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Channel Sourcing Strategy Based on Customer-Acquiescence in Business-to-Business Markets: Antecedents and Consequences
No full textCandida albicans orf19.3727 encodes phytase activity and is essential for human tissue damage
Get PDFCandida albicans is a clinically important human fungal pathogen. We previously identified the presence of cell-associated phytase activity in C. albicans. Here, we reveal for the first time, that orf19.3727 contributes to phytase activity in C. albicans and ultimately to its virulence potency. Compared with its wild type counterpart, disruption of C. albicans orf19.3727 led to decreased phytase activity, reduced ability to form hyphae, attenuated in vitro adhesion, and reduced ability to penetrate human epithelium, which are the major virulence attributes of this yeast. Thus, orf19.3727 of C. albicans plays a key role in fungal pathogenesis. Further, our data uncover a putative novel strategy for anti-Candidal drug design through inhibition of phytase activity of this common pathogen
Isolation and purification of tetrodotoxin from a marine bacteria takifugu ocellatus
No full textTetrodotoxin (TTX) is a deadly non-protein neurotoxin and a well-known sodium channel blocker, but it is also a potent analgesic and an effective non-opioid (non-addictive) local anesthetic with a quick onset time. TTX is now being explored as a novel pharmaceutical drug. Clinical trials of using TTX as a pain killer for cancer patients and a withdrawal formulation for heroin addicts are undergoing. Moreover, published reports show that TTX can suppress prostate cancer cells from metastasizing. Thus, the development of TTX as a novel marine bioactive drug has promising application potential and imminent significance. To date, numerous experiment evidence points out that TTX is synthesized by the puffer fish-associated microbes before accumulating in the fish. However, the in vitro production of TTX by the isolated TTX-producing bacteria has been limited to only nanogram level. Hence, we hypothesized that TTX production is likely relying on a mixed microbial community, in which some strains might be non-cultivable by traditional methods, The study investigated production of TTX by the consortium of the intestinal microbiota of a toxic puffer fish species, Takifugu ocellatus in a fermentation approach. TTX was isolated and purified from the fermentation broth by resin chromatography, which was detected by mouse bioassay and LC-MS/MS
Analysis of standby power consumption for lifts and escalators
No full textLifts and escalators are very important for urban cities like Hong Kong, for the operation and functioning of high-rise buildings and other facilities. These transportation systems constitute a significant part of the electrical power demand and energy consumption in buildings. However, the information about their energy performance and energy saving measures are limited. Very often, the energy is wasted during the idle and standby situations. This research aims to study the principle and characteristics of standby power for lifts and escalators so as to evaluate possible measures to control and reduce the standby power consumption. Relevant research and technical standards have been studied to identify useful information for assessing the standby power. Field measurements have been carried out in 21 units of lifts and 14 units of escalators in Hong Kong to examine the standby characteristics and energy consumption. It is found that the standby power consumption is affected by traffic demand, operation characteristics, control methods and drive technology. To reduce the standby energy use, it is essential to control non-critical components (such as air-conditioning and lighting). Good potential for energy saving can also be found in motor drive technology and smart controls
汉语学习自主学习者特征初探 A narrative research on the characteristics of autonomous learners of Chinese as a foreign language
No full text本研究参考自主学习理论，调查了十位成年汉语学习者，描绘了他们在汉语作为第二语言学习中的自主学习能力，并且初步构建了汉语学习自主学习者的特征模型。本文以学习者的叙事为研究材料，分析结果发现研究对象在八个方面体现出了较强的自主学习特征：控制学习对象、控制学习目标、控制学习策略、控制元语言知识、控制反思行为、控制学习内容、控制学习材料和控制学习环境。本研究希望促进汉语作为第二语言教学中对自主学习研究的深入理解和发展，并为教师培养汉语学习者自主学习能力提出若干建议。
Drawing on theories of learning autonomy, the study investigated ten adult learners of Chinese in Hong Kong in order to describe the characteristics of autonomous learners and develop a profile for successful learners of Chinese as a foreign language. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, analysed and presented in this paper. Eight characteristics were identified from narrative data. Findings show that autonomous learners demonstrated strong control abilities over learning objects, learning targets, learning strategies, metalanguages, reflections, learning content, learning materials and learning environment. The paper ends with suggestions to promote research on learning autonomy and also to offer suggestions to teachers who hope to foster learning autonomy with their students
Occurrence of endocrine disrupting compounds in aqueous environment and their bacterial degradation: a review
No full textEndocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), represented by steroidal estrogens (estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), estradiol (E3), and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) and xenoestrogens (bisphenol A (BPA) and nonylphenol (NP)), are pollutants with estrogenic activity at very low concentrations and are emerging as a major concern for water quality. They enter into aqueous environment mainly through discharge of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents. The paper completely reviews recent studies on the occurrence of the six categories of EDCs in different aqueous environment, namely surface water, groundwater, drinking water, and wastewater in WWTPs all over the world. Furthermore, due to the high bioactivity, ubiquitous distribution, potential ecological effects, and persistence of the six categories of EDCs, the work summarizes current knowledge of their bacterial biodegradation, which is considered to be an efficient and promising method of removing EDCs. A wide range of bacteria isolated from various environments and affiliated to all kinds of genera with different degradation powers for EDCs are collected in this review in order to select specific strains adapting well to local conditions for bioremediation of freshwater, seawater, soil, sediment with low or high levels of EDCs. Finally, it emphasizes the need for further research and summarizes the future tasks that emerge from the data gathered here
An emerging community-engaged paradigm in architectural and design education
No full textAs contemporary cities evolve to become more heterogeneous, there is a growing demand for architectural educators to engage with their communities to address their varied needs of urban stakeholders. This paper will focus on two design research projects in the University of Hong Kong to illustrate how community-oriented architectural education can be advocated through an institutional catalyst in a tertiary educational system. In this context, the exchange of knowledge is defined by participation from professional institutions, private commercial groups, community stakeholders, and government departments to pursue a common design vision. Through a modified learning-/teaching-POOL Model, these case studies will give a nuanced view of how community engagement becomes an emerging architectural paradigm, challenging the original form of the one-way authoritative mode of knowledge reproduction. The paper will illustrate how such a multi-disciplinary approach can best position universities in addressing our complex contemporary social needs. It aims to fill the research gap in knowledge on the experiential aspects of inter-disciplinary collaboration as a new design education paradigm in the Asian context
Playing for keeps
Get PDFWhen Peter Buffett paid a visit to HKDI in November it was a delight to find that the son of America\u27s richest stock-picker is a compelling paradox of refreshing candour and Zen-like apborisms