ORCID Profile
0000-0003-4703-5430
Current Organisations
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
,
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
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Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2022
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2021
Publisher: AIP Publishing
Date: 07-2023
DOI: 10.1063/5.0153610
Abstract: We present an experimental study of the hydrodynamics of a buoyant sphere accelerated horizontally along an air–water interface. At low speeds, the sphere floats at the surface, while at higher speeds, the sphere starts oscillating, moving below and toward the free surface akin to underwater skipping. The sphere often breaches and forms an air cavity during its subsequent e. These underwater air cavities become horizontal and are attached to the sphere surface near the laminar flow separation point (∼π/2). High-speed imaging is used to investigate the effects of changing the pulling angle and counterweight-induced velocity on the hydrodynamics. We examine the transition from underwater skipping oscillations to water exit, particularly above the critical Froude number of 1.2, where buoyant spheres experience complex fluid–solid interactions revealing the influence of the air cavity on drag and lift coefficients and overall sphere hydrodynamics. Finally, we analyze the novel phenomenon of the steady motion of the horizontally pulled sphere with an attached inverted-wing-shaped air cavity.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 15-05-2019
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 09-09-2019
DOI: 10.1007/S00127-019-01768-W
Abstract: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) constitute a significant global mental health burden. Prior studies typically investigated the impact of ACEs on mental health using a cumulative risk approach most ACEs studies were also conducted in Western settings. This study aimed to examine ACEs using a pattern-based approach and assess their associations with mental health outcomes by early adulthood in East Asia. The present study included measures of exposure to 13 categories of ACEs, depression, anxiety, maladjustment, and posttraumatic stress in a s le of 1346 university students from Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, and Japan. Latent class analysis indicated three distinct patterns of ACE exposure: Class 1: Low ACEs (76.0%) Class 2: Household Violence (20.6%) and Class 3: Household Dysfunction (3.4%). Those representing Class 3 had significantly more ACEs compared with those in Classes 1 or 2. Controlling for age and sex, those in Class 2 reported significantly higher depression and maladjustment symptoms compared with those in Class 1 both Classes 2 and 3 had significantly higher anxiety symptoms and odds for meeting diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorders compared with those in Class 1. Study findings suggest that young adults' mental health, at least under certain contexts, is more closely linked with the nature and pattern of ACE co-occurrence, rather than the number of ACEs.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 21-12-2019
DOI: 10.1111/INM.12558
Abstract: Mental health stigma has serious ramifications on people with a severe mental illness (SMI). Stigma damages self-esteem, recovery outcomes, family relationships, socialization abilities, access to housing, and career prospects. The cultural tendencies of Chinese people have been shown to be associated with particularly high levels of stigmatization. These cultural tenets can result in high levels of self-stigma due to experiencing shame and a perceived need to keep mental illness a secret. Although there is a lack of existing evidence, it is possible that such experiences present unique challenges to Chinese mothers diagnosed with SMI when they parent their children. Therefore, this qualitative study explored the experiences of parenting and self-stigmatization of Chinese mothers with SMI. In idual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 mothers who were direct carers of their children aged under 18 and who were receiving community-based care in Hong Kong. Manual inductive thematic analysis was used to analyse the interview data. Three main themes related to self-stigmatization emerged from the interviews: (i) distancing and being distanced (ii) doubting myself and (iii) struggling for control. The experiences of self-stigmatization appeared to damage these mothers' self-efficacy, which may negatively affect their parenting self-esteem, tendency to seek professional help, and ability to manage their own mental health. Strategies to improve self-efficacy, including psychoeducation, and additional childcare support/resources are required for mothers with SMI so they can better manage and balance the demands of motherhood and their mental healthcare needs.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 17-10-2022
