Good bye 2010, Hello 2011

Before we welcome to arrival of year 2011, let me share some most-views blog posts of 2010 to fellow readers. The posts are as follows (blog posts are not arranged in rank order):-

2010 Year End Review- (in Mandarin)

http://limchoonkiat-ck.blogspot.com/2010/12/2010-year-end-review-in-mandarin.html

Associate status of the Higher Education Academy

http://limchoonkiat-ck.blogspot.com/2010/07/associate-status-of-higher-education.html

APPEAL FOR PTPTN REPAYMENT EXEMPTION (borrowers who graduated with First Class Honours)

http://limchoonkiat-ck.blogspot.com/2010/12/appeal-for-ptptn-repayment-exemption.html

trip to Pollock Country Park

http://limchoonkiat-ck.blogspot.com/2009/10/trip-to-pollock-country-park.html

CV/ Resume

http://limchoonkiat-ck.blogspot.com/p/cv-resume.html

新闻稿

http://limchoonkiat.blogspot.com/2010/09/blog-post_25.html

基因改造蚊子：一个有希望但不可马虎/必须严格监管的计划

http://limchoonkiat.blogspot.com/2010/12/blog-post.html

期待

http://limchoonkiat.blogspot.com/2010/07/blog-post_9022.html

聆听

http://limchoonkiat.blogspot.com/2010/07/blog-post_28.html

英国高等教育学院专业资格

http://limchoonkiat.blogspot.com/2010/07/blog-post_18.html

不要高楼

http://limchoonkiat.blogspot.com/2010/10/blog-post_23.html

教育不该只惠及精英分子

http://limchoonkiat.blogspot.com/2010/07/blog-post_27.html

优质教育是否还存在呢

http://limchoonkiat.blogspot.com/2010/07/blog-post_19.html

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Hereby, I am wishing everyone Merry Christmas & a happy new year. Let’s move forward, I believe 2011 will be a great year. All the best.

2010 Year End Review- (in Mandarin)

Apologies, time constraint, not able to write it in another language, feel free to use Google translator, I believe it is working well. Perhaps I may post the English version later time..cheers..

Wishing you Merry Xmas & a Happy New Year
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2010年平淡的一年，心情没太大起伏。倒是花了些时间进行学术以外的阅读，以及更加关注国内时事动态。

最近购买了一本金读版（kindle）的《蓝海策略》书籍。得到不少启发（还在阅读中，每年再跟大家分享吧）。但我可以领悟到的一点就是科研也少不了蓝海策略。创新突破，思维上的改变，如何变通，避免在“红海中厮杀”都可应用在科研上。

我的博士研究专注于某酶（enzyme）在植物中的功能。至今，我们从生物信息的数据库得知共有3个基因（genes）表达和制造此酶。由于至今没人知此酶的作用，加上没有先前实验记录或成果可参考。因此对我来说，我的博士研究是很有趣，充满挑战（hmm,没有博士研究是不挑战的。。哈哈，除了那些冒牌的之外）。

在跟导师与同事讨论当儿，大家都猜测此酶功能主要于对抗环境压力（如：干旱，病毒侵袭等），也因此我就有了先入为主的心态，认定此酶的功能必定如此，非得到这方面数据不可。其中一个了解此酶的功能的方式就是得到突变体（mutant).由于突变体没有制造此酶的基因，因此当我们那突变体植物跟原生体（wild type)比较,那么我们便可推测其功能。

就这样，读了一年博，重复又重复的实验，我都的不到满意的结果。因为突变体和原生体没显示出明显的差异。当时，唯一欣慰的是做了9个月的实验，才发觉所用的4个突变体中有两个是“假的”-（就是它的基因没受到影响，因此跟原生体没分别）

当时是8月份，也没想太多，打算回国度假充电后在回来打拼。回来了，充电了。还是，被不理想数据弄的失望了。泄气的我停止了两个星期的实验。停下来，让我好好沉淀，思考问题出现在哪儿。

