Switching Time: Multiple Personalities

Analysis and discussion of multiple personality syndromes based on Richard Baer\u27s book, Switching Time

Cytokine combinations on the potential of Ex Vivo expansion of murine hematopoietic stem cells

Local Scholarship Awardees - Poster Sessions: no. 9DMM 2011 entitled: Re-engineering Regenerative MedicineThe limited number of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) in human bone marrow and cord blood has led to experimental approaches using cytokines for ex vivo expansion of HSC. Here, we studied the expansion of murine hematopoietic stem cells with different cytokine combinations and characterized the hematopoietic gene expression profile of expanded cells, aiming to facilitate the development of optimal HSC culture condition. Murine HSC with immunophenotype Lineage-Sca-1+c-Kit+ (LSK) were cultured in five different cytokine combinations ...postprin

Investigation and Resolution of Propane Compressor High Axial Position Alarm

Case StudiesPropane compressor in Propane Dewaxing Unit was experiencing intermittent high axial spikes coinciding with the chiller swing. The axial spikes were due to compressor surge caused by sudden drop in flow during chiller swing. The response and the tuning of the anti-surge controller (ASC) was set in a generic way to suit steady state operation. But this being a semi-batch process, the ASC retuning was required. ASC retuning was done to suit to the process conditions. By doing so, the compressor surge was avoided and the axial position spikes were also eliminated

Reclamation Ground Settlement Monitoring by Using GPS and Other Positioning Technologies at ShenZhen Airport.

Hong Kong is a small territory of about 1070 km2 . There is an ever-increasing demand for land to cope with her increasing development. Typical geology in Hong Kong under the seabed comprises a layer of soft marine deposit of variable thickness of up to 20 m, overlying alluvium, residual soil, decomposed rock and bedrock. However, the marine deposit is too soft to support any structures. Conventional reclamation practice in Hong Kong is to dredge the marine deposit, build the seawalls and fill the enclosed space by sand. This conventional approach has many shortcomings. A research project was undertaken by The University of Hong Kong to develop a vacuum preloading technique that is environmentally safe to improve the engineering properties of the thick layer of soft marine deposits so that they can be kept in place during land reclamation. As a result, the environmental problems relating to dredging can be completely eliminated. A vacuum preloading test near the Shenzhen Airport was carried out as part of a very large research program. Sub-surface field instrumentation comprised piezometers, inclinometers, extensometers and pressure cells to monitor the performance of the vacuum system and the physical changes of the marine deposit during vacuum preloading. Surface settlement was monitored using 3 units of high precision GPS equipment throughout the test for checking against the sub-surface monitored movement. It is necessary to use a fully automatic system like GPS for replacing conventional survey because the test was carried out over water, which was difficult to access and the test was carried out over a very long period of 4 months. This paper reports the use of GPS for reclamation ground settlement monitoring and demonstrates cm-level positioning results through experimental trials. The results also agree very well with the sub-surface settlement readings.published_or_final_versio

Genetic variation of Oratosquilla oratoria (Crustacea: Stomatopoda) across Hong Kong waters elucidated by mitochondrial DNA control region sequences

The population genetic structure of the mantis shrimp, Oratosquilla oratoria, in Hong Kong waters was determined using 923 base pairs of mitochondrial DNA control region sequences. Samples were collected from six localities including the open-waters and sheltered bays in both the eastern and western waters of Hong Kong. Twenty-seven haplotypes were detected in 99 individuals. A high overall haplotype diversity (h=0.886), with a low nucleotide diversity (=0.0026), was observed, and the haplotype minimum spanning network suggested that rapid expansion might have occurred among the total stomatopod population. Genetic homogeneity was observed over a meso-scale distance (80-100km) whilst there were significant genetic differentiations between all pairs of the six samples. Partition of genetic variability based on hydrographic conditions did not reveal significant differentiations between: (1) eastern and western waters; and (2) open-waters and sheltered bays; but showed high levels of variation both within groups and within samples. Unexpectedly, genetic distance did not correlate with hydrographic distance among the samples. Results demonstrated a genetic patchiness pattern of O. oratoria in Hong Kong waters that may be attributable to the interplay between hydrographic conditions (e.g. salinity) and the species' life history traits. Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2009.published_or_final_versio

