Export Of Malaysia Business-To-Business Services: An Examination Of Civil Engineering Consultancy

The surplus of balance of payment in the services sectors for the first time in 2007 portends the services sector becoming the main economic contributor to Malaysia, overtaking the industrial sector. Among the business-to-business services, engineering services is the most impressive. Among the 86 disciplines in engineering services, civil engineering has the highest number of registered engineers (i.e. 47.4% for 1986-2006 periods). A study was conducted to examine the export of Malaysia’s business-to-business services, notably civil engineering consultancies. Data was collected from postal questionnaire survey, face-to-face interviews and secondary sources

Kam Louie (éd.), Hong Kong Culture: Word and Image

Définir ce qu’est la culture hongkongaise s’avère être une tâche délicate qui donne bien souvent naissance à des résultats surprenants. Cette anthologie, dont la publication arrive à point nommé, met en lumière ce qui fait la singularité de la scène culturelle hongkongaise dans le contexte particulier de l’après 1997, grâce à un parcours savant entre textes et images. Sous la direction de Kam Louie, doyen de la faculté des arts à l’université de Hong Kong, auteur de nombreux ouvrages et spéci..

Kam Louie (éd.), Hong Kong Culture: Word and Image

Définir ce qu’est la culture hongkongaise s’avère être une tâche délicate qui donne bien souvent naissance à des résultats surprenants. Cette anthologie, dont la publication arrive à point nommé, met en lumière ce qui fait la singularité de la scène culturelle hongkongaise dans le contexte particulier de l’après 1997, grâce à un parcours savant entre textes et images. Sous la direction de Kam Louie, doyen de la faculté des arts à l’université de Hong Kong, auteur de nombreux ouvrages et spéci..

Kam Louie (ed.), Hong Kong Culture: Word and Image

It is always an inexhaustible task to define and explain what Hong Kong culture is, and the result would usually be a staggering one. This timely anthology sheds light on grounding the uniqueness of Hong Kong’s cultural scene in a specific context of the post-1997 era via an intellectual trajectory of word and image. Edited by Kam Louie, Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Hong Kong and a prolific scholar in Chinese literature, the 13 essays in this book come from a conference co..

Sphere partition functions and quantum de Sitter thermodynamics

Driven by a tiny positive cosmological constant, our observable universe asymptotes into a casual patch in de Sitter space in the distant future. Due to the exponential cosmic expansion, a static observer in a de Sitter space is surrounded by a horizon. A semi-classical gravity analysis by Gibbons and Hawking implies that the de Sitter horizon has a temperature and entropy, obeying laws of thermodynamics. Understanding the statistical origin of these thermodynamic quantities requires a precise microscopic model for the de Sitter horizon. With the vision of narrowing the search of such a model with quantum-corrected macroscopic data, we aim to exactly compute the leading quantum (1-loop) corrections to the Gibbons-Hawking entropy, mathematically defined as the logarithm of the effective field theory path integral expanded around the round sphere saddle, i.e. sphere partition functions. This thesis discusses sphere partition functions and their relations to de Sitter (dS) thermodynamics. It consists of three main parts: The first part addresses the subtleties of 1-loop partition functions for totally symmetric tensor fields on ^{d⁺¹, and generalizes all known results to arbitrary spin ≥ 0 in arbitrary dimensions ≥ 1. Starting from a manifestly covariant and local path integral on the sphere, we carry out a detailed analysis for any massive, shift-symmetric, massless, and partially massless fields. For any field with spin ≥ 1, we find a finite contribution from longitudinal modes; for any massless and partially massless fields, there is a residual group volume factor due to modes generating constant gauge transformations; for any massless and partially massless fields with spin ≥ 2, we derive the phase factor resulted from Wick-rotating negative conformal modes, generalizing the phase factor first obtained by Polchinski for the case of massless spin 2 to arbitrary spins. The second part presents a novel formalism for studying 1-loop quantum de Sitter thermodynamics. We first argue that the Harish-Chandra character for the de Sitter group (1,+1) provides a manifestly de Sitter-invariant regularization for normal mode density of states in the static patch, without introducing boundary ambiguities as in the traditional brick wall approach. These characters encode quasinormal mode spectrums in the static patch. With these, we write down a simple integral formula for the thermal (quasi)canonical partition function, which straightforwardly generalizes to arbitrary spin representations. Then, we derive a universal formula for 1-loop sphere partition functions in terms of the (1,+1)$ characters. We find a precise relation between these and the (quasi)canonical partition function mentioned earlier: they are equal for scalars and spinors; for any fields with spin ≥ 1, they differ by ``edge'' degrees of freedom living on the de Sitter horizon. This formalism allows us to efficiently compute the exact 1-loop corrected de Sitter horizon entropy, which as we argue provides non-trivial constraints on microscopic models for the de Sitter horizon. In three dimensions, higher-spin gravity can be alternatively formulated as an sl() Chern-Simons theory, which as we show possesses an exponentially large landscape of de Sitter vacua. For each vacuum, we obtain the all-loop exact sphere partition function, given by the absolute value squared of a topological string partition function. Finally, our formalism elegantly proves the relations between generic dS, AdS, and conformal higher-spin partition functions. The last part extends our studies in the previous part to grand (quasi)canonical partition functions on the dS static patch, where we generalize the (quasi)canonical partition functions by allowing non-zero chemical potentials in some of the angular directions. For these, we derive a generalized character integral formula in terms of the full (1,+1) characters. In three dimensions, we relate them to path integrals on Lens spaces. Similar to its sphere counterpart, the Lens space path integral exhibits a ``bulk-edge'' structure

