PCR amplification of alleles at locus D17S5: population genetic study in Hong Kong Chinese and detection of allelic loss in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract no. 2184published_or_final_versio

Inhaled foreign bodies: children with peanut in airway

Foreign body aspiration is a common problem in young children. Many patients present after a significant delay despite having a witnessed choking event. Moreover, their presentations may mimic other common respiratory problems like pneumonia or asthma. It is extremely important to be attentive to history taking and clinical signs that may indicate early bronchoscopy to confirm the diagnosis.published_or_final_versio

Performance of the VITEK MS matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry system for rapid bacterial identification in two diagnostic centres in China

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) MS systems was not officially launched for diagnostic use in clinical microbiology laboratories in China until 2012. Here, we report the findings from the first large-scale evaluation study of VITEK MS for routine bacterial identification in two major diagnostic centres in Beijing and Hong Kong. A total of 2266 unique isolates representing 56 genera and 127 species were analysed, and results were compared to those obtained by VITEK 2. Any discrepancies were resolved by 16S rRNA sequencing. Overall, VITEK MS provided correct identification for 2246 (99.1%) isolates, including 2193 (96.8%) with correct species-level identifications and 53 (2.3%) matched at the genus level only. VITEK MS surpassed VITEK 2 consistently in species-level identification of important pathogens, including non-Enterobacteriaceae Gram-negative bacilli (94.7 versus 92%), staphylococci (99.7 versus 92.4%), streptococci (92.6 versus 79.4%), enterococci (98.8 versus 92.6%) and Clostridium spp. (97.3 versus 55.5%). The findings demonstrated that VITEK MS is highly accurate and reliable for routine bacterial identification in clinical settings in China. © 2015 The Authors.postprin

Approche SIG pour une analyse spatiale des infrastructures hydrauliques dans la commune de Zè, Benin

Objectif : cette étude est réalisée dans le but de faire l’inventaire des infrastructures hydrauliques afin d’analyser leur distribution spatiale.Méthodologie et résultats : La démarche méthodologique utilisée est exclusivement basée sur l’utilisation des données attributaires et spatiales en utilisant le logiciel ArcGIS 9.3.Des zones tampons (buffer) ont été réalisées afin d’apprécier la distribution spatiale et de voir la zone de desserte des points d’eau. Elles constituent une technique permettant de visualiser les espaces où la couverture des infrastructures hydrauliques est très dense, donc l’accessibilité physique très bonne. Les résultats obtenus montrent que les infrastructures hydrauliques sont inégalement réparties sur le territoire de la commune de Zè. La partie Nord-est de la commune est presque dépourvue en infrastructure hydraulique.Conclusions et application des résultats : De ces résultats, on peut retenir que la cartographie et surtout le SIG jouent un rôle primordial dans l’implantation, le suivi et la gestion des infrastructures hydrauliques. L’utilisation de ces outils peut atténuer les difficultés d’approvisionnement en eau.Mots clés : SIG, distribution spatiale, infrastructure hydraulique, Zè, Bénin.ABSTRACTObjective: This study was carried out with the aim of taking stock of water infrastructure in order to analyze their spatial distribution.Methods and Results: The methodology used is based solely on the use of spatial and attribute data using ArcGIS 9.3 software. Buffer zones were established to assess the spatial distribution and highlight the service area of the water points. This constitutes a technique to view areas where coverage of water infrastructure is very dense, with very good physical accessibility. The results show that water infrastructure is unevenly distributed on the municipality of Zè. The north-eastern part of the town is almost devoid of hydraulic infrastructure. Conclusions and application of results: From these results, we can say that the above mapping and GIS play a key role in the implementation, monitoring and management of water infrastructure. The use of these tools can facilitate the difficult conditions for water supply.Keywords: GIS, spatial distribution, hydraulic infrastructure, Zè, Benin

Dynamical nonequilibrium molecular dynamics reveals the structural basis for allostery and signal propagation in biomolecular systems

A dynamical approach to nonequilibrium molecular dynamics (D-NEMD), proposed in the 1970s by Ciccotti et al., is undergoing a renaissance and is having increasing impact in the study of biological macromolecules. This D-NEMD approach, combining MD simulations in stationary (in particular, equilibrium) and nonequilibrium conditions, allows for the determination of the time-dependent structural response of a system using the Kubo–Onsager relation. Besides providing a detailed picture of the system’s dynamic structural response to an external perturbation, this approach also has the advantage that the statistical significance of the response can be assessed. The D-NEMD approach has been used recently to identify a general mechanism of inter-domain signal propagation in nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, and allosteric effects in β-lactamase enzymes, for example. It complements equilibrium MD and is a very promising approach to identifying and analysing allosteric effects. Here, we review the D-NEMD approach and its application to biomolecular systems, including transporters, receptors, and enzymes

The impact of 3D Printing Technology on the Supply Chain: Manufacturing and Legal Perspectives

