A Chinese version of the psychotic symptom rating scales : psychometric properties in recent-onset and chronic psychosis

2016-2017 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journal201804_a bcmaVersion of RecordPublishe

Source origins, modeled profiles, and apportionments of halogenated hydrocarbons in the greater Pearl River Delta region, southern China

We analyze 16-month data of 13 major halocarbons measured at a southern China coastal site in the greater Pearl River Delta (PRD). A total of 188 canister air samples were collected from August 2001 to December 2002. Overall inspection indicated that CH2Cl2, C2Cl 4, and C2HCl3 had similar temporal variations while CFC-11, CFC-12, and CFC-113 showed the same emission patterns during the sampling period. Diurnal variations of halocarbons presented different patterns during ozone episode days, mainly related to emission strength, atmospheric dispersion, and photochemical lifetimes. For further statistics and source appointment, Lagrangian backward particle release simulations were conducted to help understand the potential source regions of all samples and classify them into different categories, including local Hong Kong, inner PRD, continental China, and marine air masses. With the exception of HCFC-142b, the mixing ratios of all halocarbons in marine air were significantly lower than those in urban and regional air (p < 0.01), whereas no significant difference was found between urban Hong Kong and inner PRD regional air, reflecting the dominant impact of the greater PRD regional air on the halocarbon levels. The halocarbon levels in this region were significantly influenced by anthropogenic sources, causing the halocarbon mixing ratios in South China Sea air to be higher than the corresponding background levels, as measured by global surface networks and by airborne missions such as Transport and Chemical Evolution Over the Pacific. Interspecies correlation analysis suggests that CHCl3 is mainly used as a solvent in Hong Kong but mostly as a feedstock for HCFC-22 in the inner PRD. Furthermore, CH3Cl is often used as a refrigerant and emitted from biomass/biofuel burning in the inner PRD. A positive matrix factorization receptor model was applied to the classified halocarbon samples in the greater PRD for source profiles and apportionments. Seven major sources were identified and quantified. Emissions from solvent use were the most significant source of halocarbons (71 ± 9%), while refrigeration was the second largest contributor (18 ± 2%). By further looking at samples from the inner PRD and from urban Hong Kong separately, we found that more solvent was used in the dry cleaning industry in Hong Kong, whereas the contribution of cleaning solvent in the electronic industry was higher in the inner PRD. Besides the two common sources of solvent use and refrigeration, the contributions of biomass/biofuel burning and feedstock in chemical manufacturing was remarkable in the inner PRD but negligible in Hong Kong. These findings are of help to effectively control and phase out the emissions of halocarbons in the greater PRD region of southern China Copyright 2009 by the American Geophysical Union

Randomised controlled trial of a family-led mutual support programme for people with dementia

2011-2012 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalAuthor’s OriginalPublishe

Cloning, expression and location of RNase9 in human epididymis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mammalian spermatozoa become fully motile and fertile during transit through the luminal fluid of the epididymis. At least 200 proteins are present in the epididymal lumen, but the potential roles of these luminal proteins in male fertility are unknown. Investigation of the function of these proteins will elucidate the mechanism of sperm maturation, and also provide new drug targets for male contraception. We cloned RNase9 from a human epididymis cDNA library for characterization and analysis of its functions.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>It was predicted that human <it>RNase9 </it>gene was located on chromosome 14q11.2 and encoded a 205 amino acids protein with a signal peptide of 26 amino acids at the N-terminus. The protein had eight conserved cysteine residues characteristic of the RNase A family members and several potential post-translational modification sites.</p> <p>At the transcriptional level, <it>RNase9 </it>was expressed in a wide variety of tissues, and the expression was higher in men than in boys. <it>RNase9 </it>was localized to the post-equatorial region of the sperms' head. Immunofluorescence staining showed that RNase9 protein was present mostly in the epithelium of the epididymal tubule. Recombinant RNase9 had no ribonuclease activity. In addition, RNase9 had no detectable effect on sperm motility and fertilization as demonstrated by blocking spermatozoa with anti-RNase9 polyclonal serum.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p><it>RNase9 </it>is expressed in a wide variety of tissues. It is located on the post-equatorial region of the sperm head and the epithelium of epididymal tubule. Although <it>RNase9 </it>belongs to the RNase A family, it has no ribonuclease activity.</p

The Effects of MALL on L2 Pronunciation Learning: A Meta-Analysis

Mobile-assisted language learning has emerged as a valuable tool for L2 pronunciation learning as it offers ample opportunities for learners to perform authentic learning activities anytime and anywhere. However, the extent to which mobile devices may facilitate or enhance L2 pronunciation has yet to be systematically investigated. To address the research gap, the study drew on a meta-analytic framework to examine the overall average effect of mobile devices on L2 pronunciation learning. The meta-analysis consisted of 13 primary studies featured in an experimental vs. control group design published between 2009 and 2020. These studies involved 655 participants and reported 19 effect sizes in the results. The analysis revealed a robust effect size (d =.66) as captured by a random-effects model, indicating a significant effect concerning the use of mobile devices on L2 pronunciation learning. In the meta-analysis, significant moderators were also identified, and their moderating effects were critically examined. In light of the research findings, it is argued that innovative activities and tasks using mobile devices can be adopted for both language instructors and learners due to their portability, connectivity, and individuality