Accuracy of Plasma B-Type Natriuretic Peptide to Diagnose Significant Cardiovascular Disease in Children The Better Not Pout Children! Study

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to assess the ability of plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) to diagnose significant cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the pediatric population.BackgroundBNP has been shown to be reliable in detecting ventricular dysfunction and heart failure in adults. Timely and accurate identification of significant pediatric heart disease is important but challenging. A simple blood test could aid the front-line physician in this task.MethodsSubjects without a history of heart disease with findings possibly attributable to significant CVD in the acute care setting requiring a cardiology consult were enrolled. Clinicians were blinded to the BNP result, and confirmation of disease was made by cardiology consultation.ResultsSubjects were divided into a neonatal (n = 42, 0 to 7 days) and older age group (n = 58, >7 days to 19 years). CVD was present in 74% of neonates and 53% of the older age group. In neonates with disease, median BNP was 526 pg/ml versus 96 pg/ml (p < 0.001) for those without disease. In older children with disease, median BNP was 122 pg/ml versus 22 pg/ml in those without disease (p < 0.001). Subjects with disease from an anatomic defect, a longer hospital stay, or who died had higher BNP. A BNP of 170 pg/ml yielded a sensitivity of 94% and specificity of 73% in the neonatal group and 87% and 70% in the older age group, respectively, using a BNP of 41 pg/ml.ConclusionsBNP is a reliable test to diagnose significant structural or functional CVD in children. Optimal cutoff values are different from adult values

Toll-like receptors, chemokine receptors and death receptor ligands responses in SARS coronavirus infected human monocyte derived dendritic cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The SARS outbreak in 2003 provides a unique opportunity for the study of human responses to a novel virus. We have previously reported that dendritic cells (DCs) might be involved in the immune escape mechanisms for SARS-CoV. In this study, we focussed on the gene expression of toll-like receptors (TLRs), chemokine receptors (CCRs) and death receptor ligands in SARS-CoV infected DCs. We also compared adult and cord blood (CB) DCs to find a possible explanation for the age-dependent severity of SARS.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our results demonstrates that SARS-CoV did not modulate TLR-1 to TLR-10 gene expression but significantly induced the expression of CCR-1, CCR-3, and CCR-5. There was also strong induction of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), but not Fas ligand gene expression in SARS-CoV infected DCs. Interestingly, the expressions of most genes studied were higher in CB DCs than adult DCs.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The upregulation of chemokines and CCRs may facilitate DC migration from the infection site to the lymph nodes, whereas the increase of TRAIL may induce lymphocyte apoptosis. These findings may explain the increased lung infiltrations and lymphoid depletion in SARS patients. Further explorations of the biological significance of these findings are warranted.</p

