Asia-Pacific telecommunications liberalisation and productivity performance

This study examines the growth in total factor productivity (TFP) of 12 Asia-Pacific telecommunications carriers for the period 1987 through 1990. Carriers are chosen to represent the stages of telecommunications liberalisation identified by the International Telecommunication Union (1995a). A model relating TFP growth to output growth, changes in output mix, technology change and market competition and private ownership is estimated on a unique data set obtained from telecommunications carrier annual reports. Empirical results show competition, private ownership, technology change and scale economies improve carrier TFP growth.Asia-Pacific telecommunications; liberalisation and productivity performance

The engineering graduate training scheme and new technology training scheme in Hong Kong

If Hong Kong is to improve its competitiveness, a sustainable adequate supply of well-educated and trained manpower, particularly at the technologist level, is essential. Given the fact that human capital is the single most important factor supporting Hong Kong\u27s development, the Hong Kong Government has been and will continue to be firmly committed to investing heavily in education and training. This paper describes the operation of two government funded schemes for training technologists in Hong Kong , namely the Engineering Graduate Training Scheme (EGTS) and the New Technology Training Scheme which are administered by the Committee on Technologist Training of the Vocational Training Council(VTC)

Influence of trace erythromycin and eryhthromycin-H2O on carbon and nutrients removal and on resistance selection in sequencing batch reactors (SBRs).

Three sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) were operated in parallel to study the effects of trace erythromycin (ERY) and ERY-H2O on the treatment of a synthetic wastewater. Through monitoring (1) daily effluents and (2) concentrations of nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) in certain batch cycles of the three reactors operated from transient to steady states, the removal of carbon, N, and P was affected negligibly by ERY (100 microg/L) or ERY-H2O (50 microg/L) when compared with the control reactor. However, through analyzing microbial communities of the three steady state SBRs on high-density microarrays (Phylo-Chip), ERY, and ERY-H2O had pronounced effects on the community composition of bacteria related to N and P removal, leading to diversity loss and abundance change. The above observations indicated that resistant bacteria were selected upon exposure to ERY or ERY-H2O. Shortterm batch experiments further proved the resistance and demonstrated that ammonium oxidation (56-95%) was inhibited more significantly than nitrite oxidation (18-61%) in the presence of ERY (100, 400, or 800 microg/L). Therefore, the presence of ERY or ERY-H2O (at microg/L levels) shifted the microbial community and selected resistant bacteria, which may account for the negligible influence of the antibiotic ERY or its derivative ERY-H2O (at microg/L levels) on carbon, N, and P removal in the SBRs

The effect of subgroup homogeneity of efficacy on contribution in public good dilemmas

open access articleThis paper examines how to maximize contribution in public good dilemmas by arranging people into homogeneous or heterogeneous subgroups. Past studies on the effect of homo- geneity of efficacy have exclusively manipulated group composition in their experimental designs, which might have imposed a limit on ecological validity because group membership may not be easily changed in reality. In this study, we maintained the same group composi- tion but varied the subgroup composition. We developed a public good dilemmas paradigm in which participants were assigned to one of the four conditions (high- vs. low-efficacy; homogeneous vs. heterogeneous subgroup) to produce their endowments and then to decide how much to contribute. We found that individuals in homogeneous and heteroge- neous subgroups produced a similar amount and proportion of contribution, which was due to the two mediating effects that counteracted each other, namely (a) perceived efficacy rel- ative to subgroup and (b) expectation of contribution of other subgroup members. This paper demonstrates both the pros and cons of arranging people into homogeneous and het- erogeneous subgroups of efficacy

Entrenando a la próxima generación de gerentes del riesgo de desastres a través de la investigación y enseñanza en sostenibilidad

