The protection of Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong : an analysis of civic engagement strategies

published_or_final_versionPolitics and Public AdministrationMasterMaster of Public Administratio

Oil palm waste: An abundant and promising feedstock for microwave pyrolysis conversion into good quality biochar with potential multi-applications

Oil palm waste (OPW), comprising mainly of empty fruit bunch, mesocarp fiber, frond, trunk, and palm kernel shell generated from palm oil industry, was collected, characterized, and then pyrolyzed to evaluate their potential to be converted into biochar with desirable properties for use in multi-applications. The OPW was detected to have considerable amounts of carbon (43–51 wt%) and fixed carbon (30–39 wt%), showing potential to be converted into carbon-rich biochar. Microwave pyrolysis of palm kernel shell as the selected OPW produced a biochar with zero sulphur content and high heating value (23–26 MJ/kg) that is nearly comparable to conventional coal, thus indicating its potential as an eco-friendly solid fuel. The biochar obtained was also showed low moisture (<3 wt%) and ash (3 wt%), and a highly porous structure with high BET surface area (210 m2/g), indicating the presence of many adsorption sites and thus showing desirable characteristics for potential use as pollutant adsorbent in wastewater treatment, or bio-fertilizer to absorb nutrient and promote plant growth. Our results demonstrate that OPW is a biowaste that shows exceptional promise to be transformed into high-grade biochar rather than simply disposed by landfilling or burned as low-grade fuel in boiler

Age-Specific Associations of Usual Blood Pressure Variability With Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality: 10-Year Diabetes Mellitus Cohort Study.

Background The detrimental effects of increased variability in systolic blood pressure (SBP) on cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality risk in patients with diabetes mellitus remains unclear. This study evaluated age-specific association of usual SBP visit-to-visit variability with CVD and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods and Results A retrospective cohort study investigated 155 982 patients with diabetes mellitus aged 45 to 84 years without CVD at baseline (2008-2010). Usual SBP variability was estimated using SBP SD obtained from a mixed-effects model. Age-specific associations (45-54, 55-64, 65-74, 75-84 years) between usual SBP variability, CVD, and mortality risk were assessed by Cox regression adjusted for patient characteristics. After a median follow-up of 9.7 years, 49 816 events (including 34 039 CVD events and 29 211 mortalities) were identified. Elevated SBP variability was independently, positively, and log-linearly associated with higher CVD and mortality risk among all age groups, with no evidence of any threshold effects. The excess CVD and mortality risk per 5 mm Hg increase in SBP variability within the 45 to 54 age group is >3 times higher than the 70 to 79 age group (hazard ratio, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.49-1.85 versus hazard ratio, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.15-1.23). The significant associations remained consistent among all subgroups. Patients with younger age had a higher association of SBP variability with event outcomes. Conclusions The findings suggest that SBP visit-to-visit variability was strongly associated with CVD and mortality with no evidence of a threshold effect in a population with diabetes mellitus. As well as controlling overall blood pressure levels, SBP visit-to-visit variability should be monitored and evaluated in routine practice, in particular for younger patients

Effect of encapsulation with gelatin and alginate, and coating with βeta-glucan, chitosan and gellan gum on the viability of lactobacillus acidophilus during freeze-drying and exposure to simulated gastrointestinal conditions

One major challenge in the delivery of probiotic products is the reduced viability of the probiotic caused by the high or low temperature during processing and storage, and the extreme acidic pH conditions in the gut before reaching the target site colon. This study aimed to investigate the effect of encapsulation and coating with hydrocolloids on the viability of L. acidophilus (La05) during freeze-drying and in simulated gastrointestinal conditions. La05 was encapsulated in two different hydrocolloid matrices namely (1) alginate and (2) gelatin. The beads obtained were subsequently subjected to three different coating materials namely (1) β-glucan, (2) chitosan, and (3) gellan gum. All encapsulated La05, with and without coating, were exposed to freeze-drying and subsequently 4-hr sequential simulated gastrointestinal environment. Free cells of La05 were used as the control sample. Free cells of La05 recorded 3.58 log CFU g-1 reduction in cell viability during freeze-drying. Cell viability during freeze-drying of the encapsulated La05 was improved (p<0.05) with a reduction of 1.86-1.92 log CFU g-1. The cell viability during freeze-drying was further enhanced by coating with a lower reduction of 1.22-1.52 log CFU g-1. The protection on the La05 by the encapsulation was again demonstrated during the simulated gastrointestinal exposure with a lower reduction in cell viability (4.22-4.23 log CFU g-1) for the encapsulated La05. Further protection on the La05 by coating was evident as a much lower reduction in cell viability (2.64-3.43 log CFU g-1) was observed during the simulated gastrointestinal exposure. Encapsulation and subsequent coating provided protection to La05 during both the freeze-drying and the simulated gastrointestinal exposure. Encapsulation and coating with hydrocolloids can address the issue of reduced viability of probiotic in probiotic products