Abstract: Background: While a number of population preventive measures for COVID-19 exist that help to decrease the spread of the virus in the community, there are still many areas in preventative efforts that need improvement or refinement, particularly as new strains of the virus develop. Some of the key issues currently include incorrect and/or inconsistent use of face masks, low acceptance of early screening or vaccination for COVID-19, vaccine hesitance, and misinformation. This is particularly the case in some vulnerable populations, such as older people with chronic illnesses, ethnic minorities who may not speak the mainstream language well and children. The current protocol introduces a large programme of research through five interrelated studies that all focus on social and behavioural interventions to improve different aspects of community-related preventative indicators. Hence, the specific objectives of the overall programme are to (1) increase early testing for COVID-19 and promote the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in the community (Study 1) (2) increase COVID-19-related health literacy and vaccine literacy and promote improved preventative measures in minority ethnic groups, chronically ill populations and caregivers (Study 2) (3) strengthen the public’s motivation to stay at home and avoid nonessential high-risk activities (Study 3) (4) decrease COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy (Study 4) and (5) enhance the adherence to COVID-19-related hygiene practices and the uptake of early testing in school children (Study 5). Methods: We will utilise a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach in the proposed studies. All studies will incorporate an intervention development phase in conjunction with key community stakeholders, a feasibility study and an execution stage. A variety of self-reported and objective-based measures will be used to assess various outcomes, based on the focus of each study, in both the short- and long-term, including, for ex le, the 8-item self-reported eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEAL) and objective measures such as vaccine uptake. Discussion: Theory-driven interventions will address each study’s focus (e.g., social distancing, promotion of vaccine uptake, eHealth education, preventive measures and early detection). Improvements are expected to be seen in the outcomes of vulnerable and high-risk groups. Decreased infection rates are expected due to improved preventative behaviours and increased vaccine uptake. Long-term sustainability of the approach will be achieved through the CBPR model. The publication of this protocol can assist not only in sharing a large-scale and complex community-based design, but will also allow all to learn from this, so that we will have better insight in the future whether sharing of study designs can elicit timely research initiatives.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.CHIABU.2018.11.009
Abstract: Ample evidence supports significant and enduring associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and negative outcomes later in life. Subsets of ACEs (e.g. childhood maltreatment and household dysfunction) have been examined in Chinese populations, but no known study has comprehensively examined the full constellation of different types of ACEs or patterns of ACE exposure in Chinese s les. As a direct response to the call to establish a global ACEs surveillance framework, this study provides the first translation and validation of the World Health Organization ACE - International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ). Further, patterns of ACE exposure were identified through latent class analysis. The 29-item ACE-IQ was translated and back-translated from English to traditional Chinese to measure exposure to 13 categories of ACEs. The Chinese ACE-IQ demonstrated good content validity the ACE-IQ domain subscales also showed satisfactory test-retest reliability and semantic equivalence. In a s le of 433 Chinese young adults, three patterns of ACE exposure were uncovered: Low ACEs (65.82%), Household Violence (24.94%), and Multiple ACEs (9.24%). Concurrent exposure to physical abuse, domestic violence, and emotional abuse (i.e. Household Violence) was a novel pattern found in this study s le, and suggests there may be traditional Chinese norms that potentiate risks for violent household environments in the absence of other household risk factors. Findings underscore the importance of examining ACE exposure within local contexts, as children's adverse experiences may be idiosyncratic to geographic, social, and cultural norms.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 08-11-2019
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 06-11-2022
DOI: 10.1111/JPM.12804
Abstract: People with severe mental illness (SMI) have high rates of physical illnesses, and carers are core partners in managing their physical health. Qualitative research on carers' views/experiences of physical health care is limited, and there is no published systematic review that synthesizes the current evidence. Carers' views from seven articles were synthesised into nine themes and six subthemes describing their perceived facilitators, barriers and roles regarding the physical health care of people with SMI. Carers' voiced similar concerns to those previously identified by professionals and service users, particularly in relation to poor service access/responsiveness and communication difficulties with healthcare professionals. Mental health nurses should be aware of the risk of diagnostic overshadowing and ensure they are both responsive and sensitive to carers concerns about the physical health of people with SMI. It is essential for mental health nurses to actively involve carers in managing physical health, especially in formulating physical healthcare