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對消費文化的“模擬”、呈現與反思－論董啟章《The catalog》的城市書寫 The imitation, reveals and reflections of consumer culture: an inquisition of the city writing in Dong Qizhang\u27s The catalog
No full text本文旨在探討董啓章如何以城市書寫的方式來模擬、呈現與反思1990年代香港文化的重要面向：消費文化。藉著考察董啓章小説譜系中被忽略，卻又異常獨特的一部作品—《The Catalog》（重新出版後名爲：《夢華録》＂Menghua lu＂），本文將會討論它的書籍設計怎樣既遵循消費文化的運作邏輯，又在某些地方刻意反其道而行，從而達到模擬的效果。然後，本文會借用各種消費文化理論，探析《The Catalog》如何從“液態之愛”、“符號消費”和“物化人生”三方面來呈現城市人在消費社會的生存狀況，以及董啓章引出的反思。最後，本文總論《The Catalog》於董啓章創作歷程及香港文學中的特殊位置。 This article aims to explore how Dong Qizhang, through city writing, imitates, reveals and reflects ＂Consumer Culture＂-an important aspect of Hong Kong\u27s culture in the 1990s. Through exploring an often neglected, yet unusually unique fiction of Dong Qizhang-＂The Catalog＂ (which was renamed as ＂Menghua lu＂ after republishing), this article will discuss how the book design follows the operational logic of consumption culture, and how it sometimes intentionally runs against the logic to achieve imitation. Then, a variety of consumption culture theories will be used to explore and analyse how ＂The Catalog＂ reveals the survival of urbanites in consumer society and the reflections raised by Dong Qizhang in three ways, namely ＂liquid love＂, ＂signs of consumption＂ and ＂commodification of life＂. Last, this article will conclude the special position of ＂The Catalog＂ in Dong Qizhang\u27s novel and Hong Kong\u27s literature
作家倫理責任之叩問: 董啟章之例 Inquisition into the epoch-making significance of writing: on Dong Qizhang\u27s introspection of his identity of writer in Tiangongkaiwu, xuxuruzhen and Shijianfanshi, yacizhiguang
No full text在文學寫作長年處於邊緣位置的香港，近年以寫作長篇小說為主的董啟章經常思考「為什麼寫」和「寫與不寫」之問題。為此，他在《天工開物‧栩栩如真》和《時間繁史‧啞瓷之光》裡，創造了兩個自己的「假面」：黑騎士和獨裁者，透過他們對寫作的思考，尋找自己堅持寫作的理由。本文主要論述方向有二：其一借助巴赫金複調小說理論，闡釋《天工開物‧栩栩如真》和《時間繁史‧啞瓷之光》裡，黑騎士和獨裁者與其筆下的人物如何體現複調小說的特質，論述為什麼董啟章認為小說作者必須對主人公負上責任。其二結合香港的文學環境，探討董啟章如何看待黑騎士「為自己而寫」和獨裁者「為他人而寫」這兩種寫作取向，並以小說創作來貫徹自己的寫作理念。
In Hong Kong where literary writing has long been peripheral, Dong Qizhang, who concentrates on writing novels in recent years, often ponders over the questions why write and to write or not to write . He therefore created two personae of himself -- Black Rider and Dictator -- in Tiangong kaiwu, Xuxu ruzhen and Shijian fanshi, Yaci zhiguang, examinging their thinking on writing in order to find our for what reasons he insists on writing. This article aims to conduct the inquisition from two perspectives. First, based on Bakhtin\u27s Theory of the Polyphonic Novel, it explains how Black Rider and Dictator, as well as the characters in their stories, embody the characteristics of the polyphonie novel in Tiangong kaiwu, Xuxuruzhen and Shijian fanshi, Yaci zhiguang. It then discusses why Dong thinks that novel authors must take responsibility for the heroes. Second, taking into account the literary ambience in Hong Kong, this article studies Dong\u27s attitude towards Black Rider\u27s choice to write for himself and Dictator\u27s choice to write for others , and how Dong follows out his own writing philosophy by engaging in novel writing
Synthesis, characterization, photophysics and electrochemical study of luminescent iridium(III) complexes with isocyanoborate ligands
No full textA new series of cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes with isocyanoborate ligands [Ir(R2ppy)2(L)(CNBR\u273)] (R = H or F ; L = CNC6H4Cl-4 or PPh3 ; R\u27 = Ph, C6F5 or C6H4Cl-4), [Ir(biqb)(ppy)(CNBR\u27\u273)] (R\u27\u27 = C6F5 or C6H4Cl-4) and {Ir(ppy)2(CN)n[CNB(C6F5)3]2-n}(-) (n = 0 or 1) have been synthesized and characterized. Three of these complexes have also been structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. The photophysical and electrochemical properties of these complexes have been investigated. The effects of isocyanoborate ligands on the luminescence properties of these iridium(III) complexes are also described
Highly effective degradation of sodium dodecylbenzene sulphonate and synthetic greywater by Fenton-like reaction over zerovalent iron-based catalyst