Sequencing and Characterisation of Complete Mitochondrial DNA Genome for Trigonopoma pauciperforatum (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae: Danioninae) with Phylogenetic Consideration

The Trigonopoma pauciperforatum or the redstripe rasbora is a cyprinid commonly found in marshes and swampy areas with slight acidic tannin-stained water in the tropics. In this study, the complete mitogenome sequence of T. pauciperforatum was first amplified in two parts using two pairs of overlapping primers and then sequenced. The size of the mitogenome is 16,707 bp, encompassing 22 transfer RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes and a putative control region. Identical gene organisation was detected between this species and other family members. The heavy strand accommodates 28 genes while the light strand houses the remaining nine genes. Most protein-coding genes utilize ATG as start codon except for COI gene which uses GTG instead. The terminal associated sequence (TAS), central conserved sequence block (CSB-F, CSB-D and CSB-E) as well as variable sequence block (CSB-1, CSB-2 and CSB-3) are conserved in the control region. The maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree revealed the divergence of T. pauciperforatum from the basal region of the major clade, where its evolutionary relationships with Boraras maculatus, Rasbora cephalotaenia and R. daniconius are poorly resolved as suggested by the low bootstrap values. This work contributes towards the genetic resource enrichment for peat swamp conservation and comprehensive in-depth comparisons across other phylogenetic researches done on the Rasbora-related genus

A Review on Medicinal Properties of Orientin

Medicinal plants continue to play an important role in modern medications and healthcare as consumers generally believe that most of them cause fewer or milder adverse effects than the conventional modern medicines. In order to use the plants as a source of medicinal agents, the bioactive compounds are usually extracted from plants. Therefore, the extraction of bioactive compounds from medicinal plants is a crucial step in producing plant-derived drugs. One of the bioactive compounds isolable from medicinal plants, orientin, is often used in various bioactivity studies due to its extensive beneficial properties. The extraction of orientin in different medicinal plants and its medicinal properties, which include antioxidant, antiaging, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammation, vasodilatation and cardioprotective, radiation protective, neuroprotective, antidepressant-like, antiadipogenesis, and antinociceptive effects, are discussed in detail in this review

Comparison of two surgical techniques for reconstructing posterolateral corner of the knee: a cadaveric study evaluated by navigation system

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the immediate effect on knee kinematics by 2 different techniques of posterolateral corner (PLC) reconstruction. Methods: Five intact formalin-preserved cadaveric knees were used in this study. A navigation system was used to measure knee kinematics (posterior translation, varus angulation, and external rotation) after application of a constant force and torque to the tibia. Four different conditions of the knee were evaluated during the biomechanical test: intact knee and PLC-sectioned knee and PLC-reconstructed knee by the doublefemoral tunnel technique and singlefemoral tunnel technique. Results: Sectioning of the PLC structures resulted in significant increases in external rotation at 30° of flexion from 11.2° (SD, 2.6) to 24.6° (SD, 6.2), posterior translation at 30° of flexion from 3.4 mm (SD, 1.5) to 7.4 mm (SD, 3.8), and varus angulation at 0° of flexion from 2.3° (SD, 2.1) to 7.9° (SD, 5.1). Both reconstruction techniques significantly restored the varus stability. The external rotation and posterior translation at 30° of flexion after reconstruction with the doublefemoral tunnel technique were 10.2° (SD, 1.3) and 3.4° (SD, 2.7), respectively, which were significantly better than those of the singlefemoral tunnel technique. Conclusions: Both techniques of reconstruction showed improved stability compared with PLC-sectioned knees. The doublefemoral tunnel technique in PLC reconstruction showed better rotational stability and resistance to posterior translation than the singlefemoral tunnel technique without compromising varus stability. Clinical Relevance: PLC reconstruction by a doublefemoral tunnel technique achieves better rotational control and resistance to posterior translation

