16,420 research outputs found
The 1961 Kampong Bukit Ho Swee fire and the making of modern Singapore
No full textBy 1970, Singapore’s urban landscape was dominated by high-rise blocks of planned public housing built by the People’s Action Party government, signifying the establishment of a high modernist nation-state. A decade earlier, the margins of the City had been dominated by kampongs, home to semi-autonomous communities of low-income Chinese families which freely built, and rebuilt, unauthorised wooden houses. This change was not merely one of housing but belied a more fundamental realignment of state-society relations in the 1960s. Relocated in Housing and Development Board flats, urban kampong families were progressively integrated into the social fabric of the emergent nation-state. This study examines the pivotal role of an event, the great Kampong Bukit Ho Swee fire of 1961, in bringing about this transformation. The redevelopment of the fire site in the aftermath of the calamity brought to completion the British colonial regime’s ‘emergency’ programmes of resettling urban kampong dwellers in planned accommodation, in particular, of building emergency public housing on the sites of major fires in the 1950s. The PAP’s far greater political resolve, and the timing of and state of emergency occasioned by the scale of the 1961 disaster, enabled the government to rehouse the Bukit Ho Swee fire victims in emergency housing in record time. This in turn provided the HDB with a strategic platform for clearing other kampongs and for transforming their residents into model citizens of the nation-state. The 1961 fire’s symbolic usefulness extended into the 1980s and beyond, in sanctioning the PAP’s new housing redevelopment schemes. The official account of the inferno has also become politically useful for the government of today for disciplining a new generation of Singaporeans against taking the nation’s progress for granted. Against these exalted claims of the fire’s role in the Singapore Story, this study also examines the degree of actual change and continuity in the social and economic lives of the people of Bukit Ho Swee after the inferno. In some crucial ways, the residents continued to occupy a marginal place in society while pondering, too, over the unresolved question of the cause of the fire. These continuities of everyday life reflect the ambivalence with which the citizenry regarded the high modernist state in contemporary Singapore
HMOX1 gene promoter alleles and high HO-1 levels are associated with severe malaria in Gambian children.
No full textHeme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) is an essential enzyme induced by heme and multiple stimuli associated with critical illness. In humans, polymorphisms in the HMOX1 gene promoter may influence the magnitude of HO-1 expression. In many diseases including murine malaria, HO-1 induction produces protective anti-inflammatory effects, but observations from patients suggest these may be limited to a narrow range of HO-1 induction, prompting us to investigate the role of HO-1 in malaria infection. In 307 Gambian children with either severe or uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria, we characterized the associations of HMOX1 promoter polymorphisms, HMOX1 mRNA inducibility, HO-1 protein levels in leucocytes (flow cytometry), and plasma (ELISA) with disease severity. The (GT)(n) repeat polymorphism in the HMOX1 promoter was associated with HMOX1 mRNA expression in white blood cells in vitro, and with severe disease and death, while high HO-1 levels were associated with severe disease. Neutrophils were the main HO-1-expressing cells in peripheral blood, and HMOX1 mRNA expression was upregulated by heme-moieties of lysed erythrocytes. We provide mechanistic evidence that induction of HMOX1 expression in neutrophils potentiates the respiratory burst, and propose this may be part of the causal pathway explaining the association between short (GT)(n) repeats and increased disease severity in malaria and other critical illnesses. Our findings suggest a genetic predisposition to higher levels of HO-1 is associated with severe illness, and enhances the neutrophil burst leading to oxidative damage of endothelial cells. These add important information to the discussion about possible therapeutic manipulation of HO-1 in critically ill patients
Marmessoidea hainanensis subsp. yinggelingensis Ho, subsp. nov.
