SMRT concludes investigation into accident that led to death of two staff members, Transport News & Top Stories - The Straits Times

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/smrt-concludes-investigation-into-accident-that-led-to-death-of-two-staff?xtor=EREC-16-2[ST_Newsletter_PM]-20160425-[SMRT+concludes+investigation+into+accident+that+led+to+death+of+two+staff+members]&xts=538291

SMRT concludes investigation into accident that led to death of two staff members

SINGAPORE - Critical safety procedures were not followed when the accident which led to the death of two SMRT maintenance staff members happened, SMRT said on Monday (April 25) after completing its investigations into the mishap near Pasir Ris MRT Station on March 22.

The investigations found that the deaths of Nasrulhudin Najumudin, 26, and Muhammad Asyraf Ahmad Buhari, 24, could have been avoided had safety measures been put into place.

Before a work team is allowed onto the track, protection measures must be taken. This includes setting the speed limit on the affected track sector to 0 kmh so that no train can enter on automated mode, and deploying watchmen to look out for approaching trains .

The SMRT's Accident Review Panel comprised members of the SMRT Board Risk Committee and three independent experts from Keppel Corporation, Transport for London which runs the London Underground, and a former staff member of Hong Kong's Mass Transit Railway Corporation.

The panel determined that these vital safety protection measures were not taken.

It also said that the effectiveness of such protection before entry into the work site was not ensured as required under existing procedures, directly causing the accident.

SMRT said that its report has been submitted to the Ministry of Manpower, Singapore Police Force and Land Transport Authority to help with their statutory investigations.

In the course of the review, the Accident Review Panel set out to examine the internal investigation findings - including the chronology of events leading up to the accident and its causes - and put forth recommendations to prevent a recurrence.

On the day of the accident, a joint engineering team comprising six signal staff members, including four trainees, and nine permanent way staff members - including two trainees - were tasked to examine a signaling monitoring device along the tracks near Pasir Ris MRT Station.

The device had earlier registered a warning of a possible fault that could affect train service.

The engineering team made its way to the device in single file along the maintenance walkway. As they approached the device, the signal team, led by a supervisor, stepped onto the track before the protection measures were implemented.

The supervisor narrowly avoided being hit by the oncoming train, but Nasrulhudin and Muhammad Asyraf, who were second and third in line, were unable to react in time.

There were also other factors identified as areas for improvement, namely track access management controls, communication protocols and track vigilance by various parties.

The Accident Review Panel concluded that while existing safety protection mechanisms are adequate, and current operating procedures continue to be relevant and applicable, they can be improved for greater clarity and ease of ground implementation.

In a statement to the media on Monday ( April 25),the rail operator said that it "deeply regrets" the failure to put into place safety procedures that led to the two deaths.

"SMRT Trains has taken immediate steps to ensure stricter enforcement of procedures, strengthened system ownership and control across levels and work teams, and tightened supervision within teams to prevent a recurrence," it said, adding that it was "comprehensively reviewing" all safety structures, processes and compliance.

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Goodwood Park bakery suspended after 76 food poisoning cases linked to durian pastries, Singapore News & Top Stories - The Straits Times

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/goodwood-park-bakery-suspended-after-76-food-poisoning-cases-linked-to-durian-pastries?xtor=EREC-16-1[ST_Newsletter_AM]-20160423-[Goodwood+Park+bakery+suspended+after+76+food+poisoning+cases+linked+to+durian+pastries]&xts=538291

Goodwood Park bakery suspended after 76 food poisoning cases linked to durian pastries

Goodwood Park Hotel's bakery has had its food establishment licence suspended after 76 cases of food poisoning were linked to its popular durian pastries.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) and National Environment Agency (NEA) investigated after the first incident was reported on March 15.

The ministry inspected the bakery after a second incident was reported on April 4. Joint investigations were conducted by the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA), MOH and NEA on April 13 after more incidents were reported.

