Opportunities and Obstacles: Ensuring access to compensation for trafficked persons in the UK

This document is part of a digital collection provided by the Martin P. Catherwood Library, ILR School, Cornell University, pertaining to the effects of globalization on the workplace worldwide. Special emphasis is placed on labor rights, working conditions, labor market changes, and union organizing.ASI_2009_HT_Opportunities_and_Obstacles.pdf: 56 downloads, before Oct. 1, 2020

The effect of word structure on the processing of Chinese two-character compound words and its acquisition in Hong Kong school-aged children

Also available in print."A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Bachelor of Science (Speech and Hearing Sciences), The University of Hong Kong, December 31, 2004."Thesis (B.Sc)--University of Hong Kong, 2004.published_or_final_versionSpeech and Hearing SciencesBachelorBachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science

Conformational dependence of the intrinsic acidity of the aspartic acid residue sidechain in N-acetyl-L-aspartic acid-N '-methylamide

The sidechain conformational potential energy hypersurfaces (PEHS) for the gamma(L), beta(L), alpha(L), and alpha(D) backbone conformations of N-acetyl-L-aspartate-M-methylamide were generated. Of the 81 possible conformers initially expected for the aspartate residue, only seven were found after geometric optimizations at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory. No stable conformers could be located in the delta(L), epsilon(L), gamma(D), delta(D), and epsilon(D) backbone conformations. The 'adiabatic' deprotonation energies for the endo and exo forms of N-acetyl-L-aspartic acid-N'-methylamide were calculated by comparing their optimized relative energies against those found for the seven stable conformers of N-acetyl-L-aspartate-N'-methylamide. Sideehain conformational PEHSs were also generated for the estimation of 'vertical' deprotonation energies for both endo and exo forms of N-acetyl-L-aspartic acid-N'-methylamide. All backbone-sidechain (N-H...-O-C) and backbone-backbone (N-(HO)-O-...=C) hydrogen bond interactions were analyzed. A total of two backbone-backbone and four backbone-sidechain interactions were found for N-acetyl-L-aspartate-N'-methylamide. The deprotonated sidechain of N-acetyl-L-aspartate-N'-methylamide may allow the aspartyl residue to form strong hydrogen bond interactions (since it is negatively charged) which may be significant in such processes as protein-ligand recognition and ligand binding. As a primary example, the molecular geometry of the aspartyl residue may be important in peptide folding, such as that. in the RGD tripeptide. (C) 2002 Elsevier science B.V. All rights reserved

The effective fraction isolated from Radix Astragali alleviates glucose intolerance, insulin resistance and hypertriglyceridemia in db/db diabetic mice through its anti-inflammatory activity

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Macrophage infiltration in adipose tissue together with the aberrant production of pro-inflammatory cytokines has been identified as the key link between obesity and its related metabolic disorders. This study aims to isolate bioactive ingredients from the traditional Chinese herb Radix Astragali (Huangqi) that alleviate obesity-induced metabolic damage through inhibiting inflammation.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Active fraction (Rx) that inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokine production was identified from Radix Astragali by repeated bioactivity-guided high-throughput screening. Major constituents in Rx were identified by column chromatography followed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass-spectrometry. Anti-diabetic activity of Rx was evaluated in db/db mice.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Treatment with Rx, which included calycosin-7-β-D-glucoside (0.9%), ononin (1.2%), calycosin (4.53%) and formononetin (1.1%), significantly reduced the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and MCP-1) in human THP-1 macrophages and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced activation of NF-κB in mouse RAW-Blue macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. Chronic administration of Rx in db/db obese mice markedly decreased the levels of both fed and fasting glucose, reduced serum triglyceride, and also alleviated insulin resistance and glucose intolerance when compared to vehicle-treated controls. The mRNA expression levels of inflammatory cell markers CD68 and F4/80, and cytokines MCP-1, TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly reduced in epididymal adipose tissue while the alternatively activated macrophage marker arginase I was markedly increased in the Rx-treated mice.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These findings suggest that suppression of the inflammation pathways in macrophages represents a valid strategy for high-throughput screening of lead compounds with anti-diabetic and insulin sensitizing properties, and further support the etiological role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of obesity-related metabolic disorders.</p