plans and providing clear practical advice/information. People with severe mental illness (SMI) have high rates of physical illnesses. Informal carers are core partners in addressing these issues, however research on their views/experiences is limited and there is no systematic review published on the topic. This integrative thematic review explored the experiences and views of carers on physical health care in SMI by synthesizing the existing qualitative research findings. Six databases were searched from 2000 to 2021. Data were extracted and synthesised using thematic integrative analysis. The quality of included studies was assessed with the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist. Five studies were included. Nine themes were identified conceptualising carers' perceived facilitators, barriers and roles regarding physical health care for people with SMI. Carers felt that receiving practical help and a specialised role for mental health nurses would facilitate better physical health care. Lack of coordination/communication and poor service access/responsiveness were common barriers, often compounded by diagnostic overshadowing. Carers are involved in promoting healthy lifestyles, monitoring physical health and supporting access to services. Mental health nurses should ensure they are responsive to carers' concerns and proactively support them to promote the physical health of people with SMI.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 30-03-2022
DOI: 10.1002/CAR.2756
Abstract: Home‐visiting mental health professionals (HMHPs) have an important role in identifying suspected child maltreatment in the community. However, it is unclear how professionals in Hong Kong differentiate acceptable discipline behaviours from reportable forms of abuse, and how their characteristics may influence their view. This study examined HMHPs' views on acceptable versus unacceptable parent discipline behaviours. Using Q‐methodology, 50 HMHPs in Hong Kong sorted 52 statements on parent discipline behaviours along a continuum ranging from ‘Most Unacceptable’ to ‘Most Acceptable’. By‐person factor analysis was conducted to uncover prevailing views based on their sorts. Three unique viewpoints in differentiating discipline behaviours from abuse were uncovered, which varied based on how HMHPs prioritised children's physical safety, mental wellness and parental intention. Different views were supported by professionals with different characteristics and occupational backgrounds.
Publisher: AIP Publishing
Date: 09-2021
DOI: 10.1063/5.0061768
Abstract: We use high-speed imaging to investigate the movement of a floating sphere pulled horizontally along a water surface. The model sphere is 10 cm in diameter and has half of the water density resulting in a half-submerged static sphere. By varying the pulling force, we investigate the flow dynamics in the subcritical Reynolds number range, of Re ≈ 2 × 104 to 2 × 105. We characterize three hydrodynamic regimes with the increase in the pulling force, to which we refer to as: low Froude number, Fr & 0.6, intermediate, 0.6 & Fr & 1.2 and high Froude number, Fr & 1.2 regimes. In the low Fr regime, the sphere moves with little disturbance of the water surface and the drag is close to half of the drag on a fully submerged sphere. In the intermediate Fr regime, a pronounced wave pattern is developed which together with the dipping of the sphere below the water level leads to an increase in the drag force. Based on a potential flow approximation for the downward force on the sphere moving along the surface, we derive a semiempirical relation for the sphere dipping as a function of the Froude number. Finally, in the high Fr regime, the sphere movement switches to a mode of periodic dipping below and surfacing above the water surface. The periodic vertical motion portrays a decrease in the average drag force.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 08-12-2021
DOI: 10.1111/JPM.12809
Abstract: People diagnosed with schizophrenia have poor cardiometabolic health, with elevated 10‐year cardiovascular disease risk (CVD‐R) scores and low quality of life (QOL). There is a lack of understanding about CVD‐R scores in people diagnosed with early psychosis and no studies have quantified CVD‐R using the QRISK ® 3 calculator in this client group. Establishing potential relationships between modifiable lifestyle behaviours/treatment characteristics with CVD‐R or QOL may identify targets for early intervention. This is the first study to quantify the in idual 10‐year CVD‐R of people diagnosed with early psychosis utilising the QRISK ® 3 calculator. This is also the first study to investigate relationships between QOL and CVD‐R and lifestyle factors in a cohort of Thai people diagnosed with early psychosis. We observed low levels of physical health‐related QOL and high levels of CVR‐R despite participants reporting relatively positive lifestyle behaviours. The cardiometabolic health state of this client group warrants as much attention as for those with an enduring severe mental illness early preventative interventions are warranted. It may be useful to routinely quantify the CVD‐R of people diagnosed with early psychosis using the QRISK ® 3 calculator, even in the absence of immediate concerns about lifestyle behaviours. Mental health nurses should utilise evidence‐based approaches such as increasing activity levels, dietary