Though lapses in food handling were discovered, there were no hygiene lapses or pests found. The AVA also did not find lapses in safety from food suppliers.

Stool samples from the affected parties as well as food handlers are currently being screened by MOH, and only handlers who have been certified medically fit will resume work after the bakery reopens.

All food handlers will also be required to retake and pass the Basic Food Hygiene course.

The hotel is required to clean and sanitise the bakery, including equipment, utensils, work surfaces and toilets, as well as rectify the identified food preparation lapses.

Goodwood Park Hotel has apologised to its guests and said it is cooperating with the agencies. "We would like to assure the public and all our guests that we treat all matters relating to food safety standards very seriously," it said in a Facebook post, adding that it is sourcing alternatives to the affected desserts from "reputable establishments".

Goodwood Park began offering durian desserts in 1983. Its durian- flavoured offerings have included puffs and cakes as well as seasonal treats like durian Christmas log cakes and mooncakes.

The latest news has shocked both patrons and food critics.

"Goodwood Park's durian pastries, especially the puffs, are dependably good and the hotel comes up with new offerings every year, so this comes as a real surprise," said Ms Tan Hsueh Yun, food editor for The Straits Times Life section.

Public relations executive and fan of Goodwood Park's pastries, Mr Jonathan Lim, 29, said he will give them another go if the licence is renewed, but added: "This is quite disappointing."

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American pop music superstar Prince dies at his home in Minnesota, aged 57, Entertainment News & Top Stories - The Straits Times

http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/latest-singer-prince-confirmed-dead-at-age-57-at-his-paisley-park-estate

American pop music superstar Prince dies at his home in Minnesota, aged 57

CHANHASSEN, Minnesota (REUTERS) - US music superstar Prince, whose hits included Purple Rain and Kiss, was found unresponsive on Thursday at his Minnesota home and was later declared dead, his publicist said. He was 57.

"It is with profound sadness that I am confirming that the legendary, iconic performer, Prince Rogers Nelson has died,"said publicist Anna Meacham.

Celebrity website TMZ, citing sources close to the star, was first to report Prince's death at the home in Paisley Park, in the Minneapolis suburb of Chanhassen.

There were no immediate details on the cause of death, and the local medical examiner declined to comment.

"Today, the world lost a creative icon." —@POTUS on the passing of @Prince: http://go.wh.gov/pwk91h 

— The White House (‎@WhiteHouse) 3:55 AM - 22 Apr 2016

He Changed The World!! A True Visionary. What a loss. I'm Devastated. This is Not A Love Song.

— Madonna (‎@Madonna) 3:47 AM - 22 Apr 2016

Prince was an innovative and influential singer and songwriter whose music combined jazz, funk and disco. His hit songs also included Raspberry Beret and Little Red Corvette.

He first found fame in the late 1970s, and over the next three decades became known as one of the most inventive and eccentric forces in American pop music.

2 GIVE THANX 4 THE GOOD WEATHER AND 4 ALL THE LOVE AND SUPPORT...

— Prince (‎@prince) 1:02 AM - 17 Apr 2016

Prince, an intensely private person, sold more than 100 million records during his career, won seven Grammy awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.

He won an Oscar for best orginal song score for Purple Rain, the 1984 movie whose music was based on his album of the same name. Prince also starred in the movie.

And just like that...the world lost a lot of magic Rest in peace Prince! Thanks for giving us so much...

— KATY PERRY (‎@katyperry) 1:13 AM - 22 Apr 2016

In 2007, he played the Super Bowl in one of the most celebrated such performances.

Last week, the singer was briefly hospitalised with the flu after his plane made an emergency landing in Moline, Illinois, TMZ reported.

A representative told the celebrity news outlet that the singer had performed in Atlanta even though he was not feeling well and felt worse after boarding the plane for a flight back to Minnesota.

R.I.P PRINCE, another icon gone to soon

— SHAQ (‎@SHAQ) 1:04 AM - 22 Apr 2016

Prince's most recent album, HITnRUN: Phase Two was released in December 2015, and the artist had been on tour in the United States as recently as last week.