This is the final version. Available on open access from Elsevier via the DOI in this recordAn earlier version of this paper entitled “Impact of 3D Printing Technology on Supply Chain in China” was presented at the 24th International Conference on Production Research (ICPR 2017), Poznan, Poland, 30 July–3 August 2017. It is available in ORE at: http://hdl.handle.net/10871/311773D Printing (3DP) technology has been receiving increased public attention. Many companies are seeking ways to develop new means of creating and disseminating 3DP content, in order to capture new business opportunities. However, to date the true business opportunities of 3DP have not been completely uncovered. This research explores the challenges posed in the development and deployment of 3DP and focuses on China, which is still the main manufacturing hub of the world. The main purpose of this research is to uncover the obstacles that resist mass-scale applications of 3DP. By means of empirical semi-structured interviews with 3DP companies in China, it is found that many companies can see the benefits of 3DP, but its potential has not been delivered as promised. One reason is due to the fact that 3DP has not been integrated well in the supply chain. The other reason concerns potential intellectual property issues that cannot effectively prevent counterfeiting. To tackle the above issues, several areas have been identified that could be improved further. In particular, the legal complications concerning 3D-printed content could be overcome by a licensing platform.The work is sponsored by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, and the Newton Fund, for the project “A Technological Licensing Framework for 3D printed content: A Focus on China”

The role of fairness in multi-tier sustainable supply chains

Fairness is an important topic that forms part of an organization’s sustainability practice and agenda, particularly from a social dimension. However, past studies have rarely considered the role of fairness as a driver of sustainability in multi-tier supply chains. The purpose of this paper is two-fold. First, it examines the impact of fairness perceptions on the relationship between multi-tier supply chain partners. Second, it investigates the dynamics of on-going fairness formations in different stages of the vibrant multi-tier supply chain relationship development process. These gaps have been addressed by reporting the findings of a qualitative research. Primary data was obtained from 18 procurement and supply practitioners of buying firms and their top tier-1 & 2 suppliers. Findings show that fairness perceptions have an impact on collaborative activities between multi-tier supply chain partners. These collaborative responses such as information sharing, joint relationship effort, and dedicated investment can also impact critical aspects of the multi-tier supply chain relationship such as trust, commitment, satisfaction, and conflict resolution. The findings show that multi-tier supply chain partners have different expectations but usually evaluate fairness at the review phase of the relationship development process. These considerations offer theoretical and practical guidance towards the advancement of sustainable multi-tier supply chain relationships

Institutional perspective of digital open government implementation : a case study from Kuwaiti Ministry of Home Security

Digital open government uses avenues such as online means, websites, etc., to communicate with the citizens. For sharing data and delivering it in the digital open government service, we need digital facilities such as computers, mobile and fixed phones, amongst others, to facilitate access to government information systems with less stress. There is a wide gap experienced by the population and its citizens in terms of communication and services provided by the government of Kuwait. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to offer a conceptual framework after analysing the key practices, enablers, opportunities, and motivators of digital open government (DOG), especially in the context of the Arab countries. Therefore, the context has been explored through applying the institutional theory that would lead to understanding the institutional issues that have generated public and institutional values through DOG in Kuwait. As this research is interlinked with political, social, cultural, economic and technological context, the interpretivist epistemological position is being taken to interpret the overall institutional context of DOG in Kuwait. The qualitative research method has been employed to collect in-depth data using semi-structured data collection tools from professionals and citizens. It has been found that there is uncertainty in policies, lack of professional commitment, and extra-political pressure that negatively impact the overall institutional efforts to generate public and institutional values through DOG. Therefore, this research suggests that institutional collaboration, transparency, trust, public participation, and institutional participation are required to lead toward the public and institutional values of the DOG. The theoretical contribution of this research is that this research applies institutional theory in the context of DOG value generation; consequently, through using the institutional theoretical lenses, this research proposes an institutional DOG value model, which is a theoretical contribution of this research. The practical contribution of this research is that it provides in-depth knowledge for the government to generate public and institutional value from DOG successfully, and this research also identifies the enablers of DOG, among which are included participation, trust, collaboration, and transparency to generate value through DOG successfull

The importance of baseline viral load when assessing relative efficacy in treatment-naïve HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: To date no network meta-analysis (NMA) has accounted for baseline variations in viral load when assessing the relative efficacy of interventions for chronic hepatitis B (CHB). We undertook baseline-adjusted and unadjusted analyses using the same data to explore the impact of baseline viral load (BVL) on CHB treatment response. METHODS: We searched Embase, Medline, Medline in Process and the Cochrane CENTRAL databases for randomised clinical trials (RCTs) of monotherapy interventions at licensed doses for use in CHB. Search strategies comprised CHB disease and drug terms (a combination of controlled vocabulary and free text terms) and also a bespoke RCT filter.The NMA was undertaken in WinBUGs using fixed and random effects methods, using data obtained from a systematic review. Individual patient data (IPD) from an entecavir clinical trial were used to quantify the impact of different baseline characteristics (in particular undetectable viral load (UVL) at 1 year) on relative treatment effect. Study level mean baseline values from all identified studies were used. Results were generated for UVL and presented as relative risks (RRs) and 95% credible intervals (CrIs) using entecavir as reference treatment. RESULTS: Overall, for all eight relevant interventions we identified 3,000 abstracts. Following full text review a total of 35 (including the contents of six clinical study reports) met the inclusion critera; 19 were in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive patients and 14 of the 19 contained outcome information of relevance to the NMA.Entecavir and tenofovir studies had heterogeneous patient populations in terms of BVL (mean values 9.29 and 8.65 log10 copies/ml respectively). After adjusting UVL for BVL using an informative prior based on the IPD analysis, the difference between entecavir and tenofovir was not statistically significant (RR 1.27, 95% CrI 0.96 to 1.47-fixed effects). A similar conclusion was found in all sensitivity analyses. Adjusted tenofovir results were more consistent with observed clinical trial response rates. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the importance of adjusting for BVL when assessing the relative efficacy of CHB interventions in achieving UVL. This has implications for both clinical and economic decision making