No full textMarmessoidea hainanensis yinggelingensis Ho subsp. nov. E/T Type. Holotype: ♂, Yinggeling Nature Reserve, Baisha, Hainan, China, 29.IX.2010, George Ho Wai-Chun (BFU). Diagnosis. This new subspecies is similar to Marmessoidea hainanensis hainanensis Ho sp. nov. & subsp. nov. but can be separated by darker colouration, longer size and shorter alae. Description. Male. Medium-sized. Slender and slim. General colour of body and legs dull green. Head smooth and rounded. Compound eyes big and rounded, about 1.5 times length of genae. Occipital furrows and swellings indistinct. Antennae blackish brown with yellowish brown rings, filiform, longer than body length; scapus about 1.5 times length of pedicellus, shorter than third segment. Pronotum rectangular, longer than wide, as long as head, sparsely covered with indistinct small granules, with transverse and longitudinal sulci crossing before centre, anterior margin weakly curved inwards, posterior margin rounded. Mesonotum elongated, parallel-sided, 4 times length of pronotum, sparsely covered with inconspicuous small granules, mediolongitudinal line distinct. Mesopleurae, mesosternum, metapleurae and metasternum lacking granulation. Abdomen smooth. Second to sixth terga roughly equal in length. Seventh tergum as long as combined length of eighth and ninth terga. Eighth tergum as long as ninth tergum. Anal segment shorter than ninth tergum, with a small notch and sparse short bristles on posterior margin. Poculum cup-shaped, posterior margin rounded, reaching middle area of anal segment. Cerci cylindrical, curved inwards, apices rounded. Legs slender and long. Unarmed, sparsely covered with short bristles, bristles on ventral carinae shorter than bristles on dorsal carinae. Femora and tibiae dull green, black apically. All femora roughly as long as corresponding tibiae. Tegmina oval, longer than head, with a pale yellow longitudinal stripe marginally, subtruncate posteriorly. Alae short, reaching posterior margin of fourth abdominal tergum. Measurements. Body 57 mm; head 3 mm; antennae 68 mm; pronotum 2.5 mm; mesonotum 12 mm; metanotum (including median segment) 7 mm; profemora 18 mm; mesofemora 11.5 mm; metafemora 17 mm; protibiae 18 mm; mesotibiae 12 mm; metatibiae 18 mm; tegmina 3.5 mm; alae 20 mm. Distribution. Hainan (Yinggeling), China. Notes. Female is unknown. Further material collected from the type-locality is necessary to confirm its relationship with Marmessoidea hainanensis hainanensis Ho sp. nov. & subsp. nov. Etymology. This new subspecies is named after the type locality, Yinggeling, Hainan Island, China.Published as part of Ho, George Wai-Chun, 2016, Contribution to the knowledge of Chinese Phasmatodea III: Catalogue of the phasmids of Hainan Island, China, with descriptions of one new genus, one new species and two new subspecies and proposals of three new combinations, pp. 314-340 in Zootaxa 4150 (3) on page 320, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4150.3.4, http://zenodo.org/record/25841
T Cell responses to whole SARS Coronavirus in humans
No full textEffective vaccines should confer long-term protection against future outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) caused by a novel zoonotic coronavirus (SARS-CoV) with unknown animal reservoirs. We conducted a cohort study examining multiple parameters of immune responses to SARS-CoV infection, aiming to identify the immune correlates of protection. We used a matrix of overlapping peptides spanning whole SARS-CoV proteome to determine T cell responses from 128 SARS convalescent samples by ex vivo IFN-γ ELISPOT assays. Approximately 50% of convalescent SARS patients were positive for T cell responses, and 90% possessed strongly neutralizing Abs. Fifty-five novel T cell epitopes were identified, with spike protein dominating total T cell responses. CD8+ T cell responses were more frequent and of a greater magnitude than CD4+ T cell responses (p < 0.001).