In 1993, Prince legally changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol, but later changed it back again.

He was born Prince Rogers Nelson in Minneapolis on June 7, 1958, and is said to have written his first song at the age of 7. As well as singing and writing, he played multiple instruments, including guitar, keyboards and drums.

This is perfect. #PrinceRIP

— Jodie Fleischer (‎@jodiewsb) 2:50 AM - 22 Apr 2016

His music was marked by sexually charged lyrics and explosive live performances, while his private life was marked by a string of romances linking him with the likes of Madonna and Kim Basinger and Carmen Electra.

Prince was married twice: to his backup singer, Mayte Garcia, in 1996 and then to Manuela Testolini in 2001. Both marriages ended in divorce.

Twitter lit up with reaction from dismayed friends and fans.

.@GayleObrien: Cannot believe it. #PrinceRIP

— 107.5 DAVE ROCKS (‎@1075daverocks) 1:24 AM - 22 Apr 2016

Prince was the top-trending term on the social media network in the United States on Thursday afternoon with more than 840,000 mentions.

Death's a primitive concept. I prefer to think of him battling evil in another dimension. #princeRIP @sketch_dailies

— Nate Taylor (‎@MajorSheep) 3:11 AM - 22 Apr 2016

"And just like that ... the world lost a lot of magic Rest in peace Prince! Thanks for giving us so much," tweeted pop star Katy Perry.

Film director Spike Lee said on Twitter: "I Miss My Brother. Prince Was A Funny Cat. Great Sense Of Humor."

More Prince stories here.

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STOMP: Red BMW bursts into flames on CTE near Balestier exit causing massive jam

Red BMW bursts into flames on CTE near Balestier exit causing massive jam
http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/red-bmw-bursts-into-flames-on-cte-near-ang-mo-kio-causing-massive-jam?xtor=CS3-5

A red BMW burst into flames on the CTE near Ang Mo Kio at around 1.30pm this afternoon (April 17).

Stompers Veronica, Karthik, Cindy, Zen, Mr Lee, and Charaine alerted Stomp to the incident and provided photos of videos from the scene.

The fire was huge sending thick plumes of smoke that could be seen by motorists from a distance.

According to Charaine, three lanes were closed as firemen attended to the fire causing a massive jam on the CTE.

A Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) spokesperson provided Stomp with the following statement:

"SCDF was alerted to a fire involving the engine compartment of a car at CTE towards AYE after Balestier exit at about 1pm and deployed one fire engine and two red rhinos.

"The fire was swiftly extinguished by SCDF using one water jet.

"No one was injured.

"The cause of the fire is being investigated"

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How Does a Mathematician's Brain Differ from That of a Mere Mortal? - Scientific American

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-does-a-mathematician-s-brain-differ-from-that-of-a-mere-mortal/#

How Does a Mathematician's Brain Differ from That of a Mere Mortal?

Credit: Getty Images/Hemera (MARS)

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Alan Turing, Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking, John Nash—these "beautiful" minds never fail to enchant the public, but they also remain somewhat elusive. How do some people progress from being able to perform basic arithmetic to grasping advanced mathematical concepts and thinking at levels of abstraction that baffle the rest of the population? Neuroscience has now begun to pin down whether the brain of a math wiz somehow takes conceptual thinking to another level.

Specifically, scientists have long debated whether the basis of high-level mathematical thought is tied to the brain's language-processing centers—that thinking at such a level of abstraction requires linguistic representation and an understanding of syntax—or to independent regions associated with number and spatial reasoning. In a study published this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a pair of researchers at the INSERM–CEA Cognitive Neuroimaging Unit in France reported that the brain areas involved in math are different from those engaged in equally complex nonmathematical thinking.

