Spatial Structure Behind The Ripple Effect: The Case Of Hong Kong

This paper aims to study the spatial structure of Hong Kong residential market using census data with the urban model, and examine more critically the ripple effect found by Lam (2015). Empirically, those irregularities observed can be explained rather satisfactorily following the lines of reasoning by Brueckner (2011). As for the aforesaid ripples, we demonstrate that the drift pattern no longer exists after introducing a structural breakpoint in End-2008. Instead, we contend that irrespective of house sizes, all price changes tend to originate from the New Territories. And we propose two theoretical explanations for it: internal migration and spatial coefficient heterogeneity.

Understanding the role of chromatin remodeling in the regulation of circadian transcription in Drosophila.

Circadian clocks enable organisms to anticipate daily changes in the environment and coordinate temporal rhythms in physiology and behavior with the 24-h day-night cycle. The robust cycling of circadian gene expression is critical for proper timekeeping, and is regulated by transcription factor binding, RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) recruitment and elongation, and post-transcriptional mechanisms. Recently, it has become clear that dynamic alterations in chromatin landscape at the level of histone posttranslational modification and nucleosome density facilitate rhythms in transcription factor recruitment and RNAPII activity, and are essential for progression through activating and repressive phases of circadian transcription. Here, we discuss the characterization of the BRAHMA (BRM) chromatin-remodeling protein in Drosophila in the context of circadian clock regulation. By dissecting its catalytic vs. non-catalytic activities, we propose a model in which the non-catalytic activity of BRM functions to recruit repressive factors to limit the transcriptional output of CLOCK (CLK) during the active phase of circadian transcription, while the primary function of the ATP-dependent catalytic activity is to tune and prevent over-recruitment of negative regulators by increasing nucleosome density. Finally, we divulge ongoing efforts and investigative directions toward a deeper mechanistic understanding of transcriptional regulation of circadian gene expression at the chromatin level

Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 Mimetics for Treating Atherosclerosis

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is an atypical member of the FGF family. Acting in an endocrine fashion, it increases glucose uptake, modulates lipid metabolism, and sensitizes insulin response in metabolically active organs, including the liver and adipose tissue. Emerging evidence shows a strong correlation between circulating FGF21 levels and the incidence and severity of atherosclerosis. Animal studies have demonstrated a beneficial role of FGF21 in protecting against aberrant lipid profile, while recent development in FGF21 mimetics has provided further insight into the lipid-lowering effects of FGF21 signaling. The present review summarizes the physiological roles of FGF21, and discusses major breakthroughs and limitations of FGF21 mimetic-based therapeutic strategies for treating atherosclerosis.published_or_final_versio

The role of phonological recoding in the reading acquisition of school children in Hong Kong

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Bachelor of Science (Speech and Hearing Sciences), The University of Hong Kong, June 30, 2005.Also available in print.Thesis (B.Sc)--University of Hong Kong, 2005.published_or_final_versionSpeech and Hearing SciencesBachelorBachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science

Influenza B/Streptococcal co-infection complicated by organizing pneumonia

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Serum soluble E-cadherin is a good prognostic marker in gastric cancer

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Examining the Alignment of Subject Learning Outcomes and Course Curricula Through Curriculum Mapping

Content analysis has been used to conduct curriculum mapping to map the course objectives, course content, and the assessment tasks of 14 compulsory courses, onto the five Subject Learning Objective (SLO) factors of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction (DC&I) in a teacher education institution in Hong Kong. The results show that the SLO factors appear either as a cluster or a concentrated whole in the courses, suggesting a connective nature and dominated feature among them. The situation can be explained by the planned integrated learning experience as well as emphasis on specific SLO factors in response to change in educational context. Comparison of the coverage of SLO factors in the Bachelor of Education (BEd) and Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) is performed. The results suggest that the BEd program by design has more curriculum space for students to achieve this set of SLO factors than of the PGDE. It takes advantage of more curriculum space to adopt a spiral curriculum to facilitate complex learning in a logical progression. The study recommends that curriculum mapping is a useful tool to evaluate the extent to which the courses offered by an academic department are in alignment with its agreed SLOs. The methodologies can be used in other educational settings. Implications are made to enhance curriculum planning of teacher education program