counselling and behaviour change interventions to mitigate poor physical health in this client group. People diagnosed with schizophrenia have poor cardiometabolic health, with elevated 10‐year cardiovascular disease risk (CVD‐R) scores and poor quality of life (QOL). There is lack of understanding of these issues in early psychosis. To quantify CVD‐R in people diagnosed with early psychosis and profile their obesity prevalence, lifestyle behaviours and QOL. Secondary aim was to explore associations between lifestyle behaviours/treatment characteristics and CVD‐R/QOL. Baseline data from 81 RCT participants were used to profile cardiometabolic health risks (QRISK ® 3, BMI and waist circumference). Participants self‐reported lifestyle behaviours and QOL. Relationships between modifiable treatment/lifestyle factors and QOL/CVD‐R were explored. Participants’ relative risk for CVD over 10 years was 1.93 times higher than healthy counterparts 39% also had an obese BMI and physical QOL was poor. No significant associations were observed between CVD‐R or QOL with treatment characteristics and lifestyle factors. Despite positive lifestyle behaviours, participants had elevated CVD‐R scores and poor physical health‐related QOL. Quantifying CVD‐R with QRISK ® 3 may highlight the need for health promotion interventions. Mental health professionals should be aware that elevated CVD‐R exists in the context of relatively healthy lifestyle behaviours and utilise evidence‐based interventions to address these issues.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 25-06-2018
DOI: 10.1007/S00127-018-1555-5
Abstract: In the original publication of this article, Acknowledgements Section was not included. The Acknowledgements are given below. The original article has been corrected.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2022
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 21-08-2019
DOI: 10.1002/GPS.5197
Abstract: To examine levels of knowledge about dementia and attitudes towards dementia in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), identify sources to turn to for help, and explore the relationship between knowledge and attitudes. This mixed methods study with both quantitative (a cross-sectional survey) and qualitative (focus group interviews) components was conducted in Cambodia, the Philippines, and Fiji in 2017-18. A survey was completed by the citizens of the three countries, and two focus group interviews were conducted in each country to generate a context-specific understanding of dementia literacy within the local LMIC setting. The quantitative component utilized the Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale and the Dementia Attitude Scale, while knowledge, attitudes, and views on seeking help for dementia was discussed in the focus group interviews (qualitative component). A total of 476 participants completed the survey. Another 54 participants (39 females and 15 males) were invited to join six focus group interviews to express their views on dementia. Positive attitudes were noted despite the level of dementia knowledge was low. Families and religious figures were viewed as the sources for help. Controlling for demographics, country-specific predictors of positive attitudes towards dementia were found. The involvement of family members and religious leaders in dementia education could enhance the recognition of dementia. Specific kinds of dementia knowledge should be targeted to educate the public in different countries.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 02-06-2018
DOI: 10.1007/S00127-018-1538-6
Abstract: Depression literacy refers to the ability to recognize depression and make informed decisions about its treatment. To date, relatively little research has been done to examine depression literacy in the Western Pacific region. Given the pervasiveness of depression and the need to enhance mental health care in this region, it is important to gain a better understanding of depression literacy and health-seeking behaviors in this part of the world. This mixed-methods study utilized a convergent parallel design to examine depression literacy and the associated health-seeking attitudes among urban adults from three countries-Cambodia, Philippines, and Fiji. A total of 455 adults completed a quantitative survey on depression knowledge, attitudes, and professional help seeking. Separately, 56 interviewees from 6 focus groups provided qualitative data on their impression and knowledge of depression and mental illness within the context of their local communities. Overall, results showed that depression knowledge was comparatively lower in this region. Controlling for differences across countries, higher knowledge was significantly associated with more positive attitudes towards mental illness (B = - 0.28, p = 0.025) and professional help seeking (B = 0.20, p < 0.001). Financial stability, such as employment, was also a salient factor for help seeking. This study was the first to provide a baseline understanding on depression literacy and highlights the need to increase public knowledge on depression in the Western Pacific. Culturally congruent recommendations on enhancing depression literacy in this region, such as anti-stigma c aigns, use of financial incentives, and family-based approach in health education, are discussed.
Location: Saudi Arabia
No related grants have been discovered for Grace Wing Ka HO.