Sequencing and characterization of complete mitogenome DNA of Rasbora tornieri (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae: Rasbora) and its evolutionary significance

The yellowtail rasbora (Rasbora tornieri) is a miniature ray-finned fish categorized under the genus Rasbora in the family of Cyprinidae. In this study, a complete mitogenome sequence of R. tornieri was sequenced using four primers targeting two halves of the mitogenome with overlapping flanking regions. The size of mitogenome was 16,573 bp, housing 22 transfer RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes and a putative control region. Identical gene organization was detected between this species and other members of Rasbora genus. The heavy strand encompassed 28 genes while the light strand accommodated the other nine genes. Most protein-coding genes execute ATG as start codon, excluding COI and ND3 genes, which utilized GTG instead. The central conserved sequence blocks (CSB-E, CSB-F and CSB-D), variable sequence blocks (CSB-1, CSB-3 and CSB-2) as well as the terminal associated sequence (TAS) were conserved within the control region. The maximum likelihood phylogenetic family tree revealed the divergence of R. tornieri from the basal region of the Rasbora clade, where its evolutionary relationships with other Rasbora members are poorly resolved as indicated by the low bootstrap values. This work acts as window for further population genetics and molecular evolution studies of Rasbora genus in future

Entomologic and molecular investigation into Plasmodium vivax transmission in Singapore, 2009

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Singapore has been certified malaria free since November 1982 by the World Health Organization and despite occasional local transmission, the country has maintained the standing. In 2009, three clusters of malaria cases were reported in Singapore.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Epidemiological, entomological and molecular studies were carried out to investigate the three clusters, namely Mandai-Sungei Kadut, Jurong Island and Sembawang.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 29 malaria patients, with no recent travel history, were reported in the three clusters. Molecular analysis based on the <it>msp3α </it>and <it>msp1 </it>genes showed two independent local transmissions: one in Mandai-Sungei Kadut and another in Sembawang. Almost all cases within each cluster were epidemiologically linked. In Jurong Island cluster, epidemiological link remains uncertain, as almost all cases had a unique genetic profile. Only two cases shared a common profile and were found to be linked to the Mandai-Sungei Kadut cluster. Entomological investigation found <it>Anopheles sinensis </it>to be the predominant Anopheline in the two areas where local transmission of <it>P. vivax </it>was confirmed. <it>Anopheles sinensis </it>was found to be attracted to human bait and bites as early as 19:45 hrs. However, all <it>Anopheles </it>mosquitoes caught were negative for sporozoites and oocysts by dissection.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Investigation of <it>P. vivax </it>cases from the three cluster areas confirmed the occurrence of local transmission in two areas. Although <it>An. sinensis </it>was the predominant Anopheline found in areas with confirmed transmission, the vector/s responsible for the outbreaks still remains cryptic.</p

Sequencing and characterization of complete mitogenome DNA for Rasbora myersi (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae: Rasbora) and its evolutionary significance

The Seluang fish (Rasbora myersi) is a small ray-finned fish categorized under the genus Rasbora in the Cyprinidae family. In this study, the complete mitogenome sequence of R. myersi was sequenced using two primer pairs targeting overlapping regions. The mitogenome is 16,581 bp in length, encompassing 22 transfer RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes and a putative control region. Identical gene organisation was observed between this species and other genus counterparts. The heavy strand accommodates 28 genes while the light strand houses the other nine genes. Most protein-coding genes utilize ATG as start codon, excluding COI gene, which employs GTG instead. The central conserved sequence blocks (CSB-F, CSB-E and CSB-D), variable sequence blocks (CSB-3, CSB-2 and CSB-1) as well as the terminal associated sequence (TAS) are conserved within the control region. The R. myersi formed a trio with R. borapetensis and R. argyrotaenia in a moderately strong clade with bootstrap value of 86. This work acts as essential gateway towards further molecular evolution and population genetics studies of the Rasbora genus in future