这两个星期我少了对实验的牵挂，没去理会社交网络的点滴、动态更新。就只进行学术和非学术阅读，煮些丰富的菜肴，尽量让自己放松。这段时间，让我再次“开窍”。

发觉到这一年来，在进行实验时我的主观性太强。在还没证实该酶的作用，我不该断定它的功能必定是抗压。我当时也不够严谨，因为得不到数据而什么实验都尝试去做，而且做得不精。倒头来，两头不到岸。就如，《蓝海策略》所提，我应该突破框架，从另一个角度探讨问题，不要闭塞。还有，才还没进行深入实验时，要好好了解你的课题，多看看相关的文献，细心的设计实验，还有别忘了获得充分休息。

两个星期后，我再来进行新的实验。除了从其他方面探讨此酶的功能（如其对成长的功能、荷尔蒙的反应等），也在目前进行的抗压实验进行改良。用跟严谨的方式去探讨问题，多加几个quality control指标，等。把实验的方向缩小-“求专不求多”。设立一个清单和时间表以鉴定所有需要好好掌握的技术，以及该向那位专家学习。也把，之前的“杂念”放一旁，不太重要、费时、费力的实验留到稍后在做。

收集和分析数据后，获得不少有趣数据，之前毫无突破的抗压实验也开始有头绪了。上星期跟导师进行了2小时的年终汇报，他对进展感到满意。我们也开始拟定计划如何从这些有趣的数据进行更深入的专研。以彻底了解此酶在有关方面的功能，这也少不了要发表文献的考量。

我的表达能力不太好，但是从以上的实验心得中想要表达的信息是：-

不要轻易被挫折打败，船到桥头自然直。别把自己局限在框架中，自己跟自己的影子过不去。别太闭塞。要伸缩，看开。冷静分析问题。有些时候，主观性别太强，尝试学习接受与学会放开。要学会突围，开创新机会。也与大家一同分享奶茶在我推特（twitter)的留言：“谨慎认真纪律，通常都是成功人士的基石”

hmm,对了。英国政府将会收回留学生毕业后可留在英国工作两年的准证。虽然不了解这会对博士研究生带来什么层次的影响。但，在新的一年，我会重新看回之前拟定过的后备计划。以及（如有必要）为2009-2014五年计划进行修改。××铺后路很重要，因为你永远不知下一起突发事件。

家人与亲情永远是我最重要的一环，每个星期跟他们联系是少不了，他们是我的推动力。

近期报章评论提到“知识分子去了哪里？”。我答：“哈喽，我在这里”。哈哈，身为一分子，在新的一年我会继续在知识经济、科研和教育课题提出看法。明年的第一篇博文将会是关于人才计划（talent plan）。

至于我的明年计划。。。。。算了吧，抱歉。。我不按牌理出牌的性格，我无意公开。认识我的亲友都知我是walk the talk 的人, 而不是talk the cock 的家伙。规划很重要，执行的意愿更加不可少，很多人有不少计划，但最后不了了之，沦为豪言而已。我相信缺乏纪律，不灵活变通是当中的原因。规划这回是不是与生俱来的，它是慢慢积累的。当你先拟定一个小计划/目标，成功实现后。这就会激励你在拟定较大（但实际）的计划更得心应手。急不来的，慢慢学习。计划/目标必须是SMART: SPECIFIC, MEASURABLE, ACHIEVABLE, RELIABLE, TIMELY

我已有一系列规划，适当时候会在社交网站在慢慢跟大家分享，交流交流。

最后预祝大家圣诞与新年快乐。

你也许有兴趣阅读过去两年的回顾：

2009年：http://limchoonkiat.blogspot.com/2009/12/2009-2010.html

2008年 ：http://limchoonkiat.blogspot.com/2008/12/20082009.html

more & more straight-A students

Read the following tweet this morning:-

 

