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《專業樓宇檢查指引》第一冊: 1980年前落成住宅及商住大廈 Professional guide to building inspections: volume 1: pre-1980 residential & composite buildings in Hong Kong
No full text本指引
- 並非單為強制驗樓計劃而設;
• 屋宇署就該計劃已出版作業備考2012
- 而是涵蓋一般專業驗樓須知
- 第一冊配合該計劃，提供以下4+1項的檢查指引:
• 外牆
• 結構
• 走火與防火結構
• 排水系統 及
• 僭建物
This Guide
–Is not just for MBIS;
•MBIS CoP 2012 is provided by BD (2012)
–But for general building inspections;
–Volume 1 is particularly drafted for the following 4+1 aspects：
•External Elements & Others Physical Elements
•Structural Elements
•Fire Safety Elements
•Drainage System and
•UB
i-Questionnaire: a software service tool for data analysis in e-business
No full textCustomization and flexibility of generating managed source codes for questionnaire in data analysis with the approach of Software as a Service (SaaS) becomes an essential and critical mission in e-Business. Today, building a on-demand software service for web-based questionnaire generation system is new in cloud computing environment. This paper describes a SaaS approach to dynamically generate a full set of ASP.net source codes and database schema for web-based questionnaire systems for data analysis in e-Business. The tool we proposed, i-Questionnaire, adopts SaaS for the software delivery model in which software and its associated data are hosted centrally and accessed by users using a thin client. The tool i-Questionnaire provides the template selections for designers to choose and construct the questionnaires they prefer. The generated ASP.net source codes can be presented in the form of the questionnaires shown on the mobile or web-based platforms via internet. The results of the answers are stored in repository for data analysis and data mining. It also provides the table schema definition for any relational database server in a cloud computing environment. In addition, the generated source codes present the result data on-line in graphical presentation in a technical and professional way. In this paper, four major components are identified in the SaaS framework, which have been fully implemented with the C++ language in our prototyping. The outcomes of i-Questionnaire, source codes of ASP.net and SQL table schema, can be simply placed in IIS Server under cloud computing environment to perform business analysis
Involvement of organic cation transporter-3 and plasma membrane monoamine transporter in serotonin uptake in human brain vascular smooth muscle cells
No full textThe serotonin (5-HT) uptake system is supposed to play a crucial part in vascular functions by “fine-tuning” the local concentration of 5-HT in the vicinity of 5-HT2 receptors in vascular smooth muscle cells. In this study, the mechanism of 5-HT uptake in human brain vascular smooth muscle cells (HBVSMCs) was investigated. [3H]5-HT uptake in HBVSMCs was Na+-independent. Kinetic analyses of [3H]5-HT uptake in HBVSMCs revealed a Km of 50.36 ± 10.2 mM and a Vmax of 1033.61 ± 98.86 pmol/mg protein/min. The specific serotonin re-uptake transporter (SERT) inhibitor citalopram, the specific norepinephrine transporter (NET) inhibitor desipramine, and the dopamine transporter (DAT) inhibitor GBR12935 inhibited 5-HT uptake in HBVSMCs with IC50 values of 97.03 ± 40.10, 10.49 ± 5.98, and 2.80 ± 1.04 μM, respectively. These IC50 values were 100-fold higher than data reported by other authors, suggesting that those inhibitors were not blocking their corresponding transporters. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction results demonstrated the presence of mRNA for organic cation transporter (OCT)-3 and plasma membrane monoamine transporter (PMAT), but the absence of OCT-1, OCT-2, SERT, NET, and DAT. siRNA knockdown of OCT-3 and PMAT specifically attenuated 5-HT uptake in HBVSMCs. It is concluded that 5-HT uptake in HBVSMCs was mediated predominantly by a low-affinity and Na+-independent mechanism. The most probable candidates are OCT-3 and PMAT, but not the SERT
Fractionation, characterization and antioxidant activity of exopolysaccharides from fermentation broth of a Cordyceps sinensis fungus
No full textExopolysaccharide (EPS) fractions P1/5, P2/5, P 1, P2 and P5 were isolated from the fermentation medium of a medicinal fungus Cordyceps sinensis by gradient precipitation with ethanol at 1/5, 2/5, 1, 2, and 5 volume ratios to the liquid medium. P1/5 and P2/5 were mainly composed of polysaccharides with negligible protein content and a large molecular or particle size (intrinsic viscosity [η] 2025 mL/g ; hydrodynamic radius R h 905 nm). The fraction attained at a higher ethanol volume ratio had a much higher protein and lower carbohydrate content, and a smaller molecular size. In particular, P5 was composed of mainly protein with an average molecular weight 16 kDa, [η] 4.3 mL/g and Rh 23.5 nm. The antioxidant activities of EPS fractions showed a significant dependence on the protein content, being negligible of P1/5 and P2/5, low to moderate of P1 and P2, and very strong of P5. Gradient ethanol precipitation was proven a simple and workable method for initial fractionation of polysaccharides, proteins and their complexes with different molecular sizes and for further identification of the bioactive components
Early development of soil microbial communities on rehabilitated quarries
No full textThe ecological development of soil microbial communities was studied in terms of microbial composition and structure at different rehabilitated phases on three quarries, namely Turret Hill Quarry (TH), Lam Tei Quarry (LT), and Shek O Quarry (SO), in Hong Kong. Using individual fatty acid methylesters (FAMEs) as biomarkers, Gram− bacteria dominated at all sites, in which cy19:0 represented more than 15% of the total extracted FAMEs in all soils tested. Redundancy analysis showed that the abundance of Gram− bacteria and Gram+ bacteria correlated significantly with woody species richness, native species richness, organic C, total N, and extractable NO3-N. Fungi (18:1w9c and 18:2w6) and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (16:1w5c) decreased in abundance with increasing age in SO and LT, which were positively correlated with grass coverage, soil pH, extractable NH4-N, and extractable P. Our study suggested that soil aeration and C availability in soils played a dominant role driving the changes in the composition and structure of Gram− bacteria and Gram+ bacteria communities. Available P was the limiting factor for regulating the fungal and AM fungal communities on our local quarries
