficulty in polyp location during colonoscopy (defined as polyp location behind fold, around bend, or unable to position at 6 o’clock). Conclusion: CADx showed a trend towards increased diagnostic accuracy in prediction of hyperplastic polyp histology during colonoscopy compared to endoscopist prediction in this interim analysis. The superior performance in sensitivity for disgnosis of hyperplastic polyps was also seen in diminutive polyps, but not with poor bowel preparation and difficult polyp location.

Re-orienting healthcare for healthy living communities: A qualitative exploration of nursing students utilising the salutogenic theory for community health practice

BackgroundSalutogenesis is a resource-oriented approach that focuses on health creation. With the shift in focus from healthcare to health, there is a need to develop salutogenic inquiry and capacity of future nurses to promote good health and well-being in the community. ObjectiveThis study explored nursing students' perspectives on utilising the salutogenic theory in the community for health promotion, including the scope, perceived benefits, and challenges of theory application. DesignA qualitative study using framework analysis. SettingA tertiary institution in Singapore. ParticipantsNursing students who were taught the salutogenic theory for ‘Healthy Community Living’ module. MethodsData were gathered from four focus group discussions (n = 18) and 32 students' written assignments. They were analysed based on five components of knowledge framework. ResultsFour themes were identified: re-orienting healthcare for healthy living communities; ambivalent learning experiences; attracting early adopters of salutogenic paradigm; and practices for positive health development in complex systems: future directions. Findings reflected the value, versatility, and usefulness of introducing the salutogenic paradigm into the curriculum of healthcare education. Practical know-hows of applying the theory in community practice and development of health intervention were elicited. ConclusionMuch work is needed to future-proof the next generation of nurses in embracing and unifying the concept of salutogenic science into the existing pathogenic-driven care model. The real challenge would be the continual support of nursing education and health system to provide salutogenic care in the community.

Ambient Air Pollution and Acute Ischemic Stroke-Effect Modification by Atrial Fibrillation.

Acute ischemic strokes (AIS) are closely linked with air pollution, and there is some evidence that traditional cardiovascular risk factors may alter the relationship between air pollution and strokes. We investigated the effect of atrial fibrillation (AF) on the association of AIS with air pollutants. This was a nationwide, population-based, case-only study that included all AIS treated in public healthcare institutions in Singapore from 2009 to 2018. Using multivariable logistic regression, adjusted for time-varying meteorological effects, we examined how AF modified the association between AIS and air pollutant exposure. A total of 51,673 episodes of AIS were included, with 10,722 (20.7%) having AF. The odds of AIS in patients with AF is higher than those without AF for every 1 µg/m3 increase in O3 concentration (adjusted OR [aOR]: 1.005, 95% CI 1.003–1.007) and every 1 mg/m3 increase in CO concentration (aOR: 1.193, 95% CI 1.050–1.356). However, the odds of AIS in patients with AF is lower than those without AF for every 1 µg/m3 increase in SO2 concentration (aOR: 0.993, 95% CI 0.990–0.997). Higher odds of AIS among AF patients as O3− and CO concentrations increase are also observed in patients aged ≥65 years and non-smokers. The results suggest that AF plays an important role in exacerbating the risk of AIS as the levels of O3 and CO increase.

Activating Code Crimson in the emergency department: Expediting definitive care for trauma patients with severe haemorrhage in Singapore

"Trauma activation" is a process adopted across all emergency departments of public healthcare institutions in Singapore, with the aim of rapidly mobilising personnel and resources to care for patients with major trauma. A subset of trauma patients with exsanguinating haemorrhage has a particularly high mortality rate, and they require an additional response beyond the usual trauma activation for definitive haemorrhage control. To address this need, Code Crimson has been developed at Auckland City Hospital in New Zealand and other jurisdictions as a step-up response. This is aimed at early activation of the massive transfusion protocol for haemostatic resuscitation, involvement of additional multidisciplinary teams for rapid decision-making, and expediting definitive haemorrhage control. At present, there is no protocol for activation of Code Crimson in Singapore. Code Crimson may be effective in Singapore, as it has been in other jurisdictions, to reduce morbidity and mortality in major trauma patients with severe haemorrhage.

Hyperparameter optimization strategies for machine learning-based stochastic energy efficient scheduling in cyber-physical production systems

One of the major challenges faced by system operators in an integrated energy system (IES) is to come up with an optimal schedule of the energy generation units in the presence of uncertainties at both the demand and supply sides. Employing efficient forecasts of the uncertain parameters while ensuring the least possible prediction error is crucial to the overall scheduling of IESs. Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), a Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) based architecture is widely used in natural language processing and time series forecasting and has reported to be a viable and powerful forecasting technique. The aim of this work is to enhance the autonomy of energy scheduling in cyber-physical production systems (CPPS) through the development of data-driven LSTM based forecast models for the uncertain parameters. However, one of the demanding tasks in time series forecasting methods such as LSTM and the subject that received little attention is the judicious choice/fine-tuning of the hyperparameter values, which significantly impacts the performance of the developed forecasting models. This paper mainly focuses on the performance analysis of various hyperparameter tuning techniques and algorithms used by LSTM networks in forecasting uncertain parameters for stochastic energy scheduling in the context of smart manufacturing. The plant under consideration is the highly energy intensive Model Factory (MF) at the Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech), that features an actual production environment supporting both experimentation and learning of digitalisation technologies for Industry 4.0. Three main energy sources installed in an IES framework consisting of solar photo voltaic (PV) system, waste-to-energy (WTE) unit and the main utility grid serves as the energy supply module to meet the requested energy by the industrial facility. Various strategies to tune the LSTM hyperparameters in forecasting the uncertain parameters are examined. Among the four strategies, the first one deals with the traditional manual tuning approach and the second one focuses on automating the traditional manual approach using a FOR loop. While the third one focuses on a tuning strategy using Optuna with a grid search algorithm, the fourth strategy concentrates on adopting Optuna with a Bayesian optimization framework. The overall objective entails generating an optimal day-ahead forecast of the uncertain parameters (in this case solar PV irradiance, temperature, main utility grid energy price and the energy demand of the MF) using LSTM based on the best performing hyperparameter tuning techniques. These forecasts are then utilized to solve a day-ahead stochastic energy scheduling problem that generates an optimal energy dispatch schedule with the overall objectives to minimize the total operational cost and carbon emission.

The Development of Professional Identity among Counsellors in Tertiary Educational Institutions in Singapore

Though counselling as a field has been in existence in Singapore for the last 30 years, many individuals (both members of the public and those of other professions) still do not have a clear idea of the roles played by counsellors. This indicates that counsellors’ professional identity is still fairly weak. The purpose of this study was to identify elements of practice which in-fluence the development of professional identity amongst counsellors working in tertiary educational institutions in Singapore. Using grounded theory as the main methodology, the findings from this study seek to extend the growing literature base (Chong &amp; Ow, 2004; Low, 2015; Yeo &amp; Lee, 2014) on the professional development of counsellors in Singapore as well as to potentially be used as the foundation for further research into future efforts to improve professional identities of counsellors in Singapore.