Editorial: Evolving roles of piRNAs in solid tumors

According to Global Cancer Statistics 2020, an estimated 19.3 million new cancer cases and almost 10 million cancer deaths occurred in 2020. Solid tumors represent approximately 90% of adult human cancers, hence they warrant significant attention from the research fraternity to improve upon the existing platforms of treatment and management of the malignancy. Only by a better understanding of the biology associated with cancer development and progression can we identify clinically relevant novel molecular targets that can not only improve upon the risk stratification of the patients, but also assist in overall disease management. PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) is a class of small non-coding RNA (26-31nt) that interacts with PIWI proteins to form the piRNA silencing complex (piRISC). PIWI is a subfamily of Argonaute, and piRNA must bind to PIWI to exert its regulatory role, although have been also described PIWI independent functions for piRNAs. Nearly 10 million unique piRNA sequences (2) have now been identified in humans alone that have been recognized to play a wide variety of roles including germline development, maintenance, and protection of the genome integrity by repressing the activity of transposons through post-transcriptional silencing or other epigenetic mechanisms. Emerging data suggests that piRNAs also have strong regulatory roles within the somatic tissues where they regulate gene expression by inducing histone modification and DNA methylation. Owing to their remarkable roles in maintaining cellular homeostasis, it is not surprising that the expression of piRNAs is reported to be frequently deregulated in several cancers. Current studies indicated that piRNAs are significantly abnormally expressed and are involved in the initiation, progression, and metastasis of different solid tumors, which may be the potential diagnostic tools, prognostic markers, and therapeutic targets for cancers. This special issue is a collection of original research and review articles on this topic

The life and poetry of Dai Tian.

The thesis studies the life and poetry of Dai Tian (1937-) as a Hong Kong poet. Hong Kong literature and poetry have seldom been studied by scholars in the West in past years. With the ending of British colonial rule and the handing over of the sovereignty of Hong Kong back to the Chinese on 1st July 1997, there is an urgency in the study of Hong Kong poetry to render overdue recognition to Hong Kong poets. Dai Tian was bom in China, raised in Mauritius, studied in Taiwan and the USA, and now lives in Hong Kong. In this thesis, I demonstrate that Hong Kong poetry exists and that Dai Tian is one of its foremost representatives. The thesis is in 5 chapters. Chapter 1 introduces the literary activities and development of Hong Kong from 1842-1997. A definition of Hong Kong poetry on the basis of themes will be given. The question of Hong Kong being a place of importance in poetry is raised. Chapter 2 is an account of the life of Dai Tian. Chapter 3 is the discussion of Dai Tian's poetry. Dai Tian's poetry is divided into 3 stages, the 1st stage is from 1957-1966, the 2nd stage from 1967-1980 and the stage from 1981-1990. Recurring themes like Chineseness, Chinese arts and artists, time and life, international politics, fables and cultural China are discussed. Chapter 4 is the study of Dai Tian as a Hong Kong poet. Dai Tian's poetry will be studied as representative of Hong Kong poets. The themes of anti-colonialism and Hong Kong as a periphery to Mainland China, Taiwan and the United Kingdom will be examined. Chapter 5 concludes the thesis and examines the friendship between Dai Tian and contemporary poets, Dai Tian's influence on Hong Kong poets and his plans for future writings

Peritoneal computed tomography: A diagnostic tool for genital oedema in patients on peritoneal dialysis

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Prolonged myoclonus after a single bolus dose of propofol

Propofol is a commonly used anaesthetic agent and is rarely associated with seizure-like phenomena. This case report presents a young woman with seizure-like phenomena lasting more than 4 weeks after a single dose of propofol. The underlying pathophysiology of this condition is poorly understood but a psychological component is possible in this case. © 2009 The Authors.postprin