Disaster risk management is an integral part of sustainability, and curricula that are focused on sustainability can be broadened to include disaster risk management. The David O’Brien Centre for Sustainable Enterprise at Concordia University researches and teaches disaster risk management through involvement in a collaborative project with the United Nations’ Future Earth network to develop a Sustainable Financial and Economic System Knowledge-to-Action Network (SFES-KAN). The definition of ‘sustainable’ in this context includes disaster risk management. The SFES-KAN aims to align the current financial system with the UN’s sustainable development goals by identifying research gaps and facilitating interdisciplinary research between academics, practitioners, and policymakers to fill those gaps. Our research on such topics as risk management and sustainable investing for the SFES-KAN project has translated into research on disaster risk management and has led to curriculum development on these topics. The goal of our paper is to provide other institutions with examples and strategic information on how to translate such interdisciplinary and solution-oriented sustainability research into research and curricula on disaster risk management.La gestión del riesgo de desastres es una parte integral de la sostenibilidad, y los currículos que se enfocan en la sostenibilidad pueden ser ampliados para incluir la gestión del riesgo de desastres. El David O’Brien Centre for Sustainable Enterprise de Concordia University investiga y enseña la gestión del riesgo de desastres a través de la participación en proyectos colaborativos de la red Future Earth de la Organización de las Naciones Unidas (ONU) para el desarrollo de una Red de “Conocimiento para la Acción” para un Sistema Económico Financiero y Sostenible (SFES-KAN). SFES-KAN busca alinear el sistema financiero actual con los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible de la ONU por medio de la identificación de vacíos en la investigación y la facilitación de una investigación interdisciplinaria entre los académicos, profesionales y legisladores con el fin de llenar dichos vacíos. Nuestra investigación acerca de estos temas de gestión del riesgo e inversiones sostenibles, al igual que para el proyecto SFES-KAN, se ha convertido en investigación sobre gestión del riesgo de desastres y ha conducido al desarrollo curricular de estos temas. El objetivo de este artículo es el de brindar a otras instituciones ejemplos e información estratégica acerca de cómo traducir la investigación de sostenibilidad, interdisciplinaria y orientada a las soluciones, a investigación y currículos sobre gestión del riesgo de desastres

Association between serum uric acid and prostate cancer mortality in androgen deprivation therapy: A population‐based cohort study

Objective This population-based study examined the association between baseline uric acid (UA) and prostate cancer (PCa)-related mortality amongst PCa patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Methods Adults with PCa who received ADT in Hong Kong between December 1999 and March 2021 were identified. Patients with missing baseline UA were excluded. Patients were followed up until September 2021. The outcome was PCa-related mortality. Results Altogether, 4126 patients (median follow-up 3.1[interquartile range 1.4–6.0] years) were included. A J-shaped association was observed between baseline UA level and PCa-related mortality risk, with a direct association in those with mean(0.401 mmol/L) or above-mean baseline UA levels (hazard ratio (HR) per standard deviation-increase 1.35 [95% confidence interval 1.21,1.51], p < 0.001), and an inverse association in those with below-mean baseline UA levels (HR 0.78[0.67,0.92], p = 0.003). The former remained significant on competing risk regression, but not the latter. Conclusions A J-shaped relationship between baseline UA level and PCa-related mortality risk was identified. This study was mainly limited by potential unmeasured and residual confounders. Further validation studies are warranted

Long-term prognostic impact of cardiovascular comorbidities in patients with prostate cancer receiving androgen deprivation therapy: A population-based competing risk analysis.

Our study investigated how adverse cardiovascular outcomes are impacted by cardiovascular comorbidities in patients with prostate cancer treated by androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Using prospective, population-based data, all Hong Kong patients with prostate cancer who received ADT during 1 January 1993 to 3 March 2021 were identified and followed up for the endpoint of cardiovascular hospitalization/mortality until 31 September 2021, whichever earlier. Multivariable competing risk regression was used to compare the endpoint's cumulative incidence between different combinations of major cardiovascular comorbidities (heart failure [HF], myocardial infarction [MI], stroke and/or arrhythmia), with noncardiovascular death as competing event. Altogether, 13 537 patients were included (median age 75.9 [interquartile range 70.0-81.5] years old; median follow-up 3.3 [1.5-6.7] years). Compared to those with none of prior HF/MI/stroke/arrhythmia, the incidence of the endpoint was not different in those with only stroke (subhazard ratio [SHR] 1.06 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.92-1.23], P = .391), but was higher in those with only HF (SHR 1.67 [1.37-2.02], P < .001), arrhythmia (SHR 1.63 [1.35-1.98], P < .001) or MI (SHR 1.43 [1.14-1.79], P = .002). Those with ≥2 of HF/MI/stroke/arrhythmia had the highest incidence of the endpoint (SHR 1.94 [1.62-2.33], P < .001), among whom different major cardiovascular comorbidities had similar prognostic impacts, with the number of comorbidities present being significantly prognostic instead. In conclusion, in patients with prostate cancer receiving ADT, the sole presence of HF, MI or arrhythmia, but not stroke, may be associated with elevated cardiovascular risks. In those with ≥2 of HF/MI/stroke/arrhythmia, the number of major cardiovascular comorbidities may be prognostically more important than the type of comorbidities. [Abstract copyright: © 2023 The Authors. International Journal of Cancer published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of UICC.