No full textThere is an increasing interest to recycle greywater for meeting non-portable water demand. However, linear alkylbenzene sulphonates (a form of anionic surfactants) that are commonly found in greywater are less biodegradable at moderate to high concentrations. A fenton-like system is a relatively economic advanced oxidation process that can potentially be used for surfactant degradation in greywater treatment. This study investigated the feasibility of zerovalent iron (ZVI)-mediated Fenton\u27s oxidation of sodium dodecylbenzene sulphonate (SDBS) using Fe0/H2O2 and Fe2+/Fe0/H2O2 systems under a range of operating conditions. For the Fe0/H2O2 binary system, the initial pH value and Fe0 dosage played important roles in final degradation efficiency. For the Fe2+/Fe0/H2O2 ternary systems, a small amount of Fe2+ (0.5–1.7 mM) contributed a synergistic effect to promote iron recycling and SDBS degradation. Approximately, 90% of SDBS mineralization efficiency was accomplished within 15 min at a pH range from 3.0 to 6.5, using 18 mM Fe0 and 15 mM H2O2. However, the removal kinetics was rate-limited by Fe2+ dissolution from the ZVI surfaces. The Fenton-like process of the Fe2+/Fe0/H2O2 ternary system also presents a promising treatment method for synthetic greywater, in which 90% TOC removal was achieved within the first 10 min; 78% COD and 91% BOD5 were achieved after 120 min of reaction
Synthesis of snowflake-shaped Co3O4 with a high aspect ratio as a high capacity anode material for lithium ion batteries
No full textIn this study, snowflake-shaped Co3O4 nanosheets (Co3O4-SF) are successfully fabricated by a facile ammonia-assisted hydrothermal route followed by calcination at 450 °C. Material characterizations indicate that the as-prepared Co3O4-SF shows an ultrathin structure with 10 μm width and 100 nm thickness, suggesting micro-/nanostructures and a high aspect ratio of 100. Reactant concentration and reaction duration are considered as important synthesis parameters for snowflake-shaped Co3O4 fabrication. It is also found that ammonia plays critical roles in the formation of the snowflake structure. By simply manipulating the ammonia amount, the material structure can be easily changed to hexagonal nanosheets (Co3O4-HX). More importantly, when Co3O4 anodes with these two interesting structures are evaluated in a coin cell, the snowflake-shaped Co3O4 electrode delivers remarkable capacities (1044 mA h g−1 at 500 mA g−1) with better retention (86–98% at 500–1000 mA g−1) after 100 cycles and excellent rate performance (977 mA h g−1 at 3000 mA g−1) at various current densities. Due to the unique structure and properties, snowflake-shaped Co3O4 anodes with superior battery performance demonstrate great potential in lithium ion batteries
Root systems of native shrubs and trees in Hong Kong and their effects on enhancing slope stability
No full textObjectives: Mechanical reinforcement by plant roots is believed to have an important role in stabilizing highly saturated slopes against shallow failure. In this study, the root system of four Hong Kong native shrubs (Rhodomyrtus tomentosa and Melastoma sanguineum) and trees (Schefflera heptaphylla and Reevesia thyrsoidea) with height that ranged between 1 and 1.5 m was sampled and their characteristics were studied.
Methods: The distribution of roots and root area ratio (RAR) with depth, relationship between root tensile strength (Tr) and root diameter (d), and also the variation of root cohesion (cr) with depth of the four species were investigated and statistically compared.
Results: Roots of the studied trees were found to extend deeper into the ground (up to 0.8 m) as compared to the shrubs (up to 0.4 m). RAR lies between 0.03 and 0.14% for the top 0.1 m soil and decreased with depth. The obtained Tr–d relationship of all the studied species fell into the same order as compared to some commonly reported European species. Besides, conventionally adopted power relationship between Tr and d was confirmed to be applicable for the studied species. The variation of root cohesion with depth was investigated for each species. Root cohesion of less than 1.5 kPa was evaluated for even the top 0.2 m soil when roots with a diameter that ranged only between 1 and 10 mm were considered. The contribution of roots to slope stability was studied on infinite slopes with and without vegetation under two hydrological scenarios (dry and wet slopes).
Conclusions and Implications: It was found that the studied young vegetation can bring an unsafe slope to marginal safety (factor of safety slightly larger than unity). Moreover, the studied tree species did not outperform the shrubs
Rehabilitation following fibro adenoma removal surgery for a female junior elite basketball player with sacroiliac and lumbo pelvic dysfunction: a case report
No full textIntroduction: Fibro adenomas is the most common benign breast tumors in young women while15% of the population with lower back and buttock pain was caused by the sacroiliac joint dysfunction. This is the first reported case of the rehabilitation of fibro adenoma removal surgery for an elite female basketball player with suspected lumbo pelvic instability and sacroiliac joint dysfunction.