Polychromatic cytometry analysis indicated that the virus-specific T cells from the severe group tended to be a central memory phenotype (CD27+/CD45RO+) with a significantly higher frequency of polyfunctional CD4+ T cells producing IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2, and CD8+ T cells producing IFN-γ, TNF-α, and CD107a (degranulation), as compared with the mild-moderate group. Strong T cell responses correlated significantly (p < 0.05) with higher neutralizing Ab. The serum cytokine profile during acute infection indicated a significant elevation of innate immune responses. Increased Th2 cytokines were observed in patients with fatal infection. Our study provides a roadmap for the immunogenicity of SARS-CoV and types of immune responses that may be responsible for the virus clearance, and should serve as a benchmark for SARS-CoV vaccine design and evaluation
Oligonychus litchii is an important agricultural pest in Taiwan (Acar: Tetranychidae)
No full textOligonychus litchii was first reported in 1989 by Lo and Ho. The known host
plants of this mite have rapidly increased to 34 plants in 17 families, including fruit
trees, ornamental plants, and some wild trees. It has become the key mite pest of
guava, litchi, longyan, loquat, and wax apple. In the opinion of the author, the
importance of this spider mite to agriculture in Taiwan is second only to Tetanychus
kanzawai Kishda, T. urticae Koch, and Panonychus citri (McGregor)
Long-term wind-driven X-ray spectral variability of NGC 1365 with Swift
No full textWe present long-term (months–years) X-ray spectral variability of the Seyfert 1.8 galaxy NGC 1365 as observed by Swift, which provides well-sampled observations over a much longer time-scale (six years) and a much larger flux range than is afforded by other observatories. At very low luminosities, the spectrum is very soft, becoming rapidly harder as the luminosity increases and then, above a particular luminosity, softening again. At a given flux level, the scatter in hardness ratio is not very large, meaning that the spectral shape is largely determined by the luminosity. The spectra were therefore summed in luminosity bins and fitted with a variety of models. The best-fitting model consists of two power laws, one unabsorbed and another, more luminous, which is absorbed. In this model, we find a range of intrinsic 0.5–10.0 keV luminosities of approximately 1.1–3.5 erg s?1, and a very large range of absorbing columns, of approximately 1022–1024 cm?2. Interestingly, we find that the absorbing column decreases with increasing luminosity, but that this result is not due to changes in ionization. We suggest that these observations might be interpreted in terms of a wind model in which the launch radius varies as a function of ionizing flux and disc temperature and therefore moves out with increasing accretion rate, i.e. increasing X-ray luminosity. Thus, depending on the inclination angle of the disc relative to the observer, the absorbing column may decrease as the accretion rate goes up. The weaker, unabsorbed, component may be a scattered component from the wind
Specification Testing in Nonlinear Time Series with Long-Range Dependence
No full textThis paper proposes a model specification testing procedure for parametric specification of the conditional mean function in a nonlinear time series model with long–range dependence. An asymptotically normal test is established even when long–range dependence is involved. In order to implement the proposed test in practice using a simulated example, a bootstrap simulation procedure is established to find a simulated critical value to compute both the size and power values of the proposed test.Asymptotic theory, Gaussian process, nonlinear time series, long-range dependence, parametric specification
HO and PD98059 alleviated intestinal inflammation caused by <i>T</i>. <i>spiralis</i> infection.
No full textA and B: HO and PD98059 inhibited and abrogated the elevated transcription level of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β) caused by T. spiralis infection. C and D: HO and PD98059 up-regulated further the transcription level of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10) caused by T. spiralis infection. Each experiment was carried out in triplicate. * P # P ♥P < 0.05 compared to the only HO or PD98059 alone group.</p
Pseudoparamenexenus Ho, gen. nov.
No full textGenus Pseudoparamenexenus Ho gen. nov. E (Figs. 11–16, 20–21) Type-species. Paramenexenus yangi Chen & He, 2002: 105 (in Chen et al., 2002), by present designation. Monotypy. Diagnosis. Pseudoparamenexenus Ho gen. nov. is closely related to Paramenexenus Redtenbacher, 1908 but can be distinguished from the latter by unarmed thorax and medioventral carina of femora with an small subapical spine in male; strongly elongate and bifurcated posterior apex of anal abdominal segment and truncate posterior apex of flattened subgenital plate in female; and pear-shaped capsule and oblong micropylar plate in egg. Paramenexenus can be distinguished from Pseudoparamenexenus Ho gen. nov. by distinctly spinose thorax in male; more robust body and strongly elongate subgenital plate in female; and oval capsule and elongate micropylar plate in egg. Description. Medium-sized Necrosciinae. Both sexes similar in size, but female body more robust than male. Female apterous and male with scale-like wing rudiments. Spineless, female with