The team used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to scan the brains of 15 professional mathematicians and 15 nonmathematicians of the same academic standing. While in the scanner the subjects listened to a series of 72 high-level mathematical statements, divided evenly among algebra, analysis, geometry and topology, as well as 18 high-level nonmathematical (mostly historical) statements. They had four seconds to reflect on each proposition and determine whether it was true, false or meaningless.

The researchers found that in the mathematicians only, listening to math-related statements activated a network involving bilateral intraparietal, dorsal prefrontal, and inferior temporal regions of the brain. This circuitry is usually not associated with areas involved in language processing and semantics, which were activated in both mathematicians and nonmathematicians when they were presented with the nonmathematical statements. "On the contrary," says study co-author and graduate student Marie Amalric, "our results show that high-level mathematical reflection recycles brain regions associated with an evolutionarily ancient knowledge of number and space."

Previous research has found that these nonlinguistic areas are active when performing rudimentary arithmetic calculations and even simply seeing numbers on a page, suggesting a link between advanced and basic mathematical thinking. In fact, co-author Stanislas Dehaene, director of the Cognitive Neuroimaging Unit and experimental psychologist, has studied how humans (and even some animal species) are born with an intuitive sense of numbers—of quantity and arithmetic manipulation—closely related to spatial representation. How the connection between a hardwired "number sense" and higher-level math is formed, however, remains unknown. This work raises the intriguing question of whether an innate capability to recognize different quantities—that two pieces of fruit are greater than one—is the biological foundation on which can be built the capacity to master group theory. "It would be interesting to investigate the causal chain between lower-level and higher-level mathematical competency," says Daniel Ansari, a cognitive neuroscientist at the University of Western Ontario who did not participate in the study. "Most of us master basic arithmetic, so we're already recruiting these brain regions, but only a fraction of us go on to do high-level math. We don't yet know whether becoming a mathematical expert changes the way you do arithmetic or whether learning arithmetic lays out the foundation for acquiring higher-level mathematical concepts."

Ansari suggests that a training study, in which nonmathematicians are taught advanced mathematical concepts, could provide a better understanding of these connections and how they form. Moreover, achieving expertise in mathematics may affect neuronal circuitry in other ways. Amalric's study found that mathematicians had reduced activity in the visual areas of the brain involved in facial processing. This could mean that the neural resources required to grasp and work with certain math concepts may undercut—or "use up"—some of the brain's other capacities. Although additional studies are needed to determine whether mathematicians actually do process faces differently, the researchers hope to gain further insight into the effects that expertise has on how the brain is organized.

"We can start to investigate where exceptional abilities come from, and the neurobiological correlates of such high-level expertise," Ansari says. "I just think it's great that we now have the capability to use brain imaging to answer these deep questions about the complexity of human abilities."

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR(S)

Jordana Cepelewicz

Jordana Cepelewicz is a science writer based in New York City.

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How Does a Mathematician's Brain Differ from That of a Mere Mortal? - Scientific American

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-does-a-mathematician-s-brain-differ-from-that-of-a-mere-mortal/#

How Does a Mathematician's Brain Differ from That of a Mere Mortal?

Credit: Getty Images/Hemera (MARS)

Advertisement

Alan Turing, Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking, John Nash—these "beautiful" minds never fail to enchant the public, but they also remain somewhat elusive. How do some people progress from being able to perform basic arithmetic to grasping advanced mathematical concepts and thinking at levels of abstraction that baffle the rest of the population? Neuroscience has now begun to pin down whether the brain of a math wiz somehow takes conceptual thinking to another level.

Specifically, scientists have long debated whether the basis of high-level mathematical thought is tied to the brain's language-processing centers—that thinking at such a level of abstraction requires linguistic representation and an understanding of syntax—or to independent regions associated with number and spatial reasoning. In a study published this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a pair of researchers at the INSERM–CEA Cognitive Neuroimaging Unit in France reported that the brain areas involved in math are different from those engaged in equally complex nonmathematical thinking.

