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Alternative urban narrative: spatial writing in Hong Kong short stories, 1950s-1960s = Ling zhong Xianggang cheng shi xu shi : wu, liu shi nian dai duan pian xiao shuo kong jian shu xie zhong de "ren cheng guan xi"
No full textHong Kong literature bloomed from the 1950s to the 1960s; however, the existing studies in this period seem selective, especially for those unfamous short stories. Scholars still focus on topics such as revealing the suffering reality of the bottom, criticizing the corrupted urban life, or expressing nostalgia, and few investigate whether these stories could represent more sophisticated relationships between the city (Hong Kong) and its residents.
Hence, this thesis utilizes the lens of space to analyze short stories delineating urban residents’ daily lives, which are mainly published in four newspapers, namely the “Wen Yi” of Wen Wei Po, The Chinese Student Weekly, New Evening Post and New Life Evening Post, to explore how they represent the interaction between urban commoners and the city. From the private to the public level, this thesis discusses three kinds of urban spatial forms: squatter, neighborhood, and street. Firstly, some short stories, which set squatters as scenarios, directly depict the seriously destroyed residential situation that residents are forced to confront; simultaneously, others write about residents’ imaginary lives based on their real living conditions. These stories express lower-middle-class people’s struggle to obtain a stable dwelling place, and the eagerness to settle down in Hong Kong. Secondly, some short stories delineate trivial but comforting intercourses in neighborhoods, showing commoners have gradually established a sense of place during this period, which could be regarded as the prelude to local identity consciousness. Finally, the stories set in the streets exploit the openness and hybridity of streets to generate narratives of how urban commoners, who still hold traditions, interact with modern social values in the early stage of urbanization, revealing the ambiguous and entangled connections between the city and its residents. In conclusion, this thesis argues that more sophisticated relationships between urban commoners and the city (Hong Kong) are manifested in short stories written in the 1950s to the 1960s, which can add some nuanced perspectives to literary studies during this period.
Furthermore, this thesis also discusses the similarities between selected stories and literary works after the 1970s and investigates the possibility of breaking through current discursive boundaries in Hong Kong urban literature.published_or_final_versionChineseDoctoralDoctor of Philosoph
Deciphering the skeletal interoceptive circuitry to control bone homeostasis
No full textBone tissue is richly innervated, and the influence of the nervous system on the physiological and pathological status of bone tissue has emerged as a significant research focus. The recent discovery of the skeletal interoceptive circuits further emphasizes the crucial role of the central nervous system in the control of bone homeostasis. Skeletal interoception represents one of the most intricate mechanisms in the human body for maintaining bone homeostasis, as it involves the orchestrated efforts of skeletal, nervous, immune, and endocrine systems. In this review, we comprehensively introduce the three primary components of the skeletal interoceptive circuitry, including the ascending pathways that perceive and convey signals to the central nervous system, the central neural pathways that process and interpret these signals, and the descending pathways that mediate the regulatory effects on bone tissue. We also discuss how innovative therapeutic strategies can be developed to modulate bone homeostasis by leveraging the most updated findings on skeletal interoceptive circuitry. We anticipate that the application of knowledge on skeletal interoception will lead to a paradigm shift in the field of orthopaedics and biomaterials
The potential role of biosimilars in healthcare sustainability in Latin America
Get PDFIntroduction: Latin American (LatAm) countries face significant increases in healthcare expenditure, driven largely by population growth and aging, and the rising prevalence of cancer and other chronic diseases. Growing demand and high costs of biologic medicines present barriers to patient access in this region. Biosimilars can improve the affordability and accessibility of biologics, supporting long-term healthcare sustainability. However, their uptake in LatAm has generally been slow. Areas covered: Challenges and barriers to the use of biosimilars and potential strategies to increase biosimilar uptake in LatAm, drawing on learnings from Europe and the U.S.A. Expert opinion: Potential initiatives to drive biosimilar uptake across LatAm include (1) harmonized regulatory processes for biosimilars, with reimbursement policies that prioritize their use and incentives to encourage prescribing; (2) education for key stakeholders to limit misinformation about biosimilars, provide reassurance about safety and efficacy, and increase understanding and acceptance; (3) simplified health technology assessment processes for biosimilars that expedite or adapt some aspects of the traditional approach; and (4) coordinated regional efforts to enable national healthcare systems to purchase medicines in the most cost-effective way, with value frameworks to support decision-making and the implementation of centralized purchasing, competition policies, and risk-sharing agreements.published_or_final_versio
Lower limb deformity and gait deviations of osteogenesis imperfecta