few short tubercles on thorax laterally and male unarmed. Head oval, with four to six swellings on posterior margin. Vertex flat. Pronotum rectangular. Mesonotum constricted at anterior region, moderately swollen pre-medially and slightly narrowing in posterior half in female; broadly emarginated medially in male. Abdomen smooth in male, medially and laterally carinate in female. Anal segment of female with strongly elongate and bifurcated posterior apex, lateral angles very sharp, with small emargination on posterior margin in male. Subgenital plate of female scoop-shaped, posterior margin truncate, reaching middle point of anal segment. Male poculum small, cup-like. Legs lacking distinct armature. Anteroventral and posteroventral carinae of femora with two to four subapical spines in both sexes. Egg capsule pear-shaped. Micropylar plate oval. Operculum with apically tapering capitulum. Distribution. Hainan, China. Notes. Only one species is known in the genus. Etymology. It refers to the similarity to Paramenexenus Redtenbacher, 1908. Pseudoparamenexenus yangi (Chen & He, 2002) comb. nov. E/T ( Figs. 11–16, 20–21 ) Paramenexenus yangi, Chen & He, 2002: 105 (in Chen et al., 2002), fig. 5. Type. Holotype: ♀, Wuzhishan, Hainan, China, 29.V.1997, Yang Chi-Kun & Cheng Gui-Fang (BFU). Other material examined. 1Ƌ, Jianfengling, Hainan, China, 6.VI.2008, George Ho Wai-Chun (GH); 2♀ & 20 eggs, Jianfengling, Hainan, China, 22–23.I.2010, George Ho Wai-Chun (GH); 1Ƌ & 1♀, Jianfengling, Hainan, China, 15–16.IV.2011, George Ho Wai-Chun (GH). Description. Male (Figs. 13–14, 20). Body slender. Head brown, oblong, longer than wide, slightly as long as pronotum. Occiput flat, with a rounded depression, margin surrounding with a few depressed granules. Compound eyes rounded, with a thin and black postocular stripe behind compound eyes. Antennae brown, filiform, reaching posterior end of abdomen, with blackish bristles; scapus cylindrical, slightly as long as third segment; pedicellus shorter than scapus. Mouth parts with golden bristles. Thorax unarmed. Pronotum with small pits anterolaterally, anterior margin curved inwards, longitudinal and transverse sulci crossing at centre of segment. Mesonotum slender, 6 times length of pronotum, lateral margins with small pits; with scale-like wings rudiment posterolaterally. Mesopleurae dull green, lateral margins with a row of small pits. Metanotum 2 times length of median segment. Abdomen slender, cylindrical and parallel-sided. Median segment longer than wide. Second to seventh terga with small pits laterally. Eighth tergum as long as ninth tergum. Anal segment shorter than ninth tergum, with emargination on posterior margin. Poculum small, cup-shaped, posterior margin rounded. Cerci light brown, short, cylindrical, apices pointed. Legs dull green, densely covered with long blackish bristles. Medioventral carina of femora with a small spine subapically. Anteroventral and posteroventral carinae of femora with two to three small spines subapically. Measurements. Body 71–78 mm; head 3.5– 4 mm; antennae 7 3–80 mm; pronotum 3.5– 4 mm; mesonotum 17– 20 mm; metanotum 6.5– 7 mm; median segment 3 mm; profemora 22–25 mm; mesofemora 15 mm; metafemora 22–25 mm; protibiae 23–24 mm; mesotibiae 14–15 mm; metatibiae 24–29 mm. Eggs (Figs. 15–16). Capsule elongated, pear-shaped, sandy brown, posterior polar rounded; surface webbed. Micropylar plate oval, sandy brown; webbed as capsule, anterior and posterior apices rounded; margin convex. Median line indistinct. Micropylar cup placed after middle point of micropylar plate. Operculum oval, surface webbed; central area distinctly elevated, tapering apically, apex pointed. Measurements. Length 4 mm, width 2.5 mm, height 2.5 mm. Distribution. Hainan (Jianfengling), China. Notes. The descriptions of male and eggs are the first given for this species. Illustrations of abdominal drawings are based on the type and non-type material.Published as part of Ho, George Wai-Chun, 2016, Contribution to the knowledge of Chinese Phasmatodea III: Catalogue of the phasmids of Hainan Island, China, with descriptions of one new genus, one new species and two new subspecies and proposals of three new combinations, pp. 314-340 in Zootaxa 4150 (3) on pages 323-324, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4150.3.4, http://zenodo.org/record/25841
HIV and tuberculosis in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 1997-2002.
No full textIn Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, reporting rates for tuberculosis (TB) are rising in an emerging HIV epidemic. To describe the HIV epidemic among TB patients and quantify its impact on rates of reported TB, we performed a repeated cross-sectional survey from 1997 through 2002 in a randomly selected sample of inner city TB patients. We assessed effect by adjusting TB case reporting rates by the fraction of TB cases attributable to HIV infection. HIV prevalence in TB patients rose exponentially from 1.5% to 9.0% during the study period. Young (<35 years), single, male patients were mostly affected; injection drug use was a potent risk factor. After correction for HIV infection, the trend in TB reporting rates changed from a 1.9% increase to a 0.4% decrease per year. An emerging HIV epidemic, concentrated in young, male, injection drug users, is responsible for increased TB reporting rates in urban Vietnam
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