The team used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to scan the brains of 15 professional mathematicians and 15 nonmathematicians of the same academic standing. While in the scanner the subjects listened to a series of 72 high-level mathematical statements, divided evenly among algebra, analysis, geometry and topology, as well as 18 high-level nonmathematical (mostly historical) statements. They had four seconds to reflect on each proposition and determine whether it was true, false or meaningless.

The researchers found that in the mathematicians only, listening to math-related statements activated a network involving bilateral intraparietal, dorsal prefrontal, and inferior temporal regions of the brain. This circuitry is usually not associated with areas involved in language processing and semantics, which were activated in both mathematicians and nonmathematicians when they were presented with the nonmathematical statements. "On the contrary," says study co-author and graduate student Marie Amalric, "our results show that high-level mathematical reflection recycles brain regions associated with an evolutionarily ancient knowledge of number and space."

Previous research has found that these nonlinguistic areas are active when performing rudimentary arithmetic calculations and even simply seeing numbers on a page, suggesting a link between advanced and basic mathematical thinking. In fact, co-author Stanislas Dehaene, director of the Cognitive Neuroimaging Unit and experimental psychologist, has studied how humans (and even some animal species) are born with an intuitive sense of numbers—of quantity and arithmetic manipulation—closely related to spatial representation. How the connection between a hardwired "number sense" and higher-level math is formed, however, remains unknown. This work raises the intriguing question of whether an innate capability to recognize different quantities—that two pieces of fruit are greater than one—is the biological foundation on which can be built the capacity to master group theory. "It would be interesting to investigate the causal chain between lower-level and higher-level mathematical competency," says Daniel Ansari, a cognitive neuroscientist at the University of Western Ontario who did not participate in the study. "Most of us master basic arithmetic, so we're already recruiting these brain regions, but only a fraction of us go on to do high-level math. We don't yet know whether becoming a mathematical expert changes the way you do arithmetic or whether learning arithmetic lays out the foundation for acquiring higher-level mathematical concepts."

Ansari suggests that a training study, in which nonmathematicians are taught advanced mathematical concepts, could provide a better understanding of these connections and how they form. Moreover, achieving expertise in mathematics may affect neuronal circuitry in other ways. Amalric's study found that mathematicians had reduced activity in the visual areas of the brain involved in facial processing. This could mean that the neural resources required to grasp and work with certain math concepts may undercut—or "use up"—some of the brain's other capacities. Although additional studies are needed to determine whether mathematicians actually do process faces differently, the researchers hope to gain further insight into the effects that expertise has on how the brain is organized.

"We can start to investigate where exceptional abilities come from, and the neurobiological correlates of such high-level expertise," Ansari says. "I just think it's great that we now have the capability to use brain imaging to answer these deep questions about the complexity of human abilities."

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Advertisement

ABOUT THE AUTHOR(S)

Jordana Cepelewicz

Jordana Cepelewicz is a science writer based in New York City.

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Rescuers search for quake survivors as strong aftershocks hit south-western Japan , East Asia News & Top Stories - The Straits Times

http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/quake-of-magnitude-64-strikes-japan-no-tsunami-warning-issued-amid-strong-aftershocks?xtor=EREC-16-1[ST_Newsletter_AM]-20160415-[Strong+quake+in+south-western+Japan+kills+nine%2C+topples+homes]&xts=538291

Rescuers search for quake survivors as strong aftershocks hit south-western Japan

MASHIKI, JAPAN (AFP) - Rescuers were rifling through the remains of collapsed building in south-western Japan on Friday (April 15), after a powerful earthquake left at least nine people dead and injured hundreds, sparking fires and buckling roads.

Tens of thousands of people fled their homes after the 6.5-magnitude quake struck the south-western island of Kyushu on Thursday night, leaving lumps of broken concrete strewn in the streets.

Houses collapsed, factories stopped work and a high-speed train was derailed, while the roof of the treasured Kumamoto castle in the southern city of the same name was also damaged.