No full textBackground: Osteogenesis imperfecta is a rare genetic disorder characterized by complex lower limb deformities, resulting in various gait limitations. This study aimed to (1) investigate the incidence and association between radiographic changes and gait impairment; (2) propose a lower limb deformity index to quantify deformity severity as well as gait performance. Methods: Bilateral X-ray images and 3D gait analysis results were assessed retrospectively from 48 patients with osteogenesis imperfecta. Multivariate linear regression was used to investigate the contribution of each deformity to gait performance. Eight scoring approaches of the proposed index, calculated from radiographic changes, were evaluated by their linear relationship to gait deviation. Results: Patients with osteogenesis imperfecta had high incidence of anterolateral bowing of femur, and anteromedial bowing of tibia, along with abducted hip, varus knee, hip flexion and ankle dorsiflexion deformities. Their maximum joint kinematics and kinetics were less than healthy controls, which was consistent with their major deformities. However, multivariate linear regression indicated a limited contribution from each deformity to gait deviation (only mechanical axis deviation out of 14 radiographic measures showed significance). Remarkably, our proposed index presented a significant linear correlation to gait deviation (Correlation coefficient: −0.650; R square: 0.423; F value: 33.719, p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study preliminary demonstrated the association between lower limb deformities and gait deviations of patients with osteogenesis imperfecta and proposed a lower limb deformity index to quantify the deformity severity that reflects gait performance.</p
A Multi-functional Viral Vector Vaccine System for Epidemics and Pandemics
No full textNumerous common cold viruses cause recurring epidemics, some of which lead to significant disease burden and mortality among the elderly population, as exemplified by ongoing COVID-19 and annual influenza outbreaks. While current vaccines primarily reduce disease severity, they are not optimal for preventing infection and transmission. Developing effective vaccines to prevent respiratory viral infections remains a challenging task. Building on our long-term research and understanding of the NS1 protein's role in the influenza virus, we have successfully developed a live attenuated influenza virus (LAIV) system with the NS1 gene deleted (DelNS1). The influenza virus lacking NS1 serves as an ideal immunogen and versatile viral vector. The DelNS1 LAIV vaccine system offers several advantages, including high safety, ease of use, and the ability to induce mucosal immunity in the upper respiratory tract, thereby blocking infection and transmission. The removal of the NS1 gene from the viral genome enhances the vaccine's capacity to elicit long-lasting and broadly cross-protective immunity.The DelNS1 LAIV is a multifunctional vaccine platform that can be adapted to develop vaccines for epidemic respiratory viruses and enable rapid responses to the emerging pathogens, serving as a stockpiling technology for future pandemics. Importantly, as an influenza-based viral vector, it can be flexibly used to develop bivalent vaccines, such as Flu-COVID, Flu-RSV, and Flu-hMPV.</p
Utilising badges and leaderboards to support students' English language learning
No full textPrevious studies suggested that badges and leaderboards have a potential to support
student learning. English language learning is of great importance in today’s
globalised society. However, few studies have examined how badges and
leaderboards can be designed to support students’ English language learning
effectively. This thesis incorporates four interconnected studies, which in
combination are meant to address the aim of investigating the potential of
leveraging badges and leaderboards to underpin student learning, especially how
they can be utilised to support students’ English language learning in formal
education.
Study one reviewed 39 articles concerning the empirical evidence of badge
use in education, identified important research gaps, and proposed a series of badge
design recommendations based on empirical findings and robust theories. Likewise,
study two reviewed 20 articles concerning the empirical studies of leaderboard use
in education, ascertained significant research gaps, and raised a set of leaderboard
design recommendations according to empirical findings and well-established
theories. These two studies identified critical research gaps, which directed the
research questions of the two following empirical studies. Also, the two studies
provided important guidance that informed the badge and leaderboard design of the
two subsequent empirical studies.
Study three examined the individual and combined effects of badges and
leaderboards on first-year Chinese secondary school students’ learning English as
a foreign language (EFL). Specifically, their effects on students’ EFL interest
(course and domain interest in Fryer et al.’s [2016] Task-Course-Domain Model),
self-efficacy, and academic performance were examined. Contrary to the
hypotheses, study three found that using badges and leaderboards separately or
together did not affect students’ course/domain interest, self-efficacy and
performance compared to non-gamification. Despite the nonsignificant findings,
this study is among the pioneering studies investigating the individual and
combined effects of badges and leaderboards on students’ English language
learning interest, self-efficacy, and performance. This study also provided possible
explanations for the nonsignificant findings and guided future research.
Building upon study three, study four investigated the combined effects of
badges and leaderboards on first-year Chinese secondary school students’ EFL
interest (course and domain interest in Task-Course-Domain Model), self-efficacy,
performance, and whether the effects differed by gender. The findings suggested
that badges and leaderboards together effectively enhanced students’ course interest,
domain interest, and self-efficacy, but did not affect their academic performance
compared to non-gamification. The effects of badges and leaderboards were similar
for male and female students. Most students reported positive perceptions of badges
and leaderboards in open-ended feedback (e.g., the gamified course using badges
and leaderboards was fun and increased their attention). Study four provided a
feasible and cost-efficient strategy (i.e., implementing badges and leaderboards
simultaneously) to support student English language learning interest and selfefficacy.
