Johnnie To Kei-Fung's Where a Good Man Goes

REVERTING TOSOCIAL ORDER BY CONTAINMENT: JOHNNIE TO KEI-FUNG'S WHERE A GOOD MAN GOES The 1999 Hong Kong International Film Festival hailed the Hong Kong director Johnnie To Kei-Fung as a Director in Focus, featuring eleven of his films. The opening film of the Festival was his world premiere, Where a Good Man Goes, casting Lau Ching-wan and Ruby Wong, telling a story of the return of a prodigal son. The film, in short, evolves around a central theme "home". The author of this article suggests that this "home" is of the concept of a traditional home held by the Chinese, from ancient days to the present, and is also patriarchal. The film's story also tells of the "grand narratives" governing the order of the Chinese society since the early ages, which incidentally coincide with the Western view, that no evil can escape judgment and if a prodigal son returns,..

Deconstructing Walt Disney's The Lion King

DECONSTRUCTING THE WALT DISNEY ANIMATION THE LION KING: ITS IDEOLOGY AND THE PERSPECTIVE OF HONG KONG CHINESE Walt Disney's animations have always been popular, largely of course due to their aesthetic appeal, vivid characters, interesting plots, and for the parents, obvious moral standards that save their time teaching their children. The artifact this paper is going to study is one of Disney's most popular animation The Lion King released in 1994 both in the US and in Hong Kong. The film broke all records in the first weekend, grossing USD42 million. It was similarly popular when it was released in Hong Kong during the summer vacation in the same year. Simply put, the story is about how a regal lion is victimised by his uncle: experiences an exile and a life free from responsibility: free by whim or by chance, when he grows up, meets up with his friend..

Phase Equilibria of Lattice Polymers from Histogram Reweighting Monte Carlo Simulations

Histogram-reweighting Monte Carlo simulations were used to obtain polymer / solvent phase diagrams for lattice homopolymers of chain lengths up to r=1000 monomers. The simulation technique was based on performing a series of grand canonical Monte Carlo calculations for a small number of state points and combining the results to obtain the phase behavior of a system over a range of temperatures and densities. Critical parameters were determined from mixed-field finite-size scaling concepts by matching the order parameter distribution near the critical point to the distribution for the three-dimensional Ising universality class. Calculations for the simple cubic lattice (coordination number z=6) and for a high coordination number version of the same lattice (z=26) were performed for chain lengths significantly longer than in previous simulation studies. The critical temperature was found to scale with chain length following the Flory-Huggins functional form. For the z=6 lattice, the extrapolated infinite chain length critical temperature is 3.70+-0.01, in excellent agreement with previous calculations of the temperature at which the osmotic second virial coefficient is zero and the mean end-to-end distance proportional to the number of bonds. This confirms that the three alternative definitions of the Theta-temperature are equivalent in the limit of long chains. The critical volume fraction scales with chain length with an exponent equal to 0.38+-0.01, in agreement with experimental data but in disagreement with polymer solution theories. The width of the coexistence curve prefactor was tentatively found to scale with chain length with an exponent of 0.20+-0.03 for z = 6 and 0.22+-0.03 for z = 26. These values are near the lower range of values obtained from experimental data.Comment: 23 pages, including 7 figure

The modified two-by-one fixed orthodontic appliance for bodily movement of canine: a case report

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licens

A Comparison of NAL and DSL Prescriptive Methods for Paediatric Hearing-Aid Fitting: Predicted Speech Intelligibility and Loudness

Objective: To examine the impact of prescription on predicted speech intelligibility and loudness for children. Design: A between-group comparison of speech intelligibility index (SII) and loudness, based on hearing aids fitted according to NAL-NL1, DSL v4.1, or DSL m[i/o] prescriptions. A within-group comparison of gains prescribed by DSL m[i/o] and NAL-NL2 for children in terms of SII and loudness. Study sample: Participants were 200 children, who were randomly assigned to first hearing-aid fitting with either NAL-NL1, DSL v4.1, or DSL m[i/o]. Audiometric data and hearing-aid data at 3 years of age were used. Results: On average, SII calculated on the basis of hearing-aid gains were higher for DSL than for NAL-NL1 at low input level, equivalent at medium input level, and higher for NAL-NL1 than DSL at high input level. Greater loudness was associated with DSL than with NAL-NL1, across a range of input levels. Comparing NAL-NL2 and DSL m[i/o] target gains revealed higher SII for the latter at low input level. SII was higher for NAL-NL2 than for DSL m[i/o] at medium- and high-input levels despite greater loudness for gains prescribed by DSL m[i/o] than by NAL-NL2. Conclusion: The choice of prescription has minimal effects on speech intelligibility predictions but marked effects on loudness predictions

Interocular Shift of Visual Attention Enhances Stereopsis and Visual Acuities of Anisometropic Amblyopes beyond the Critical Period of Visual Development: A Novel Approach