RT @SinChewPress: 2010年初中評估考試（PMR）成績標青，是過去4年來成績最好的一次，總共有3萬零863人考獲全科A（7.02%），比去年增加了2千675人。

it means:”Excellence 2010 PMR result, the best achievement over the past 4 years. There’re 30863 students obtained straight As (7.02%), an increase of 2675 students compared with last year”

 

I am wondering every year we're producing so many full A students from public exam. Is this a sign that we hv better students quality? Or exam is getting easier? Or ironically they are good 'exam answering machine'? How these excellence results link to their personalities, character building and mentality?

Why Study Plants?

Impressed with the launch of “Teaching Tools in Plant Biology” in one of the high-impact Plant Biology’s journals- The Plant Cell.

 

I believe most of my friends know that I am a postgraduate student in Plant Science. The first article- Why Study Plants? clearly illustrate my intention & passion to carry out studies in this area.

 

This article is written for general public, easily understandable without the excessive used of scientific jargon. You can download the article &/ power point presentation at (YouTube video is available as well):

 

http://www.plantcell.org/teachingtools/TTPB1.dtl

 

Hope you enjoy reading this interesting article. Cheers

 

Snowing is great, but……… =.=’’’ @-@

More pictures available at:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=254256&id=757132962&l=e15ac0e465

Although it looks good, but it is challenging when ice formed on the next day. Icy road is slippery and sometime could be dangerous. (imagine you’re skating on ice with sport shoes)



Luckily I got a ice-spiker recently, this helps me to walk comfortably. 



Enjoy your snow then :)

Featured on the latest issue of GARNet Newsletter.

 

Featured on the latest issue of GARNet (http://www.garnetcommunity.org.uk/) Newsletter.

GARNet is a BBSRC (Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council) sponsored network set up to support UK scientists to develop and undertake excellent research using model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana. Funny comment from Prof after he read the newsletter: “You’re famous in UK Plant Science community, but your picture...face too small, windows too big..” LOL =.= haha :)

APPEAL FOR PTPTN REPAYMENT EXEMPTION (borrowers who graduated with First Class Honours)

To whom it may concern (PTPTN REPAYMENT EXEMPTION for borrowers who graduated with First Class Honours):

Please join the following group:-

Group Name: APPEAL FOR PTPTN REPAYMENT EXEMPTION

**It’s a closed group, therefore you have to sign in to your Facebook account.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/home.php?sk=group_157840467593335

It's network group created for Malayisan PTPTN borrowers who graduated with First Class Honours but not entitled to loan exemption, united we stand and spell out our wish to be exempted from the loan repayment.

**The admin are compiling the names for further appeal actions.

Cheers

Congratulation to WenNi & Ramoz (version1).wmv

Congratz to the couple, and this is the greeting from fellow UTAR biotech coursemate :)

Register to vote. Do it Now!

I refer to the blogpost on Niamah blog.

If the 13th General Elections are going to be called for March 2011
then the last day to register as a voter is
December 15, 2010

There isn't much time. Register to vote now!

You can register to vote at any Malaysian

post-office. Nation-wide. 

Do it soon. Before December 15, 2010.

If you’re unhappy with the current situation, use your ballot as the bullet to “shoot” down the incompetence people representatives.  

Remember, every little help, everyone plays a role here. We have to be proactive, initiative, responsive &creative on nation issues, instead sitting there waiting for solution.

Once again, I would like to urge you:

Do it now! Register to Vote! Action is Power!

review on #Kindle 3

I got kindle in Sept 2010. It’s a good reading device, and I would rate it 8/10. More info about the product can visit the following page: http://amzn.to/cHj9x8

I like the e-ink technology offered by this device, it makes no difference as in reading paper document. With 4 gb storage, we can carry many documents in this handy device. Apart from carrying whole stack of documents, we are reducing papers use as well by promoting e-book reading.