Case Presentation: A 17-year-old female basketball player had fibro adenoma excision on her left breast and presented with pain in palpation or left shoulder movements. She presented with two years history of lower back pain in subsequent visits that was worsened in trunk flexion or rotation. Daily application of sports massage on chest scar tissues and gentle shoulder and scapula mobilization were applied. Besides, deep core muscles activation, postural control training and upper limb muscle strengthening exercises were introduced. After 1-week rehabilitation, significant reduction of chest pain with shoulder movements was achieved. The patient could also activate the lumbar multifidi and perform some advanced core stability exercises with satisfactory core control. However, she was urgently called back for resuming normal sport training and was resent for rehabilitation again due to the deterioration on her chest wound and lower back pain after having basketball practice and conditioning for one day. Pain was well controlled after resuming rehabilitation with the use of pelvic binder.
Conclusion: Negative result was obtained due to early return to practice with incomplete rehabilitation. The judgment on making progression and return to practice is critical
Heart rate: based training intensity and its impact on injury incidence among elite-level professional soccer players
No full textElite-level professional soccer players are suggested to have increased physical, technical, tactical, and psychological capabilities when compared with their subelite counterparts. Ensuring these players remain at the elite level generally involves training many different bodily systems to a high intensity or level within a short duration. This study aimed to examine whether an increase in training volume at high-intensity levels was related to injury incidence, or increased the odds of sustaining an injury. Training intensity was monitored through time spent in high-intensity (T-HI) and very high-intensity (T-VHI) zones of 85–\u3c90% and ≥90% of maximal heart rate (HRmax), and all injuries were recorded over 2 consecutive seasons. Twenty-three, elite professional male soccer players (mean ± SD age, 25.6 ± 4.6 years; stature, 181.8 ± 6.8 cm; and body mass, 79.3 ± 8.1 kg) were studied throughout the 2-years span of the investigation. The results showed a mean total injury incidence of 18.8 (95% confidence interval [CI], 14.7–22.9) injuries per 1,000 hours of exposure. Significant correlations were found between training volume at T-HI and injury incidence (r = 0.57, p = 0.005). Further analysis revealed how players achieving more time in the T-VHI zone during training increased the odds of sustaining a match injury (odds ratio = 1.87; 95% CI, 1.12–3.12, p = 0.02) but did not increase the odds of sustaining a training injury. Reducing the number of competitive match injuries among elite-level professional players may be possible if greater focus is placed on the training intensity and volume over a period of time ensuring the potential reduction of fatigue or overuse injuries. In addition, it is important to understand the optimal training load at which adaptation occurs without raising the risk of injury
Will hotel employees’ perception of unethical managerial behavior affect their job satisfaction?: a study of Chinese hotel employees in China
No full textPurpose: This study aims to investigate how Chinese hotel employees (Zhejiang province in mainland China) perceive unethical managerial behavior. It targets to identify any underlying dimensions that exist among the hotel employees. This study also aims to discover any relationship between overall job satisfaction and the derived dimensions. The effects of demographic variables on employees’ job satisfaction and its relationship with unethical managerial behavior are also investigated. Recommendations are presented to hoteliers and human resources practitioners on developing an ethical climate in the hotel industry.
Design/Methodology/Approach: Quantitative mixed methods incorporated both in-depth interviews on identifying 20 unethical managerial behaviors among hotel employees, and statistical analyses of the dimensions of the said behaviors were applied to this research. As quantitative analysis was the principal data analysis method adopted to test the hypotheses on hotel employees’ perception of unethical managerial behavior and job satisfaction, a self-administrated questionnaire was developed. A total of 268 completed questionnaires were collected, and factor analysis, multiple regression, independent t-test and ANOVA were conducted to analyze the data.
Findings: Three factors of unethical managerial behavior were developed: unethical treatment of employees; unfair and broken promises to employees; and inequity and unsympathetic treatment of employees. “Unethical treatment of employees” was found to be significantly related to overall job satisfaction among hotel employees in multiple regression analysis. Demographic differences were also found to exert effects on the three factors and overall job satisfaction.
Practical Implications: This paper successfully identified three underlying dimensions that exist among Chinese hotel employees’ perception of unethical managerial behavior. Three recommendations are presented to hoteliers as well as human resources practitioners for developing an ethical climate in the hotel industry.
Originality/Value: This study contributes to advance the understanding of the hotel employees’ perception of unethical managerial behavior. The relationship between job satisfaction and the derived three underlying dimensions is discovered