Comparing Knee Kinetics and Muscular Activity between the Barbell Squat and Flywheel Squat in Recreationally Trained Females

Previous literature has supported flywheel (FW) training with inducing muscular size and strength comparable to resistance training with free weights. However, it remains unclear how the biomechanical demands of these two training methods differ regarding reducing the risk of load-dependent injuries. PURPOSE: With the growing population of female astronauts, this study aimed to compare knee joint kinetics and muscle activation when squatting to full depth on the barbell back (BB) squat and a gravity-independent FW device utilizing technology to be deployed in future long-term space missions. METHODS: Twenty recreationally trained females (22.3 ± 2.7 yrs, 1.6 ± 0.1 m, 59.8 ± 6.8 kg) with at least two years of experience in BB squat training participated in this study. The first session involved one-repetition maximum (1RM) testing on the BB squat and familiarizing the participants with squatting on the FW device (YoYo ™ Multigym). In session two, the participants conducted: 1) one set of seven repetitions at 83% of their 1 RM in the BB and 2) one set of seven maximal repetitions on the FW training device using an inertial load of 0.100 kg ⋅ m2. The order of the exercises in session two was randomized. Three-dimensional motion capture, force platforms, and electromyography assessed knee joint moments and muscle activation on the participants\u27 dominant limb. Paired t-tests were conducted to compare these variables, with a significance set at p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: Analysis revealed peak knee extensor moments were greater in the BB squat (BB: 2.14 ± 0.36 Nm/kg, p = 0.004; FW: 1.94 ± 0.06 Nm/kg). The BB squat elicited greater mean muscle activity over the set compared to FW squats in the following: (vastus lateralis: +5.68%, p = 0.015; bicep femoris: +4.63%, p \u3c 0.001; gluteus maximus: +4.67%, p = 0.024; gluteus medius: +2.75%, p = 0.011; gastrocnemius lateralis: +3.09%, p = 0.028; gastrocnemius medius: +2.48%, p = 0.024). However, FW squats attained greater tibialis anterior activity (+5.56%, p = 0.04). There was no significant difference in muscle activity observed in the rectus femoris and vastus medialis. CONCLUSION: Although FW training requires less mechanical demand on the knee extensors when squatting to similar depths, participants achieved greater muscular activation during the BB squat

Creation and Initial Validation of the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative Functional Diet Scale

OBJECTIVE: To assess consensual validity, interrater reliability, and criterion validity of the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative Functional Diet Scale, a new functional outcome scale intended to capture the severity of oropharyngeal dysphagia, as represented by the degree of diet texture restriction recommended for the patient. DESIGN: Participants assigned International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative Functional Diet Scale scores to 16 clinical cases. Consensual validity was measured against reference scores determined by an author reference panel. Interrater reliability was measured overall and across quartile subsets of the dataset. Criterion validity was evaluated versus Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) scores assigned by survey respondents to the same case scenarios. Feedback was requested regarding ease and likelihood of use. SETTING: Web-based survey. PARTICIPANTS: Respondents (N=170) from 29 countries. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Consensual validity (percent agreement and Kendall tau), criterion validity (Spearman rank correlation), and interrater reliability (Kendall concordance and intraclass coefficients). RESULTS: The International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative Functional Diet Scale showed strong consensual validity, criterion validity, and interrater reliability. Scenarios involving liquid-only diets, transition from nonoral feeding, or trial diet advances in therapy showed the poorest consensus, indicating a need for clear instructions on how to score these situations. The International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative Functional Diet Scale showed greater sensitivity than the FOIS to specific changes in diet. Most (\u3e70%) respondents indicated enthusiasm for implementing the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative Functional Diet Scale. CONCLUSIONS: This initial validation study suggests that the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative Functional Diet Scale has strong consensual and criterion validity and can be used reliably by clinicians to capture diet texture restriction and progression in people with dysphagia

Measurement invariance of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—Colorectal quality-of-life instrument among modes of administration