Counterflow dielectrophoresis for trypanosome enrichment and detection in blood

Human African trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness is a deadly disease endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, caused by single-celled protozoan parasites. Although it has been targeted for elimination by 2020, this will only be realized if diagnosis can be improved to enable identification and treatment of afflicted patients. Existing techniques of detection are restricted by their limited field-applicability, sensitivity and capacity for automation. Microfluidic-based technologies offer the potential for highly sensitive automated devices that could achieve detection at the lowest levels of parasitemia and consequently help in the elimination programme. In this work we implement an electrokinetic technique for the separation of trypanosomes from both mouse and human blood. This technique utilises differences in polarisability between the blood cells and trypanosomes to achieve separation through opposed bi-directional movement (cell counterflow). We combine this enrichment technique with an automated image analysis detection algorithm, negating the need for a human operator

An experimental study on the effectiveness of a mutual support group for family caregivers of a relative with dementia in mainland China

2011-2012 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalAccepted ManuscriptPublishe

Organ Biodistribution of Radiolabelled γδ T Cells Following Liposomal Alendronate Administration in Different Mouse Tumour Models.

Vγ9Vδ2 T cell immunotherapy has been shown to be effective in delaying tumour growth in both pre-clinical and clinical studies. It has been pointed out the importance of the ability of cells to accumulate within tumours and the association with therapeutic efficacy in clinical studies of adoptive T cell transfer. We have previously reported that alendronate liposomes (L-ALD) increase the efficacy of this therapy after localised or systemic injection of γδ T cells in mice, inoculated with ovarian, melanoma, pancreatic or experimental lung metastasis tumour models, respectively. This study aimed to examine the organ biodistribution and tumour uptake of human γδ T cells in subcutaneous (SC), intraperitoneal (IP) or experimental metastatic lung tumours, established in NOD-SCID gamma (NSG) mice using the melanoma cell line A375Pβ6.luc. pre-injected with L-ALD. Overall, small variations in blood profiles and organ biodistribution of γδ T cells among the different tumour models were observed. Exceptionally, IP-tumour and experimental metastatic lung-tumour bearing mice pre-injected with L-ALD showed a significant decrease in liver accumulation, and highest uptake of γδ T cells in lungs and tumour-bearing lungs, respectively. Lower γδ T cell count was found in the SC and IP tumours

Design and Aerodynamic Investigation of Dynamic Architecture

The effect of the spacing between adjacent building floors on the wind distribution and turbulence intensity was analysed using computational fluid dynamics in this study. Five computational models were created with floor spacing ranging from 0.8 m (benchmark) to 1.6 m. The three-dimensional Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes equations along with the momentum and continuity equations were solved using the FLUENT code for obtaining the velocity and pressure field. Simulating a reference wind speed of 5.5 m/s, the findings from the study quantified that at a floor spacing of 1.6 m, the overall wind speed augmentation was 39 % which was much higher than the benchmark model (floor spacing = 0.8 m) indicating an amplification in wind speed of approximately 27 %. In addition, the results indicated a gradual reduction in turbulence kinetic energy by up to 53 % when the floor spacing was increased from 0.8 to 1.6 m. Although the concept was to integrate wind turbines into the building fabric, this study is limited to the assessment of the airflow inside the spaces of building floors which can be potentially harnessed by a vertical axis wind turbine. The findings of this work have indicated that there is a potential for integration which will lead on to future research in this area

Using geographically weighted regression to explore the spatially heterogeneous spread of bovine tuberculosis in England and Wales

An understanding of the factors that affect the spread of endemic bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is critical for the development of measures to stop and reverse this spread. Analyses of spatial data need to account for the inherent spatial heterogeneity within the data, or else spatial autocorrelation can lead to an overestimate of the significance of variables. This study used three methods of analysis—least-squares linear regression with a spatial autocorrelation term, geographically weighted regression (GWR) and boosted regression tree (BRT) analysis—to identify the factors that influence the spread of endemic bTB at a local level in England and Wales. The linear regression and GWR methods demonstrated the importance of accounting for spatial differences in risk factors for bTB, and showed some consistency in the identification of certain factors related to flooding, disease history and the presence of multiple genotypes of bTB. This is the first attempt to explore the factors associated with the spread of endemic bTB in England and Wales using GWR. This technique improves on least-squares linear regression approaches by identifying regional differences in the factors associated with bTB spread. However, interpretation of these complex regional differences is difficult and the approach does not lend itself to predictive models which are likely to be of more value to policy makers. Methods such as BRT may be more suited to such a task. Here we have demonstrated that GWR and BRT can produce comparable outputs