"There was a ka-boom and the whole house shook violently sideways," Mr Takahiko Morita, a resident of nearby town Mashiki, said in a telephone interview with public broadcaster NHK. "Furniture and bookshelves fell down, and books were all over the floor."

Dozens of aftershocks followed the quake, which hit at about 9.26pm local time (8.26pm Singapore time) on Thursday, and officials warned the death toll could rise as rescuers scoured the collapsed structures.

 As rescue workers toiled through the night, an eight-month-old baby girl was pulled from the rubble alive and unharmed, NHK reported.

"As far as we can tell from infrared images from a police helicopter, there appears to be a significant number of houses destroyed or half-collapsed," said Disaster Minister Taro Kono. "There are fears the number of injured could rise." 

Rescuers are concentrating their searches in Mashiki, a town near the epicentre of the quake where most deaths have been recorded.

On the streets, the remains of collapsed Japanese-style houses – many of then aged, wooden structures – could be seen, and damaged roof tiles lay in piles.

Scores of people spent the night huddled in front of the town hall, some in tears, while others wrapped themselves in blankets to ward off the night time chill.

"I'm so scared of the aftershocks that I cannot sleep," 94-year-old Tomiko Takahashi told Jiji Press.

By Friday morning, the government said it had confirmed at least 860 people had been injured, at least 53 seriously. An official from the local Kumamoto disaster agency said at least nine were dead.

"We are combing through Mashiki where the damage was serious to see if there are any people who are still seeking rescue," said government spokesman Yoshihide Suga.

Gen Aoki, a Japan Meteorological Agency seismologist, urged residents to be on guard for more aftershocks and warned rain in coming days could make the situation worse.

"Please do not go near damaged houses and structures that are about to collapse," he said at an early morning briefing.

Nuclear plants in the region were unaffected, but several major manufacturers including Honda, Bridgestone, and Sony said they had suspended operations at factories in the area.

Train services on Kyushu were temporarily halted after Thursday's earthquake and a super fast bullet train derailed – luckily while it was empty – said Mr Yusuke Nanri, a spokesman for operator JR Kyushu.

Some 1,600 military personnel were joined by nearly 2,000 police officers and more than 1,300 fire fighters to help in the search and rescue efforts, Mr Suga said early Friday.

The initial quake, which struck at a shallow depth of 10km, was followed two and a half hours later by another measuring 6.4 magnitude, according to Japan's meteorological agency. The US Geological Survey measured it at a smaller 6.2 magnitude.

In total, more than 100 earthquakes rocked the region after the first hit, and officials warned the could continue for a week or so.

Japan's two sole operating nuclear reactors, located on Kyushu, were functioning normally, an official at the Sendai plant told AFP.

Japan, one of the most seismically active countries in the world, has been particularly on edge over the vulnerability of nuclear power plants after a massive undersea quake on March 11, 2011, that sent a tsunami barrelling into the country's northeast coast.

Some 18,500 people were left dead or missing, and several nuclear reactors went into meltdown at the Fukushima plant in the worst atomic accident in a generation.

熊本県の現在の様子#私が撮影しました
RT多かったら更に載せます

— 沖田 純平 (‎@lovelovesitai_) 8:54 PM - 14 Apr 2016

熊本で震度7

蔦屋まじやべえ

— フォロー不可避www (‎@lifeomosiroku) 8:43 PM - 14 Apr 2016

現状報告。熊本城付近破損、地割れの恐れあり。

— ごんちゃん^._.^パスタは麺ですか？ (‎@poutaaan) 8:51 PM - 14 Apr 2016

よりによって九州いる時に熊本で震度7。

送られてきた熊本のスーパーやばい

明日無事に帰れます様に

— ひだしょー@ホームレス (‎@hidasyo11) 8:46 PM - 14 Apr 2016

【速報】熊本震度7
停電はしていない？様子

— みょんにい (‎@myonnii) 8:44 PM - 14 Apr 2016

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