Collective action in apartment building management in Hong Kong
No full textWith the expansion of the world\u27s population, apartment buildings have become popular, especially in metropolitan areas all over the world. Although apartment buildings could economize on the use of land, they may generate collective action problems among owners in the building management process, resulting in a “tragedy of the commons” in the urban environment. However, in the literature, there has been a lack of research that has investigated collective action problems in building management. In order to fill the gap, this study surveys collective action in apartment building management and proposes to utilize the institutional analysis and development (IAD) framework to analyze their problems. Making references to the literature on collective action and drawing from studies of common-pool resource management in particular, this paper classifies collective management actions into four categories, namely: 1) rules design, 2) rules enforcement, 3) maintenance decision making, and 4) performance monitoring. It further illustrates the application of the IAD model by empirically investigating a specific collective action—the appointment of a property management company (PMC). By using the logistic regression model for 2989 single block residential apartment buildings in 18 districts in Hong Kong, this paper will show that building condition, building location, the number of owners, and the presence of an owners\u27 organization each have a different impact on a property\u27s likelihood of appointing a PMC. The results of this paper should shed light on both collective action theory and building management
Determinants of, and reference equation for, exhaled nitric oxide in the Chinese population
No full textMeasurement of fractional exhaled nitric oxide concentration (FeNO) has been proposed as a useful biomarker for monitoring and management of airway diseases. Limited information is available regarding reference levels of FeNO levels in Chinese adults. This study aimed to investigate the reference equation and determinants of FeNO in Chinese adults. 1093 (577 males) healthy nonsmoking subjects aged 18-90 years were recruited. FeNO was measured online using a chemiluminescence analyser. Other assessments included spirometry, skin prick tests, total serum IgE levels and eosinophil count in peripheral blood. The geometric mean FeNO was 32.6 (95% reference interval (RI) 31.4-33.7) ppb for all subjects. FeNO values were higher in males than females (geometric mean (95% RI) 38.3 (36.5-40.2) ppb versus 27.1 (25.8-28.5) ppb, p\u3c0.0001), and in atopic than nonatopic subjects (34.6 (33.0-36.3) ppb versus 29.8 (28.3-31.4) ppb, p\u3c0.0001). FeNO correlated with age (r(2) = 0.23), height (r(2) = 0.20), IgE level (r(2) = 0.18) and percentage eosinophil count (r(2) = 0.18) (all p\u3c0.0001), but not with spirometric parameters. Based on multiple regression modelling, the reference equation of FeNO value was: log(FeNO) = 0.781 + 0.104(sex) + 0.004(age) + 0.084(atopy) + 0.003(height in cm), where for sex 1 = male and 0 = female, age is measured in years, for atopy 1 = atopic and 0 = nonatopic, and height is measured in cm. The FeNO of Chinese adults is higher than that of the Caucasian population, and is affected by age, sex, height and atopic status. This study provides useful references for the interpretation of FeNO
Developing and testing the effectiveness of a novel health Qigong for frail elders in Hong Kong: a preliminary study
No full textEight-Section Brocades and Yijin Jing consist of some routine movements that are too difficult for frail elders. A novel health qigong protocol was developed and its effectiveness for frail elders was examined using a randomized clinical trial (RCT). An expert panel performed functional anatomy analysis and safety field test prior to the RCT. The experimental group (n = 61, 83 ± 6 yr) was given a 12-week qigong exercise program, while the comparison group (n = 55, 84 ± 6 yr) participated in a newspaper reading program with the same duration and frequency. Pre-, mid-, post-, and follow-up assessments were conducted. At 12 weeks, the qigong group had significant improvements in thinking operations (F = 4.05, P = .02) and significant reduction of resting heart rate (F = 3.14, P = .045) as compared to the newspaper reading group. A trend of improvements in grip strength and a decreasing trend of depression levels were observed among the qigong group. Significant perceived improvements in physical health (F = 13.01, P = .001), activities of daily living (F = 5.32, P = .03), and overall health status (F = 15.26, P = .0001) were found. There are improvements in some aspects of psychosocial, cognitive, physical, and physiological domains. Clinical applications and possibilities for further research are discussed
Perceptions of Confucius Institutes from China and USA
No full textIn this presentation, we will present a comparative study of perceptions of China’s Confucius Institute between China and the United States of America. Plenty of interdisciplinary studies came along in both sides since the first establishment of Confucius Institute in 2004, discussing the impact of China’s soft power in the United States, however, never been examined in a comparative way. The complexity and controversy of Confucius Institute could provide scholars with a rich research agenda. We will begin with categorizing perceptions of Confucius Institutes first from the United States and then China, followed by a brief analysis of the core issues involved in the two sides. The presentation ends with a call for longitudinal in-depth case studies of Confucius Institutes and an academic dialogue between the scholars in Chinese and western universities. We suggest that future research of Confucius Institutes should give equal consideration on its teaching pedagogies, teacher training, language policy, as well as collaboration work with local universities in China and related overseas stakeholders