Aims. Increasing evidence shows that imbalanced suppressive drive prior to binocular combination may be the key factor in amblyopia. We described a novel binocular approach, interocular shift of visual attention (ISVA), for treatment of amblyopia in adult patients. Methods. Visual stimuli were presented anaglyphically on a computer screen. A square target resembling Landolt C had 2 openings, one in red and one in cyan color. Through blue-red goggles, each eye could only see one of the two openings. The patient was required to report the location of the opening presented to the amblyopic eye. It started at an opening size of 800 sec of arc, went up and down in 160 sec of arc step, and stopped when reaching the 5th reversals. Ten patients with anisometropic amblyopia older than age 14 (average age: 26.7) were recruited and received ISVA treatment for 6 weeks, with 2 training sessions per day. Results. Both Titmus stereopsis (z = −2.809, P = 0.005) and Random-dot stereopsis (z = −2.317, P = 0.018) were significantly improved. Average improvement in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.74 line (t = 5.842, P < 0.001). Conclusions. The ISVA treatment may be effective in treating amblyopia and restoring stereoscopic function

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells Expressing CD44 Are Enriched for Stem Cell-Like Properties

Background: The cancer stem cell theory hypothesizes that cancers are perpetuated by cancer stem cells (CSC) or tumor initiating cells (TIC) possessing self-renewal and other stem cell-like properties while differentiated non-stem/initiating cells have a finite life span. To investigate whether the hypothesis is applicable to lung cancer, identification of lung CSC and demonstration of these capacities is essential. Methodology/Principal Finding: The expression profiles of five stem cell markers (CD34, CD44, CD133, BMI1 and OCT4) were screened by flow cytometry in 10 lung cancer cell lines. CD44 was further investigated by testing for in vitro and in vivo tumorigenecity. Formation of spheroid bodies and in vivo tumor initiation ability were demonstrated in CD44+ cells of 4 cell lines. Serial in vivo tumor transplantability in nude mice was demonstrated using H1299 cell line. The primary xenografts initiated from CD44+ cells consisted of mixed CD44+ and CD44- cells in similar ratio as the parental H1299 cell line, supporting in vivo differentiation. Semi-quantitative Real-Time PCR (RT-PCR) showed that both freshly sorted CD44+ and CD44+ cells derived from CD44+-initiated tumors expressed the pluripotency genes OCT4/POU5F1, NANOG, SOX2. These stemness markers were not expressed by CD44- cells. Furthermore, freshly sorted CD44+ cells were more resistant to cisplatin treatment with lower apoptosis levels than CD44- cells. Immunohistochemical analysis of 141 resected non-small cell lung cancers showed tumor cell expression of CD44 in 50.4% of tumors while no CD34, and CD133 expression was observed in tumor cells. CD44 expression was associated with squamous cell carcinoma but unexpectedly, a longer survival was observed in CD44-expressing adenocarcinomas. Conclusion/Significance: Overall, our results demonstrated that stem cell-like properties are enriched in CD44-expressing subpopulations of some lung cancer cell lines. Further investigation is required to clarify the role of CD44 in tumor cell renewal and cancer propagation in the in vivo environment.© 2010 Leung et al.published_or_final_versio

The role of pediatric nursing in the provision of quality care in humanitarian settings: a qualitative study in Tonkolili District, Sierra Leone

Purpose: Evaluate nurses' and caretakers' perspectives of quality care, barriers to its delivery, and its study in a humanitarian setting. Methods: A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews and direct observation was conducted in the pediatric department of Magburaka Hospital, Tonkolili district, Sierra Leone. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and inductive coding was used to identify prevalent themes. The observation was used to compare and elaborate on interview findings. Results: Three themes emerged holistic care; the nursing community; and organization and systems of care. For caretakers, holistic care related to their child’s survival, with quality care described as the availability of free medication, provision for basic needs (food, water, shelter, sanitation), hospital cleanliness, and psychosocial support. For nurses, this involved medication administration, cleanliness, and carrying out nursing tasks (e.g., taking vital signs). Observation revealed caretakers, without nursing involvement, performed the majority of “activities of daily living” (e.g., bathing, toileting). The nursing community describes nursing employment types, attitudes, and how a lack of teamwork impacted quality nursing care. The third theme outlines the importance of organization and systems of care, in which training and a good salary were perceived as prerequisites for quality nursing care, whilst a lack of resources and inadequate operational systems were barriers. Conclusion: Caretakers play an integral role in the delivery of quality care. This and important quality care components outlined by nurses and caretakers identified a patient and family-centered approach could contribute to improving quality nursing care in humanitarian settings

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Metformin Irrespective of Diabetes Status