Unlike LED device, we able to read in bright sunlight with no glare, and with paper-like screen Kindle also offers better contrast.

As claimed by Amazon, it has a long battery life (a single charge lasts up to one month with wireless off). I have charges three times from September until now, occasionally with wifi on.



However, I have few comments on this device, as follows:-

Personalised screen saver-Kindle comes with pre-set screen saver, but it would be great if we can set the jpeg image as screen saver.

Note pad- Although there’s a note taking feature on book you  read, but it would be useful if a stand alone (just like dictionary) notepad is available. (just in case we can write down something when paper is not available)

Support for power point

Multiple documents delete-Right now It’s inconvenient when we want to delete few documents at a time. Instead, we have to delete one by one.

Poor document conversion, i.e. html to kindle format (occasionally)- as display in  the picture below, poor text display i.e. “productivit y” instead of “productivity”




Dynamic 5-way controller. As in the picture below, (with Kindle’s top to down menu clicking) I have to press “down” key 6 times to “delete this document”

Why don’t Kindle allows us to press “up” key one time, and it will scroll to “delete this document”. (** less no. of clicks = save more time )
 

Kindle didn’t display the Chinese character of file name properly  




Better PDF viewing capabilities- we can’t view the document properly, i.e. zoom in 200% (as in the picture below, red circle part), if zoom out, to 150%, we can’t view the document clearly, the text is too small for me (I tried with landscape mode as well). If there is flexible zoom in/out scale, then we can view PDF in comfortable way.



A plus point is software update available for Kindle,  I’m looking forward to the improved version of Kindle software. Overall, I am happy with this device, I will not hesitate to recommend this gadget to others.

First snow in Exeter year2010

Pictures tell the story

from home:

 

from bedroom:

 

from lab:

Secret Santa & 2009 Christmas

I have decided to try the following 3 courses meal in the coming Christmas party

garlic mushroom mixed salad + honey salmon (i tried turkey before) + chocolate chip sponge pudding :)

We have a secret Santa in every Christmas party, i.e. gift exchange session based on “word” you picked up. This year I got “FRESH”, any gift idea feel free to tell me..Hmm, I’m thinking fresh salmon fillet (oops, that’s kiding) / chewing gum / shower gel

Last year I got the word “LIGHT”, I bought a wax lantern & scented candle. It was the first time in my life to wrap a present @-@, it looked a bit bulky..



This is an interesting Christmas card I got from one of the colleagues last year. The card featured with Malacca’s red house.  


Well, I got the following gift in the secret Santa session (gift with the word ”triangle”)


The Ferrero chocolate was the present to my supervisor when I went to his open house.

Christmas card from M&S, gave to colleagues last year… Thinking what kind of card to get this year..

2011 Summer vacation

I have booked air ticket to Northern Ireland, Belfast & county
Antrim. Main attractions are such as Giant's Causeway (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant%27s_Causeway) & Belfast (http://wikitravel.org/en/Belfast)
Looking forward to the summer vacation
for info can visit http://ow.ly/35rQp

Trip to Bath & Stonehenge

Joined Exeter Uni. international society for a day trip to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Visited the following places:

 

1) revisit Stonehenge, the great, unique and ancient stone circles that evolved between 3000 BC and 1600 BC and is aligned with the rising and setti...ng of the sun at the solstices, but its exact purpose remains a mystery. Many myths about the significance of Stonehenge, it may have been an astronomical observatory or used for sacred rituals. (Previous album: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=191588&id=757132962&l=9d0275f7fe )

2) City of Bath (source: www.bath.co.uk): recognised as world heritage site due to its Roman remains, 18th century archictecture+town planning and social setting. Also the only city in Britain with natural hot spring, but didn't go in due to long queue and expensive entrance fee. Visited the Royal Crescent, the Circus, the Abbey, & Pulteney Bridge.

 

More pictures visit the following album

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=244562&id=757132962&l=e3ea03db2c