All in all, the present thesis provides important insights into how badges and
leaderboards can be utilised to underpin student learning, especially how they can
be designed to support secondary school students’ English language learning by
fostering their interest and self-efficacy.published_or_final_versionEducationDoctoralDoctor of Educatio
Comparative Three Dimensional Evaluation of Skeletal and Dento-Alveolar Effects Between Tooth-Borne and Bone-Anchored Maxillary Expansion for Growing Patients—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
No full textTransverse maxillary deficiency, a common skeletal discrepancy among children and adolescents globally, can be treated using either bone-anchored (BA) and tooth-borne (TB) maxillary expanders. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the three-dimensional (3D) difference in the skeletal and dentoalveolar effects of both expander types in growing patients. A systematic literature search was performed across four electronic databases to identify randomised clinical trials that evaluated the skeletal and dentoalveolar effects of BA and TB maxillary expanders using 3D radiographic images with comparisons made immediately after expansion, within 6 months, and beyond 6 months. Following risk of bias assessment, dimensional changes in sutural expansion (SE), nasal width (NW), maxillary width (MW), as well as tooth inclination (TI) and buccal bone thickness (BBT) of posterior tooth regions were extracted and pooled for further meta-analyses. The analyses were performed based on evaluation periods to determine immediate, short-term, and long-term effects. Among 1432 records that have been retrieved, ten studies followed our predetermined eligibility criteria, thus included in this systematic review for qualitative synthesis. Nine of them were able to undergo quantitative synthesis. Regarding the immediate effect, BA expanders presented significantly higher SE, NW, and MW changes than TB expanders, while showing no significant difference in TI and BBT at the molar region. During the first 6 months after expansion (short-term), evidence has shown that the skeletal and dentoalveolar effects were more favourable to BA expanders in terms of greater nasal width changes and less TI for premolars and molars. However, there were particularly insufficient studies that investigated the long-term skeletal and dentoalveolar effect differences, though there might be greater nasal width changes after 6 months. Current evidence suggests that hybrid/BA expanders produce significantly greater skeletal effect than tooth-borne expanders in the immediate and short term. These effects include increased sutural opening and nasal width, alongside less premolar buccal tipping and greater buccal bone thickness at the premolar and molar region less than 6 months after expansion. Over time, the differences between groups appear to diminish time, indicating potential instability in the long-term outcomes. Due to the high heterogeneity among studies and low quality of evidence reported, these findings should be interpreted with caution. Further studies with more standardised ways would be needed, particularly for long-term changes. Registration: PROSPERO (CRD42023399235)
“What has become a burden in rental housing? Workplace location, neighbourhood and housing environment on household rental burden”
No full textThe escalating severity of housing affordability issues has compelled households to make compromises across various life domains in order to maintain a manageable rental burden. However, the dynamics between household factors and rental burden have not been thoroughly explored, and it remains unclear which factors most significantly affect rental burden, particularly among those experiencing disproportionately high burdens. This study employs a multi-level model using a census sample dataset (n = 20047) and geospatial data from Hong Kong to explore the effects of workplace location, neighbourhood and housing environment on rental burden. The analysis compares these effects across households with varying levels of rental burden. This study reveals that workplace location, housing features, and neighbourhood environments have differentiated impacts on rental burdens among households in a high-rent, dense urban context. The results uncover a novel positive association between remote working and rental burden among high-burden households—contrasting with a negative association for their lower-burden counterparts—highlighting an emerging dynamic in housing affordability shaped by evolving remote work patterns. Additionally, the findings show that high-burden households lack flexibility to accommodate additional dependents, exposing a “housing squeeze” that constrains family formation and intergenerational care. Mobility and connectivity are found to be vital for households under financial strain, suggesting that investments in transportation infrastructure could help mitigate some affordability pressures by broadening access to jobs and services.</p
A prospective comparison of sequential versus interval retreatment with radiofrequency ablation for predominantly solid, large-volume benign thyroid nodules
No full textBackgroundRadiofrequency ablation is an effective treatment for benign thyroid nodules. For large nodules ≥20 mL, retreatment within 6 months would lead to a higher volume reduction rate at 12 months than a single treatment. However, the optimal timing of retreatment within the 6-month period has not been determined. This prospective study compared sequential versus interval retreatment with radiofrequency ablation for predominantly solid, large benign thyroid nodules ≥20 mL and identified factors associated with a better volume reduction rate.MethodsConsecutive patients with predominantly (>80%) solid, cytologically benign large thyroid nodules (≥20 mL) that were undergoing radiofrequency ablation at a tertiary endocrine surgery center were recruited for a planned, 2-session radiofrequency ablation treatment. Group I received sequential retreatment in ResultsFrom 2022 to 2023, 31 nodules (group I: 15, group II: 16) from 30 patients were recruited for a total of 62 ablation sessions. Baseline characteristics including nodule volumes (33.5 [25–40] vs 37.2 [23.9–56.1] mL) and symptoms were comparable (P P = .608). Both groups had significant further nodule shrinkage from 12 months to 18 months (P P > .05), and significant improvement in cosmetic and compressive symptoms (P P = .038, odds ratio: 88.3 [1.47–532]). No vocal cord palsy or hematoma occurred, and all patients were discharged on the same day after each treatment session.ConclusionContinued shrinkage beyond 12 months was observed in large, predominantly solid benign thyroid nodules that received 2-session radiofrequency ablation within 6 months. Varying the time interval to retreatment within 6 months did not affect treatment efficacy. A higher energy per unit volume delivered at the second ablation session was associated with greater volume reduction.</p