Rationale: The diabetes drug metformin is under investigation in cardiovascular disease but the molecular mechanisms underlying possible benefits are poorly understood. Objective: Here we have studied anti-inflammatory effects of the drug and their relationship to anti-hyperglycaemic properties. Methods and Results: In primary hepatocytes from healthy animals, metformin and the IKKβ inhibitor BI605906 both inhibited TNFα-dependent IκB degradation and expression of pro-inflammatory mediators IL-6, IL-1b, and CXCL1/2. Metformin suppressed IKKα/β activation, an effect which could be separated from some metabolic actions, in that BI605906 did not mimic effects of metformin on lipogenic gene expression, glucose production and AMPK activation. Equally AMPK was not required either for mitochondrial suppression of IκB degradation. Consistent with discrete anti-inflammatory actions, in macrophages metformin specifically blunted secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, without inhibiting M1/M2 differentiation or activation. In a large treatment naïve diabetes population cohort, we observed differences in the systemic inflammation marker, Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), following incident treatment with either metformin or sulfonylurea monotherapy. Compared to sulfonylurea exposure, metformin reduced the mean log-transformed NLR after 8-16 months by 0.09 units (95% CI=0.02-0.17, p=0.013), and increased the likelihood that NLR would be lower than baseline after 8-16 months (OR 1.83, 95% CI=1.22-2.75, p=0.00364). Following up these findings in a double blind placebo controlled trial in nondiabetic heart failure (trial registration: NCT00473876), metformin suppressed plasma cytokines including the ageing-associated cytokine CCL11. Conclusions: We conclude that anti-inflammatory properties of metformin are exerted irrespective of diabetes status. This may accelerate investigation of drug utility in non-diabetic cardiovascular disease groups

Best-practice prevention alone or with conventional or biological caries management for 3- to 7-year-olds:the FiCTION three-arm RCT

Background Historically, lack of evidence for effective management of decay in primary teeth has caused uncertainty, but there is emerging evidence to support alternative strategies to conventional fillings, which are minimally invasive and prevention orientated. Objectives The objectives were (1) to assess the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of three strategies for managing caries in primary teeth and (2) to assess quality of life, dental anxiety, the acceptability and experiences of children, parents and dental professionals, and caries development and/or progression. Design This was a multicentre, three-arm parallel-group, participant-randomised controlled trial. Allocation concealment was achieved by use of a centralised web-based randomisation facility hosted by Newcastle Clinical Trials Unit. Setting This trial was set in primary dental care in Scotland, England and Wales. Participants Participants were NHS patients aged 3–7 years who were at a high risk of tooth decay and had at least one primary molar tooth with decay into dentine, but no pain/sepsis. Interventions Three interventions were employed: (1) conventional with best-practice prevention (local anaesthetic, carious tissue removal, filling placement), (2) biological with best-practice prevention (sealing-in decay, selective carious tissue removal and fissure sealants) and (3) best-practice prevention alone (dietary and toothbrushing advice, topical fluoride and fissure sealing of permanent teeth). Main outcome measures The clinical effectiveness outcomes were the proportion of children with at least one episode (incidence) and the number of episodes, for each child, of dental pain or dental sepsis or both over the follow-up period. The cost-effectiveness outcomes were the cost per incidence of, and cost per episode of, dental pain and/or dental sepsis avoided over the follow-up period. Results A total of 72 dental practices were recruited and 1144 participants were randomised (conventional arm, n = 386; biological arm, n = 381; prevention alone arm, n = 377). Of these, 1058 were included in an intention-to-treat analysis (conventional arm, n = 352; biological arm, n = 352; prevention alone arm, n = 354). The median follow-up time was 33.8 months (interquartile range 23.8–36.7 months). The proportion of children with at least one episode of pain or sepsis or both was 42% (conventional arm), 40% (biological arm) and 45% (prevention alone arm). There was no evidence of a difference in incidence or episodes of pain/sepsis between arms. When comparing the biological arm with the conventional arm, the risk difference was –0.02 (97.5% confidence interval –0.10 to 0.06), which indicates, on average, a 2% reduced risk of dental pain and/or dental sepsis in the biological arm compared with the conventional arm. Comparing the prevention alone arm with the conventional arm, the risk difference was 0.04 (97.5% confidence interval –0.04 to 0.12), which indicates, on average, a 4% increased risk of dental pain and/or dental sepsis in the prevention alone arm compared with the conventional arm. Compared with the conventional arm, there was no evidence of a difference in episodes of pain/sepsis among children in the biological arm (incident rate ratio 0.95, 97.5% confidence interval 0.75 to 1.21, which indicates that there were slightly fewer episodes, on average, in the biological arm than the conventional arm) or in the prevention alone arm (incident rate ratio 1.18, 97.5% confidence interval 0.94 to 1.48, which indicates that there were slightly more episodes in the prevention alone arm than the conventional arm). Over the willingness-to-pay values considered, the probability of the biological treatment approach being considered cost-effective was approximately no higher than 60% to avoid an incidence of dental pain and/or dental sepsis and no higher than 70% to avoid an episode of pain/sepsis. Conclusions There was no evidence of an overall difference between the three treatment approaches for experience of, or number of episodes of, dental pain or dental sepsis or both over the follow-up period