Is there a seasonal variation in HbA1c in Australia?

BackgroundA recent publication has shown that the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) diagnosed with a glucose tolerance test (GTT) has a significant seasonal variation. The HbA1c has been proposed as an alternate method for testing of GDM.AimsNumerous reports indicate that in the Northern Hemisphere the HbA1c is higher in winter. The aim of this study was to assess if there was a seasonal variation in the HbA1c in a temperate climate.Methods Southern IML Pathology (SIML) is the major provider of pathology services in Wollongong and surrounding areas. De-identified data were obtained from SIML from January 2011 to December 2015. The data included the date of collection, date of birth, gender and HbA1c.Results A total of 203,170 HbA1c results were available for analysis. The median HbA1c was 6.6 per cent (48mmol/mol) for each season. While these differences were statistically significant (due to the large numbers used for analysis), it was felt unlikely to be of clinical significance. There was also no difference in the median HbA1c in females with HbA1c &le;6.0 per cent; the probable range during pregnancy.ConclusionWhereas in the Northern hemisphere the HbA1c does exhibit seasonal variation, this was not apparent in a temperate climate. Specific data are required during pregnancy. HbA1c could be considered as an alternative diagnostic test during pregnancy to potentially overcome the changes in prevalence with seasons with GTT

Absence of microemboli on transcranial Doppler identifies low-risk patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis who do not warrant endarterectomy or stenting

Background and Purpose - Carotid endarterectomy clearly benefits patients with symptomatic severe stenosis (SCS), but the risk of stroke is so low for asymptomatic patients (ACS) that the number needed to treat is very high. We studied transcranial Doppler (TCD) embolus detection as a method for identifying patients at higher risk who would have a lower number needed to treat. Methods - Patients with carotid stenosis of ≥60% by Doppler ultrasound who had never been symptomatic (81%) or had been asymptomatic for at least 18 months (19%) were studied with TCD embolus detection for up to 1 hour on 2 occasions a week apart; patients were followed for 2 years. Results - 319 patients were studied, age (standard deviation) 69.68 (9.12) years; 32 (10%) had microemboli at baseline (TCD+). Events were more likely to occur in the first year. Patients with microemboli were much more likely to have microemboli 1 year later (34.4 versus 1.4%; P\u3c0.0001) and were more likely to have a stroke during the first year of follow-up (15.6%, 95% CI, 4.1 to 79; versus 1%, 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.36; P\u3c0.0001). Conclusions - Our findings indicate that TCD- ACS will not benefit from endarterectomy or stenting unless it can be done with a risk \u3c1%; TCD+ may benefit as much as SCS if their surgical risk is not higher. These findings suggest that ACS should be managed medically with delay of surgery or stenting until the occurrence of symptoms or emboli. © 2005 American Heart Association, Inc

Metformin use and hospital attendance-related resources utilization among diabetic patients with prostate cancer on androgen deprivation therapy: A population-based cohort study

Background Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), used increasingly in the treatment of prostate cancer (PCa), negatively influences glycemic control in diabetes and is associated with an increased risk of diabetes complications where hospitalization commonly ensues. Metformin could decrease the metabolic consequences of ADT and enhance its effect. This study examined the association of metformin use with healthcare resources utilization among diabetic, PCa patients receiving ADT. Methods Diabetic adults with PCa on ADT in Hong Kong between December 1999 and March 2021 were identified. Patients with <6 months of concurrent metformin and ADT use were excluded. All included patients were followed up until September 2021. The outcomes were hospital attendances and related costs. Results In total, 1,284 metformin users and 687 non-users were studied. Over 8,045 person-years, 9,049 accident and emergency (A&E), and 21,262 inpatient attendances, with 11,2781 days of hospitalization were observed. Metformin users had significantly fewer A&E attendances (incidence rate ratio (IRR): 0.61 [95% confidence interval 0.54–0.69], p < 0.001), inpatient attendances (IRR: 0.57 [0.48–0.67], p < 0.001), and days of hospitalization (IRR: 0.55 [0.42–0.72], p < 0.001). Annual attendance costs were lower for metformin users than non-users (cost ratio: 0.28 [0.10–0.80], p = 0.017). Conclusions Metformin use was associated with decreased hospital attendances, days of hospitalization, and associated costs, which could help reduce healthcare resource utilization following ADT in the treatment of PCa