此時彼刻文化研究 = Cultural studies still in the making

時光荏苒，MCS15年了！ 今年MCS年度研討會與過去有點不同，主題是「展演CROSSOVER：香港文化研究的變奏與另類新選擇」。在舉步維艱的社會政治泥沼中，我們如何理解和面對這境地？透過這次研討會，MCS表達對這個時代的關切，並在這關口中提出新概念，加入「表演研究」元素──不但帶來學術上的協同效應，而且使未來教育的路更闊、與大家走得更遠，發揮更大的潛質。 研討會分為兩部分。第一部分以MCSian的論文為引旨，透過對話去思考在當前處境如何尋找出路，由梁旭明主持，分別由吳紹奇主講〈作為歷史哲學家的班雅明：論歷史哲學兼評〈歷史哲學論綱〉〉，Kong Yee主講〈The Identity of Cheung Chau Kai-fong : The Cultural Disparity of The Northern and Southern Cheung Chau〉，古卓嵐主講〈Modern Educayshun 的啟示──從恐懼女性主義心理 到課室政治的省思〉，並由羅冠聰評論及與講者進行討論

Evaluation of deformity and hand function in cerebral palsy patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A cross-sectional study was performed to describe the upper limb deformity and function in cerebral palsy patients and to determine the correlation of deformity, spasticity, motor control, and sensation to hand function in the said population.</p> <p>Materials and methods</p> <p>Thirty patients satisfying our inclusion criteria underwent physical, sensory, and functional assessment using a standard protocol. Physical assessment included documentation of the degree of spasticity, deformity and muscle control. Sensation was tested using static two-point discrimination test and stereognosis test. Melbourne Assessment of the Unilateral Upper Limb Function Test (MAULF), Functional Hand Grip Test (FHGT), and Functional Independence Measure for children (WeeFIM) were used to evaluate hand function. Deformity, spasticity, motor control, and sensation were analyzed for correlation with hand function using Pearson Correlation analysis. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Functional deficits of the hand increased with increasing severity of deformity and spasticity. Tetraplegics were most affected by spasticity, deformity, poor motor control, sensory and functional deficits. Triplegics, followed by diplegics had more functional upper limbs in terms of the MAULF and FHGT scores. Unilaterally affected patients (triplegics and hemiplegics) scored better in performance of activities of daily living. The MAULF and FHGT had a stronger correlation to deformity, spasticity and motor control compared to the WeeFIM.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The degree of deformity, spasticity, sensory deficit, and motor control affected the hand function of a cerebral palsy patient significantly. The MAULF and FHGT more accurately represents hand function deficit in cerebral palsy patients.</p

Mannose-binding lectin in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection

Little is known about the innate immune response to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus (CoV) infection. Mannose-binding lectin (MBL), a key molecule in innate immunity, functions as an ante-antibody before the specific antibody response. Here, we describe a case-control study that included 569 patients with SARS and 1188 control subjects and used in vitro assays to investigate the role that MBL plays in SARS-CoV infection. The distribution of MBL gene polymorphisms was significantly different between patients with SARS and control subjects, with a higher frequency of haplotypes associated with low or deficient serum levels of MBL in patients with SARS than in control subjects. Serum levels of MBL were also significantly lower in patients with SARS than in control subjects. There was, however, no association between MBL genotypes, which are associated with low or deficient serum levels of MBL, and mortality related to SARS. MBL could bind SARS-CoV in a dose- and calcium-dependent and mannan-inhibitable fashion in vitro, suggesting that binding is through the carbohydrate recognition domains of MBL. Furthermore, deposition of complement C4 on SARS-CoV was enhanced by MBL. Inhibition of the infectivity of SARS-CoV by MBL in fetal rhesus kidney cells (FRhK-4) was also observed. These results suggest that MBL contributes to the first-line host defense against SARS-CoV and that MBL deficiency is a susceptibility factor for acquisition of SARS. © 2005 by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved.published_or_final_versio