OBJECTIVES: To test for the measurement invariance of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—Colorectal (FACT-C) in patients with colorectal neoplasms between two modes of administration (self- and interviewer administrations). It is important to establish the measurement invariance of the FACT-C across different modes of administration to ascertain whether it is valid to pool FACT-C data collected by different modes or to assess each group separately. METHODS: A cross-sectional sample of 391 Chinese patients with colorectal neoplasms was recruited from specialist outpatient clinics between September 2009 and July 2010. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test the original five-factor model of the FACT-C on data collected by self- and interviewer administrations in single-group analysis. Multiple-group CFA was then used to compare the factor structure between the two modes of administration using chi-square tests and other goodness-of-fit statistics. RESULTS: The hypothesized five-factor model of FACT-C demonstrated good fit in each group. Configural invariance and metric invariance were fully supported in multiple-group CFA. Some item intercepts and their corresponding error variances were not identical between administration groups, suggesting evidence of partial strict factorial invariance. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirmed that the five-factor structure of FACT-C was invariant in Chinese patients using both self- and interviewer administrations. It is appropriate to pool or compare data in the emotional well-being and colorectal cancer subscale scores collected by both administrations. Measurement invariance in three items, one from each of the other subscales, may be contaminated by response bias between modes of administration

EDN1 Lys198Asn is Associated with Diabetic Retinopathy in Type 2 Diabetes

Purpose: We tested the hypothesis that genetic variants in vasoactive and angiogenic factors regulating the retina vasculature contribute to the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods: A case-control study was performed to study the genetic association between DR and polymorphic variants of EDN1 (Lys198Asn), LTA (IVS1–80C>A, IVS1–206G>C, IVS1–252>G), eNOS (Glu298Asp), and ITGA2 (BgI II) in a Chinese population with type 2 diabetes mellitus. A well defined population with type 2 diabetes, consisting of 127 controls and 216 DR patients, was recruited. Results: A higher frequency of the Asn/Asn genotype of EDN1 was found in individuals with at least 10 years of diabetes and no retinopathy (controls) compared with DR patients with any duration of diabetes (DR: 2.3%; control: 11.0%; p=0.0002). The Asn allele was also more frequent in controls than DR patients (DR: 16.4%; control: 29.5%; p=0.007). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the Asn/Asn genotype was the factor most significantly associated with reduced risk of DR (odds ratio=0.19; 95% CI: 0.07-0.53; p=0.002) and with late onset of diabetes (Asn/Asn: 59 years; Lys/Lys + Lys/Asn: 53 years; p=0.02). Moreover, the Lys/Lys genotype was more common among patients with nonproliferative (75.7%) than proliferative DR (56.9%; p=0.008). The distributions of Lys198Asn alleles in hypertension did not differ from normotensive subjects. No associations between DR and polymorphisms of LTA, eNOS, or ITGA2 were detected, and there were no detectable gene-gene or gene-environmental interactions among the polymorphisms.Conclusions The Asn/Asn genotype of EDN1 was associated with a reduced risk of DR and with delayed onset of type 2 diabetes

The CDKN2A G500 Allele Is More Frequent in GBM Patients with No Defined Telomere Maintenance Mechanism Tumors and Is Associated with Poorer Survival

Prognostic markers for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are important for patient management. Recent advances have identified prognostic markers for GBMs that use telomerase or the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) mechanism for telomere maintenance. Approximately 40% of GBMs have no defined telomere maintenance mechanism (NDTMM), with a mixed survival for affected individuals. This study examined genetic variants in the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A) gene that encodes the p16INK4a and p14ARF tumor suppressors, and the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) gene as potential markers of survival for 40 individuals with NDTMM GBMs (telomerase negative and ALT negative by standard assays), 50 individuals with telomerase, and 17 individuals with ALT positive tumors. The analysis of CDKN2A showed NDTMM GBMs had an increased minor allele frequency for the C500G (rs11515) polymorphism compared to those with telomerase and ALT positive GBMs (p = 0.002). Patients with the G500 allele had reduced survival that was independent of age, extent of surgery, and treatment. In the NDTMM group G500 allele carriers had increased loss of CDKN2A gene dosage compared to C500 homozygotes. An analysis of IDH1 mutations showed the R132H mutation was associated with ALT positive tumors, and was largely absent in NDTMM and telomerase positive tumors. In the ALT positive tumors cohort, IDH1 mutations were associated with a younger age for the affected individual. In conclusion, the G500 CDKN2A allele was associated with NDTMM GBMs from older individuals with poorer survival. Mutations in IDH1 were not associated with NDTMM GBMs, and instead were a marker for ALT positive tumors in younger individuals